CAMA Fall Fest displays marvel of old machines

Onlookers gaze at the 1875 C.H. Brown Stationary Steam Engine in the Industrial Hall, originally consigned to run a lumber mill in New Hampshire.
Alec Linden
Onlookers gaze at the 1875 C.H. Brown Stationary Steam Engine in the Industrial Hall, originally consigned to run a lumber mill in New Hampshire.
KENT — The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s annual Fall Festival was as lively as it gets over the weekend, with the September sun sparkling on a motley collection of steam engines, tractors, locomotives and more.
John Norcross, co-director and show chair for the festival, said that Saturday’s crowds brought the 13-acre parking field that sits below the Association’s bucolic museum grounds to full capacity, which is a notable feat.
While Saturday saw the biggest turnout, the whole weekend, including Friday, brought thousands of the machine-curious to the festival to hear the hiss, whistle and chug of CAMA’s facilities in full swing.
“This weekend you see everything in action,” said Norcross, ranging from blacksmithing and saw-milling demonstrations to runs of CAMA’s treasured “No. 5” Baldwin locomotive steam engine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Diesel exhaust fumes and the cozy smell of wood smoke wafted through the air as fascinated attendees wandered from the extensive exhibits of the Hubbard of Mining to the McCarthy Forge, where blacksmith and coppersmith Ian McCarthy pounded away at a red-hot metal rod over an anvil. Throughout the grounds, over 75 vendors touting both antiques and newly handcrafted goods alike, and likewise well over 75 exhibitors demonstrating equipment. The bright reds and greens of dozens of well-maintained tractors and other machines made for an eye-catching centerpiece to the core circuit of the showcase.
The Industrial Hall is fully operational for only four events throughout the year, with its over 20 stationary steam engines eating 22 gallons of fuel and 245 gallons of water each hour during a show day. CAMA’s Chief Stationary Engineer Frank Vopasek is proof that these machines are not simply a vestige of the past, but living history.
“He’s a book of knowledge,” said Norcross, explaining that he still works in the steam industry in New Jersey when he’s not moonlighting as Santa in the Macy’s Day Parade.
Concessions, ranging from candy apples and ice cream to hamburgers, were offered by the Kent Lions Club, St. Luke’s Masonic Lodge No. 48, and Kimberly Farm, with breakfast provided thanks to the #11 Kent Boy Scouts.
Collaboration is the key, Norcross explained. “This is a team effort,” he said. “Everyone’s a volunteer and it just comes together.”
SALISBURY — Amanda Cannon, age 100, passed away Oct. 15, 2025, at Noble Horizons. She was the wife of the late Jeremiah Cannon.
Amanda was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of the late Karl and Ella Husslein.
She was widowed at the age of 31 and worked as a bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Company and other oil companies in New York City until she retired at age 72.
Amanda moved to Noble Horizons in 2013 to live near her daughter Diane and son-in-law (the late) Raymond Zelazny.
She enjoyed her time in the Northwest Corner and was an avid nature lover, albeit considered herself a native New Yorker as she was born and resided in NYC for 88 years.
She was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Lakeville and attended Mass regularly until the age of 99.
Amanda was the grandmother of (the late) Jesse Morse and is survived by her daughter, Diane Zelazny, her grandsons, Adam Morse, Raymond Morse and his wife Daron and their daughter and her great granddaughter Cecelia Morse.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Church in Lakeville, Connecticut.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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