Letters to the editor - November 26, 2015

No negotiation on Lime Rock Park

Skip Barber’s letter to the editor (Lakeville Journal, Nov. 12) made clear what many people have long suspected. His attempt to modify the injunction that regulates noise levels at Lime Rock is aimed at maximizing the value of the business he owns and little more. His letter shows no concern about the impact of Sunday racing on Trinity Church, on concerts at Music Mountain, or its effect on neighboring property values. Mr. Barber states: “We wouldn’t do anything that hurts the neighborhood.” But if he gets his way, it’s a victory for him and a major loss for hundreds of others.

Let’s be clear. Lime Rock Park is a vital part of the community that brings valuable business to the area, and I’m personally proud to live nearby. I don’t know anyone who wants the track to be shut down. But Lime Rock Park and the community have coexisted for nearly 60 years under rules that regulate noise levels on weekends. The Lime Rock Citizen’s Council wants nothing more than to maintain the status quo.

Mr. Barber states that he and his attorneys want to negotiate a compromise. But what is there to negotiate? God granted us one day of rest every week. That’s a covenant that goes back well before the injunction regulating noise at Lime Rock Park. And it’s not negotiable.

Thaddeus Gray

Lakeville

A bridge too far: ferry anyone?

There have been several well-known Hollywood movies about bridges: “Bridge of Spies” is the latest, but before that there were the “Bridges of Madison County” and “A Bridge too Far,” but one of the most famous was “The Bridge over the River Kwai.” Yet the world outside the Northwest Corner is unaware that we have our own “River Kwai, The Bridge Over the River Housy.”

Our river epic is produced by the Office of the State Engineer and is many years in the making. The original film, “River Kwai,” starred Alec Guinness as the fanatical British colonel who insisted on overbuilding the thing. In our film, that particular role is played by the State Engineer. Among the major differences is that in the original the bridge was actually built. In our case, through apparent bumbling, or incompetence, or both, there is yet another delay; and rumor has it that the new opening date is 2045!

What were they thinking? All we and the folks in Falls Village wanted was a simple and safe little structure, not the George Washington Bridge. So, from our point of view, the State Engineering Office has truly lurched over “a bridge too far.” So what about that ferry?

Having poked fun at the State Engineering Office and attendant bureaucrats involved in this sorry project, I am sure that, to the residents of Falls Village, it is not that funny. And for good reasons enumerated earlier, this delay is irresponsible (and unacceptable). So we have to say to the Office of the State Engineer: Get on with it — do your job.

Richard J. Boyle

Salisbury

Thanks for supporting Falls Village Day Care

The Second Annual Falls Village Day Care Silent Auction was a brilliant success! The children are getting so excited for their new playground. We would like to thank our extended community for providing auction items for bidding and our sponsors for supporting our event. This auction would not have been possible without support from the entire community.

We encourage you to please extend a thank you to our generous donors and sponsors the next time you patronize their business. Sponsors of the auction included Herrington’s, Double R Insulation, Northwest CT Realty (Tami Reid, Bob Riva), Associated Lightning Rod, Jacquier Welding, Sharon Country Inn, Ice Box Firearms, Daves Tire and Auto, Gregory Riley Moving Co., Noble House Contracting.

We hope to see you all again next year.

Heather Mechare

Falls Village

Kitchen Tour a huge success

The Housatonic Musical Theatre Society would like to thank the entire community for making the 13th Annual Kitchen Tour a huge success! Small, local, independent business owners generously sponsored this event, donated delicious food, created beautiful floral arrangements for each kitchen and gave raffle prizes. 

We thank our homeowners for so generously opening up their homes to be admired and viewed by hundreds of visitors. 

Last but not least, many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event possible.

This annual fundraising event is the largest fundraiser for the Housatonic Musical Theatre Society who will be performing “Chicago” in March of 2016. Go to www.HMTS.org for more information. 

Laurie Wadsworth and Karen Grimaldi

On behalf of The Kitchen Tour Committee

Lori Belter, Pamela
Chassin, Amy Dodge, Amy Lake, Colleen McGuire, Deborah Nugent, Christine Olownia, Dolores Perotti

Falls Village

The charming little white church at Twin Lakes

In the Northwest Corner of Connecticut sits a little area known by some as Twin Lakes. Nestled away in this lush, green landscape and still lake waters is a little white church. Right out of a Currier and Ives painting, not many know that it’s there. 

This cute little white church is small in size but big in faith and love. If you ever drive by, you’ll see a sign. “Come and see,” is what it says. Not many know of the All Saints of America Orthodox Church. I didn’t until the last few years. It’s the most beautiful little church inside, it is amazing, and the parishioners are welcoming people. Father Kreta is a big-hearted priest and a warm and wonderful man. 

I never really understood Christ until I came to this little white church. I for one can tell you, it’s not complex, just open your heart and eyes and let him in. But in today’s world, we all need him, so if you’re driving by, stop at the sign, “Come and see.” The little white church will open its doors. Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden so I will give you rest. Don’t be afraid, for you are not alone. Please come to the little white church.

Michael Parmalee

Member of the little white church

Salisbury

Thanks to those who help neighbors

With Thanksgiving “just around the corner” I want to congratulate and give thanks to the many local organizations and the individuals who give of themselves to their communities. 

It was heartwarming to read about Sunday in the Country Food Drive, the retiring of flags from Millbrook cemeteries, the Webutuck students collecting for the military and the Dutchess Day School fifth-graders’ works at a local shelter. I am sure there are other individuals and groups that I don’t know about who are doing deeds to help “their neighbors.” Many people are not able to participate in the laborious tasks involved in the many projects but are supportive financially. 

To everyone, I say thank you and God bless you and yours. Happy Thanksgiving.

Diane Walters

Millerton