As the Tri-state region experiences a few particularly hot days, it’s pleasant to think about ocean voyages; and to consider sitting indoors with a fan or the air conditioning on, while reading a very long book.
“Moby-Dick”obviously springs to mind. I mostly associate Herman Melville’s Great American Novel with New Bedford and the whaling towns of Massachusetts, but Melville has some significant connections to us, in the Berkshires and Connecticut.
As a curiosity: A descendant of the author lives in Cornwall, Conn. I will respectfully not mention her name here, but I thank her for having written many lovely articles for this newspaper, and for sharing the information that her nephew, the musician Moby, earned his nickname as a bald toddler, in honor of his illustrious ancestor.
But there is another local connection to Melville that I hadn’t known about until last week, when I received a press release from Arrowhead, which was the Melville family residence from 1851 to 1891 and which is in (relatively) nearby Pittsfield, Mass. (about 37 miles — or one hour by car — from my house in Lakeville, Conn.).
It was at Arrowhead that Melville wrote many of his most famous works, including the novels “Moby-Dick” and “The Confidence-Man” and the short stories “Benito Cereno” and “Bartleby the Scrivener.”
In his novel “Israel Potter,” Melville describes the views from Arrowhead: “On one side the eye follows for the space of an eagle’s flight, the serpentine mountain chains, southward from the great purple dome of Taconic — the St. Peter’s of these hills — northwards to the twin summits of Saddleback, which is the two-steepled natural cathedral of Berkshire; while low down to the west the Housatonic winds on in her watery labyrinth, through charming meadows basking in the reflected rays from the hillsides.”
Inside/outside
The views from the property are still relatively intact, thanks to the hard work of the area’s many land conservancies and sensitive property owners. And while of course you can see the Housatonic River and the Taconic mountain range from many vantage points in the area, how fun would it be to see them through the eyes of one of America’s first and most famous writers? (After the heat wave ends, of course.)
The property has recently opened again, after a COVID-19 quarantine that ended on July 9. Tours of the house and barns are offered by appointment Thursdays through Mondays at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. There can only be four people at a time on each tour. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $10 for students (children 12 and under are free). To set up an appointment, go to www.berkshirehistory.org/arrowhead-opening or call 413-442-1793.
The grounds are open from dawn to dusk daily.
Heritage tour
There is also a Melville history trail that includes eight places in the area that the author visited: Park Square, Hancock Shaker Village, Crane Museum of Paper Making, Balance Rock, Lenox Court House, Tanglewood/Hawthorne Cottage, October Mountain and Mount Greylock. The trail and information about each of the stops along it is sponsored in part by Housatonic Heritage and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, which was started by a group here in Salisbury, Conn., and which includes history and culture sites in Litchfield and Berkshire counties.
If you’ve never undertaken a cover-to-cover reading of “Moby-Dick,” a hot quarantine summer could be the perfect time to do it. You can order a copy through one of our excellent and hardworking local booksellers (who could all use your support), or find the text online at no cost at www.gutenberg.org.
Writers who are inspired by Melville’s work, or by the landscape, can apply for the Writer in Residence program at Arrowhead. This year’s writers were announced in mid July; the summer-season writer is Robin Catalano of Stephentown, N.Y.; in autumn, the writer will be Kevin O’Hara of Pittsfield. For more information on the residency program, go to www.berkshirehistory.org/herman-melville-arrowhead/writer-in-residence.
Lakeville Journal
NORFOLK — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.
Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.
Born in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, to Addison Sterling Ellis and Marion Mullison Ellis, Sally was the eldest of three sisters. She graduated from Springside Academy and Smith College, where she was a student leader and an All-American in both lacrosse and field hockey. Devoted to Springside throughout her life, she served on its Board of Trustees and received its Distinguished Service Award for leadership, including establishing an American chestnut arboretum---the restoration of the American chestnut being a lifetime interest of Sally.
Sally began her career as a teacher at The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts, where she quickly became head of the middle school. Her love of books and writing then led her to New York publishing, where she worked at Random House, Alfred A. Knopf, and Viking Penguin. She continued her active athletic life, playing tennis, co-ed softball and soccer in the publishers’ league in Central Park, and even skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mount Washington.
A gifted pianist, organist and singer, Sally performed with New York’s Blue Hill Troupe, where she met and married the love of her life, Drew Quale. Soon two spirited sons, Andrew III and Addison, arrived and the family moved to Bronxville, New York.
Together they built a life centered on family, community, education, music and sports. She founded the Bronxville Bulletin, became the Bronxville School’s first Public Information Officer, served as Project Director for the publication of the school’s history and produced six Blue Hill Troupe performances to benefit the Bronxville School Foundation, which she and Drew were instrumental in establishing. She directed and accompanied the Bronxville Hilltop band and singers at the Hilltop’s annual Holiday Party. She encouraged many NYC friends to move to Bronxville, who themselves contributed greatly to Bronxville’s educational and musical life.
In 1984, Sally and Drew purchased a 1780 farmhouse in Norfolk, Connecticut as their “casa de campo,” beginning a decades-long love affair with Norfolk, Doolittle Lake and the entire Northwest Corner. In Norfolk, she helped found the town newspaper, Norfolk Now, organized many concerts and cabarets, and produced several Blue Hill Troupe productions for the pre-season opening benefit of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. In recent years, Sally and Drew also found a welcoming winter home and deeply caring friends at Westminster Shores in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sally is survived by her husband, Andrew Christopher Quale Jr.; her sons, Andrew Christopher Quale III and Addison Sterling Ellis Quale; her daughter-in-law, Nágila Pereira Quale; her grandchildren, Strynden Pereira Quale, Amattan Pereira Quale, and Hannah Zeilyn Pereira Quale; her sister, Mimi Garrett; Andrew’s partner, Jessica Euphamie Moore; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Two Memorial Services will be held: Saturday, August 22, 11 AM, at United Church of Christ Congregational, 12 Litchfield Road, Norfolk CT 06058; and Saturday, October 10, 11 AM at Reformed Church of Bronxville, 180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708.
Lakeville Journal
KENT — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.
Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.
She was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Kent.
Mrs. Casey is survived by three daughters, Kathleen (Katie) Casey Moore, and her husband, Jonathan, of Kent, Connecticut; Margaret (Meg) McEnroe Casey, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Jacqueline (Jackie) Casey McGuinness, and her husband, Michael, of Fairfield, Connecticut and two brothers, Joseph McEnroe of Amenia, New York and James McEnroe of Burlington Flats, New York. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Andrew Casey Moore, and his wife, Kristen; Christopher Sizer Moore; John Finn McFadyen; Margaret Casey McGuinness; Caroline Grace McGuinness and Patrick Edward McGuinness and a great grandson, Aiden Casey Moore.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, Leo McEnroe, Jr. and a sister, Margaret Wilcox.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at St. Kateri Tekakwitha-Sacred Heart Church, 17 Bridge St., Kent, CT. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kent, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kent Volunteer Ambulance, 28 Maple St., Kent, CT 06757.
Lakeville Journal
MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.
Louise’s artistic talents came through in her knitting, her painting, and her gardens. A master knitter, for many years she and Mary hosted a weekly knitting group at their home. She was recognized for her Japanese watercolors and landscapes; her passion for flowers was expressed in the abundant roses bordering her property.
An avid traveler, she also found great joy spending summers at her family camp on an island in the Hudson River. Cars and jazz were perennial fascinations, and Doris Day was a favorite.
Louise dedicated much of her life to community service, first as an enthusiastic volunteer at Habitat for Humanity in Westchester County. Following retirement, she moved to Millerton, New York, and was soon immersed in the local library, developing a finders’ guide for the North East Historical Society; and the co-founding of Comida de Vida food pantry at St. Thomas EpiscopalChurch in Amenia, New York.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Food of Life / Comida de Vida Food Pantry St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 40 Leedsville Road, Amenia, NY 12501 (845) 373-9161 www.stthomasamenia.com or Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/support
A celebration of Louise’s life will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 2pm to 4pm at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
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Lakeville Journal
MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.
Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.
Mary is survived by her children; Ray D. Simmons III of Millerton; Maureen Chodan and her husband Jimmy of Florida; Robert A. Simmons and his wife Dara of Amenia Union; Ralph J. Simmons and his husband James Segrue of Spain; Mary Ellen Simmons of Vermont; Roseann Roux and her husband Brian of Sharon, and Louis A. Simmons of Millerton. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by seven siblings and several dear friends and extended family members.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, St. Bernard Church, 52 New Street, Sharon, CT. Rev. Gregory Jaworowski officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Church Graveyard at the corner of Barton and Church Streets in Millerton, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Millerton Fire Company, P.O. Box 733, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service, or to plant a tree in Mary’s honor, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com.
Lakeville Journal
STANFORDVILLE —Margaret Anita Layton passed away on April 30, 2026, after a recurring battle with cancer, surrounded by friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents, Anita and Jack Egan, brother John P. Egan, III, and nephew Michael Egan. She leaves behind a brother, numerous nieces and a nephew, as well as a community of chosen sisters who loved her very much.
Margaret was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Clinton Corners as a small child. Margaret spent her adult life in Stanfordville, where she owned Margaret A. Layton, E.A. Tax and Business Consulting. Margaret was a lover of all animals and an avid horse enthusiast with an active presence in the draft horse community. Midge lived out loud. Her vibrancy left a mark that will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.
A private burial will take place at Friends Upton Lake Cemetery in Clinton Corners, New York.
Memorial donations may be made to Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY 12538. Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
To send an online condolence to the family or to plant a tree in Midge’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
Lakeville Journal
Join The Lakeville Journal for a community celebration, featuring local nonprofits and businesses, festive family fun, great food, and engaging activities.
Danny Tieger | 11am - 12pm
John Keilty/Johnny Rox | 1-3pm
Face Painting
Scavenger Hunt
Balloon Animals
21st Century Fund for HVRHS
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Community Health & Wellness Center
Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC
The Corner Food Pantry
Crescendo
Housatonic Child Care Center
Noble Horizons
Nuvance Health (Sharon Hospital)
Project SAGE
NW Connecticut Community Foundation (Women & Girls Fund)
Salisbury Association
Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission
Salisbury Housing Committee
Salisbury Housing Trust
The Salisbury Forum
Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging
Cousins Maine Lobster food truck
The Taco Shack
LaBonnes’ Market
Provisions at The White Hart
Sweet William’s
See you at the Lakeville Journal Street Fair!
If you have any questions, please email streetfair@lakevillejournal.com
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