
Joan Crawford, left, with Genie Chester Photo submitted
Norfolk resident and author Robert Dance is presenting his new biography “Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom” and a film series featuring Crawford at the Norfolk Library.
Norfolk Library director Ann Havemeyer said: “The first film screening was great. Lots of people came, even those who had seen "Mildred Pierce" several times, and everyone agreed it was just wonderful to watch the film on the big screen. All his books were sold, and he has ordered more for the next screening on Nov. 10 of "Sudden Fear."
Crawford became the potential subject of a biography during a conversation with Dance’s publisher soon after he delivered the manuscript of his previous book, “The Savvy Sphinx: How Garbo Conquered Hollywood.”
“Craig Gill of the University Press of Mississippi told me that he had his best successes with “lives.” Jokingly I responded, ‘You’re not going to make me write a book on Joan Crawford.’ ‘If you do,’ he said, ‘I’ll publish it.’”
Dance had read “Mommie Dearest,” written by Crawford’s daughter Christina, which was a bestseller in the late ‘70s and chronicles her mother’s meteoric rise as well as her abusive parenting.
“Christina’s remarkable story was the first in what has now become an industry of survivor stories told from the point of view of the victim. She suffered terribly at the hands of her mother, as did her younger brother. How to reconcile this story with Crawford’s brilliant career as possibly the greatest actress to come from the golden age of Hollywood became my quest,” Dance said.
Although Dance had written many books about classic Hollywood, he did not consider himself an authority on Crawford. To immerse himself in his subject, he watched her films, from her first silent films from 1925 through the 1970s. He also researched her life and career using primary resources to describe her upward trajectory in the world of cinema.
“It took four years for her to become a star. When she did, Crawford became the epitome of cool, elegant sophistication and chic, and was Hollywood’s first ‘influencer.’ When she wore a dress on screen, it was copied by the tens of thousands days after the film was released. She was the most imitated woman in America,” he said.
“When she arrived at MGM, the studio that would nurture her career, and where she would stay for 18 years (1925-1943), she was untrained, gauche, overweight, pretty, but hardly movie-star attractive. Through her amazing will and ferocious ambition, she transformed Lucille LeSueur (Crawford’s birth name) from Kansas City into the ‘queen of the movies.’ Not only was her assent improbable, but so too was her staying power. Perhaps most striking was her ability to reinvent herself with the passing of years. She reimagined her career at the age of 40 when she moved to Warner Bros. and became a brilliant dramatic actress,” he added.
The film series at The Norfolk Library began on Friday, Oct. 27, with Crawford’s first Warner Bros. film “Mildred Pierce.” Based on a novel by James M. Cain, the film tells the tragic story of a single mother with two children and her struggles to achieve financial and personal success. The movie contains sharp social observations and intense emotional violence.
“Crawford won the Academy Award for her performance and proved, even back in 1945, that life could ‘begin’ even for a woman who had just turned 40,” Dance said.
“Sudden Fear” (1952), which garnered another Academy Award nomination for Crawford — to be shown at the Norfolk Library on Nov. 10 —will be followed by “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) on Friday, Dec. 1. Both films come from the later part of Crawford’s career and show her continued relevance throughout the decades.
Throughout his research, Dance was surprised to learn that virtually every one of Crawford’s 80 films was a box-office success. Another revelation was that though she was known as being extraordinarily generous to her inner circle, Crawford privately maintained four rooms at Hollywood Hospital for folks who were unable to pay and covered doctor’s bills.
Crawford even had a connection to Litchfield County. “Crawford was a close friend of Lakeville resident Genie Chester [daughter of Colby Chester, head of General Foods]. They met when Crawford was married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., her first husband, and remained lifelong friends. Chester was one of many friends with whom she maintained an active correspondence,” Dance said.
The legacy of Crawford still resonates today. Though many of Hollywood’s female stars like Garbo, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn have faded, Crawford remains a vital presence.
Dance said, “Crawford reads contemporary and unmannered, and the age-old story of the woman from the wrong side of the tracks who, through grit and determination, succeeds spectacularly, has staying power.”
Reservations for the next two screenings of Joan Crawford films followed by Dance’s book talk are recommended and can be made through the Norfolk Library website at www.norfolklibrary.org.
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after winning a second straight 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 shortstop 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 and two RBI. 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.”
Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.
Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.
"Milo did it," shouted a teammate. "Let's hear it for Milo!"
Elite pitching from both sides kept the game close. Starter Sam Hahn pitched five and one-third innings for the Pirates and recorded 10 strikeouts. For the Red Sox, Joey B. struck out 11 batters over five innings.
Sam Hahn threw 10 strikeouts for the Pirates against the Tri-Town Red Sox June 11.Photo by Riley Klein
Milo Ellison led the Pirates offensively, batting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Sam Norbit logged an RBI and went 1-for-2 at the plate for Canaan.
"Nothing like a walk-off," said a spectator after the Pirates won 4-3.
Canaan, which includes players aged 10-12 from the six Region One towns and Norfolk, will face top-ranked JRC Transportation in the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League title game.
The Pirates rejoice after winning the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League semifinal game.Photo by Riley Klein
The Pirates are the reigning champs of District 6 and have a 10-2 record this season. Brody Ohler, who pitched the win in last year's championship, is expected to start on the mound once again for Canaan.
JRC Transportation led the league this season with a record of 11-1. Canaan delivered JRC its lone loss 1-0 on May 27, but JRC defeated Canaan 15-4 in the June 6 rematch.
The championship will be played at Reeves Field in Thomaston Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League Majors Pirates have a chance to go back-to-back in District 6.Photo by Riley Klein