‘Adopt-a-garden’ in North Canaan

Gardens will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis.

Submitted

‘Adopt-a-garden’ in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN — Dwindling membership in the Beautification Committee has prompted officials to seek solutions for maintenance of public gardens.

At a Monday, March 4, meeting of the Board of Selectmen (BOS), First Selectman Brian Ohler announced a new plan to partner with local landscapers to create “live advertisements.”

Professionals will be able to adopt town-owned garden beds and will subsequently be responsible for the planting and upkeep of the plots.

Ohler stated, “North Canaan is home to so many talented landscapers and to organizations who continuously ask how they can help out our town. This is how communities come together, to show off just how amazing our small blue-collar town is.”

Bunny McGuire of the Beautification Committee said just four volunteers remain actively involved and outside help “would be a godsend.”

BOS identified six gardens around town that will be eligible for adoption.

“It’s worth a shot,” said Ohler.

Newsletter

In an effort to improve communication between Town Hall and residents, BOS will begin releasing a digital newsletter.

Ohler said the newsletter will be distributed via email and will include town updates, meeting agendas, “you name it.”

It will be distributed through Constant Contact, a service that provides templates, analytics, and mailing list coordination of up to 2,500 users for a fee of $45 per month.

Selectman Jesse Bunce presented his draft for the March newsletter, which included information on upcoming events, such as the drone and fireworks show planned for the 60th annual Railroad Days this summer, and a warning about bears waking from hibernation.

Information on how to join the mailing list will be released by the end March.

Appointments

BOS made several appointments to town commissions during the March 4 meeting.

Inland/Wetlands Commission

Matthew Freund

Barry Brown

Robert Jacquier

Michael O’Connor

Recreation Committee

Justin Ellison

Economic Development Commission

Kyle Considine

Latest News

Luigina A. Dzenutis

CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.

Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less