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

Turning Back the Pages

100 years ago — December 1921

LIME ROCK — Mrs. Harlow Merriman underwent a successful operation for appendicitis at the Winsted Hospital last Thursday and the latest report is that she is getting along splendidly.

 

TACONIC — The Roche Farm on the Undermountain road has been purchased by Judge H.D. Hotchkiss of the New York Supreme Court.

 

Miss Mary Holmes of Taconic says that if anyone tells you that a car will run without water in the radiator, don’t believe it. Mary knows from experience.

 

ORE HILL — Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rowe and family have moved into one of the Salisbury Iron Corporation’s houses.

 

50 years ago — December 1971

Pervasive rumors that land near the Housatonic River owned by the Stanley Works is about to be sold for development purposes were denied categorically Wednesday by Howard Coe, director of real estate for the New Britain firm. The land in question aggregates some 1900 acres in Kent, Sharon and Cornwall. “I know of no plans to dispose of it,” Mr. Coe said, expressing interest in how the rumors that have worried neighbors for the last several weeks got started. At the same time Northeast Utilities is understood to be interested in the possible purchase of some or all of the Stanley land in the future for use as a recreation area in the event it seeks to build the proposed Canaan Mountain pumped-storage project.

 

Sharon Hospital this week announced increases of 43 to 46 percent in room rates. The increases, which took effect last Saturday, average $21 per day and bring the average daily room rate to $69.74. Hospital Administrator Paul W. Sternlof pointed out that until now the Sharon Hospital has had the lowest room rates in Connecticut.

 

Contrary to The Lakeville Journal’s original suspicions, it was apparently not pranksters but state workmen who moved the large white marker at the Lakeville- Salisbury village boundary. A spokesman at the state highway department sign headquarters in New Milford explained that the old-style signs which announced a town’s name and warned passing motorists (ungrammatically) to “Drive Slow” are being replaced by new ones which merely state the name. These are not official town limit signs, but “informal” markers at the edges of thickly-settled districts. Therefore, the spokesman explained, they are sometimes moved to accommodate increased building in a given area, or placed on a lot line rather than right in someone’s front yard. But no one seems to know exactly who moved that particular sign, or when or why. Anyway, Lakeville has not actually expanded northeastward toward Salisbury after all.

 

After 46 years with the Kerite Co., most recently as chairman of the board, Theodore O. Rudd of Lakeville will retire on Dec. 31. Mr. Rudd joined Kerite, largest manufacturer of insulating cable in this country, as a sales engineer in 1926.

 

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

A dinosaur is coming to Cornwall

A dinosaur is coming to Cornwall
Lou Barlow performing with Dinosaur Jr.
Photo by Roberta Osmers of illuminated scene

On Saturday, Nov. 14, Cornwall Town Hall will be the coolest place in the county. Lou Barlow, of the rock bands Dinosaur Jr., the Folk Implosion and Sebadoh, will be joined by Attawalpa’s Luis Felber and hauntingly raw singer-songwriter Amelia Jackie as they transform the official administrative building into a rockin’ music venue.

Lou Barlow rarely gets the credit he deserves. As bassist for 1980s pre-grunge indie sensation Dinosaur Jr., he influenced a whole generation of bass players. Barlow started his music career by playing guitar in a hardcore punk band called Deep Wound out of Central Massachusetts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaimoe keeps the Allman Brother’s sound alive at Infinity Hall

Jaimoe performs with Friends of the Brothers.

Derek McCabe

The Allman Brothers Band has a wild history that involves more than its share of death, drugs, booze and blues. The band played through several iterations from 1969 until 2014. For most of that time, it was powered by the rhythm and texture of its two drummers, Butch Trucks and the enigmatic Jaimoe. On Thursday, Nov. 12, Jaimoe will get back behind the drums to bring the music of the Allman Brothers to life with Friends of the Brothers at Norfolk’s Infinity Hall.

Jaimoe, born in 1944 as John Lee Johnson and also performed under the name Jai Johanny Johanson, was already an accomplished drummer before he met guitarist Duane Allman in 1967. Trained as a soul and jazz drummer, he started playing R&B at a young age and eventually made his way to Otis Redding’s band before Redding died in a plane crash at age 26. Jaimoe had an effortless texture to his drumming that set him apart from most drummers of the day, who were frequently enlisted to hold the beat rather than contribute to a bands’ musicality.

Keep ReadingShow less
Is it a concert or a play? “Yes, Darling.” It is.

Ryan Montbleau and Hayley Jane bring “Yes, Darling” to the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield on Nov. 13.

Provided

On Friday, Nov. 13, a truly unique performance will hit the stage of the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. “Yes, Darling” is the musical culmination of a longtime collaboration between musicians Hayley Jane and Ryan Montbleau. What sets this performance apart from a traditional musical or a regular concert is that the writers of the songs are the actors and performers themselves.

Though “Yes, Darling” is their first official album and subsequent show together, Jane and Montbleau share a number of compatible traits that work together marvelously in this project.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Local favorites among Destination Dutchess tourism award finalists

Tenmile Distillery in Wassaic is a finalist for a Destination Dutchess 2026 Tourism Award of Distinction for its Revolutionary Whisky.

D.H. Callahn

Three familiar names from eastern Dutchess County are among the finalists for Destination Dutchess’ 2026 Tourism Awards of Distinction, recognizing the people, businesses and organizations that make the county a vibrant destination for visitors.

House of Stefas in Millbrook is a finalist for the Newcomer Award of Distinction, which celebrates tourism-related businesses that opened in 2025 and have already made an impression on visitors and residents alike.

Keep ReadingShow less

Robin Wall Kimmerer at Hudson Hall

Robin Wall Kimmerer at Hudson Hall

Robin Wall Kimmerer

photo courtesy the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Robin Wall Kimmerer, acclaimed author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” and “The Serviceberry,” comes to Hudson Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. for a talk and conversation with garden writer Margaret Roach, followed by a book signing. The in-person event is sold out, but a free livestream is available. Visit hudsonhall.org.

William C. Palmer

William C. Palmer

EAST CANAAN — William C. Palmer, lovingly known as Bill, passed away suddenly on November 1, 2026, in his home in Louisa, Virginia, at the age of 61. Bill was born on March 6,1965 at Camp Zama military base in Kanagawa-Ken, Japan, where his father was stationed. Bill graduated from Oliver Wolcott Technical High School, practicing his love of trade in machine tool and die. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Diane Palmer, who was his devoted partner in life. He leaves behind his daughter, Nicky, who was truly his pride and joy. He is also survived by his pups, Luna and Jasper, as well as his grand-pup, Mason, and grand-kitty, Chance. In addition, Bill is survived by his mother, Hazel Williams; his sister, Sherrie Palmer; his brothers, Doug Palmer, Larry Zani and his wife Ashley; Almo Zani and his wife Ginger; and several cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Fred Palmer.

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.