15th Anniversary Cannonball Run in Falls Village CT (Not too late to contribute and help a small town celebrate and remember loved ones)

While the Kellogg School serving youngsters kindergarten through middle-school (8th grade) sits handsomely on a hillside on Main Street with a small cannon parked in front of its stone wall, the population of its student body has shrunk to about half when I was there in the 1970s when it had about 170 students.

Same kinds of declines at other schools, though not as steep affect many communities. School consolidation is not unusual to hear about and while that's been considered for various schools in our MA/NY/CT tri-corner and beyond, it's rather exciting and encouraging to see people show up to support good causes to help small towns stay afloat.

This year the The Ed McGuire Memorial Culligan Cannonball  5K Run. For walkers, they head out from the Fire Department (where Ed and many valiant people have served and continue to do so) on Railroad Street (which is also fundraising for its new digs with expanded facilities). On November 7th, 2015, I was lucky to get there in time to see the small group of adults and kids, including some with dogs and kids in tow head down under the underpass (which the Housatonic Rail rumbles over on its journey along the Housatonic River and passes by the high school with that same name prominently and elegantly lettered above its large stone facing and steps, below its historic apex and above its stately columns.

The Housatonic Valley Regional High School sits in a lovely valley with mountains in the foreground and expansive playing fields down a hill in the back, with the river winding its way around the school grounds as its heads another seven miles down to Cornwall and beneath the historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge.

The last Sunday of September over a hundred walkers journey along River Road across Route 7 from the high school to do the CROP Walk which for over 25 years has raised about $20K to address hunger needs locally (25%) and globally through Church World Service (CWS). The high school has also served as a lovely setting for the Relay for Life event in past years which raises money to fight cancer and assist survivors. Teams of dedicated walkers walk the school track for 24 hours or thereabout, with camp sites set up on the infield and candles marking the track as well as spelling out HOPE on the hill.

The steadfast efforts of groups large and small deserve our thanks and kudos whether raising money for scholarships, fire departments, special events such as Railroad Days in North Canaan, playgrounds for schools or new recreation facilities, pools, community theaters (Falls Village had been a grateful recipient of these as have other towns, but for such a small town the generous grant money providing new sidewalks and streetlights in town deserves its own celebration, particularly as the 275th Anniversary of Falls Village (also known as Town of Cananan) was in 2014.

In the Cannonball Run which started at noon for runners and a cannon ball type firing of a small cannon (and had another when the first runner, a youngster followed by some other youth before adults started over the finish line.) Happily I found a spot to drum some rhythms I've picked up over the years from the Salisbury Hand Drummers.

A few folks thanked me for that and I felt it was a nice way to round out all the good efforts of the athletes and event staff. A number of folks from Run 169 Towns (in CT) showed up, some with heartwarming stories and families in tow (or still hatching out...that's dedication and a motivator to review various 'term limits' of participants or at least double check the safety and have a doctor's note that everything's good to go.

That's the kind of advice some don't like to hear, but I'm realizing many expectant mothers don't want to have to slow down and some may not need to, but then again, it's worth checking the wisdom voluntarily rather than have something go awry without understanding risks. In today's case, the woman seemed fine and informed and ran without any complications, as did the others, including a man who is 87. He started running almost 50 years ago for health reasons then got interested in competitive running. 

Feel free to find ways to support efforts in your community whether donating to the cause, assisting a competitor with their travel costs or other ways to get involved. Some runners said they appreciate people playing music from their car radios or sound systems along a long route. Other races I heard mentioned were the Goshen Turkey Trot and the Manchester Road Race.

The NY Marathon was last weekend  and the inspirations to get moving are growing in many circles whether among the young or old, the fit or the wanting to get fit. Til then, rest up and enjoy some seasnal walks and talks, eats and treats, A time to remember loved ones for a moment officially such as was held for Ed McGuire before the cannon blast at the start, or during one's time of preparation, participation or after wards can help us remember those who have walked the earth, and even anticipate those who are coming from another realm. When human hearts beat as one, the healing feelings arise and more good comes our way and happens collectively to keep US-All afloat and help us stay on track.

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