NORFOLK — Norfolk residents were stunned by a crime spree Sunday, Dec. 18, that resulted in the burning of the Norfolk Curling Club and the arrests of two area men.Kyle Majewski, 19, of 8 Prock Hill Road, Sandisfield, Mass., and Matthew Carey, 20, of 87 Briarwood Trail, Torrington, were charged with multiple counts of arson, burglary, trespassing and larceny in connection with the series of events, which included at least one home invasion and attempted arson at a local residence.According to a report by state police, at 11:25 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, State Police Troop B in Canaan received a call reporting a fire at a residence at 292 Wheeler Road, which is listed as being owned by Paul Provost.Troopers found the residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire, which was brought under control by several area fire departments.At 1:45 a.m., Troop B received a phone call from a homeowner at 206 Westside Road, indicating that she had heard intruders in her basement.She said the intruders left after she yelled at them.A trooper from the state police’s fire marshal’s office responded to the homeowner’s call. On the way, he discovered the Norfolk Curling Club building, located at 70 Golf Drive, and behind the Westside Road residence, had been set ablaze.At 1:26 a.m., Troop B received a 911 call from a male who said he had been involved in a car crash on Mountain Road, less than a mile from the Westside Road residence.The trooper who responded to the crash found both Majewski and Carey, along with evidence linking them to both fires.In the car, police found a number of Norfolk street signs and mailboxes which had been located near the Curling Club building.After further investigation, both men were arrested on multiple charges, including first and second degree arson, first and second degree criminal mischief, first degree burglary, second degree criminal trespassing and third degree larceny.Both men were initially held on $250,000 bonds for the combined charges.Jonathan Barbagallo, a member of the Norfolk Fire Department and the Curling Club, was one of the first firefighters to arrive at the scene of the blaze.“The shed was fully involved in fire by the time I got here,” Barbagallo said. “The whole building was a total loss. As a member of the club, in the winter time, I spent as much time in this place as I did at my house. It was like watching my own house burn down. It was such a unique part of Norfolk. The people who are part of this club are family.”Mary Fanette, president of the club, said she was devastated by the fire.“It’s a tragedy,” Fanette said. Fanette confirmed that the Curling Club was insured but did not immediately know how much of the damages would be covered.Starling Childs, whose family was one of the founders of the club, said, “What can I say? This is so devastating. The club has been part of us for over 50 years. We lost so many things that are not replaceable including many commemorative plaques made by our late member Daryl Russ along with countless trophies.”Childs said all of the club’s curling stones were lost and cannot be replaced because they were made from a rare granite that is no longer available. “Today it costs about $2,000 to replace a set of two stones,” she said. Jeff Knudsen, vice-president of the club, echoed the feelings of Childs, Fanette and Barbagallo. “The club is operated by members who put a lot of time and energy into it, and it’s all gone overnight,” Knudsen said. “It was a cozy little curling club.”Knudsen said members of the club, originally built in 1956, would plan a fundraiser in the future to help rebuild. “We will try to get the club going again,” he said.According to his Facebook page, Majewski was employed at Infinity Music Hall and graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, Mass., this year.“Time for new friends,” Majewski wrote on his page at 7:11 p.m. on the night of the fires.Carey deleted his Facebook profile, which had noted that he graduated from Northwestern Regional High School in 2010 and was working in the U.S. Army.Before the fire, on Friday afternoon, Carey quoted the song “Forgive Them Father” written by musician Lauryn Hill.“Beware the false motives of others, be careful of those who pretend to be brothers. And you never suppose it’s those who are closest to you. They say all the right things to gain their position. Then use your kindness as their ammunition, to shoot you down in the name of ambition.”Majewski and Carey were arraigned in Bantam and sent to New Haven Correctional Facility, according to a clerk at the court. No pleas were entered.The case is now being transferred to Litchfield Superior Court. Their first hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4. Bond was set in court at $205,000 for Carey and at $230,000 for Majewski. Additional reporting by Lakeville Journal reporter Asher Pavel.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
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Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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