Gilbert shuts out Wolcott Tech

WINSTED — Gilbert’s girls and boys soccer squads hosted Wolcott Tech in their last two games — and posted shut-outs in both showings. The gentleman Jackets faced the Wildcats on Friday, Oct. 30, where a penalty kick early in the first half gave them the edge in a fiery and even-matched effort at home. The lady Jackets claimed a lopsided 6-0 Senior Night victory on Monday, Nov. 2.

Boys

The Gilbert boys kept Wolcott Tech frustrated out of the gate with clean, aggressive play. The Wildcats responded with a number of good chances that were halted by sophomore Yellowjacket goalkeeper Dan Williams.

Williams’ field sense is remarkable, and his on-field leadership keeps the Gilbert defense organized and alert, disrupting chances before they can fully develop.

Wolcott continued to pick off blind passes to keep pressure in Gilbert’s end but remained scoreless early in the first half.

Play became increasingly physical and heated, forcing officials to bring out matching yellow cards to try to keep a good game from turning ugly.

Late in the half, Gilbert’s Devon Kulinski was given a penalty kick opportunity that he made good on to give the Jackets a 1-0 lead.

Yellowjacket Josh Hoxie showed good hustle off the draw and nearly sank a follow-up goal that was denied in close. Wolcott quickly brought play into Gilbert’s end and attempted to capitalize on a bit of defensive clumsiness that was diverted with an incredible stop by Williams.

The physical, grinding battle continued into the second half, as aggravation became apparent amongst the Wildcats. Gilbert continued to keep energy high and found some success when driving hard through the Wildcat defense, but continued to throw away chances on bad passes.

Gilbert’s Josh Hoxie proved to be an unrelenting thorn in Wolcott’s game, instigating handfuls of bad Wildcat penalties. Hoxie’s speed and clean but clearly agitating play conjured up a bit of trouble, when a midfield collision provided an opportunity for one Wildcat to try to slip a swift kick at the prostrate Hoxie.

Players on both sides quickly converged, but were stopped by officials and coaches before any regrettable action could unfold. A red card was issued to the Wildcats and tensions remained at a near boil.

The Yellowjackets began to win lots of little battles for possession and played high-confidence soccer late in the second half. Hoxie received plenty of physical attention from Wolcott, which kept their game off-balance as any momentum was endlessly interrupted with unnecessary penalties.

Gilbert held on to their first-half lead to take a narrow 1-0 home victory.

Girls

The Lady Jackets celebrated Senior Night with a one-sided 6-0 victory over Wolcott at Walker Field. Gilbert went to work right off the whistle, setting up in Wolcott’s end and keeping pressure constant, earning an early goal by Yellowjacket Jackie Vaccari.

Gilbert continued to find each other with clean passing and cycled the ball deep to generate multiple chances and shots on Wolcott’s net.

The Wildcat defense seemed hesitant to step up and challenge the Jacket offense, which cost them two more quick goals delivered by Vaccari within the first 20 minutes of the game.

Gilbert kept driving up the center, and Wolcott remained unable to clear the ball from their own end, leading to the fourth Yellowjacket goal of the half, tallied by Lindsey Dzielak. Wolcott trailed 4-0 heading into the break.

Yellowjacket head coach Moose Dzielak took the opportunity to have some of his top guns sit out and give his younger players some field experience, including a goalkeeper switch to start the second half.

Vaccari added her fourth goal of the game with a long drive from Gilbert’s end, going unchallenged to the net to increase the Jackets’ lead to 5-0.

Gilbert remained relentless on the offensive and capped their scoring for the evening with an effort from Meghan Dzielak, giving the Jackets a big 6-0 Senior Night victory at home.

Latest News

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.