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Housatonic Valley Regional High School Wall of Honor recipients and nominators. From left: Tracy Atwood, Tom Zetterstrom, Katie Godburn Shubert, Erin Godburn Lamb, Diane Lotz Coe, Dorothy Segalla Lotz, Sara Sinclair Jack, Ellery ‘Woods’ Sinclair, Jonathan Higgins, Willie Hallihan and Mark Miles.
Ruth Epstein
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School is a place of pride. There is pride in its building and campus; in the support it receives from the community and its students and staff.
There is also a great amount of pride for its graduates, and that is clearly evident in the Wall of Honor sponsored by the school’s alumni association. The latest inductees were installed at a ceremony held on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Established in 2017, the Wall of Honor recognizes graduates who display strong character traits, personal/professional achievements and have given significant volunteer service to their communities. Six individuals were added to those who have previously been recognized. They are: Jon Higgins, class of 1969; Erin Godburn Lamb, ’01; Dorothy Segalla Lotz, ’52; Marshall Miles, ’71; Ellery “Woods” Sinclair, ‘56 and Tom Zetterstrom, ‘63.
In his opening, Principal Ian Strever spoke specifically of three of the inductees who made an impression on him. He said Miles, (the only one who was honored posthumously) was a voice to those who faced injustice, Sinclair, for his reverence to the school, and Zetterstrom, who has doggedly worked to beautify the school grounds. “These alumni have achieved in so many ways and exemplify the core values of this institution.”
John “Willie” Hallihan introduced Higgins, whom he met back in their school days on the football field. “Even back then there was evidence of his leadership,” he said. He spoke of his extensive business accomplishments and service to the community. “His resume is but half of the story,” said Hallihan. “It’s also what he’s done for individuals. It’s hard to quantify. He’s a humble man and still doesn’t know why he’s here, but I do. Many have been touched by his ripples of generosity.”
Higgins, in his acceptance, said, “I’m honored and humbled, and then joked, “After listening to him, I might be something.”
In speaking of her sister Lamb, Katie Godburn Shubert said her true calling became apparent when she became a mother, first to a child with a genetic disorder and then a few years later to quadruplets. Two of the children have disabilities and she has worked tirelessly as an advocate for families with similar situations. She is a founding member of organizations whose focus is on helping those families with special needs. “She is a quiet leader whose skills were developed here,” said Shubert. “She has truly given back to her community.”
Said Lamb, “My time at Housatonic prepared me for life, but in an unexpected path. What I learned here, was how to learn. I needed to stand up for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.
Diane Lotz Coe spoke on behalf of her mother, saying her yearbook quote fit her well: “Good nature and good sense must ever join.” Coe spoke of Lotz’s long tenure as a nurse at Sharon Hospital and the accomplishments she made in that field, including helping to design the ICU, as a supervisor overseeing all the units and assistant director of nursing. “She brought joy to the hospital with her number one priority being the safety and well being of all the patients.”
Miles was nominated by his brother Mark Miles, who said he wished he could have been there that day. Miles realized his dream of being a radio announcer and for decades was the voice of the Northwest Corner.
“He could get into difficult situations because he knew it was right,” said Miles. “After he died, I found out all the things he did for the community. He was always promoting entrepreneurs and charities. He wanted to get messages out to the community.”
Sinclair came back to his alma mater as a teacher in 1963, making a great impact on the legions of students he taught. Those who went through his classes all knew about his affinity for “Moby Dick.” Eventually becoming chairman of the English department, he enjoyed connecting his students with nature. His daughter Sara Sinclair Jack said he “had a passion for his community of Falls Village, serving on a host of committees, including more than 50 years on the board of the D.M. Hunt Library.
In his acceptance, Sinclair said, “I was so enriched by the experiences here at this high school and community.”
Tracy Atwood nominated Zetterstrom, noting his reverence for trees. As a photographer with a passion for trees, he has supported a great number of initiatives to save endangered species. As a conscientious objector back during the Vietnam War, he was in Washington, DC, working with underprivileged students on art projects. 300 of which are owned by the Smithsonian Institution. Zetterstrom’s works are in several museums, including the Library of Congress. More recently, his work is focused on ridding invasive plants that are destroying the landscape.
Zetterstrom recalled how the Housatonic campus was barren after a renovation and the Arboretum and Landscape Committee essentially did what the WPA did when it built the school in 1939; helped to make it green. He has spearheaded a movement of installing trees, many of which are provided by various alumni classes. “These have added to the beauty of the campus,” he said.
At the end of the program, the audience members joined in singing the school song. A luncheon for all followed.
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October real estate sales in Sharon
Nov 19, 2025
The home at 10 Williams Road was built around 1860 and sold for $815,000.
Christine Bates
SHARON — The six transfers during the month of October in Sharon represented the end of the real estate season as these properties typically went under contract during the late summer.
Median home prices calculated on a 12-month basis hit a high for the year at $610,000 but still lower than last year’s October median of $677,500. Homes for sale remain at a steady level of around 20 with the median price per square foot rising to $368.
In mid-November there were 18 homes listed for sale with 13 asking more than $1 million and only two less than the median of $610,000.
Transactions
1 Skiff Mountain Road — 2 bedroom/2 bath home built in 1799 plus a ranch plus 7.44 acres sold by Wilmington Savings Fund FSBTrust Residential Credit Opportunities Trust in foreclosure for $400,000 to 1 Skiff LLC.
258-260 Gay Street — 2 bedroom/1 bath ranch on 1.24 acres sold by Shirley A. Hoffkins to Holly Leibrock for $300,000.
10 Williams Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 1.26 acres built in 1860 sold by Rodger L. Hicks to Steven R. Krog for $815,000.
86 Douglas Road — 2 bedroom/1 bath ranch on 0.57 acres sold by Felix I and Jeanmarie E Bustillo and to Theodore Scott Moore for $375,375.
276 Gay Street — Ranch on 114.21 acres sold by James Digangi to Poconnuck Land Partners LLC for $2,050,000.
Caray Hill Road — 28.06 acres sold by YS Connecticut Holdings LLC to Maryanne T. and Alexander C. Toppan for $735,000.
* Town of Sharon real estate transfers recorded as transferred between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, provided by the Sharon Town Clerk. Property details from Sharon tax cards. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS and market data from Infosparks. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
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CHWC pantries fight food insecurity
Nov 19, 2025
Food closets have been established at the Community Health & Wellness Centers in Northwest Connecticut.
Provided
The Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) has opened food closets at its health centers in Torrington, Winsted and North Canaan, offering nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products to patients in need.
The organization is also distributing gift cards to local grocery stores so patients can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat.
Along with access to CHWC’s Community Food Closet, patients can meet with a community health worker to connect them to additional resources, such as soup kitchens and food pantries.
CEO Joanne Borduas, in a Nov. 12 statement, thanked The Draper Fund at Northwest CT Community Foundation and the Torrington Savings Bank Foundation for providing grants to support the programs. “These grants enable us to make a significant difference in the health and wellbeing of families in our community,” she said.
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Police Blotter: Troop B
Nov 19, 2025
Police Blotter: Troop B
Police Blotter: Troop B
The following information was provided by the Connecticut State Police at Troop B. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Asleep at the wheel accident
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 8, Koriann Wiggins, 19, of East Canaan fell asleep at the wheel while driving on Route 7 near the intersection with Route 112. Her GMC Sierra K2500 struck a stone wall and came to a final rest on its passenger side. She was transported to Sharon Hospital by Salisbury EMS services for knee pain. Wiggins was issued an infraction for “failure to drive right.”
Motorist breaks utility pole, flees
On the morning of Nov. 9, troopers were dispatched to a low hanging utility wire over Route 41 in Salisbury. Upon arriving, they found that a vehicle had struck a utility pole, breaking it in half, and subsequently fled the scene. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Trooper DaSilva #915 at joshua.dasilva@ct.gov or through Troop B’s phone line at 860-626-1820.
Motorist flees after damaging property
At about 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 9, an unidentified vehicle drove off of Route 272 near the town green in Norfolk, traveling across the lawn of the residence of 2 Memorial Green, striking a boulder and bushes. Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to contact Trooper Montano #1010 using the Troop B phone line, 860-626-1820.
Harassment, protective order violation arrest
On Nov. 10, troopers arrested Patrick Redmond, 37, of North Canaan for a warrant regarding an incident dated Sept. 26 of this year on Ethan Allen Street in Salisbury. He was processed for second degree harassment and violation of a protective order. He was released on a $10,000 cash bond and was scheduled to be seen at Torrington Superior Court on Nov. 12.
Pedestrian struck by passing car mirror
At around noon on Nov. 11, David Kurish, 78, of Sharon was driving on Main Street in Sharon when he became distracted and veered into the shoulder. The mirror of his Audi A6 hit one of two pedestrians walking on the shoulder, a minor, who was subsequently taken to Sharon Hospital for suspected minor injuries. Kurish was found to be at fault and was issued infractions for failure to drive in proper lane, distracted driving other than the use of a handheld device, and failure to carry an insurance card.
9-1-1 hang up yields arrest
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, troopers were dispatched to a Church Street address in North Canaan on the report of a hung up 9-1-1 call. Troopers arrested Jeffrey Beatrice, 34, on disorderly conduct and third degree harassment charges. He was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on Nov. 13.
The Lakeville Journal will publish the outcome of police charges. Send mail to P.O. Box 1688, Lakeville, CT 06039, Attn: Police Blotter, or email editor@lakevillejournal.com
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