Out of the Darkness
It will be the most comforting, nurturing stroll these folks take this year. Hundreds will traverse the Walkway Over the Hudson this fall during the Out of the Darkness Community Walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
You’ll see teams of walkers sporting T shirts with the names and faces of loved ones lost to suicide. They will wear a variety of colored beads, each signifying a particular form of loss- white beads mean the loss of a child; orange, the loss of a sibling; gold, the loss of a parent. If you struggle with your own thoughts of suicide, there are green beads there for you.
Thomas Sherwood and his wife Marie will be walking with Team Joe. Thomas will wear orange in honor of his brother Joey who died five years ago. They will be joined by Joey’s widow Joy- she’ll be wearing red.
The mood will be, at times, surprisingly upbeat, because they are a gathering of kindred spirits – they understand what each other is going through far better than the outside world can know. Their mantra is “You’re not alone”. That’s where the nurturing and comforting come in.
But there will be somber reflection too as people step to the microphone to tell of their loss ” I am wearing white today because I lost my twin boys, both of them” Their words yank at your heart. Maybe these expressions are cathartic for them- I hope so.
But this event is also a fundraiser. The teams seek donations to help support the important work that the AFSP does.
They teach grade schoolers about mental health, continue research into what causes people to attempt suicide, and educate the general population about what behaviors to look for and how to get help for someone who exhibits those warning signs.
The AFSP mission is to decrease suicides 20% by 2025.
Thomas is raising funds now. If you would like to support him please go here: https://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/Thomas-Sherwood
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US.
Nearly 50,000 Americans die each year from suicide.
To learn more about AFSP’s good work visit https://afsp.org/
To learn more about the Out of the Darkness Dutchess/Ulster County Community Walk on Sept. 27th visit: http://sportingacause.com/event/dutchess-ulster-…s-community-walk/
To learn more about the Out of the Darkness Berkshire County Community Walk on Oct. 3rd visit: http://sportingacause.com/event/out-of-the-darkn…re-county-walk-2/.
Canceled, postponed or altered events through July
Here is a list of sports-related fundraiser updates in the Tri-State area through July 2020. For some, there is unhappy news as organizers have had to cancel events, but for others- hope as events have been altered or postponed to perhaps a safer time.
These are uncertain times for sure, but one thing is most certain- many local charities that help our neighbors in need are themselves now in need. They have been wounded by canceled or altered fundraisers that they rely on each year to fulfill their missions. Donations could well be down with many donors unemployed and supportive businesses closed. And if that isn’t bad enough, demands for charities’ services have increased because of pandemic-related issues.
So when the appeal letters from your favorite charities arrive in the mail, please, if you are able, add something extra to your usual gift.
Litchfield/Morris Rotary Club Golf Tournament Canceled
United Way/Charlie Ormsby Golf Tournament Postponed , date TBD
Maplebrook School Golf Tournament Canceled
Litchfield Open Postponed, TBD
Torrington Child Care Center Golf Tournament Canceled
John Vendetti K 0f C Golf Tournament Canceled
Immaculate Conception Church Golf Outing Canceled
Oliver Wolcott Golf Scramble Canceled
Torrington/Winsted Rotary Golf Tournament Canceled
Thomas Berlinghoff Memorial Golf Tournament Canceled
Drive for a Cure Golf Tournament Canceled
UNICO Golf Tournament Postponed to Oct 5th
Roeliff Jensen Community Library Golf Tournament Canceled
Great Barrington Rotary Golf Tournament Canceled
Tee Up For Autism Canceled
Ancrum Fire Co, Golf Tournament On- details to come
Isaiah Lamb Annual Golf Tournament Canceled
HYSB Annual Golf Tournament Canceled
Salisbury Cricket Club Cricket Match Postponed, hopefully in September
Dutchess Dragon Boat Race Canceled
Dutchess County Fair Canceled
Goshen Fair Canceled
Jaime Kirchner Wheels & Heels Race Canceled
OK 5K Race Canceled
Peach Hill Park 5K Canceled
Hopped Up for Health Run and Bike Canceled
Ryan McElroy 5K/10K Canceled
Relay for Life Berkshire County Postponed TBD
Vegan 50K Virtual
Wild Thing 5K/10K Virtual
Discover Hudson Valley Bike Ride Canceled
Pittsfield BMC Independence Day 5K Canceled
Run Around the Lake Still On!
Angevine Farm Half Marathon Postponed TBD
Litchfield Hills Triathlon Canceled
Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon On for now
Sandy Beach Triathlon Canceled
Insane Inflatable 5K Virtual
Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake Canceled, Hope to hold some event later
Jug End Ultra Virtual
Never Say No 5K May go Virtual
Canaan Rail Road Days 5 Mile Run Canceled
Harlem Valley Rail Ride Date moved to Aug 30th
Junk Yard Dogs Half Marathon Still on, details to come
Golf Anyone?
At a very quick glance, for a moment at least, they will kinda look like us. When Rickie and Matthew take on Rory and Dustin , there will be no crowds, no caddies. They will even ride in carts- just like us.
But then they’ll tee off, and any semblance to us weekend warriors will disappear like a 350 yard drive into the mist.
We’re talking , of course, about the TaylorMade Driving Relief Match which will pit Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff on Sunday. Covid-related charities will benefit. And this Memorial weekend Tiger Woods will pair with Peyton Manning to battle Phil Michelson and Tom Brady for similar charities.
These two TV events are heaven-sent for millions of golf-starved viewers who have endured weeks of cancelled tournaments including the Masters.
Closer to home, golf life is continuing to open up just as Tri-State businesses are poised to return – each state addressing the challenges differently.
Last week Massachusetts saw the error of its ways and allowed golf courses to reopen – the last of the Tri-States to do so. The Egremont Country Club however will remain closed for the season.
Connecticut, the Land of Steady Habits, has allowed open courses all along, and New York State, after several open-now-closed back and forths, has decided it’s safe to golf in the Empire State. The issue of carts, however, is still a little cloudy. After several readings of the New York Parks website, it SEEMS as if carts are now allowed without restriction. Best to check with your local course first.
All three states adhere to pretty much the same list of restrictions, but here are links to each state’s rules and regs.
Massachusetts https://www.massgolf.org/news/2020_reopening/
Connecticut https://www.csgalinks.org/content/csga/csga-covid-19-resources#current%20guidelines
New York State https://www.nysga.org/communications-news/nysga-updates-regarding-covid-19
Fore!
Dammit We Can Drive!
We will always find ways to express ourselves, no matter how onerous the restraints. We can’t get together to celebrate a birthday or play a game, we can’t gather to mourn a loss, we can’t stand within two arm lengths of each other. Fine.
But dammit we can get in our cars and drive!
Around 40 cars worth of parade wound their way past fire houses and ambulance garages and health care facilities today to celebrate National Superheroes Day and to honor our first responders and health care heroes. Well-wishers held signs and waved from their vehicles, and at each facility along the route the heroes waved back.
Ten or 20 years from now when we look back on the Pandemic of 2020, one of the defining images of that time will be of people in their cars holding signs and paper hearts out of their windows, waving and calling out – not touching or hugging but still showing the love.
Thanks to the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce and Lime Rock Park and all of the big-hearted people who put on this moving display. And of course thanks to the heroes.
Travelers Championship is Back (with changes)
As sports-related fundraisers are cancelling and postponing all over the Tri-State area this spring, here is a fresh breeze of good news. Organizers of the Travelers Championship have just announced that the event is still on for June 25 – 28 this year!
And although this year’s version will be a non-spectator event because of the Covid-19 pandemic, area charities, large and small, will be able to benefit from Connecticut’s largest sporting event.
What many may not know is that besides the signature charities that the Travelers supports such as a dozen or so military-related charities as well as organizations dedicated to COVID-19 relief efforts, the Tournament also supports nearly 200 small charities around the northeast, and that’s great news for charities in sportingAcause’s Tri-State area.
Any 501(c)(3) registered charity can join the Travelers Birdies for Charity program and take advantage of their fundraising platform. In addition, Travelers will add 15% to whatever funds each charity raises up to a total of $1 million!
Last year local non-profits like the Housatonic Valley Regional High School golf team were able to raise some much-needed money by selling discounted tickets to the Travelers through the Chip in for Charities program. Well that program went away because there are no tickets to sell this year.
But all of those charities can switch to the Birdies for Charity program. Here’s how:
All registered 501(c)(3) organizations registered in the Northeast United States are eligible. There is not a limit on the number of organizations that can participate.
- Register with the Travelers Championship and we’ll provide the materials and information you need to get started.
- Solicit donations – ask donors, sponsors, co-workers, friends, and family!
- Direct your donors to the tournament website, www.TravelersChampionship.com or to your personalized donation website to make a contribution.
- Submit all donations to the Travelers Championship by Sunday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m.
- In the early Fall of 2020, the Travelers Championship will give you a check for 100% of donations received, plus an additional 15% from our Bonus Bucks pool. It’s that easy!
For more information about Birdies for Charity, please contact Taylor Whiting at 860-502-6805 or via email at twhiting@travelerschampionship.com.
Now, having said all of the above, things could still change. Even though the Travelers organizers are moving forward, changes in our fight against the pandemic could alter plans. Stay tuned for updates, but definitely enroll in the Travelers fundraising program!
Cancelled, Postponed and Virtualized
Event organizers are waiting as long as they possibly can before making the gut-churning decision to cancel or maybe postpone their fundraisers. So much is at stake after all- hours of planning expended, sponsorship money gathered from businesses and already spent, and of course, the prospect of losing the funds that the event would provide – funds that already hold a place in charities’ budget projections.
As Covid-19 chugs along, a 30 day yardstick seems to be the unofficial measurement where charities decide to throw in the towel. 100% of the sports-related fundraisers on sportingAcause.com have been cancelled, postponed or altered for the months of April and May. These are mini tragedies in an ocean of Covid- induced tragedies.
The latest event changes on the sportingAcause.com website include the cancellation of the Litchfield Hills Road Race; Line Rock Park has postponed both its season-opening Touring Car Festival (date to be determined) and the Memorial Day Classic (new date Oct. 16-17). Also, the entire Walk MS series through June has become virtual.
Here is the list of April and May events that have been cancelled, postponed or virtualized.
Bring On the Heat 4th Annual 5K (Bethlehem, CT) rescheduled to July 25th
Arlington Education Foundation 5K Run/Walk (Lagrange. NY) Cancelled
Shane Kinsella Memorial 5 Mile Run (Goshen, CT) Rescheduled to Sept. 12th
Upton Lake Christian School Eagle Run (Clinton Corners, NY) Rescheduled to Sept. 12th
Wellness 5K (Pittsfield, MA) Cancelled
Kiwanis Kingston 5K (Kingston, NY) Cancelled
Ride 1 Rally at Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT) postponed date TBA
Spring Splash (Lakeville, CT) Cancelled
Gilbert Blue and Gold 5K and Golf Tournament (Winsted, CT) Cancelled
Angel in the Infield Softball Tournament (Canaan, CT) Cancelled
Kentucky Derby Social (Salisbury, CT) Rescheduled to Sept. 5th
Touring Car Festival at Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT) Postponed date TBA
Sharon Classic 35th Annual Road Race (Sharon. CT) Rescheduled to Sept. 26th.
Sean’s Ride and Sean’s Run (Chatham, NY) Cancelled
Girls Just Wanna Run 5K (Litchfield, CT) Cancelled
Retro Run 5K (Morris, CT) Cancelled
Kenny Krom Memorial Basketball Game (Sheffield, MA) Cancelled
Arrest and Extinguish ALS (Lenox, MA) Cancelled
Touring Car Festival at Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT) Postponed date TBD
NW CT Rod and Gun Club Steel Challenge Pistol Match (Canaan, CT) Postponed TBD
Annual Women’s Running Race (Pittsfield, MA) Virtual
Wa Wa Wally Waddle (Poughkeepsie, NY) Virtual
AFSP Run For Hope (Bethlehem, CT) Postponed to June 6th
Camphill Village 5K ( Copake, NY) Postponed Date TBD
Steel Rail Half Marathon (Lanesboro, MA) Virtual
Shine On 5K ( Burlington, CT) Rescheduled to Sept. 20th
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes SBA Project (Litchfield, CT) Postponed Date TBD
Barkhamsted Elementary School Annual River Run 5K (Barkhamsted, CT) Cancelled
Relay For Life Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) Postponed Date TBD
Berkshire South Community Center 8th Annual 5K Run (Great Barrington, MA) Virtual
Litchfield/Morris Rotary Club Golf Tournament ( Fairview Farm ) Cancelled
United Way/Charlie Ormsby Golf Tournament (Torrington CC) Rescheduled to June 15th, may re-reschedule
Berkshire County ARC Golf Tournament (Berkshire Hills CC) Postponed Date TBD
Litchfield Hills Road Race (Litchfield, CT) Cancelled
Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT) Postponed to Oct. 16-17
Breaking News !!
A patch of good news in a fear-soddened world. Yesterday the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development sent a statement to the Canaan Country Club that Connecticut golf courses can open/reopen as long as they follow CDC guidelines. That means restaurants associated with the golf courses will remain closed and golfers must abide by the new rules of conduct in a coronavirus world.
Just this morning New York State informed the New York State Golf Association that New York State golf courses can reopen, again, subject to CDC guidelines.
As of this morning(March 26th) Massachusetts courses are still closed.
This is wonderful news! The governments, both state and federal hamstrung themselves with their own wording. Using the word “nonessential” to define businesses that must shut down, they included enterprises like golf courses which can of course conduct business in a safe manner.
As soon as I learn of any changes for Massachusetts I will let you know.
Fore!!!
It’s Our Turn Now
You see their names all the time, the same ones over and over. You see their names on T shirts at 5K road races and Tee signs at golf tournaments and on lists in “Thank You For Your Support” letters to the editor.
They are the small town businesses who give constantly and repeatedly to the fundraising events making money for our treasured charities. They donate gift certificates and raffle, door and auction prizes and just plain cash because it’s their way of “giving back” to their communities.
There are over 450 events on sportingAcause.com all of which have business sponsors. And that’s just sports-related fundraisers. The total fundraisers must be in the many thousands in the Tri-State area – all business-supported.
And as we know, their support underwrites the events’ expenses. Without those sponsors, there are no fundraisers.
Now, in the time of the coronavirus, many of those businesses are hurting – especially those who have been ordered by law to close. Some like restaurants and breweries are open for takeout or delivery only. It won’t be enough to sustain them indefinitely, but it may keep them afloat for the short term – maybe.
So here is where we can help. Please, please make it a point- no- make it your mission to patronize the restaurants and breweries in your town by stopping by for takeout or ordering delivered meals or getting a six pack to go. These businesses need our support more than you know.
It’s our turn now, and “giving back” is a two-way road.
Golf – The last Sports Refuge ?
The golf course may be the last sports refuge in these crazy times.
At its essence, golf is a solitary sport, and even when enjoyed with others there is a natural distance between players. But even on the links some changes have emerged to help keep everyone safe.
The most obvious change of course is there can be no post-round beers at the bar or lunch either since all restaurants are closed. But course eateries are still offering snacks, lunch-type foods like sandwiches and beverages to take onto the course.
Here is what some of the public courses in the sportingAcause.com Tri-State area are doing to accommodate golfers in coronavirus world.
Egremont Country Club, South Egremont, MA- not open yet, hope to be open soon.
Hotchkiss School Golf Course, Lakeville, CT – may open as soon as April 1st.
Fairview Farm Golf Course, Harwinton, CT – open for the season, burgers, dogs, sandwiches and beverages available to take on the course.
Green Woods Country Club, Winsted, CT – not open yet.
Quarry View Golf Course, Canaan, CT – course and driving range open, no food options.
Undermountain Golf Course, Copake, NY – open, beverages and snacks available to take on the course , no lunch menu yet.
Winding Brook Country Club, Valatie, NY – tentative opening date March 29th.
Canaan Country Club, Canaan, CT – open but without carts, limited luncheon items and beverages available for takeout.
Links at Union Vale, Lagrangeville, NY – beverages and sandwich menu to go. Also only allowing one golfer per cart and only a couple people in the pro shop at a time.
Other measures that some clubs are taking to avoid the virus spread are no rakes in the sand traps, no ball washers, leaving the pin in while putting and using raised cups (when your putt hits the raised cup lip it is considered “in”).
Many courses are also sanitizing carts after each use.
Before you tee off, check with the pro shop at your favorite course to see what changes they’ve made to help ensure our safety.
The New Normal
Just a few weeks ago, the first time I saw an image of the coronavirus it reminded me of a Nerf ball- something a child would play with, not the fearful, hateful thing it has so quickly come to symbolize.
The scroll at the bottom of the TV screen during the evening news last night seemed like the Storm of the Century was upon us – schools closed, senior centers, town libraries, day care centers, all closed. But then, unprecedented in my experience, the scroll continued past the news through the rest of last night’s programming as event closings grew in number.
“Unprecedented” is a word we’re seeing a lot lately. All major sports programs are shut down- the NBA, NHL, MLB have ended their seasons or at least “postponed” them. The NCAA Basketball Tournament is history. March Madness has a new meaning now.
And the speed of change is breathtaking. We don’t like change usually, but if it must, let it be in a measured, considered manner, extended over time. Two days ago, Connecticut high school athletes were protesting the “unfair” abrupt cancellation of all state sports tournaments . No one is protesting now.
Most of the weekend sports-related fundraisers in our area have been postponed. Here is a list of those events that appear on sportingAcause.com.
Retro Dodge Ball Tournament, Litchfield- postponed, hope to play at a later date.
VFW Couch-Pipa Bunco Tournament, North Canaan- postponed until a later date.
Hoops For Hope, Poughkeepsie – postponed until a later date.
Shamrock Run, Kingston – postponed until a later date.
NW CT Rod and Gun Club Ham Shoot – still on for now.
Stay safe my friends, and welcome to the new normal.
