Former students take Mize out to lunch

Thursday, May 8, 2014 10:40 PM EDT

On April 26 former chemistry students of Ron Miecznikowski at Bristol Central took him to lunch at 150 Central in Forestville. He was told they wanted to do this because he taught them so well in high school that they handled college chemistry well.

The gathering was organized by John Burgeson, now a Stratford resident, and attending the luncheon were Ron; Louise Wesolowski, a Bristol resident who taught with Ron; Helen Miecznikowski, Rons wife; Paula (Wesolowski) Michaels, now a resident of Great Falls, Va.; John and Sharon Burgeson; and Rick and Gail (Planchard) Swenton of Bristol.

A lifelong Bristol resident, Ron has been teaching for 58 years. He taught general science and math before chemistry at Bristol High and Bristol Central and has been teaching chemistry at Tunxis Community College for 44 years. He and his wife, a 2013 retiree of the City of Bristols Personnel Department, have a son, John, who is a chemistry professor at Fairfield University, where he was chosen the schools 2011 Teacher of the Year.

Cedar Lake

The print edition of my column on Wednesday didnt include a segment on the origin of the naming of Kory Lane. It was named after Tony Korytko, who operated the former swimming beach at the lake. Lori DeFillippi e-mailed me to say that she and her brothers and sister grew up on the lake. They would pick up discarded paper and what have you for Tony and he would let them go swimming free-of-charge. Lori added that it was great growing up on the lake. Have some great memories from up there.

The origin of the naming of Academy Street

According to Bob Adamczyk, Bristols street guru, Academy Street in Forestville is named as such because it was the location of Forestvilles first schoolhouse, called The Academy.

Robert Pasquale Penda WWII hero

Born in Bristol on July 16, 1925, he was the son of Anthony and Mary Parenti Penda of 5 Oak St. He graduated from South Side School in 1939 and Bristol High four years later.

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Former students take Mize out to lunch