It’s hard to imagine anyone going through life without laughing at Steve Martin or Martin Short — but that’s just my opinion.
Whatever role they assume or shtick they deliver, both actors have proven themselves masters of comic timing and delivery across the generations of viewers that have watched them on television, laughed heartily at their movies and cheered whenever they’ve co-starred onscreen.
I myself had the chance to catch the pair when they stopped at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass., on their tour, “An Evening You Will Forget For the Rest of Your Life.” From start to finish, their banter had me cracking up on Tanglewood’s lawn.
Longtime fans and novices alike can now laugh as the duo’s signature brand of crisp, clean comedy unfolds in the second season of the Hulu channel original program, “Only Murders in the Building.”
I was first introduced to this show by a trick-or-treater who came to my grandparents’ stoop last fall dressed as Martin Short’s character — complete with a handmade carton of “Gut Milk.”
You have to watch the show to get the running joke, so watch I did.
As soon as the first episode reached the credits, my reason for watching quickly went from “Why not?” to “Why did I wait this long to watch?”
“Only Murders” starts its first season by introducing the audience to the show’s main trio: misanthropic former television star Charles Haden-Savage (Steve Martin), floundering Broadway director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and artist/apartment renovator Mabel Mora (played by pop star and actress Selena Gomez).
On the surface, these three couldn’t be more different. But they come together through their shared love of a true crime podcast — and then by an actual crime in the ficational Arconia on Manhattan’s Upper West Side (which is actually the landmark Ansonia apartment building at 79th Street).
Inspired by their beloved podcast, they decide to investigate the murder of fellow Arconia resident Tim Kono — and to report their findings to the world through their very own podcast, called “Only Murders in the Building.”
As is the case with most mystery shows, each member of the trio has skeletons in the closet, some of which surface and complicate their investigation.
I binge-watched the first season alongside my favorite puzzle solver. We were thrilled to stream a show that struck a flawless balance between comedy and crime and also delivered a mystery carefully crafted enough to knock viewers off the track and leave them hungry for the next episode.
As the show’s star trio narrows down the list of suspects, viewers will get a chuckle out of watching the Arconia’s other residents come to life, each with their own backstories and personalities. Viewers will also appreciate seeing familiar faces appear on screen in a new capacity, including Jane Lynch, Amy Ryan (Michael Scott’s love interest on “The Office”) and Nathan Lane (who doesn’t love Nathan Lane?). The rock star Sting also makes an appearance — and is briefly a suspect.
Having left its viewers with a cliffhanger at the end of the first season, the show’s second season started streaming on June 28 (on Aug. 2, the show was up to Episode Seven).
On top of investigating a new murder at the Arconia, viewers will have a chance to get reacquainted with the trio and all the Arconia residents they met in season one — and meet some new guest stars, including Amy Schumer, Cara Delevingne and Shirley MacLaine.
WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.
The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.
Both of Nonnewaug's varsity teams faced off against their counterparts from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in the tournament finals in Woodbury Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The boys game was played first. Housatonic took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Gustavo Portillo and Jackson McAvoy. Nonnewaug responded in the second half with three consecutive goals: first from Cash Medonis then two from Vincenzo Rose. The Nonnewaug boys won 3-2.
The Nonnewaug girls team celebrates as victors in the Berkshire League tournament final Oct. 28.Photo by Riley Klein
The girls game followed. Nonnewaug and Housatonic traded goals early on and the score was tied 2-2 at halftime. Nonnewaug scored twice more in the second half to win 4-2. Housatonic's goals were scored by Ava Segalla. Rosie Makarewicz scored twice for Nonnewaug and Hailey Goldman and Aubrey Doran scored once.
Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference soccer tournaments begin Oct. 31. Both Housatonic teams qualified for the Class S tournament and both Nonnewaug teams qualified for the Class M tournament.
TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.
Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.
Joan graduated from Harding High School.
She was a working artist for much of her adult life, starting her career studying plein air impressionist oil painting at the Cape Cod School of Art. Her work evolved to include a more representational style, and eventually a large body of abstract pieces. Her award-winning work has been shown in galleries and juried art shows throughout southern New England.
She is survived by her daughter Leslie and her husband George, brothers Joseph, Victor, and their families, nephews Gregory, Christopher, and their families, daughter-in- law Huong, and the extended Jardine family. She was predeceased by her son Douglas, and brother Michael.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints of America Orthodox Church, 313 Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury, Connecticut on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints of America Orthodox Church, PO Box 45, Salisbury, CT 06068.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.
Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.
Music and events programmer Alex Harvey has been producing Día de los Muertos at Race Brook for the past three years, and with the closing of the venue looming, the festival takes on a deep and personal meaning.
“The anchoring gesture of Race Brook, long before I arrived on the scene, has always been to cultivate a space that thins the veil between the worlds. Something otherworldly is hiding in the mountain’s towering shadow: the whispering spring-fed stream, the dense lineage that founder Dave Rothstein brings, the woodsmoke that rises every night of the year from the firepits. This space communes with the spirits,” said Harvey.
“And so we cradle a special ache in our hearts as the leaves turn and the beautiful dance of Race Brook’s project of cultural pollination draws to a close. Fitting, then, to return for one last activation — Día de Los Muertos — a celebration of the end of things. A remembrance of those who’ve made the transition we are all destined for, but also a time when we honor many types of loss. And while we will all mourn those who aren’t there in the flesh, we will also, with humility, come as mourners for the space itself,” Harvey continued.
The event will be a night to remember, to celebrate and to release with ritual, music, and communal remembrance. Participants are invited to bring photos, talismans and offerings for the ofrenda (offering), as well as songs, poems or toasts to share in tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Mexican American musicians Maria Puente Flores, Mateo Cano, Víctor Lizabeth, Oviedo Horta Jr. and Andrea from Pulso de Barro, an ensemble rooted in the Veracruz tradition of son jarocho, will be performing.
Translating to “Pulse of the Clay,” their name reflects a deep connection to the earth and to the living heartbeat of culture itself. Through a synthesis of Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican traditions, Pulso de Barro merges poetry, rhythm and communal song as pathways to coexistence with nature. Their performances feature the jarana and leona (stringed instruments), quijada, cajón, maracas, and marimba (percussion), the tarima (percussive dance platform) and a call-and-response of folk and original versadas.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the Barn Space with a Fandango de los Muertos featuring Pulso de Barro, a Race Brook favorite. At 8 p.m., the Open Mic for the Dead invites guests to speak directly into the spirit world — through word, music or memory. The night culminates at 10:30 p.m. with a Fandango for the Dead, a participatory music and dance celebration. Bring your instruments, your voices and your dancing shoes.
Race Brook Lodge is a unique rustic getaway destination for relaxation, hiking, live music, workshops, weddings and more. Sadly, it will be closing for good later in 2026, ending a storied chapter of Berkshire music, art, culture and well-being.
Come experience an evening that honors lost loved ones and the end of a Berkshire institution. The cycle of life endures. Surely, resurrection is in the cards for Race Brook Lodge.
For Tickets and info, visit: rblodge.com
