Local Karate Masters Promoted

(L-R, front) new 5th degree black belts Howard Daniels, Garth Charland and Kenneth Laliberte; (rear) Masters Mark Stockton, Peter Desorda, Robert Gelinas, Scott Hanson, Michael Bogdanski and Jeff Laliberte.

On Saturday, August 3, three local martial artists were tested and promoted to the rank of 5th degree black belt. Howard Daniels resides in Beacon Falls, CT and he teaches karate at the Grange Club. Garth Charland owns and operates the Charland Institute in Watertown. Kenneth Laliberte resides in Thomaston and teaches karate there for the local Parks and Recreation Department.

All three were at their previous rank of 4th degree for at least six years and up to eleven years. Daniels, Charland and Laliberte were three of five Masters who started the Tang Soo Do Masters Alliance in 1996. This alliance binds all of their clubs together plus six other clubs in Plymouth, Waterbury, Morris, Litchfield, Putnam, and at the Taft School in Watertown.