Connecticut
In Connecticut – The Trek
As I write this post, I am lying in my tent just outside of Kent CT, waiting out an overnight rainstorm. The last couple of hiking days in NY were relatively easier than earlier in the state so I was able to get in some relatively high mileage days (for me ) in the range of 17-19 miles. In my last post, I forgot to recount an important event from my time in NY, so I’ll start there.
Shout-Out to Mary Karb and Family
Mary Karb is a college friend of my wife Michele. Months ago when Mary heard of my plans for hiking the AT, she let Michele know that her home was close to the trail and that she was willing to assist me when I was in the area. I followed up with her and we made arrangements for her to pick me up on a Friday off of an exit on the Palisades Parkway. Meanwhile on the day before the planned pickup, Luna and I got caught in a nasty early morning thunderstorm—-thunder, lightening, high winds, and heavy downpours. I tried to erect a makeshift shelter with my tent fly, which helped, but we both were getting pretty wet. Luna was curled up on my lap shivering. I made a call to Mary asking if she could pick me up at a different location and a day early. She said give me 20 minutes and I’ll come get you. What a relief. And Mary and her family members, husband Billy, two children, and son in-law could not have been more gracious hosts. While there, I was able to take care of the 4 big thru hiker needs, laundry, hot shower, phone charging, and food consumption. A nice warm bed and a good nights rest just added to the visit. We ate takeout Italian food at night and Mary even made me a bag of Gorp for my hike. Thank you so much Mary and family, true trail angels. Luna even got along well with Mary’s daughter’s dog Lilly shown below.
Visit from Michele
I had one more hiking intervention while in NY. Michele my wife drove down on May 27 to pickup Luna. We stayed in a beautiful inn (Curry Estate) just off the trail in Hopewell Junction. Unfortunately, Michele arrived exhausted from a trip to Phoenix and then there was a widespread power outage due to a storm. The inn had no backup power source. We opted to stay there anyway. Once power returned, we looked for a nearby restaurant where we could celebrate our upcoming 20th anniversary. Given that it was a Monday and with the power outage, we kept striking out. In the end, we drove to Fishkill and ate at the Red Line Diner. Not exactly a romantic candle lit dinner, but we had a good meal. The next morning Michele dropped me back on the trail and drove away with Luna in tow.
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Connecticut
5 Connecticut towns to receive $2M each for infrastructure upgrades
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
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Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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