Falling under the Easter Bunny’s lure

It’s nice sometimes to take a break from all the chaos in the world and appreciate that which is sweet in life — including those moments we can share with our families. That’s why it’s so important to thank our local towns, recreation committees, PTAs, fire departments, gun clubs, American Legions and other volunteers who take the time each year to organize what amounts to uninhibited, joyous frivolity — not only for youngsters but for entire family units — throughout the region come the spring holidays.That’s right, we’re talking about the annual Easter egg hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny that young children generally look forward to at this time of year. It may sound unimportant or perhaps trivial, but in today’s war-torn world of terror and hate, with the ominous collapse of the economy always a threat and the unemployment rate so high it hurts to even contemplate, something as seemingly inconsequential as visiting a larger-than-life furry rabbit with the entire family in tow can make all of the difference in our daily lives. It allows parents to bond with their children in a light-hearted way, it allows children to see their parents in a less stressful environment, it lets children connect with other children and it provides a chance for the whole family to be outside (in most cases) and stretch out while running in chase of candy-filled eggs. Basically, it permits everyone to have some much-needed fun.The smiles one sees while at these events, from the faces of blissful young babes still wrapped in warm blankets, too young to carry their own baskets let alone eat most of the candy, to the grins on the faces of the children greedily counting their chocolate eggs, to the happy faces of the parents and grandparents who brought their tiny ones to the egg hunts in the first place — they all give proof to the fact that these free events are about more than egg chasing — they are about building memories that last a lifetime. That is what our children will harken back to when they think about what living in Millerton, Pine Plains, Amenia or Millbrook means to them. The associations will be warm and heartfelt and remind them of their neighbors and friends, and, of course, their family. They will come to stand for what living in the Harlem Valley is really about, and will, ideally, remain as part of their traditions continuing into the future.So to those who made sure there were Easter egg hunts and fuzzy bunnies for our children this year, as in years past, thank you. You have helped to create so many special memories for so many people, which will be built on and shared from generation to generation. It’s just one more sweet reason to love living in the close-knit community that is the Harlem Valley.

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Club baseball at Fuessenich Park

Travel league baseball came to Torrington Thursday, June 26, when the Berkshire Bears Select Team played the Connecticut Moose 18U squad. The Moose won 6-4 in a back-and-forth game. Two players on the Bears play varsity ball at Housatonic Valley Regional High School: shortstop Anthony Foley and first baseman Wes Allyn. Foley went 1-for-3 at bat with an RBI in the game at Fuessenich Park.

 

  Anthony Foley, rising senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, went 1-for-3 at bat for the Bears June 26.Photo by Riley Klein 

 
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

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Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit lakevillejournal.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

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