
Victoria Labalme’s new book, “Risk Forward,” offers comfort, inspiration and a big dose of fun, for facing a world full of uncertainty and hard choices.
Photo by Justin Hoc
In case we didn’t already know it, COVID-19 most certainly taught or reminded us that life is uncertain and that the best way to make God laugh is to have plans.
Victoria Labalme figured this out years ago, but sees the positive in it. There’s no need to lock in to one path, or to make a commitment to a choice because it seems like The Right Thing To Do (to you or the people around you).
Her own life started on the track familiar to so many young people in this region, with high expectations of what one is supposed to do after school. That continued into young adult life, as she traveled the world and studied the dramatic arts — while her friends settled into careers and marriages.
She felt somewhat adrift, a little alienated. And then two life-altering events took place within days of each other: Her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and Victoria watched the World Trade Center crumble from her bedroom window following the terror attacks of Sept.11, 2001.
Everything changed. When Labalme finally emerged from it all, she had become a successful keynote speaker and performance coach, finding the right gig for herself at a moment when finding direction had become the least important thing on her mind.
‘At the edge of not knowing…’
She took that as a lesson and began to do keynote speeches on, among other topics, something she calls Risk Forward. As she likes to say about this concept, and her new “Risk Forward” book: “Some people in life know exactly what they want to achieve. Risk Forward is for the rest of us.”
“Risk Forward” the book was started before the COVID-19 pandemic. But, Labalme said in a phone interview last week, “The message turned out to be so timely. The world is really ready for this book.” That’s what happens when you don’t over think: Things fall into place in unexpected ways, ways that wouldn’t have been possible if you’d tried to map them out.
“Risk Forward is about the value of not knowing,” she said. “It’s in that little window of not knowing that we need to pay attention — because once we’ve made a commitment, then … we’re in it.
“So the question is: How do we evaluate the choices in front of us? We all have choices, whether it’s what you make for dinner or what book you pull off the shelf or what movie you watch. With Risk Forward I want to give people permission to explore an idea — even if they don’t have a plan behind it.
“Because at the edge of not knowing is the beginning of the extraordinary.”
A creative life in Cornwall
One path that Labalme herself followed in an unplanned serendipitous way: Rediscovering her love of drawing, doodling, sketching.
“I was at a store in Kent [Conn.] years ago and saw something that delighted my imagination. I came home and started drawing again and that evolved over the years into the signature character I use in the book.”
Labalme has spent much of her life in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Her father had gone to school here and fallen in love with the area. After he married, George Labalme Jr. and his wife, Patsy, bought a house in Cornwall, where they raised their four children as part-time residents.
Victoria’s brother, Henry Labalme, is still here in Cornwall. The family home was sold a few years ago, after George’s death in 2016. But Victoria returns to the area often, visiting from her home in New York City.
Visits to Connecticut can be a perfect antidote to a life spent in Manhattan and on the road (when there isn’t a pandemic).
“I think the mindset of the Northwest Corner is a very pure one,” she said. “There’s not a lot that I’ve seen up here that’s about showmanship. It’s about sincerity and integrity. There’s a lot of creativity here, too.”
Labalme was part of the creative community herself while in high school: She spent the summer when she was 17 working as the Inquiring Photographer for The Lakeville Journal, a job that was formative for her in some ways.
“The editor used to call me ‘Victoria 17 Going on 30,’” she recalled with a laugh. “But to be taken seriously at that age …”
On her next visit to the area, Labalme will stop by Oblong Books and Music in Millerton, N.Y., and House of Books in Kent to sign copies of “Risk Forward,” which is $24.99 and which is designed to be eminently gift-able. It’s fun and easy to read and populated with the lively illustrations that have become her trademark.
To find out more, go to www.RiskForward.com/Book. There are bonuses there for anyone who pre-orders the book; the bonuses disappear from the site after March 30.
A springy illustration, above, helps Victoria Labalme convey her message about leaning into risk, in her new book “Risk Forward.”
NEW BRITAIN — Anthony Labbadia soared to 9th place in the triple jump at the 2025 New England track and field championships Saturday, June 14.
On his first attempt of the event he leaped 44 feet and one inch, qualifying for the finals and setting the new Housatonic Valley Regional High School record. The previous school record of 43 feet eight inches was set by Don Hurlbutt in 1967.
The HVRHS junior was pleased with the result of his first triple jump of the day June 14.Photo by Riley Klein
Conditions were rainy for the meet with the grounds crew utilizing a leaf blower to dry the track between events. Labbadia said he had experienced similar weather at the Berkshire League championships in May, and he won the triple jump there, so he was confident.
“It doesn’t bother me,” said Labbadia of the rain, noting he was excited to be back at Willow Brook Park. “Being here makes me jump farther... I just have to make sure I’m thinking about everything without overthinking.”
Labbadia, a rising senior at HVRHS, wrote his capstone on the triple jump. In his research, his mother explained, he studied and broke down the biomechanics of the event.
Labbadia was injured during track season his freshman year. His sophomore year, he took up triple jumping. He ended his junior year with a 9th-place finish against the top competition in New England.Photo by Riley Klein
Two days before the championships, he made a bold change to his jumping approach — switching from a “right, right, left” sequence to “left, left, right” — and it paid off.
“I’m glad I switched my feet,” he said after the result. “I’m happy with my performance.”
Once all the jumpers from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont had finished, Labbadia’s distance held for 9th place.
The triple jump gold medal winner was Amar Skeete, sophomore from Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, who jumped 48 feet two inches. The 2nd place finisher was Mitch Krasco of Mahar Regional High School in Orange, Massachusetts, with a distance of 46 feet two and a half inches. Jessie Singleton Jr., junior at Bloomfield High School in Connecticut, placed 3rd with a distance of 45 feet ten inches.
Labbadia was the first HVRHS athlete to compete at the New England meet since Sydney Segalla in 2022. Track coach Alan Lovejoy said he cannot recall another HVRHS male athlete qualifying since he became coach in 2009.
Hosted at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, the 2025 New England track and field championship was held in Connecticut for the first time in three years. Events took place all day Saturday, June 14. Full results are available at nestiming.comPhoto by Riley Klein
Rain came down heavy in the morning June 14, but conditions improved as the day went on. The crew used leaf blowers to dry the track between events.Photo by Riley Klein
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”