Cub Scouts start their engines

WASSAIC — From sleek to stout, solid colored to tie-dyed explosion, ninja-driver equipped to pencil-shaped, this year’s Pinewood Derby for Amenia’s Cub Scouts of Pack 29 was an opportunity to see just how creative one can get with a small block of wood and 5 ounces of wiggle room.

Four dens — Tiger, Bear, Wolf and Webelos — have spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on their cars in time for the big race, held last Friday, March 26, at the Wassaic firehouse. Even the track got a shiny new finish for the event, sending the fastest vehicles careening toward the finish line, sometimes at speeds fast enough to derail the car.

Dens raced against each other, with the winners advancing to the next round and facing the winners from other dens. Even parents and Scoutmasters entered in the fun, and despite birthday luck on her side, parent Dawn Marie Klingner couldn’t compete with the aerodynamics of Cubmaster Christine Ford’s pencil-shaped torpedo, which made it to the final round but had to settle for second place.

The first-place trophy, an impressive hunk of metal nearly as large as some of the contestants, was the prize derby participants dreamed of. As an added bonus, the winner gets to keep the trophy for the year, with the promise that it will be returned in time for next year’s competition.

When the smoke cleared, 8-year-old Dylan Johnson emerged victorious, although it was unclear whether it was his lucky day or if he was playing his cards close to the chest.

“I made my car look like an El Camino,� he explained, clarifying that the choice wasn’t because that particular car is his favorite. “It’s just a cool shape.�

Latest News

Cornwall board approves purchase of two new fire trucks following CVFD recommendation
CVFD reaches fundraising goal for new fire trucks
Provided

CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.

Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robin Lee Roy

FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.

She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marjorie A. Vreeland

SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.

At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rafael A. Porro

SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.

Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.

Keep ReadingShow less