![As recruitment tanks, the military aims for more boots on the ground](https://lakevillejournal.com/media-library/airman-basic-isabella-hartley-a-recruiter-for-the-air-force-during-a-late-november-visit-to-housatonic-valley-regional-high-sc.jpg?id=50873380&width=980&quality=90)
Airman Basic Isabella Hartley, a recruiter for the Air Force, during a late November visit to Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
FALLS VILLAGE — Earlier this month, a U.S. Air Force recruiter manned a table at Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s (HVRHS) cafeteria.
Armed with swag and promotional pamphlets, he fielded questions from curious students and touted the merits of a military career.
Army recruiters also paid the school a visit in 2023, and a spokesman for the Marine Corps said the Region One school is due for a visit from its local recruiter soon.
“When the military comes, they are very well received,” said Kirin Terni, HVRHS’s college and career center coordinator. “The students seem engaged” in conversations with the uniformed visitors, she said, adding, “We are very open to any career paths they consider.”
While it is not unusual for representatives of all the major branches of the Armed Forces to visit high school students throughout the school year, the pressure is mounting for recruiters to put more young people in uniform.
Except for the Marine Corps, all major branches of the military missed their recruitment goals in 2023, making it the worst recruiting year since the institution of the all-volunteer force in 1973, according to local recruiters.
Simply put, the U.S. military is in a war for talent.
A number of factors are causing young people to shun Uncle Sam, said military officials.
To name a few: A hot job market; increased competition from the state’s community colleges, which are offering free tuition; fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, which, for two years, prevented face-to-face contact with the public; and escalating global conflicts.
“There are a lot of programs helping students get into the workplace where they qualify for immediate employment” in addition to lofty bonuses and on-the-job training, noted HVRHS Principal Ian Strevor.
According to Defense Department polling data, when asked, only 9% of Americans expressed a willingness to serve in the military. On top of that, the number of people eligible for service has dropped to 23%, with obesity and low test scores being major barriers to enlistment.
To solve the recruiting crisis, it is essential to bridge the gap between the military and the public, said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Nagle, the marketing NCO in charge of the 319th Reservists Squadron, which oversees recruitment in six New England states.
She cited differences between the Gen Z population, who are the prime age for recruiting but lack interest in enlisting, and previous generations, who were more familiar with and supportive of the military.
“We’re hitting social media to get the word out, giving bonuses quarterly and we’re pushing out the Space Force. That’s our shiny, new tool,” which has generated “a lot of interest. We’re feeling confident heading into 2024 and want to do everything we can to keep our Air Force running efficiently.”
In an effort to target the Gen Z population, the Navy recently introduced its new ad campaign, “Forged by the Sea,” featuring videos of soldiers explaining why they chose to enlist.
According to recruiters, a young person is more likely to enlist if they come from a family of military veterans.
Recruiters are most effective when they have boots on the ground meeting face-to-face in local communities, which, until recently was limited, said Capt. Matthew Sims, Future Ops OIC, who oversees the Army’s Northeast Battalion headquarters covering the Hudson Valley up to Albany, New York, plus Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts.
Earlier this year, all major branches of the military were represented at a job fair sponsored by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, including recruiters from the Armed Forces Military Recruitment Depot in Torrington, which covers the Northwest Corner. Their presence was a popular draw with attendees.
“People are very respectful and honorable, and I think our country still believes in the military, but there is a lack of understanding of how differentiated opportunities are,” said Sims. He noted that while the enticements from fast food chains look good on the surface, young people fail to equate it to what the military has to offer.
“They don’t think of the opportunities for upward mobility, career satisfaction and benefits, that are basically unparalleled, and the Army is taking steps to communicate that through the “Be All You Can Be” campaign, Sims explained.
He compared roles within the military to a professional sports organization. “You need equipment managers, coaches, physical therapists, engineers, medics. We have all that to support our combat arms athletes in the field.”
Sims, who enlisted as a medic out of high school and worked his way up the ranks, noted that “people do come in with concerns” about the possibility of deployment to a war zone, and that a military career “may not be for everyone.
“It is a commitment, and the possibility of seeing combat,” even if a chosen career, does not necessarily involve the front lines is made very clear to recruits and their families, said Sims. “When you raise your right hand, it is because you’re willing to go to conflict areas.”
According to a fall 2022 poll by the Department of Defense of youth ages 16-21, physical and emotional trauma (70% and 65% respectively) are the most common reasons for not considering joining the military, followed by leaving family and friends (58%), other career interests (46%), and dislike of military lifestyle (40%).
On average, one or two HVRHS students per graduating class enlist in the military, according to Terni.
“We had two or three sign up a couple of years ago, but that was an anomaly,” she explained. “Since the pandemic, a student’s plan for the future has become more ambiguous between the family’s decision and the student’s. It’s not as clear now.”
CANAAN — Virginia “Ginny” Cables, 81, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2024, at Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Canaan, surrounded by family. Born to the late Marie K. Negri and George Ralph on Dec. 7, 1942, Ginny lived a life full of love, laughter, and dedication to her family.
A devoted homemaker, Ginny took great pride in creating a warm and welcoming home. She had a deep love for gardening, cooking, baking, and thrifting. She took pride in nurturing flowers and plants that brought beauty to her surroundings. Animals always held a special place in her heart, and she was known for her kindness and care towards them.
Ginny’s greatest joy came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She cherished family gatherings, whether they were simple picnics or special events, where she could share stories, laughter, and love. Those who knew her will forever remember her quick wit, sense of humor, and the radiant smile that brightened every room she entered.
Ginny leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and warmth that will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She will be remembered by her nicknames “Aunt Squeak” “Grandma Gin” “Ginny” to everyone she met.
Ginny leaves behind her daughter, Michele M. Cables Wilkinson of Sheffield, Massachusetts and her son Frederick E. Cables Jr. and his wife Anita Cables of Canaan; grandchildren, Chelsea Quenneville Brown (Joseph Brown), Blake Wilkinson, Logan and Miranda Cables; great grandchildren, Jade and Kristina Brown and Ethan Robles; her siblings, Richard Ralph (Cecelia), Stanley Ralph (Rosemary), David Ralph (Vicky) and Donna Roux (Ronald). She was also survived by her several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother, Marie K. Negri and father George Ralph, her husband, Fredrick Cables Sr., her siblings, Burt Veronesi and Valerie Poley.
Calling hours will be Friday, Sept. 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in Canaan, CT. A celebration of life will be held at the Canaan VFW on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 1-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Litchfield County, Salisbury Branch, 30A Salmon Kill Road, Salisbury CT 06068 or The Little Guild of St. Francis in Ginny’s memory.
MILLERTON — Linda Kaplan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend, passed away Sept. 3, 2024. Linda will be remembered as a deeply kind woman guided by faith, family and love.
Linda was born to Francis Crawford and Lydia Johnson (nee Snyder) in Sharon, on Sept. 14, 1942. She attended Webutuck High School in Millerton, and then started her career in banking, where she worked until her retirement as a Vice President. Linda was a loving mother who raised her two sons and instilled in them her love of faith and family.
Linda met her future husband, Sanford (Sam) Kaplan, at a dance in Millerton, and they were blessed with 30 years of marriage during which they enjoyed their time on Simmons Street. Here, Linda enjoyed tending to her garden where she could be found picking green beans and tomatoes. She also enjoyed solving the daily crossword puzzle, knitting, and listening to Sam play his guitar. Together, Linda and Sam enjoyed hosting their family for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Passover celebrations. They especially enjoyed annual summer visits by their granddaughters which always included visits to their farm where they rode ATVs. Linda and Sam’s interest in dairy farming led them to travel to Europe where they toured dairy farms; a trip they fondly recounted to their family for years.
Linda’s faith was evident, not only through her family, but also through her involvement with the Millerton Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed community outreach, singing in the choir, working with children, teaching ESL classes, and helping to develop and implement programs.
Linda is predeceased by her husband, Sam Kaplan, her mother, father, and brother Thomas Crawford. She is survived by her two sons; Lorin Stapleton and his wife Mary Stapleton of Brewster, New York, and Brian Stapleton of Sandisfield, Massachusettds; her two granddaughters, Bridget Stapleton of Jersey City, New Jersey and Colleen Stapleton of Boston, Massachusetts; her sister-in-law, Susan Crawford; nephew David Keys and his wife Barbara; niece Susan Jenkins and her husband Rick Herring.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Church of St. Mary in Lakeville, CT. Rev. Dennis Arambasick will officiate. Burial will follow at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, NY. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
David Colbert with one of his sculptures on the sculpture walk he has created over 35 years.
The Cornwall Open Studio took place on Saturday, Aug. 31. It is a Cornwall tradition and has been taking place for eighteen years.
It is a day when Cornwall artists invite the public into their studios to see what they are working on and how they do it. The artists work in various media, including painting, sculpture, photography and artistic shoes.
To participate, prospective tourists go to cornwallct.org/event/cornwall-open-studio-2024/ where a map and a list of the artists is available to download and print. The event is free, there is no registration, and so armed with the map, those taking the tour are set to explore not only artists’ studios, but the beautiful drive through Cornwall.
David Colbert, sculptor, is the initiator of the event. He said of his work, “I was smitten by the geometry and eventually the geometry led me to art.” Behind his studio in Cornwall Bridge he has a quarter mile sculpture path which he has been building for the past thirty-five years. Those on the tour could meander down the path and enjoy the beauty of the geometrically derived works.
Asked if there were any special artists and studios that should not be missed, he said, “I can’t help but mention Tim Prentice, whose shop, barn and whole place is pretty amazing.” At Prentice’s studio in West Cornwall, an old barn, mobiles, and other kinetic works of art hang from walls and ceilings and populate the surrounding fields. Across the road, another barn holds larger sculptures.
At 93, Prentice still works most days in the studio beside his house. He said he works on “small things.” He struggles with fading eyesight due to macular degeneration. He will be in a film by The Vision and Art Project, which seeks to bring awareness of macular degeneration by featuring artists like Tim Prentice. The film will be shown at the Cornwall Library sometime in the coming months.
In spite of his failing eye sight, he enjoys getting out to the studio and working and was welcoming visitors on the tour.
Another interesting studio is that of Lauren Brinkers Shoes in Cornwall Bridge. The shoes are hand painted and “one of a kind.” “I studied in London and went to shoe making school there,” Brinkers said. “I studied traditional men’s shoe making and transitioned into women’s.” She wanted to bring “more color and expression into shoes.” She learned how to work with leather dyes and paints the shoes to accomplish this goal.
A display of Lauren Brinkers handmade, one of a kind , hand paintied shoes on display at her Cornwall studio.Robin Roraback
Next to Lauren Brinkers’ studio is that of Stephan Sagmiller, who shows with his photographs that “The world is worth looking at closely. You’ve got to look at them up close. That’s my ethos as an artist.” His photos are large and colorful and invite you to do just that — look up close.
In West Cornwall, the abstract landscapes of Suzan Scott were on display at the Souterrain Gallery. Scott says of her work, “I’ve always had a strong connection with nature. I see everything, every blade of grass.” It was overwhelming for her. She began to paint still lives thinking they’d be easier, but in doing so she realized that still lives are similar to landscapes in that she could break down the parts as she did for still lives. “Why not go out and do landscapes and simplify them — abstract them?”
Her process is to layer tinted glazes, sometimes as many as thirty. She will work on a painting, let it rest, go back to it, work some more, and continue this until the painting is finished, which can take a week or months.
Scott paints scenes from the northwest corner and has “favorite spots” that she revisits. “The more I see it, the more I can interpret it, and it becomes mine.”
These are just a few of the artists on the tour. There were also Curt Hanson’s beautiful landscapes and the looser, colorful paintings of Magaly Ohika, Katherine Freygang and Sally Van Doren. Photographers Nick Jacobs and Bela Selendy also opened their studios. They use their cameras to explore life and nature.
If you missed the tour this year, be sure to keep an eye out for it next Labor Day Weekend. It is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. To contact these artists or find out more about their work, go to: cornwallct.org/history-culture/arts-artists/ or go to the tour website to find links to their websites.
Fresh donuts by Hanna Rybolt at ILSE Coffee.
Something scrumptious is cooking beneath Colonial Theatre.
Pastries by Hanna was established in February of 2024 at 27 Railroad St. in North Canaan. The owner, Hanna Rybolt, is a resident of Canaan who studied in the pastry program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Her interest in baking is rooted in fond memories with her family. The baked goods and pastry products are sold locally at ILSE Coffee just next door, as well as the Great Barrington farmer’s market. Her pastry kitchen is located below Colonial Theatre.
Rybolt aims to ensure the goods are produced with locally grown products and sold in community businesses. Pastries by Hanna’s best-selling product is brioche-style donuts.
The business is solely owned and operated by Rybolt, who stated she is looking forward to what the future will bring for the bakery and is hoping to collaborate with more companies in the area.
Customers can custom order goods online at pastriesbyhanna.com or check out her Instagram page @PastriesbyHanna.