Trail of Thanks

On behalf of the Norfolk Land Trust’s Trail Race Committee, we would like to thank everyone who made our 5K/10K race on Sept. 25 a huge success. We had more than 100 runners register for the races and everyone was impressed, not only with land trust trails, but also with the organization of the event. We are grateful for the amazing volunteers with the Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance and the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department for helping to make the race run smoothly.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, Infinity Music Hall & Bistro, Big Elm Brewing, William Perotti & Sons, Berkshire Mountain Spring Water, United Construction & Engineering, National Iron Bank, Husky Meadows Farm, Freund’s Farm Market, MediaBids , Theodore F. Marolda, DDS, Phillip Lovett Landscape Construction, Louis E. Allyn and Son’s Well Drilling, Nature’s Own Tree Maintenance, Bascetta’s Bricks and Stones, Monument Conservation Collaborative, D. Scott Reeve Construction, Mad River Painting, Mountain Spirits Liquor, Blackberry River Baking Co., Chris Peterson Woodworks, Mauricio Painting, 7 Day Recreationalist, WGM Painting, Responsive Designs, Construction Consulting Services, Mead & Mead Maple Syrup, Hill County Trail Runners and Lost Ruby Farm.

We also had an incredible cadre of volunteers involved in registration and on the trails, including Margaret, Nick, Catie and Paul Alexson, Holly Alexson, Carol and Rick Andrighetti, Rene Ayers, Libby Borden, Jackie Breakell, Bill Brodnitzki, Marie Civco, Peggy and David Cusick, Daryl Eaton, Steve Getz , Alex Johnson, Martin Johnson, Hartley Mead, Chris and Emma Peterson, Nina Ritson, Will and Julie Scharnberg, Henry and Robin Tirrell, Heather Thompson, Ali Williams and Susannah Wood.

We especially want to thank Chris Peterson of Chris Peterson Woodworks for making the much-coveted first-place tree awards.

All of this would not be possible without our dedicated trail race committee: Bill Couch, Roger Johnson, Molly Peterson and Ryan Williams.  Thank you to the Norfolk Land Trust Board for supporting this endeavor.

Kate Johnson

June Peterson

Supplemental Caution

While it is always great to hear about a thriving business in our area, I was concerned by the article in last month’s paper extolling the nutritional supplement company in North Canaan. There has been a lot of controversy about the efficacy and safety of supplements, yet the article did not even mention any such concerns or investigate how the products are tested for safety and efficacy, relying instead on the anecdotal enthusiasm of the owners.

Readers should know, for example, that the FDA does no testing or regulation of nutritional supplements, relying on manufacturers to supply details of any adverse reactions. Also, many supplements contain substances that conflict with medications for various conditions. At the very least the article should have recommended that anyone interested in taking supplements should always consult their health care professional first.

Susannah Wood