Volume 20, Number 10
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Youth groups, CIAC, YMCA herald easing of sport restrictions
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By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
There was excitement Friday among the CIAC, area YMCAs and area youth sports organizations following the news that Gov. Ned Lamont was lifting restrictions on sports starting March 19. In Wallingford, the Wallingford Hawks youth hockey organization was pleased to hear the news. League president David Fritz said he will reach out to his coaches in hopes of setting up a postseason tournament in the coming weeks. “Tournaments were banned until yesterday,” Fritz noted. “Usually, he have our tournaments laid out by now. The Hawks would like to host a tournament to give our kids some closure at the end of the year.” The Hawks had already extended their season six weeks. Youth hockey typically ends in February, but due to the shutdown that
The Hawks have been practicing in cohorts since Jan. 19 and focusing a lot on skill development.
Under the guidance of faculty members TJ Riccardo, Todd Helming, Dave Gaignard and Facilities Director Steve Busel, club members – along with some other classmates they recruited – are painting the presentation space, building a light and sound booth, and adding projection, digital sound and digital lighting.
Fritz said the league has maintained safe protocols, and a 20-year tradition of taking six Hawks teams to Lake Placid, N.Y. was broken.
John Benigni, the CEO of the Meriden-New BritainBerlin YMCA, said participation at his organization has been up across the board in recent weeks, but has yet to return to prepandemic levels. “More people have been using our programs and are coming in to work out, and that’s because of the See Restrictions, A12
Setting the stage for performers The Plainville High School Theater Unlimited Club voted to refurbish the high school’s Choral Room (Room 403) into a black box theater.
had delayed the start of the season until mid-January, it had been extended to keep athletes on the ice.
“We are happy to be able to hold a season-ending tournament,” Fritz said. “We are trying to create a sense of normalcy in this chaotic time.”
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Plainville Community Schools celebrated Read Across America Day on Tuesday, March 2, with several events taking place throughout the day. Pictured, above: Linden Street School Principal Jeff Wallowitz and second grader Declan McCormick dressed as British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous creation, Harry Potter. Right: Another popular character, Smurfette (also known as Linden second grader Skylar Clark.)
The black box project is being led by Theater Unlimited Club members Kaylee Markavich, William Lauria and Garret Millette, all seniors. To complete the project, club members are utilizing funding they earned through overseeing and managing the rental of the Plainville High School auditorium in recent years. Once completed, the multipurpose black box theater can be used by the Plainville High School community for preSee Theater, A7
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