Christ Church, blessed with a very generous community, remains open

NORTH CANAAN — Support from its membership and the community is keeping Christ Church afloat for at least another few months, and there is now hope for the future.The Episcopalian church, one of the oldest in the area and an architectural landmark, put out an appeal in January to help keep the doors open. It was cited as a historically significant building in the town center, and an important part of the area’s spiritual life. It is the “family” church for many, and those roots apparently run deep. Many inactive members have started coming back and pledges have increased. Among the membership is the Hamzy family, who own the Collins Diner. They immediately began donating 10 cents from every meal when they heard of the church’s financial struggles.The reality of the situation is that an old church, while beautiful and inspiring for worship, is costly to operate and maintain. Keeping the congregation together is the first goal, and it is possible they could meet elsewhere. But proceeds from a sale of the church, if it came to that, would go to the diocese.Church members, however, remain highly motivated. Last Sunday was the first of a series of worship services planned to be lively and filled with music. It is hoped they will draw more people to the church. Award-winning Native American flutist Joseph FireCrow was featured this past Sunday, sponsored in part by the diner.“However, the costs of maintaining and operating the church plant run into the thousands every year and must be sustainable year to year for the diocese to continue work with us. We are looking into grants and hoping that generous benefactors may step forward,” members of the church vestry wrote in a letter of thanks.“We are blessed that we have been given this extra time to continue the search to find a sustainable source of income that will allow us to stay at our historic church buildings.”Worship services are Sunday at 10 a.m. All are welcome.Those interested in contacting the church may call 860-824-7410, send a letter to PO Box 965, North Canaan, CT 06018, or email Christchurch@yahoo.com.

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Club baseball at Fuessenich Park

Travel league baseball came to Torrington Thursday, June 26, when the Berkshire Bears Select Team played the Connecticut Moose 18U squad. The Moose won 6-4 in a back-and-forth game. Two players on the Bears play varsity ball at Housatonic Valley Regional High School: shortstop Anthony Foley and first baseman Wes Allyn. Foley went 1-for-3 at bat with an RBI in the game at Fuessenich Park.

 

  Anthony Foley, rising senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, went 1-for-3 at bat for the Bears June 26.Photo by Riley Klein 

 
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

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Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit lakevillejournal.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

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