
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.
Joan Anderson Turnure, 91, died after a long illness on May 3, 2025, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT. She was the loving widow of Michael DeBurbure Turnure.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Church in Salisbury on June 1, at 1:00PM, followed by a reception at The White Hart Inn.
To view the whole obituary please visit www.kennyfuneralhomes.com.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
CANAAN — The Lord welcomed Liz home Sunday, May 4, 2025, after leading a long life of faithful service, to Him and to us. She loved life and people. While living in Dunnellon, Florida for her waning years, she remained attached to her roots in Canaan, Connecticut.
Though small in stature, Liz was big in heart. After a successful long career as a hairdresser, she remained active and involved. A consummate homemaker, baker, cook, reader and world traveler, Liz enjoyed her several Pomeranians, especially Queen Sheba and Sweet Pea, her final pups. Her hobbies included crocheting, gardening, walking and picking flowers for the table. Liz’s service to others included being a Life Lioness, a Daughter of Isabella, a VFW Auxiliary Life Member, a VA Gainesville Hospital Volunteer as well as service ministries of bereavement and bingo at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Her survivors include sisters, Stephanie Togninalli (Louis), and Elsie Zucco (Oliver) and many nieces and nephews, grand, great grand, and great great grand nieces and nephews, and her loving, longtime companion, Walter J. Fleck. In Heaven, Liz will join her beloved husband of over 40 years, Frank J. Zucco, parents, Alice and Dazzi Colli, and sisters Anna Smith, and Mary Tyler.
A 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, May 23, 2025. Services will be held and she will be interred with Frank in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Canaan, Connecticut at a later date. Elizabeth appreciated the love, prayers, and support she received throughout her life.
SOUTH KENT — Denis Rene LaFontan, 81, a lifelong resident of South Kent, passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born June 25, 1943, at Sharon Hospital, he was the son of the late Andre, Sr. and Elisabeth (Hosslin) LaFontan. He attended Kent Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
On Jan. 14, 1966, he married Beverly Card, the love of his life. Denis and Beverly were married for 59 wonderful years and Beverly still resides at home.
Denis worked all over Connecticut as a Heavy Equipment Operator, was one of the operators of LaFontan’s Humus and ended his career as the owner/operator of South Kent Construction, LLC, retiring in 2005.
Denis was an avid woodsman who appreciated and understood Northwestern Connecticut’s forests and wildlife. He was a passionate hunter and fisherman, passing on his love and respect for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren.
Family meant everything to Denis. He loved his home and there was no place he’d rather be. He enjoyed walks on his nearby parents’ property also known as “the mountain.” Much of the wood harvested from the “mountain” was used in the wood stove in his basement that kept his family warm all winter. In his later years, Denis enjoyed good conversation out on his porch-especially about recent animals that he or others had seen, like “Boo” the neighborhood bear that Denis had fondly named after numerous sightings.
Denis is survived by two sons and a daughter; Vincent and his wife Maria of Kent, and Lyle and his wife Elaine of Gaylordsville, and Rebecca and her husband Daniel of South Kent. His grandchildren; Olivia, Abigail, Madison, Morgan, Alexandra and Raphael; and two great-grandchildren; Rowan and Harrison.
The family is planning a private burial. Memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Kent, 97 North Main St. Kent, CT 06757.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.