Middletown Talks: Army Seeks to Honor Sgt. Michael Paranzino, Moonrise Kingdom and Arts Fest Both Get Greenlights

This week in Middletown, we saw the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion win the Town Council's support in its ongoing mission to get the new Army Reserve Center in Newport named after the late Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in November.

Also, the Committee for the Arts secured the necessary funding from the town to start up the first annual 2011 Celebration for the Arts festival, while Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" reached a new deal with the town to return to the closed John F. Kennedy School through July of 2012 in the event more filming is needed.

Here's a look back on those stories and more:

"He was killed when this building was under construction and he lived in this community." Lt. Col. John C. Anderson, addressing the Middletown Town Council during a slide presentation on Monday when the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion sought the council’s support in their campaign to get the new Army Reserve Center facilities at Naval Station Newport memorialized in the name of Middletown’s fallen soldier Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino.

"Sgt. Michael Paranzino will represent all soldiers from Rhode Island…It would be such an honor, more than you can imagine, for the 443rd to have the name of Sgt. Michael Paranzino on our building." CSM Marissa Lopes of the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, also addressing the Middletown Town Council Monday night.

"We've had much busier years in the past." Portsmouth Fire Chief Jeffrey P. Lynch, commenting on the 23 emergency calls that the Portsmouth Fire Department received from the field of the Beast of the East Rugby Tournament held last weekend at Portsmouth's Glen Farm.

“If for any reason they need to come back to use that space again, they can come back within up to 12 months after principle photography.” Middletown Finance Director Lynn Dible, explaining the second one-year agreement the Town of Middletown recently reached with the “Moonrise Kingdom” film production company, which will enable the town to again rent out the closed John F. Kennedy Elementary School out at $500 per day.

“Awesome job Nathan!!!!” Patch user Rachel Santotomas, congratulating this week’s Whiz Kid Nathan Covert of the Forest Avenue Elementary School.

“Way to go Nathan!” Patch user Terri Covert, also congratulating this week’s Whiz Kid Nathan Covert of the Forest Avenue Elementary School.

“This is a great opportunity for the community.” Town Administrator Shawn Brown at the Monday Town Council meeting, speaking about the recently approved 2011 Celebration of the Arts festival to be held at Paradise Park Aug. 20.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful and successful first event and are hoping the people of Middletown will support our efforts.”
Patch user Nancy McAuliffe, a Committee for the Arts member commenting on the recently approved 2011 Celebration of the Arts festival to be held at Paradise Park Aug. 20.

“Awesome job Linda and committee! Keep up the good work!” Patch user Cindy Malone, commenting on the recently approved 2011 Celebration of the Arts festival to be held at Paradise Park Aug. 20.

"Downtown Designs has been in the works for about a year or two…The artisans wanted to move from just doing shows to a storefront and they wanted to use it incorporate other members of the artist community." Dr. William Hilton, Looking Upwards founder, who recently attended the Grand Opening celebration of Looking Upwards’ new store in downtown Newport.

"This is the best deal in town. After we feed the goats here, we go across the street to Prescott Farm to feed the ducks." Local resident and dad Scott Sullivan, who recently visited the Simmons Farm Petting Zoo with daughter Keegan as Patch swung by to photograph baby goats for this week’s Viewfinder.

“Everywhere I go around the country, people know that Newport Rhode Island is a beautiful location and they either recall a wonderful time here during a prior visit or look forward to a future visit…I feel we should capitalize on the potential of a convention center in Newport and, at the same time, balance the protection of areas of beauty with the demands of the additional business that could be developed.” Christopher Semonelli, who submitted a Letter to the Editor stating his case for the development of a Newport County Convention Center. Semonelli is a local businessman who also serves on the Middletown Town Council.