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The Great Country Mutt Show drew a record crowd of dogs and their owners Sunday, June 7.
Jennifer Almquist
The giant tent, silhouetted against a wide blue sky, began filling just before the 11 a.m. opening. The “tongue-in-cheek, Westminster-style” dog show was originally conceived by renowned designer and animal advocate Bunny Williams.
WFSB meteorologist Scot Haney returned as host, joined by judges Richard Schlesinger, an Emmy-Award winning journalist with CBS News, and Bill Berloni, the well-known animal trainer who trained the first Sandy for the Broadway show “Annie,” proving that rescue animals can become stars.
People of all ages lined up with their dogs, which were leashed and eager to strut their stuff in contests throughout the day. Children held pets in their arms, some owners sported matching outfits with their canine companions, and despite the crowd, there was not a growl or skirmish amongst the dogs. Dogs of every size and breed filled the grounds, including towering Bernese Mountain dogs, tiny chihuahuas tucked into shoulder carriers, whiskery terriers, long-haired dachshunds, happy retrievers, bulldogs, one Bassett hound and countless mixed breeds.
Co-Chairs Robin Chandler and Chet Krayewski said they were pleased with the event’s success.Members of the board filled different roles, along with many volunteers, plus the staff of the Little Guild.
Langendoerfer also expressed special thanks to Tracy Tucker and Joel Howard for their support of a gala held the night before at Norfolk Country Club.
New this year was a hospitality tent, suggested by Bunny Williams, where dogs could cool off at their own water station while visitors enjoyed food trucks, a mobile pizza oven and live music by The Joint Chiefs. Vendors offered dog-themed merchandise.
Awards were presented to the Most Unidentifiable Mix, Sweetest Pair of Dogs, Best Ears, Best Trick, Best Companion/Family Member, Best Lap Dog Over 40 Pounds, Best Kisser, Waggiest Tail, and Best in Show. While the winners received blue ribbons, each registered dog received a commemorative ribbon.
Jennifer Almquist
The 2026 Great Country Mutt Show sees record attendance on a sunny June day.
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Soldiers at Militia Days in Cornwall practice a drill.
Ruth Epstein
Stevens, who is leading the town’s 250th anniversary celebration, oversaw an encampment of white tents across the grounds where men portraying colonial soldiers and women aiding them went about daily camp life. Four military units from five states participated.
Seasoned participants moved with authenticity, never breaking character. Stevens said the authenticity could be traced “down to the buttons they wear.”
Two sisters from Rhode Island, Minka Bernardo and Judy Tereshka, helped feed the troops. “It’s good to get a glimpse into how they lived,” said Tereshka. “It wasn’t easy.”
Sisters Judy Tereshka, left, and Minka Bernardo, serve food to the troops during Cornwall’s Militia Days.Ruth Epstein
Some of the participants portrayed not only historical figures, but their own distant relatives.
Robert Frasier of Warrensburg, N.Y., portrayed his ancestor Thomas Fleming, who was married in Cornwall in 1762.
“He was part of Col. Charles Burrall’s army and fought at the Battle of the Cedars,” Frasier said. “He never made it back.”
An enthusiast of early American history, Stevens hunts with black powder, builds his own firearms and casts musket balls. “I was born 270 years too late,” he said.
Like many other Northwest Corner towns, Cornwall sent a significant portion of its population to fight in the Revolutionary War. More than 200 residents served.
James Thomas portraying Elijah Bronson provides music.Ruth Epstein
First Selectman Gordon M. Ridgway, Selectmen Rocco Botto and John Brown, Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava, Alice Ridgway of Litchfield, Zach Tanner of Warren and Susan Hellman of Cornwall performed in a ceremonial review of the militia company.
Many current local families still bear the names of soldiers who went off to the war, including the Hurlburts, Swifts, Sedgwicks, Rogers, Scovilles and Tanners.
Standing in front of Town Hall, Ridgway noted that Swift descendant John Calhoun funded the building in 1908, when it was constructed as a library. Ridgway also recounted the story of Cornwall native Heman Swift,who helped bandage the Marquis de Lafayette after he was wounded during the war.
The activities over the two days included drill and tactical demonstrations, a children’s drill, music and ongoing displays.
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