Holiday cheer spruces up with arrival of trees at Housatonic FFA
Housatonic FFA members unload the delivery of Christmas trees from Burton, Vermont, at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Nov. 20.
Patrick L. Sullivan
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Recount confirms Bunce as new First Selectman
Recount confirms Bunce as new First Selectman
“It’s overwhelming,” said Bunce after the result. To the poll workers he said, “Thank you everyone for your hard work. It’s been an honor.” And he thanked Ohler for his service to the town.
The two men shook hands.
Recount Moderator Rosemary Keilty, at right, leads the team of poll workers during the recount in North Canaan Town Hall Monday, Nov. 10. Riley Klein
“Congratulations,” said Ohler. “Wish you all the best. When you succeed, the Town of North Canaan succeeds and that’s why we’re all here.”
Ohler will continue on the board as a selectman. Newcomer Melissa Pinardi (R) will fill the third seat on the board.
The recount was required by state law after the initial count on Election Day showed a difference of three votes (572 to 569).
Ohler gained one vote in the recount and Bunce’s total was unchanged. Keilty said the extra vote was likely from a ballot that the tabulator did not read properly last Tuesday.
There was a single ballot that was not counted because the voter selected both Ohler and Bunce for first selectman.
Looking ahead to the coming term, Bunce said he was ready to get to work. “We have a good game strategy of how we’d like to handle the first 90 days and I look forward to executing that,” he said. “I think we can do lots of fun, exciting things for the town that’ll benefit all sorts of people.”
In a follow up statement, Ohler wrote, “The future of North Canaan is bright.” He continued, “Now is not the time to wish failure or misstep upon any elected official. We will all serve each other and our town, just as your votes intended them to do. It has been an immense honor to serve as your First Selectman... We are North Canaan.”
The first meeting of the new Board of Selectmen will be held in Town Hall Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.
photo by ruth epstein
Brent Kallstrom, commander of Hall-Jennings American Legion Post 153 in Kent, gives a Veterans Day message. To the left is First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer, and to the right the Rev. John Heeckt of the Kent Congregational Church.
While veterans live by the words duty, honor, country, said Lindenmayer, it doesn’t mean they are warmongers. “The soldier, above all, prays for peace.” He told the veterans the town is proud of them. “We pledge to honor your service not only with words, but with our actions—by building a community and a country worthy of your sacrifice.”
Brent Kallstrom, commander of Hall-Jennings American Legion Post 153, gave a message from the American Legion in which he said Veterans Day can be traced to the armistice that ended World War I.
“For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in wild jungles, lose limbs and far too often, lose their lives,” he said.
He noted that fewer than 10% of Americans can claim the title veteran and less than one half of 1% of the population currently serves.
“Veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on earth,” said Kallstrom. “It is impossible to put a price on that.”
Local veterans shot three rounds and bagpiper Don Hicks provided music. The Rev. John Heeckt of the Kent Congregational Church gave the invocation and the Rev. Richard Clark of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church gave a concluding prayer.
Members of St. Andrew’s then hosted a luncheon for all veterans and their families.
Photo by Lans Christensen
Veterans Day in Kent, Conn.
Ava Segalla, Housatonic Valley Regional High School's all-time leading goal scorer, has takes a shot against Coventry in the Class S girls soccer tournament quarterfinal game Friday, Nov. 7.
Photo by Riley Klein
HVRHS (3) will play Morgan High School (10) in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Canton High School (4) will play Old Saybrook High School (9). The winners of both games will meet in the Class S championship game.
To start the tournament, HVRHS earned a first-round bye and then had home-field advantage for the second-round and quarterfinal games.
Lyla Diorio scores for HVRHS in the second-round game against Stafford High School Tuesday, Nov. 4.Photo by Riley Klein
In the second round Tuesday, Nov. 4, HVRHS won 4-3 against Stafford High School (19) in overtime. Ava Segalla scored three goals for Housatonic, including the overtime winner, and Lyla Diorio scored once. Bella Coporale scored twice for Stafford and Gabrielle Fuller scored once.
HVRHS matched up against Coventry High School (11) in the quarterfinal round Friday, Nov. 7. In the 2024 tournament, Coventry eliminated the Mountaineers in the second round.
Georgie Clayton, left, races Mazie Cox for the ball.Photo by Riley Klein
Revenge was served in 2025 with a 4-2 win for HVRHS. Segalla scored her second hat trick of the tournament and Georgie Clayton scored once. Coventry’s goals came from Jianna Foran and Savannah Blood.
“The vibes are great,” said HVRHS Principal Ian Strever at the quarterfinal game.
Housatonic celebrates a goal in the Class S tournament.Photo by Riley Klein
The semifinal against Morgan will be played Wednesday, Nov. 12, on neutral ground at Newtown High School.
If HVRHS wins, it will mark the girls soccer team’s first appearance in the Class S title game since 2014.
Morgan was the runner-up in last year’s Class S girls soccer tournament, losing in penalty kicks to Coginchaug High School.
Goalie Vi Salazar makes a save late in the quarterfinal game Nov. 7.Photo by Riley Klein
