Once childhood and childish games of hopscotch and “don’t step on the crack” are a thing of the past, most of us stop looking down as we walk. Certainly there are many reasons to hold one’s head up: The sky, the trees, the interesting architectural details, here and in Manhattan.
But if you’re walking every day, for 20 minutes or so on each outing, pretty soon you start looking for new ways to occupy your mind.
Varoujan Froundjian moved to Lakeville, Conn., five years ago after retiring from a career as a computer graphics designer for New York City publishing companies. But as he was preparing to enjoy a well-earned rest, life threw a curve ball: He was diagnosed with leukemia and had to undergo a painful bone marrow transplant.
It took more than a year for him to recover, and part of his rehab regimen was to take a walk every day for 20 minutes or so. And as he walked, he began to see patterns and images in cracks in the pavement.
“My doctor would have preferred to have me walk with my head up,” Froundjian confessed. “But I became fascinated by these images and started to take photos and then videos as I walked.”
Froundjian said, “I’d always wanted to make experimental films but you can’t support a family doing that.”
Rather than regret the years he lost to corporate America, he sees a silver lining: “That profession gave me all the tools I needed, like Photoshop and Adobe After Effects. These have become my main way of expressing myself.
“I can import a photo, change it, retouch it, change the format, and I incorporate all that in my movies.”
Froundjian’s interest in film became entwined with his daily walks and with the pavement patterns that he spent so much time studying every day. They began to take on symbolic and allegorical importance to him. And since he had his iPhone with him (as we all do these days), he began to capture images of what he was seeing.
“That’s the beauty of this modern technology,” he said. “You don’t need expensive movie cameras and other equipment. The iPhone is so sophisticated, the images are crystal clear and you can upload it all to your computer. Adobe After Effects lets me assemble all the little pieces. I can draw images and add them and add special effects, filters, music.”
The film that grew from his daily walks doesn’t have music, however, or any narration.
“At first I was thinking of doing a voice over or narration but then I thought it’s not necessary, especially in an experimental,non-narrative non-character non-story film. There’s no story: The viewers watching these images create their own impression, their own stories.”
The only soundtrack is the pulse-like pounding of his feet on the ground as he walks.
Froundjian submitted his 10-minute film, “Pulses of the Pavements,” to some experimental film festivals — and won top honors in several of them.
Perhaps the best prize of all, though, was the uplift his film work brought to his medical checkups.
“When I went to visit my doctor, I had two things to be happy about: I was making a movie; and my heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure were on track, and I was regaining muscle from all my walking.”
To see the sidewalks and streets of Lakeville and New York City as you’ve never seen them before, go to YouTube.
The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.
The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.
The cost is $50 per child and includes instruction and lunch on both days. For more information or to register, visit www.skireg.com/swsa-camp or email info@jumpfest.org
Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.
LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.
The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.
Barkhamsted First Selectman Meaghan Cook, Goshen First Selectman Seth Breakell, Kent First Selectman Eric Epstein, Norfolk First Selectman Henry Tirrell, North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce and Torrington Mayor Molly Spino were each elected to their post in November.
They filled the seats of their predecessors on the COG, who were each given a toast of appreciation: Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Todd Carusillo (Goshen), Marty Lindenmeyer (Kent), Matt Riiska (Norfolk), Brian Ohler (North Canaan) and Elinor Carbone (Torrington).
COG Executive Director Rob Phillips said the outgoing members were given a going away mug that read “You’re living the dream still.” Members voted to appoint Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava to fill a vacancy on the Council’s Executive Committee. COG members voted by paper ballot, and LaCava defeated Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson for the vacant seat.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.
Nick Crodelle dribbles the ball up the court during the game.By Riley Klein
Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.
Anthony Labbadia By Riley Klein
Owen Riemer block By Riley Klein
Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.
