
An expensive gift becomes less pricey when it’s a gift for everyone in the family. One such option: A mini printer that works with your smart phone.
Photo by Cynthia Hochswender
Here’s an idea for something everyone in the family will love and should in theory be able to share: A Canon Ivy mini printer that works with your smartphone ($98.99).
I bought one a few weeks ago and I’m completely in love with it. I’ve already bought two for friends.
The quality of the images is very good. If you are able to work with your phone camera and do any light editing to make images brighter, darker etc, you will find this printer to be very easy to manage.
This is a no-ink printer (or ZINK, which stands for Zero Ink), so you’re not always fussing with expensive cartridges. The ink is in the paper; but the paper is smooth, not puffy like the old Polaroids.
Each piece of photo paper has a sticker back; the images are small (2 by 3 inches), which is perfect for journaling, keeping a travelogue and doing step-by-step or Final Masterpiece photos of new recipes for your own recipe file.
You can also buy coin-sized pre-cut sticker paper for your printer, perfect for kids to decorate their laptops or schedule books.
A pack of 20 pieces of 2-by-3-inch photo paper is $10; 50 sheets is $24; 20 sheets of sticker paper is $12.
Another brand worth looking into is the Kodak Mini 3 Square 3x3 Retro Portable Printer. As its name suggests, this printer (also known as the P300R) gives you 3-inch-square prints.
There are other models that make different-sized prints. The P210R prints are 3.4 by 2.1 inches, and there is a 4-inch printer called the Dock Plus.
The prices vary, depending on who’s selling them and which model you get. Most of the Canon and Kodak printers usually are sold bundled with some packs of ZINK printer paper. It does make sense to order some paper, so the family can test drive the printer right away (before it gets put in a drawer and is forgotten).
One thing you do need for both these printers is Bluetooth on your phone. The Canon Ivy has a USB cord that allows you to charge it up; the charge seems to hold for a fairly long time (I haven’t yet run out of power). I’m not certain whether the Kodak units can be charged or if they are battery-only.
I’m not a super high-tech person and I found the Canon Ivy stunningly easy to set up and use. If you’re unsure, you can go online and find several YouTube tutorials.
State, local and federal officials responded to a "hazmat incident" at the Becton Dickinson and Company facility in the afternoon Thursday, May 15.
The BD facility in North Canaan remains closed Friday, May 16.
Two employees who opened a suspicious package were hospitalized as a precaution. They have since been released.
Ken LeClerc, emergency response coordinator for CT DEEP, said in a press conference, "The package was opened inside the building and what we're looking at is primarily a potential airborne contaminant."
More than 300 employees went through a decontamination protocol before leaving work yesterday. No injuries were reported.
North Canaan First Selectman Brian Ohler stated May 16, "The decontamination process that took place yesterday was standard and in practice when an unknown substance is found inside of a facility with a shared ventilation system."
The package was identified as suspicious due to an unusual mailing address. It was taken by FBI agents for testing at the state lab in Rocky Hill. Results could take several days to get back.
Ohler added, "While we are still waiting for an exact identity of the substance, we are being told by state DEEP officials that there is no threat to the public, or to the surrounding area near the facility.”
At 1 p.m., Connecticut State Police confirmed, "The FBI has taken over the investigation."
The BD facility in North Canaan is on lockdown May 15 due to a "hazmat incident," according to emergency responders on scene.
Norfolk Public Information Officer Jon Barbagallo said BD "received a suspicious package this morning" and "numerous state and local authorities" responded, including the FBI, CT DEEP, state police, area fire departments and ambulances.
BD, manufacturer of medical devices based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, employs about 500 workers at its North Canaan facility.
BD released a statement saying, "We are working closely with law enforcement and emergency personnel to thoroughly investigate the situation, and we are following their protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, we have suspended operations until further notice."
"At this time, two individuals have been transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution," a release from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. "Approximately 300 to 350 personnel at the facility are undergoing a decontamination process as a precautionary measure. DEEP has deployed a contractor to the site to manage the decontamination operation, including shower trailers and the safe collection for clothing for those exiting the facility."
About 300 people are going through a decontamination process after a hazardous material exposure at BD.Photo by Riley Klein
Employees inside were reportedly instructed to remove clothing and shower for decontamination protocol.
A delivery driver attempting to turn down Grace Way was turned away and told the facility could be closed for several days.
A statement received May 15 at 4:40 p.m. from Connecticut State Police stated, "The scene and the investigation is still active, and there is no active threat to the public at this time."
Anna Amachowski and Steve Wilcox of Canaan enjoyed the sunset and some grilled chicken from the top of Tory Hill outside Sharon on Thursday, May 1. They were welcoming in the warm breezes of spring with some fishing and some ridgeline views at the end of a warm evening.
Amachowski and Wilcox's dog, Chuy, enjoyed a soft spot of cool grass and the view over the ridge.Photo by Nathan Miller
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.