CORNWALL — It takes quite a bit to get dogs up off their couches at home and out the door on a Saturday, but the annual Run and Wag, a 5K race involving a chance to run beside their owners, did the trick.
Marking its eighth year, the event held on Saturday, Oct. 16, drew record numbers of participants to the Cornwall Town Green, all to benefit The Little Guild and its programs to provide shelter, care and new homes to rescued animals.
“I’m excited,” said Linda Petersen of Wilton, Conn., who at 17 was looking forward that day to her first race, competing as a solo runner. “I’ve been training a little bit,” she added.
Coco, an extraordinarily attractive dog, was seated in the shade contemplating the event, but choosing not to participate, at least this year. Owner Ania Hubbard of Cornwall acted as spokesperson: “We walk all the time.”
Taking a moment to consider the totality of the activities were Kelly Bozzuto, who served as event chairman, and Diane Mattes, who said she was there as chair emeritus. Both serve on The Little Guild’s Board of Directors.
“It is a wonderful family event,” Bozzuto said. Surveying the field, she added, “There are a lot of happy dogs.”
Mattes agreed, adding that the Run and Wag is “a great way to celebrate the beginning of the return, when we can all be out celebrating being together in the community.”
Both added a large measure of gratitude to the town of Cornwall for its help in making the event happen and to the residents for their support and volunteerism.
Key to the event’s success was the volunteerism of Race Director Rocco Botto, who has spearheaded the Run and Wag each year since it began. Mattes praised Botto’s dedication in arranging every detail of the race and its logistics, all with an eye toward safety, aided by the presence of the Cornwall Fire Department and the EMS crew. Attendees enjoyed his spirited announcements of the race and the activities as they unfolded.
The Coop Farmers’ Market was busy throughout, and two food trucks had patrons lined up, for Meraki’s and Ben & Jerry’s.
Earning a first-place win, and therefore the Doggie Cup, in the category of Women with Dogs, was Brittany Telke of Bristol. This was her second win of the event, with a time of 19:32. Her first win, two years ago, set the course record for the category at 18:56. She was running with her dog, Mazikeen, who performed with speed and determination.
Dave Bozzuto of Cornwall earned the Doggie Cup in the category of Men with Dogs. His Rosie is an alumna of The Little Guild, who found a home with the Bozzutos three years ago. He said that she was out in front of him for about the first mile of the race, “and then she got tired.” Nevertheless, their time was clocked at 25:59, earning them the win in the category.
“It’s a great day for Cornwall and a great day for The Little Guild,” proclaimed Karen Doeblin, president of The Little Guild’s Board of Directors.
Having volunteered to distribute the awards for the event, CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reflected on the significance of the annual Run and Wag, as he awaited the official results.
“I think about the bond between humans and dogs,” he said, adding that, “We love The Little Guild.”
Official timekeeping for the race was under the direction of Greystone Racing. For a complete listing of race results, go to www.greystoneracing.net.
For more information about The Little Guild, go to www.littleguild.org.
Later in the day, the Newcomers’ Tea was held at the public library across the street. Cornwall Association President Gary Steinkohl noted that the town has welcomed 65 new homeowners in the past year, during the pandemic. He was looking forward to greeting the significant number of those who had registered for his association’s community-wide event.
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
