
Mike Bischert taste-tests Dolan Family Hill Farm’s hot dogs on a crowded Hammond Beach.
Simon Markow
Mike Bischert taste-tests Dolan Family Hill Farm’s hot dogs on a crowded Hammond Beach.
CORNWALL — Hammond Beach was packed for the annual Cornwall Town Picnic Tuesday, June 25.
Threatening skies Saturday forced a rescheduling of the picnic, which was rewarded with pristine beach weather on Tuesday. Selectman Rocco Botto reported the water temperature was in the mid 70s at Cream Hill Lake and about 80 degrees on land.
Hosted by Park and Recreation, the picnic was a potluck with many dishes brought from the roughly 100 guests in attendance. A serendipitous 100 hot dogs were donated by Dolan Family Hill Farm and 66 burgers from Hurlburt Farm and Forestry.
Richie Dolan was on hand offering shuttle rides in his Polaris side-by-side from the road down to the beach and back. He said the vehicle was “all gassed up and serviced” before the party and about 90 minutes in he estimated he had made more than two dozen trips up and down.
Sweet tooths were satisfied by ice cream sundaes from Cornwall Agriculture Commission and a selection of desserts at the buffet table. A crowd favorite appeared to be the Oreo pie made by Alicia Russ.
The Oreo pie was a hit among guests of the Cornwall Town Picnic, June 25.Riley Klein
After grubbing up, many guests (mostly children) darted into the water. Older kids raced at the end of the dock while the younger ones played near the shore and in the wet sand. Town lifeguards kept a keen eye on swimmers in the lake.
First Selectman Gordon Ridgway made a splash by diving off the end of the dock. Ridgway said he frequents the beach and considers it “one of Cornwall’s treasures.”
He recalled the origins of Hammond Beach when it was donated to the town in the early 1990s. At the time Ridgway was a young selectman.
“A woman named Roxanna Hammond gave this to the town, three acres, and we built this all with volunteer labor including the beach houses,” he said. “It was a great effort and it’s a gift that is still giving.”
Park and Recreation Chair Michelle Shipp noted the Town Picnic is the first of several community events this summer.
“We’ve got July Fest” July 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. “and then we’ve got Taste of Cornwall” Aug. 10.
Melody Matsudaira kept a watchful eye on swimmers in Cream Hill Lake. Riley Klein
Aidan Armilio plays midfield for Kent School lacrosse.
KENT — The Northfield Mount Hermon School Hoggers defeated the Kent School Lions 22-6 in the first boys varsity lacrosse game of the season Saturday, March 29.
NMH, located in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts, traveled to Kent for the game. The Hoggers displayed offensive strength immediately by scoring twice in the first two minutes. Kent attackman Tripp Christman managed an early goal, but the Lions trailed 8-1 by the end of the first period.
NMH dominated possession and put pressure on the Kent defenders. The second period showed no change in dominance: Kent scored again but NMH increased its lead to 18-2 at halftime.
Tripp Christman scored three for Kent March 29.Lans Christensen
Kent goalie Trey Lalonde was injured in the second period. His replacement, Varen Aggarwal, subbed in for the remainder of the game.
Kent kept battling in the second half and cut into the lead with more goals by Tripp Christman and Hayden Santry, but NMH maintained an insurmountable advantage.
The final score of the game was 22-6 for NMH. Kent’s next three games are on the road before hosting Trinity-Pawling School on April 11.
EAST CANAAN — Judith Luella “Judy” (Blass) Green, 85, of 7 Locust Hill Road, died Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.She was the wife of the late Joseph A. Green.Judy was born in North Canaan, on Nov. 20, 1939, a daughter of the late William Smith and Luella Frances (Cudney) Blass.
She is survived by her son, Joseph W. Green of Colebrook, and her daughter Lisa Allyn of Norfolk; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren with a third on the way, along with many nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by her six siblings; William Blass, Larry Blass, Robert Blass, Eleanor Day, Priscilla Stanton, and John Blass.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Martin of Tours Immaculate Conception Church 4 North St. Norfolk, CT 06058.A collation will be held immediately following the mass in Klauer Hall located in the rear of the church.There are no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Barkhamsted Senior Center 109 W River Road, Pleasant Valley, CT 06063.
Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.
CORNWALL — Please join us to celebrate the life of Ella Clark Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the United Church of Christ located at 8 Bolton Hill Road, Cornwall, Connecticut.
Reception on Town Street to follow.
All are welcome.
ASHLEY FALLS, Mass. —It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Tyler, 67, at his home in Ashley Falls, on March 6, 2025. Michael sadly lost his battle with severe depression and anxiety.We will remember him with love and compassion, hoping to raise awareness for mental health support.
Michael was born on March 5, 1958, to Douglas William Tyler and Mary Colli Tyler of Canaan, where he grew up and attended Housatonic Valley Regional High School. He graduated in 1976 and briefly worked in the family business, Tyler Carpet, before going on to become a highly skilled carpenter and tile setter who was always known for his perfectionism, integrity, and the high quality of his work.
In his earlier years he built up quite a reputation for being one the best pool players in many circles and was an avid NASCAR fan.He passionately shared many hobbies with his son, Josh, including archery, ping pong, model rockets and remote control airplanes among others.Always a motorcycle enthusiast, Mike was especially proud of his Honda V65 Magna which he bought off the showroom floor in 1983 and lovingly maintained ever since; the fastest motorcycle in production at the time. His first long road trip, among many, was riding it across the country to California and back to the East coast making many friends along the way.
Michael met Ellen Morando in 1996, and the two were married in 1999, sharing many wonderful years together. With him, Michael brought into her life an extraordinary son, Joshua Tyler, his younger sister, Courtney Schutz, who Mike lovingly embraced as his daughter, and their mother, Tina Schutz, who has always been and remains part of this loving family.
Mike and Ellen built a life together in Ashley Falls full of love and support from their family and friends.Their most enjoyable times were spent relaxing on the deck with their beloved dogs and enjoying the beauty of their surroundings, namely the perennial gardens Ellen created over many years.
Michael was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Mary Tyler, and his brothers, Anthony Tyler and Larry Tyler.
Michael is survived by his wife, Ellen, his son, Joshua and his wife, Amanda, and their beautiful baby girl, Amelia Rose, who will have many pictures and stories of how dearly her grandpa loved her; his daughter Courtney Parker and her husband Shane, a brother Stephen Tyler, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
He also leaves behind his very dear friend of over 50 years, Walter Allen, who has been with Mike throughout all of his good times and bad times over the years with his love and support. Also Cynthia, Walter’s wife, who came into Mike and Ellen’s lives with the same love and support which continues to this day and beyond.
The family will have a private service in the future.
In lieu of flowers, his wife Ellen, has asked that any memorial donations be made to Mike’s granddaughter, Amelia Rose Tyler’s 529 college savings plan. He can no longer be part of her present but in this way he can be part of her future.To donate please go to ugift529.com, enter code W39-X1Y, where 100% of any donation will go directly to the account or make checks payable to Joshua Tyler to be deposited into the plan, care of Kenny Funeral Home, PO BOX 12, Sharon, CT 06069.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.