Falls Village roars with horsepower and heritage

A 1940 Plymouth PT-105 belonging to Debbie Hanlon of Sharon.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Falls Village roars with horsepower and heritage

FALLS VILLAGE — The Falls Village Car and Motorcycle Show had a perfect summer day Sunday, July 14.

Everywhere a car could be parked, there was a car.

Even at 10 a.m., downtown was packed with show cars and spectators.

Tom Janovitz of West Chester, Pennsylvania, was explaining the operation of what appeared to be the world’s oldest electric bike.

Built from scratch on an old H.B. Higgins frame, the machine operates as a traditional bicycle, but also has an electric motor.

Asked if the battery can be recharged by pedaling, Janovitz said no.

“It’s not that sophisticated.”

Tom Janovitz explains the operation of what appeared to be the world’s oldest electric bike.Patrick L. Sullivan

Walking up Main Street to the David M. Hunt Library, a visitor could stop and recharge with a bottle of ice-cold water from the Scouts and observe a woman dancing to “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies.

Given the single came out in 1969, it is a good bet that nobody has danced in public to “Sugar Sugar” in decades. At least not in Falls Village.

At the library, Jody Bronson was sitting in the shade on the corner of Beebe Hill Road and Main Street.

His 1959 Willys Jeep wagon, complete with chainsaws and axes and other handy items, was occupying the prime real estate.

Bronson said when he arrived car show personnel tried to direct him further down Main Street but he resisted.

“I said I’m a local, I’ve done every one of these shows, and I just paid my taxes.”

Crowds meander through downtown Falls Village for a glimpse at classic cars.Patrick L. Sullivan

Owner Windram “Win” Donaldson IV from New Fairfield has been attending the Car Show for many years. When Donaldson graduated high school in 1966 his grandfather, Windram “Win” Donaldson Jr., bought him a 1964 Oldsmobile 442 convertible as a graduation gift. The car was a sign it was time to “go steady” with his then-girlfriend, now wife, Kathy.

Elsewhere the following interesting vehicles were spotted:

A 1929 Model A Ford, with a “desert bag” holding an emergency water supply. On the information sheet under “special features” was the word “rust.”

A desert bag, to be used for emergency water supply, rests on the hood emblem of a 1929 Model A Ford. The information sheet for this antique automobile lists “rust” under the category of “special features.”Patrick L. Sullivan

A 1940 Plymouth PT-105 pickup truck belonging to Debbie Hanlon of Sharon. The truck would be noteworthy for being in such wonderful condition, but it also bore the legend of Miller’s Luncheonette in Findlay, Ohio. Findlay, Ohio is in turn notable for its annual Buzzard Day celebration every March 15.

And a 1959 Chevy Canopy Express, decked out for the weighing and selling of produce.At 11:30 a.m. there were about 515 vehicles registered.

The annual Car and Motorcycle show hosted by the Jacobs family, owners of Jacobs Garage, always has an incredible turnout with many vehicles, motorcycles, and spectators.

Volunteers from the Housatonic Valley FFA program help to direct traffic, shuttle visitors, and help the event run smoothly and efficiently. Proceeds from the event benefit the agricultural education program at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in turn for the support the FFA brings.

Not only is the show about the vehicles, it allows the community to gather around one another with the ability to listen to a band, enjoy snacks from food trucks, and have friendly competitions between the vehicles.

Latest News

Luigina A. Dzenutis

CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.

Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less