Students SOAR in Salisbury

Papermaking with guest artist and teacher Suzanne Lynn Lacke.
Natalia Zukerman
Papermaking with guest artist and teacher Suzanne Lynn Lacke.
SALISBURY — For more than two decades SOAR (Seek Originate Aim Reach) has been helping Salisbury Central School students reach new heights.
A nonprofit founded in 2000 by Zenas Block, SOAR’s enrichment program provides supplemental education to fill the gaps left in traditional classroom curriculums.
In the 2023-24 school year, more than 100 students took SOAR classes each trimester.
The program’s offerings range from jewelry and bookmaking to abstract painting and gardening. More than a dozen classes are available each trimester to cater to a diverse selection of talents and interests.
“We want to provide options that resonate with every child,” said Executive Director Lauren Brown.
Brown’s vision for the program reflects her professional expertise and her deep understanding of the needs of students and their families.
“SOAR was always doing great things,” Brown shared, “but when COVID hit, it became a lifeline for families desperate for ways to keep their children engaged and connected.”
From remote dance classes to innovative online workshops, SOAR adapted to meet the evolving needs of its community.
Central to SOAR’s success is its partnership with Salisbury Central School, where “the support is amazing,” Brown shared. The school allows the program to utilize classrooms and collaborates on curriculum enhancement.
SOAR maintains a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, making sure that no child is turned away due to financial constraints. With support from grants, donations and an endowment through the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Brown explained.
“We do charge a nominal fee, but we offer financial aid, and we’ve gotten grants from Salisbury Family Services to help offset some of those requests. We’ve had more people request financial aid, which is great because we want every kid to be able to have the opportunity.”
SOAR students take part in a wide range of arts and crafts activities at Salisbury Central School.Natalia Zukerman
Each session runs for six to eight weeks and prices range from $9 to $12 per class, which includes all materials. SOAR also provides teacher grants that makes things like field trips, speakers, and assemblies possible.
Looking ahead, Brown is planning for further expansion of the program, with a summer camp in the works and outreach to neighboring schools like Kent and Sharon Center Schools.
The demand for SOAR’s programs is evident, with enrollment numbers steadily increasing. “We’re trying to expand in ways that are meaningful and stay within our mission,” said Brown. “You know, we’ve got a great art program (at Salisbury Central School), but classes are only 45 minutes to an hour each week. There’s just a need for more,” she continued.
Through Brown’s enthusiasm and connections in the community, she has been able to bring in an impressive lineup of guest teachers. She shared, “I’ve gotten professional artists who have come in and maybe don’t have experience with kids and then do amazing work with them.”
Brown also opened the program to kindergarten students. Classes are typically once or twice a week and are an hour to an hour and a half in length.
Brown’s own journey in education is one from classroom teacher to administrator. Previously a third-grade teacher at Indian Mountain School where her wife still teaches, her transition to leading SOAR was driven by a desire to reassess her priorities, particularly in the wake of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shift couldn’t have come at a better time and Brown excitedly shared, “It was a big decision to leave the classroom…but now I’m able to balance my life and work and make connections with the community. It is really amazing.”
To find out more about the SOAR program, go to www.soarkids.org
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Failure to stop at stop sign causes accident
On the morning of July 9, John Cables, 46, of East Canaan was driving eastbound on Route 44 in Norfolk with a passenger when another vehicle, a Honda Civic driven by Steve Zacarias, 23, of Torrington, failed to stop at the stop sign where Route 272 intersects with Route 44 from the south. Zacarias’ vehicle collided with the passenger side of the company Ford F350 SuperDuty driven by Cables, damaging both vehicles which were towed. No one was injured in the accident. Zacarias was found at fault and issued an infraction.
Disorderly conduct arrests
On the morning of July 7, troopers were dispatched to an address on Route 44 in North Canaan on the report of an active disturbance. Upon arriving, troopers arrested Heather Knapp, 33, of North Canaan and Roy Sherman, 66, of Millerton, New York, for misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges. Both parties were issued a summons on a $500 non-surety bond and are scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on July 21.
Probation violation arrest
On the morning of July 8, Robert Ensign, 36, of Washington Depot was arrested on an active warrant for the charge of violating probation. He was issued a $5,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on July 22.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Contact us by mail at P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or send an email, with “police blotter” in subject, to editor@lakevillejournal.com
Housy Juniors Babe Ruth Baseball summer league home games are played at Veterans Field in Sharon. For Tri-Town, home games are played at Community Field in Litchfield.
SHARON — On Thursday, July 10, the Housy Juniors faced off against Tri-Town for the second time this summer. The two teams fought hard in a high-scoring game but ultimately lost to their Litchfield-based opponents 15-11.
Fans gathered at Veterans field on a warm summer evening to watch the Juniors, consisting of Region One players aged 13 to 16, as they attempted to avenge their previous 14-13 loss to their strong rival. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Due to limited enrollment this season, Housy and Tri-Town were the only active teams in the Northwest Connecticut district at the start of the Babe Ruth Baseball summer league season. Housy won the district championship in 2024.
Tommy Downey started the game on the mound for Housy. In a solid defensive first inning, he kept the score nil by securing two strikeouts and surrendering no hits. The Juniors got out in front with three runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to some strong line drives and five stolen bases.
The lead changed hands several times over the next few innings as the two teams duked it out. In the third inning, a pitching change was made from Downey to Braeden Duncan, a rising Junior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
In the third, Tri-Town was able to quickly get their first four batters of the inning around the diamond before being quickly struck out three times in a row by the skilled Housy pitcher. Tri-Town had reclaimed the lead by this point and gone up 11-9.
Late in the game, relief pitcher Jerron Nirshel, an incoming freshman at HVRHS, took the mound for Housy. Though the Juniors pushed hard to mount a comeback in the seventh inning, they were unable to score more than two runs before Tri-Town struck them out to end the game 15-11.
The squads are highly competitive. Thursday’s game was the second of fivethat the rival teams will play this summer.
Housy had runs scored by 11 out of their 15 rostered players and showed a strong will to improve.
Tyler Roberts, left, plays guard for Housy Hoops in the Torrington Summer Basketball League.
TORRINGTON — As most people went to bed last Wednesday, sporadic squeaks from basketball players’ shoes echoed down Main Street from the Torrington Armory.
Those sounds marked the first summer game for the Housatonic Valley High School boys summer basketball team, who fell valiantly to Torrington PAL, 63-45.
At the 9:30 p.m. tip off, the thermostat in the Armory read 88 degrees.
Commenting on the heat, HVRHS’ Coach Dino Labbadia said his team has come to expect it in the summer league play. “It’s been like this every year. It’s crazy,” he said.
In the summer opener, HVRHS was also missing two rising seniors: Owen Riemer was out of town, and Anthony Labbadia was sidelined with an ankle injury.
With Riemer and Labbadia out, two rising freshmen made their first appearances in Housy uniforms. Jaxon Visockis and Jackson Goodwin each played for considerable minutes as guards.
Torrington PAL, or “Police Activities League,” was founded in 1983 in partnership with Torrington Police Department. Since then, the league website states, the group has been “providing children with alternatives to crime, violence and substance abuse.”
The game wasn’t a calculated chess match — it was a fast-paced, physical battle. Sweat poured from every player and around 40 fans packed the stands to watch.
HVRHS scored first, but within the first five minutes Torrington jumped out to a 12-6 lead.
HVRHS responded with a run of its own to cut the deficit to 15-14 with seven minutes left in the half.
That was the peak of the comeback and Torrington led by double digits at halftime.
Coach Labbadia was pleased to see his team keep the score close for most of the half. He said, “If I can get our guys to just take their time, we’ll be fine.”
After the break, HVRHS continued with strong effort but could not stop Torrington’s relentless offense and fast breaks.
When the final buzzer sounded, Wes Allyn topped the box score for HVRHS with a game-high 19 points. Anthony Foley scored 13 points.
Torrington was led in scoring by Owen Fenn with 17 points. Chris Delacruz and Dom Lewis each scored 11 points.
Torrington Summer Basketball League results and schedules can be found at www.quickscores.com/torringtonct.
Kent Fire Marshal Tim Limbos at Friday’s town meeting at which three fire safety ordinances were repealed and replaced.
KENT — In a town meeting lasting 15 minutes on Friday, voters approved three items relating to fire safety ordinances. The vote was to have taken place on June 27 along with one pertaining to the ban of wake boats on Lake Waramaug, but attendance was so high, the meeting had to be postponed due to the lack of space at Town Hall.
The first issue pertained to repealing and replacing an ordinance on open burning. Tim Limbos, who recently took over the fire marshal’s position, when asked about the change, said when he reviewed the ordinance, there was only one and it didn’t contain the material from the state. “I wanted to put all the state requirements into the ordinance,” he said.
Matt Starr wondered why there was a special town meeting being held when the items could have been on the agenda of the referendum planned for July 31 on the wake boat ban. He said putting the questions on a referendum would be fair, because there were so few people at the meeting and it affects so many.
First Selectman Marti Lindenmayer replied that the town attorney advised that the boat referendum, which is also being held in Warren and Washington the same day, all have the same wording. He said it was thought best not to wait another two weeks for the vote. Selectman Lynn Worthington added, the selectmen thought the fire marshal should be present to answer questions.
The next vote was about repealing and replacing the ordinance dealing with fire alarm systems. Joseph Bergin, facilities manager at Kent School, wondered how this would affect the private school when there are false alarms. Limbos said a letter is sent the first time it happens. A fine is imposed the second time, but a note from the fire alarm company could return the fine.
“Where is the discretion?” asked Starr. “Who gets the letter and who is fined? This is ridiculous to try to add teeth to an ordinance that’s never enforced.” Limbos said the fire alarm companies need to get their information to him.
There was no discussion on the third vote, which dealt with repealing and replacing the ordinance dealing with fire prevention.
There was overwhelming support for the ordinance changes from the dozen or so in attendance, with one or two voting no on some of them.