
Chuck Goldberg of Kent Affordable Housing leads a gathering at which Kent’s nonprofits spoke about the missions of their groups.
Ruth Epstein
Chuck Goldberg of Kent Affordable Housing leads a gathering at which Kent’s nonprofits spoke about the missions of their groups.
KENT — Volunteerism is the engine that makes towns run.
Without the civic organizations whose missions cover a wide swath of objectives, communities would not be as rich and welcoming as they are.
This was apparent Thursday, May 1, as the Kent Chamber of Commerce gathered representatives from the town’s nonprofits to talk about the services and activities they offer. The discussion was led by Charles Goldberg, who said the purpose of the meeting was to let everyone know what each group was doing and encourage cooperation.
“There are wonderful outcomes when people get together to make things happen,” he said.
Goldberg was there as part of Kent Affordable Housing, which is now focused on a project to erect 13 rental units on a 1.59-acre parcel that was ceded to the group by the town. The land sits adjacent to Kent Commons and the design will consist of one building with an elevator.
Members of the Kent Garden Club described how they work to beautify the town by putting plantings around the Civil War monument and the welcoming signs at the four entrances to the village, among other initiatives. When president Nancy Schaefer said the club was established in 1933, that led to a friendly competition as to which organization was the longest standing.
Sarah Marshall, executive director of the Kent Memorial Library, spoke about the renovation and expansion project for which the groundbreaking is expected this fall. The plan is to annex the old firehouse next door, where an 80-person community room will be placed upstairs, as well as two small meeting rooms. The aim of the Kent Community Nursery School, located in the parish house of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, is to bring play and nature back to early childhood, said Anna deRham, co-director.
The Kent Art Association, which hosted the event, has monthly shows featuring a host of mediums. It was established in 1923 by nine well-known artists. The gallery on South Main Street was once part of the old Kent Inn and was moved to its current site in 1976. High Watch Recovery Center was founded in 1935, serving those with alcohol and drug addiction.
“We got this,” exclaimed K.C. Compton, who serves as parish secretary at St. Andrew’s, referring to being the oldest organization in the room. It is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. “We really want to become a community hub, where everyone is welcome,” she said.
The Kent Lions Club is 48 years old, said President Karren Garrity. She said it basically helps fund such causes as the environment, cancer and eyesight. “We hold events to raise money so we can give it away,” she said. Connie Manes, executive director of the Kent Land Trust said that group doesn’t just protect nature, but seeks to engage people. It owns or has conserved 12,000 acres.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce runs a community calendar to let residents know where and when events are happening, which helps to prevent conflicts. Its not just about promoting businesses, but bringing people and nonprofits together to make Kent a destination point, said its members.
While the Kent Historical Society is not 200 years old, said curator Marge Smith, it is the repository of 250 years of documents and information. The Kent Quilters use their talent to create quilts that help raise funds for nonprofits.
Others who were in attendance were representatives of the Eric Sloane Museum, Trades Up, whose goal is to get youngsters to use hand tools, Kent Curiosity Lab, an enrichment program for Kent Center School students, and Kent Dispatch, an online community newspaper.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life to honor Michael R. Tesoro M.D. (May 20, 1941-—Dec. 25, 2024) whose vibrant spirit touched so many. We will gather on May 17 at 11:30 a.,m. at Trinity Lime Rock to remember Michael’s life with love and laughter.
A light fare reception to immediately follow at the church’s Walker Hall.
Trinity Lime Rock, 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville. In lieu of flowers please direct donations to: Malta House of Care, Inc.,136 Farmington Avenue,Hartford, CT 06105 www.maltahouseofcare.org
SHARON — Keith Raven Johnson, a long-time resident of Sharon, died on April 26, 2025, a month after his 90th birthday, at Geer Rehabilitation and Long -Term Care facility in Canaan.
He was born on March 21, 1935, in Ithaca, New York, the son of John Raven Johnson and Hope Anderson Johnson.
Keith was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Cornell University where he was editor-in-chief of the Cornell Daily Sun and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
After serving his active duty in the New York National Guard, he joined the New York Herald Tribune as a reporter in 1957. Four years later he moved to Time magazine where he served as a writer and editor in New York and as a correspondent based in Los Angeles, Washington, Paris and London, with temporary assignments in Africa, Germany, and Vietnam. He was executive editor of Money magazine and later of Discover magazine. He retired as a member of the board of editors of Fortune magazine in 1993.
Before his retirement, Keith served on the vestry at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City where he was also chair of the Choir School. He later became a member of the Lime Rock Episcopal Church.
After retirement, Keith served on the executive committee of the Lakeville Journal where he also contributed a column called “Cars” reflecting a life-long interest in performance automobiles. He also served as a trustee and treasurer of the Hotchkiss Library in Sharon and was on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut. He was a member of the Cornell University Council and at one time chaired the Advisory Council of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell.
Keith is survived by his brother, Leonard Johnson, and his wife, Patricia, his son, Stephen Main, his niece, Paige Johnson Roth, his nephew, Keith Raven Johnson II, and his niece, Heide Novado Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Eric Anderson Johnson.
Donations may be made in Keith’s memory to ACLU of Connecticut, 765 Asylum Avenue, Hartford CT 06015, or Keith Johnson ’52 and Leonard Johnson ’56 Scholarship Fund, Phillips Exeter Academy, 20 Main Street, Exeter NH 03833.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held on Saturday, July 12 at 11 am at the Lime Rock Episcopal Church, followed by a reception in the parish hall.
NORTH CANAAN — Sue Ann Miller Plain, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, passed away on May 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS. Sue Ann faced her illness with incredible strength, grace, and determination, never losing her spirit or her love for those around her.
Sue Ann was born on April 21, 1957, in Jersey City, New Jersey. She lived in North Canaan for 50 years where she built lasting friendships and began a life rooted in community and family.
She was the cherished wife of David W. Plain and devoted mother to Dara Robinson and Shanna Robinson, as well as loving stepmother to Felicia Plain and David K Plain. She was the proud and adoring grandmother to seven grandchildren, Collin Thyberg, Kartel Henry, Owen Henry, Rustin DeJesus, Colter DeJesus, Chayton Pastre and Brynn Pastre who were the light of her life and whom she loved more than anything in the world.
Born to Grace and Robert Miller, Sue Ann was raised with strong family values and a generous spirit. She was predeceased by her father, Robert, in 2008, and is survived by her mother, Grace Miller, and her two brothers, Robert and Rick Miller.
Sue Ann found great joy and purpose in community service, particularly through her involvement with the Women’s Auxiliary at the Couch Pipa V.F.W. Her dedication, warmth, and vibrant presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Sue Ann’s life was defined by love—love for her family, her community, and the many friends she gathered along the way. Though ALS took her from us too soon, Sue Ann’s strength in the face of adversity and the love she gave so freely will never be forgotten.
Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Service details will be shared by the family at a later time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sue Ann’s memory to the North Canaan V.F.W.,104 S. Canaan Rd, North Canaan, CT 06018, a cause close to her heart.
SALISBURY — Joan Anderson Turnure, 91, died after a long illness on May 3, 2025, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. She was the loving widow of Michael DeBurbure Turnure.
Joan was born July 29, 1933, in Mexico City, Mexico, the daughter of the late Lawrence Anderson and Barbara (Ryan) Anderson. She grew up in Mexico and Maryland, later attending the Shipley School in Pennsylvania and earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College.
Joan dedicated her life to her family.While the family was living in Venezuela in the 1960s, she taught high school English and founded a preschool. In their two years living in Paris, she took cooking lessons while shuttling four kids to schools and caring for her fifth baby.
In 1971, she and Michael returned to the U.S. and purchased Community Service, the northwestern Connecticut lumber and building materials business where Joan worked alongside her husband.
In Salisbury, Joan was active as a bridge player, a book club member, and a member of the Millbrook Garden Club. Joan won the Garden Club of America Catherine Beattie Medal for horticulture. This medal is awarded for vibrancy, prime condition, and perfection of grooming of a single plant. This was the first time in over 100 years that a Millbrook Garden Club member had received it.
Joan represented the fifth generation of women in her family to be born in Mexico. Fluent in Spanish, she was well-known within the Hispanic community and often advocated for their rights. A devoted dog lover, Joan always had a puppy or two throughout her life. Her last dog, a Chihuahua named Itsy-Bitsy, was, she said, her “best dog.”
She is survived by five children: Lili Bassett (John), John Turnure (Evie), Barbara Turnure, Virginia Morgan, and Richard Turnure (Bethany); twelve grandchildren: Eva, Eliza, Jack, and William Bassett; Nicholas and Henry Morgan; Nicole Halstead, Christine Turnure, David Turnure; Charlotte, Ryan, and Griffin Turnure; and six great-grandchildren: Adaleigh, Kinleigh, and Beckett Halstead; Westyn Turnure; and Christian and Savannah Boulier. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael; her brother, Lawrence Anderson; and her son-in-law, Jeffery B. Morgan.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Church in Salisbury on June 1, followed by a reception at The White Hart Inn. The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.