Katie Stoddard’s Ford Farm Weiners set up shop on Route 44 in East Canaan offering locally raised pork hot dogs and bratwurst. Peter Jacquier of East Canaan stops by on Saturday, July 27.
Going ‘locally raised’

John Coston


Katie Stoddard’s Ford Farm Weiners set up shop on Route 44 in East Canaan offering locally raised pork hot dogs and bratwurst. Peter Jacquier of East Canaan stops by on Saturday, July 27.
Riley Klein
Airyn Berube stiff arms Breyden Lango
WINSTED — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team started the season with a tough 56-7 loss against Woodland Regional High School Saturday, Sept. 12.
It was the first game of the season for both squads in the Naugatuck Valley League and GNH took the field after graduating 20 seniors last year. As of game one, the Yellowjackets had seven seniors on the roster and 32 total players.
The young GNH squad got valuable experience against a quality opponent in the season opener. In team totals, the Yellowjackets rushed for 208 yards and passed for 54 yards.
Woodland, coming off an undefeated regular season in 2025, took an early lead against GNH and ran up the score. Woodland's quarterback Evan Mastropietro threw two touchdowns and rushed for a third. Justin Pringle also completed a trifecta with a rushing touchdown, reception touchdown and an interception returned for a touchdown for Woodland.
The game was played at Van Why Field in Winsted on a partly cloudy afternoon. It was about 72 degrees at kick-off time.Woodland scored four unanswered touchdowns in the first 10 minutes of play, starting with a 10-yard run by Pringle, then a 59-yard interception return by Pringle, then a 15-yard rush by Colby Marsan and a 60-yard pass from Mastropietro to Ryan Kenney.
GNH got on the board late in the first quarter when Airyn Berube rushed to the right and broke away for a 56-yard dash to the end zone. GNH often used a jumbo package with a full house in the backfield -- a familiar setup for coach Scott Salius and one the team leaned on last season.
Woodland added to its total with a 55-yard QB sneak by Mastropietro to bring the score to 35-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Woodland scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. First, Marsan capped off a long drive with a 2-yard run and then Pringle caught a 15-yard touchdown pass near the end of the half.
The Gilbert School marching band offered a preview of its seasonal routine at halftime, performing a steampunk‑inspired show centered around a large mechanical clock in midfield.
Due to the lopsided 49-7 score, the referees allowed the clock to run in the second half. After a scoreless third quarter, Woodland scored on the first play of the fourth quarter -- a 75-yard run by Daniel Keogh to bring the score to 56-7.
GNH strung together a long drive through the rest of the fourth quarter that brought the Yellowjackets right down to the goal line. As the clock expired, a last‑ditch throw hung over the end zone before the defense rose up for an interception.
Friday night football is coming to Falls Village for GNH's next game, which will be played at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The Yellowjackets are scheduled to host the Granby/Canton co-op team Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m

Christian Murray
The view from St. John’s Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent (photo provided)
KENT–A 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing at St. John’s Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police responded to the area at around 2:30 p.m. off River Road and announced the man’s death later that day.
Kent Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tim Sneller, who responded to the scene, said the victim was among approximately 12 people participating in a climbing class and was believed to be one of the instructors.
“I think everyone was in shock from that [climbing] group,” Sneller said. “They were huddled up and debriefing, and they were definitely shocked.”
The ledges are less than a mile from the parking lot, with the base of the climbing area about a seven-minute hike from where emergency vehicles could park, Sneller said.
Approximately two dozen first responders were at the scene, including 12 to 14 who entered the woods. Responders came from Kent, Warren, Gaylordsville and Sherman, with an ambulance and medic responding from New Milford.
Sneller said he could not recall another death or serious injury at the ledges and that emergency calls from the area are uncommon.
The climber was transported to New Milford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to DEEP. His identity has not been released pending notification of his family.
The circumstances of the fall remain under investigation.
Ruth Epstein
William Perotti & Sons plumbing and heating business will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a party on Sept. 18. Among the family members are Frank Perotti, seated, and Charlie, Mary and Jean Perotti standing.
NORTH CANAAN – It is a story that combines the realization of the American dream, the strong bonds of family, and a love of community.
It began 100 years ago, when William Perotti opened a small plumbing shop in a barn on Lower Road. A century later, William Perotti & Sons is a flourishing enterprise run by his descendants, including members of the fourth generation.
The company focuses on plumbing and heating, handling jobs that range from routine repairs to specialized projects. Today, it employs more than 40 people.
A celebration marking the milestone will be held Friday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the company’s current shop at 11 Furnace Hill Road.
Some of Perotti’s descendants gathered recently to share their memories and talk about how the business has evolved.
Founder William Perotti and his wife, Lena, had two sons and a daughter. Frank, the oldest, was called in to help his dad at an early age.
“I started when I was still in school,” Frank said. “My father said I was old enough to carry a wrench. He always had a project for me, like cutting pipe.”
Charlie Perotti, Frank’s younger brother, was also recruited while still in elementary school. “I had no choice,” he said with a grin.
Both brothers went into the business after graduating from high school; Frank in 1954 and Charlie in 1966.
Frank’s wife, Jean, took on the role of bookkeeper from her mother-in-law.
The business was incorporated in 1969 becoming William Perotti & Sons.
Frank was named president and Charlie became vice president. Jean was appointed controller.
As the business grew, so did the headquarters. It moved from the barn to a shop on Furnace Hill Road in 1954. Additions followed over several years.
In July 1996, the enlarged structure was hit by lightning and, despite valiant efforts by area volunteer fire departments, it burned to the ground.
Business continued the next day out of a trailer and other temporary spaces. Due to hard work and an outpouring of support from the community, the new facility opened in January 1997.
“I’ve never seen a community respond the way it did,” Jean said. “It was just amazing. We were up and running the next day. And none of the vehicles were damaged.”
As Frank and Charlie began phasing out of their duties, new generations came along. Charlie still does his 6 to 8 a.m. stint every weekday, checking on the materials and greeting those as they arrive for work.
In 1987, Francis “Champ” Perotti, son of Frank and Jean, graduated from college with a degree in mechanical engineering and became the third generation to come into the business. He is now president.
Champ’s interest lies in energy efficiency and designing HVAC systems, enjoying the technology that is constantly improving in that field. He is very social and loves meeting and chatting with people, his daughter said.
His two children, Mary and Will, joined the business in 2013 and 2018 respectively. Will is vice president and Mary, corporate secretary. They are both service managers.
Mary made it clear that she and her siblings were never pressured to enter the family business.
“We were told we could pursue any field. But I knew when I was 16 what I wanted to do.”
She attended college and earned a degree in environmental studies and minored in business. “But I learned a million more things in business than in college.”
Asked about the reason for its longevity and success, family members have several answers.
Frank talked about its foundation. He said his father, who died in 1974, was a very smart, no-nonsense businessman, who was also likable. “He was a hard worker who never turned down a project,” he said.
The practice of hiring local employees has been a constant. They all talked about the large number of people who have worked for more than 30 or 40 years, throwing out names like Robert Pautot and John Missagia.
Many relatives have been hired, including several grandchildren who logged in hours during school breaks.
“We’re proud of the team we’ve built,” Jean said. “William Perotti & Sons is based on service and trust.”
Mary concurred. “We have a good reputation. And we have 24-hour service. We answer all emergencies.”
Their trucks can be seen within a 30-mile radius of the shop, extending to parts of nearby New York state and Massachusetts.
There were times when, during an economic downturn, the business slumped and layoffs were necessary. They even found they’d over-extended by buying a Kent plumbing company and realized shortly after, they’d have to rein in a bit.
But now Mary talked of how busy they are, hoping the economy stays as it is.
Jean said that in any family business, there are bound to be issues. “But we still speak to each other,” she joked.
Never content with status quo, they realized they could use some business advice and have hired a family succession business planner to help with organization and keep everyone on track.
The Perottis are known not just for the business, but their civic activism as well. They have all served in a variety of volunteer capacities and are very supportive of local causes.
The family is hoping for a large turnout for the anniversary celebration, which will feature food, drinks, a bounce house, food trucks and a video about the business. The event is open to the public.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Ruth Epstein
The second of two modular homes awaited relocation from the proposed Millard Brook affordable housing site on Route 7 to its permanent site on Dark Entry Road on Sept. 2.
CORNWALL — The sight of two new modular homes at the Millard Brook property on Route 7, led some passing motorists last week to wonder whether the proposed affordable housing development on the site was becoming a reality.
But the homes, which were still wrapped, were headed elsewhere.
Ginni Block, president of the Cornwall Housing Corporation, said the homes are part of the Litchfield County Affordable Homeownership Program, an initiative of the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity that is placing 10 homes on scattered sites throughout the region.
Four are in Cornwall. Two homes on Town Street have already been completed and occupied.
The two temporarily stored at Millard Brook are destined for properties on Dark Entry Road. One has three bedrooms and the other has two.
Block said the homes were placed at the Millard Brook site until they could be transported to their permanent locations. By Wednesday, Sept. 2, one had been moved and the other was about to be relocated.
The program sells homes at prices affordable to households earning below the area median income. It is funded by the Connecticut Department of Housing, along with contributions from participating towns and nonprofit organizations.
The homes are priced between $240,000 and $300,000. The homeowners will own their houses, while the Cornwall Housing Corporation will retain ownership of the land beneath them, helping preserve the properties’ long-term affordability.
The Millard Brook property itself is owned by affordable housing consultant David Berto. The housing corporation holds an option to purchase it and is considering the development of up to 24 affordable units, likely to be rentals.
The residentially-zoned property is awaiting a Phase II environmental assessment because of its industrial history. If the assessment determines the site is suitable for development, the housing corporation is expected to purchase the property and begin the town approval process.
Neoweld Corp., a metal fabricator that manufactured steel blankets used in welding, once operated at the site. The operation contaminated the soil and groundwater, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The property was added to the federal Superfund program in 1994. The following year, the EPA excavated approximately 300 cubic yards of contaminated soil and replaced it with clean fill before seeding the area with grass.
The property was later acquired by Richard Burkhart, whose development plans did not materialize. The town eventually took possession because of unpaid taxes, and Berto subsequently purchased it from the town.
Christian Murray
NORTH CANAAN — The planned fall reopening of Camp Brook Greenway, a 27.45-acre town-owned recreation area behind Caddie Shack and State Line Pizza, will likely be postponed until spring 2027 as volunteers continue preparing the property for public use.
First Selectman Jesse Bunce said the town had hoped to reopen the greenway this fall. Volunteers, however, would like to continue working through the fall to ensure the property is ready before welcoming visitors.
“We will wait until everything is ready before we open,” Bunce said.
The town plans to open the property initially with a walking trail and an 18-hole disc golf course. Volunteers have been cutting brush and clearing both areas, with only a few disc golf holes left to complete.
The property has been surveyed, allowing the town to identify its boundaries, and officials are working on a parking area near Caddie Shack. The town is also seeking a $2,500 Eversource grant to help clear invasive plants.
A separate mountain biking trail may be added later, Bunce said, potentially with assistance from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Bunce said the town does not want walkers and mountain bikers using the same trail, and the biking trail is unlikely to be ready when the greenway opens.
The town is also reactivating its Greenway Committee, which will help oversee the property under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. Volunteers working at the site include disc golfers and Greenway Committee members.
Bunce said the greenway could also provide an economic benefit by bringing visitors to nearby restaurants and businesses.
North Canaan acquired the wooded property from the Connecticut Department of Transportation in May, ending an effort that spanned more than 35 years. The town paid $1,000 in administrative and transfer expenses.
Patrick L. Sullivan
First responders prepare the landing zone for LifeStar at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Saturday, Sept. 5.
LAKEVILLE — Three people were seriously injured when a Tesla Cybertruck went off Lime Rock Road about 1,000 feet west of White Hollow Road around 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, according to Lakeville Hose Company Chief Jason Wilson.
One occupant was flown by Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital, while another was taken by ambulance to Waterbury Trauma Center and the third to Sharon Hospital.
Wilson said no other vehicles were involved. All three occupants did not need to be extricated from the vehicle when firefighters and the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service arrived.
“There was no extrication necessary,” Wilson said.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.