Authors abound at Sharon Summer Book Signing

Jessie Sheehan and Chris Morocco are at the Aug. 2 ‘Page to Plate’ event sponsored by the Hotchkiss Library.
Ruth Epstein
Jessie Sheehan and Chris Morocco are at the Aug. 2 ‘Page to Plate’ event sponsored by the Hotchkiss Library.
SHARON — The town became a literary mecca this weekend as the Hotchkiss Library hosted its annual Summer Book Signing event. Twenty-eight authors from a variety of genres gathered under the large white tent next to the library Friday evening, Aug. 1, to showcase their books and meet with enthusiastic bibliophiles.
Following the event, eight residents opened their homes to allow guests to dine with a particular author. And on Saturday, there was a “Page to Plate” event billed as “Where Books and Bites Meet: An All-Day Culinary-Literary Experience.” Chefs who have written books demonstrated how to make some treats while talking about their experiences.
Among the authors present on Friday was Chris Whipple, whose timely book is titled “Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History.” Asked about its premise, Whipple replied, “The political scandal of the 21st century.” He said he felt compelled to write it because he had unique access to the key players. He wrote it in just 107 days.
While working on his first book, “The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency,” he got to know many of those in the inner circle, including Ron Klain (Biden’s chief of staff), “so I was able to do a fly-on-the-wall account.” In his other work titled “The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden’s White House,” Whipple focused on how President Biden and his team battled to achieve their agenda.
Whipple, who lives in Essex, was at the book signing two years ago and called it “one of the great events. It opened many doors for me.”
Seated a few tables down from Whipple was Gary Shteyngart of Red Hook, New York, who was there to promote his children’s book “Vera of Faith.” He pointed out the story was about a 10-year-old girl living in a dystopian American town trying to hold her family together. “I’ve written some dystopian memoirs that are all hopeful at the end,” he said.
His range of subjects is wide, as witnessed by another of his works called “Our Country Friends,” which was a New York Times bestseller, and talks about people coming to the Hudson Valley. Shteyngart, showing a dry sense of humor with a straight face, explained in this book “there are a lot of affairs. It’s spicy.”
His next book, which will be called “Capy Bora” will have a 150-pound rodent as its protagonist. He was quick to show a photo on his phone of the creature.
Amity Gage shows her latest book, a suspense novel set in Maine.Ruth Epstein
Amanda Gage of West Hartford was there to talk about her fifth book, “Heartwood,” a suspense novel set in the deep dark woods of Maine. “I like atmospheric books,” she said. “I like settings. The tension and mystery come from settings.” The story follows a game warden.
Gretchen Hachmeister, the library’s executive director, was very pleased with the way the event was going. As she circled the tent, stopping to visit with the authors, she noted how grateful she was the sun was shining and it wasn’t 95 degrees. She had high praise for the team that organized the event, including staff, board members and volunteers. “They make it all happen.”
She was there bright and early the next morning as audience members gathered throughout the day for “Page to Plate.” Among those featured was Chris Morocco, food director of Bon Appetit and Epicurious. He and local author/chef Jessie Sheehan gave a demonstration on how to make everyone’s favorite — the chocolate chip cookie.
LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.
Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, George, include son, George R. DelPrete II, daughter, Jena DelPrete Allee, and son Stephen P. DelPrete. Grandchildren; Trey, Cassidy, and Meredith DelPrete, Jack, Will and Finn Allee, and Ali and Nicholas DelPrete.
A Funeral Mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, Lakeville, on Saturday, Oct. 4. May she Rest in Peace.
Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in care of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.
Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.
She was raised on her parents’ poultry farm (Odge’s Eggs, Inc.).
After graduating from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, she worked at Litchfield County National Bank and Colonial Bank.
She married the love of her life, John, on Aug. 16, 1969, and they lived on Sharon Mountain for more than 50 years.
Shirley enjoyed creating the annual family Christmas card, which was a coveted keepsake.She also enjoyed having lunch once a month with her best friends, Betty Kowalski, Kathy Ducillo, and Paula Weir.
In addition to John, she is survived by her three children and their families; Sarah Medeiros, her husband, Geoff, and their sons, Nick and Andrew, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Shelby Diorio, her husband, Mike, and their daughters, Addie, Lainey and Lyla, of East Canaan, Connecticut,Jeffrey Perotti, his wife, Melissa, and their daughters, Annie, Lucy and Winnie, of East Canaan. Shirley also leaves her two brothers, Edward Wilbur and his wife Joan, and David Wilbur; two nieces, three nephews, and several cousins.
At Shirley’s request, services will be private.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Sharon Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 283, Sharon, CT 06069.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
MILLERTON — Veronica Lee “Ronnie” Silvernale, 78, a lifelong area resident died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. Mrs. Silvernale had a long career at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, where she served as a respected team leader in housekeeping and laundry services for over eighteen years. She retired in 2012.
Born Oct. 19, 1946, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Sophie (Debrew) Hosier, Sr. Following her graduation from high school and attending college, she married Jack Gerard Silvernale on June 15, 1983 in Millerton, New York. Their marriage lasted thirty-five years until Jack’s passing on July 28, 2018.
Ronnie is survived by her daughter, Jaime Silvernale (Wm. MacDaniel, Sr.) of Millerton, her beloved grandson, Wm. MacDaniel, Jr.; two special nieces, Shannon and Rebecca and a special nephew Sean Hosier. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Bradley C. Hosier, Jr. and her dear friend Ruth Fullerton of Millerton.
Visitation was private. A celebration of Ronnie’s life will be held in the future. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family or to plant a tree in Ronnie’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
Christine Gevert, Crescendo’s artistic director, is delighted to announce the start of this musical organization’s 22nd year of operation. The group’s first concert of the season will feature Latin American early chamber music, performed Oct. 18 and 19, on indigenous Andean instruments as well as the virginal, flute, viola and percussion. Gevert will perform at the keyboard, joined by Chilean musicians Gonzalo Cortes and Carlos Boltes on wind and stringed instruments.
This concert, the first in a series of nine, will be held on Oct. 18 at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, and Oct. 19 at Trinity Church in Lakeville.
For those unfamiliar with Crescendo, the award-winning organization was founded in 2003 and brings lesser-known works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods — along with contemporary fusion pieces — to new life. Its performances often blend classical composition with nontraditional instrumentation for a refreshing new take on an established body of work.
Gevert, who is German, Chilean and American, is a conductor, keyboardist and musical scholar. As the multi-national, multi-lingual (German, Spanish and English) creative director, she is a veritable whirlwind of talent, professionalism and inspiration who conceives of new musical treats for her audiences. She also hires and nourishes local talent, sources internationally known vocal and instrumental professionals, and provides her audiences with well-researched program notes for each concert, packaged in lush, full-color programs that resemble illuminated manuscripts.
“It is the excitement about and dedication to the music, along with the prerequisite vocal and instrumental talent, that characterizes a Crescendo member,” said Gevert. “I don’t care about things like how old or young you are or where you’re from — it’s all about bringing these performers together to provide unforgettable musical experiences for its audiences.”
“Traditional audiences for classical music performances tend to skew older,” Gevert continued. “For that reason, I’ve embarked on an effort to reach younger listeners, and have done things like taken a Crescendo choral group to perform at Housatonic Regional High School. I’ve also launched an effort to recruit and train young singers in Baroque singing techniques so they can perform with our existing choral group.”
The upcoming 2025-26 season includes, among other performances, a solo recital and benefit concert on Nov. 22 by the international Baroque opera star and countertenor Nicholas Tamagna. The curated program will include works by Handel, Vivaldi, and Monteverdi.
Two dazzling Christmas concerts follow: on Dec. 6 and 7, Crescendo presents J.S. Bach’s “Sweet Comfort” cantata and Mass in G minor, featuring the full chorus and soloists with a period instrument orchestra. On Dec. 21, the annual Holiday Concert will be presented: “A Tapestry of Traditions: Unraveling the History of Christmas Carols,” with the entire Crescendo vocal ensemble and Gevert on organ.
For the full schedule, concerts details and ticket information, visit: www.crescendomusic.org