Join the rally for victorious UConn women!

Photo © by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com ----------

The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team slam-dunked Louisville 76-54 tonight, to conclude a string of 39 wins and bring home the Huskies’ sixth NCAA championship.

The team leaves St. Louis, Mo. on Wednesday on a charter flight and is expected to arrive at Bradley International Airport at approximately 3:15 p.m., when there will be a short public event – rain or shine.

UConn fans who want to greet the team at the airport should take Route 75 in Windsor Locks and follow signs on Route 75 to the event. The public gathering at the airport will take place in an area near the intersection of Route 75 and Firehouse Road.

The team then returns to Gampel Pavilion on the UConn campus for a Championship Pep Rally. Doors will open to the public at approximately 3 p.m., and the team is expected to arrive at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The rally at Gampel is free and open to the public.

Posted April 7, 2009

Kenneth Allen Luurtsema, Sr – July 29, 1934-March 29, 2009

Kenneth Allen Luurtsema Sr, 74, born in Somerville, MA, and a resident of Storrs-Mansfield, passed away Sunday March 29, 2009 with his loving family at his side.

He is survived by his best friend and wife, Michelle, and children Kenneth Ramsdell and  his wife Jane, Linda Simpson and her husband Mark, Heather Fitzgerald and her husband Tom, Kenneth Luurtsema Jr. and his wife Amanda, as well as 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was the son of the late George W. Luurtsema and Mary V. Marchant formerly of Coventry CT.

Kenneth was employed by the Town of Vernon in the family trade as an electrician.

He was proudly raised to become a Freemason on Oct. 3, 1964 with his father, and served as Master of the Lodge and later organist.

He was an avid reader and music aficionado, who enjoyed sharing time with his family and friends at the family lake house in Massachusetts.

The funeral was held on April 2 at the Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic with Rev. John Park officiating and concluding with a Masonic Service. Committal services will be at the family’s convenience.

Contributions in his memory may be made to his Masonic Lodge of Merrow CT (Mansfield), sent to: Uriel Lodge #24, A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 465, Willimantic, CT,  06226-0465.

'Keep the power on'

Mansfield residents who have been protected from utility shut-offs during the winter will be coming to the end of that program as of May 1. There is help available, however.

The Coventry Department of Human Services – working with Atty Bonnie Roswig, Robert M. Flanagan and Northeast Utilities’ (NU) representatives – is hosting a meeting on Saturday, April 18 to help low-income residents in this area to “keep the power on” after the shut-off moratorium ends.

In addition to Mansfield, the consultation is open to the towns of Andover, Bolton, Coventry, Hebron, Tolland, Somers, Vernon and Willimantic.

Customers will receive budget counseling and information about NU payment assistance programs, along with information about the importance of complying with the terms of whatever arrangement they make with NU.

Participants and volunteers will then meet with representatives of NU to make payment arrangements.

Applications for Energy Assistance also can be completed at this meeting, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on Saturday, April 18 in Coventry, at the Patriot’s Park Lodge-Senior Center at 173 Lake Street.

You must register in advance. Please call Coventry Human Services at 742-5324.

Posted April 7, 2009

Joshua's Trust recognized for protecting preserve

Atlantic white cedar. Photo courtesy of UConn plant database.----------

Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Historic Trust has received the Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s Excellence in Stewardship award.

The Trust protects close to 4,000 acres in the region and has made a commitment to properly care for the properties it acquires.

The stewardship award recognizes the Trust’s work to preserve the Windham Atlantic White Cedar Bog, located on Rt. 6 in Willimantic.

When the rare 67-acre Atlantic white cedar preserve was threatened by commercial development on abutting property, the Trust committed more than $25,000 to hire an environmental engineering firm to create an alternative, low-impact design and provide testimony before the Windham Inland Wetlands Commission.

As a result, the Trust was able to negotiate an agreement with the developer that insures that the environmentally sensitive bog will be protected.

The agreement includes:

-       creating a buffer zone on which the Trust will hold a conservation easement,

-       specific steps that the developers must take to prevent contamination,

-       a covenant that binds future owners,

-       and an escrow account to guarantee implementation.

The low-impact design provides a model that can be used in the future by Joshua’s Trust, or other land trusts facing similar challenges.

In addition to the funds, Trust volunteers logged hundreds of hours on the bog defense.

Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Historic Trust received the award for Excellence in Stewardship from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council at the April 4 annual conference held at Wesleyan University.

Note: For more information about membership in Joshua’s Trust, making a contribution or otherwise supporting the Trust’s preservation activities, visit the Web site at www.joshuaslandtrust.org, or call (860) 429-9023. To read the Spring 2009 newsletter (in PDF format) go to http://www.joshuaslandtrust.org/posts/2009/spring2009.pdf

Posted April 7, 2009

There’s something fishy about this museum!

The Haddam Shad Museum opens for the season on Sunday, April 5. Out in front of the tiny building is a Brockway Scow, a light, stable, easily maneuvered, inexpensive boat made for shad fishing by Earl Brockway of Old Saybrook Photo courtesy of CT DEP.

Opening day for the fishing season is just around the corner – and the Haddam Shad Museum is also about to open its doors.

It will be open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Sunday April 5 and continuing through June 14.

The museum – the only one of its kind in the United States – displays the history of shad fishing on the Connecticut River since Colonial days.

The Haddam Shad Museum also can be open by appointment at other times for group tours.

Shad Museum Director (and dentist) Dr. Zaientz. Photo courtesy of CT DEP.

The museum’s directors are familiar with both commercial and sport shad fishing, and have a few facts and stories to share with you.

The Haddam Shad Museum is located at 212 Saybrook Road, behind the American Oil Gas station in Higganum.

For more information, call 860-267-0388.

Posted April 1, 2009

UConn women: trophies and a university diploma both worthy goals

UConn's Maya Moore. Photo © Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com

The NCAA is meticulous about referring to the participants in college sports as “student-athletes,” although oftentimes as the “athlete’s” stats increase, the player’s grades don’t necessarily keep pace.

But then there’s Maya Moore, the ultimate “student-athlete” by anyone’s definition.

In addition to her second straight selection as the Big East “Player of the Year,” Moore was named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America First Team.

The 6-foot, versatile forward from Georgia is almost as perfect in the classroom as she is on the court, currently maintaining a 3.74 (out of 4.00) Grade Point Average (GPA) at the University of Connecticut.

Maya was the only sophomore named to the academic first team. The other four student-athletes that made the grade come from much smaller programs than UConn, such as Liberty College and Murray State.

Moores’ achievement mark’s the sixth time a member of Coach Geno Auriemma’s team has attained Academic All-America first-team status, the most recent being Jennifer Rizzotti in 1996.

UConn's Renee Montgomery. Photo © Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com

Another UConn stalwart was also recognized for her off-the-court achievement. Senior floor leader Renee Montgomery is this year’s recipient of the Big East Sportsmanship Award, the first time a UConn player has earned this honor.

That trophy will have to share space on Renee’s mantle with the 2009 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, which the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presents to the NCAA player 5-feet-8-inches or shorter who has performed at the top of her game, both in her sport and in her studies.

Montgomery was also chosen as a First-Team All-Star by the Big East, an honor bestowed on her for the third year in row.

She now shares that accomplishment with Diana Taurasi, Svetlana Abrosimova, Kerry Bascom and Rebecca Lobo.

It’s no wonder that with credentials like these, a few weeks ago Renee became the first UConn player inducted into the “Huskies of Honor” – while still playing college ball.

Joining Montgomery and Moore as unanimous first-stringers on the league’s All-Star team is UConn junior Tina Charles, who was also named to the Big East Tournament All-Star team – along with Kalana Greene and Moore, who was named the tournament’s Outstanding Player.

And in a good sign for the future, Tiffany Hayes was named to the All-Big East freshman team.

Coach Auriemma also earned an award for guiding his team of All-Stars to a thus-far undefeated season. He shares the league’s 2009 “Coach of the Year” honors with Harry Perretta of Villanova.

Posted April 7, 2009

In May: $250 payments coming to Social Security and SSI beneficiaries

These payments will inject more than $13 billion into the economy.

Vice President Joe Biden and Commissioner of Social Security Michael J. Astrue announced that the federal government will send out $250 economic recovery payments to people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in early May 2009, and continuing throughout the month.

There is nothing the recipient needs to do to receive the payment, which will be sent separately from his or her regular monthly payment.

However, a person must have been eligible for Social Security or SSI benefits during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009.

These payments will inject more than $13 billion into the economy.

“The Social Security Administration and Commissioner Astrue have been working closely with other federal agencies to get these payments out the door in record time and into the hands of folks who need it most,” said Vice President Biden.

Commissioner Astrue said, “Soon, more than $13 billion will be in the hands of more than 50 million Americans.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a one-time payment of $250 to adult Social Security beneficiaries, and to SSI recipients – except those receiving Medicaid in residential care facilities.

The legislation also provides for a one-time payment to Veterans Affairs (VA) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries.

The VA and RRB will be responsible for paying individuals under their respective programs.  (If someone receives Social Security and SSI, VA or RRB benefits, he or she will receive only one $250 payment.)

People getting Social Security or SSI should not contact the agency, unless a payment is not received by June 4, 2009.

For more information about the $250 one-time economic recovery payments, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/payment.

To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, go to www.recovery.gov

Posted April 7, 2009