Off To The Front

   Lance Corporal Connor Berger, right, son of Waterbury's 73rd District State Representative, Jeff Berger, left, was deployed last week to Afghanistan to fulfill his commitment to the United States Marine Corps.  Connor serves with "New England's Own" Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. Before leaving Connor, right, and his brother, Chris, left, had the opportunity to meet UConn basketball star Kemba Walker during Husky Day at the state capital.

NAACP Opposes Use

Of Taser Gun

Photographs By John Murray

Connecticut NAACP President Scot X Esdaile addresses a media throng in front of the Waterbury Police Department, May 16th, to call for an investigation into the taser gun killing of Marcus Brown. Esdaile called the taser gun a "tool of torture".

Race Day

It was a spectacular day to paddle down the Naugatuck River from Waterbury to Beacon Falls.  The sun flitted in and out, the rain held off, and despite water levels slightly lower than ideal, the event was another smashing success. Photograph by John Murray

Main Street Waterbury

Snares Two Awards

Main Street Waterbury was honored for its efforts to restore Waterbury City Hall.

   Connecticut Main Street Center has announced the recipients of its 2011 Awards of Excellence.  Award-winning initiatives and individuals are engaged in Main Street revitalization in New London, Simsbury, Waterbury, Westville Village in New Haven, and Torrington. 

Pitch, Hit, Run 

@ Municipal Stadium 

(editor's note - the following letter was written to the Observer by Waterbury resident Bill DeMaida, who is involved in planning and organizing a Pitch, Hit, Run competition at Municipal Stadium)

    Over the years, our Municipal Stadium has been witness to the development of our local sports scene. This venue, after our latest renovation project, will be second to none. We hope to bring attention to this complex with not only scheduled local sports but also with varied programs that might bring more than just local citizens to our home.

A New Day

   David Martin originally wanted to be a Waterbury police officer. In preparation for the police exam, Martin decided to practice by taking a fire department exam. After passing both tests, Martin decided to join the fire department because "no one shoots bullets at a fire scene." Now more than two decades later, Martin was sworn in as chief of the Waterbury Fire Department, on April 28th, in front of a packed aldermanic chambers in the newly renovated City Hall.

   The Observer's new website is different than most newspapers on the internet. Instead of cramming fifty stories and tiny thumb nail photographs on the home page, we've decided to publish large, bold photographs to accompany in-depth feature articles. We debut with more than 100 articles and columns, with the promise of hundreds more to come.

Escape Alive

Story By Chelsea Murray

Catherine Rodgers of Naugatuck learns to evade a choke hold. Photos By John Murray

   I was robbed my last night in Greece.

  After watching the sunset from the Acropolis, myself and two friends took a short cut back to our apartment. On our way through the cobblestone streets we encountered a young Gypsy couple, who stepped out of the shadows looking for a smoke. My friend gave them a cigarette and loaned out his favorite lighter. After small talk about how quiet the streets were, the man pocketed the lighter. My friend calmly protested and asked for his lighter back. Instead of the lighter, the Gypsy pulled out a switchblade and thrust it against my friend’s throat.

Exploring The Loss Of

The Hartford Whalers

Story By John Murray

Writer Bob Muldoon, a former Whaler employee, writes about loss and redemption in his book, Brass Bonanza Plays Again.

   At the heart of any good book is a writer’s passion, It was French cooking for Julia Child, legal thrillers for John Grisham, and big adventure for Ernest Hemingway.

   For Bob Muldoon it’s ice hockey, specifically, The Hartford Whalers.