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Gay City State Park
June 6, 2010
Event Director: Jeff Cohen
Course design crew: Kevin Burnham, Jeff Cohen, Paul Pearson, Terry Hinchey

Eighty-eight participants came out for a day of orienteering at Gay City State Park as part of the Connecticut Trails Day events. There were forty-nine starts. Not bad for a day on which the weather forecast included the word "tornado." The bad weather held off until all the competitors were off the course, though. The event brought a mix of novices and experts, and there was great participation on all five of the courses.

Over thirty people tried orienteering for the first time. A number of Boy Scouts tore themselves away from the scout show at the Hebron Fairgrounds to try out the sport (and fulfill rank requirements) with their leaders and parents. Most of the first-timers finished with a sweaty smile and asked when the next event was.

This was my first attempt at organizing an event, and it was made much easier by a big crew of enthusiastic volunteers. Kevin Burnham designed five courses that showcased the Gay City map and provided a challenge to those who were searching for it. Terry Hinchey (in his return to the sport) and Paul Pearson helped me set and vet the course. Jon Morrison, Terry Hinchey, Bill Cox, Matt Cox and Ben Cohen set out controls in all corners of the park. Bill Cox, Dai Bedwell, Keith Randino, Ben Cohen and Kenton LaFleur picked up controls in threatening weather. (Dai kindly got the hardest of them with minimal grumbling.) Jon Howes, Donna Klucewicz and Michael Butterworth handled the registration onslaught that occurred promptly at 10 AM. Michael also took the task of lugging drinking water out to a distant control – badly needed on this muggy day. The entire Bedwell family worked the Start/Finish area along with Jon Howes. It seemed that Paul Pearson was everywhere doing everything, as usual. Amazing.

Thanks to everyone who participated and volunteered.