William “Bill” DeMaio spent his entire career in public service. He worked for the town of Newington, then for the city of New Britain, and returned to his hometown to finish his career. The superintendent of Newington Parks and Recreation retired a few weeks ago and is looking forward to the next chapter of his life. He will be remembered by many for his indefatigable spirit and unwavering positive attitude.

The message was upbeat, mixed with a few words of concern, at the annual State of the Town meeting held the morning of March 26 at the Newington Senior & Disabled Center. This event is sponsored by the Newington Chamber of Commerce and President Paul Muska of Edward Jones., Inc., greeted everyone on a positive note.

Students at Elizabeth Green School are not just learning reading, writing and arithmetic. They are also learning how to make healthy choices when it comes to the food they eat. At the conclusion of a recent program called “Eat Local, Eat Healthy,” these youngsters visited the Rooster Co. restaurant in Town Center.

The members of the Student Council at Newington High School don’t limit the scope of their activities to the NHS campus. They are seeking to make an impact on the wider community as well. That’s why they paid visits to Jefferson House and Masonicare at Middlewoods of Newington to interact with the senior citizens who live in those facilities. These visits are among other outreach projects the students are encouraged to undertake under the leadership of Spanish teacher Elisa

Any homeowner knows that putting off repairs and maintenance does not make the problem go away. It only tends to become worse and more expensive over time.

At the Newington Rotary Club, the mission that members live by is to “turn passion for change into action.” Add a little Australian hospitality from Outback Steakhouse Managing Partner Mark Adrain and you have a bloomin’ combination.

If you want to keep track of how many points and rebounds Josiah Sims is piling up on the basketball court, you will need a calculator.

Through a series of meetings and events, it helps people see the community through different lenses. About 40 people belong to this organization whose mission is to increase interest in the visual arts by providing stimulating demonstrations and exhibitions.