Latest News
Finding home after the fire
Jan 28, 2026
Artist Aaron Meshon
Elena Spellman
When artist Aaron Meshon arrived in the Berkshires with his family, the move followed a series of upheavals — a devastating fire, mounting financial stress and the COVID-19 pandemic — that ultimately led him to a quieter, more grounded life.
Meshon grew up in a small town outside Philadelphia, an only child raised around horses by parents he describes as “strict liberals.”
School was a struggle, but early on Meshon was impelled to translate words into pictures. “I would hear a story and automatically get an image in my head,” he said. He was accepted to every art school he applied to and chose the Rhode Island School of Design.
Meshon went on to become an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. His first children’s book, “Take Me Out to the Yakyu,” was inspired by a deeply personal longing. After seven years of trying to have a child with his wife, who is Japanese, he imagined the story he would tell his future child about the differences between baseball in the United States and Japan. The book went on to receive multiple awards and wide recognition.
Japan itself became central to his life and work. His first visit left a lasting impression. “I felt an intense sense of safety and tranquility,” he said. Another award-winning illustration, “The Public Bath,” was inspired by meeting his wife’s father for the first time — an introduction that ended up at a Japanese public bath. “Can you imagine?” Meshon laughed. “I just met my wife’s father, and the next thing I know, I’m naked with him.”
In 2012, Meshon received a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators for “The Public Bath.” He also earned an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor for “Take Me Out to the Yakyu.” In addition, that book received multiple starred reviews, including from The New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.
Even before some of those accolades, Meshon said his illustration work had begun to slow.
By 2009, city life grew increasingly expensive, particularly after the birth of his son. “For the first time, I had to work just for money,” he said.
Over the following years, the stress mounted and his health suffered. Then one morning he woke up with a clear realization: “We can’t continue living like this. Something has to change.” Then, within a few days, everything did change.
While Meshon was at work, a friend called with shocking news: His Brooklyn apartment building was on fire — so big it could be seen from Manhattan. His first thought was not about his belongings but his dog, Chubu. Firefighters could only access two apartments, and luckily, one of them was his.
They lost nearly everything. “I had to grow up at 45 and realize I have truly only myself to rely on,” Meshon said. Shortly after that, the pandemic arrived. As New York City shut down, they packed their dog, son, piano and fish tank into the car and drove north. “It felt like the world was shutting down,” he said. “My wife and I looked at each other and knew that this was it, and we were never going back.”
Today, Meshon sells his artwork at the Railroad Street Collective in Great Barrington and at the local farmers market. He also teaches art at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His Berkshire-inspired illustrations resonated immediately with the community. “It’s like being back in art school,” he said, describing the camaraderie of local artists supporting one another.
He credits nature and community with helping him heal. “Things happen, and sometimes you have no control,” he said. “You learn to accept that life is short and to be thankful for what you have.”
Elena Spellman is a recent Northwest Corner transplant. She is a Russian native and grew up in the Midwest. In addition to writing, she teaches ESL and Russian.
Keep ReadingShow less
Swimmers make waves
Jan 28, 2026
Riley Klein
Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s varsity swim team hosted a meet against Shepaug Valley High School on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Shepaug’s team was notably larger, putting forth four relay teams to HVRHS’s one relay team. Individually, all swimmers competed with determination. The meet took place at The Hotchkiss School’s pool with supporters cheering from the spectator area.
Riley Klein
Keep ReadingShow less
Kent girls outscore Taft 43-38
Jan 28, 2026
Kaya Nuthall drives around a screen for Kent.
Lans Christensen
KENT — On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Kent School’s girls basketball team defeated Taft School 43-38.
Both prep school teams play in the Founders League and entered the game with comparable season records: Kent was 4-5 and Taft was 3-5.
Kent vs. Taft begins with a tip off. Lans Christensen
The game started with a quick score by Kaya Nuthall, who proved to be a driving force for Kent. The score went back and forth for the first quarter — never more than four points separating the two teams.
The same story and pace of play kept the score tied 19-19 at the end of the first half.
Alaina Joy leads a fast break for Kent against Taft Wednesday, Jan. 21. Lans Christensen
Taft’s first lead of the game came on a deep three-pointer by Sara Santimaw early in the third quarter. Taft maintained a one-point advantage entering the final quarter with the score at 31-30.
Aggressive and effective play by Kent’s Alaina Joy, Agar Malek and Layla Torres swung the momentum back in their team’s favor. Kent reclaimed the lead and hung on to win 43-38, bringing the season record to 5-5.
Keep ReadingShow less
Music fills Canaan Union Depot
Jan 28, 2026
Dan Whelan on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 18, in the Community Music Room of the old train station in North Canaan. In the foreground is one of many works on exhibit there by artist Sarah Davis Hughes that relate music, pattern and color.
L. Tomaino
NORTH CANAAN — Music lovers gathered for an open mic and sing-along held in the Community Music Room at the Canaan Union Depot on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 18.
Although the audience was small due to snow the day before, one audience member asserted, “It was quality, not quantity” that counted.
Host Paul Ramunni of the New England Accordion Connection and Museum, which is located downstairs in the Depot, explained the idea for the gathering came about last year. It is loosely based on “America’s Got Talent,” but without the judging.
The gathering is monthly, with the next one scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome to sing and play. Those who just want to come and enjoy the music are welcome too, no need to perform.
Ramunni was first on the stage. He said he began playing at age 13 “when my mother introduced me to the idea that I should be playing the accordion.”
At the time, he said, his reaction was, “Anything but that!”
It was the days when Elvis was king and the accordion was not, but he learned.
Ramunni played “Night in Paris” and “Moonlight Serenade” among others for the appreciative audience.
He was followed by his wife, Marcia Ramunni, on the autoharp and Sarah Davis Hughes on accordion. Marcia explained how to play the autoharp, saying it was fairly easy, labeled with the chords on one side, strings to strum or pick on the other. The autoharp is used in Bluegrass music and can be played on the lap or held vertically.
They covered “Ripple” from the Grateful Dead, with the passing of Bob Weir, a timely tribute, and “The Impossible Dream” from the musical, “Man of La Mancha,” which was a new song for them.
Next was Dan Whalen, who was there to hone his performing skills and work on singing, something he has recently started to do. He played a banjo reel and some Irish Folk songs on his four-string tenor banjo before getting out his harmonica and guitar.
Whalen learned to play the harmonica at age eight, taught by Jim Dubois, his neighbor on Grove Street in Salisbury. He played “Chattanooga Shoe Shine,” the first song he learned. Then he played folk songs, “The Thirty-Foot Trailer” and “The Skylark” on guitar with harmonica accompaniment, encouraging the audience to join the choruses.
The faces of the audience reflected their enjoyment of the music.Paul Ramunni said, “I’m convinced music is the language of heaven. Music brings people together.”
The recurring event is free, but donations are welcome.
Keep ReadingShow less
loading
