John Richard Dildine

FALLS VILLAGE — John was born on Dec. 15, 1934, in Evanston, Illinois, and died on June 3, 2024. John graduated from high school in Silver Spring, Maryland, with a focus on audio, radio and music. He curated and hosted a popular Folk Music radio program recorded at WAMC and broadcast by NPR. He was the first president of The Folklore Society of Greater Washington in the early 1960s. He provided audio support during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963.

John, his wife, Ginny, and their three children (son Wesley, daughters Debbie and Connie) performed as The Dildine Family Folk Songs and Marionettes for ten years at folk festivals, schools and folk venues.

John was a self-employed sound recording engineer for documentary films and television. He was also a voice recording artist. The John Dildine and Ginny Dildine Papers now reside at the Library of Congress-Folklife Division.

John loved travel, painting, pottery, and family. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ginny, his son, Wesley (Chelsea), daughters Debbie (Joel) and Connie (Lars); and two granddaughters, Leah (Matt) and Shannon, and four great grandchildren.

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Housy boys win Holiday Tournament

HVRHS posed with the trophy after beating O'Brien Tech 60-39.

Photo by Brian Allyn

The HVRHS Mountaineers secured a 60-39 win over O'Brien Technical High School Dec. 30 in the Berkshire League/Connecticut Technical Conference Holiday Tournament championship game.

This was the fourth year of the BL/CTC Holiday Tournament and the first time HVRHS took home the trophy.

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Housy girls steal overtime win against Lakeview

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls varsity basketball came back to win 47-40 in overtime against Lakeview High School Jan. 2.

HVRHS trailed by 12 points at the half and never led in regulation. After tying the game late in the fourth quarter, HVRHS held Lakeview scoreless in OT.

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Art and entertainment in 2024

Benjamin Hochman and friends at Music Mountain.

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Whether exploring local farms, enjoying a summer concert, or attending an author talk, there was always something happening in the Northwest Corner in 2024 to inspire and engage. From live music and theater to seasonal recreational activities and art exhibitions, our community had no shortage of ways to connect, enjoy, and celebrate the creative and cultural life of the region.

Here are some highlights from events covered by Compass, the Arts and Lifestyle section of The Millerton News and The Lakeville Journal in the Art, Books, Food, Movies, Music, Recreation, and Theater categories.

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Patrick Trettenero named Executive Director of The Stissing Center

Patrick Trettenero in front of The Stissing Center in Pine Plains.

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The Stissing Center in Pine Plains announced the appointment of Patrick Trettenero as its new Executive Director. Trettenero, a seasoned storyteller with a diverse career in theater, film, television, and executive leadership, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His impressive background spans multiple industries, including arts production, creative direction, and fundraising. Having recently stepped down as President of the Board, Trettenero intimately understands the needs of the arts center and will be a valuable asset as it continues to expand its offerings and influence in the region.

A New York-based artist, Trettenero has made his mark in various creative roles. He has worked as an award-winning producer, director, writer, and mentor, and has honed his skills on both sides of the Atlantic, with projects in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the UK. Early in his career, he served as artistic director of Chicago’s Cloud 42 theater, directing the premiere of “Late Night Catechism” which went on to stages in more than a dozen markets across the U.S. and UK, including its six-year Off Broadway run at St. Luke’s Theater. His Broadway credits include investments in “Next to Normal,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “1984,” and “Kimberly Akimbo.” Trettenero also spent 20 years at NBCUniversal, leading the creative agency “Brandworks” and producing Emmy-nominated telethons, branded content, and marketing campaigns. Most recently, he produced his first Broadway show, “Here Lies Love,” and only a month ago, closed an off-Broadway show he produced called, “Kafkaesque.”

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