I haven’t done the math on this, to be honest, but I’d be willing to wager that there are more miles of hiking trails in the Tristate region than there are paved roads.
There are trails everywhere, running through woods and fields and alongside rivers and creeks. They go uphill and downhill. Some are easy, some are hard. Some have views that extend for miles, others don’t.
This is mecca for hikers, but a great many of the recreational pedestrians who come through this region (and again, I haven’t done the math) are just passing through on one of America’s greatest interstates: the Appalachian Trail, which has its terminuses in Georgia and Maine and which passes right through many of our local towns.
Perhaps you’ve seen the hikers as they trudge along roadways or stop at post offices and libraries to catch up with family and friends back home. You might have sat near them at a café while they wolf down entire pints of ice cream. If the café was indoors, perhaps you moved away to a distant table, your senses assaulted by the scent of many days on the trail without any bathroom facilities of any kind. One of our Lakeville Journal summer interns once wrote that Appalachian Trail hikers smell like the 18th century.
It’s an annual tradition at The Lakeville Journal that we send our summer interns out in search of hikers, preferably those who are trekking the full expanse of the trail. Every hiker has an interesting story to tell, and provides a great interview opportunity for a young writer. All our interns enjoy this assignment; one went on to do a documentary about AT hikers for a high school project and more than one has decided to hike the trail him or herself. You can read in this issue the story of our 2021 intern Sadie Leite, who writes about hiking the trail last month with her sister, Petra (see story on the next page).
We generally shorthand the length of the trail and say it’s 2,100 miles but its actual length changes every year or two, as repairs are made and sections are rerouted.
For 2022, the trail is officially 2,194.3 miles long, thanks in part to trail work done by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) on sections in New York and Connecticut. Much of the AT runs through privately owned land; this new work by AMC members shifted the trail over onto National Park Service lands.
You can get details about the AMC (which maintains sections of the trail between Maine and Washington, D.C.) and find out how to volunteer for future work details at www.outdoors.org. The website also has useful information on, for example, where there are overnight shelters along the trail. You can learn about the Appalachian Trail parent organization (the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) at www.appalachiantrail.org.
But if you’re looking for serious up-to-the-minute data (and if you want to register as an AT hiker), then you should go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s registration pages at www.atcamp.org. There you can find explanations of why you should bother to register, and tips on when and where to begin your journey.
As a journalist, I particularly like the page that shows how many hikers have registered and started walking. If you’ve lived in the Tristate region for long enough, you start to see the hikers as an indicator of the seasons. Sometimes the lilacs bloom late or early; sometimes the first hikers appear earlier or later.
In 2020, shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were only 42 hikers who started out on April 1, and the numbers dwindled from there. In 2021, the majority of hikers doing the traditional south-to-north journey started out on April 1. There were 56 hikers on that date.
In 2022, there were 65 hikers who registered to start on April 1, but the following day (April 2) there were 66 hikers. On April 3, an additional 63 hikers headed north and the numbers have remained steadily high since then.
The first hikers began to appear in our towns in mid May. If you see a hiker on the road, give him or her a wave but don’t be surprised not to get a response. Often, to help them survive the many hours and days of walk, walk, walk the hikers go into a sort of fugue state. They’re most likely to be most friendly if you see them seated and relaxing with a lot of high-calorie food outside a grocery store.
If you want to help a hiker along the way, think about leaving some food or cold drinks in a cooler with a sign that says Trail Magic. Or if you see a hiker or two who are depleted and hoping for a ride, pull your car to the side of the road and let them clamber in if you have space for all their gear. But keep in mind that you might want to roll down all the windows first.
Lakeville Journal
NORTH CANAAN — Elihu Carlson, 95, of North Canaan, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026. Born in Winsted, he was predeceased by his beloved wife and the absolute love of his life for 60 years, Doreen Carlson.
A proud Korean War veteran, Elihu was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, members of the Canaan VFW post. He was a man of immense work ethic, working alongside his brother David on the family dairy farm, owning and operating D&E Carlson Excavating & Trucking for over 40 years, and proudly wrenching on countless cars at “Carlson’s Garage.”
Elihu’s greatest legacy is his family. He is survived by his children; Bryon (Cindy) Carlson of North Canaan, Larry Carlson of North Canaan, Mark (Stephanie) Carlson of Southfield, Massachusetts, and Sharon (Don) Oldenburg of Noblesville, Indiana. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren; Shane, Lance, Catherine, Bryon Jr., Michael, Tanya, Justin, Kyle, Jordan, and Zachary, as well as several great-grandchildren.
Together, Elihu and Doreen were pillars of the community. They spent many years volunteering at the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry and dancing with the Mountain Laurel Square Dance Club. When he wasn’t with family, Elihu was in his workshop crafting Christmas ornaments, birdhouses, and game pieces. He passed his love of games down through generations, famously teaching anyone willing to learn how to play Setback, Chicken Foot, and Pay Me.
He will be fondly remembered for cruising Canaan Valley in his beloved blue van, always carrying dog treats in his pocket, and offering his signature “pointer-finger wave” to everyone he passed. The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Fairview Commons for their exceptional care of “Pop.”
Family and friends are invited to gather for a Graveside Service on Sunday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Carlson Cemetery, Moses Meade Rd, North Canaan, CT. Afterwards, all are welcome to join us at 20 Carlson Road, North Canaan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Elihu’s legacy of giving by donating to: Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, PO Box 30, North Canaan, CT 06018 and VFW Post 06851.
Mia Dirocco
Grassland is back in business after a 48-hour power outage forced it to discard most of its ice cream inventory.
SALISBURY – A freezer filled with gallons of melted ice cream. That’s what Grassland Dessert Cafe owner William Colgan discovered after an unexpected storm caused widespread power outages throughout northwest Connecticut on the evening of July 4.
Salisbury was among the communities hit hardest by the storm and the days-long power outages that followed. For local business owners, losing power was only the beginning. After days without electricity, recovery proved even more challenging.
“In the ice cream business, temperature is a big deal,” Colgan said. “We probably can last about 6 to 10 hours without power. As long as the power comes back within that window, we’re good.”
However, Grassland was without power for roughly 48 hours, until service was restored on Main Street in Lakeville on July 6. Without a working generator to keep its freezers running, the recovery process quickly became complicated.
“We ended up throwing out about 50 to 55 gallon tubs of ice cream,” Colgan said. Unable to receive deliveries until the following Wednesday, the shop lost virtually its entire inventory.
Grassland serves ice cream from Gifford’s Ice Cream in Maine.
Yet even without any product to sell, Grassland kept its scheduled Make Your Own Sundae Night on Tuesday, July 7, for 30 students from a nearby private school.
“We went out and got some of our ice cream, not the three gallon tubs, but the same ice cream, and that went very well,” Colgan said.
Colgan purchased ice cream from a local market to avoid disappointing the group.
Grassland received a delivery from its supplier on the morning of July 8 and reopened later that afternoon.
Other businesses faced different challenges as they worked to recover from the storm.
After losing power and internet service and watching its signature front-lawn tree come down, The White Hart Inn and Provisions fully reopened July 10.
“Most of the damage structurally was done to the cottage we have on property called the Gideon Smith House,” said White Hart General Manager Daniel Winkley. “The landscape has just completely changed.”
The Gideon Smith House, a four-room guest cottage on the inn’s property, suffered a five-foot hole in its roof after heavy branches crashed onto the building. The damage has forced the cancellation of roughly two months of reservations.
The White Hart has been a community fixture in Salisbury for more than a decade. “We lost days of revenue,” said Winkley. During the outage, hotel reservations, dining service and events, including the inn’s weekly pizza night, were put on hold.
“It’s a bit like when Covid first happened,” Winkley said. “Going to work for four or five days without guests kind of reminds you why we’re in this business, it’s to take care of the people coming through.”
Despite the damage, cleanup was completed in time for about 80 people to gather on the inn’s lawn for the NASCAR Hauler Parade on July 10. While repairs continue to the Gideon Smith House, the inn has resumed normal operations.
For some local businesses, recovery was a much simpler process.
At Roaring Oaks Florist in Lakeville, owner Terence Miller noted that while power was lost, there was no property damage and only minimal loss of flower inventory. “We were very thankful to get power back Monday afternoon,” Miller said. “Much longer and would have needed to throw everything out.”
At Off the Trail Cafe in Falls Village, power was lost, but no damage to property or inventory occurred. The cafe remained closed the following Sunday due to lack of internet, but was able to reopen that Monday as usual.
But on their way to check on the cafe the morning after the storm, cafe owners Liz and Howard Ives came across an Appalachian Trail hiker hoping to get out of the rain. They brought the hiker back to the closed cafe for a break from the harsh weather and made him a sandwich.
The July 4 storm was one of the most damaging to hit the Northwest Corner in years. After days of cleanup and utility restoration, businesses across Salisbury and neighboring towns have largely returned to normal operations.
“The support from the community for us has been tremendous,” Winkley said. “We’re thrilled to be back.”
Lakeville Journal
CORNWALL — John Francis Homan IV has passed away. He was a professional, dapper gentleman personified with indescribable kindness. He told me a story once of being in a terrible place and finding the one positive thing to focus on, the one piece of beauty to hold onto. That is what we have to do in this moment of such a tragic loss.
In 1970, the coldest day recorded on Earth, John was born in Dearborn, Michigan, uphill in the snow, barefoot… ‘course he slips and slides all over the ice, and a couple of perfectly cadenced and coordinated notes later discovers his city, New York City. Luckily, he thaws out in time to find the love of his life, Gregg Hubbard. Together they made a pact to visit every state; they were committed to it, and were one state shy of completing that pact.
John’s dad, aptly called “Big John”, and his brother, Joe Homan, were his anchors – They, along with mom, Marilynn, managed to stoke a gracious nature within John that was beyond measure.
John’s heart also pointed North to Connecticut. I have a history degree now from listening to him tell me of Mohawk Mountain’s importance, George Washington on Bull’s Bridge, and the founding six along with all they accomplished…. down to their heirs sitting on the Supreme Court or herding cattle today. He took enormous pride in this region – he exemplified it and cherished it. For him, finding a house here, with Gregg, was everything, along with the foundation they fostered, community they grew within, and obviously… a pool to forever fix.
I am glossing over quite a few important facts, but I can tell you outlines of John’s whole picture: like his incredible adoration for his family and friends, all the relationships he built up, and the immense joy he encompassed – from belting out Broadway tunes like a pro, to the job he revered, to the way his nieces lit him up with rainbows and sunshine every day.
He often spoke through Rumi, Jung, Aurelius – even Jalen Brunson was in the mix – always a similar theme: confidence within yourself, spiritual resilience, and empathetic compassion when facing the worst life can throw at you. That’s John; he supported and nurtured those around him without judgment or fear, and did so with unwavering respect – unless you were a slow driver, that’s a whole other story.
He loved work, and a tailored suit, as much as the rodeo and a thirst trap tank. He was complicated, deep, and one of the most adventurous, out-of-this-world people I’ve ever encountered.
The world won’t be the same without him, and it wasn’t nearly enough time.
The one piece of beauty I can hold onto is that he is, and always shall be, my friend.
The Memorial Service will be held at UCC of Cornwall, 8 Bolton Hill Road on Aug. 8 at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers we ask that people donate to the Church UCC of Cornwall; they do fabulous outreach in the community, and my friend John was quite involved in that.
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Lakeville Journal
NOTICE of a SPECIAL MEETING of the SALISBURY DEMOCRATIC
TOWN COMMITTEE
Please take notice a Special Meeting of the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) will take place on July 21, 2026 at 7 PM, in person at the Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main St., Salisbury, CT 06068, or by Zoom.
The sole purpose of the meeting is to fill a vacancy in the office of Chair of the SDTC occasioned by the resignation of its former Chair, Albert Ginouves. All Members of the SDTC are asked to be present in person, or electronically by Zoom. The new Chair will be elected by a majority of the Members of the SDTC who are present and voting (in person, or via Zoom). The meeting is open to the public and all registered Democrats; however, only currently serving Members of the SDTC may vote. Dated July 10, 2026.
By Order of Charlie Kelley, Vice Chairman, Salisbury Democratic Town Committee
07-16-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JOHN E. MARKEY
Late of Canaan
AKA John Markey
AKA Jack Markey
(26-00245)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated June 25, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Loretta A. Maintanis
c/o Linda M Patz
Drury, Patz & Citrin, LLP 7 Church Street
P.O. Box 101, Canaan, CT 06018
Jordan Bergs
Clerk
07-16-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF MICHAEL
CARABINE
Late of Sharon
AKA MICHAEL J.
CARABINE
AKA MICHAEL JOSEPH
CARABINE
(26-00280)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated June 25, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Caitlin Carabine McLean c/o Michael Downes Lynch
Law Office of Michael D. Lynch
106 Upper Main Street, P.O. Box 1776
Sharon, CT 06069
Jordan Bergs Clerk
07-16-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF
ORSON NOAH
BENEDICT
Late of Norfolk
AKA Orson N. Benedict
(26-00248)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated June 25, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is: Virginia M. Halsted
c/o Douglas K O’Connell Howd Lavieri & Finch, LLP,
682 Main St. Winsted, CT 06098
Jordan Bergs
Clerk
07-16-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF
PETER S. ESTES,
Late of Sharon
(26-00196)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated May 26, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Theresa M. Walla Kelly c/o LINDA M PATZ, DRURY, PATZ & CITRIN, LLP, 7 CHURCH STREET, P.O. BOX 101, CANAAN, CT 06018
Jordan Bergs Clerk
07-16-26
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF
VICTOR M. FILLOW Late of Sharon
(26-00227)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated May 26, 2026, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciaries are: Gregory M. Fillow, 5 Little Valley Road, Oxford, CT 06478
Tracy E. Fillow, 62 Tamarack Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Jordan Bergs,
Clerk
07-16-26
Lakeville Journal
Home Help Needed. Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
1Bd/1b apartment in Amenia. $900 a month. 860-309-4482.
2 Bedroom House. Millerton, NY. Quiet. 4 miles from town. $2500 monthly, plus utilities. 518-567-8277.
MT RIGA LAKEFRONT CABIN. Private beach, canoe, kayaks, fishing. $1,275/week. 585-355-5245
Alec Linden
75 rescuers from 15 response teams across Litchfield and Dutchess Counties retrieved an injured and stranded hiker from the Appalachian Trail on Thursday afternoon, July 9. Hot and humid conditions complicated the effort, injuring three rescuers who have since recovered.
KENT – An injured hiker was rescued from a rugged section of the Appalachian Trail on Thursday, July 9, but the extreme heat took a toll on rescuers as well, leaving three first responders with heat-related illnesses. All four individuals were in stable condition Friday morning.
The hiker, who was hiking with at least one other person, was found to be dehydrated and suffering from heat-related illness on a section of the trail between the Schaghticoke campsite and Mount Algo campsite. The rescue drew about 75 emergency responders from Connecticut and New York. Responders were dispatched at 12:30 p.m. after a 911 call was placed, and crews wrapped up the scene around 7:30 p.m.
Kent Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tim Sneller said the injured hiker was rescued on “steep and rocky” terrain about two miles from the nearest road access.
“I think this is the roughest part of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut,” Sneller said. He added that this was the second trail rescue his team had performed this year, but the terrain and weather conditions made the effort on Thursday afternoon especially complicated, with high temperatures in the low 90s and a high humidity index.
Two first responders were treated on scene, he said, while the third was hospitalized but later released.
“I spoke to him and he’s doing well,” Sneller said.
The KVFD was aided in the rescue by teams from the Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department, Sherman Volunteer Fire Department, Warren Volunteer Fire Company Inc., Sharon Fire Department Inc and Sharon Ambulance, New Milford’s Water Witch Hose Co. No. 2, Roxbury Fire and EMS, Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, Bantam Fire Company, County Coordinator, Northwell Medic Nos. 4 and 5, Washington Volunteer Fire Department. J.H. Ketcham Hose Company, Amenia Fire Company and Empress Medic.
Some of the responding crews were dispatched as backup after several firefighters began experiencing heat illness and had to be removed from the rescue effort and treated.
Sneller advised any who go hiking during the hot summer months to “bring plenty of fluids and a charged phone.” In an emergency, “call us sooner rather than later,” he said.
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