Protesters gather at Town Hall on Presidents’ Day

A large gathering is held in front of Salisbury Town Hall Monday to protest the current administration in Washington, D.C.
        Ruth Epstein
    

A large gathering is held in front of Salisbury Town Hall Monday to protest the current administration in Washington, D.C.
“Democracy cannot defend itself,”
—Maria Grusauskas, Falls Village
SALISBURY — The frigid winds and icy conditions did little to deter a hearty group from gathering on the steps of Town Hall Monday, Feb. 17, to protest the current administration in Washington, D.C.
Holding signs referring to “Musk-rats” and “Kleptocracy,” while chanting “This is what Democracy looks like,” participants expressed their strong concerns over what they believe is a deep threat to the future of the country under President Donald Trump.
Organizer Amy Lake said holding such a rally on Presidents’ Day was timely. “Up to this point, presidents have mainly obeyed the rule of law and if not, Congress and the courts used their constitutional power to override the overreach of the executive branch. This is not being done. Their silence is complicit. Democracy is in peril.”
She urged those who are outraged with the current situation to call their legislators and others leaders and make their voices heard.
As she looked around at the approximately 60 who came out, Lake said, “It feels good to be doing something and to be building community.”
Many motorists who drove by honked horns as a show of support.
Danila Larssen, who is the chairman of the Democratic Town Committee in Litchfield and president of the Greater Litchfield Young Democrats, talked of being scared and nervous. “We may be safe here in Connecticut and I acknowledge we are privileged, but we have to think about others elsewhere.”
Larssen was with Kay Munoz of Waterbury, vice-chair of the Greater Litchfield Young Democrats and a member of the Hispanic Democratic caucus. “It is important we show our communities we’re not just beacons of hope, but that we can do something,” she said.
Karin Gerstel of Salisbury noted she is the child of parents who were victims of the Holocaust. “When, years later, my mother was asked why people didn’t try to stop it, she replied she didn’t have an answer.” Then, after pausing, Gerstel said, “I’m glad my parents are not here to see this now.”
One of the younger participants was Maria Grusauskas of Falls Village, who said, “Democracy cannot defend itself. It’s important for people to stay informed nationally and strengthen their local communities.”
Julia Olff, also of Falls Village, said she came out because of her concern about what she sees as an abuse of power by the executive branch, “which has dismantled the justice department and cowed the GOP congress. The president is using autocratic techniques to censor free speech and foster hate speech.” But she was emphatic when she said, “A multicultural society is here to stay.”
Peter Coffeen of Norfolk was mainly interested in protesting the removal of funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). “That agency was set up to do good for poor people,” he said.
Lake said many local individuals who would have attended had gone to Hartford where a large rally was taking place at the same time.
WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.
The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.
Both of Nonnewaug's varsity teams faced off against their counterparts from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in the tournament finals in Woodbury Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The boys game was played first. Housatonic took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Gustavo Portillo and Jackson McAvoy. Nonnewaug responded in the second half with three consecutive goals: first from Cash Medonis then two from Vincenzo Rose. The Nonnewaug boys won 3-2.
 
The girls game followed. Nonnewaug and Housatonic traded goals early on and the score was tied 2-2 at halftime. Nonnewaug scored twice more in the second half to win 4-2. Housatonic's goals were scored by Ava Segalla. Rosie Makarewicz scored twice for Nonnewaug and Hailey Goldman and Aubrey Doran scored once.
Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference soccer tournaments begin Oct. 31. Both Housatonic teams qualified for the Class S tournament and both Nonnewaug teams qualified for the Class M tournament.
TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.
Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.
Joan graduated from Harding High School.
She was a working artist for much of her adult life, starting her career studying plein air impressionist oil painting at the Cape Cod School of Art. Her work evolved to include a more representational style, and eventually a large body of abstract pieces. Her award-winning work has been shown in galleries and juried art shows throughout southern New England.
She is survived by her daughter Leslie and her husband George, brothers Joseph, Victor, and their families, nephews Gregory, Christopher, and their families, daughter-in- law Huong, and the extended Jardine family. She was predeceased by her son Douglas, and brother Michael.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints of America Orthodox Church, 313 Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury, Connecticut on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints of America Orthodox Church, PO Box 45, Salisbury, CT 06068.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.
Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.
Music and events programmer Alex Harvey has been producing Día de los Muertos at Race Brook for the past three years, and with the closing of the venue looming, the festival takes on a deep and personal meaning.
“The anchoring gesture of Race Brook, long before I arrived on the scene, has always been to cultivate a space that thins the veil between the worlds. Something otherworldly is hiding in the mountain’s towering shadow: the whispering spring-fed stream, the dense lineage that founder Dave Rothstein brings, the woodsmoke that rises every night of the year from the firepits. This space communes with the spirits,” said Harvey.
“And so we cradle a special ache in our hearts as the leaves turn and the beautiful dance of Race Brook’s project of cultural pollination draws to a close. Fitting, then, to return for one last activation — Día de Los Muertos — a celebration of the end of things. A remembrance of those who’ve made the transition we are all destined for, but also a time when we honor many types of loss. And while we will all mourn those who aren’t there in the flesh, we will also, with humility, come as mourners for the space itself,” Harvey continued.
The event will be a night to remember, to celebrate and to release with ritual, music, and communal remembrance. Participants are invited to bring photos, talismans and offerings for the ofrenda (offering), as well as songs, poems or toasts to share in tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Mexican American musicians Maria Puente Flores, Mateo Cano, Víctor Lizabeth, Oviedo Horta Jr. and Andrea from Pulso de Barro, an ensemble rooted in the Veracruz tradition of son jarocho, will be performing.
Translating to “Pulse of the Clay,” their name reflects a deep connection to the earth and to the living heartbeat of culture itself. Through a synthesis of Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican traditions, Pulso de Barro merges poetry, rhythm and communal song as pathways to coexistence with nature. Their performances feature the jarana and leona (stringed instruments), quijada, cajón, maracas, and marimba (percussion), the tarima (percussive dance platform) and a call-and-response of folk and original versadas.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the Barn Space with a Fandango de los Muertos featuring Pulso de Barro, a Race Brook favorite. At 8 p.m., the Open Mic for the Dead invites guests to speak directly into the spirit world — through word, music or memory. The night culminates at 10:30 p.m. with a Fandango for the Dead, a participatory music and dance celebration. Bring your instruments, your voices and your dancing shoes.
Race Brook Lodge is a unique rustic getaway destination for relaxation, hiking, live music, workshops, weddings and more. Sadly, it will be closing for good later in 2026, ending a storied chapter of Berkshire music, art, culture and well-being.
Come experience an evening that honors lost loved ones and the end of a Berkshire institution. The cycle of life endures. Surely, resurrection is in the cards for Race Brook Lodge.
For Tickets and info, visit: rblodge.com