Ice Fishing Booms thanks to New Products

Wayne K., Mason, and Graham a few years back at Bowdish

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Jack Polachek, Lakafish, Lake

Best and Brightest New Ice Fishing Items Extend Your Season

2″ or less – STAY OFF
4″ May allow Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5″ often allows for Snowmobile or ATV travel
8″ – 12″ of good ice with supports most Cars or small pickups
12″ – 15″ will likely hold a Medium sized truck.

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

Pascoag,RI – Maybe it's no wonder folks living south of the Mason-Dixon line view ice fishing as slightly senseless; the Arizona Senator McCain once called "moronic." Who in their right mind, after all, would stare through a hole in the ice for eight hours straight? Or drive a full-size truck onto a frozen lake? Or risk frostbite for a fish bite?

The answer, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is well over 2 million people — that's who. In 2006, outdoors folks spent about $105-million on ice fishing tackle and equipment, a figure that had ballooned to $178-million by 2011 and is expected to easily exceed $200-million when 2016 data is unveiled. That's nearly a 100-percent expansion in sales of ice fishing gear in a single decade.

So why all the excitement for a sport that's conducted in the cold? For one, becoming a first-time ice angler is simple and relatively affordable, even for families. And even while innovation among other segments of the sport fishing industry, in some cases, has plateaued, creativity in new ice fishing tackle and equipment continues soaring to new levels of awesome.

Stroll the jam-packed aisles at events such as the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo with ice fishing shows and you meet as many young anglers as you do hard water veterans. Each and every one of these folks flock to the show floor for the same simple reason: to see the new stuff — amazing lures, rods, electronics, apparel, shelters and other equipment that promises to make their time on the ice more exciting, comfortable and efficient.

To celebrate the approaching, eminent ice fishing season, we've handpicked some of the most attended Ice Fishing Derby's in New England .

RI, Between the Cracks, Annual Kevin Thatcher Memorial Derby at Crystal Lake, Jan. 28, 2018 7 till 2 pm and the Burrillville Grid Iron Hebert Memorial Derby with a Free Dynamite Sub at Wilson's Reservoir, Pascoag, RI and the New Hampshire Meridith Rotary Lake Wiini. Derby on Feb 10, 11th 2018
Crystal Lake Derby, Gray Me. Last week end of January, 2018 and the Sebago Lake Rotary Derby, ME

Public Meetings on Moose in Vermont

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

VTF&W photo by Wayne Laroche

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is holding three public informational meetings about Vermont’s moose in December. 

 

“We are holding the meetings on the status of Vermont’s moose population, including information about new challenges facing moose and current research efforts here in the Northeast,” said Vermont’s Director of Wildlife Mark Scott.  “We want to share information and educate Vermonters about Vermont’s moose population, and get a better feel for what other information the public would like about Vermont’s moose herd. Anyone interested in Vermont’s moose population will want to attend one of these meetings.”

 

The meetings will include information about historical moose populations in Vermont, the impacts of climate change and winter ticks on Vermont’s population, and the current three-year moose study in which moose cows and calves are being monitored for survival.

 

Wildlife staff will be on hand to show pictures of Vermont moose and their habitats.  The meetings are free and will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:

 

December 13 -- Northwoods Stewardship Center, 154 Leadership Dr, Island Pond, VT 05846

December 14 – Montpelier High School, 5 High School Drive, Montpelier, VT 05602

December 19 – Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater, 69 Old River Road, Woodstock, VT 05091

State Game Wardens Conducting Roadside Checks

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

BAKERSFIELD, Vt. – Drivers out and about in Vermont this fall may be stopped and checked by Vermont State Game Wardens.  Wardens recently conducted such a routine hunting season check of motor vehicles on Sunday, November 19, in Bakersfield. 
 
“We conducted this check to enforce hunting-related laws with the assistance of Vermont State Police to help enforce other laws,” said Warden Major George Scribner.
 
Vehicles were stopped at the intersection of Route 108 and East Bakersfield Road in Bakersfield between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m.  Wardens contacted more than 200 vehicles and inspected many firearms throughout the evening.  Four loaded long guns, five drug possession violations, four alcohol-related offenses and six motor vehicle infractions were discovered. 
 
A person convicted of having a loaded long gun in a motor vehicle is subject to a $435 fine and a one-year loss of their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges.
 
“We will conduct these checkpoints periodically throughout the fall,” added Scribner.  “Our goal is to heighten public awareness about warden presence during deer season in order to decrease violations.”

Consider donating all or part of your harvest this hunting season to Hunters for the Hungry

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Maine sportsmen and sportswomen who enjoy participating in hunting can also help provide thousands of nutritious meals to hungry people across the State.

  All New England Hunters, check in your own State for a similar program.

Through the Hunters for the Hungry program, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry distributes the donations of game meat to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters affiliated with The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The program accepts donations of bear, deer and moose. Road kill donations are also accepted, provided the meat is not damaged. The costs of processing the meat are paid for by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the charity that receives the food. Hunters may choose to donate all or some of their game meat to the program - every donation helps! 

For more information, to donate, or to get connected to a Hunters for the Hungry participating meat processor call 207-287-7513 or visit the Facebook page!

Is There an Association Between Lyme Disease and Suicidality?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Robert Bransfield, MD, DLFAPA, private practice, Psychiatry, in Red Bank, New Jersey, explains the potential correlation between Lyme and associated diseases and suicidality.

"If we look at the association between suicide in Lyme and associated diseases, for many years, when we would be in a room full of physicians, we would say, ‘Well, what’s the most common cause of death from Lyme disease?’ And there was a strong consensus that it was suicide. Now, some people would die from opioid overdoses that would occur, sometimes different neurological conditions or heart problems but suicide, by far, was the main cause.

When I gave a lecture recently, I asked, ‘How many of you in the audience know someone with Lyme disease who committed suicide?’ and two-thirds of the people in that room raised their hands; there were a couple of hundred people in the audience. So, it is the major cause, but it doesn’t occur immediately after someone has a bulls eye rash; it’s usually several years later, and it’s a correlation, it’s been observed.

I can explain it by the physiology; just like other chronic infections, and we see it with HIV, hepatitis C, other chronic infections where there’s persistent inflammation, we can see a correlation with suicide, so it makes sense. And when we look through the medical literature, we can see that there are quite a few journal articles describing case reports. So, in looking at that, I went through a number of my old charts, and I went through 253 charts and found that a high percentage of those, 43%, had a history of being suicidal at some point.

Now, I realize that this is not representative of all patients with Lyme disease because these were the patients who went to a psychiatrist, so there were more patients who had psychiatric symptoms. But looking at other statistics, they range from 18%, some were higher—like 30%, 37%, a couple of studies, so it does seem like there is a strong correlation that occurs.

And if we try to explain it, you can explain it partly by the physiology of the biochemistry and how it affects the brain, but another explanation is that Lyme patients often feel that they have a disease that would be categorized as an invisible disability, and it’s hard for them to understand what’s happening to them. They do not get so much support from family, friends, doctors, and health care assistants, because it’s hard for people to understand it, and people look at them and they say, ‘Well, you have two arms, two legs; you seem okay. And so, there isn’t the validation, and often, there’s a frustration, and that doesn’t help. There’s a feeling of alienation in addition to the pathophysiological process. So, we do see that, and I see this frequently—people struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Another part of it is that you often see that Lyme and associated diseases are associated with a lot of psychiatric symptoms that progress years later in the course of the illness. And the additive effect of all of these symptoms can contribute to suicidality in some people. Certainly not everybody, but there is a certain population that has it, and a population that does not have that.”
Source: CONTAGION® EDITORIAL STAFF

Fall Foods Abundant for Wildlife

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

VTF&W photo by John Hall

Mountain ash berries were one of the fall foods enjoyed by wildlife this year.  

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Vermont Fish & Wildlife is reporting that several important fall foods for wildlife were abundant this year. 

 

“Fish & Wildlife staff surveyed 27 mast stands around the state in late September and early October and found that beechnut counts were excellent, with the highest numbers recorded since 1998,” said State Wildlife Biologist Forrest Hammond.  “They also found abundant deer and bear sign in the beech stands.”

 

Hammond said acorn production was found to be good in oak stands, and mountain ash berries were very abundant at high elevations.  He added that apples were available at high numbers early, but that most had fallen by late October. 

Nearly half-century-old fish caught and released during fish surveys on Lake Superior

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

BAYFIELD, Wis. — State fish biologists conducting spawning surveys on Lake Superior hauled in a lake trout earlier this month that hatched when Richard Nixon was president.
The fish was originally caught and released during the Wisconsin DNR‘s spawning assessments for lake trout in 1981. It was caught and released again Nov. 2 in the same fish refuge, the Gull Island Shoal of Lake Superior.
“We often think of a fish’s life span being relatively short, maybe 10 years,” says Terry Margenau, DNR fisheries supervisor. “But lake trout are slow growing and have a longevity that will rival that of the ancient sturgeon.”

To help assess the condition of lake trout on Lake Superior, the DNR has been conducting spawning lake trout assessments since 1951. Part of the assessment includes tagging the fish caught and releasing them so biologists can monitor their growth and movement in future years.
The fish caught Nov. 2 had first been tagged in 1981 when it was 27.3 inches during a DNR spawning assessment on Gull Island Shoal of Lake Superior. The same fish was handled again in 2017 during the same spawning assessment and measured 35.5 inches, Ray says.
“This lake trout grew about 8 inches over 36 years, or less than a quarter inch per year,” he says. “So very slow growing. Its age is also interesting.
“Considering this fish was likely 10 to 12 years old when it was tagged in 1981, this fall it would have been at least 46 years old.”
The same fish would be caught by DNR seven more times during surveys, Ray says.
In all of those instances, the fish was captured in the Gull Island Refuge. Source:

Wisconsin DNR Reports

American Museum of Fly Fishing appoints new executive director

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Manchester, Vermont (November 9, 2017) – The Board of Trustees of the American Museum of Fly Fishing is pleased to announce Sarah Foster as the Museum’s new Executive Director. A valued member of the AMFF team since 2007, Mrs. Foster brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the position. She previously served as the Museum’s Director of Development.
Karen Kaplan, AMFF Board President said today, “Sarah is an AMFF staff veteran, highly respected by both the Trustees and staff, whose expertise will lead the Museum forward in a smart and positive way. We greatly welcome her as our new Executive Director.”
“2018 marks the Museum’s 50th anniversary which is honorable in its own right, but coupled with the launch of our anticipated saltwater exhibition and the creation of a new permanent fly room, we have set the stage for an exciting year. The Museum has a wonderful Board and loyal supporters locally, across the country, and around the world,” commented Mrs. Foster today from her office overlooking Main Street in Manchester Village. She went on to say, “The Museum is an important cultural landmark here in Vermont and also does a wonderful job serving the fly fishing community at large, and continues to be a place where angling historians, life-long enthusiasts, and new-comers alike can come together (either in person or online) to celebrate the rich history and tradition of our sport.”
Mrs. Foster is a graduate of the University of Albany and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Business. She is a longtime resident of Shushan, New York where she lives with her husband and two children along the Battenkill River. She is an avid barrel racer and serves as treasurer at her local church.
About the American Museum of Fly Fishing
The American Museum of Fly Fishing is the steward of the history, traditions, and practices of the sport of fly-fishing and promotes the conservation of its waters. The Museum collects, preserves, exhibits, studies, and interprets the artifacts, art, and literature of the sport and, through a variety of outreach platforms, uses these resources to engage, educate, and benefit all. The Museum fulfills this mission through our public programs (including exhibitions, gallery programs, lectures, special events, and presentations), our publications, and our quarterly journal, The American Fly Fisher.
For more information about the Museum please visit our website http://www.amff.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Source: American Museum of Fly Fishing Press Release

"Salmon Sunday" Nov. 12 at New Hampshire's Pope Dam

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CONCORD, N.H. -- This weekend, you'll have a chance to explore the life cycle of landlocked salmon, fish prized by anglers on New Hampshire's big lakes, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's annual "Salmon Sunday." The event takes place on Sunday, November 12, 2017, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Pope Dam in Melvin Village. Pope Dam is nine miles north of Wolfeboro on Route 109 in the town of Tuftonboro, N.H.

During the event, fisheries biologists will be busy harvesting, or "stripping," eggs and milt from adult salmon. Standing knee-deep in the cold water of the Melvin River, scientists expertly relieve the colorful adult female salmon of their eggs by stroking their stomachs. Milt from the male fish is obtained in the same way and mixed with the gold-colored eggs to fertilize them.

Fish and Game staff will be on hand to answer questions about salmon, the egg-stripping process, and the stocking program that ensures these beautiful fish continue to be available in the lakes for anglers to catch. Salmon Sunday is a "rain or shine" event. Dress warmly. If you have questions about Salmon Sunday, call (603) 744-5470.

Underwater photographer Bob Michelson, of Braintree, Massachusetts, is scheduled to be at the event displaying images depicting the underwater life history of Atlantic salmon. Michelson will be available to answer questions about his observations of this species in the wild, as well as about SCUBA diving and underwater photography. Michelson has been a certified SCUBA diver and underwater photographer for almost 40 years. His work has been published widely, and his video footage and programming have aired on national networks. Michelson has generously donated many of his fish collection images for use on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website for education/outreach efforts.

Learn more about fisheries management in New Hampshire, which is funded in part by the federal Sport Fish Registration Program (financed by your purchases of fishing equipment and motorboat fuel), at www.fishnh.com/fishing/fisheries-mgt.html.

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2018 New England Fishing & Outdoor Expo...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Mark your Calendar or Event reminder app.

Maine Fisherman Sentenced for Illegally Trafficking American Eels

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Tommy Water Zhou was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment today for trafficking juvenile American eels (also called "elvers" or "glass eels") in violation of the Lacey Act, following a hearing in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia. The sentence was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia.

In April 2017, Zhou pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act by purchasing elvers in interstate commerce that had been harvested illegally in Virginia. Court documents indicate that Zhou trafficked at least 105 pounds of elvers, which is approximately 210,000 individual eels, and worth more than $105,000. Zhou subsequently sold these elvers to international buyers and exported them from the United States.

"Illegal harvesting and trafficking of wildlife represents a dire threat to our critical ecosystems," said U.S. Attorney Boente. "This case reaffirms our commitment to protecting Virginia's natural resources for future generations."

"Wildlife trafficking is a transnational crime which devastates species both at home and abroad," said Acting Chief of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ed Grace. "In this case, the defendant chose to illegally harvest American eels – the only species of freshwater eel found in North America. This animal plays a critical role in native ecosystems and is negatively impacted by the illegal wildlife trade. We will continue to work with the Department of Justice and others to protect this species and bring those who choose profit over preservation to justice."

Eels are highly valued in East Asia for human consumption. Historically, Japanese and European eels were harvested to meet this demand; however, overfishing has led to a decline in these populations. As a result, harvesters have turned to the American eel to fill the void.

American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean bounded on all sides by ocean currents. They then travel as larvae from the Sargasso to the coastal waters of the eastern United States, where they enter a juvenile or elver stage, swim upriver, and grow to adulthood in fresh water. Elvers are exported for aquaculture in East Asia, where they are raised to adult size and sold for food. Harvesters and exporters of American eels in the United States can sell elvers to East Asia for more than $2,000 per pound.

Because of the threat of overfishing, Atlantic Coast states have cooperatively prohibited elver harvesting in all but two states: Maine and South Carolina. Maine and South Carolina heavily regulate elver fisheries, requiring that individuals be licensed and report all quantities of harvested eels to state authorities. Other Atlantic coast states, including Virginia, have commercial fisheries for adult or "yellow" eels.

This case was the result of "Operation Broken Glass," a multi-jurisdiction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation into the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the in
vestigation has resulted in guilty pleas for 18 individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $5 million worth of elvers.

"In this operation, we are actively partnering with state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to protect our nation's marine resources from further exploitation." said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wood.
Operation Broken Glass was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section in collaboration with the Maine Marine Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police, USFWS Refuge Law Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Law Enforcement, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game Division of Law Enforcement, Maryland Natural Resources Police, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Division of Natural Resources, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

The government is represented by Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorneys Cassandra Barnum and Shane Waller, and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Kosky.       

Fall Fly Tying Workshop

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

3 Dates: November 6,  20,  27

2017 Time:7 PM to 9 PM at Cold Springs Community Center, North Kingstown. Come in from the cold and prepare for the spring fly fishing season. DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Aquatic Resource Education program is once again offering its ‘Fall Fly Tying’ classes. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate fly tyer, these classes are designed for both saltwater and freshwater fly tying enthusiasts. Classes will be held on consecutive Mondays, beginning on November 6th and going until December 18th with the exception of November 13th (state observance of Veterans Day). Children 10 and up are welcome with an adult. Pre-registration preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more here or contact Kimberly Sullivan at 539-0019 or Kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov. Learn more about DEM Aquatic Resource Education

Wilson's Reservoir ( Jaron Site) Pascoag, RI

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photos property of Wayne G. Barber

Photos: Wayne G. Barber Collection

                    Fresh water 112 acres man-made earthern dam reservoir in northern RI.

The State boat ramp is on East Wallum Lake road  Take a right .06 miles off RT. 100 Wallum Lake road at the White Mill town park and the boat ramp is on the left. The body of water has always been called Wilson's Reservoir and now the RI DEM has a different sign at the entrance for Jaron Site fishing area. Very good cement boat launch area and a favorite for canoes and kayaking.
There is a 10hp limit on motors. The shoreline of the reservoir is a mix of developed and undeveloped land, but almost all of the shoreline is privately owned. About 75 year round and summer cottages surround about 40 % of the shoreline.

Gravel parking lot for about twenty cars and a little less if theirs a bass tournament in progress. Handicap parking signs are clearly posted and one of the few fresh water parking lots with a all night LED light for weigh in'

 Their is a few parking spots on Neris Way off RT. 100 Wallum Lake road at the dam and in front of this dam is the deepest portion of the body of water at 13 feet. A majority of the reservoir is between 3 feet to 6 feet deep and is lowered every fall and then closed to refill in middle March. The water comes from Wallum Lake and is gravity fed by a gate above on South Shore Road a left off of Rt.100

Wallum Lake Gate

The known population: consists of Yellow Perch,Blue Gill, Red Breasted Bluegill, Golden Shiners, Dace,Alewives,Green Breasted Bluegill,Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Occasional Brown Trout thru the Ice in one derby. The stocking truck heading to Wallum Lake surprised us with a few or got thru the gate above from Wallum Lake,Pickerel, Red Finn Pickerel, Largemouth Bass were introduced in

1956 which altered the resident smallmouth population to a handful stunted to 8 to 10 inch, Brown Bullhead and Albino Bullhead, Snapping ,Painted Turtles. Otters,Mink,Raccoon, Muskrats, Snakes, Crawfish, Osprey, Sea Gull, Green and Blue Herons and occasional Eagle passing by to go to Wallum Lake.

Since about 1960 the changing water use from industrial to recreational purposes has resulted in more stable water levels. As a consequence, the pan fish population has become dominant. 

 During the summer from late April thru the last of October the local Tuesday Night Bass club and the Thursday night BBC Burrillville Bass Club fish from 5pm to 8:00pm on a rotating basis and never the same week with the other 8 bodies of freshwater local bodies and catch and release all after the weigh in.  The first safe ice is on the Brouillard Lane Cove side of the reservoir.Ice permitting the Townsman Club holds a derby for the one fish largest bass after first ice. The second group, Burrillville Grid Iron Hebert Memorial Derby includes a nice warm Dynamite Submarine sandwich at the fund raiser and lately the Victory Sportsman Club from nearby Glocester will follow for a annual derby. The largest ice derby that I put on here drew 130 fishers with 5 tilts apiece for a local charity, Between the Cracks. 5.7 lb Bass, 4lb,7 oz Pickerel and the Bill Bodnar, Yellow Perch Award was for a one pound 12 inch fish. Another year there was a Otter under the ice, stealing shiners, cutting line and causing a lot of false thoughts of a really Big Fish !

URI biologist have electro charged here and told me that the body had the highest concentration of fish per acre in their studies and some really big Snapping Turtles and Black Water Snakes.

Black Bear Hunt in Connecticut is on hold....

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

 Six e-mails the past two weeks on this subject and this is what I found out for you.

 Democrats killed legislation to allow the state's first bear hunt since 1840 by substituting it with an amendment banning the importing, possession and sale of trophies from five African big-game animals.
After nearly two hours of debate in the Senate on the merits of bear hunting, with Sen. Craig Miner, a Litchfield Republican and co-chair of the environment committee the bill's chief proponent, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman broke a 18-18 tie along party lines to pass the amendment.

Republicans said a bear hunt is needed to combat the state's increasing black bear population, particularly in Litchfield County. Interactions between bears and humans have become more and more common, they said, and though no injuries or deaths have been reported, a hunt would help to thin the population and reduce the risk.

"I don't want Connecticut to be the first place where we see the YouTube video of a bear dragging a young child or an elderly person off into the woods and mauling that person or causing harm to them," said Sen. Eric Berthel, a Watertown Republican who recalled recently seeing a bear at the edge of his property while his children played in the yard.
But Democrats questioned if now was the time to institute a bear hunt. Senate Democratic Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk said the ratio of bears to humans in Connecticut is much lower than other states that allow hunting, like Maine.
Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, represents towns with some of the most annual bear sightings including Farmington (425) Burlington (257) and West Hartford (220).
"My emails and phone calls still overwhelmingly oppose bear hunting," she said. "In some ways my constituents have come to know that bears are part of their surroundings."
Source: Courant News and DEEP Photo

Farewell from Dennis Schain

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Thank You, from the entire Outdoor Scene Nation on www.waynebarbersoutdoorscene.blogspot.com

Dear Friends,

When the sun sets today to start the celebration of Halloween eve, I will mysteriously vanish from DEEP and head off into retirement.

After more than 12 years as Communications Director the time has come for me to move on to new adventures.

Working here at DEEP has been the most exciting, interesting, and rewarding job of my career – by far.

Part of the reason for that is the opportunity I had to work with you and so many other great people in the world of the Connecticut media.  I leave here with profound respect and appreciation for the work you do to keep the people of this state informed about important issues and the workings of their government.

There is a succession plan for DEEP Communications and a new Director will be announced and in place very soon.  In the meantime, if you need assistance, please contact Rosalynn Grzywinski in the Commissioner’s office and she will make sure someone helps you.  You can reach her at Rosalynn.Grzywinski@ct.gov or at 860-424-3878.

And, as always, after hours, weekends, and holidays call our Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333 and ask them to have the on-call Communications person get back to you.

Thank you very much. I’ve enjoyed working with you all and wish you all the best.

Dennis

Thank You, for making my job of reporting all Nutmeg State outdoor news a whole lot of fun, Wayne G.Barber