Bits & Pieces

By Kim J. Harmon

 

Kudos simply have to go out to Carl Samuelson and his Parks and Recreation Department crew for the tremendous job they did getting the Newtown High School football field ready for the start of the 2004 season.

I was over there last Tuesday (September 14, that is) for the field hockey team’s season-opener against Watertown and, wow, the field was in superb condition. Even after the new field was installed several years ago, I’m not sure it ever looked as good as that.

It was like walking on a nice, spongy carpet.

Kudos, Carl.

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Sunday was a glorious day for football, wasn’t it? Sunny, a little windy, and a little bit cool.

Couldn’t get any better than that.

Too bad I can’t say the same for the Newtown High School football team, which suffered through as bizarre and unlucky first period as I have ever seen in my life.

Yes, it could get better than that.

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I had a chance to renew an acquaintance with Antonia Militano last week (see related story) and it served to remind me of this incident that happened nine or 10 years ago.

It was at a field hockey game against Pomperaug and Antonia was defending a free hit near the end line. I had focused my camera on her, expecting to snap the shutter when the ball crossed into the frame.

Well, the Pomperaug girl got under the ball and lashed a ball right at Antonia’s head. I had time to see her flinch, but I was so horrified I couldn’t snap the shutter.

Antonia got a black eye and I missed out on what would have been a terrific picture. At least she could still laugh about it; I’m still a little ticked.

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Now, I know football season just opened but there are a lot of women in town who should start preparing for basketball season.

The Newtown Women’s Basketball League will open at The Gym at Newtown on November 2. Teams from last year and any new players interested need to contact Karen Katrinak at 364-0239 (or kkatrinak@sbcglobal.net).

Fees are going to be $49.99 for The Gym members and $149 for non-members.

There will be officials and games will be played on Tuesday nights at 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 pm. Players must be at least 18 years of age to participate.

Also, a Women’s Over-40 Basketball League will open on Sunday, October 3, at the Edmond Town Hall from 8 to 10 am. For further information on that, call Jan Brown at 426-8693.

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The Newtown High School cheerleaders will be hosting their Harvest Fair on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, at the Paproski Farm on Sugar Lane (off Route 302). There will be face painting, a scarecrow derby, bake sale, cake walk and – of course – the hale bay maize.

The cheerleaders are in full fundraising mode as they attempt to raise the necessary funds in order to be able to participate in a national cheerleading competition next February in Florida.

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We focus a lot on high school and youth sports around here, but in the next few weeks you will be hearing more about some Newtown High athletes who are helping lead their collegiate teams on the field (or court, as the case may be).

Right now, Erin Carolan is hitter for the Roger Williams University volleyball team (and had nine kills in a win over Western Connecticut  recently); Andy Smith is playing for the Ithaca College men’s soccer team (and scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 OT win over Cortland); Michelle Grimaldi is a member of the Eastern Connecticut volleyball team and has appeared in five games; Matt Pachniuk is a sophomore goaltender with the Wheaton College men’s soccer team (and last week was named NEWMAC Player of the Week) Derek Miles is a sophomore back for the Eastern Connecticut men’s soccer team (he started 17 of 19 ECSU games as a freshman); and Mike Troy is a freshman forward for the Fairfield University men’s soccer team (he hasn’t yet scored a goal in the Stags’ first three games, but he had seven as a freshman).

Also, there are some new collegiate freshmen plying their trades elsewhere – Chelsea Morin with the Ursinus women’s soccer team; Ryan Keogler with the Steubenville men’s soccer team; Kim Allen with the Castleton State women’s soccer team (she has played 90 minutes and made just one save so far); Carrie Lipnick with the Loyola women’s soccer team; Ross Coates with the Western Connecticut State University football team; and Stephanie Logan with the Quinnipiac College volleyball team (who has played in all 10 matches and is second on the team with 64 kills).