SHARON — Sharon’s Christ Church Episcopal (CCE) building was completed in 1819, almost 200 years ago.More than two years ago some tree work was being done on the property. A worker was high in the air in a lift bucket. While doing his work he noticed there was rot in the almost-200-year-old steeple.Cathy Casey, who is the clerk of the church, recalled that, “Based on what the tree worker saw, we decided it would be wise to take a closer look at the steeple and get some professionals involved.”Two years were spent inspecting the steeple, seeking professional advice, developing a restoration plan and planning fundraising to pay for the repairs. The inspections revealed significant rot on the steeple’s pillars and other significant related deterioration.Joseph Hajek, the senior warden of the church, said it wasn’t easy to decide if it should be replaced or restored.“At the beginning we changed our minds so many times as to how to approach this project,” Hajek said. “Some people wanted the steeple restored. Some wanted it torn down and a new steeple built. In the end we made the right decision: to restore it.” Casey also noted that, “Greg Farmer from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation was called in to consult on the project. After his evaluation, he said the steeple is so historic and unique, it should be restored.”Once the extent of the damage to the steeple and the roof that surrounds it was ascertained, the church got an estimate of approximately $200,000 to remove the steeple; send it to Heritage Restoration in Providence R.I., which is a company specializing in restoration of historic buildings; bring it back to Sharon; and reinstall it. The church bell was also shipped to Heritage Restoration for refurbishment. The steeple had been removed from the belfry in November 2010. On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, David Aracil and Justin Boesch of Heritage came down from Rhode Island to clean out debris from the steeple and lower roof of the church and load them on a flatbed truck. Sharon resident Nick Moore, a member of the church, called on his brother, David, to help with the work. “David is an architect who lives in southern Connecticut,” he said. “And David called Leland Torrence, a general contractor specializing in restorations whom he had worked with before.”Torrence was hired as the general contractor for the project; and he called Rob Cagnetta, owner of Heritage Restoration, with whom he had worked on other restoration projects. Moore noted that, “Now that we know the extent of damage to the steeple, we’re very lucky that we discovered the problem and took action to correct it before bad weather tore it down.”Casey and Hajek said the congregation is hopeful the restored steeple will be back in Sharon in June. In the spring a crew from Heritage Restoration will be in Sharon for about a month completing necessary repairs and modifications to the “doghouse” the steeple sits on. To pay for the restoration, the church began a capital campaign to raise $200,000.“To date, we’ve raised about three quarters of the money,” Casey said. “We are very happy the money not only came from church members but also from the general community.”Moore said, “The fundraising committee has done an excellent job. One bit of luck was an anonymous matching fund challenge grant from a foundation, which greatly helped.”Hajek said a general campaign mailing will go out soon to raise the remaining required money.Cased noted the church is in Sharon’s historic district and many residents who are not church members appreciate the historic value and beauty of the building and want to see it properly restored.Anyone wishing to make a contribution can send it to Christ Church Episcopal, Steeple Fund, PO Box 1778, Sharon, CT 06069.
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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.
Provided
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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