CORNWALL — A beautiful autumn day welcomed dogs and people to Little Guild’s 11th annual Run and Wag 5K in Cornwall Village.
In a fair-like atmosphere of live music played by Relatively Sound, food trucks and booths with local goods, people and dogs gathered before the race set off at noon.
Jenny Langendoerfer, Executive Director of Little Guild, an animal shelter in Cornwall, explained that the Run and Wag 5K is one of their main fund-raising events. “We have to raise seventy five percent of our operating costs. All the money raised by the Run and Wag goes to those costs.”
She went on to say, “The Run and Wag is a premier dog and human race. We are extremely proud of it.” This year she noted they had “79 dogs and 200 human runners and walkers entered.”
Nita Colgate, from Cornwall, was spectating with her dog, Ananda, who was adopted from the Little Guild in December. Colgate said that Little Guild was “absolutely wonderful in post adoption care.” They supplied her with dog food when Ananda ran out and wouldn’t eat his new food, in spite of it being Christmas Eve.
Robert Lindgren with Cecil, a cocker spaniel, and friends Michael Carter and pug Juniper, waited to walk the route. Lindgren said, “Little Guild is wonderful. They do great things.”
Human and canine runners depart the starting line for the 11th annual Run and Wag 5K to benefit The Little Guild in West Cornwall.L. Tomaino
Andrea Fournier came from Barkhamsted with Maverick, a yellow lab. She commented about Little Guild, “It’s a great organization. We had a 15-year-old cat from them. She was the best cat! We like to support them.”
Robert Ghitelman and Sandy Adelsberg of Cornwall were walking with their companions Airedale and Scout. Adelsberg said “The music is a lot of fun and appropriate. Great weather, lots of people came out and there are lots of happy dogs and people.”
At noon, walkers, runners and dogs all lined up at the start and were off on the five-kilometer route.
The first runner, seventeen-year-old Bradley Bozzuto, returned 16 minutes at 16 seconds later. He broke the previous individual record of 16:24 set in 2015.
The first dog-human team to finish was four-time winner, Brittany Telke with her basenji, Mazikeen from Bristol. Their time was 19:02. Brittany said of the run, “The challenging part is that she gets a little distracted (by other dogs) during the second part of the race. But she was better this year.”
Thor and Michael Geschwind, winners in the men’s category for human-dog team at the Little Guild’s Run and Wag 5K. Their time was 19 minutes, 30 seconds. Also pictured is Tara Gres.L. Tomaino
Winners in the men’s team category were Michael Geschwind and Thor the great dane-mix with a time of nineteen minutes, thirty seconds. Tara Geschwind, who also ran, said, “I just love it. I’ve been donating to Little Guild for years and years.”
John Guenther, a former president of Little Guild’s board, came in with a time of 22 minutes. He walks 12 miles daily with the little guild dogs awaiting adoption. He said the event was “A wonderful celebration of dogs and the connection people have with their animals.”
Toby, a husky/chihuahua, wore a costume of bat wings and ran with Kristin Wheeler. “It was hot. He pulled me along with his wings. It was lots of fun!”
This was a sentiment all seemed to agree with, spectators, runners, walkers, and dogs alike.
Toby, a husky/chihuahua mix wore bat wings for extra speed at the Run and Wag 5K on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Cornwall.L. Tomaino
Ibby Sadeh, the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, gives a speech to her classmates emphasizing the importance of diversity and understanding.
In his welcome remarks, Principal Ian Strever said a milestone was reached in a school known for its distinguished statue of Abraham Lincoln that greets visitors at the entrance. It has been four score and seven years since the school’s first graduation.
Several students talked about their challenges and how the school community helped them.
Class president Madison Graney, in an emotional speech, spoke about her father who has battled brain cancer for the past two years.
“One only needs to know Joe Graney’s signature traits are determination and selflessness,” she said.
She thanked Housatonic and Falls Village communities for the immeasurable impact they’ve had on her family’s life. She also expressed deep gratitude to all her friends “who gave me the joy of laughter and unforgettable memories that brought light into the darkest time in my life.”
Graney, fighting back tears, said of the Housatonic community, “This small yet mighty place has allowed me to be vulnerable with you all, stand on this stage and share something that, for months, I refused to acknowledge or talk about. This community has made me confident in my ability to ask for help and advocate for myself.”
Nathan Miller
Essayist Hannah Johnson also praised the supportive community, explaining that her high school experience has been largely consumed by various health conditions that impacted her both physically and mentally.
“At these times when I was at my weakest, I used what little strength I had left to cling tightly to my friends, family and passions, using them to propel myself forward,” she said.
Johnson also related that one person who had a profound impact on her life was her grandfather, who suffered from dementia and died before she arrived at Housatonic.
Valedictorian Ibby Sadeh described her capstone project in which she set up a little library at the entrance to the Appalachian Trail in Falls Village. It was stocked with books that had been banned in several states.
“I chose this project not only because I love to read, but because of my passionate support of free speech, intellectual freedom and a diversity of perspectives,” Sadeh said.
As a Jewish student at Housatonic, where representation of her religion can be hard to find, Sadeh said she never felt alone.
“Students here understand the importance of individuality. It is what makes us the way we are, what makes ours a strong and diverse community.”
Salutatorian Alexa Meach, who plans to study political science, said education should be used with a purpose and applied to achieve a greater good. She encouraged her classmates to work with people who are different from them and collaborate to achieve any goal worth pursuing.
Noting the country is going through a deeply divided time, she said, “I feel an obligation to acknowledge the lack of empathy I’ve seen and endorse a return to the needed morality across our globe.”
Nathan Miller
Guest speaker Lori Bucco, an English teacher at the school, advised the graduates to embrace humanity and live their story. “Make it epic,” she said.
Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley shared advice she received from her father.
“Don’t look for a job,” she said. “Look for a purpose in life. When you find what you love, it will feel more than a job — it will be a calling.”
The following awards were presented during the evening:
· Good Sportsmanship Medals: Wesley Allyn and Madelyn Johnson
· Good Citizenship Medals: Madison Graney and Shanaya Duprey
· Chamberlain Arts Achievement Awards: Victoria Brooks and Alex Woodworth
Judi Moore, who had a distinguished 40-year career at the high school, was presented with the Community Award of Merit.
Julie Lang, the longtime principal’s executive secretary who is retiring this year, was also recognized for her service.
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