This year David asked for help getting the word out, the following is from his site.

Halloween is just around the corner.  Every year I’ve run my event, people invariably say, “If you need help next year, let me know.”

Well, if I’m going to do this again for 2011,  I need your help.

Specifically, I’m looking for a few volunteers to participate during the event.   Participation involves working a section of the event, sometimes with a little theatrics, but mostly to guide people through or give them a scare.

I’m contemplating running the event on Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th, and definitely on Monday the 31st.

We currently run the event like this with people manning these locations:

Main entrance / exit:

Two people.  One person manages incoming people, the other passes out treats and handles Foodbank donations.

Mad Scientist Lab:

One person(as a lab assistant [think Igor]) to accompany animatronic doctor, and add some flair to the display, while making sure things aren’t touched, and people move on to the next section.

Illusion / Clown room:

Two – Three people. One to two people to perform the illusion (no skill necessary), and one to throw in an unexpected scare.

Additionally, it looks like we’ve lost our chainsaw guy this year.  While I like and respect the guy who did it (my ex-brother in law) I never much cared for the noise and running around.  However, if anyone has a chainsaw without the chain installed and wants to throw on a mask and chase the teens around occasionally, I welcome you.

Of course, zombies, ghouls, ghosts, and creatures of all sorts are welcome to roam the yard and scare attendees.  And,  if someone is truly brave enough and doesn’t suffer from claustrophobia, I invite you to spend the evening lying down in an open casket, scaring the unwitting visitors.

I have several available costumes and masks, and lots of makeup, however, having your own costume / mask is great.  Lastly, volunteers must be at least 21 years old.  No alcoholic beverages may be consumed on the day(s) of or during the event.

So, if you’d like to help out a good cause and have some fun, contact my Halloween partner, Robbie, via email or telephone at (860) 953-4785, or leave a comment and let us know which nights you’re available and what you’d like (or don’t want) to do.

One final note. If I don’t have enough help, I can’t run the event in full, meaning some displays may be closed, or I may not run it at all — so please pitch in to have some fun, and help out the Foodbank.

Republican Sign Removed by Democrat Town Chair Shawn Fisher

Letter to the Editor from the Marlborough Republican Town Chair.

Some disturbing activities have been occurring in recent days In Marlborough in regards to vandalism and removal of Republican political signs. Last week there were several incidents of signs being run down on North Main Street and other signs being vandalized by the intersection of North Main Street and Park Road. Then, on Saturday morning, someone was observed removing a Republican campaign sign from the center of town. The witness wrote down the person’s license plate and filed a report with the police. The Marlborough constable investigated the matter and it was determined that the person who removed the sign was Shawn Fisher, Chairman of the Marlborough Democratic Town Committee. I have encouraged my Party members NEVER to touch a sign or other property belonging to another Party. I would have expected the same respect from Mr. Fisher. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Ken Hjulstrom
Marlborough RTC Chairman

Republican Signs run down by parties unknown.

With elimination of the BOF the sole power to present budgets to the town would reside with the Board of Selectmen, a body of 3 people.

One has to wonder what other “improvements” to the Charter could be suggested?

Immediately volunteering to be on the committee were Pasquale Amodeo and David Durel. Bill Black immediately rejected Amodeo’s request, noting Pasquale was already on the Board of Finance and could not serve on two boards. No word if Selectman Black will accept Durel’s offer.

If you remember back to the last budget cycle, the BOS refused to make cuts and if the budget passed as submitted by the BOS, we would have had a tax increase of somewhere in the range of 10%. 10% tax increase in a recession.

That budget was defeated by the town. After that budget defeat the BOF went to work, without guidance from the BOS and crafted a budget that eventually passed.

The BOF during the last budget cycle was the only Board willing to do the hard work of crafting a budget that would pass.

With regards to the Hodge disabled veteran issue, the ordinance as crafted would deny Mrs Hodge the exemption if Mr Hodge passes first, and would allow the exemption to be reviewed on a yearly basis by the BOS.

A game of Frisbee took a painful turn Sunday when a man was bitten by a rattlesnake in Marlborough.

A man and his friend were tossing the ring around on West Street Sunday when the disk landed near a snake, state police told the Hartford Courant. The man went to pick it up and the snake bit him.

He was in stable condition late Sunday, the Courant reports.

The type of rattlesnake that bit the man was not published but the only rattlesnake the state Department of Environmental Protection identifies as found in the state is the Timber Rattlesnake, which is endangered.

This type of snake is 36 to 54 inches long with a large, stocky body, v-shaped bands on a brown, black or yellow body and a light yellow belly.

This type of snake is found predominantly in the northwest corner of the state, according to a map on the state’s “Snakes in Connecticut” pamphlet. Timber rattlesnake bites are rare, according to state officials.

Should you encounter one, back away slowly. Fast or sudden movement can upset the snake.

The other type of venomous snake found in Connecticut is the Copperhead, which is found in central Connecticut and the southern part of the state. There are 12 other types of snakes found in the state.

This local food bank once opened at 10 a.m., but anxious people began arriving earlier and earlier, so organizers pushed that up 15 minutes. The new time is firm. Volunteers need that to prepare for the 45 to 65 families — or 200 people — they serve each week.

This is Marlborough — my town,…..

The word I hear is the number of families is up to 80.  A tax increase will hit them the hardest.  According to RealtyTrac there are 8 foreclosures in Marlborough.

If you would like to donate to the Marlborough Food Bank

The Food Bank of Marlborough is now a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and is sponsored by the Congregational Church of Marlborough. It is eligible for employer matching funds. Monetary donations by check, made out to The Food Bank of Marlborough, can be mailed to: Food Bank, c/o Marlborough Town Hall, 26 North Main Street, PO Box 29, Marlborough, CT. 06447.

Other arrangements for donation drop offs can be made by emailing marlboroughfoodbank@comcast.net or by calling the Food Bank during open hours. Specific food need lists can also be requested via email or by calling.

The Food Bank of Marlborough is managed by Linda Cherry, and is staffed by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer at the Food Bank, please call, show up during open hours, or email.

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