
Richard Haass at Tent New York
Photo by Leila Hawken
Those who suspect that they are living today in an endangered democracy would do well to read Richard Haass’ latest best-selling book, “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.”
Locals from the region arrived early at trendy Tent New York in Amenia, N.Y., where Haass was expected to sign copies of his book while attendees enjoyed the conviviality of a concurrent wine tasting provided by Le Caviste of Stanfordville, a draw for wine lovers since 2021. The event was sponsored and promoted by Oblong Books of Millerton, N.Y.
Assessing that the setting was conducive to a deeper conversation, however, Haass pleased the crowd by launching into an impromptu book-based talk about the current state of our democratic form of government, pressures from forces foreign and domestic, and importantly what citizens can do about it.
That conversation was at once informative and provocative, with Haass promising to stay as long as anyone had comments or questions.
“That people came is a tribute to the subject,” Tent owner Darren Henault said to introduce Haass.
“This is a book about Democracy,” Haass said, recalling that the book was two years in the making with many hours spent walking in Central Park and many hours during the pandemic in Stanfordville, N.Y.’s Wilcox Memorial Park to further the thought process.
In a later conversation, Haass’ wife, Susan Mercandetti, indicated that they bought a home in Stanfordville about five years ago and remained there nearly full-time during the pandemic years.
Haass urged attention to the founding of the country and the Bill of Rights. “Rights are central,” Haass said, while also reflecting on Abraham Lincoln’s often quoted phrase “the unfinished work of America,” as a call to committed participation in our democracy.
“Democracy has gotten into trouble,” he said, adding that the question is how to fix it. “These are things that you ought to do,” he said, speaking of the obligations of a good citizen.
“We need a serious conversation about how to get democracy back on track,” he said.
Someone asked, “Am I the only one who is terrified?”
“You’re not alone,” Haass replied, “There is a sense that America is off the rails. My real concern is that democracy will not last. The bottom line is to not be sanguine but to be energized. What can ordinary people do?”
The principle of national service and its value were described by Haass as an antidote to present-day divided America. He would incentivize such a service to make it attractive to young people, possibly through student loan forgiveness or other lures.
“I’m a reformer, not a revolutionary,” Haass explained, looking to find workable solutions to problems.
“We are not teaching our narrative in this country,” Haass said, noting that Civics classes are no longer being taught routinely. He said that there is widespread frustration with the government. Broadcasting has devolved to become narrowcasting to appeal to population segments. “What people think is valid information is often not,” Haass warned.
“Why can’t religious authorities take a stand on promoting civility?” he asked.
Asked whether there is hope, Haass said, “Nothing is inevitable; people make choices and decisions. Sure, I feel hope. The potential is there for us to get it right.”
Political funding is a problem, Haass noted. About money and politics, an attendee said, “Money doesn’t talk; it screams,” particularly citing the Supreme Court ruling that corporate money is a form of political speech.
Haass said that there is the opportunity for greater transparency in political donations. He is also meeting regularly with corporations to advocate for democracy, noting that a few are developing good citizen programs for their employees. More should.
Haass said that he is asking corporations to reform their use of funding. He said that he has found that corporations respond to pressure, as do politicians.
“Gerrymandering is pernicious,” Haass said, in response to concerns about local politics.
Responding to a question about how to promote the study of civics and even to kindle a desire in young people to acquire knowledge, Haass suggested that classes be mandatory, not elective. He noted that in the coming year at Stanford University, every entering freshman will be required to take Civics. And New Jersey schools are moving toward initiating a required course in critical thinking, how to evaluate the quality and intent of information as it reaches them.
Haass reports that the organization he heads in New York, the Council on Foreign Relations, has an educational program titled “World 101” that provides materials free of charge to educators, making learning about the world engaging and interesting. To learn more about that program, go to www.cfr.org.
“Politics and wine: they go hand in hand,” said Leah Papeika of Le Caviste, who joined her husband, Maurice, in dispensing the wine throughout the event.
Henault noted that said that the Haass appearance was probably the fifth book event held at Tent since its opening. There will be more to come, he promised.
Courtesy of Penguin
NEW BRITAIN — Anthony Labbadia soared to 9th place in the triple jump at the 2025 New England track and field championships Saturday, June 14.
On his first attempt of the event he leaped 44 feet and one inch, qualifying for the finals and setting the new Housatonic Valley Regional High School record. The previous school record of 43 feet eight inches was set by Don Hurlbutt in 1967.
The HVRHS junior was pleased with the result of his first triple jump of the day June 14.Photo by Riley Klein
Conditions were rainy for the meet with the grounds crew utilizing a leaf blower to dry the track between events. Labbadia said he had experienced similar weather at the Berkshire League championships in May, and he won the triple jump there, so he was confident.
“It doesn’t bother me,” said Labbadia of the rain, noting he was excited to be back at Willow Brook Park. “Being here makes me jump farther... I just have to make sure I’m thinking about everything without overthinking.”
Labbadia, a rising senior at HVRHS, wrote his capstone on the triple jump. In his research, his mother explained, he studied and broke down the biomechanics of the event.
Labbadia was injured during track season his freshman year. His sophomore year, he took up triple jumping. He ended his junior year with a 9th-place finish against the top competition in New England.Photo by Riley Klein
Two days before the championships, he made a bold change to his jumping approach — switching from a “right, right, left” sequence to “left, left, right” — and it paid off.
“I’m glad I switched my feet,” he said after the result. “I’m happy with my performance.”
Once all the jumpers from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont had finished, Labbadia’s distance held for 9th place.
Labbadia was the first HVRHS athlete to compete at the New England meet since Sydney Segalla in 2022. Track coach Alan Lovejoy said he cannot recall another HVRHS male athlete qualifying since he became coach in 2009.
Hosted at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, the 2025 New England track and field championship was held in Connecticut for the first time in three years. Events took place all day Saturday, June 14. Full results are available at nestiming.comPhoto by Riley Klein
Rain came down heavy in the morning June 14, but conditions improved as the day went on. The crew used leaf blowers to dry the track between events.Photo by Riley Klein
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”