Deborah Eynon Reyelt


SALISBURY — Deborah Eynon Reyelt, 89, of Salisbury passed away March 19, 2024, at Sharon Hospital. Born on July 25,1934, in Milton, Massachusetts, she was the eldest of Natalie and Bill Eynon’s four daughters. After graduating from Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey, she attended the Katharine Gibbs School, which prepared her for her first full-time job at McGraw Hill Publishing. In 1957 she met Peter Reyelt, and the two were married in Greenwich, Connecticut, the following year.
After stints in Richmond, Virginia, where Deb worked at Reynolds Aluminum while Peter finished medical school, in Denver, Colorado, for Peter’s internship, and Hartford, Connecticut, for his residency, the young couple moved to Sharon, with their three small children.
First landing on Upper Main Street, Deb happily made the Northwest Corner her home for the next 58 years, most of them spent at Deb and Peter’s beloved “Hooperfields,” an old farmhouse they renovated on West Woods Road. Deb dedicated herself to raising her young family which over the years included several dogs and cats, a goat, and even a flock of baby wood ducks. Once her children were settled in school, Deb began working at the Sharon Assessor’s office, a job she loved and held for many years. Affectionately known as “Big Deb” by her family on account of her desire to take charge, soon friends and colleagues adopted the nickname as well.
Having lived on the Cape for a portion of her childhood, Deb had a life-long love of the beach. In 1993, she and Peter bought a small cottage on Nantucket, a place she loved to spend time with family and friends. Other passions included her volunteer work, serving on the boards of the Housatonic Child Care Center and the Sharon Playhouse, her political activism, her bridge and needlepoint groups, her many outings with friends, and especially, her time with grandchildren who brought her the ultimate joy.
Deb is survived by her husband, Peter, her three children, Amy (Scott), Becky, and Bill (Olivia); five grandchildren, Nick (Katie), Abby and Will, Eleanor and Grace, and two great grandsons, George and Walter, as well as her two sisters, Susie and Connie. She was predeceased by her sister Betsy.
In gratitude for her dedicated caregivers, contributions may be made to Noble Horizons in Salisbury. The family is planning a Celebration of Life at a later date. The Kenny Funeral home has care of arrangements.
The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.
The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.
The cost is $50 per child and includes instruction and lunch on both days. For more information or to register, visit www.skireg.com/swsa-camp or email info@jumpfest.org
Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.
LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.
The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.
Barkhamsted First Selectman Meaghan Cook, Goshen First Selectman Seth Breakell, Kent First Selectman Eric Epstein, Norfolk First Selectman Henry Tirrell, North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce and Torrington Mayor Molly Spino were each elected to their post in November.
They filled the seats of their predecessors on the COG, who were each given a toast of appreciation: Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Todd Carusillo (Goshen), Marty Lindenmeyer (Kent), Matt Riiska (Norfolk), Brian Ohler (North Canaan) and Elinor Carbone (Torrington).
COG Executive Director Rob Phillips said the outgoing members were given a going away mug that read “You’re living the dream still.” Members voted to appoint Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava to fill a vacancy on the Council’s Executive Committee. COG members voted by paper ballot, and LaCava defeated Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson for the vacant seat.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.

Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.


Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.