In 2003, life as she knew it forever changed for 12-year-old Jessica Castonguay. Her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease, and not long after, her parents’ marriage ended in divorce.

Photos

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The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter

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The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter awards six Connecticut high school seniors with college scholarships, five of which are funded by the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Scholarship Program, Monday, June 8, at a reception at the Country Club in Farmington. From left to right are Jessica Castonguay, of Southington, Thomas Weeks, of Ridgefield, Dennis Scarpa, of Cheshire, Plainville resident Dr. William A. Petit Jr., Pamela Medrano, of Bethel, Rachael Randolph, of Milford, Ciara Rivera, of Wethersfield, and Connecticut Chapter president Lisa Gerrol.

Cruizin' for a Cause, a car show held in Cheshire on Aug. 17, featuring pre-1985 classic and muscle car models, attracted hundreds of auto enthusiasts of all ages and raised more than $7,200.

Photos

Credit: 

Photo courtesy of the National MS Society

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At a check presentation held in Meriden Sept. 16, Frank Bonner, second from right, and his wife Roseann, far left, presents a check to Lisa Gerrol, National MS Society Connecticut Chapter president, second from left, and Dr. William A. Petit Jr. A resident of Middletown, Bonner hosted a car show, Cruzin' for a Cause, in Cheshire on Aug. 17, which raised $7,260. The funds benefit the Hayley's Hope & Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund, a locally restricted fund established in 2007 by the Petit family.

State Sen. Sam S.F. Caligiuri announced he has formed the Three Strikes Now Coalition, a not-for-profit, non-partisan grass roots organization dedicated to the enactment of a "three strikes and you're out" law in Connecticut. The coalition's Web site is  www.threestrikesnow.com.

To the people of Plainville, Southington and surrounding towns:

On behalf of the Petit and Hawke Families, I would like to again express our heartfelt thanks to the outpouring of love shown to Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela, during the Shining Peace Upon the Petits luminary display.