Patches of invasive hydrilla in the vicinity of the marina on East Twin Lake were treated on Monday with an herbicide known as Sonar One. The state-approved application is the first of several doses to be administered at intervals of about three weeks for the remainder of summer into fall.
SALISBURY — Targeted hotspots of the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla around the marina and in the northeast cove of East Twin Lake were treated on Monday with a controlled release herbicide known as Sonar One.
Subsequent dosing with the herbicide, used for the first time at Twin Lakes, will be repeated at intervals of about three weeks for the remainder of the summer and into the fall, according to Twin Lakes Association (TLA) officials.
“Sonar is the preferred herbicide for hydrilla,” Russ Conklin, Vice President of Lake Management for the TLA, had reported during the lake association’s recent membership meeting in June.
The TLA worked with scientific advisors from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), as well as the TLA’s limnologist, George Knoecklein, founder and principal of Northeast Aquatic Research (NEAR), regarding which herbicides have proven most effective in the management of hydrilla.
The group recommended Sonar One, a slow-release version of Sonar, which contains fluoridone as its active ingredient. Fluoridone is absorbed by hydrilla’s roots and shoots and is then transported throughout the plant, disrupting photosynthesis and preventing the plant from producing pigments that protect it from sunlight, causing the plant to bleach and die over time.
The TLA, through its contracted herbicide applicator, The Pond and Lake Connection, has received a permit for treatment specifically with Sonar from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The first dosing of slow-release Sonar by The Pond and Lakes Connection took place Monday. Signs of plant damage may appear within seven to 10 days of application, but it may take 30 to 90 days of continuous application to kill hydrilla.
Sonar has no labeled restrictions on swimming, watering or fishing when used as directed, according to TLA officials. The herbicide was approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1986 and has been widely used since then.
“From the literature we have reviewed including product label, and based upon the recommendation by our scientific experts, and given the decades of wide use in the United States including on lakes that are battling hydrilla, we believe this is the appropriate choice for our lakes at this time,” said TLA president Grant Bogle.
NEAR, the firm hired by the TLA to conduct water quality testing and aquatic plant surveys, recently conducted an aquatic plant survey of the entire Twin Lakes system and, as expected, found numerous beds of hydrilla around O’Hara’s Landing Marina.
Last fall a four-acre area was spot-treated with a different herbicide, ProcellaCOR, just before the hydrilla started to naturally die back and overwinter, but the noxious weed resprouted this summer.
“Last fall’s treatment did not occur until mid-September and, as such, was late,” Bogle explained. “You want to catch hydrilla as it is emerging and in the growth phase. That said, ProcellaCOR did have an impact on the standing crop but did not appear to kill the plant to the roots. We fully expected it to come up again this spring.”
One stray patch of hydrilla, identified north of the marina, was not targeted for treatment last year, or this year, because a state-listed protected native species, water marigold, grows in the area. The patch is currently blocked off with barriers to keep unsuspecting boaters from chopping off hydrilla fragments, which can then contaminate other areas of the lake.
East Twin was identified late last June as the first lake in Connecticut infected with the non-native plant, even though TLA’s Conkln said he believes it may have gone unnoticed in East Twin for several years. Since then, the strain has also been discovered in six additional lakes in the state.
“We know it’s on the move, so it’s very concerning,” said Gregory Bugbee, associate scientist with CAES and scientific advisor to the TLA in its battle against hydrilla. Bugbee and other environmentalists said there are still a lot of “unknowns” surrounding the non-native weed and the effectiveness of treatment efforts to date.
CANAAN — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ann Beizer, who died on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 80 after a courageous battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and debilitating disease that took away her ability to move, see clearly, and swallow. Ann’s strength and resilience throughout her illness was an inspiration to all who knew her, even as the disease took its toll.
Born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Washington, DC, Ann was raised in Glasgow, West Virginia, where both of her parents were school teachers. She earned a Master’s degree in counseling from West Virginia University and went on to teach high school history. Later, she led a not-for-profit organization before becoming the Director of Academic Advising at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). At WPI, Ann also served as a Project Advisor, guiding students on international work projects in Italy and Puerto Rico. Her commitment to education and mentorship earned her a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to Germany, further advancing her career in academic advising.
Ann’s life was marked by an unwavering dedication to helping others. She retired from WPI to care for her then-husband, Robert Gillette, during his battle with cancer. After Robert’s passing in 2005, Ann met and subsequently married Lance Beizer. Ann and Lance lived in California for one year before relocating to Lance’s childhood hometown of Canaan. In their new community, Ann quickly became an active leader, joining the 21st-Century Fund of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where she was awarded emerita status. She also contributed to the Salisbury Rotary Club, serving as scholarship chair and president, and was deeply involved with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, where she served on the altar guild and vestry, as well as an acolyte and chalice bearer. With Lance, Ann was recipient of the 2022 Donald T. Warner award for service to the communities served by Region 1 schools.
Ann is survived by her loving husband, Lance Beizer; her son, Mike Garvin (children Andrew and Leah), and his wife, Mary Amirault (children Sean and Matt); her daughter, Elizabeth Houlihan (children Craig, Evan, and Lauren) and Elizabeth’s fiancé, John Aherne.
The family extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who supported Ann and Lance throughout the course of her illness, including the dedicated staff from Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA), Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, and Geer Nursing, where Ann spent her final months in hospice care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ann’s memory to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, Geer Nursing, or CurePSP, an organization dedicated to research into potential treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy.
Ann’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and intellectual curiosity will live on in the countless lives she touched.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Main Street, Salisbury, CT with Rev. Paul “Chris” Christopherson officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT 06018.
SHARON — Dr. Fred G. Kantrowitz, 78, of Medfield, Massachusetts, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and Sharon passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was the loving husband of Anne Kirby, devoted father of Gregory and William, father-in-law of Katie and Brittanny, and proud grandfather of Jack, Ava and Jameson.
Fred was born Dec. 10, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Theo and Dinah (Kotick) Kantrowitz. His own health struggles as a child, intellectual curiosity and desire to help others led him to a career in medicine. Fred’s illustrious medical career was highlighted by nearly 50 years on the Beth Israel staff, more than 30 published works and a chapter as teamdoctor for the Boston Celtics. Later in his career, he developed a reputation for being the doctor to handle only the most complex cases, including long Covid.
Fred’s work also occasionally crossed with his personal interests, which were numerous. From interviewing Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford for his book on sports medicine to his passion forliterature, Fred’s intellectual curiosity meant he could hold a conversation with nearly anyone on any topic. His many hobbies and interests included model trains, stamps and coins, freshwater fishing, horseback riding, sports, and history.
Fred married Anne, the love of his life, on Dec. 5, 1981 during a blizzard in Boston. In addition to Anne and his immediate family, he is survived by his brother Marc (Marianne), sister Sue (Mark), and many loving nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service was held at the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, on Saturday Nov. 16, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following causes: Martha’s Vineyard (MV) Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, Sharon Historical Society, 18 Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069 , Charles River School, 6 Old Meadow Road, Dover, MA 02030.
CANAAN — Rose Moskowitz, 98, of Geer Village in Canaan, passed away on Nov. 9, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Bernard Moskowitz.
Rose was born Aug. 2, 1926, in New York City, the daughter of the late David and Regina (Shanker) Gunn.
Rose graduated from high school in the Bronx.
Her late husband served in the U.S. Army during WWII and survived D-Day on the beaches of France. Rose Moskowitz was a kind and sweet woman who deeply loved her family.
She is survived by a son, Larry Moskowitz (Nancy Moskowitz) of Sharon, a daughter, Arlene Greenspan (Harold Greenspan) of Boston, five grandchildren; Jesse, Melissa, Evan, Keith and Elena and two great grandchildren, Hazel and Simon. She was predeceased by her five siblings.
A private memorial service for the family will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Housing Trust, P.O. Box 1168, Sharon, CT. 06069 or on the website SHTCT.org. in memory of Rose Moskowitz.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
WASSAIC — Doreen B. Newton, 76, a lifelong resident of Wassaic, died on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Kindred Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey. Ms. Newton was an assistant social worker at Taconic Developmental Disabilities Office in Wassaic, for 30 years, retiring in 2005.
Born on Nov. 24, 1947 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late William and Doris (Shook) Barlow. She was a graduate of Webutuck High School Class of 1965. An avid reader, Ms. Newton enjoyed mystery novels and crossword puzzles. Above all, she loved her grandchildren.
Ms. Newton is survived by her son, Brent Newton of Wassaic, and two daughters, Catherine Newton and Jennifer Vallely and her husband, Glenn, both of Wassaic; her sister, Constance Sprossel of Maine; her brother, Jesse Barlow of Peru, New York and her grandchildren, Emma and Lucas Vallely and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Marylou Farnham and a brother, Thomas Barlow. To send the family an online condolence, visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.
