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The team started off the day by visiting the beautiful statue of the Peace Run founder, Sri Chinmoy, in Rhode Island.
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The men's team ran over a causeway situated on the border of Rhode Island and Connecticut, dedicated to Sri Chinmoy.
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We finally reached Connecticut today! Arpan gets to run the torch into his home state with only two days away from New York.
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We were thrilled that Paul Androskewicz was able to join us and run with us, as he has for many years now.
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Holding the torch is Bill Champagne from Connecticut- a long time friend of the Peace Run who helps to organize our events in Norwich.
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The women's team making little skits for the children in which they had to judge whether the behaviour was peaceful or nonpeaceful...
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Tim Smith, a local runner who has been racing for over 4 decades, leads the children in a peace train run around the schoolyard.
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The team then met with members of the Norwich Rotary Club's Celebrate Cultural Diversity Committee at Norwich Harbour.
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A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Committee. Barry Shead, local Bank Manager and Committee member, accepted the Certificate.
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Our Peace Run Torch Bearer award was presented to Marlene Owen for her work in founding the Celebrate Cultural Diversity Committee.
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Thank you Tim Smith for being such an inspiring supporter and friend of the Peace Run for so many years.
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Arpan meets up with his good friend Mike Katz, who also has been a good friend of Sri Chinmoy and was honored by him a number of times.
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We sang the Peace Run song while Winston Churchill, Mike's adored pet dog, sang along in his own way.
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Mike was presented with the Peace Run Torch Bearer Award for his amazing achievements in the body building era of his life; his 35 year teaching career; his work with the Para-Olympics, and his fitness work with clients in his fitness centers in southern Connecticut.
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Mike was so warm and welcoming as we introduced ourselves to him and he had something good to say about every country.
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Jack Coutts, Co-Owner and Manager of Marco Restaurant, receives our Certificate of Appreciation with Mike for treating us to such a great meal.
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Arpan was thrilled to honor his two friends and former Hamden residents, the town where Arpan also grew up.
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Mike kindly offered the team a free meal at Marco Pizzeria and Restaurant, voted number one Pizzeria in Branford.