
Fifth-grader Bailey King reads her poem ‘Magnolia Tree’ during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration at NCES.
Ruth Epstein
Fifth-grader Bailey King reads her poem ‘Magnolia Tree’ during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration at NCES.
NORTH CANAAN — The home of an enviable arboretum, thanks to the ongoing efforts headed by Tom Zetterstrom, North Canaan Elementary School has a lush array of perfectly chosen trees.
A new tree is planted each year, and this year, the school’s 35th anniversary of celebrating Arbor Day, along with the 55th year of Earth Day, a chinkapin oak became the latest addition.
On Friday, April 25, the entire school, along with a large contingent from the community, gathered in an area next to the school for a ceremony. Principal Beth Johnson, in her opening remarks, said, “Caring for our earth is something that we all share. We all have a role in enriching the world around us.”
The annual program is hosted by the school’s fifth grade and several of its students read poems they had created. Kane Ackerman wrote “Pike,” while Leia Wohlfert penned “Lone Oak Tree.” Ellia Wagner’s work was titled “The Tree that Saved my Sadness,” while Charlotte Finney shared “Cherry Blossom” and Bailey King read her “Magnolia Tree.” The tree also becomes their class tree.
Zetterstrom noted that a tree has been planted at the school since Earth Day in 1990. There is a red oak, yellowwood, and black gum among the collection. There is also another chinkapin oak, which he said is his favorite. He then touched on the topic of photosynthesis, “which is quite a mouthful.” But it is apparently an easy concept for first-grader Simon Jacques. When Zetterstrom asked if anyone knew what it meant, the young boy shouted out the answer. Zetterstrom invited him to the microphone, where he proceeded to give a detailed explanation, much to the delight and awe of those in attendance.
Zetterstrom said the new chinkapin now has a trunk three inches in diameter. It can grow to 60- to 80-feet tall, and 40- to 50-feet wide. Its leaves will be dark green on the upper side and flash white underneath. As the tree matures, it will develop acorns to provide food for wildlife. A member of the white oak family, it prefers limestone soils, which make it a natural for Canaan’s limestone geology and landscape.
He told the students that 10 years ago he discovered such a tree in the Sharon Land Trust woods and it measured 48 inches in diameter at breast height. “It turned out to be the biggest chinkapin and is now the reigning Connecticut Champion Chinkapin Oak. Imagine, your chinkapin might someday become the Connecticut Chinkapin champion.”
The program also featured songs sung by kindergartners and first-graders. Then some students were chosen to mulch the area around the base of the tree.
KENT — Frederick Wright Hosterman passed away peacefully in his home in Kent on April 16, 2025. Born in 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska, he was the son of farmers. He attended a one-room schoolhouse just outside of Brownville, Nebraska, adjacent to his family’s farm. The little brick schoolhouse is still standing! After graduating from high school, Fred attended the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), eventually earning a master’s degree in agronomy. He took a job with Monsanto in Buffalo, New York, where the company was a pioneer in applying biotechnology to agricultural sciences. In Buffalo, Fred met his future wife, Dorothy. Fred and Dorothy moved to New York City for several years in the early 1960s, before settling down in Norwalk. In Norwalk, Fred and Dorothy had three children. The family later moved to Kent. In 1980, Fred and Dorothy divorced, and Fred bought a large tract of land on Carter Road in Kent. He built a house there, largely by himself, which he maintained until his death at age 95. After taking early retirement, he spent the following decades working on his property, adding various buildings, woodcrafting, landscaping, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Fred had a jovial and close relationship with many of his neighbors, who he saw daily, all willing to share a cup of coffee or receive various bits of wisdom from Fred on any number of projects.
Fred was predeceased by his parents; Helen and Arch Hosterman, step-mother Cassie Hosterman, sisters Ruth and Esther Marie, brother Richard, and former wife Dorothy. He is survived by his three children and their spouses; John and his husband Eric of Northfield, Minnesota, Tracy and her partner, Sam, of Amenia, New York, and Catherine and her husband, Josh, of Cornwall. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Nicky, Dan, Ian, Zachary, and Eliza, and several nieces and nephews.
Fred loved to flirt with the ladies, even in his 90s, doing a little “dance” for almost anyone he met. Another of Fred’s favorite hobbies was chopping down trees on his land. Initially, this started out as a necessity for fueling his wood stoves. Later, tree-clearing projects were aimed at enhancing the magnificent view from his house high atop Carter Road. Even at age 95, Fred was frequently on his excavator moving boulders or building a retaining wall, as he was strong, healthy and witty until his final weeks.
CANAAN — Nancy (Case) Brenner, 81, of Canaan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, following a long illness on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Nancy was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Ray Sargeant Case Sr. and Beatrice Southey Case. She was the second youngest of five children, predeceased by her three brothers, Ray S. Case Jr., David E. Case and Douglas C. Case, and her sister Linda (Case) Olson. She grew up in New Hartford and Winsted, where she graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Thomas E. Brenner. Often nicknamed “the love birds,” they were true soulmates and shared many wonderful years together filled with love, laughter, travel and family. Nancy is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly — Lori, Richard, Kathleen, Kevin, Debbie, Karen, Carrie, Jennifer, Tom, Scott and Kimberlee. She was a special aunt leaving behind so many happy and joyful memories. She never missed attending her nieces’ and nephews’ special events.
Nancy worked for over 20 years at Raynard and Pierce in Canaan. There she made many friendships and brightened the day of everyone who went through the door greeted by her smile and jovial spirit. Nancy was a loving wife, daughter, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who’s lives she touched.
A graveside service will be held at Collinsville Cemetery on Huckleberry Hill Road in Canton on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at 5 Cherry Brook Road, Canton. Memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 012011, where Nancy adopted her loving cat and faithful companion, Dusty.
SHEFFIELD — Adam Rand, 59, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on April 22, 2025, after a long battle with ALS.
Adam was born on April 6, 1966, to Lee and Charles Rand II of Boston, Massachusetts. Adam spent his early childhood in Nantucket, where his love of fishing and water was born before moving to Sharon. It was here where he made many lifelong friends and later graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1984. He attended Hiram College in Ohio before settling in Connecticut.
Adam was a master of all trades, a seasoned contractor and practiced carpenter. He was always eager to learn and became a skilled woodworker in his later years of life. His work ethic was undeniable. Adam was passionate about his family, his work and anything with an engine.
Adam leaves behind his loving wife, Annie Rand, his children, Samantha Rand (Nantucket) and Jack Rand (Canaan), his brother and sister in-law, Greg and Cindy Rand (Nantucket), and their children, Olivia, Maxwell and Samuel Rand (Boston), as well as the mother of his children and former wife, Nancy Rand (Collinsville)
Services will be held for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Or Online at ccals.org