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North Canaan soared in 2024

North Canaan soared in 2024

Finn, 12, found his wings at Triumph Airfield June 1.

Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — An action-packed year made for big news in North Canaan.

A terrier was rescued from a quarry, a new health center opened, and Canaanites welcomed new businesses to town while saying farewell to an old favorite.

The year began with two downtown eateries opening. McMuckle’s Market came to town and Nutrition on Railroad reopened under new ownership.

In March, Town Hall introduced a new face in Paul Mattingly, executive assistant. Mattingly and First Selectman Brian Ohler launched initiatives to revamp municipal operations like Make It Happen Monday, when all permitting officials are present in Town Hall to streamline applications.

In springtime, a volunteer rescue effort saved Rippy the terrier from a quarry. Animal control, local fire departments, regional ropes rescue team and the first selectman, equipped with an infrared detection drone, teamed up to save Rippy in a multi-day effort.

Community Health and Wellness Center cut the ribbon on its North Canaan facility in May. CHWC CEO Joanne Borduas spoke on the monumental achievement and what it means for the people of the region, saying the new center “welcomes everyone through the door without stigma and without discrimination. And for that, we are so grateful.”

Young aviators took flight at Triumph Airfield when Experimental Aircraft Association made its first appearance in North Canaan. In total, 32 first timers got a feel for flying with the assistance of certified pilots.

Railroad Days rolled into town in July under new leadership. The North Canaan Events Committee presented two weeks of town-wide fun that culminated with a parade plus a dazzling firework and drone display.

The Transfer Station got a face lift courtesy of local artist Cheri Johnson, who painted a 40-foot mural welcoming visitors and promoting recycling.

In September, the Attorney General’s office handed down its findings on an investigation into Town Clerk Jean Jacquier. Misconduct was found in three incidents, but no punitive action was taken. Jacquier, an elected official, is suing the town for legal costs accrued during the investigation. Torrington Superior Court set a hearing for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) ramped up production of syringes at its North Canaan plant in response to quality issues with plastic syringes imported from China. Fallon McLoughlin, director of public relations and corporate communications, said, “We’ve added over 100 full-time associates in the last year, and currently have more than 500 full-time associates and nearly 50 contingent associates.”

In the 2024 election, North Canaan was a true bellwether town. Voters chose Trump (R) for president, Murphy (D) for senate, Hayes (D) for congress, Harding (R) for state senate and Horn (D) for state representative. Each won.

As the year wound down, North Canaan said farewell to Great Falls Brewing Company. The Union Depot fixture closed its doors at the end of December after several slow years beginning with the pandemic.

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Early morning Kent crash sends car into ditch, disrupts traffic on Rt. 341

A blue SUV remains in a ditch after an early-morning crash along Segar Mountain Road in Kent May 27.

Ruth Epstein

KENT – A driver escaped with minor injuries after an SUV crashed into a utility pole and water line before rolling into a ditch along Segar Mountain Road early Wednesday morning, May 27, disrupting traffic for much of the day and affecting water service to a nearby residence.

The single-vehicle crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. near 36 Segar Mountain Road, just under half a mile east of the intersection with South Kent Road. State police said the blue SUV struck the pole, went over a guardrail and came to stop in a roadside ditch.

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Pauline King Garfield

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EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

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Lazarus, a Eurasian eagle owl, poses with Dr. Laura, his longtime handler. The rescue raptor — known as the event’s “wow factor” for his striking presence and six-foot wingspan — will appear as the Raptor Ambassador at Rhinebeck’s Blessing of the Animals.
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For many pet owners, animals are family. On Saturday, May 30, that bond will be celebrated in a uniquely practical and heartfelt way when the Blessing of the Animals returns to Third Lutheran Evangelical Church in Rhinebeck alongside a free rabies vaccination clinic hosted by Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.

The event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., is free for Dutchess County residents and open to dogs, cats and domestic ferrets three months and older. While the clinic itself provides an important public health service, organizers say the day has become about much more than vaccinations.

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Local filmmaker Yonah Sadeh takes his lens to China

Filmmaker Yonah Sadeh on a shoot last year in New York City.

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When I was around 12, a family friend showed me how to use my family’s computer...from that point on, it was pretty much all movies. — Yonah Sadeh

Filmmaker Yonah Sadeh of Falls Village left May 8 for China, where he will shoot a short documentary.

“I got into a documentary film intensive program where we have two weeks to shoot, edit and screen a 10-minute documentary about a topic of our choosing,” he said.“I’ll be in Changsha, Hunan, making a film about a fifth-generation shadow puppet master.”

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Silvano Monasterios thrilled a sold out audience in Cornwall.

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Author Courtney Maum to discuss new novel at Norfolk Library

Norfolk Library celebrates the release of Courtney Maum’s latest novel, “Alan Opts Out,” with a book launch party Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30 p.m. The author will speak about her book in conversation with WAMC radio producer Sarah LaDuke.

A graduate of Brown University with a degree in comparative literature, Maum is an acclaimed author of five books, including the romantic comedy “Touch,” a New York Times Editors’ Choice and NPR Best Book of the Year; “Costalegre;” and “I’m Having So Much Fun Without You.” Her memoir, “The Year of the Horses,” was chosen by the TODAY show as top pick for Mental Health Awareness Month. Vanity Fair listed her author’s guidebook “Before and After the Book Deal,” as a best resource for writers, and she has an eponymous Substack newsletter.

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