Thames River Times

Fresh and Original: Not all their eggs are in one basket

Russ Morey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:05:36 GMT

There once was a man from the South Shore of Boston who wanted no more than a quarter acre of land; and a woman from western Pennsylvania who wanted, at bare minimum, a pony in the back yard…but certainly had no intention of actually being a farmer. But kids (the human kind, that is) change everything.

Cedar Meadow Farm, owned by Julia and Brian Cronin, is now in its third season.

“It all happened in 2000 when our son was diagnosed with severe food allergies,” Julia explains. “My husband and I began reading labels and were shocked by what we were reading.”

The Cronins bought six chickens for eggs, and then picked up a few more for meat. They started giving some away to their friends who commented on the great taste. The couple noted the interest, found that they really enjoyed doing this for the family, knew it was healthier for the children, “and it just kind of snowballed into what we have now,” she said.

But the four-acre piece of land the Cronins had in Ledyard (originally a compromise since he wanted less and she wanted more) wasn’t going to be big enough to grow the farm. So in 2006, they sold their first digs and bought the current site, the 10-acre Cedar Meadow Farm.

“It was overgrown. Part of it was a cow pasture filled with Rosa floribunda, autumn olive, and bittersweet. We cleared it all ourselves, built our house, and started this farm from the ground up…literally.”

What they have now is every farm animal except cows and goats. They raise rabbits for meat and pets, and chickens for eggs and meat. There’s a donkey, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese, turkeys, a horse and, of course, that pony Julia wanted.

“We also have a breeding program for one of our varieties of chickens. We sell what we call a ‘henhouse ready’ bird for people who are interested in getting chickens for their back yard.”

Cedar Meadow Farm has a dual focus, Julia explains.

“We are very into heritage-breed conservancy. As the country has moved to an industrialized agriculture foundation, they have very specialized animals that can live in the conditions put forward by the industrialized agriculture. Sadly, we have lost many species of ducks, chickens, and rabbits. What we’re doing here is using heritage-breed animals and, by using them in the role they were meant to be, we are helping to sustain them.”

While some find it odd that Cedar Meadow raises heritage breeds that are becoming extinct and then turning around and eating them, “the simple fact of the matter is the more dinner tables we can get these animals on, the more demand there will be. Thus, more breeding.”

The second aspect is education. Julia, who has a master’s in education as well as an undergrad degree in chemistry, says, “We’ll never sell an animal without following up. We have a lot of first-time chicken owners here. That’s what we pride ourselves on—trying to teach them the correct way to raise their birds so that they can have the most enjoyment and the most eggs from them.”

Julia says that she would love it if she could put herself out of business by selling so many chickens that everyone had them in their back yard. In fact, she recently sold chickens to a couple who lives in downtown New Britain.

“It’s possible—you can do it anywhere. It’s a big part of what we try to do—educate folks and make it possible for everyone.”

In addition to managing the farm as well as three children, Julia works at Pfizer part time, where her husband works full time. “I’ve been very fortunate to be part time at Pfizer. That’s what allows me to do this,” she said.
The farm is not her business, however.

“This is a family business because farming involves everyone in the family. My oldest son [age 12] is my biggest helper here. He’s the one I can always count on.”

The amount of grain Cedar Meadow goes through in a day is “mind-boggling. Norwich Agway loves us. We get a ton delivered every other week, so we go through 1,000 pounds a week.”

They’re diversified since they have many different species here, which really helps in many ways.

“We don’t have all of our eggs in one basket. If avian influenza descended upon us, or a predator came in and killed all of the turkeys, I wouldn’t be lost because we still have the pigs.”

But because they’re diversified they cannot do bulk grain orders.

“The pigs eat a different grain from the hens, which eat a different type of grain than the broiler chickens. That’s different from what the horses eat, which is different from what the sheep eat.” Thus, they buy all bagged grains. Julia admits that this is their biggest uphill battle at the moment.

“Since we moved to a barren lot, we have no infrastructure. We don’t have an old barn we can use with a grain storage area. We’re building it all from the ground up.” Another challenge is their cost of grain, which has increased by 50 percent from last year.

Fortunately, the demand for their products has been “overwhelming,” Julia says, adding, “What strikes me is that the consumers are willing to pay what we need to pay.”

The customer will pay more for Cedar Meadow products because, unlike supermarkets, there isn’t the huge inventory.

“But the quality we will provide to you is incredible,” she says.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time customers say, ‘We’ll pay whatever we need to pay to keep you doing what you’re doing.’ It’s really been fantastic the support we’ve gotten—not only in Ledyard but throughout all of Connecticut.”

Customers come from Kent, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, and Killingly, as well as other towns throughout the state.

Customers also come from the Ledyard Farmers Market and through a new business, Connecticut Farm Fresh Express.

“It’s like Peapod only instead of Stop & Shop, it’s many of the farms of southeastern Connecticut,” explains Julia. Connecticut Farm Fresh Express is a delivery service in which orders are taken early in the week for deliveries on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s a great service. The delivery system really makes it happen because it allows the customer to visit a multitude of different farms in one delivery.”

Farming is definitely a family venture, involving everyone. Julia feels fortunate to have not only the support of the family (including three children) but of the extended friends in the neighborhood.

“It certainly is a very different way of life and I am certainly blessed because my children have had the opportunity—the glory of birth, seeing the sows deliver piglets, and then the sadness that comes when a predator kills all of your favorite little ducklings,” she says. The town has also been supportive.

“Farming is alive and well in Ledyard,” she says. “That was tending to not be the case anymore but you are seeing more and more small farms popping up. We have a great network of farms here and are learning how to work with each other and help each other out.”

A special to The Times by Susan Cornell

Getting the Word Out: Ledyard woman spearheads Arnold-Chiari Awareness Month

Russ Morey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:58:54 GMT

Through the efforts of Rep. Tom Reynolds and Ledyard resident, Lisa Disallo, Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently declared August 2008 Arnold-Chiari Awareness Month.

Arnold-Chiari was first diagnosed by Austrian pathologist Hans Chiari and researched by his colleague, Dr. Julius Arnold, in the late 1800s. It is a malformation of the brain in which the cerebellar tonsils at the rear of the brain are downwardly displaced, causing a variety of problematic and sometimes severe symptoms affecting the brainstem, cranial nerves, and the lower portion of the cerebellum. Particularly troubling is the fact that it is nearly impossible to diagnose early on, with the average age of diagnosis being 34.

Disallo, who is now working with local and state government as well as organizing support groups for Arnold-Chiari sufferers, said she had never even heard of the condition before she was affected herself.

“Back in 1995 I was in a car accident, and from that point on my neck never really felt right,” explained Disallo. “I’d go to the [doctor] and they’d tell me that arthritis had set in, but over time the pain just continued to plague me.
“At the time I had other symptoms that I didn’t connect with my neck, but I did have numbness in my fingers and in my toes, so finally I decided to go for a second opinion...I went in for an MRI and was told that it showed that I had Chiari and a kinked brain stem.”

Disallo said that this was the beginning of a very startling journey, which has led her to question and work toward changing many modern medical attitudes toward her condition. After being referred to a neurosurgeon who was more concerned with her neck pain than the development of Arnold-Chiari, Disallo decided to do her own research which led her to the Chiari Institute in Long Island, N.Y., where she is still undergoing tests and learning more about her condition.

“What bothers me most is that once I started talking with support groups online, it’s the same story over and over again. So many doctors pay very little attention to this condition and in many ways kind of brush it off. A lot of the people with Chiari are left with doctors telling them to see a psychiatrist, which is just a dead end.

“That’s why I wanted to go for a proclamation from the government, because I wanted doctors in Connecticut to be more aware of it and not just brush it off.”

Disallo also pointed out that without support, many Arnold-Chiari sufferers wind up paying out of pocket for treatment or additional tests at places like the Chiari Institute of New York. Surprisingly, it is not as rare of an ailment as many believe, with scientific documentation that it is as common as one case per thousand adults. It is Disallo’s hope that with the growth of support groups and the recent proclamation by Rell, that Arnold-Chiari awareness will continue to spread, and additional research will be funded to help those affected find alternatives to surgery.

“The word has got to get out there,” Disallo said, emphatically. “I’m not expecting every doctor to go out there and do extensive research, but at least be aware and don’t brush it off.”

Friendly Competition: Preston’s Moran family races the Speedbowl

Russ Morey — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:03:06 GMT

Less than one turn remained in a Waterford Speedbowl Super X Wild ‘N’ Wacky Wednesday race in early July, and Preston’s Greg Moran Jr. held a slim lead over his father.

Heading into the final left turn of the 20-lap event, Greg Jr., 19, accelerated too quickly at around 70 miles an hour and momentarily lost control of his ’86 Monte Carlo. The wobbling distracted his father, driving the No. 63 Monte Carlo, and allowed Tolland’s John Yagmin to sneak in with a victory, leaving the Morans in second and third.

Greg Sr., 41, has won eight races this season and is ranked No. 2 in Super X, a division for low-budget, eight-cylinder cars. The lost point may cost him while he trails division leader Greg Correia of East Hartford by just two points as of Aug. 13.

He had words for his son after the race, but not discouraging words.
“I had words of wisdom,” Moran said. “If you have the lead in the last lap, I told him he has to concentrate on going to the final turn slower to protect his alignment and prevent a spinout.”

It was a lesson learned. About three weeks later on July 30, Moran Jr. won the Super X race.

“I remembered what my father told me after the last time I spun out with the lead,” Moran Jr., said. “This is only my second year racing, so it was a learning experience.”

The owner of Moran’s Service Center in Preston, a family-run garage and gas station on Route 2 since 1976, Moran is not the stereotypical sports dad who demands the best out of his children at all costs.

“I’m not into confrontation,” said Moran. “I don’t believe you have to be an aggressive, careless driver. I just try to stay calm and look to pass the other cars that are not handling well. I was taught never to retaliate. If you put someone into the wall, the next week they will get you.”

Moran passes on the values and the auto racing love he drew from his dad, Art Moran Sr. of Preston.

“He won a few races, but I respect him more for building everything in the car by himself,” Greg Sr. said. “He was known as a clean driver. I try to be as well, although sometimes it gets tough out there.”

Racing is in the Morans’ blood. Greg’s brother, Art Jr., won the Speedbowl’s Late Model division in 1983, a title notable by the fact he never won a race but accumulated enough seconds and thirds to account for the season’s most points. Today, Art Jr., and his son, Art III, compete in the Speedbowl’s Legends division, ranked 10th and 18th respectively, on the more competitive Saturday action.

Auto racing has captivated Greg’s entire family in a sport that Greg Jr. calls “very addicting.” In addition to father and son, daughter Taylor Marie, 18, competes in her first season in Super X, and mom, Tracy, also races her husband’s car after the Super X race is over. She is ranked second in Wednesday’s WOW (Women on Wheels) bracket. On Saturday races, Greg Sr., and Tracy drive the wrecker to clean up debris and tow disabled cars.

“The kids wanted to see me out there racing,” Tracy said. “I think it’s a great family bonding experience. We do everything together. Sometimes when kids get older and graduate high school, they leave and you don’t see them.
We’re always doing things as a family. The son’s and daughter’s friends come over to work on their cars during the week and we race Wednesday.
It’s great.”

Super X race cars are typically ’80-’89 makes, built more for safety standards than speed in what the Speedbowl Web site terms as “financially-feasible racing.”

That’s a reassuring thought for the parents.

“They have to have the best of everything—the safest firesuits, the sturdiest rear hoop [fenders],” Tracy said. “Being a typical mother, I’m a nervous son-of-a-gun during a race. Sometimes I wish they weren’t all in the same division, because it’s tough to watch all of them.”

While Greg Sr. and his son race toward the front for the lead, Taylor Marie hangs out in back, learning to safely navigate the Speedbowl’s 3/8-mile track craft during her first year. Taylor Marie’s car stands out as one of the more distinctive vehicles, painted pink.

As is the case with most of the Morans’ decisions, the color choice was centered around family history.

Greg’s mother, Joan, passed away in October. Pink was her favorite color. The male Morans’ Monte Carlo race cars have pink lettering. “All of their wins are dedicated to their grandmother,” Tracy said.

The Morans, as is the case with any auto racer without a massive bankroll, rely on sponsorship to purchase tires and fuel.

Leffingwell Pools, Sheds Or Us, Paddock, Inc., and Muscle Cars of Orlando, Fla., are the main contributors. Because Moran, a Norwich Tech grad, does all of his welding, he estimates the investment for each car to be around $4,000 apiece.

“It’s a hard economy to be asking people to sponsor you, but my father has a good reputation,” Greg Sr. said. “Everyone knows him.”

The Morans also give back a portion of their winning prize money to charitable causes.

“Our cars race for Victory Junction Gang, a racing camp in North Carolina that Kyle Petty founded,” Tracy said. “Children with serious illnesses go to the camp for a week of racing fun.”

Family continues to cross the checkered flag first for the Morans. Greg Sr. was a top racer in the Strictly Stock division in the ’80s when he gave up his passion for 15 years to focus on raising his young family.

“We did camping, boating, a lot of family activities,” Greg Sr. said. “I had gotten out of racing and didn’t regret it. But once the kids got old enough, I made the decision to get back to the track.”

Greg Sr. won nine Super X races in 2006 and finished second in the point standings to Correia. He has won eight races this year, trailing Correia by just two points. He plans to upgrade to Saturday’s faster Mini Stock division next year.

No matter what happens, you can bet the Morans will win, either on the track or off.

Solving Cosmic Mysteries at the Subatomic Level: Local man returns from two-month research trip

Russ Morey — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:59:27 GMT

Ask Jeff Wood where the universe came from, and you’re likely to get fruit salad. At least he makes weighty, complex subjects like nuclear physics somewhat understandable for the rest of us.

Wood, 29 years old, recently stopped off in Montville to catch up with his family and get back on U.S. time after working for two months this summer at the European Center for Nuclear Research in Geneva, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, also known as CERN. He was headed back to Lawrence, Kan., where he is working on his Ph.D. in nuclear physics at the University of Kansas (KU).

As a teenager, Wood moved to Montville to live with his father, Michael Wood, but finished his high school years at Ledyard High School. His stepmother is Lorraine Desjardins, daughter of Ellen Desjardin, a Montville Parks and Recreation commissioner.

For three summers, Wood has spent several weeks in Geneva, working with other researchers and students on projects related to the gigantic supercollider known as Large Hadron Collider. The supercollider, set to launch in September, could change our fundamental knowledge of the universe.

According to the university, the CERN supercollider is designed to create conditions that existed in a wisp of time following the “Big Bang” that some say created the universe. Wood and other scientists are searching for answers to questions such as “How does energy work?” and “Why did atoms survive the Big Bang?”

Wood is involved with the world of heavy ion physics. He’s helping to bring online a new detector designed and built at KU, the Zero Degree Calorimeter (ZDC). It will help physicists monitor collisions of particles in the supercollider. Those collisions will occur at 40 million times per second.
The KU research is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

He described how the supercollider work is centered around a tunnel built underneath the outskirts of Geneva. The tunnel is large, spanning the French-Swiss border, so the researchers are continually crossing international borders to do their work.

“What most people don’t realize is that underneath the ground, about 100 meters [or about 100 yards], there’s a huge ring,” he explained. “This is where the particle beams are.”

The ring is where the two particle beams cross and make a whole bunch of new particles. Wood’s equipment, the ZDC, will “grab” some of those particles.

“You’ve heard that you shouldn’t mix apples and oranges together. We’re smashing apples and oranges together all of the time, to figure out what the universe is all about,” he explained. “We basically are taking two apples, smashing them together, to get oranges, bananas, raspberries, blueberries—a whole fruit salad of stuff. Hopefully, we’ll see particles we’ve never seen before, and they will tell us something new about the
universe.”

As Wood puts it, the harder a couple of atomic particle-sized apples are smashed together, the more “fruit salad” and scientific discoveries.

“The harder you smash those apples together, you might get new particles—like watermelons, cantaloupes—the real big stuff, things we haven’t seen before,” he said.

By “big,” he’s still referring to really small things: pieces of atoms.

Sometimes they smash together whole atoms—technically ions because the electrons have been removed. These are heavy ions, or nuclear physics.

“Nuclear physics has the richest physics in it,” said Wood. “There are a lot of different forces in nature. It basically describes the majority of them. The only one we haven’t been able to figure out on the small scale is gravity.

“Every other fundamental force of nature is something we’ve been able to figure out by utilizing particle beam collisions,” he added.

Wood and others working on the ZDC particle collider hope it will give them insights on particles that react gravitationally strongly enough to show the impact of gravity.

Since last year, Wood’s quest has taken on more personal significance.

His younger brother, David, passed away at age 25. The two were very close. Wood was in Europe when he learned of his brother’s death. David was very much into kinesiology and how it applied to athletes. The loss makes Wood strive harder in his quest. He admits that keeping busy with the project has been a way to cope.

“At least I can feel like enough living can be done for the both of us,” he said. “The work is very exciting, but it also keeps you very busy.”

Music also is a big part of his life. Although he doesn’t have time these days to be in a band, he enjoys escaping to play his guitar, almost daily.

“You can’t do physics all the time, because it will drive you crazy. You need to have other things to do to bring you back into sanity,” Wood said.
“It’s great to have him home for a while,” said his father, Michael, an engineer at EB. “He’s been talking over my head for several years now.”

Wood was born in Lawrence, Kan. It turns out that he lives a few blocks away from the townhouse that his father and his mother lived in. The townhouse is still standing, so on a recent visit, Michael snapped photos of his son in front of it. Wood’s mother, Sandi Shimkus Wood Eilenberger, who lived in Ledyard, passed away in 2004.

While he enjoys the cultural differences of his international experience and describes Switzerland as more laid-back and steeped in history, he likes being home.

“It’s a change of pace,” he admitted. “We have a whole aisle [of the grocery store] dedicated to cereal; they have a whole aisle of wine.”

There’s no shortage of opportunities to hear opinions of others in such a multinational setting.

“You’re supposed to learn that America is not the best when you go somewhere else, but I think it really is,” he said. “I’m very much an American; I feel that every time I come back through Newark Airport and see the ‘Welcome to the United States of America’ [sign]; it feels good to see all the signs in English again, see all the might and the security of our
country.”

There is the potential that Wood may head back to CERN as part of his doctoral studies. For now, it’s back to Kansas to work on his thesis.

For more about the KU research program, go to www.ku.edu; to learn more about CERN, go to http://public.web.cern.ch/Public.

Neighbors or Predators? A closer look at the controversial coyote

Interactive Desk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:35:57 GMT

By Russ Morey
Times Staff Writer

Anyone who commonly wakes in the early morning or is outside late at night has certainly heard the telltale yips and sharp barks of the eastern coyote, perhaps Connecticut’s most controversial animal. In recent years there has been much attention given to the fact that this animal poses a threat to small pets, and some residents even worry about attacks on humans.

These concerns, along with a number of myths, have created a pervasively negative view of one of the most interesting and impressive animals in our ecosystem. To truly understand this elusive canine, one must understand how they came to be Connecticut’s top predator.

With the colonization of New England in the 1600s came the eradication of its two top predators: the red wolf and the mountain lion. In addition, much of the woodlands was cleared for farmland, leaving little habitat for a major predator. Yet sometime around the early 1900s the western coyote began expanding its range, eventually making its way to the eastern states. Paul Rego, wildlife biologist with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, explained.

“Documentation of the [western coyote’s] range expansion does exist,” Rego said, “and that has occurred over a lot of North America actually, not just in our area. It’s believed that their range expanded into Connecticut sometime around the 1950s. There are a couple theories that have some merit as to why the coyote has expanded its range into Connecticut and elsewhere; one is the elimination of the mountain lion throughout much of its historic range, allowing this new predator to proliferate. The other thought is that forest re-growth that occurred over a wide area, especially here in Connecticut, allowed prey animals to increase, such as deer, so it made this area a better habitat for a coyote.”

Put simply, the presence of the eastern coyote in Connecticut is largely, and perhaps completely, a result of the changes humans have made on the northeastern environment. Yet simply understanding why they are here does not answer the numerous questions relating to the dangers they pose and whether their numbers continue to grow given the increased number of sightings. Rego acknowledged that eastern coyotes are certainly a threat to small pets, but believes eastern coyote numbers to be relatively stable.

“I think from a human conflict perspective, they definitely do attack pets and livestock,” Rego said. “They’re one of the animals out there that always has that potential. Whether that occurs at a tolerable level or not is certainly a value judgment. Other than that, there are people out there who worry about them attacking humans…but the probability of that is quite low. For us to detect an increase [in population], it would have to be pretty dramatic at this point. I wouldn’t say that there has been a dramatic increase or decrease in reports of coyotes to suggest any change in their population. And also, they’ve been here for so long and they have such a high reproductive rate that I believe they had spread over the state quite a while ago and kind of filled the available habitat [then].”

Contrary to the concern that the eastern coyote population has or will eventually become out of hand, the data collected shows the opposite, with Rego estimating that the number of eastern coyotes living in Connecticut is somewhere in the low thousands—4,000 at most. And while this is a rough figure, eastern coyote expert Jonathan Way agreed.

“I’d say that estimate is very accurate,” Way said. “We know that as a general rule of thumb, there is never more than one coyote per square mile…What I’m most amazed by is their movement patterns. It’s just incredible how much and how far they move, to the effect that a family of three or four adults can really be seen in fairly dramatically different areas in a developed area. And those three or four animals in a typical family unit can honestly be seen by many people as multiple or even dozens of coyotes. Their movement patterns alone can be deceiving. You see tracks here and you see tracks three miles away—the average person doesn’t think it’s the same animals and my research has found repeatedly that very easily it can be the same animals.”

Way, who received his M.S. from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and his Ph.D. from Boston College, recently published the book Suburban Howls and is considered by many to be one of the leading researchers of the eastern coyote. He is the head researcher of the eastern coyote ecology project, Eastern Coyote Research (ECR) and once studied the coyotes for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Having researched the animal for many years, both in its natural habitat and in captivity, and having actually raised a group of eastern coyote pups himself, it is Way’s hope that people will eventually understand all the misconceptions and come to appreciate the eastern coyote for the remarkable animal that it is. And the first myth that Way has disproved is that the eastern coyote is not actually a coyote.

“What probably happened is around the turn of the century, late 1800s, early 1900s, western coyotes were migrating east and small, remnant numbers of wolves were either present in the northern states along the Canadian border, or in Canada itself where they still exist today,” Way explained. “It seems that those two animals hybridized and became a very good, viable species, bigger than western coyotes and obviously smaller than the wolves that were here before. And as this group started breeding true, they began colonizing from the north to the south. So this animal began just naturally colonizing back to where it used to be, except now it is more of a hybrid than a true wolf. This animal is literally a new species, partly because of our making. I’m working with a geneticist, Brad White, at Trent University, and the genetics tell us for sure that this animal is a coyote-wolf hybrid. In fact we’re in the process of changing their species name to call them coywolves as opposed to coyotes to properly reflect what they are.”

The coywolf, as Way calls it, is essentially Mother Nature’s way of providing a solution to an imbalance, in this case, interbreeding wolves and coyotes to reintroduce a top predator into an area in need of one. With the renowned adaptability of the coyote, the coywolf has done a remarkable job of reclaiming previously lost territories. Way explained that the reintroduction of a top predator into the Northeast has had positive effects on the overall ecosystem as well.

“I think what a lot of people—especially those who regulate the animals, like the fish and game department—haven’t done is really value these, as well as other predators, as part of the food chain and trophic dynamics,” Way said. “Quite a few studies have shown that without animals like coyotes or coywolves around, either here or out west, you have a dramatic change in ecosystem structure where all of the sudden you have lots of smaller predators, called meso-predators like skunks, foxes, and raccoons, and those meso-predators can have more of a collective influence on birds, certainly song birds, and maybe even shore birds, than coyotes and larger predators.”

In addition, Way pointed out that the coywolf also helps to keep deer populations down to some degree, and as time goes on, might even adapt to form somewhat larger family units capable of bringing down larger adult deer more proficiently. Way also acknowledged that small pets and livestock are at risk of attack in many areas where coywolves and people coincide, but he emphasized that there are a number of measures one can take to prevent such an occurrence. Cats and small dogs, for instance, should not be let out unattended late at night and should be fed indoors, and dogs should never be tied up in an unfenced yard. Way pointed out that coyotes are just one of many ways a small pet could be hurt or killed if left outside alone. And as far as being a danger to humans, Way compared the 4.7 million dog bites per year with the three or four documented coywolf bites in Massachusetts history.

Overall, it seems the story of the coywolf is that of so many other species of animal trying to exist in a world of constant human encroachment. While occasionally crossing paths seems inevitable, the bottom line is that not only does the coywolf have every right to exist in Connecticut, but it also fills a vital role in the ecosystem that was missing for many years.

“I think that overall ecological perspective now leads us into where research needs to go…trophic dynamics, because not only are these animals here to stay, but it’s also completely natural to have them here,” Way said. “Even though we didn’t have a large predator around here for quite some time, they are very similar to the red wolves that used to live in New England. Research is finally showing the importance of predators throughout ecosystems. I don’t think society has caught on because we only look at our small world of losing our cats, which is unfortunate, but these animals have many positive roles that we are beginning to uncover, whether it’s keeping meso-predators down or preying on deer, they are here to stay and are an important part of our ecosystem.

“To me it’s sad that many states’ fish and game industries cater so much to hunters and also don’t appreciate the full value of this animal,” Way continued. “Most states, in one way or another, allow basically an unlimited slaughter of these animals which is just appalling when you consider that what we’ve found in our work is that they are amazingly social, family-oriented animals. And to me it’s really pretty much a wildlife crime for how they’re treated.”

For further information or to support Eastern Coyote Research, please visit www.easterncoyoteresearch.com.

Let the Games Begin: Ledyard’s Darnell Williams launches community organization

Russ Morey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:05:06 GMT

On July 26 the first Groton City Summer Classic was kicked off with the sounds of squealing sneakers, basketballs relentlessly kissing the hot concrete, and the constant hum of inflatable moonwalks. The event featured three-on-three basketball tournaments, games for kids, arts and crafts, and an assortment of food and snacks.

Hundreds turned out, converging on Washington Park to enjoy the many games and activities available, and unlike so many of the other community events in New London County, the summer classic was free, courtesy of the area’s newest nonprofit organization, Promoting Peaceful Unity Inc.

The brainchild of Ledyard’s Darnell Williams and Ray Brown of Groton, Promoting Peaceful Unity was created to bring together people from all over southeastern Connecticut to have a fun time and foster unity among the region’s communities.

Williams, originally from New York, explained how and why he and Brown felt the need to create Promoting Peaceful Unity.

“Me and my partner, Ray Brown, we’ve been good friends since I’ve been in the Connecticut area,” Williams said. “He’s like a brother to me. He’s originally from D.C. and I’m from Queens, and growing up from those areas we would always see all kinds of basketball tournaments and things, but at the same time, there are a lot more hardships, too. When I was growing up my mom didn’t have a car, so for me to even just go play Little League, I either had to take the subway or my coach had to come get me.

“So if we’re able to bring everything into one spot and host a nice basketball tournament for the kids and adults and have a moonwalk for the kids to jump around in and some food and cotton candy and snow cones and some games and arts and crafts, it’s purely positive."

Williams eventually joined the military and found himself stationed in Groton and living in Ledyard. While a drastic difference from the fast pace of New York, Williams said he grew to appreciate what southeastern Connecticut offered, especially from an adult point of view. After he finished serving his term and following the birth of his first child, Williams chose to stay in Ledyard and give his children some of the opportunities he didn’t have growing up.

“Because you have to be a lot more careful in an area like where I grew up, you know, I wasn’t the type of kid that even knew how to be in the community,” Williams said. “In New York you grow up around some negative things sometimes, but around here you really don’t have to worry about that stuff too much. At the same time, it’s a lot easier for kids and even adults to get bored when there isn’t a whole lot going on in the town.

“I’ve been here for 10 years now, and I still meet people in town that I have never seen before. That’s why Ray and I really wanted to get this going. To bring people together and give them some fun and free things to do.”

So after a decade of life in southeastern Connecticut, Williams and Brown found themselves in a unique position to take some of the positive, fun, and exciting elements from their childhood and bring them to the region, where one of the biggest problems for many parents is keeping kids busy and staving off the inevitable summer boredom without breaking the bank.

Acknowledging the need for more positive, free events, Brown and Williams began brainstorming late last year and came up with an idea to start a basketball tournament. As the concept grew, however, the two decided that starting a nonprofit organization would be the best solution and allow them to host a variety of different events throughout the year, and thus, Promoting Peaceful Unity was born.

“Life in general is what brought us to start this organization and promoting peace and unity,” Brown explained. “There’s been a lot of hardships in both of our lives, and this is a positive thing that we’re doing. We’re trying to step forward in this neck of the woods, in New London County, to show that we are here to do something for these children.”

So far they are off to a good start, and Williams said he can only see things getting better as they learn from each event they host. The Groton City Summer Classic, for example, was scheduled to be a two-day event but was cut short by Sunday’s torrential rain and thunderstorms. While somewhat disappointed, Williams said that the inclement weather was probably more of a blessing than not. With more than three months of planning and preparation put into the event, Williams and Brown were hoping for twice the number of teams that ended up entering the basketball tournament.

The second day of the event has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, so Williams and Brown have a few more weeks to get the word out and recruit more teams to sign up.

“Saturday was a great overall community turnout,” Williams said. “Everything was free except the basketball tournament, because there is a $2,000 top prize for the winning team, so we charged an entry fee for each team. As far as teams though, I wish we had more involvement. We actually had people calling us on Saturday night asking if we were going to be there on Sunday, but then of course we got washed out. But you know, maybe that was a good thing because...hopefully we get more teams to come out for it [Aug. 16].”

Williams added, “What will happen is we’ll have the winner from Saturday come up and face the winner from the group of new teams, so we’re hoping we get a good turnout.”

Even with their focus on the second half of the summer classic, Williams said he and Brown have already begun discussing what their next event might be, with their ideas including a bus trip to Six Flags, a dance competition, a community barbecue, and freestyle battles.

“There are a lot of things we can do to bring the community together,” Williams said. “A lot of communities do get together and do things like the Puerto Rican Day Parade up in Hartford. But the thing is, we need to get together and not have any of the violence involved, and I think this is a great area for that to happen.”

For more information or to enter a team into the basketball tournament, call 860-984-5573 or 860-501-7338; or send e-mail to dnycwilliams@yahoo.com, brownray92@yahoo.com, or makewayproductions@yahoo.com.

High Hopes: Ledyard Music Boosters plan for walk-a-thon fund-raiser

Russ Morey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:01:16 GMT

The Ledyard Music Department, widely regarded as one of the premier high school music departments in southeastern Connecticut, is once again in need of support. In response, the Ledyard Music Boosters, who organize a major fund-raiser every two years, have planned a walk-a-thon which will allow Ledyard Music to make major purchases, repairs, and upgrades.

Walk-a-thon co-chair Jeanne Seney explained that supporting Ledyard Music is critical because, unlike in some schools, the program plays a significant role in many of the students’ daily activities.

“Given the size of Ledyard High School, the participation rate is very high,” Seney said. “I believe at least 25 percent of the students at the school participate in the music department in one form or another.”

In years past, funds from the biannual fund-raiser have gone to the purchase of a baby grand piano for the music department’s many performances, and an upgrade of the auditorium’s sound system.

While the music department is still weighing its options, two of the possible purchases would be the installation of a recording studio to allow students to get some practical experience in music fields other than performing, or setting up a piano lab, complete with individual keyboards. Currently, students who take keyboarding/piano classes must supply their own instruments.

Seney also explained that this year’s event is dually important, as it will not only fund the department’s future purchases, but will also go toward offsetting the department’s travel expenses.

“We’re still doing some research on what different things will cost us,” Seney said. “But we’ll set a specific goal as to what we’re trying to purchase, and that way the kids have something to strive for. This year, part of our money is also going toward the kids’ travel fund because Ledyard High plans a major trip every four years and this year we’ll be doing that, so we’re looking at some sort of Disneyland trip coming in the spring.”

Scheduled to be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at LHS’s Mignault Field, Seney said the walk-a-thon is really more of a community event than strictly a fund-raiser. In addition to multiple student performances and a DJ that will keep things lively until midnight, the event will also feature kids games, moon bounces, a dunk tank, and food and snacks.

And while their goal figure has yet to be set in stone, Seney said that the event typically nets Ledyard Music around $10,000 in large part due to the generosity of corporate sponsors and supportive parents.

“This is a very positive program in the Ledyard school system that contributes to a broad spectrum of the students,” Seney said. “They make a place in the program for everyone, no matter what their musical ability or interest, from those students who just want to get involved on the sidelines to those who have great aspirations of pursuing music further on in life.”

For more information about making a donation or volunteering, send an e-mail to Jeanne Seney at jmsene@aol.com.

GRACEFest marks fifth year in Ledyard

Russ Morey — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:38:10 GMT

On July 19 more than a dozen churches from Ledyard, Gales Ferry, Preston, North Stonington, Groton, New London, Manchester, Fairfield, Rockville, and even Pasadena, California, came together at the Ledyard Fairgrounds to help kick off the 5th annual GRACEFest, a one-day outdoor Christian fair and music festival.

The event, which was sponsored by the Council for Christian Arts of New London County, ran from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., and offered a wide variety of music, crafts, activities, prayer, kids’ games, and food.

One of the largest festivals of this kind in Connecticut, GRACEFest 2008 saw hundreds flock to Ledyard to hear well known Christian acts including Dave Pettigrew and the nationally acclaimed Christian rock band, Echoing Angels.

Learn Something New Every Day: Ledyard libraries host Elderhostels

Russ Morey — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:35:27 GMT

On Aug. 6 the Bill Library will host representatives from the Boston- and Norwich-based Elderhostels, who will speak and provide information regarding continued learning for those age 50 and older. The event is part of the ongoing One Book One Region program at the Bill Library, which promotes life-long learning through book discussions, movie presentations, and special events.

One of the main speakers at the Aug. 6 event will be Bette Schiffler, past president of Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL), the non-profit organization based out of Three Rivers Community College. Schiffler, who has been with ALL since its inception 13 years ago, has seen the program grow immensely in a relatively short amount of time.

“When I first started, I remember thinking to myself, ‘We’ll never get enough people in to keep this program running for a long period of time on a volunteer basis.’” Schiffler said. “But it has worked remarkably well. We have a number of instructors that have been with us for years and continue to volunteer their own time and effort, which allows us to offer as many
classes as we do.”

ALL was created in May of 1995 when Gene and Florence Frank approached Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) with the concept of starting an Elderhostel similar to the one they had participated in at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Enthusiastic about their idea, TRCC’s administration offered its support. By September of the same year, ALL was ready to offer a handful of classes, which more than 75 people joined.

Thirteen years later, ALL now has more than 25 volunteer instructors every year and sees more than 200 people over the age of 50 sign up for classes every semester.

The non-profit organization offers a full year of classes (one fall semester and one spring semester) for $15 per person and $8.50 for each additional person that joins from the same household. And as Schiffler explained, class topics vary.

“We have classes in the spring and fall, and the classes are many and varied,” Schiffler said. “They could be a based around a movie discussion or a book discussion; we have an ethnic series where people from different backgrounds come in and talk about their life and where they’ve come from, and their experiences. We have gone to local churches for two reasons: one to learn more about the various religions, and to learn about the history of the buildings themselves and the architecture involved. We try to offer as wide a variety of topics as we can.”

One of the main focuses of Schiffler’s discussion at the Bill Library will be to dispel one of the common misconceptions that she feels keeps attendance lower than it would be otherwise.

“There is a misconception of the program that you have to have a college education to join, and that’s not true at all,” Schiffler said. “We try very much to dispel that but because we are hosted by the college, people assume that to be the case.”

With the next semester of classes beginning on the last Friday in September, Schiffler and supporters of life-long learning like Bill Library’s Senior Assistant Librarian Marty Hubbard, who helps to run the One Book One Region program, want to continue to spread the word, and show those over age 50 the fun and joy of continued learning.

“Certainly friendship, meeting new people, and becoming friends is a big aspect of the program,” Schiffler said, “and, of course, keeping the mind busy and learning new things all the time. Even though there may not be homework or assignments or anything, these classes really keep people involved, interested, and constantly learning new things.”

For more information on the Bill Library’s One Book One Region program, contact Marty Hubbard at 464-9912. For more information on Adventures in Lifelong Learning, contact its office at the TRCC Continuing Education Department at 885-2608.

Over the Sea and Far Away: Local family to travel the globe

Russ Morey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:23:47 GMT

Somewhere deep down it’s a dream many of us have—sell the house, sell the car, quit the job, and travel the world. The concept of sampling new cultures and laying eyes on every land this planet has to offer is appealing, if not tantalizing.

Rational and practical thought however, usually tell us to abandon this dream, to hold on to our possessions, to keep ourselves anchored to a home base—that world travel on such a scale is a privilege of only the wealthiest among us. Against the odds, former Ledyard resident Tom Lawler was unwilling to give up the dream.

Tom, his wife, Kim, and their 7-year-old daughter, Emily, have embarked on what is planned to be a five-year, world-encircling voyage, pushing off from the Shennecossett Yacht Club in Groton on July 15.

The odyssey was not planned in haste; just the opposite, Tom’s plan was put into motion years ago. Having grown up near the ocean and boats their whole lives, Tom and Kim always knew they shared a joy for both. After landing a job as an engineer at Electric Boat, with Kim finding success in the dental field, the couple bought a house in Ledyard where they immediately began saving their pennies.

Financially secure, but by no means wealthy, Tom and Kim decided to dabble in the stock market, hoping their investments would pay dividends down the road. And while the couple was smart with their income, they always made sure they had some budgeted away for their favorite summer vacation—cruising the Caribbean.

“We’ve been vacationing in the Caribbean for years and years, we really fell in love with it,” Tom said. “We’ve been to a majority of the islands down there at least once. What can I say? We like it where it’s warm and tropical.”

After working at EB for more than 20 years, Tom and Kim began planning for their grand adventure just after they welcomed Emily into the world.

First, Tom began calculating the costs and researching the logistics. One thing crucial to the plans was how old Emily should be when they set sail.

“I read a lot of articles on the topic,” Tom explained. “We wouldn’t have wanted to leave when Emily was only 4 or 5, because she’d really be too young to understand how important it is to be safe at all times, that if someone fell over it’s possible that they might not be coming back. And we didn’t want to leave when she was 11 or 12 because from everything I’ve read there isn’t a boat in the world that’s big enough to live on with a teenager.”

By choosing age 7, Tom and Kim felt Emily would have enough boat savvy, and in five years, she will be only 12 years old, with plenty of time to re-enter a school system and make friends before the formidable teenage years.

Tom researched all types of boats and became adept at reading coastal charts and maps and took classes to learn the necessary skills to live on the water for five years; diesel engine mechanics, ham radio operation, and even astral navigation. Kim has a solid medical background, not only being licensed in CPR and first aid, but she also knows other basic medical techniques and procedures.

“Yes, I’m the resident nurse onboard, so they’ll be fine, but if anything happens to me I’m just out of luck!” Kim joked.

With a game plan in place, it was time for the most important step: buying the boat.

Giving himself plenty of time to become acclimated to his vessel, Tom purchased a boat in 2006, selecting a Nordhavn model 46, essentially a 50-foot trawler, naming their soon-to-be home the Emily Grace, after his daughter. Excited by the prospect of sailing off to sea in her namesake, Emily let her creative side loose and painted an animal with the tail of a mermaid and the upper body of a unicorn—a combination of two of her favorite creatures—on the side of the dinghy’s outboard motor. Tom and Kim were so impressed they had the same creature embroidered on the flag that now flies at the front of the boat.

While becoming accustomed to his new boat, Tom also began to compile a list of all the repairs, alterations, and customizations the boat would need before it would be ready to become their home. An avid woodworker, Tom built much of the furniture and made more than 500 alterations in all, making the boat as space efficient and comfortable as possible.

The finished Emily Grace includes a family/dining table, a full compact kitchen, a mini washer and dryer, multiple sitting areas, two adequate bedrooms with a third sleeping area in the wheelhouse, two topside decks, a “back porch,” three diesel engines (one for propulsion, one for electricity, and one back-up), two kayaks, two dinghies, bikes, a gas grill, and even broadband Internet available anywhere in the world and DIRECTV.

So, with stores of food, various prescription medications (precautionary), a “classroom in a box” for Emily’s home schooling, and all their inoculations done, the Lawler family was finally ready and Tom’s preparations had finally paid off.

Now comes the journey.

Tom plans to sail north and stay around Maine for the remainder of the summer, staying out of range of any storms during the hurricane season. The family will sail back down along the East Coast in the fall, saying their final goodbyes to friends and family along the way. Tom hopes to be in the Caribbean for the winter to visit many of the islands they love. A trip to Venezuela and a few other parts of northern South America are also on the itinerary.

“That’s going to be our trial run,” Tom explained “That’s when we go all or nothing. Two things could happen. We could sail back home and get divorced, or we’ll commit and sail around the world.”

Assuming the latter, the family will then sail through the Panama Canal and make their next stop at the Galapagos Islands, one of the places Emily is most looking forward to visiting.

“I love animals,” Emily said, “and they have all kinds of different animals there. They have birds with blue feet and lizards that swim in the sea and penguins and lots of other animals, too!”

From there, the Emily Grace will sail to French Polynesia, down to New Zealand and Australia, then up to Indonesia and Malaysia. There the family will make another crucial decision. Depending on the amount of piracy being reported in and around the Indian Ocean, Tom and Kim would like to skirt along the shore of India, travel up the Red Sea and into the Mediterranean Sea, where they’ll visit all the historic areas along the southern European coast, something they want to do specifically for Emily.

If, however, the threat of piracy is too high, the family will sail south, past Madagascar and South Africa, and into the Southern Atlantic, then turn north to visit the Canary Islands before making their way back across the Atlantic, and eventually to Ludlow, Mass., where Tom and Kim intend to build a house.

Tom anticipates spending around $50,000 a year during the journey, a budget that was made possible through saving, wise investments, and the sale of their cars and house. Though it takes immense planning and an equal amount of courage, Tom is sure it will be the grandest adventure and experience of all of their lives.

“It’s a leisurely trip,” Tom said. “We’re just going to explore. We don’t have a real rigid schedule or any specific places we need to go. We’re just going to check it all out and stay at the places we like and sail off from the places we don’t. We’re all very excited.”

A New Emblem: Water pollution control authority to hold contest for new water tank design

Russ Morey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:19:20 GMT

Anyone traveling through Ledyard center these days will notice the ongoing construction on a new water tower visible from Rte. 117. According to Ledyard Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) member Greg Wong, the tower, which will service the bulk of the Ledyard community, has become a topic of interest among residents of all ages.

“A lot of the school students and a lot of the town residents have expressed an interest in putting some kind of emblem or the word ‘Ledyard’ on the water tower,” Wong said. “The problems that we’re facing are that if the contractor who is painting the water tower was to take his scaffolding down and we were to put an emblem up afterwards, it would cost a lot more so it’s better that we do it while the contractor is still there. I’m guessing we have until mid-September to raise the money to put the emblem on the tower.”

In response to the public interest, the WPCA and Ledyard Parks and Recreation formed a committee to fundraise and organize the effort to put an emblem on the water tower. One of the committee’s main focuses is launching a contest open to all Ledyard resident to design an emblem or symbol which represents Ledyard in a positive manner. Parks and Recreation Director Don Grise will organize and oversee the contest.

A few general rules apply. The emblem must be comprised of no more than three colors, and the design must represent something unique and positive about Ledyard.

Wong said that the main goal of the committee is to raise the funds needed to paint or apply the emblem, something he feels could cost anywhere from $3,000 for a simple word, to upwards of $25,000 for a more intricate design.

The goal is to fund the project without using any town funds, something Wong knows will require lots of support from local businesses and individuals and through fund-raising efforts. In addition, Wong said the committee is also looking for individuals with backgrounds in art or graphic design to help judge the contest.

“Anyone who is willing to help in any aspect of the process is really encouraged to contact us,” Wong said. “We’ll make sure we work with them, because we need help in all areas to be able to pull this off…The main thing is that we view the water tower as becoming a central landmark in town and putting up a positive emblem to represent Ledyard would really be a source of pride for the community, especially because of where it is,” Wong explained. “You’ll be able to see the tower from nearly anywhere in Ledyard Center and from all the businesses as well, so we feel it’s going to become a focal point at the heart of our town.”

For more information, contact Led-yard Parks and Rec at 464-9112; or the Ledyard WPCA at gwong@gdeb.com.

Small Effort Makes Big Impact: Local man travels with missionary group to Ghana

Russ Morey — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:33:13 GMT

With the economy in its current state, it’s safe to say that most of us trying to keep our heads above the rising tide aren’t thinking philanthropically.

For Ledyard resident Peter Weber, however, the time to give couldn’t be any better. He recently traveled with a missionary group out of Gateway Christian Fellowship in New Haven to Accra, the capital of Ghana, to offer medical, emotional, and spiritual aid to the overwhelmingly large impoverished population. For Weber, and Missionary Coordinator Jennifer Santiago of East Haven, the trip was a return visit. The seeds for their work were sown the previous year.

“Last year we had done a medical outreach and had worked with an orphanage there,” Santiago explained. “So this year was all about building on that. We went into...a fishing village in Ghana called Chokor. It’s a very impoverished town, so all of our concentration on this particular trip was in that area with the hopes of possibly establishing a small church and being able to build relationships that will allow us to invest in that particular town in the years to come.”

The “team” as they called themselves, was made up of 23 people from all over the New England and tri-state area with most hailing from parts of Connecticut, but some from as far away as New Jersey, New York, Boston, and other parts of Massachusetts. Their goals were simple, if not lofty: to partner with the existing ministry, Royal House Chapel, and the Rev. Sam Korankye-Ankrah, and form a relationship with the townspeople, and administer medical and spiritual aid to those in need through a full day of medical outreach and three nights of “open air” crusades.

Weber explained that while he acted as the team’s chief photographer, he was also somewhat of a team leader as around 20 of the team members were in Ghana for the first time. The leadership and knowledge that Weber and Santiago provided was key in helping the group reach one of its main goals of traveling into the village in small groups of two or three and getting to know the people. And while the trip lasted just eight days, the work done and the memories made will certainly last much longer.

“I met this 24-year-old man named Abraham,” Weber said, “and I guess he had polio as a young boy and he said he used to just crawl around on the ground with his hands until a missionary group from Belgium came and were able to get him a wheelchair when he was about 12 years old. He used the wheelchair to take advantage of some form of public transportation to travel to Accra where he sells things and makes about $1 a day. I talked to him for quite some time and really broke the barrier and in that short time got to know him. He really opened up his life to me, so that was pretty special.”

Santiago also found the people extremely warm and open and explained how a chance meeting with a single mother on one of her walks through the village turned into a life-altering event.

“I was really moved by this small boy, Christopher,” Santiago explained. “He was suffering from what appeared to be cerebral palsy but…there were several reasons why this was so touching to me. One being the overwhelming love that this mother had for her child, especially when you see in situations like that, that so many of these types of children get abandoned. Just seeing the love she had for this child and requesting prayer daily was special, and we saw improvement in him as the week progressed.”

She continued, “Each day I got to see her and administer to her and her child and the last night, at the open air crusade...she allowed me to hold her child. I just sat there holding this child and praying and my heart connected so much to Christopher, it broke for him. And I knew that was why I had gone to Ghana, there was no other reason, it was to meet him and hold him and love him with the love of the Lord and to pray and believe that he will be normal again, he will be able to run and play like the other children.”

Aside from being a warm and open people, which made it easier to connect with them, Santiago said the people of Ghana also have an incredible entrepreneurial spirit. While many of those in need accepted help, they didn’t necessarily want a handout—they wanted the tools to be able to do things themselves, something Santiago found quite admirable.

Weber also commented that while he was surrounded daily by at least 30 or 40 people who were barely scraping together a living, he never felt threatened or in danger even though he was quite noticeably carrying around a camera worth thousands of dollars. He did, however, receive plenty of requests from people wanting their picture taken.

While most of the more personal experiences were had walking through the village and talking to various people, perhaps the message being put forth by the team was best disseminated through the open air crusades.

“Again, partnering with Royal House Chapel, we had a sound system set up with speakers and lights and everything so that we [could] be seen and the people would take notice,” Santiago explained. “We had music and worship going on and we had speakers up on the stage. There was also a time of ministry and prayer for the people who were there as well. It was all done outside under the elements, no tents or anything, so we were definitely praying that the rain would hold off and fortunately we were blessed and it did. There were so many people that were there listening and taking it all in.”

Santiago explained that at first some townspeople were a bit wary of the set-up, but by the end of the first night she estimated that there were at least a couple hundred people sitting and listening. Little by little, the message spread and by the final night there was not an empty seat left around the stage.

In addition to their medical and spiritual outreach, which, in all cost about $78,300—each team member was responsible for their own expenses as well as a portion of the medical expenses—Gateway Christian Fellowship also purchased a large, 15-person van through Royal House Chapel for their elderly ministry and packed it full of donations including new clothes, medical supplies, books, school supplies, and computers.

So with all of their support and thousands hearing their message over the course of the eight days and approximately 600 to 700 receiving medical treatment during their all-day medical outreach, one might assume that these were the biggest achievements of the trip. Santiago felt otherwise.

“We really want to invest in this area, so we want our presence to not be overwhelming,” Santiago explained. “So many times you hear about organizations that come in and they try to fix things instead of just trying to be a part. We definitely did not come in with the mindset of, ‘We’ve got the answer!’ It was more of just partnering; we want to really build relationships, we want them to really recognize who we are so that when we come back next time to this same area, there is a relationship established and there is trust established. Our hope is to eventually build a school there and possibly a children’s home, but we want to [accomplish it] through relationships and trust.”

After traveling back home and taking some time to reflect, both Weber and Santiago said they were very thankful for their experiences and are eager to travel back to Chokor next year to continue their effort.

“We were amazed to be able to see some miraculous things happen just praying for people,” Santiago said. “It’s a really neat experience when you see firsthand God’s work in somebody’s life. It’s not a story you hear, you actually see it and experience it for yourself. It had a profound impact on me just realizing that God does touch people and heal people and just being able to be an instrument of his love to reach the people of Chokor, it was an amazing experience…It was proof positive that God still moves and he still loves people. It was witnessed and confirmed over and over again during that trip and it was a life-changing experience for myself.”

Teens on the Screen: Ledyard libraries announce teen film contest

Russ Morey — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:28:32 GMT

On July 31 at 6:30 p.m., the Bill Library in Ledyard will host its first teen film festival in which contestants from the ages of 11 to 18 will be judged on their cinematographic creations.

The idea for the contest came from Andrea Buka, Ledyard libraries’ teen summer reading program director, who explained what the contest/festival will be all about.

“The kids will film their own movies and copy it to a DVD and submit their films, and then we’ll have a little film festival here at the Bill library on July 31,” Buka said. “We’re hoping an audience will show up, and then the audience will vote on their favorite films and we’ll award some prizes and have some pizza and snacks.”

Buka, who in the past has held various contests through the summer reading program—most notably a writing contest she’s held every year—said the inspiration behind the film festival came from this year’s summer reading program theme.

“Every year for the last seven years I’ve done a teen summer reading program and this year our theme is ‘Metamorphosis,’ so essentially changing one thing into another,” Buka said. “One of the topics that we really got into was film and changing still photography into a moving picture. So I’ve also been showing a series of the very first movies ever made from the late 1800s and early 1900s, so this is really a chance for the teens to make their own film and show it to the public and show off their own creativity.”

The deadline for the contest is July 22 and contestants can be anywhere from 12 to 18 years old and must be entering grades 7 through 12. And while there is an age limit, Buka said she is giving free rein to the contestants, although films must be appropriate for public viewing.

“It’s really anything that they want,” Buka explained. “I haven’t put any limitations on it because I want them to be as creative as possible, it’s their opportunity to be the director, producer, and possibly actor in their own film and get together with their friends and just do something fun and creative.”
For more information, contact Andrea Buka at 464-9912.

Fun in the Sun: Ledyard Parks and Recreation’s summer camp a growing success

Russ Morey — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:25:14 GMT

Tucked away at the end of Blonder’s Boulevard, a side road off Colonel Ledyard Highway, Colonel Ledyard Park is home to the largest of three summer camps run by Ledyard Parks and Recreation that have become a staple in the town.

One look around at the seemingly endless amount of children playing dodgeball, soccer, basketball, arts and crafts, or on the playground equipment and it’s immediately evident that the program, which runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is not only taken full advantage of by many working parents, but it is also immensely enjoyed by the kids who participate. And while roughly 30 staff members are employed to supervise the 250 children enrolled in the camps this year, the entire operation is overseen by two camp supervisors, Katie Ellis, 22, and Daniel Richard, 21.

Both are graduates of Ledyard High School. Ellis is working as supervisor for her second straight year, and Richard is supervising for his first. The two have worked as staff members for the program for seven and six years, respectively, and both agreed it is an ideal summer job.

“The hours, the kids, being outside, you can’t really find any other job like it,” Ellis said. “You get to play games and do all sorts of activities with the kids and go on field trips; it’s a lot of fun. Sure, you’ll have a rough day every once in a while but for the most part it’s very rewarding.”

Referred to as “The Blonder’s Camp,” Colonel Ledyard Park hosts the largest of the three camps with around 130 kids from ages 7 to 14, and 12 staff members to run the show. Gales Ferry School is also home to an additional 70 7- to 14-year-olds with nine camp leaders supervising, while Ledyard Center School hosts the preschool summer program, with 50 4- to 6-year-olds supervised by eight staff members. And while the numbers seem impressive for a relatively small town, Ellis and Richard said without
a doubt that the program is still growing.

“This is the first year that the preschool program has run all day long,” Richard explained. “Last year Kim [Lavigueur, assistant director of Ledyard Parks and Recreation] did a trial run for the last couple of weeks to see if parents were interested in having the program run the full day and she got a big response. So this year it runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. just like the other two. Next year we’re probably going to expand the amount of staff for that program too because we still have about 25 children on the waiting list to get in this year.”

In addition to expanding the preschool program, Ellis and Richard also noted that, due to parent requests, all three camps are running for seven weeks this year as opposed to the six weeks that they traditionally ran. Yet even with the ever-growing workload, Ellis and Richard said the majority of the staff members usually return from the year before, such as veteran camp leader Brian Martin, 24, who started with the program as a teen in high school and has worked his summers there ever since. Both supervisors agreed that one of the main reasons they have so many returning staff members is the great support they get from Lavigueur and Ledyard Parks and Recreation Director Don Grise, who regularly visit all three camp sites to check in with their camp leaders—and even occasionally join in on the many games.

“They do a great job of supplying us with the resources we need,” Richard said. “We put in purchase orders at the beginning of the year to stock up on all the equipment we need, but I’d say we still end up spending around $60 or $70 a week just getting supplies, arts and crafts stuff, ice packs, that kind of stuff.”

Aside from handling all the hiring, training, and scheduling for CPR and First Aid instruction, which all staff must undergo, Lavigueur and Grise also supply a large enough budget to not only buy all the balls, racquets, arts and crafts supplies, and other equipment, but also to have weekly field trips and special events. Ellis explained that having all that support and input allows them to be much more creative with the planning and makes for a much more diverse and enjoyable experience for the staff and the kids.

Each of the seven weeks of camp has a theme, such as Olympic Week, Game Show Week, Worldly Wise Week, and Fun Around Town Week, with activities, games, and events planned accordingly. Weekly field trips are to such places as Cows and Cones in Gales Ferry, ice-skating in Norwich, swimming at Highlands Lake, bowling, roller-skating, and a visit from Ollie’s Rock Gym’s climbing wall.

For the summer-ending finale, a carnival day is planned with waterslides, snacks, a moon bounce, and other special activities. And while all of these events and activities are highly anticipated by the kids, when it comes to everyday activities, there’s no underestimating the old standbys, as Richard said one of the everyday favorites for the majority of the kids is a classic game of knockout.

“Here at this camp, knockout definitely seems to be their favorite game,” Richard explained. “Over at the Gales Ferry School they’re more into dodgeball. As far as arts and crafts, gimp [weaving with rubber string] is probably their favorite activity. And of course everyone can’t wait for 1 p.m. every day because that’s when we get our daily visit from the ice cream truck.”

And while the kids will always appreciate the games, field trips, and sweet treats the most, Ellis was quick to point out why the camp leaders enjoy their days at camp.

“The kids are great,” Ellis said. “Not many of our friends can say they get to play with kids every day at work. In a way, we actually get paid to be big kids ourselves.”

Judging from the high level of involvement of all the kids and camp leaders, it’s evident that Ellis’ words ring true for all the staff, something that surely will help this program in its continued growth and success.

K9s on Patrol: Ledyard and Stonington police welcome new canine units

Russ Morey — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:41:51 GMT

On June 30 a canine unit graduation ceremony was held at Ledyard High School for four Connecticut policeman and their tail-wagging partners.

Among the four was Ledyard police officer Bobby Kempke and his partner, the newest member of the force, Lambeau. Kempke and Lambeau, along with Stonington police Officer Greg Howard and canine Fritz, Waterbury police Officer Mike Stone and his dog Oscar, and Vernon police Officer Chris Hunt and Narco, trained for thee months, beginning on April 1, with Ledyard Police Sgt. Michael Ravenelle, who started Ledyard’s canine unit in 1991 and is now a master trainer. Ledyard police Lt. Mike Finkelstein described how the whole program was put into action.

“We realized we had the need to put another canine through training,” Finkelstein said. “At the same time we had been working with Stonington for quite a while to try and get their program up and running because they didn’t have a canine before, and through the canine community of trainers and handlers we learned that their were other communities looking to have canine training, so at that point we decided we would host training and allow those other towns to come in and train with us…we’re lucky we have two master trainers in our department.”

The training was intense, as all officers and their dogs trained an average of more than 40 hours a week, not including the countless hours spent off the clock going over any specific issues that might have needed additional work. But now with the graduation ceremony complete, all four teams are ready for the job.

The addition of Kempke and Lambeau now brings the Ledyard department to two units, as the fresh graduates join Officer Dan Gagnon and Ringo. For Stonington, the addition of Howard and Fritz brings an entirely new element to the town’s police force.

Finkelstein explained, “The addition of another canine is beneficial for Ledyard,” Finkelstein said. “A young handler with a young dog out there being proactive is definitely going to be a benefit to the town.

“A perfect example of this is Stonington,” Finkelstein continued. “The first shift on the road with their canine unit got a find for them. They’ve never had a dog in the history of their department and they got a call about domestic violence and the guy runs off into the woods and hides and their dog found him. If they didn’t have the advantage of a canine, they could have ran into a much more dangerous situation. Having that canine, and solely having that canine, gave them the ability to immediately apprehend the guy and solve the crime.”