
Cassidy Considine and Kelly Wolfe at Nutrition on Railroad.
Photo by Riley Klein
A short distance away from Northwest Auto, across Railroad Street, we come across the newest business in town, ILSE Coffee. ILSE is a company that has been based in Stamford, Conn. Originally, they were primarily wholesale coffee roasters that shipped beans to cafes around the world. I sat down to interview co-owners Rebecca Grossman and Lucas Smith, who couldn’t be more excited to have brought their business to North Canaan. When asked why they chose North Canaan, Grossman said, “We were coming up on our lease and thinking about where we wanted to be next in the world and North Canaan was always an option. It’s always been a special place for both of us. We had been driving by this building when we would come up and always thought that it would make for such an amazing roastery. So we reached out to the owner and he was interested in renting it to us and we decided to make the move.”
In August of 2022, Isle made its move from Stamford to North Canaan and has been bustling ever since. It was a great fit right away. While in Stamford, ILSE was located in a warehouse, which worked great, but the team was looking for that small-town feel and personality. The new location has plenty of room for the entire wholesale department while having the added bonus of a small room for a store. Leaning into the retail side of things is the direction that they intend on going as well. Opening the retail side has taken more time than they originally thought, but are ready to open this spring. Having that piece of the business be a new opportunity for growth is rather exciting for co-owners Smith and Grossman. Being able to bring to light all the deliciousness that comes with coffee and coffee-related drinks to the folks of North Canaan is something they cannot wait to do. They will also be selling their beans in the store for people who brew their coffee at home and are looking for top-notch beans. Anyone looking for a great cup of Joe and anything else related to coffee, look no further than ILSE Coffee.
Across the street, we have Nutrition On Railroad and KayCee & Co. Gift Boutique, which is a joint operation owned by Cassidy Pelletier and Kelly Wolfe. On the Nutrition side there is a medley of smoothies, acai bowls, and energy-boosting drinks, on the Gift Boutique side there are all sorts of trinkets and other assorted goods. This combo shop, if you will, is something that is completely unique to North Canaan. The birth of Nutrition started with the idea of “What is Canaan missing?” A smoothie and drink bar was the answer. Pelletier doesn’t want that to be the only way people know nutrition though, as she is always focused on “what Canaan needs and will continue to need” in the hope of always being able to adapt to the times. Adaptation is something they both see as growth and progress, that’s why about a year ago they added the Gift Boutique. Breaking down a wall between the two storefronts and becoming one, the stores flourished. Unfortunately, the traffic just hasn’t been there for the Gift Boutique so they, naturally, will have to adapt.
Nutrition is generally pretty busy, with a rush in the morning and around lunchtime with a steady stream of folks in and out in between, they stay bustling. The Gift Boutique, however, is a totally different animal. “The gift shop just doesn’t stand alone right now, whereas Nutrition has always been successful.” Due to unforeseen circumstances, the gift shop struggles to draw a crowd. Cassidy has a couple of theories of her own as to why that is. “ I don’t know if Canaan is just not ready for it, or people just don’t think about Canaan in that way. Honestly, I don’t think there are enough gift shops. No one comes to Canaan for one gift shop. I wish we had three or four gift shops and I think we’d be a lot more successful.” The gift shop is a fantastic addition to the town, and it’s great for people just passing through town that can get a memento to remember Canaan by. It’s just unfortunate that there really isn’t the foot traffic through town to support it completely. This realization has prompted Nutrition to rethink what it wants to do and how to make changes to be more successful. Seeing as one side of the business has a steady stream of customers at this point, it would only make sense for them to lean into that side.
Expanding Nutrition on Railroad will be no easy task, and as such has been planned out thoroughly, the main idea behind it is to really lean into the breakfast side of things. In order to do so they will have to undergo reconstruction, planned for sometime this summer. The area behind the bar is not very large, which is by design. There’s only so much space that one or at max two people behind the bar need, they’re only whipping up smoothies and other drinks. The storage for everything doesn’t take up very much space, they use fresh fruit for every smoothie and fruit bowl so they can’t have too much fruit in stock or else it will sit too long and spoil. So in order to accommodate breakfast they must make some critical changes, which means increasing that space, just not at the cost of the smoothie bar. The smoothie bar offers a unique way for people to come together and mingle as if it were a real bar, but there’s no alcohol and that is something that Pelletier does not want to change about the business. “I feel like it’s a fun place to come sit and what we kinda want to do is have more seating options because it is small.” Along with the expansion will come new merchandise and owner Pelletier teased that there could possibly be a name change. “I feel like Nutrition On Railroad kind of limits me a little bit… just the name Nutrition On Railroad, yes the food is nutrition, but that’s not how I want people to take it, thinking that it’s only healthy options. Right now that’s what we’re geared for and we’re always going to have that, but I wanted to offer things like pastries and sandwiches.” Time changes quickly and waits for no one, so the folks at Nutrition are adapting fast and shaking things up.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School got knocked out of the state playoff by Old Saybrook High School March 5.
HVRHS, the eighth seed, hosted Old Saybrook, seeded ninth, for round two of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class S tournament. As the eighth and ninth seeds in the tournament, both teams earned byes for the first round of the state postseason.
On the way to victory in Falls Village, Old Saybrook came back from behind to win 54-36. Senior Breleigh Cooke scored a game-high 19 points for the Rams with 14 of those coming in the second half.
HVRHS played without captain Kylie Leonard, who was sidelined due to injury. The three active seniors, Tessa Dekker, Khyra McClennon and Daniela Brennan, combined for 28 points in their final varsity basketball game.
The Mountaineers started strong and briefly opened up a double-digit lead in the first half. The team created momentum through defensive control, forcing repeated turnovers in the full-court press.
At halftime, HVRHS led 24-18.
Old Saybrook went on an 18-2 scoring run in the third quarter and pulled ahead of HVRHS. Cooke hit two 3-pointers in the hot streak.
Brennan and McClennon each hobbled off the court with injury flare-ups in the second half, but both returned to play out the game.
The Rams finished strong with another 18 points in the fourth quarter and secured a 54-36 win.
Tessa Dekker played four years of varsity basketball for the Mountaineers and was named to the Berkshire League First Team in 2025.Photo by Riley Klein
Old Saybrook coach Steve Woods and Housatonic coach Jake Plitt shook hands after the game.
"You played a great game. Didn’t help that your captain was on the bench," said Woods.
"Your team played really well," said Plitt. "Good luck the rest of the way."
Old Saybrook secured a trip to the quarterfinal round against Somers High School. Somers beat top-ranked Academy of Science and Innovation 49-44 the same night.
For Housatonic, the season was over. Plitt praised his team for a successful year, ending 14-6 in the regular season, entry to the Berkshire League tournament as the third seed and the Class S playoff as the eight seed.
"This season has been really special to me and I’m proud to be a part of it." said Plitt. "We’ll see you next year."
Sophomore guard Hayden Bachman got a taste of the postseason this year.Photo by Riley Klein
Maureen Brady, the first woman to be elected first selectman of Kent, died on Feb. 23 at her home after a long illness.
Brady, who served from 1985 to 1992, devoted much of her life to serving the community she loved.
Moving here with her young family from Queens, New York, when her husband, Thomas, became resident state trooper in Sherman, she quickly got involved in municipal activities by becoming secretary to then First Selectman Eugene O’Meara in 1973, and later to Robert Ward. Ward stepped down after two terms, and with his deep encouragement, she ran and won the town’s top spot.
It was a time of transition when she took office, since the Town Hall was being relocated from its old cramped offices on South Main Street to a brand-new structure at Kent Green. Brady was in charge of arranging the details of the new building, as well as coordinating the move.
Former assessor Patricia Braislin, who was named to the position shortly after Brady was elected, recalled the move. “It was extremely smooth under her leadership,” Braislin, of Sharon, said. “It was mind-numbing how well it went.”
Braislin also spoke of Brady’s approach to being first selectman. “She was very fair and wonderful to work with. She understood how the pieces went together based on her experience of working with other top officials.”
Current tax collector Deborah Devaux was both a colleague and friend of Brady’s. “She was a woman of such high morality and one who maintained her sense of humor and humanity. She was tough, but not authoritarian. Bob Ward taught her well.”
Brady passed down the importance of public service to family members. Her son-in-law Martin Lindenmayer is current first selectman. When asked, he said Brady was definitely an inspiration for him seeking the seat. “She was a model of community spirit and had great vision for the town.” Up until the last few weeks, he would visit with her and seek her guidance on issues.
Lindenmayer said she transcended any politics while in office, working with all townspeople in a convivial and helpful manner.
Darlene Brady, the longtime town clerk, is her daughter-in-law. She credits Brady with alerting her to the position when it was about to be vacated. She smiled as she spoke about what a beautiful office Brady had designed for the town clerk, not realizing it would someday be her daughter-in-law’s workplace.
Darlene Brady said she marveled at how her husband, Kevin, and his two siblings, Kathleen Lindenmayer and Maureen Goldman, had a special bond when it came to the love and respect they had for their mother. “I’m so proud to be a part of that,” she said.
Maureen Brady later went on to serve on the Board of Finance and as assistant registrar of voters.
Noting her dedication to the town, a ceremony was held last March in which the large room at the southern end of the second floor that once housed Brady’s office was dedicated in her honor. A huge crowd turned out as a plaque was placed over the doorway that reads “This room is dedicated to Maureen A. Brady in honor and recognition of her outstanding commitment and distinguished service to the town of Kent. 1973-2023.”
Soon after she was elected, an article appeared in a local newspaper, noting Brady breaking into what had been a male-dominated office in town. There were also a large number of women in other governmental positions. The National Enquirer picked up on the story and wrote a piece, dubbing Kent “Petticoat Junction.”
Brady was also a woman of strong faith, and after serving in the public realm, she worked as secretary for several Roman Catholic churches, including those in Sherman, Sharon, Cornwall and Kent. A funeral was held in Kent on Friday, Feb. 28.
Ruth Epstein
Kent
EAST CANAAN — With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Shirley Mae MacCallum, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, who passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at her home in East Canaan. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Toby MacCallum, with whom she shared many years of love and companionship.
Shirley was born on Aug. 27, 1930, in Irving, Massachusetts, to the late Edgar and Henrietta (Jodway) Daigneault. A proud graduate of Agawam High School in 1947, she went on to lead a life filled with hard work, love, and a spirit that touched everyone who knew her. Over the years, Shirley worked at Kaman Aircraft Corporation, where she built a solid foundation for her family, and later pursued her passion for antiques as the proud owner of Toby’s Antiques in East Canaan. She was known for her eye for unique treasures and her warm, welcoming nature that made all who entered feel like family.
Shirley’s family and friends will remember her for her deep love, her unwavering support, and her ability to bring laughter and joy into any room. She had a special gift for making people feel valued, and her kindness and generosity knew no bounds. Her love extended not only to her family but also to animals, showing compassion and care for them. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always finding ways to be present in their lives, no matter the distance.
She is survived by her beloved sister, RoseMarie Galloway, and her husband, Richard, of Soldotna, Arkansas; her loving daughter, Lynn Pike, and her partner, Michael Sammon, of Scottsdale, Arizona; and her son-in-law, John Shepard, of Enfield, Connecticut. Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Ralph McEwan of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, and her daughter, Kathleen Shepard.
Shirley’s legacy will live on through her grandchildren; Beth McEwan-Pajak and husband Jason of Southwick, Massachusetts, Krystal Ouellette of San Manuel, Arizona, Bryan McEwan and wife Tara of Westfield, Massachusetts, Kylene Perras and husband Jim of South Windsor, Connecticut, Jonathan Shepard and wife Hannah of Enfield, Connecticut, Wendy Bannish and husband William of Suffield, Connecticut, and Candice Smith and husband Curtis of Massillon, Ohio. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Katrina, Kaelyn, Madison, Chase, Lisette, Jasmine, Max, Ellie, Nathan, Austin, Clayton and Brianna who were the light of her life, as well as a cherished aunt to her nephew, Jeffrey Bunch and wife Gina, along with many other nieces and nephews.
Shirley was a woman of grace, strength, and resilience. She faced every challenge with courage, and her compassion for others was boundless. Whether as a mother, grandmother, or friend, she offered unwavering love and was a true source of comfort and wisdom. She will be missed more than words can express, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Visiting hours for Shirley will be held on Wednesday March 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, located at 985 Main Street in Agawam, Massachusetts. Visiting hours will continue on Thursday March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a funeral home service at 11 a.m.
Interment will proceed at the Springfield Street Cemetery, Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. Additional arrangements will be shared with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the MacCallum Family Fund for Animal Welfare, c/o Northwest CT Community Foundation, 33 East Main Street, PO Box 1144, Torrington, CT 06790, 860-626-1245, in Shirley’s memory. Shirley’s life was one of love, service, and joy. While she may no longer be with us, the impact she made on our lives will never fade. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.
SHARON — Arthur Joseph Frigault, 79, passed away Feb. 26, 2025, at Baystate Medical Center after a brave attempt to live with multiple myeloma cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted wife, loving family and friends.
Arthur was born July 7, 1945, in Waltham, Massachusetts, the son of the late Arthur and Delina Frigault. His parents migrated from New Brunswick, Canada to Waltham in 1945. Arthur attended french-speaking St. Joseph Church’s elementary school in Waltham, Waltham High School and Northeastern University in Boston for engineering. He served in the US Army.
Arthur worked as engineer inspector in the aerospace industry at Itek Measurement Systems in Newton, Massachusetts and in the medical quality industry at Johnson and Johnson in Raynham, Massachusetts. His colorful life included work as a freelance photographer, picture framer, soap maker and restaurateur. Arthur was owner of Beebo’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisana with his wife, Karen.
Arthur is survived by his wife and soulmate, Karen Heacox; his brother and sister-in-law, Max and Jean Frigault of Pismo Beach, California; his nephew, Eric Frigault of Fountain Hills, Arizona; and several cousins in Canada and the United States. He will be dearly missed by the entire Heacox family. This loss will go out in concentric circles and be felt in the world, Arthur touched many peoples’ lives that they always felt better having spent time with him.
A memorial service will be held at the Sharon Congregational Church on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Volunteer Ambulance, PO Box 357, Sharon, CT 06069.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.