You don’t have to be a super sophisticated user of the internet to know about the “Grumpy Cat” meme, It started in 2012, when photos of a cat named Tardar Sauce got posted online. Because of what her owners think is feline dwarfism, Tardar Sauce has what might be referred to as a “resting grumpy face.” People started using photos and videos of the cat as a blank canvas for making jokes; and the Grumpy Cat meme was born (go to www.grumpycats.com to learn more).
Reed Halvorson’s new play, “Put on a Grumpy Face,” imagines what would have happened if Tardar Sauce’s owners had become dependent on the income from their cat’s popularity — and if the cat had suddenly stopped looking grumpy. The play explores the fast-changing world of internet celebrity, and will be screened between Jan. 1 and 13 as part of the ninth annual International Playwrights Festival at the Nancy Marine Studio at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Conn. To stream this and other plays in the festival, go to . The performances are free but donations are welcome.
— Cynthia Hochswender
Following a unanimous Board of Education vote Jan. 6, Region One students in grades K-8 must store their cellphones in a designated area for the duration of the instructional school day. For high schoolers, cellphone use is authorized at select times of day.
FALLS VILLAGE — The Region One Board of Education, voting unanimously, adopted a cellphone policy at its regular monthly meeting Monday, Jan 6.
The introductory paragraphs of the approved policy read:
“There is a growing body of evidence that suggests student access to cellular telephones and other electronic communication devices may be detrimental to student emotional well being, social development, and academic growth. Therefore, the use of electronic communication devices and other such technology at school (in any school-based environment) is considered a privilege, not a right.
“Students may possess cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices on school property and school-sponsored transportation, provided students adhere to the restrictions contained within this policy. Any unauthorized use of cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices during the instructional school day or at such times as not authorized by the school principal or designee is prohibited, as it disrupts the instructional program or distracts from the educational environment.”
Students in grades K-8 may have phones and devices, but they must be turned off and stored in a designated area during the instructional school day.
High school students must also keep their phones and devices off and stored in designated holders in each classroom. “High school principals may modify the instructional school day to establish other authorized times of use in addition to when students are waiting for the beginning of the instructional school day or waiting for a school bus at the end of the instructional school day, including the designation of areas of the school campus for such use.”
The rules are clear about privacy concerns. Under “Unauthorized Use of Devices,” the policy forbids “Violation of a student’s or other person’s reasonable expectation of privacy by using such devices with photographic capabilities in student locker rooms, restrooms, any other student changing areas, or the classroom, whether such use occurs during the instructional school day or on school property. Cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices may not be utilized to take unauthorized ‘photographs’ or ‘videos’ while on school property, while on school-sponsored transportation or while a student is engaged in school-sponsored activities. Use in a manner that is profane, indecent, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, bullying or harassing language, pictures or gestures.”
There are exceptions. “There is educational value in utilizing cellular telephones or other wireless communication devices in the classroom when such devices deliver content, and extend, enhance, and/or reinforce a student’s learning process..The appropriateness of in-class use of these devices consistent with the instructional objectives within instructional time will be determined by the classroom teacher with the approval of the building principal or designee.”
And “Exceptions to the restrictions in this policy, in part or in its entirety, may be made for health, safety and emergency reasons by the principal and/or designee.”
Devices may be confiscated for violations. “Unauthorized use of these devices is grounds for confiscation by school officials, including classroom teachers. Repeated unauthorized use of such devices may lead to disciplinary action and/or behavioral intervention support(s).”
FALLS VILLAGE — Region One Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that Region One had experienced a data breach in December 2024.
PowerSchool, a California- based company, holds data from more than 60 million students in North America, according to its website. Its cloud-based system suffered the breach when an unauthorized party gained access to private information.
Brady-Shanley released additional details on Jan. 9, in the form of an emailed letter to all Region One families:
“PowerSchool, our Student Information System provider, has reported that their platform experienced a cybersecurity breach starting on December 22, 2024. According to their officials, an unauthorized party accessed certain PowerSchool SIS customer data using a compromised credential. PowerSchool has assured us that the breach is contained, and there is no ongoing malicious activity.”
“To address the breach, PowerSchool collaborated with a cybersecurity firm to communicate with the threat actor and obtained video evidence confirming the destruction of the compromised files. According to PowerSchool, to the best of their knowledge, the data was not shared or duplicated. As a precaution, they have implemented enhanced security protocols to prevent future incidents.”
In a phone interview Saturday, Jan. 11, the superintendent said the data was “demographic” information such as addresses and phone numbers of students, families and Region One staff.
She reiterated that “to the best of our knowledge” the data has been destroyed.
Asked if Region One will be getting a bill for the cybersecurity firm hired by PowerSchool to deal with the breach, she said no.
She said the breach was part of a much larger international operation.
At the local level, Region One has upgraded its administrative security procedures, she added.
WASSAIC — Shelea Lynn “Shalay” Hurley, 51, a longtime area resident, died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, following a lengthy illness. Her husband, Michael, was at her bedside when Shalay was called home to be with God.
Born April 19, 1973, in Poughkeepsie, she was the daughter of the late Roy Cullen, Sr. and Joann (Miles) Antoniadis of Amsterdam, New York. Shalay was a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School class of 1991. On July 21, 2018 in Dover Plains, New York she married Michael P. Hurley. Michael survives at home in Wassaic.
Shalay was a beautiful soul who would do anything for anyone. She enjoyed crafting, making wreaths, spending time with her husband Michael and playing with their dog Autumn. Shalay was a longtime member of Faith Bible Chapel of Shekomeko in Millerton, where she made many friends over the years.
In addition to her husband Michael, her mother Joann (Nick) and her dog Autumn, Shalay is survived by three children, Rebekah Antoniadis, Brittany Holton (Tyler) and Jimmy Antoniadis; three brothers, Thomas Cullen, Roy Cullen, Jr. and Shaun Cullen; four grandchildren, Ioannia, Adaline, Aubrey and Chandler and several aunts and uncles and many friends. In addition to her father, Roy Sr., Shalay was predeceased by her daughter, Savannah, her foster parents, Mr. & Mrs. Murphy, her grandparents, several uncles and her dear in-laws, James and Shirley Hurley.
Calling hours will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12.p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor William Mayhew will officiate. A private burial will take place at Amenia Island Cemetery in Amenia, NY at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 304, Melville, NY 11747. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Shalay’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
Seth Rogovoy at the screening of “A Complete Unknown” at The Triplex.
When Seth Rogovoy, acclaimed author, critic, and cultural commentator of “The Rogovoy Report” on WAMC Northeast Public Radio, was asked to lead a talkback at The Triplex in Great Barrington following a screening of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” he took on the task with a thoughtful and measured approach.
“I really try to foster a conversation and keep my opinions about the film to myself,” said Rogovoy before the event on Sunday, Jan. 5. “I want to let people talk about how they felt about it and then I ask follow-up questions, or people ask me questions. I don’t reveal a lot about my feelings until the end.”
The film, directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, portrays young Dylan’s arrival in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s. The film depicts his interactions with key figures like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Suze Rotolo (called Sylvie Russo in the film), while also exploring Dylan’s evolution from performing traditional folk songs to writing his own, including iconic tracks like “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The narrative touches on his struggles with fame, identity, and the pressure to conform, culminating in his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
“I went into seeing the film with an open mind,” said Rogovoy, “recognizing that this film is not for me. It’s not for ‘Dylanologists,’ for experts. It’s a Hollywood film. I don’t think it does harm, but I think it doesn’t do a lot of what it could have done.”
The film presents a sentimental narrative with many historical inaccuracies. “According to Elijah Wald, whose book the film is based on, he said he likes the film but that it’s entirely fictional,” said Rogovoy.
The talkback itself was lively, with audience members sharing their thoughts on the film’s nostalgic appeal and its historical inaccuracies. Several attendees mentioned how the film helped them relive the cultural transformation of the era.
“It brings to mind the first time I heard that music, and the change it had on our culture,” shared one audience member.
Another attendee, who was just a baby during the time period depicted in the film, said, “I loved how much of his music they did play. It wasn’t just one verse and then cut away. I really got a renewed appreciation for his genius. I’m going full Dylan when I get home.”
While Rogovoy’s approach during the talkback was to facilitate discussion, audience members were eager to hear his analysis. His 2009 book, “Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet” explores Dyan’s connection to Jewish liturgy. In contrast to “A Complete Unknown,” Rogovoy offered a reminder of “I’m Not There,” the 2007 experimental musical drama co-written and directed by Todd Haynes where six actors portrayed different facets of Dylan’s persona. He described the film’s nonlinear narrative as offering what he called “a Dylanesque portrayal” of the artist, capturing more of the complexity of Dylan’s identity. Rogovoy characterized Chalamet’s portrayal as “one note.”
“And how do we know about the essence of Bob Dylan at that time?” asked Rogovoy. “Well, because there are a number of documentary films with footage of that time, which I’m sure that they (the filmmakers and cast) all viewed again and again. My understanding of Chalamet’s preparation was that he really immersed himself in everything to be a credible Bob Dylan. But in the end, I just found him to be entirely monochromatic.”
The screening and talkback provided a nuanced platform for discussing “A Complete Unknown”—a film that, while not without flaws, ignited a conversation about Bob Dylan’s influence and his enigmatic role in shaping American music and culture.
