Celebrating National Vegan Month: Newtown Pigs Little Beanie Tofu And Dolphin Now In Forever Home At JP Farm Animal Sanctuary
Newtown Bee readers who have been following the journey of Yorkshire Cross pigs Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin may remember how they came to town in 2018.Newtown Bee readers who have been following the journey of Yorkshire Cross pigs Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin may remember how they came to town in 2018.They were born the previous year in a college agricultural program where they were being raised by students to be auctioned and sold for meat consumption.However, as the “Young Pigs Rescued From Being Slaughtered Get Second Chance On Life” article chronicled, the two very fortunate pigs were able to be saved from certain death.Classmates Madilyn Cole and Zack Clyne were able to purchase the pigs and bring them to Cole’s home in Newtown where her family cared for them. At the time they were about seven months old and just over 200 pounds.The pigs’ time in Newtown was always meant to be temporary as everyone hoped one day they would find their forever home at a sanctuary where they would be loved and cared for their whole lives.Then-Newtown residents Oscar Janssen and Lynn Printy heard about Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin and were gracious enough to adopt them.The couple founded JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and expanded their ability to help more animals when they moved to a larger property in Litchfield, Conn.Cole’s family threw Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin a celebratory Pig Party in August 2019 with all the people who helped them on their journey as a way to say thank you. The Newtown Bee was there to capture that special moment in time with the article “Community Of Compassion Seen At Celebratory Pig Party.”Soon after Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin were off to JP Farm Animal Sanctuary where they had room to run and play.Growing GirlsToday, Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin are 5 years old and are still a very bonded pair.Printy says that Dolphin is “the boss” in every scenario, but that Little Beanie Tofu can be too, just to a lesser extent.They each have grown significantly since being in Newtown and now weigh roughly 1,000 pounds. In addition to their daily meals, they love munching on peanuts, dried corn on the cob, watermelon, and pumpkins.In the pig barn, they have the company of fellow pigs DJ — who they love to snuggle with in a pig pile, Mozza, and new residents Pepper and Shirley. Their neighbors up the hill include multiple cows, chickens and roosters, a vivacious turkey named Ronnie, and dogs Oliver and Ace.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary Farm Manager Britt Janssen said that by far Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin’s favorite activity is rooting. The instinctive behavior involves pigs uses their snout to push or nudge the ground repeatedly.“Also, they love sleeping and eating,” Britt said.In the nice weather, the pigs stroll the property and explore. They also have access to a pond that they enjoy in the summertime to get muddy and refreshed.One thing the pig sisters, particularly Dolphin, are not a fan of is getting their hooves trimmed.Printy shared, “We just bought a pig lift … that equipment is very expensive. We will be using it to do their nails. Right now, they need to be done very badly.”She noted that donations to the sanctuary are greatly appreciated, because it allows them to continuing giving the best care for the animals and getting them the resources they need.Importance Of VeganismWhile JP Farm Animal Sanctuary staff and volunteers work every day to make their corner of the world a better place for animals, they also are active in spreading the word about how others can make a positive difference for animals in their lives.“It is important to know about veganism,” Britt said.Veganism is defined by The Vegan Society as “a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practicable — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”Part of the mission for JP Farm Animal Sanctuary is to promote veganism.Britt explained, “These animals were bred for food, so their organs, their limbs, and their joints can’t support their bodies, because they were supposed to go to slaughter at 200 pounds and now they’re 1,000. No wonder they are having, not only, hip, joint, and foot issues, but even Cornell [University] and all the great hospitals don’t know exactly why and what to do for them, because there is not a lot of research.”She continued, “These animals are being engineered for food and every year they are doing it more and more, so now the pigs have an extra rib that they normally didn’t and more teats to have more babies … this is not normal. It’s not natural.”As a result, JP Farm Animal Sanctuary collaborates with other sanctuaries to share information, Britt said. Doing so helps give these rescued animals the best chance to live without pain caused from the hands of human engineering.Britt says that pigs usually go to slaughter at roughly six months old but can live on average 10 to 12 years when given the freedom to survive.Printy said, “We know that we cannot save all the animals, so for us we know that the agricultural system is horrific for animals, it’s bad for the planet, and it’s bad for people. But people still continue it for financial reasons.”Veganism helps work to stop the systematic oppression and destruction.Their mission is to help educate people through a lens of kindness and not condemn people for their current lifestyle.“No one wants to be judged or feel badly about themselves. We want to inspire compassionate living,” Britt said.If people wish to reach out to the sanctuary, they can recommend recipes, media, and more to help people on their journey to veganism.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary frequently partners with other organizations in the vegan space, including Trupo Treats that “veganize” popular chocolate bars and Vegancuts that is an award-winning subscription box service for beauty items and food.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary just finished its events for the year with its annual ThanksLiving gathering honoring Ronnie the turkey. More events and tours will be available in spring of 2023.To learn more about JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and donate to help the animals, visit jpfarmsanctuary.org. Gift certificates to Amazon and Tractor Supply are also appreciated. Stay up-to-date on Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin on Facebook at @jpfarmsanctuary and Instagram @jpfarmanimalsanctuary.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.MUST RUN National Vegan Month_ follow up on rescued pigs from Newtown Alissa Silber
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Kimball Midwest Opens Distribution Center In Newtown
Kimball Midwest is opening a distribution center at 14 Prospect Drive.Kimball Midwest, a national industrial supplier based in Columbus, Ohio, has begun operations at its new distribution center at 14 Prospect Drive, Newtown, just months before the company reaches its centennial.The 142,000-square-foot facility, which the company acquired in 2021 before undertaking an extensive remodeling process, will allow for enhanced service to thousands of customers across the northeastern United States.“We appreciate all the hard work contributed by so many people to get our new distribution center up and running,” Kimball Midwest President Patrick McCurdy III said. “We already have an extensive list of customers in the region, and this location will allow us to better serve our existing customers as well as new ones in the future.”Newtown is the smallest community to host a Kimball Midwest distribution center, but its strategic location made it the right choice for the next step in the company’s growth.“We’re grateful to have found such an ideal location in Newtown,” McCurdy said. “We appreciate the welcome we’ve received from the community and look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.”Kimball Midwest primarily serves its customers through a network of more than 1,200 sales representatives across the continental United States. It recently was listed as the 30th largest industrial supply company in the nation by Industrial Distribution. In the last year, it has been honored among the 50 Best Companies to Sell For by Selling Power magazine and received Training magazine’s Training APEX Award.Kimball Midwest is a family-owned national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products that has been providing superior products and service since 1923. The company services sales representatives and end-use customers from its corporate office and distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, and distribution centers strategically located in Dallas, Texas; Newtown; Reno, Nev; and Savannah, Ga.Kimball Midwest Opens Distribution Center In Connecticut Story Kimball Midwest Opens Distribution Center In NewtownKimball Midwest Opens Distribution Center In ConnecticutFeatured Slider, NewsNone
BOE Hears ‘A State Of The Arts’ Presentation
Newtown Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Director Michelle Hiscavich recently offered a presentation for the Board of Education.Newtown Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Director Michelle Hiscavich offered a presentation for the Board of Education at its November 15 meeting.“So what are the state of the arts?” Hiscavich said near the start of her presentation.In Hiscavich’s presentation she offered lists of some of the things the district did during the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the current procedures. Some of the things highlighted that happened during the pandemic included students not sharing tools, equipment, or instruments; clay was sent home in buckets for children to work on; masks were worn and covers were used for wind instruments; choral students wore masks; performances and productions were limited; and competitions and auditions used submitted video rather than in-person events.Students can now share tools, equipment, and instruments; normal classroom procedures are followed for clay in art classes; there is no need to wipe everything down after every use; no masks are mandated and neither are covers for instruments; students are singing without masks; students can sit together; there are live competitions and auditions; and all district performances/productions/art shows are again taking place, according to the presentation.“Kids are singing again and what we are doing is redeveloping with them what it is like to properly breathe,” said Hiscavich.Exercises like placing hands on the stomach and taking a full breath and feeling how to sing are taking place.“Those are the kinds of things we are bringing back and really focusing on,” said Hiscavich.Along with more normal lessons, Hiscavich said the district’s regular annual schedule is “back.”When focusing on art, Hiscavich shared photos of examples of student art work.“We have a variety of projects going on,” said Hiscavich.State Champs, Theater ProductionsThe arts director also updated the school board on the Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard recently being named state champions and earning bronze at nationals.“One of the things we are really focusing on is how do we get members back into all of our programs?” said Hiscavich, adding that the NHS Marching Band & Guard visited Reed Intermediate School recently to perform to inspire younger students.And later in the presentation, Hiscavich said, “Productions are going forward.” She highlighted NHS’s fall drama production of Almost, Maine, which was staged November 17-19, and shared that the high school’s spring musical will be Into The Woods. Newtown Middle School is set to stage Newsies and Reed will stage The Lion King.“The Lion King is a holdover,” Hiscavich said. “We were all set to perform The Lion King when we closed in March of that year for COVID.”While not performing The Lion King was a letdown in 2020, Hiscavich said, “We’re very excited to perform this show.”In other district arts news shared by Hiscavich, the High School/Elementary School Music Mentoring Association (HEMMA) program has 21 high school students signed up to be mentors this year.“Both sides of the fence love this program,” said Hiscavich. “It’s a great opportunity for our high school students to be role models, maybe give them the interest in [being] a teacher one day, and they learn a lot ... The younger students gain a lot of experience.”The HEMMA program will be up and running after the holidays, according to the presentation.And “something new this year” is the addition of arts honor societies at NHS and Newtown Middle School. According to Hiscavich 120 students have been inducted into the new societies.“I’m really proud that we live in a district here that supported us through those difficult COVID years,” Hiscavich said near the end of her presentation.Saying the district is in a “renaissance,” Hiscavich thanked the school board for all it does to support that effort.Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.BOE Hears A State Of The Arts Presentation Eliza Van
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Fire Reports | November 16-21, 2022 Fire calls for Newtown, Conn., for the period of November 16-21, 2022, as reported by the dispatchers at Newtown Emergency Communications Center.The dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center, at 191 South Main Street, report the following fire calls and the responders:Wednesday, November 16: 2:36 pm, fire alarm, Alpine Drive, Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder responded.Thursday, November 17: 11:11 am, service call, Riverside Road, Sandy Hook covered; 1:27 pm, CO alarm, Mountain Manor Road, Sandy Hook responded; 3:34 pm, medical assist, Dickinson Drive, Sandy Hook responded; 5:23 pm, wires burning, Sugar Street, Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder responded; 11:09 pm, motor vehicle accident (MVA) with injury, Wasserman Way/Oakview, Sandy Hook responded.Friday, November 18: 6:44 am, medical assist, Toddy Hill Road, Botsford responded; 6:50 am, service call, Church Hill Road, Hook & Ladder covered; 12:40 pm, structure fire, New Lebbon Road, Hook & Ladder, Sandy Hook, Hawleyville, Dodgingtown, and Botsford responded; 7:10 pm, service call, Appleblossom Lane, Hook & Ladder covered; 7:20 pm, vehicle fire, I-84 East on Exit 11 off ramp (see photo above), Sandy Hook responded; 8:59 pm, medical assist, Flat Swamp Road, Dodgingtown responded.Saturday, November 19: 8:18 am, public service (Fill The Fire Trucks), 6 Queen Street, Hook & Ladder, Hawleyville, and Sandy Hook covered; 8:19 am, public service (Fill The Fire Trucks), 228 South Main Street, Botsford and Dodgingtown covered; 1:21 am, brush fire, I-84 West on Exit 9 off ramp, Hawleyville responded; 3:38 pm, service call, Hawleyville Road, Hawleyville covered; 4:10 pm, fire alarm, Edmond Road, Hook & Ladder responded; 6:39 pm, MVA with injury, Glen Road, Sandy Hook responded.Sunday, November 20: 12:05 pm, tree/wires down, Castle Hill/Old Castle Drive, Hook & Ladder responded; 12:17 pm, service call, Lakeside Road, Sandy Hook covered; 1:52 pm, tree/wires down, Taunton Hill Road, Dodgingtown responded; 7:42 pm, CO alarm, Cobblers Mill, Sandy Hook responded.Monday, November 21: 3:22 am, service call, Russet Road, Sandy Hook covered; 1:44 pm, mutual aid, Maple Road, Dodgingtown covered; 6:22 pm, medical assist, Southbrook Lane, Hook & Ladder responded; 6:43 pm, chimney fire, Lovells Lane, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 7:51 pm, brush fire, Yogananda Street, Sandy Hook responded.Fire Reports | November 16-21, 2022 Story Fire Reports | November 16-21, 2022NewsNone
P&Z Continues Mount Pleasant Apartments Public Hearing A P&Z public hearing on a zone change that could clear the way for a multi-unit apartment development in Hawleyville has been continued to December 1.Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) conducted a meeting in the Municipal Center’s Council Chambers on November 17 to review multiple applications.P&Z members present were chair Dennis Bloom, vice chair Roy Meadows, Corrine Cox, Gregory Rich, Brian Leonardi, Connie Widmann, and David Rosen, as well as Land Use Agency Director of Planning George Benson.Bloom started off the meeting with a motion to change the order of the night’s agenda, and all were in favor.Hearing ResultsThe public hearing for Application 22.28 by Jane Gadbut, for a special exception located at 76A Walnut Tree Hill Road, so as to permit the construction of a three-car detached garage took place and will continue to the next regularly scheduled meeting.Application 22.27 by Kelly Coble and Dan Zweifel, for a special exception located at 54 Hanover Road, so as to permit the construction of a 40 foot by 60 foot garage was voted on during the meeting. It passed unanimously with Widmann voting in place of commissioner Kersti Ferguson.Two applications by Farrell Building Company had its public hearing continued from the P&Z's November 3 meeting.Application 22.25 is for a zone change at 90 Mount Pleasant Road, which, if approved would change the zone from M-2A — a commercial economic development sector — to R-2, which permits residential development.Application 22.26 is for a special exception also for 90 Mount Pleasant Road, so as to permit the construction of 220 rental apartments in 11 buildings with associated driveways, parking, and Clubhouse.Both applications were discussed and will have its public hearing continued to next month's meeting.P&Z’s next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Thursday, December 1, at 7 pm, in the Newtown Municipal Council Chambers.=====Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Planning and Zoning Commission November 17 Alissa Silber
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Council Will Review Lake Authorities’ Budgets Before Restoring FundingThe Legislative Council chose to delay a decision on restoring money to the Lake Zoar Authority and Lake Lillinonah Authority cut during the 2022-23 budget season.The Legislative Council at its November 16 meeting decided to delay a decision on the restoration of $11,157 to the budgets of the two lake authorities while it does “due diligence” in reviewing the numbers and the reason for the increase in the 2022-23 budget.The vote to table the decision was made along party lines, 7-3. Republicans Jeff Capeci, Ryan Knapp, Charles Gardner, Matthew Mihalcik, Lisa Kessler, Phil Carroll, and Angela Curi voted to hold off on delivering the funds. Democrats Chris Gardner, Tom Long, and Michelle Embree Ku voted against delaying the decision.First Selectman Dan Rosenthal questioned what the “endgame” was for delaying the transfer.Rosenthal, at the November 7 Board of Selectmen meeting, had previously reported that an amendment to the line item for the Lake Authorities in the 2022-23 municipal budget to match the 2021-22 budget request, a reduction of $11,157, made by the council last April was not permissible by state statute. According to statute, the payment to the lake authorities is an assessment, not a request, and that the lake authorities are “creatures of the state.”Rosenthal further noted at the council meeting that the only way to not pay the full amount assessed would be to withdraw from both the Lake Lillinonah Authority and Lake Zoar Authority, a move that would open “another can of worms” and require the town to patrol its frontage on both lakes on its own.“The lake authorities were formed for economy of scale,” said Rosenthal, noting that the lake authorities share costs for patrolling the lakes between member towns, six towns for Lillinonah (Newtown, Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Milford, Southbury, and Roxbury) and four towns for Zoar (Newtown, Monroe, Oxford, and Southbury).Rosenthal said that withdrawing from one or both lake authorities would cost the town more in the long run.The BackstoryAccording to the April 6 meeting minutes, Knapp moved to amend the line item Lake Authorities to $53,735 — seconded by Mihalcik. Following a failed attempted amendment by Mihalcik, the requested reduction passed 7-5 with Mihalcik and council members Chris Gardner, Tom Long, Michelle Embree Ku, and Dan Honan voting against the motion.The prior reduction of $11,157, which the BOS voted to restore to the Lake Authorities line item at its November 7 meeting, took into account approximately $3,000 of the request for the Lake Zoar Authority, with the balance for the Lake Lillinonah Authority.“Quasi-town agencies like Edmond Town Hall and the library make requests, that none of the town bodies are under any obligation to fund in the amount asked,” said Rosenthal. “In this case, the authority is a creature of the state. It’s not a luxury we have [to reduce its request].”By State Statute Section 7-151b, “Each town shall pay to the authority its respective share of the expenses of the commission prorated on the basis of linear footage of shore line or any other formula agreed on and adopted by a majority of the legislative bodies of all member towns.”Bill May, treasurer of the Lake Zoar Authority and the Newtown representative on that body, told the council that the authority’s budget is not based on fixed costs, but patrolling the lake, fuel costs, and is weather dependent. That said, he does not anticipate much of an increase going into next year.Scott Schifilliti, chairman of the Lake Lillinonah Authority and a Newtown representative, said the 2022-23 budget increase came from things like equipment being in dire need of replacement or repairs, boat costs, staffing wage increases (Lake Lillinonah uses its own staff, not local police like Lake Zoar), and a police shed that requires a generator and alarm system. They have been spending from their reserves.Large Increase ExpectedSchifilliti also warned he expected another large increase next year so that the authority does not spend out its reserves.Knapp said he had a hard time justifying the increase with the increased lake traffic from COVID having diminished and not having seen a detailed budget from them. Schifilliti said that Lake Lillinonah was like a “best kept secret in Connecticut” and that while lake traffic increased during COVID, new boaters to the lake who discovered it for the first time during the pandemic have continued to come and lake traffic continues to be way up.Schifilliti and May also both addressed Knapp’s statement that he didn’t see a detailed budget, saying they had sent full budget audits to the town early in the year.Ku and Gardner both said that the town had the information and it was on the council to review everything before making cuts. Not having done so is the fault of the council and the money should be given back to the lake authorities.Knapp disagreed, stating he did request to see the budget information for the lake authorities prior to the meeting where he moved to cut their budgets, but did not receive it. He felt he wanted to review the numbers before approving anything.“It’s the council’s role to review, then approve, not approve then review,” said Knapp. “The lake season is over, I’m not seeing two weeks as making much of a difference.”Schiffiliti said he’s in the process of preparing the budget for next year and needs to know if the money from this year is coming back.The council is expected to bring the subject back up at its December 7 meeting.=====Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.Council Wants To Review Lake Authorities Budgets Before Restoring Money Jim Taylor
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Celebrating National Vegan Month: Newtown Pigs Little Beanie Tofu And Dolphin Now In Forever Home At JP Farm Animal Sanctuary
Newtown Bee readers who have been following the journey of Yorkshire Cross pigs Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin may remember how they came to town in 2018.Newtown Bee readers who have been following the journey of Yorkshire Cross pigs Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin may remember how they came to town in 2018.They were born the previous year in a college agricultural program where they were being raised by students to be auctioned and sold for meat consumption.However, as the “Young Pigs Rescued From Being Slaughtered Get Second Chance On Life” article chronicled, the two very fortunate pigs were able to be saved from certain death.Classmates Madilyn Cole and Zack Clyne were able to purchase the pigs and bring them to Cole’s home in Newtown where her family cared for them. At the time they were about seven months old and just over 200 pounds.The pigs’ time in Newtown was always meant to be temporary as everyone hoped one day they would find their forever home at a sanctuary where they would be loved and cared for their whole lives.Then-Newtown residents Oscar Janssen and Lynn Printy heard about Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin and were gracious enough to adopt them.The couple founded JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and expanded their ability to help more animals when they moved to a larger property in Litchfield, Conn.Cole’s family threw Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin a celebratory Pig Party in August 2019 with all the people who helped them on their journey as a way to say thank you. The Newtown Bee was there to capture that special moment in time with the article “Community Of Compassion Seen At Celebratory Pig Party.”Soon after Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin were off to JP Farm Animal Sanctuary where they had room to run and play.Growing GirlsToday, Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin are 5 years old and are still a very bonded pair.Printy says that Dolphin is “the boss” in every scenario, but that Little Beanie Tofu can be too, just to a lesser extent.They each have grown significantly since being in Newtown and now weigh roughly 1,000 pounds. In addition to their daily meals, they love munching on peanuts, dried corn on the cob, watermelon, and pumpkins.In the pig barn, they have the company of fellow pigs DJ — who they love to snuggle with in a pig pile, Mozza, and new residents Pepper and Shirley. Their neighbors up the hill include multiple cows, chickens and roosters, a vivacious turkey named Ronnie, and dogs Oliver and Ace.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary Farm Manager Britt Janssen said that by far Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin’s favorite activity is rooting. The instinctive behavior involves pigs uses their snout to push or nudge the ground repeatedly.“Also, they love sleeping and eating,” Britt said.In the nice weather, the pigs stroll the property and explore. They also have access to a pond that they enjoy in the summertime to get muddy and refreshed.One thing the pig sisters, particularly Dolphin, are not a fan of is getting their hooves trimmed.Printy shared, “We just bought a pig lift … that equipment is very expensive. We will be using it to do their nails. Right now, they need to be done very badly.”She noted that donations to the sanctuary are greatly appreciated, because it allows them to continuing giving the best care for the animals and getting them the resources they need.Importance Of VeganismWhile JP Farm Animal Sanctuary staff and volunteers work every day to make their corner of the world a better place for animals, they also are active in spreading the word about how others can make a positive difference for animals in their lives.“It is important to know about veganism,” Britt said.Veganism is defined by The Vegan Society as “a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practicable — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”Part of the mission for JP Farm Animal Sanctuary is to promote veganism.Britt explained, “These animals were bred for food, so their organs, their limbs, and their joints can’t support their bodies, because they were supposed to go to slaughter at 200 pounds and now they’re 1,000. No wonder they are having, not only, hip, joint, and foot issues, but even Cornell [University] and all the great hospitals don’t know exactly why and what to do for them, because there is not a lot of research.”She continued, “These animals are being engineered for food and every year they are doing it more and more, so now the pigs have an extra rib that they normally didn’t and more teats to have more babies … this is not normal. It’s not natural.”As a result, JP Farm Animal Sanctuary collaborates with other sanctuaries to share information, Britt said. Doing so helps give these rescued animals the best chance to live without pain caused from the hands of human engineering.Britt says that pigs usually go to slaughter at roughly six months old but can live on average 10 to 12 years when given the freedom to survive.Printy said, “We know that we cannot save all the animals, so for us we know that the agricultural system is horrific for animals, it’s bad for the planet, and it’s bad for people. But people still continue it for financial reasons.”Veganism helps work to stop the systematic oppression and destruction.Their mission is to help educate people through a lens of kindness and not condemn people for their current lifestyle.“No one wants to be judged or feel badly about themselves. We want to inspire compassionate living,” Britt said.If people wish to reach out to the sanctuary, they can recommend recipes, media, and more to help people on their journey to veganism.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary frequently partners with other organizations in the vegan space, including Trupo Treats that “veganize” popular chocolate bars and Vegancuts that is an award-winning subscription box service for beauty items and food.JP Farm Animal Sanctuary just finished its events for the year with its annual ThanksLiving gathering honoring Ronnie the turkey. More events and tours will be available in spring of 2023.To learn more about JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and donate to help the animals, visit jpfarmsanctuary.org. Gift certificates to Amazon and Tractor Supply are also appreciated. Stay up-to-date on Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin on Facebook at @jpfarmsanctuary and Instagram @jpfarmanimalsanctuary.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.MUST RUN National Vegan Month_ follow up on rescued pigs from Newtown Alissa Silber
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Newtown Bee readers who have been following the journey of Yorkshire Cross pigs Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin may remember how they came to town in 2018.
Animal Sanctuary Panel Reveals How To Live Harmoniously With Wildlife
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS) hosted its much anticipated “Newtown Wildlife Panel: Safely Coexisting with Wildlife” at Newtown Community Center on Sunday, November 13.Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS) hosted its much anticipated “Newtown Wildlife Panel: Safely Coexisting with Wildlife” at Newtown Community Center on Sunday, November 13.“Newtown is one of the most beautiful communities in all of Connecticut — a place where people and wildlife share a home among the woodlands, open spaces, walking trails, streams, and meadows. However, finding the balance between coexisting with nature while protecting humans and animals can often be a challenge. Despite many good intentions, misinformation and practices often lead to unfortunate outcomes for our wildlife friends,” a CVHAS press release stated.The free event was designed to bring awareness to wildlife matters prevalent in town. It brought together experts who shared information about animals, such as bears, coyotes, and foxes, and answered questions from the public.CVHAS President Jenny Hubbard and Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal helped moderate the panel, which included Peter Reid from Wildlife in Crisis, Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason, Jim Knox from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, and Ben Kilham from Kilham Bear Center. Kilham joined virtually on Zoom since his organization is based in Lyme, New Hampshire.Hubbard welcomed everyone attending and prefaced the discussion by saying, “We have all been having these separate conversations about how it’s so important for us living in Newtown to understand the wildlife that we live with … and better understand how we can protect them and protect ourselves. We have to understand how to live safely together.”Bears As NeighborsRosenthal shared that having grown up in Newtown, he has seen a variety of wildlife here in his lifetime — although he has not seen a bear in his yard, yet.His comments segued into Hubbard asking Kilham if people should be deterring bears from their property.Kilham replied, “You should not be attracting them around your house. They have an extremely good sense of smell. Any food fragments will lure them in.”As a result, leaving any food outside, an outdoor garbage bin, a bird feeder, or even having food near an open window and wafting out the smell has the potential to attract bears.Reid added, “We have the privilege of having these animals around us — bears and other animals we will be discussing today. With that privilege comes the responsibility of being good neighbors. And that neighbor can reach three to four hundred fifty pounds or so, and they get super hungry.”He noted that the practices they will be talking about today are “universal” for bears and other wildlife. One of those practices is removing all food attractants that could attract bears, which includes cleaning grills, feeding pets inside, and protecting backyard chickens.“If you have a coop, we recommend an electric fence with a minimum of 6 to 7 thousand volts,” Reid said.At this time of year, bears are consuming about 20,000 calories a day.“They are gravitating towards areas that they are finding food. Unfortunately, that includes our property. If we remove those attractants and food sources, there will be much less of an issue,” Reid said.Rosenthal asked the question he and others had, “Are bears really dangerous?”Kilham replied, “They are potentially dangerous, but they don’t have to be. We can live safely with bears around, but we should never assume that they can’t be dangerous. Black bears are afraid of people and they are only attracted to our food.”He explained that people are far more likely to be killed by a dog or lightning than a bear.Knox said bears are smart, adaptable, and resourceful, so having a bird feeder is like “laying out a buffet for them.” Ultimately, he wanted to defer to Kilham and Reid about bears dos and don’ts.For those that want to feed the birds, especially during the cold months, they can get a stainless-steel bear-proof bird feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited. They can also be taken in at night as an additional precaution.Laura King from CVHAS was in attendance and shared that at the sanctuary they use bear-proof bird feeders, as well as red pepper bird feed from Wild Birds Unlimited that bears do not like.“We’ve had zero issues over at the sanctuary,” King said.Kilham said instead of leaving up bird feeders, people could consider just placing a handful or so of bird seed out at the same time every day. The birds can track the time and return to the spot to eat without the food having to be left out all the time for it to possibly attract bears.Hubbard asked Kilham how the two bear cubs from Newtown, whose mother was killed by a resident earlier this year, were doing since being taken into his sanctuary.“They are doing fine. We have 107 cubs … any cub who has been orphaned in any way shape or form or shown up somewhere hungry is brought here,” Kilham said.An audience member, who mentioned they follow Kilham Bear Center on Instagram, asked Kilham if the cubs hibernate.“They will if we really get a hard winter. The trouble is when we have these many cubs, it’s like a slumber party. If one wakes up, he wakes the rest of them up,” he answered to the roar of laughter over a cub sleep over.Opportunistic CoyotesThe next species of wildlife that the panel discussed was coyotes. Rosenthal said that he has heard that coyotes see dogs as prey and asked the panel if that is the case.Knox said, “Coyotes are animals that are highly opportunistic, very resourceful, one of the most successful mammals on the planet where we live. They view dogs, depending on the size of the dog, as a threat or prey, very simply.”He suggested people keep their dogs, no matter what size, on a leash, especially around the denning and pupping season in late winter/early spring.In that season, Knox said, they can be “very territorial and defensive” if they feel there is a threat to their pups.Reid said if people are out for walks, they may unknowingly approach a denning site. When this happens, a coyote will likely show “escorting behavior” where it watches and then follows the person out of their area.“If you have a small dog, I recommend you pick them up,” he said. “If you are out at night, coyotes are most active at dusk when we walk our dogs.”Tools that people can keep with them are a bright flashlight and whistle as an extra precaution.Reid added that, similar to bears, it is statistically proven it is unlikely a coyote would attack a human.“They avoid conflict, but they are dangerous to small dogs … and senior dogs,” he said.Rosenthal asked, “So if I hear a pack of coyotes howling, do I call the police and animal control?”Mason said that they do receive a lot of calls about coyotes. She agreed with the earlier remarks, saying coyotes cannot distinguish between bunnies or fox, their usual prey, and a dog.“That’s why we have to be very responsible in taking care of our dogs and keeping them safe,” Mason said.Reid mentioned that while the public usually interprets the sound of coyotes to mean they made a kill, many times they are just communicating with one another upon reuniting after a hunt.“Just like when you come home and your dogs go nuts, that’s kind of the same impulse gathering together. It’s a social thing. And it also defines the territory … by announcing their presence,” he said.Mason said she understands the sound of coyotes can be scary and intimidating, but “it’s just the way of life. We have to be cautious and respect their lives and our lives together.”According to Reid, using motion sensor lights outdoors can help deter them and he urges using a physical fence to protect dogs.Rosenthal segued the conversation asking if coyote and fox populations have increased.Knox said that the short answer is yes in general, because, “They expand and contract range based on opportunity. They will seek out new ranges … these eastern coyotes are adaptable.”So much so that not only are they found in Connecticut towns, but also in its cities, such as New Haven and Hartford, he said.“We do know they have colonized these areas — foxes as well,” Knox said.Accommodating FoxesWhat if a fox or coyote has made its den under a person’s deck or shed, Rosenthal asked the panel.Reid answered that woodchucks will make their burrow under a shed and then hibernate, which leads to a fox killing it in the winter and using its burrow to have its babies.Foxes are known to be great at eliminating rodents from areas, which also helps control tick populations, he noted.Meanwhile, coyotes make their dens in densely wooded areas away from people and other animals.Mason brought up that animal control gets calls about denning foxes on people’s property. She recommends that people be patient and that the family will leave in about five to six weeks.To avoid foxes being tempted to use a deck or shed, Mason said people should be proactive in making sure those spots are sealed up to prevent them from going in.CVHAS will have a spring wildlife panel on Sunday, March 19, at Newtown Community Center from 1 to 2:30 pm.For more information about the CVHAS, visit cvhfoundation.org or e-mail info@cvhfoundation.org.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Bear Facts, Advice, And AdvisoriesDuring the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary’s “Newtown Wildlife Panel: Safely Coexisting with Wildlife,” residents were encouraged to take a variety of informational handouts from Wildlife in Crisis, including one about bears. Here are some tips from Wildlife in Crisis for how to stay safe:*Remove all food attractants from around your property. Bird feeders containing seed and suet are a major attractant. Taking in your feeders at dusk will reduce (but not eliminate) the likelihood of a bear visit. Do not hang bird feeders on a porch or patio at any time. Bears will climb onto a porch to reach these feeders which puts them in very close proximity to you.*Be aware that chicken coops and beehives are major attractants to bears. The best way to protect coops and hives is through installation of an electric fence. To deter bears, a minimum of 6,000-7,000 volts is required. Temporary and battery-powered fencing is an option in some cases. There are many internet resources regarding proper electric fence installation.*Keep your garbage cans in a garage or fully enclosed structure. Many garbage collection companies now require cans to be accessible to their trucks. Take your cans out immediately before collection. This will reduce the chance of a bear discovering your garbage can. Periodically clean your garbage can and recycling bin with a dilute bleach solution. Eliminating old food odors will make the cans less attractive to bears.*Clean your grill and outdoor dining areas after use. The vestigial food odors on grills and dining surfaces can attract bears.*Keep your garage doors closed! Open garages attract interest from a variety of wild species, including raccoons, skunks, snakes, and yes, bears.*Do not feed pets outside. The presence of pet food outdoors is a major attractant to wild animals, up to and including bears.*When hiking in open spaces, keep your dog on a lead. Bears will not seek conflict with a dog, but a bear will defend itself if a dog pursues them. It is a good idea to carry some form of bear deterrent when hiking. That can be a whistle, air horn, or bear spray.*If you come face-to-face with a bear, make noise and act in an assertive manner, while gradually retreating and watching the bear. Clapping your hands can be effective if you don’t have a whistle or air horn. In most cases the bear will also retreat.*If a bear comes toward you, stand your ground and make noise. Do not run from a bear, but gradually retreat the way you came, keeping the bear under observation the entire time. In the unlikely event that a bear attacks, stand your ground and fight back with whatever is at hand.*Do not take selfies with bears! The proliferation of smart phone cameras seems to have created an impulse to take photos or videos of everything all the time. Bears can easily misinterpret the selfie-taking process. Photographing the bear should not be a priority! You can observe the bear from a distance as you retreat, and enjoy the experience, without documenting it on Facebook and Instagram.Wildlife Panel: Safely Coexisting with Wildlife Alissa Silber
Story Animal Sanctuary Panel Reveals How To Live Harmoniously With WildlifeWildlife Panel: Safely Coexisting with WildlifeFeatured Slider, Features, NewsNone
Small Business Pop-Up Shop Set At CH Booth Library
There will be a small business popup shop at the CH Booth Library for holiday shopping.Local small businesses are selling goods, products and services at the library right in time for holiday shopping. Support Newtown’s local business community from 4 to 7 pm Wednesday, November 30, at the CH Booth Library, 25 Main Street.All participants have a chance to win a prize drawing.Vendors include: Old Redding Farm, Willow Glen Stationery, The Rescued Earth, Civilian Journalists, Nips & Paws, Nancy Cole Studio, New Insights Boutique, Finding Creativity, Busy Minds Box, Andrea Chapman Anderson, Sky Blue Designs, Valerie’s Gallery, Emalyn Sweets, TJ Designs, Baskets By Mardi, Creative Buzz by Chase Press, WrenHouse Atelier, The Sewing Elf, Castle Meadow Designs, Made by Mich, The SNO Company, Usborne Books and More, and MaryAnn’s Metals.This event is co-sponsored by Newtown Economic and Community Development.MUST - Small Business Pop Up Shop Set At CH Booth Library Story Small Business Pop-Up Shop Set At CH Booth LibraryMUST - Small Business Pop Up Shop Set At CH Booth LibraryFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
The Way We Were Newtown news of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 years ago, from the archives of The Newtown Bee. November 28, 1997EDITORIAL INK DROPS — THANKS FRANK: We have often used this space to extol the virtues of voluntarism, urging people to get involved in the town by donating a few hours of their time on a regular basis to a worthy cause. Rarely do we come across an individual, however, who embodies the volunteer spirit so completely as Frank Krasnickas. As chairman of the town’s busy Public Building and Site Committee, most days Mr Krasnickas has been on job sites at Newtown High School, The Hawley School, and most recently at Booth Library. Then, quite often, he spends his evenings in meetings of the Board of Selectmen, or the Board of Education, or the Legislative Council, discussing the construction projects. For the duration of the complex and sometimes controversial projects, he has worked 30 hours or more every week representing the interests of the town. A retired engineer, Mr Krasnickas has brought knowledge, patience, diplomacy, persistence, and a rigorous set of personal standards to bear on these construction projects. He has not sought to put himself in the limelight, despite his important role. (For the story The Bee wrote about him this week, he was very reluctant to be photographed.) We would like Frank Krasnickas to know that his work has had great value for the people of Newtown, even though he was paid nothing for what amounted to a full-time job. It’s hard to put a value on voluntarism at this level. So we offer our thanks and respect and hope that it is enough.* * * * *The developers of Walnut Tree Village, a condominium complex for senior citizens at 26 Walnut Tree Hill Road in Sandy Hook, are exploring the possibilities of building 150 more age-restricted housing units on land nearby. Walnut Tree Village has approvals to build 80 units. So far, about 50 units have been constructed. The 80 units are planned for completion by the end of 1998, Louis DeFilio of Walnut Tree Hill Developers said Monday. Walnut Tree Village is intended for people at least 55 years old. The property is in an EH-10 zone and designated for multifamily housing for the elderly.* * * * *First Selectman Bob Cascella presented Judy Benson and Debbie Richardson of the Family Counseling Center of Newtown with a proclamation marking November 23-29 as National Family Week in Newtown. “As we reflect and celebrate our own family life during National Family Week and this Thanksgiving, let us reaffirm our commitment as individuals and as a community to establish policies and programs that help parents, children and all individuals,” the proclamation said.* * * * *Mick Haggerty of Christmas Décor was busy hanging wreaths and banners last Friday to signal the start of the holiday shopping season at Sand Hill Plaza.* * * * *It might not be a very memorable day for many — November 15, 1997 — but it was a momentous one nevertheless at Newtown Country Club as Joan Crick was named the first woman president in the club’s 82-year history. Mrs Crick, who has been a member of the club since 1985, succeeds Bill Hubbard as president and will preside over a nine-member Board of Governors that will include five new members —two of them women.November 24, 1972The Annual Meeting of the Poverty Hollow Pony Club took place Friday, November 10, at 8 pm, in the Johnson Room of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown. Fifteen parents and 20 members were present to re-elect the incumbent slate of officers: Mrs Dan Teelin and Mrs Dan Lufkin as the district commissioners; Mrs Richard Pennell as treasurer; Mrs R.J. Hopkins as secretary; and Mrs S.D. Booth as the chief instructor.* * * * *Newtown High’s football team spent a pleasant afternoon Saturday demolishing the Green Wave of New Milford 42-14, then had short-lived better news at the game’s end when they were told that Joel Barlow lost its game. That report turned out to be a false one, so the Indians remain in a first-place tie with Barlow for the Western Connecticut Conference Title.* * * * *George Zitnay, regional director of a state program, was guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting Monday evening, November 20, at the Hawley Manor Inn. Plans were discussed for the club’s annual Pancake Day December 2, when members will bake and serve pancakes, with sausages and syrup and other trimmings, in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. The sale will go on all day, from 11 am to 7 pm, to raise funds for a variety of Rotary projects. Members of the Pancake Day Committee are Thomas Ineson, James Schweir, and Carl B. Bergquist.* * * * *Mrs Vincent Gaffney received a beautiful silver bowl when she was named Connecticut Farm Bureau’s Mother of the Year during the Bureau’s annual meeting in New Britain on November 15. Last month Mrs Gaffney had been named Fairfield County Farm Bureau Mother of the Year. The state award came as a complete surprise to Mrs Gaffney, and included with the guests were her four sons and their wives.* * * * *On Wednesday, November 15 at 1 pm the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Sixty Plus Club was held in Trinity Church undercroft. Approximately 75 members attended. A game of bingo was enjoyed by all. The knitting group brought in a generous sampling of the work that had been done so far this season, and some very nice articles will be distributed to the Southbury Training School at Christmas time. Many dolls furnished by the Salvation Army will be dressed by the ladies of the Club and distributed with the Christmas baskets for Newtown’s needy families. In response to a letter regarding “Home Care” received from the Department of Aging in Hartford, the Club members are asked to bring in their written suggestions as to what might be done in Newtown to help the elderly.November 21, 1947Newtown’s Congregational church was the scene of an attractive wedding last Saturday afternoon when Miss Shirley Jeannette Nichols, daughter of Mrs A.B. Nichols and the late Mr Nichols of the Taunton district, became the bride of the Rev Arthur E. Berry, son of Mr and Mrs Frank A. Berry of Bethel. The Rev Paul A. Cullens, pastor of the church, performed the ceremony in a simple and tasteful setting in which the candlelit altar was decorated with chrysanthemums and ivy. Mrs Charles M. Goodsell, organist, prefaced the playing of traditional music by furnishing a musical program while the church filled with friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom. The bride was given into marriage by her brother, Postmaster Albert H. Nichols.* * * * *Twice in twenty-four hours townspeople turned out for a special town meeting, close to 450 assembling in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall last Thursday evening to act on matters concerning Regional High School District No 3; the meeting, however, finally adjourned without action. On the previous evening, November 12, at the first of the two meetings, it had been voted to continue to name Newtown’s Regional Board members by appointment by the local Board of Education.* * * * *Miss Barbara Baxter, daughter of Mr and Mrs William C. Baxter of Mt Pleasant, was one of 27 members of the senior class at the University of Connecticut, chosen to represent the University in the next publication of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. The nominees for recognition were selected on the basis of outstanding effort and accomplishment in academic work, extra-curricular activities, and service to the school. Dr Northby, director of student personnel, has commented, “It is a great honor and distinction to be chosen as a member of this group.”* * * * *Mr and Mrs Francis B. Richards of Grays Plains district, Sandy Hook, left on Sunday for Largo, Florida, where they will spend the winter. In their absence, Mr and Mrs Gilpin Johns will occupy their home.November 17, 1922GRANGE BULLETIN — POOTATUCK GRANGE ELECTS OFFICERS: The officers elected for the year, 1923, are as follows: Master, Frank H. Platt; Overseer, Robert W. Tiemann; Lecturer, Edith W.G. Mitchell; Steward, Elliott H. Platt; Assistant Steward, Willis F. Arndt; Chaplain, Herman N. Tiemann; Treasurer, Wallace N. Mitchell; Secretary, Anna G. Murphy; Gate-Keeper, Charles F. Cavanaugh; Ceres, L. Vincent Cavanaugh; Pomona, Viola A. Geckle; Lady Assistant Steward, Florence R. Carlson; Pianist, Frances S. Smith.* * * * *The biggest news sensation of the week is the announcement that Premier Manufacturing Co., of Sandy Hook, through Charles S. Cole, its capable and wide awake treasurer and general manager, has effected a consolidation of manufacturing interests whereby the Premier Manufacturing Co., of Sandy Hook acquires a controlling interest in the old and well known W.&B. Douglas Co., of Middletown, manufacturers of all kinds of pumping machines, and also of the Standard Metal Works Corporation of Thompsonville, Conn. The editor got Mr Cole on the telephone at Thompsonville on Wednesday morning. Mr Cole confirmed the truth of the merger, and said that business would go on the same at present in the factories in Sandy Hook, Middletown and Thompsonville.* * * * *Mrs Lula Ellicock of New Haven passed the week end with her mother, Mrs Jennie Canfield.* * * * *Mrs Homer A. Hawley of Pittsfield, Mass., was the guest, Tuesday, of Mrs Ida Hawley of Hawleyville.* * * * *Mr and Mrs F.W. Andrews and Mr and Mrs Henry Moore motored to Newark, N.J., Saturday, returning on Sunday.* * * * *Paul S. Smith and Earle Widtman, students at Amherst college, were guests over Sunday of Mr and Mrs A.J. Smith.November 26, 1897It was our intention, last week, to call particular notice to the letter published in our columns regarding Newtown Water Works, but press of business, and want of space prevented. The very clear statement given in the letter of B.H. Hull, civil engineer, should convince all of our citizens that the matter spoken of is practicable, and it needs only the combined efforts of one and all to make this important enterprise a success. It has been estimated that $5000 would be a sufficient sum to carry out this project, embracing the building of a reservoir, and laying at least one mile of 4-inch iron pipe, besides furnishing six fire hydrants, to be located on our beautiful street, and 300 feet of rubber hose, which we would not have to go out of town for.* * * * *The bridge across the Housatonic at Sandy Hook is being painted.* * * * *The Dayton street bridge at Sandy Hook has been replanked. It has been in a bad condition for a long time.* * * * *Minott Augur has some prime beef hanging on the hooks of his Sandy Hook market, this week, for the Thanksgiving trade. It was furnished by Elmer W. Fairchild and was a noble steer weighing in the vicinity of 1,000 pounds when dressed.* * * * *At the Congregational church on Sunday morning, Rev Mr Barker read the governor’s proclamation. He preached an excellent sermon from the text, “Be ye thankful.”Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting. way we were Story way we wereway we were_138Features, Way We WereNone
Newtown Tennis Players Help 40 And Over Team Place Third In National Tourney Reisert, Piera, and Conrod experience success on the tennis courts.Tennis is known to be a sport that people can continue to play recreationally at almost any age but a trio of Newtown residents ranging from 54 to 61 continues to do more than just play for fun. John Reisert, Mike Piera, and Dr Tom Conrod compete — at a very high level.A team of players based out of Tennis Central Club in Woodbridge — including these Newtown players — placed first in its division during the regular season, won the sectional tournament, and represented New England in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) League National Championships in Oklahoma City this fall. The team competed in the Men’s 40 and over 4.0 division and placed third — quite an impressive accomplishment. Reisert, Piera, and Conrod are among the older players on this team, and all of its participants competed in the national event and played a key role in the winning ways.There were 1,458 teams (over 15,000 individual players) that competed in the regular season; 17 teams won sectionals and went to nationals and this squad went undefeated, going 4-0, in pool play to reach the final four. It lost only to the eventual National Champions, from Kentucky, in a tiebreaker after a 2-2 deadlock.“We were very, very close with that team — they edged us out,” said Conrod, 56, adding that he and his teammates were happy with their achievement.The Connecticut-based team went on to defeat a representative from Hawaii to seal third place. Reisert, 54, believes this is the first New England team to reach the final four for this division. The team includes mostly players from Connecticut with some participants from Rhode Island and New York, and is led by captain Glen Maxwell.Each team versus team competition in the tourney featured one singles competition and three doubles matches; ties were decided by set wins.The Newtown players, along with their teammates, have been playing tennis since their school days. Several decades and numerous matches later — including in the Newtown Tennis Association’s annual Open tournament — they are still going strong out on the courts.Piera, 61, has played tennis since his days at Bethel High School. He competes out of the Middlebury Racquet Club. A challenge for Piera in the last couple of years has been overcoming injuries. He’s battled through chronic tennis elbow and wrist surgery. For Piera, the diversion of playing the game is one of the biggest benefits. Piera runs his own business, Analog.Man guitar effects pedals, and welcomes the change of pace from a stressful work day when he can grab the racquet and play.“I like to do things that really get my mind off of work. Tennis requires so much concentration,” said Piera, who also races Porsches — another hobby that requires full concentration, he notes.Piera said that he enjoys playing up at the higher level, 4.5, for some matches for the required focus necessary just to be competitive. “It’s so hard to win. You have to really concentrate so much,” he said.Competing in the national tourney was a thrill for Piera.“It was so much fun being with the guys,” said Piera, adding that winning against some of the best teams in the country was quite rewarding.“It was very exciting,” said Conrod, pointing out that the team has been strong for a few years and managed to get over the hump this go-around with its first national event qualification.“Everybody was happy to be there. We didn’t know what to expect,” said Conrod, reflecting on winning two matches on day one and repeating the feat on the second day. “All of a sudden we’re in the final four.”Conrod enjoys playing in local tourneys with his children said a strategy he has implemented in recent years is to pace himself, but he does play regularly out of Middlebury Racquet Club and Tennis Club of Trumbull.“I want to be able to continue to play competitively at times,” he said. “I just want to pace myself so I can keep on playing.”Conrod is an optometrist and does most of his playing at night following a long day of work.“Everyone made the effort. Everyone made the time to make it happen,” Conrod said of the team.Successful Summer For ReisertPrior to this accomplishment in Oklahoma City, Reisert built up quite a year of success.Along with his doubles partner, Glenn Lavallee of New Milford — who was also part of the third-place team — Reisert competes in tournaments throughout the year and this year traveled to Palm Springs, Calif. for a USTA tri-level format national tournament. This format is designed to provide a unique team opportunity by combining players of different National Tennis Rating Program levels on the same squad. A highlight was winning their match versus Texas (coming back to win 2-6, 6-2 and 11-9 in the third set tiebreaker).The doubles tandem, based out of Middlebury Racquet Club, has a 4.0 ranking and joined forces with a 4.5 team from Vermont and a 3.5 team from Farmington Valley. The team was comprised based on each winning sectional tournament to create a New England-based squad.“It was a great experience. It was really fun,” Reisert said of joining forces with other players and taking on tough competition.A players’ ranking is based on the previous year of competition; 4.5 is the highest USTA ranking. Reisert, as well as Piera and Conrod, has played in some 4.5 level tennis.“You can play up. That’s the beauty of it,” Reisert said.Reisert added that the tri-level format is great for putting comparable players against each other. In the past, open tournament formats resulted in some uneven matchups, he said.“The new system has worked pretty well for us,” Reisert added. “When I first got out of college, the tournaments were mostly open so you could see players of all ability and often higher than mine which would make for quick exits.”Reisert plays about 25 to 30 matches per year on various teams. He also represents a Woodbridge 4.0 team of 40-year-old and over players, and still competes against significantly younger players in some events. Reisert prefers doubles over singles play, especially in those instances.“Doubles sort of levels the playing field because there’s more strategic play than sheer athleticism and stamina,” he said. “It is tougher going against the younger guys.”Traveling to compete and with limited time to prepare are obstacles Reisert has to overcome.“The toughest thing is getting warmed up. I definitely play better as my match goes along,” he said.Interestingly, it turns out both Reisert and Lavallee played at Assumption College and may have overlapped one year. What’s more, they share the same birthday, September 18. “It’s been a unique bond we have,” Reisert said. They just happened to cross paths at Middlebury Racquet Club and have made the most of their tennis connection.Reisert is a math teacher at Fairfield Ludlowe High School where he also coaches tennis, and Lavallee is a physical therapist. With their busy schedules, particularly during the school year, practicing together is not easy. “We try to get out when we can,” Reisert said.Tennis success stands to continue on and at the court for Reisert in 2023.Ludlowe’s coach since 1999, Reisert is 13 wins away from 400 in his career. With six state championships, four state runner-ups, and five FCIAC championships under his belt, he was recently inducted into the FCIAC Hall Of Fame.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.Tennis Trio Third In National Tourney Andy Hutchison
Story Aces On The Court: Newtown Tennis Players Help 40 And Over Team Place Third In National TourneyTennis Trio Third In National TourneyFeatured Slider, SportsNone
Conference Champs! Eighth Grade Football Team Blanks Cheshire In Pinnacle Game Hawks go on the road and win 28-0 in their final Newtown Youth Football experience.CHESHIRE — Neither the cold nor a tough host Cheshire Rams squad could stop Newtown’s eighth grade team from heating up and pulling away for the Shoreline Youth Football Conference Championship, on November 19. The Nighthawks blanked the Rams 28-0 in the Sugar Bowl title tilt, using a balanced attack on offense and stingy defense that turned things completely around following a 32-32 tie between the teams during the regular season.“This has been everything we wanted. We wanted to have a shot back at them and the kids took advantage of it,” said Newtown Coach Jay Gagnon, whose players made their last Newtown Youth Football experience one to remember.Temperatures were in the 30s for this season-ending tilt. The Rams had the first possession but Newtown’s defense forced a punt, setting the tone for the morning. The Hawk offense went to work and drove down the field with a mix of passing and rushing plays. Quarterback Nick Stockwell connected with Henri Quirk on a 25-yard pass, setting up the Hawks in the red zone. Caden Cuomo ran in the first score with a ten-yard rush up the middle, behind great blocking by Billy Massett, Kieran Regan, Drilon Lena, Roan Baabdaty, Aaden Calle, Preston Updegraff, Sean Caron, and Kyle Albrecht. Following a successful extra point kick, Newtown led 8-0.Newtown’s defense continued to smother Cheshire, forcing a turnover and recovering a fumble on the 25-yard line, with great play by Luke Gagnon, Graham Spencer, Lena, Matheus Goncalves, Massett, Julian Moore, Kyle Norton, Aaron Grummons, Ty Jorgenson, Devon Mingachos, and Parker Paulos. The Hawk offense got back to work, with Stockwell again completing a pass to Quirk, this time for a 30-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead. Newtown’s defense held tight, forcing another Cheshire punt. Then the Hawk offense clicked again with a 35-yard run by Cuomo for the third touchdown. Newtown was in command and led 20-0 at the half.The Hawks continued to dominate in the second half, and found the end zone once again with Quirk rushing 10 yards up the middle for the score. Newtown’s defense continued to handily shut down the Rams’ offense as the clock ran.Newtown’s players finished their capstone season with a record of 5-5-1.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.Grade 8 Football Champs Andy Hutchison
Story Conference Champs! Eighth Grade Football Team Blanks Cheshire In Pinnacle GameGrade 8 Football ChampsFeatured Slider, SportsNone
Franson’s Second Chance In Playoffs Ends With Another State Title Newtown's Olivia Franson helped the Cadets win their second straight Class L championship.HARTFORD — St Joseph High of Trumbull sophomore Olivia Franson got her first taste of high school state playoff soccer action during the team’s championship season last fall. Unfortunately for the Newtown resident, she suffered a broken foot during the postseason and was sidelined during a bitter-sweet run to the title in 2021.Fast forward to this November 19 and Franson was on the field when the second-seeded Cadets won their second consecutive Class L crown with a 3-0 win over the fourth-seeded Notre Dame-Fairfield Lancers, at Trinity Health Stadium.“It’s so exciting. I have a great team behind me. We all support each other,” Franson said.Most of Franson’s team is actually in front of her. Previously a forward, she was moved back to defense and earned the starting role on the left side this fall.“It’s a tough task,” Franson said of stopping fast opponents.A task she and the rest of the team’s back line did admirably in shutting out three of four state playoff foes while conceding just one goal following a first-round bye. The Cadets also won the FCIAC title, lost just once during the regular slate, and handed Class LL champ Staples of Westport its only two defeats — in the regular season andagain in the FCIAC’s pinnacle game. Franson does not only use her quick feet; she takes throw-ins as well.“We needed an athletic player and she’s very athletic,” St Joes Coach Jack Nogueira said of moving Franson to the back line. “She’s done a fantastic job for us all season.”Wherever Franson is playing out there, she is thrilled just to be on the pitch.“It’s my life. I’ve spent about 13 years doing it. It’s everything to me,” Franson said. “I love playing at St Joes. It’s such a good dynamic.”Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.Soccer Player Wins State Title Andy Hutchison
Story Franson’s Second Chance In Playoffs Ends With Another State TitleSoccer Player Wins State TitleSportsNone
Dissa, Sondag — And A Turkey — Lead The Way In Annual Turkey Trot Nearly 1,000 finishers earn their extra stuffing in annual 5K race.The 13th Annual Turkey Trot to benefit C.H. Booth Library took place on a 30-degree Thanksgiving morning and there were 974 finishers who earned their extra stuffing in the 5K which started and finished at Newtown Middle School.Soheib Dissa, who was fifth last year's Turkey Trot — his first 5K — led the field, winning a time of 16:18. He was followed by Aidan Budge in 16:44, Ryan Escoda in 17:23, Joey Conrod in 18:18, Liam Murphy who finished in 18:34, and top female and sixth-place runner Jeanna Sondag who came across in 18:38.Rounding out the top ten were Noah Masotta in 18:39, Landon Wall in 18:45, Matt Brantl with a time of 18:55, and Eric Fagan who clocked in at 18:57.Some of the runners wore turkey hats, and Hadrian Gardner even took on the course wearing an inflatable turkey. "Luckily, he did most of the running," joked Gardner, who made this a true turkey trot.See the December 2 print edition of The Bee for more extensive coverage of the race.Complete results are available on the Turkey Trot webpage.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.Turkey Trot Andy Hutchison
Story Dissa, Sondag — And A Turkey — Lead The Way In Annual Turkey TrotTurkey Trot_5Featured Slider, SportsNone
Hawks Feast On Turnovers For Thanksgiving Eve Victory SWC champion Newtown pulls away to crush Masuk 46-12; state playoffs are next.Update: NHS is the Class L No. 2 seed and will host No. 7 Shelton Tuesday, November 29 at 6:30 pm.MONROE — The turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes were still a night’s rest away, so Newtown High School’s football team feasted on turnovers. The Nighthawks converted five consecutive Masuk miscues to pull away for a 46-12 road victory the night before Thanksgiving.The Nighthawks (9-1 overall and unbeaten in conference play) clinched the South-West Conference season championship and will host a Class L quarterfinal-round state playoff game on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:30 pm (opponent to be determined). Newtown moved up to No. 2 in the state rankings and will finish among one of the top few spots pending outcomes of Turkey Day games.Newtown gobbled a combination of six fumbles and interceptions in the second half alone to mash the Panthers and bolster its playoff positioning.It was a close one at the half. Newtown appeared poised to pull away early when Andrew Swierbut returned the opening kickoff 33 yards to the NHS 48-yard line and, on the very next play, quarterback Dylan Magazu rushed 52 yards for a score. Just like that, it was 7-0 — only 23 seconds in.Magazu then lined up as a wide receiver and had his first varsity touchdown reception on a 31-yard pass from alternate QB Jayden Cordova. The extra point failed but it was 13-0 with 7:11 to go in the opening quarter. That was the score heading to the second.But just when it looked like Masuk’s hopes of victory were going to be stuffed, the Panthers clawed back into it. Quarterback Dylan Jackson hooked up with Rob Klein on a 31-yard scoring pass on the first play of the second quarter. The kick was blocked, leaving the score 13-6 Nighthawks just eight seconds into the stanza.Jackson connected with Klein again, this time for a 69-yard pass and catch for a TD, making it 13-12 with 6:38 left before the half. The Panthers went for two points but got stopped and the score remained the same at the break.Masuk attempted onside kicks after the two TDs but Newtown’s Brady Macey was there to corral the ball each time.Turnovers were served in abundance in the third and fourth quarters and — like extra gravy —Newtown poured it on. Magazu recovered a fumble at the Newtown 40 yard line that led to Caleb Smith’s 16-yard touchdown scamper on third down. Swierbut’s extra point was good and NHS led 20-12.On the next series, Swierbut intercepted a pass at Masuk’s 32, leading to Magazu’s six-yard rush into the end zone with 51 seconds to go in the third. The kick was blocked and Newtown led 26-12 going into the fourth.Jack Chappa’s fumble recovery at the Masuk 44, less than a minute into the final quarter, set up Cordova’s 22-yard scoring strike to Mark Sokk. It was 33-12 with 8:29 left.Swierbut’s second INT turned into a pick six when he ran the ball back 41 yards for a score, making it 39-12 with 7:30 remaining.Brock Dukate recovered a fumble when the Masuk snap clanked off the quarterback and bounced right into his arms. That led to another Magazu touchdown, this one a 29-yard rushing play for six. The extra point finalized the scoring with 4:25 to go.Newtown got yet another fumble recovery when Matt Lasorsa pounced on the loose pigskin at the Panther 23 with 3:36 remaining.Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison noted that the Nighthawks had great field position throughout the night and capitalized on the short field opportunities in the second half.“I’m happy with how the kids performed,” Pattison said.Masuk, despite the loss, has qualified for the Class MM playoffs with a 7-3 mark.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.NHS Football Masuk, States Andy Hutchison
Story Hawks Feast On Turnovers For Thanksgiving Eve VictoryNHS Football Masuk, StatesFeatured Slider, SportsNone
Newtown Municipal Center main corridor, 3 Primrose Street
Over 300 photographs by members of The Flagpole Photographers Camera Club, created locally and around the world, weekdays to December 29; flagpolephotographers.com.
C.H. Booth Library (Gathering Room), 25 Main Street
15 fiber works by members of FiberArt NorthEast, who hid a word, idea, hope or story in each piece, and a collection of quirky works inspired by a poem about not getting to sleep, on view to December 30; 203-426-4533.
C.H. Booth Library (meeting room and entry hall), 25 Main Street
Works by Larry Clifford, who repurposes old, neglected books from basements and attics, repurposing them and adding dyes, inks and acrylics to create new visual art, on view to November 30; 203-426-4533.
Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road
Youth ages 11 and in fifth grade (or age 10 and have already earned Arrow of Light Award) invited to join Scout-led games and activities, also s’mores making (weather permitting), adults invited to meet leaders and ask questions about local BSA troop, its meetings, etc; 203-912-0192 (jalmeter+bsa@gmail.com), 203-512-3582 (steve.agnew.ct@gmail.com) or , troopwebhost.org/Troop370SandyHook, facebook.com/370ct.
Sounds like Washington politics coming to Newtown. Republicans vote to withhold a payment that we owe. Pretty embarrassing. I'm sure the Legislative Council has better things to do with their time.
What a wonderful article. I thank you for sharing this information. I wish I had known this when my children were younger but it is never too late to learn.
People with evil intent or mental illness can always get these weapons. Root cause is not the weapons or access to them. Our society is becoming more violent.
I first knew Dom in the early 70's when we were neighbors in Redding. Later, we were neighbors in Southbury. He was a good man, always ready and willing to help anyone and always with a good sense of humor.
Ray Ruzek
