An appreciation: Joe Brennan

Our community has lost a treasure with the passing of Joe Brennan.

Joe was more than a restorer of early houses, he was a house whisperer.

His eye for detail was remarkable and his barn full of salvaged materials was unmatched, as was his sheer skill and ingenuity in deploying them. Joe always seemed to come up with just the right hinge, flat panel door or spun glass window, for a particular spot. He was a man who communed with our New England town through a deep appreciation of its architecture and history. At heart, Joe was a preservationist. For those of us fortunate enough to have encountered Joe’s gifts, his memory will be preserved through the enduring beauty of his work.

Deepest sympathy to his wife, Chris, who so intuitively complemented his work in the design sphere, and his three children, Kate, Polly, and Josh.

Howard Sobel

and Ileene Smith

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Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

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“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

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Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

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