Big air for bike safety grant

Troy Spear flips in front of David M. Hunt Library Oct. 9.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Big air for bike safety grant

FALLS VILLAGE — First Selectman Dave Barger was on hand to see the results of a $5,000 bike safety grant he helped obtain for the Lee H. Kellogg School when the Go Big BMX Air Show came to town Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The school celebrated its summer reading program with a bicycle theme, culminating in the BMX show. Prior to the show, LHK students participated in a Walk, Bike and Roll to School event, meeting in the village at 8:10 a.m. and making their way to the school by 8:20 a.m.

The Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department were also on hand at two intersections to help the students get to school safely.

The BMX riders started at 1:30 p.m.

Joe Mednikoff handled the bulk of the speaking while Troy Spear did most of the riding, including the pivotal moment when he lifted his bike and soared over the prone figures of faculty and staff members Matt Kandel, Jess Willey, Nikki Blass, Amelia Nichols, Lynn Shea and Diane Bossers.

Two bikes and helmets were raffled off after the show.

Blass, who worked with Barger on the grant, said the funds were spent on the BMX performance, which contained material on safety, life skills and bullying. The remainder went to purchase the bikes and helmets, plus locks, and reflectors for other reading program participants.

Latest News

Paul Winter to celebrate the winter solstice at Saint James Place

The Paul Winter Consort will perform at St. James Cathedral in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Saturday, Dec. 21.

Photo by Matthew Muise

Seven-time Grammy winning saxophonist Paul Winter, with the Paul Winter Consort, will return to celebrate the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 21, with sold out shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

A uniquely intimate solstice celebration, in contrast to the large-scale productions done for many years in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, it promises to deliver everything audiences have come to love and expect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Developers withdraw application to expand Wake Robin Inn

Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.

Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — Aradev LLC has withdrawn its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a special permit to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn.

In a letter submitted to P&Z Chair Michael Klemens on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 17, law outfit Mackey, Butts & Whalen LLP announced its client’s withdrawal.

Keep ReadingShow less
North Canaan antique mall fills resale niche

The 403 Group is located at 403 Ashley Falls Road, where the old This N’ That for Habitat used to be.

Photo by Robin Roraback

NORTH CANAAN — The 403 Group Antique Market is “A hidden secret, a little off the beaten path, but worth the drive,” said Carey Field, who has a booth called “Wild Turkey” there.

“It’s a really fun group of dealers,” Field said. “A really eclectic group of antiques and the prices are reasonable.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Shooting the breeze with Christopher Little

Martin Tandler

Little with his dog, Ruby.

"What I really feel lucky about is having had the chance to meet and photograph so many people who had a real impact on our lives,” said Christopher Little whose new memoir, “Shooting the Breeze: Memories of a Photojournalist” was just released. The book is as eclectic and colorful as the man himself and offers an intimate look into Little’s globe-trotting career spent behind the lens, capturing some of the most iconic figures, events, and human stories of the past half-century.

In 2021, the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas acquired Little’s photographic archive.

Keep ReadingShow less