Martha Wendt Nesbitt


LAKEVILLE — Martha Nesbitt of Lakeville, Connecticut and New York City passed away on Jan. 26, 2025. Martha, the daughter of Ruth and Henry Wendt, was born March 14, 1942, in New York City. She grew up in Sands Point and Tuxedo Park, New York.
As a child, she attended the Tuxedo Park Country Day school, and The MastersSchool in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Later she studied the classics at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and at New York University. In New York City, she worked for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and later in computer program design at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).
Although she met her husband, Michael, in 1960 they were not married until 1972, each of them having a prior marriage. After her retirement, she and her husband of 52 years, spent most of their time in Lakeville, Connecticut. She was an active member of the Colonial Dames, the Cosmopolitan Club, the Millbrook Garden Club, the Berkshire Choral International, a mahjong group, and the Crescendo choral group. She was practicing for a Crescendo concert at the time she fell ill.
She will be remembered by her family and friends as the most sweet, kind, loving and thoughtful wife, to Michael, mother to Ian, Christopher and Seth Nesbitt, sister to Nancy Evans, grandmother to Caelan, Cosmo, Esperanza, Harper, and Zephyr, and friend to all. She was especially close to her brother, Henry Wendt, and sister, Lindsay Serrell, both of whom predeceased her. A celebration of Martha’s life will be held on Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Church in Lime Rock, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crescendo choral at: www.crescendomusic.org. Remembrances and photographs are welcomed at: marthawendtnesbitt@gmail.com The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Kent Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid crews responded quickly to contain the fire on North Main Street late Sunday night, Nov. 16.
KENT — A fire broke out inside a downtown general store in Kent Sunday night, prompting reports of explosions and drawing a swift response that prevented wider damage, according to authorities.
Kent Fire Marshal Timothy Limbos said Monday that the blaze erupted at 4 North Main Street — home to Woodford’s General Store — and was first reported just after 11:30 p.m. when Litchfield County Dispatch received 911 calls about flames and explosions in the area.
The first crews to arrive found a heavy fire burning at the back of the building, with flames beginning to extend toward the neighboring structure.
KVFD Assistant Chief Wendell Soule was the incident commander on scene. He said that the severity of the incident was quickly apparent: “I elevated it to second alarm about four minutes after dispatch.”
Firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly, preventing further damage.
No injuries were reported, as neither building was occupied at the time.
Limbos credited the quick containment to the coordinated and professional efforts of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid partners from Cornwall, Gaylordsville, Litchfield, Northville, Sherman, Warren and Wassaic.
Limbos said his office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and that further details will be announced.
Newly elected First Selectman Eric Epstein responded to the call. He said, “There was heavy fire when we arrived” and noted “there were a couple of propane tanks that look like they exploded.”
He said the nearby Swyft restaurant sustained fire damage on the exterior.
A portion of North Main Street was closed while crews dealt with the blaze but later reopened.
More information will be announced when it becomes available.
Norfolk fire and ambulance crews responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
NORFOLK — A 60-year-old Oregon man is dead after a single-car crash Friday, Nov. 14, according to Connecticut State Police.
Kevin Scott, of Portland, was driving a Ford Escape southbound on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) when he exited the roadway while negotiating a curve and struck a utility pole. The Ford rolled onto its side and the airbags deployed. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and there were no passengers in the car.
Jon Barbagallo, public information officer for Norfolk emergency services, said the roof of the vehicle had to be cut open so first responders could reach the driver. The extrication took about 10 minutes.
Scott was transported by Norfolk Ambulance to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The utility pole snapped at its base.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Troop B at 860-626-1820.
WINSTED — Holy Cross High School won 36-20 against the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team Saturday, Nov. 15.
The hard-fought contest was won in the air. Holy Cross QB Brady Lombardo completed 16/31 passes for 309 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
GNH pounded the ground game for a total of 209 rushing yards. Cole Linnen, Jaden Hoffman and Trevor Campbell each ran in one TD. Wes Allyn caught an interception on defense.

The result did not alter Naugatuck Valley League (Tier 1) standings with Holy Cross (6-3) remaining in third place and GNH (4-5) remaining in fourth place. Seymour and Woodland Regional sit tied at the top with undefeated 9-0 records ahead of their showdown Nov. 26.
GNH scored first against Holy Cross on a seven-yard rush by Jaden Hoffman. Holy Cross responded with three quick reception touchdowns -- two by Dae’Sean Graves and one by Devonne Drake -- before halftime, creating an 18-7 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, Trevor Campbell scored for GNH and Nathan Craft scored for Holy Cross.
Holy Cross added two more reception TDs in the final quarter with one by Aaden Hall and another by Drake. GNH’s Linnen scored a 31-yard touchdown run to bring the final score to 36-20.
The final regular season game for GNH will be the Turkey Bowl against St. Paul Catholic High School Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. in Bristol.
