NE CT
launching
sustainability
Sustainable CT, a new statewide initiative to support Connecticut’s cities and towns, will be holding an upcoming regional launch event at 7 p.m. April 18 at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center in Pomfret. The event is free and open to all. Registration is encouraged – if you are planning to attend please call 860-928-4948.
Created by towns for towns, Sustainable CT includes a wide ranging menu of sustainability best practices, tools and resources, peer learning, and recognition. Many local municipal leaders, experts and community members have worked together for the past 19 months to develop Sustainable CT.
The Sustainable CT platform supports a broad range of actions, such as improving watershed management, supporting arts and creative culture, reducing energy use and increasing renewable energy, implementing “complete streets” (streets that meet the needs of walkers and bikers, as well as cars), improving recycling programs, assessing climate vulnerability, supporting local businesses, and providing efficient and diverse housing options.
There is no cost to participate and communities will voluntarily select actions that meet their unique, local character and long-term vision. After successful implementation of a variety of actions, municipalities will be eligible for Sustainable CT certification.
The initiative was developed under the leadership of the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University in partnership with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Three Connecticut philanthropies – The New Haven-based Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Hampshire Foundation and the Common Sense Fund – have supported the program’s development and launch.
The northeastern Connecticut regional launch event is for anyone interested in learning more about Sustainable CT and how to get involved in supporting the implementation of Sustainable CT actions. Event attendees will include municipal elected officials and staff, residents, nonprofits, businesses, colleges and universities.
For more information, visit www.sustainablect.org.

Softball,
tennis
underway
The Woodstock Academy had a good chance to beat Waterford in softball for a first time ever.
It slipped out of their grasp March 31.
A walk-off triple in the bottom of the seventh inning scuttled the Centaurs hopes as the Lancers prevailed, 10-9, in the season opener for both at Veteran’s Field in Waterford.
“I was disappointed that we didn’t win, but ecstatic to know that we can play with the top teams in the Eastern Connecticut Conference,” Woodstock Academy coach Jay Gerum said.
The Centaurs jumped out to the early lead, scoring three times in the top of the first inning, two runs coming home on a two-run double by Casidhe Hoyt.
The Centaurs made it 4-0 when Naomi Rivard drove in a run with an RBI single.
The Lancers answered with two runs in the bottom of the second, but four more for Woodstock Academy in the top of the third made it, 8-2.
“We were more prepared than they were and there have not been a lot of times that I’ve been able to say that,” Gerum said.
But the Lancers are still one of the best teams in the ECC and didn’t give up.
Waterford pulled back within two when it scored four in the fifth inning and tied it with two more in the sixth to make for a memorable seventh inning.
The Centaurs went up, 9-8, in the top of the stanza when Hoyt reached on an error and Ciri Miller (3-for-4, 1 RBI) singled. Maia Corrado (2-for-4) followed with a base hit to load the bases and Hannah Chubbuck plated the tie-breaking run with her third run batted in of the game on a fielder’s choice.
“We put ourselves in great position, we just couldn’t pull off the win,” Gerum said.
Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Leveille got the first two outs courtesy of two nice plays by Hoyt at third base who snagged a pair of line drives.
A walk put a runner on and an outfield error put runners on first and second. Waterford sophomore Madison Nott ended the game when she tripled to left, knocking in both the tying and game-winning runs.
Hoyt scored three runs for the Centaurs while Hannah Burgess went 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot and Heather Converse added a pair of hits.
“It was a good day for us. We played a solid game against a great program,” Gerum said.
Tennis loses 2 in Guilford
The Centaurs traveled to Guilford March 31 anticipating a strong scrimmage to get ready for their season openers.
They found a lot more than they had bargained for.
Guilford was under the impression the match was a regular-season event and with a match open, the Centaurs agreed to consider it their season-opening events for both boys and girls.
It was hardly a walk in the park.
The Centaurs boys and girls lost by the same, 7-0, score.
The boys’ tennis team went first and didn’t experience much in the way of success.
Sophomore David Fleck, playing No. 2 singles, experienced the most success in a 6-2, 6-1 loss.
The Centaurs girls also lost all of their matches to Guilford including all four singles matches by the same, 6-0, 6-1, total.
Guilford was a finalist in the Class M girls’ state tournament last year, losing to Daniel Hand, 5-2, in the championship match.
“We saw one of the best teams in the state,” said Centaurs boys’ and girls’ coach Ann Rathbone. “All of their (girls) singles players are seniors. Thank God they have moved up to Class L this year. We played consistent.”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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Then
This is Miller park in 1998, with Belding in the background.

& Now
The bushes that had just been installed in the Then photo grew and grew. The overgrown bushes in the circle have been removed and the park will be redone.