Beating the heat with library activities

Thom Wilson, Falls Village firefighter, shared his knowledge with youngsters at the Hunt Library.

Provided

Beating the heat with library activities

FALLS VILLAGE — The summer activities at the David M. Hunt Library continued last week.

Tuesday, July 30, the Creative Kids Club ventured across Beebe Hill Road from their base at the Congregational Church to look at firefighting apparatus and equipment courtesy of the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department. The Creative Kids Club, run by the towns Recreation Commission, wrapped up its three-week session on Friday, Aug. 2.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, Paula Rogers led a Mah Jong session with Barbara Weikel and Jean Bronson.

This was fraught with mystery for the uninitiated observer. For starters, the name of the game is spelled in a variety of ways. Example: “Mah Jongg.”

As the game played out, it seemed like a cross between bridge, poker, and dominoes, with just a hint of backgammon.

Rogers said she plays “traditional” Mah Jong. Weikel said she prefers the “National Mah Jongg League” rules.

Bronson said she had played before but didn’t remember much about it.

Rogers and Weikel coached Bronson and each other through a round, which was utterly bewildering to a reporter.

Also exhausting. The reporter had to sit down.

The three picked up the game pieces, called tiles, and moved them around. Sometimes the tiles faced up, sometimes down.

They spoke of exotic things, such as jokers, flowers and dragons.

They consulted cards which showed different hands and point values for each.

And after about 40 minutes, Rogers said, memorably:

“Oops! I won!”

Latest News

Celebration of Life: Michael R. Tesoro, M.D.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life to honor Michael R. Tesoro M.D. (May 20, 1941-—Dec. 25, 2024) whose vibrant spirit touched so many. We will gather on May 17 at 11:30 a.,m. at Trinity Lime Rock to remember Michael’s life with love and laughter.

A light fare reception to immediately follow at the church’s Walker Hall.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keith Raven Johnson

SHARON — Keith Raven Johnson, a long-time resident of Sharon, died on April 26, 2025, a month after his 90th birthday, at Geer Rehabilitation and Long -Term Care facility in Canaan.

He was born on March 21, 1935, in Ithaca, New York, the son of John Raven Johnson and Hope Anderson Johnson.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sue Ann Miller Plain

NORTH CANAAN — Sue Ann Miller Plain, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, passed away on May 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS. Sue Ann faced her illness with incredible strength, grace, and determination, never losing her spirit or her love for those around her.

Sue Ann was born on April 21, 1957, in Jersey City, New Jersey. She lived in North Canaan for 50 years where she built lasting friendships and began a life rooted in community and family.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joan Anderson Turnure

SALISBURY — Joan Anderson Turnure, 91, died after a long illness on May 3, 2025, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. She was the loving widow of Michael DeBurbure Turnure.

Joan was born July 29, 1933, in Mexico City, Mexico, the daughter of the late Lawrence Anderson and Barbara (Ryan) Anderson. She grew up in Mexico and Maryland, later attending the Shipley School in Pennsylvania and earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College.

Keep ReadingShow less