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Babs Perkins, right and the Hunt Library’s Meg Sher prepare cheese sample plates for an overflow audience at the library Saturday, Nov. 15.
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — Photographer and cheese researcher Babs Perkins gave an unusual presentation at The David M. Hunt Library Saturday, Nov. 15.
There was a slide show, and plenty of information, as per usual.
What made it unusual was the samples of cheese — not just any cheese, but a rare cheese made by a few people in the former Yugoslavia.
“In Search of the Whey: Tracking down a Balkan cheese on the verge of extinction and why it matters to us in Northwest Connecticut” featured photographs taken by Perkins in what she described as “10 years in the field,” tracking down the makers of traditional cheeses in the Balkans.
The cheese in question is called “Sir iz Mijeha.” There are variations on this name, depending on where you are in the Balkans and who you are talking to.
Perkins explained that the countries that make up the former Yugoslavia are defined by religious, ethnic and political divisions that are difficult for outsiders to penetrate.
Economic and demographic forces are combining in the region in such a way that traditional cheeses “are on the verge of extinction.”
When Yugoslavia ceased to function as a Communist federation in 1989, and the country broke into its constituent republics, there followed a 10-year period of civil wars based on ethnic and religious differences.
Perkins said one big problem for the traditional cheese industry is that the civil war period killed a lot of men. She pointed out that women outnumbered men in her photos, and that almost everyone involved was elderly.
The reason the cheeses are going extinct is because of the loss of generational knowledge, teaching and tradition, or “intangible cultural heritage” (as opposed to tangible cultural heritage, such as archaeological sites).
Perkins took the audience through a visual tour, in both video and still photographs, of the cheese being made in stone buildings, with wood-fired stoves, in remote, high-elevation settings.
Then it was time for the taste test. Everybody got a small plate with four pieces of cheese and a couple of pieces of bread as a palate cleanser. A mark in the upper left-hand corner of the plate indicated where to start.
Some of the cheeses were made from cow’s milk, some from sheep’s milk, and some were a combination. Perkins said cows produce much more milk than sheep, so if a cheese maker is aiming at volume, a cow is more efficient.
The taste test was very popular with the audience.
Perkins said that despite the economic and demographic headwinds, there are signs that the traditional cheese industry is making a comeback.
She told the story of one youngish man who left the farm, went to university and earned two master’s degrees, yet could not find a job.
So he returned to the farm to make a go of it.
This is what Perkins is most interested in.
“For me, the intangible cultural heritage is the bedrock of the culture. It’s a tool for social cohesion, community building, peace building.”
How does this translate to Northwest Connecticut?
Perkins said if Connecticut consumers make the effort to find the local farmers who are growing heritage tomatoes (for instance), they will be using the same process of maintaining intangible cultural heritage elements as the Balkan cheese makers.
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SHARON — After more than two decades in business, Shear Illusions in Sharon will close its doors in late December. Owner Rebecca Welsh will be cutting hair at Kent Hair Studio going forward.
“I’m sorry to be closing the doors, I just feel like it’s time for a change,” Welsh said.
Shear Illusions opened in May 2005 in the Sharon Plaza, where it operated for 12 years. Welsh moved the business into its current location on West Main Street in 2017.
Welsh has been cutting hair for 35 years. After getting her cosmetician license in Poughkeepsie, New York, Welsh’s first haircutting job was in Millerton at Main Street Hair. Following subsequent employment in Millbrook, Welsh moved to California where she continued her career.
After a few years, Welsh returned to the area and worked at Kent Hair Studio before purchasing Shear Illusions.
Now, she will be returning to Kent Hair Studio, currently run by Debbie Row.
“It’s bittersweet, but I just feel like it’s time to move forward, and putting in 20 years… that’s a lot.” Welsh said. “I hope you all join me at Kent Hair Studio.”
Although she is only moving one town over, Welsh was thankful for her time in Sharon and was hopeful that any clients who still want her services would know where to find her going forward.
Welsh can be reached in Sharon at 860-364-5111 until the end of the year. The number for Kent Hair Studio is 860-927-3342.
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Kellogg welcomes new principal
Nov 19, 2025
Andrew Deacon
Provided
FALLS VILLAGE — Andrew Deacon has been appointed principal of Lee H. Kellogg School, effective Dec. 1. He succeeds Stacey Calo, who resigned earlier in the school year and stepped down last month.
Deacon was at a meet and greet with the Kellogg community Monday afternoon, Nov. 17 in the school library.
He said he was encouraged by his warm reception in his initial meetings with students, parents and school staff. When he takes over next month, “there will be a lot of listening and learning”
“And I’ll be building relationships.”
Deacon currently serves as a literacy interventionist and instructional coach at Sharon Center School. His previous experience includes roles as supervisor of student development and academic success for grades Pre-K–12 in the Milford Public Schools, as well as director of academics and intervention support for grades K–5, assistant principal, literacy and numeracy specialist, and fourth-grade teacher in the Torrington Public Schools.
Deacon holds a bachelor’s in art history from Manhattanville College, a master’s in elementary education and a sixth-year certificate in reading and language arts from the University of Bridgeport, a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport, and a Superintendent of Schools Certificate from Sacred Heart University.
Region One Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley said in a Nov. 7 email that she will be working out of Kellogg throughout November.
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Housatonic Valley Regional High School Wall of Honor recipients and nominators. From left: Tracy Atwood, Tom Zetterstrom, Katie Godburn Shubert, Erin Godburn Lamb, Diane Lotz Coe, Dorothy Segalla Lotz, Sara Sinclair Jack, Ellery ‘Woods’ Sinclair, Jonathan Higgins, Willie Hallihan and Mark Miles.
Ruth Epstein
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School is a place of pride. There is pride in its building and campus; in the support it receives from the community and its students and staff.
There is also a great amount of pride for its graduates, and that is clearly evident in the Wall of Honor sponsored by the school’s alumni association. The latest inductees were installed at a ceremony held on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Established in 2017, the Wall of Honor recognizes graduates who display strong character traits, personal/professional achievements and have given significant volunteer service to their communities. Six individuals were added to those who have previously been recognized. They are: Jon Higgins, class of 1969; Erin Godburn Lamb, ’01; Dorothy Segalla Lotz, ’52; Marshall Miles, ’71; Ellery “Woods” Sinclair, ‘56 and Tom Zetterstrom, ‘63.
In his opening, Principal Ian Strever spoke specifically of three of the inductees who made an impression on him. He said Miles, (the only one who was honored posthumously) was a voice to those who faced injustice, Sinclair, for his reverence to the school, and Zetterstrom, who has doggedly worked to beautify the school grounds. “These alumni have achieved in so many ways and exemplify the core values of this institution.”
John “Willie” Hallihan introduced Higgins, whom he met back in their school days on the football field. “Even back then there was evidence of his leadership,” he said. He spoke of his extensive business accomplishments and service to the community. “His resume is but half of the story,” said Hallihan. “It’s also what he’s done for individuals. It’s hard to quantify. He’s a humble man and still doesn’t know why he’s here, but I do. Many have been touched by his ripples of generosity.”
Higgins, in his acceptance, said, “I’m honored and humbled, and then joked, “After listening to him, I might be something.”
In speaking of her sister Lamb, Katie Godburn Shubert said her true calling became apparent when she became a mother, first to a child with a genetic disorder and then a few years later to quadruplets. Two of the children have disabilities and she has worked tirelessly as an advocate for families with similar situations. She is a founding member of organizations whose focus is on helping those families with special needs. “She is a quiet leader whose skills were developed here,” said Shubert. “She has truly given back to her community.”
Said Lamb, “My time at Housatonic prepared me for life, but in an unexpected path. What I learned here, was how to learn. I needed to stand up for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.
Diane Lotz Coe spoke on behalf of her mother, saying her yearbook quote fit her well: “Good nature and good sense must ever join.” Coe spoke of Lotz’s long tenure as a nurse at Sharon Hospital and the accomplishments she made in that field, including helping to design the ICU, as a supervisor overseeing all the units and assistant director of nursing. “She brought joy to the hospital with her number one priority being the safety and well being of all the patients.”
Miles was nominated by his brother Mark Miles, who said he wished he could have been there that day. Miles realized his dream of being a radio announcer and for decades was the voice of the Northwest Corner.
“He could get into difficult situations because he knew it was right,” said Miles. “After he died, I found out all the things he did for the community. He was always promoting entrepreneurs and charities. He wanted to get messages out to the community.”
Sinclair came back to his alma mater as a teacher in 1963, making a great impact on the legions of students he taught. Those who went through his classes all knew about his affinity for “Moby Dick.” Eventually becoming chairman of the English department, he enjoyed connecting his students with nature. His daughter Sara Sinclair Jack said he “had a passion for his community of Falls Village, serving on a host of committees, including more than 50 years on the board of the D.M. Hunt Library.
In his acceptance, Sinclair said, “I was so enriched by the experiences here at this high school and community.”
Tracy Atwood nominated Zetterstrom, noting his reverence for trees. As a photographer with a passion for trees, he has supported a great number of initiatives to save endangered species. As a conscientious objector back during the Vietnam War, he was in Washington, DC, working with underprivileged students on art projects. 300 of which are owned by the Smithsonian Institution. Zetterstrom’s works are in several museums, including the Library of Congress. More recently, his work is focused on ridding invasive plants that are destroying the landscape.
Zetterstrom recalled how the Housatonic campus was barren after a renovation and the Arboretum and Landscape Committee essentially did what the WPA did when it built the school in 1939; helped to make it green. He has spearheaded a movement of installing trees, many of which are provided by various alumni classes. “These have added to the beauty of the campus,” he said.
At the end of the program, the audience members joined in singing the school song. A luncheon for all followed.
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