Penguin Plunge brings out the brave and the bold

WINSTED — Eighty people took a dip into the icy waters of Highland Lake on Saturday, Feb. 4, in the ninth annual Penguin Plunge.The event raised money for Special Olympics Connecticut and is one of 10 Penguin Plunges the charity holds around the state.According to Sarah Bellerive, the special events coordinator for Special Olympics, the organization started the event 20 years ago and it is Special Olympics’ second largest fundraiser, behind the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.Funds from the plunges go toward hiring trainers for the athletes who take part in Special Olympics events.This year was somewhat warmer than previous years, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees. Yet it was still cold enough to send participants running to the warming tent after they took the plunge.Participation was down from last year, when 119 people took part and raised $55,000. About $45,000 was raised this year, according to initial reports.However, people from all over the area appeared to have fun taking part, with many of them dressed in outlandish outfits.One group was dressed as characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” while another was dressed up as a football team with inflatable helmets.Town manager Dale Martin took the plunge in a psychedelic hippie-era outfit.“What’s my strategy? To get in and then get out!” Martin said.A similar strategy was taken by Maggie Hope, who came from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., just to take part in the event.“I’m just going to run in,” she said. “I have never done this before, but I’m doing this because I’m crazy.”

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less