By Sharon Challenger
(October 10, 2023) — Mark your calendars because, in the Spring of 2024, the Haddam Horseshoe League will be returning to Higganum Center!
In an effort to help bring life back into the center, Mr. Bhavesh Patel, owner of the Hi-Way Package store, will be sponsoring the league and helping to create new horseshoe pits behind the store on the vacant lot next to Liberty Bank. He and Mike Zanelli, league president, have been working together over the past several months to make the plan a reality.
Mr. Patel is supporting this effort because he feels that it will bring back a feeling of small-town charm that Higganum had when the leagues were located in the center. He wants “to encourage people to join in this lively sport and form new friendships.”
When asked why he decided to sponsor the league he said he feels that “businesses can help support efforts to build town centers.” He wants to be a part of creating a lively town center atmosphere.
Gail Powell, Manager and former owner of the Hi-Way Package Store, reflected on how much joy she felt hearing the sounds of clinking horseshoes when the league was formerly located on the site. She looks forward to hearing those sounds again!
Excavation to place the horseshoe stakes (16) in the eight sets of pits will start in April 2024. Each stake will be encased in a five-gallon bucket of cement. The metal stakes are four feet long but only fifteen inches are exposed from ground level to the top of the stake.
The pitching frames are constructed of 2’ x 4’s and must be placed centered and level around each of the stakes.
When asked who would be helping with the excavation, Zanelli said, “Bill Orlando, who owns a stump grinding business, has donated his time and backhoe for this project. I am looking for an additional machine and operator to help out.”
Contact Mike Zanelli at 860 301-3881
E-mail mazanelli@aol.com
FAQS:
The league currently has 32 members and began in 1986.
Minimum age is 18 years old.
Jan Foster is their oldest member at age 88. Zanelli remarked, “Jan was determined to improve, practiced every day and this year she had great success.”
They play on Tuesday evenings from May through August.
New members are always welcome and no experience is necessary.
The league will establish a handicap for new members.
The location will be behind the Hi-Way Package Store in the field next to Liberty Bank.
Parking will be available at the far end of the Roadrunner Café parking lot, courtesy of Nutmeg Pharmacy Pharmacist, Greg McKenna.
Photos by Sharon Challenger
