2024 recap

2024 was a year unlike any other in Norfolk

NORFOLK — Weather wise Norfolk and Litchfield county experienced beyond average rainfall in July and August and historic drought in the fall. Great Mountain Forest property manager Russell Russ reported September and October as being the driest on record.

Extremely dry conditions in Litchfield County prompted a no burn fire warning from Public Information Officer and fireman Jon Barbagallo.

Sadly, a tree fell on a passing vehicle on Route 44 Friday, Oct. 25 killed two passengers and ignited a brush fire due to the extremely dry conditions. Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department and other area fire departments were able to contain the fire. Further north, the Butternut Fire in Great Barrington resulted in over 1,670 acres burned. Rain and snow helped extinguish the fire and were greatly welcome.

Drivers passing through Norfolk experienced delays on Greenwoods Road West below the Catholic Church due to Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (DOT) work replacing existing retaining walls to stabilize the slope along the north side of the road, a project that is expected to take five years.

On a brighter note, a five-megawatt, 13-acre solar array was established at the Norfolk Transfer Station. The project takes advantage of land deemed unusable for other purposes and is designed to reduce carbon debt. The project is the result of an agreement between Norfolk and Lodestar Energy, now owned by New Jersey Resources (NJR). Norfolk should receive $42,000 per year, bringing much needed revenue to town.

Norfolk saw a summer full of music, art, and literary culture for which the town is well known. The Haystack Book Festival brought together authors and readers for “book talks” in late September and early October. Highlights included author Susan Seidleman who presented her book “Desperately Seeking Something” with a moderated conversation and screening of the film “Desperately Seeking Susan” at the Norfolk Library.

The Norfolk Library held its ever popular annual book from August 27-29th raising funds for library programs and providing the public great prices. A cultural hub, the Norfolk Library presents concerts year round.

The first weekend of August featured music on Robertson Plaza, nature walk, tours of historic buildings, and more as part of WIN - A Weekend in Norfolk, which celebrates the town’s creativity and natural beauty. Classical music was also on offer at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival with concerts at the “Shed” as well as rock, folk, and other musical styling at Infinity Hall Norfolk.

Located at the highest elevation in Connecticut, Norfolk gets some of the coldest temperatures and deepest snowfall in the state and is lovingly known as the “icebox”. Embracing the name, The Icebox Cafe opened its doors mid December after two years of delays. Owners Peter and Marinelle Crippen bring years of restaurant experience and offer home baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee in the historic train depot in downtown Norfolk.

2024 recap

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Thanks To You, Our Recent Donors

Thanks To You, Our Recent Donors

Your contributions over the last year have made delivering trusted, local news possible.

Listed are donors who generously made a gift to The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News between January 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026*

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Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

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Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

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Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Note: An earlier version of this article included a different photo.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

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Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

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To save birds, plant for caterpillars

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

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