Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

How students beat boredom in the cold winter months

How students beat boredom in the cold winter months

As the cold, dreary months of winter melt away, Housatonic students continue to participate in the activities that keep them from the grips of winter boredom. A survey sent to students asked about their favorite activities, and the results show a great diversity within the student population.

In the survey, participants were asked to check any box that applied, and were invited to offer their own specific response at the end of each question, which many chose to do.

The most popular activities were in ‘Entertainment’, where over 80% of respondents indicated that they watched movies, about 60% saying they use social media or YouTube, and about 50% saying that they play video games or read.

Many also said they worked at some job, with babysitting, service, and agriculture gaining the most responses. Specific student responses included healthcare, church volunteering, lifeguarding, and junior firefighting.

Despite the cold weather and unrelenting snow, students were not discouraged from spending time doing outdoor sports, with hiking, and skiing or snowboarding gaining about 25% of responses each. Other popular sports include swimming, basketball, weightlifting, or running, while about 30% indicated that they participated in no winter sports. Other specific responses include esports, gymnastics, wrestling, tennis, or horseback riding.

While about 40% of students indicated that they participated in no creative activities, the ones that did expressed a great diversity in their interests.

Drawing, painting, photography, writing and journaling, and writing, playing, or recording music all gained above 20% of student responses, showing that students often participate in a large number of creative activities. Film, theater, dance, and singing all received around 10% of responses, and specific responses include knitting and crocheting, crafts, sewing, and baking.

Throughout the cold winter months, it can often be difficult to stay busy and entertained when confined to the indoors. However, students at Housatonic often find unique ways to fill their time and represent a diverse array of hobbies and interests in the school.

Latest News

Pet photo contest

Pet photo contest

Georgie, the resident office dog at The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News.

Natalia Zuckerman

Few things bring as much joy to a household as a pet. Whether they're our loyal companions, our biggest personalities or the ones who somehow manage to run the household, they have a way of making life a little more fun.

From dogs who greet us like we've been gone for years to cats who remind us who's really in charge, our pets bring plenty of character, comfort and a whole lot of love into our homes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Harding concedes State Senate District 30 to Zimmer

Just as polls close, Former District 30 State Senator Stephen Harding greets supporters at his election watch party at The Abby Restaurant & Bar in New Milford, CT, Nov. 3.

Patrick Stachniak

In an unprecedented midterm election the evening of Nov. 3, Democrats across the country flipped battleground races for federal and local representatives in what has been described as a blue tsunami. The results in Connecticut were no different.

Keep ReadingShow less

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

The Men of CACA. From left, the author, Steve DeSimone, and Tom Gallucio.

Gary Dodson

I recently convened the fall meeting of CACA, which stands for Cinema, Angling and Culinary Appreciation.

This takes place in Phoenicia, New York. We fish all day, make a bountiful dinner, and watch the world’s worst movies.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Sharon ambulance captain carries on family tradition of service

Thalia MacMillan

Ruth Epstein

SHARON ­— Whether it’s in her professional work or her community volunteerism, Thalia MacMillan strives to advocate for others. She developed that instinct from her many family members who also have the same calling.

Many in the region know her dad, Stanley MacMillan, who served for decades as a building inspector and fire marshal. Her mother, Grace Kandefer, was a longtime nurse at Sharon Hospital. Both were active volunteer first responders. Her brother Stanley MacMillan, Jr., is a member of the Sharon Fire Department.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon plans replacement of West Cornwall Road bridge

SHARON — The Board of Selectmen and Planning & Zoning Commission have approved new plans to replace the West Cornwall Road bridge over Pine Swamp Brook, just south of the historic covered bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall.

The project has been in the works for three years after a survey determined that the structure was nearing the end of its intended life-span. After passing the P&Z commission, the project now only needs approval from four property owners near the site to begin the bidding process.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salisbury Forum links science, religion and Earth’s future

From left, Sam King, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim discuss how religion and science can be used to address environmental challenges on Oct. 30.

Patrick L. Sullivan

LAKEVILLE — Religious scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim and environmentalist, writer and former Hotchkiss teacher Sam King delivered a presentation at The Hotchkiss School Friday, Oct. 30.

Sponsored by the Salisbury Forum, “Change the Story, Change the World: A New Vision for an Ecological Era” explored how religious tradition and modern science can be used together to address environmental and spiritual challenges.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

google preferred source

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