New sites sought, but hospital will continue

Dr. Mark Hirko, president of Sharon Hospital, said in a phone interview Friday, March 5, that the hospital does not plan to get out of the COVID-19 vaccination business. There had been rumors last week that hospitals would no longer be giving vaccinations. 

He did say that the hospital’s physical layout is not ideal for providing vaccinations to large numbers of people, and that the hospital staffers are stretched thin.

Hirko said that, since December, the hospital has provided 1,800 first doses and 1,100 second doses of vaccines, mostly the Moderna version.

Currently the hospital is working on the remaining second doses.

But with roughly 150,000 people in the vicinity still requiring vaccination, Hirko said, “We can’t be the point on this.”

Hirko said the hospital is willing to help set up vaccination sites elsewhere. “We need to look for a venue suitable for high volume.”

In the meantime, the hospital will also help provide vaccinations at schools, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.

State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) said Friday, March 5 (by phone), that the immediate problem is an inadequate supply of vaccine.

She said there are about 130,000 doses available for about 500,000 newly eligible people. (It is worth noting that the vaccine situation is changing rapidly.) On Monday, March 1, the pool of eligible vaccine recipients grew to include the Over 55 age group, as well as teachers and health-care workers.

Horn said she expected the supply situation would be “alleviated” in the next two weeks.

She is working on setting up additional vaccine sites. “We went through this with testing,” she noted. 

She said independent pharmacies and even Lime Rock Park are in the mix as possible vaccination sites. 

Horn said she is in the newly eligible age group herself, and finally succeeded in getting an appointment in Danbury after the usual long wait times on hold and efforts to log into the registration websites, most of which crashed last week. 

“It’s deflating,” she acknowledged. “Life is so close to being different.”

A telephone operator for one of the registration services had theorized that this new age group has the largest number of computer savvy users, all of whom logged into the registration sites on March 1 at the same time. 

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less