Hotchkiss Library Gala emphasizes community strength
Hotchkiss Library Gala attendees await the next auction item at Sharon Country Club Saturday, May 17.
Alec Linden
Library Assistant Cinzi Lavin shows off the Angela Cummings earrings as Auctioneer August Uribe calls out the $4,000 winning bid. Alec Linden
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Madi Long
Two popular characters from the float parade that preceded the Bed Race, Railroad Ray and Captain Canaan, served as announcers, welcoming spectators to the tongue-in-cheek “250th Annual Bed Race.”
The Well Drillers team sets off on the bed raceRuth Epstein
As the teams prepared to race, Jordan Long of The Royal Flush made his intentions clear.
“If we lose, I will be sorely disappointed,” Long said. “The bed race is everything, it’s always been everything. This is for all the marbles.”
The three teams took turns racing along Main Street, each hoping to post the fastest time.
Each team consisted of four runners and one rider and raced approximately 30 meters. Spectators cheered as the makeshift carts sped down the street, occasionally veering off course.
The Royal Flush crossed the finish line in 20.2 seconds to defend its title. The Canaan Fire Company finished second, just 0.15 seconds behind.
The Canaan Fire Company rallies the crowd. Madi Long
“We’ll come back stronger next year,” said Canaan Fire Company team member Tori Dodge after the close race.
The bed race was moved to Main Street this year in an effort to attract more spectators and encourage greater participation in the event.
Now a Summer Nights of Canaan tradition — and before that, a staple of Railroad Days, a multi-day summer festival dating to the early 1990s — the Bed Race was revived five years ago by Will and Samantha Perotti after the event had been dormant for several years.
“I remember going to them just as a kid before we could participate, when they were held on Railroad Street,” said Perotti. “They were super popular, and the people back then actually had real gurney beds or hospital beds with wheels. It’s more of a cart race now, but a bed race sounds way funnier.”
Even with the evolution of the race, Perotti said its appeal hasn’t changed.
“It’s always impressive to me that people wander out of their houses to watch us act like idiots.”
Carnival lights brightened the night sky and the day was filled with family fun as organizers and volunteers rescheduled the Summer Nights of Canaan Carnival to Sunday, July 19, after Saturday’s storm forced a last-minute cancellation.
Madi Long
Down at Bunny McGuire Park, the carnival was in full swing. Fun-seekers of all ages twirled around on rides or floated up high on the Ferris wheel. Among them was Michael Kahler, who at 92, insisted he wanted to go for a spin on something. Jason at the Dizzy Dragon welcomed him and his daughter Sharon, and even helped him get in and out of the ride.
When done, Kahler, displaying a wide grin, gave a thumbs-up when asked what he thought of the experience.
“It was a little scary,” said Sharon Kahler after disembarking. “The last time I went on a ride with my father was at least 50 years ago.”
Children and their parents were also out in full force. Brian Famigletti and his son Milo of Canaan enjoyed the swirling teacup ride, while Mollee Alquesta and her son Harry of Torrington were successful at the Spyr-o Mania game of chance, walking away with a stuffed animal.
Over at St. Martin of Tours Church, the line was long as patrons waited for their chicken barbecue meals. While no one was quite sure how long the tradition has been going on, most were sure it has been at least 40 years.
Michael O’Connor was cooking chicken on the grill. The menu also included corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, cole slaw, drinks and ice cream for dessert. The tab was $20, with many taking leftovers home.
Perry Gasperini, who was in charge this year, proudly pointed to the new structure over the grill, which was just built this year. It prevents rain from getting the poultry wet and is situated so the smoke blows away from the diners.
He called the barbecue “a real community event that brings people out and brings them together.” He then joked about Tom Foley and Joe Solan, who were instrumental in running the meal for years. “When I get to heaven and see them, I can say I kept it going,” Gasperini said.
Among those partaking was Marguerite Segalla, 99. A longtime church member, she sold tickets to the barbecue for many years. Looking around at the filled tables brought back many memories, she said.
“People would come from all over for this,” she recalled.
The annual Bed Race, with silly crowd-pleasing antics, followed the parade. Three teams — The Canaan Fire Company, Royal Flush by William Perotti & Sons Heating (with toilet) and Well Drillers — competed in their makeshift beds, bringing great delight to the crowd. Royal Flush was the winner.
Madi Long
Children and families enjoy carnival rides during Summer Nights of Canaan on July 19.
More than 60 people turned out for the walkathon July 18 to support Kent-native Luke Arno, who suffered a traumatic brain injury last year. Funds will support his recovery.
Allison Gollenberg
More than $3,000 was raised, said event organizer Katy Branch, with all proceeds going to Arno and his family. The money will cover the cost of a custom wheelchair and fund speech, occupational and physical therapies, Alpizar said.
Branch, a nursing student who is engaged to a friend of Arno’s, rallied other CT State Northwestern nursing students to organize the event.
“I couldn’t have done it without the classmates who stepped forward and helped,” she said.
In addition to individual support, about 20 local businesses donated raffle items and snacks for the event.
“Everything has been donated,” Branch said. “We haven’t really even had to pay for anything.” Raffle items included everything from wine baskets to stuffed animals.
The walking route circled the park, with participants completing five laps for a total of one mile, although not everyone was there to walk. Some simply came out to donate and show their support.
A sign supporting Luke Arno features photos of him taken before his brain injury.Allison Gollenberg
Branch’s friend and fellow nursing student, Subrina Alvarez, said she’s been amazed by the outpouring from the Kent community. She said it’s important to remember people with traumatic brain injuries are still themselves.
“There’s still a person in there, and they’re alive,” she said. “It’s hard for their family and it’s hard for them.”
Another organizer, Glorybel Soto, said, “I hope people can understand what it’s like to be Luke. It was like the blink of an eye, what happened to him. And we continue with our lives, but his is completely different.”
Even so, Alpizar said her brother has made tremendous strides in the last year.
After Arno’s crash last July — which left him in a coma for months — his sister said he’d sustained the most severe brain injury one can survive. Still, she said, within the first few months of his recovery he was doing things the family was told he never would again.
“We always joked he had nine lives,” Alpizar said. “Now he has 10.”
Alpizar described her brother as “the most giving, helpful person imaginable,” with an old soul and a great sense of humor, which she said he has maintained despite his injuries.
Arno was known for keeping an eye out for motorists in trouble in town, popping hoods, jump-starting cars and fixing problems for everyone he met, she said.
“Someday he’s going to be working on a car again, probably, in his wheelchair,” Alpizar said. “If he can get under a car, he’ll do it.”
As people walked, they shared stories and laughs about Luke and his sense of humor. Soto took drone video recordings of the event, capturing groups of walkers who waved and shared supportive messages to their friend. Alpizar said Luke recognizes faces and voices and loves having visitors as he recovers at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain.
Attendees included friends, family, friends of the family and strangers, too — passersby or people who heard about the event online. Most were from Kent, but some were Branch’s classmates from out of town. All gathered under the pavilion on the foggy, smoky, orange morning – a result of the Canadian wildfires.
Dan Greenbaum, whose kids went to school with Arno, said he got to know him as “the NAPA guy” as he grew up, noting his affinity for cars. He said Luke was always friendly.
“We want to do everything we can, as everybody says. It’s such a great community in Kent. That’s the way it’s always been,” he said.
“I couldn’t not help, you know?” said Lynn Harrington, a Kent selectman and family friend, who helped coordinate the event.
Alpizar said the number of people who showed up is a testament to Arno’s character. “I jokingly call him the mayor of Kent. Everyone knows the Arnos. You were like his best friend from the moment you met him.”
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