Sports

Karate Kids (And Adults Of All Ages) Participate In Massive Event Hosted By Porco's

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Jun 26, 2026 6:55 am

Dozens and dozens of martial arts enthusiasts worked on sparring, self defense, and other skills inside and out on the grounds at NYA Sports & Fitness for a full day late this spring. Porco's Karate Academy hosted the New England Region Martial Arts Training Camp at NYA Sports & Fitness on May 30. Students and instructors from all over New England and New York worked on skills that will assist them as they progress in their activity — as well as in life — throughout the year.

Part of the World Tang Soo Do Association, which has 350,000 students worldwide, Porco's is based in Sandy Hook. Instructors from Porco's and other such businesses/training facilities in the northeast came together to share expertise and provide high-rank development and leadership training.

The program, which lasted from morning through late afternoon, covered such topics as weapons, sparring, self defense, and technical skills. There were a few hundred participants, instructors, and masters on hand, including Porco's alum Christopher Perry, a chief instructor at Valentin Karate in Middlebury, who noted that the martial arts community brings together like-minded individuals striving to improve themselves and others.

"It's an opportunity to bond a community together," Perry said of the event. "It's what motivates you for the next 11 months of your year."

When considering a sport or physical activity that can continue for much of a lifetime, one to consider is clearly martial arts. Attendees ranged in age from 9 years old to seasoned veterans in their 70s. Programs at Porco's and other martial arts facilities are offered for children and adults — from beginner through advanced levels as they improve and earn their belts. Of course, there are plenty of beneficial things that come from participating in martial arts. The seven tenets of Tang Soo Do are integrity, concentration, perseverance, respect and obedience, self control, humility, and indomitable spirit.

"We're really excited to highlight Newtown and this facility," said Michael Porco, whose family started what was then called Newtown Academy of Karate back in 1986.

For information, visit newtownkarate.com.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

Porco’s Karate Academy hosted the New England Region Martial Arts Training Camp at NYA Sports & Fitness this spring. A few hundred participants worked on skills throughout the day. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Paige Hillefeld and Stephen Jarvis, both of Newtown, practice self defense.

Newtown’s Jacob Lujanac and a training partner work on skills.

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Dave, you are right that only those in the Borough signed onto the law suits, as it was made clear during the Borough meetings that signers had to be residents of the Borough. However, as you know, there was a concerted effort by the Newtown Conservation Coalition to organize people (throughout town) and to orchestrate actions intended to foil the overall development. If one searches the Bee for “Newtown Conservation Coalition” one will find many articles and editorials that cite the coalition. More that 18 of those articles and editorials, from March 2024 through February 2025, are about the Castle Hill Development and include direct quotes from the NCC head/founder including, e.g.,: 1) Newtown Conservation Coalition founder Dave Ackert has sagely urged his fellow NCC members to “stick to the relevant regulations issues and concerns in your testimony,” as “general opinions and concerns will not be considered when making their decision." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing] 2) “We’re being sold a lot of things,” said Ackert. “The developer said he is going above and beyond in preserving open space, but the only part [of the plan] that doesn’t have houses are the steep slopes. He’s not avoiding buildable land, he’s using every buildable inch.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/09272024/borough-zoning-hears-perspectives-on-castle-hill-development] In addition to the articles and editorials, you (Dave) also wrote over 8 letters related to the development, in essence speaking for the residents, e.g., saying “On behalf of hundreds of concerned residents living within 500 feet who signed protest petitions, and residents downstream who’s property and finances could also be negatively impacted, I ask the BOS to rescind the discontinuance decision now.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/07102025/discusses-rochambeau-trail-and-6-commerce-road] The main tools for the Newtown Conservation Coalition are FOI complaints and legal action. These actions have increased the amount both the Town and the Borough have had to pay for legal counsel over the last few years. The cost is shared by all households and businesses for Town actions. Unfortunately, it is shared by very few, relatively speaking, for Borough actions. This year’s Borough costs are $58,000 to date. There were FOIA/legal actions in 2024 and 2025 too. Eventually, we will all see if that was money well spent. My sense is that the answer is no.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

my concern is not limited to this single FOIA request or this one case. It is the broader pattern of obstructionism, fear-mongering, and personal nastiness reflected in your Facebook page and other public commentary. You routinely call people to action by presenting only one side of complicated issues, assigning the worst possible motives to those who disagree with you, and giving little consideration to the legitimate concerns or perspectives on the other side. That may generate outrage and attention, but it does not make you a constructive participant in Newtown’s civic affairs. You are entitled to question public officials and pursue whatever legal remedies are available to you. But you should not pretend that your own conduct, rhetoric, and repeated escalation of disputes have played no role in the hostility and expense surrounding these matters. Newtown would be a nicer and more productive community with less of this kind of divisive behavior.

My "actions" were a single request for audio recordings of public meetings. It would have cost the Borough ZERO dollars to turn those over, as required by law. Instead, the Chair of the Borough Zoning commission decided, unilaterally, without informing the rest of his commission, to fight that Freedom of Information request. Mr. Johnson attempt to deflect blame falls flat on its face here. Facts matter.

Can you name a single person involved in one of the lawsuits who does not reside in the Borough? I'll wait......

You do realize President Trump was born on June 14, the same date the US Army was founded. The parade was to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. My uncle was a sergeant in the Army and was KIA 3 months before the war in Europe ended fighting the Germans. I'm happy there was an acknowledgement by the President for the brave men and women who are veterans of that branch. Too bad others don't honor them by insisting it was a "birthday parade". What an insult to our veterans! I'm not into cage fighting, but as far as being tacky or disgraceful, I would the UFC fight at the White House pales in comparison to Bill Clinton and an intern named Monica did during working hours.

Elections Have Consequences XXVI

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Karate Kids (And Adults Of All Ages) Participate In Massive Event Hosted By Porco's

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