Ancram Center for the Arts marks 10 years with 2025 season

Left, Grace McLean in “Penelope” and right, Jeff Augustin, author, “Where
the Mountain Meets the Sea.”
Provided

Left, Grace McLean in “Penelope” and right, Jeff Augustin, author, “Where
the Mountain Meets the Sea.”
Ancram Center for the Arts is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a season as bold and intimate as the visionary theater-makers it champions. Under the guidance of co-directors Jeffrey Mousseau and Paul Ricciardi, the Center’s milestone season delivers a compelling mix of premieres, residencies, and site-specific performances designed to surprise, move, and connect.
The season opens June 28 with “ Real People Real Stories,” the Center’s signature storytelling series where neighbors share unscripted, heartfelt tales. The series will be kicking off the season at Roe-Jan Park and closing it on November 22 back at the Center.
In July, the Center presents the regional premiere of “Where the Mountain Meets the Sea,” written by Jeff Augustin with music by The Bengsons. A lyrical and emotional journey across time and terrain, the play follows a Haitian father and his son on parallel road trips across America. Originally produced by Manhattan Theatre Club, the Ancram production runs July 11 through July 20 and is directed by Christopher Windom.
On August 2, the Center pulls out all the stops with a 10th Anniversary bash at The Farm at Pond Lily in Elizaville, promising festive surprises and performances in a picturesque setting.
Then, August 7 to 10, Plein Air Plays 3.0 returns with three original, site-specific short performances staged in secret locations across Ancram, where natural landscapes become integral to the storytelling. This inventive tradition showcases the adventurous spirit at the heart of the Center’s programming.
Two original works developed through Ancram’s Play Lab Residency anchor the late summer and fall. “Blue Cowboy” (August 16 and 17), a solo piece written and performed by Obie-winner David Cale, follows a New York screenwriter’s surreal encounter with a mysterious rancher in Idaho.
“Framed” (Oct. 19), a new musical by Ancram local Mary Murfitt with music by Murfitt and Pam Drews Phillips, dives into a true crime tale of love and betrayal.
The season closes with “Penelope” (Sept. 19 through 28), a haunting and humorous musical reimagining of Homer’s “Odyssey” told through the eyes of the woman left waiting. With music and lyrics by Alex Bechtel, and a book by Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz, Penelope stars McLean fresh off her star turn in Broadway’s “Suffs,”in her first full theatrical performance in the title role.
Celebrating a decade as a haven for artists and audiences alike, Ancram Center for the Arts continues to push boundaries while staying rooted in community. Tickets and details are available at www.ancramcenter.org.
CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.
CVFD’s Ian Ridgway sat on the truck committee and said Greenwood was not just chosen for the price, but also for the design of each vehicle. He said their models had a shorter wheelbase and more ground clearance, as well as extra storage space on board, compared to the next best bid.
After $100,000 in discounts offered by Greenwood, the combined purchase price for both vehicles was shown to be $1,200,408. The delivery time was estimated at 15 months.
CVFD raised $600,000 during its recent fundraising campaign, of which $500,000 will be given to the town to buy the trucks. That figure will be paired with $720,000 in town truck fund reserves. The additional donated funds will be used to outfit the trucks with equipment and tools.
“I want to praise the town of Cornwall,” said CVFD President Dick Sears. “We’re able to buy these beautiful new pieces of equipment courtesy of the tremendous citizenry of this town.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.
She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.
Robin loved the beach, sunshine, and gardening, and was known for her strength, humor, and unwavering support of those she loved.
She is survived by her daughter, Sierra R. Zinke, and brothers, Darren Roy and Todd Roy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sharon Thomkins Roy and Robert Roy, and her brother Nevin Roy.
No services will be held at this time.
SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.
At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.
“Mike” loved the sun, sand and water and spent many summers at Westport Point, Massachusetts with the kids and their best friends, the Bauers.She was the consummate hostess, and a wonderful cook.She also appeared in several plays with The Sherman Players and also a show or two on special occasions at The Kent Community House.She took enjoyment from working outdoors doing chores around her home in North Kent.She lived in that house until she sold it and bought a condominium on North Main Street in Kent in May of 2003.She lived in the condo until 2018 after which her light began to fade and her last 8 years were spent comfortably at Noble Horizons.
“Mike” leaves behind her children, Richard (Susan) of Lakeville, her daughter Nancy Rutledge (Jim) of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Chandra Gerrard (Sean) of Litchfield, Matthew (Larissa) of Lakeville; three great grandchildren, Addison, Emilia and Everett, all of Lakeville.
She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Caroline in 2020.
All services are private.The Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in charge of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.
Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in June. Memorial contributions may be made to Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and Scoville Memorial Library.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.