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At Jubilee, Bunny Williams receives Estabrook leadership award

At Jubilee, Bunny Williams receives Estabrook leadership award

LJMN Media Board Chair Dan Dwyer, right, presents the 2025 Estabrook Community Leadership award to Bunny Williams, center, for her contribution to regional community organizations. Betsy Smith, left, chaired the Jubilee host committee.

Aly Morrisey

The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News presented the 2025 Estabrook Community Leadership Award to Bunny Williams on Nov. 22 at the Town Grove in Lakeville.

The award, named for longtime Lakeville Journal and Millerton News owners Robert and Mary Lou Estabrook, honors individuals who exemplify community spirit and leadership. This year’s presentation took place during the newspapers’ second annual Jubilee.

Addressing more than 100 attendees, Brian Ross, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, underscored why Williams was chosen. “Bunny has always believed, as we do at our newspapers, that community matters, and that local matters,” he said.

Williams has spent decades bolstering local organizations. She helped launch Trade Secrets 25 years ago, turning it into a major fundraiser for Project Sage, the region’s domestic violence agency. She has hosted events for local libraries, supported the Falls Village Daycare Center and Music Mountain, and founded The Great County Mutt Show to benefit The Little Guild.

Board Chair Dan Dwyer urged attendees to follow Williams’ example. “Get informed, stay informed and get involved in your community to make it a little better than it was – that’s what Bunny has done,” he said.

In her tribute, Betsy Smith — a close friend of Williams and chair of the Jubilee — called the honoree honest, energetic and warm. “She’s the essence of being civic minded,” Smith said. “I could not be prouder to be in her orbit of friendship, warmth, commitment, and making our community a better place.”

Michael Trapp, left, and Hillary Cooper

Dwyer presented Williams with the award, which she immediately dedicated back to the community.

“What I learned is that the best part of this community – as beautiful as it is – is the people. I may have an idea, but it’s just an idea,” Williams said. “It is the effort and the commitment and the generosity of people who step up to the plate to make these events happen and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

James Clark, CEO/Publisher of The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News

Publisher James Clark congratulated Williams before highlighting the vital role of local journalism. “When you read The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News, you become more informed about what’s happening in your communities – and more connected to your community,” he said, adding his thanks to the attendees whose support helps the newspapers thrive.


Rick Cotton, Claudia Gersh, left, and Rhonda Schwartz

Aly Morrissey
Reporter
Aly Morrissey joined LJMN in 2025 as a reporter and photographer for The Millerton News, covering local government, community life and the arts across northeastern Dutchess County and northwest Connecticut before moving into newsroom leadership. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, she began her journalism career in Boston, working in radio before joining the Boston Herald as an editorial assistant and City Desk reporter covering breaking news. Her career spans nearly two decades in journalism, communications and professional photography. A lifelong theater enthusiast, Aly spent several seasons as production photographer for Sharon Playhouse and now happily embraces her newest role as a budding stage mom.

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