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From left, Board Chair Dan Dwyer, Publisher and CEO James Clark, Estabrook Community Leadership Award recipient Dick Hermans, his daughter Suzanna Hermans and Jubilee co-chair Joan Osofsky at the annual gala Oct. 11.
In an address to supporters, Publisher and CEO James Clark said the papers’ survival had been uncertain five years ago, before the transition to nonprofit ownership. Clark thanked attendees, board members and others in the community whose grassroots support enabled that transition.
“You demonstrated that The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News are essential community assets worth supporting. That support has allowed us to do much more than sustain two newspapers,” Clark said. “We’ve strengthened our newsroom, expanded our reporting, and invested in the people and resources needed to cover our communities more thoroughly.”
Brian Ross, the board vice chair, also addressed the gathering.
The Estabrook award, named for the publications’ former owners, Mary Lou and Robert Estabrook, recognizes outstanding work in the community. Clark praised Hermans’ “longstanding commitment to this region,” saying he “made a lasting difference” as the owner of Oblong Books and as a community activist.
Dan Dwyer, board chairman, connected that commitment to the support of those in attendance, crediting them with helping keep the newspapers going despite widespread closures across the industry.
“Newspapers across the country, thousands of them, have closed in the last 30 years. Similarly, bookstores around the country have too,” Dwyer said.
He pointed to Hermans and the Estabrooks as examples of the community commitment that helps such institutions endure.
“It’s because the Estabrooks established the pivotal role of the newspaper in this community. And Dick Hermans, through his business and his public service, has identified community service as the role that a citizen needs to play.”
For Dwyer, Hermans’ work embodied the practice of good citizenship.
“A bookshop is not just a place where you sell books.It’s where people come… it’s a place where ideas are exchanged,” Dwyer said. “If you want to talk about good old-fashioned civics… this is the guy who’s practiced it for his whole life.”Hermans’ daughter, Suzanna Hermans, and Dwyer presented him with the award. In his remarks, he reflected on his business, his work establishing the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and his upbringing in the area.
“The store has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams and the Rail Trail is more beautiful than anybody could expect from an old railroad line,” said Hermans, who was “instrumental” in its establishment.
Hermans also reflected on his own experience in journalism, starting as a college radio host for the now NPR-affiliated WJHU in Baltimore. Hermans also co-founded the New Pine Plains Herald, a non-profit community newspaper.
“Accurate information and good news about things our neighbors are doing is a key to maintaining a cohesive community,” he said. “By being here, you’re part of The Lakeville Journal/Millerton News community. It is so important that we keep our communities sane.”
Attendees gather at the Sharon Playhouse Sunday, Oct. 11, for the annual Jubilee gala, celebrating five years of nonprofit ownership of The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News.Patrick Stachniak
Virginia Gold of Project SAGE speaks at the Oct. 8 vigil.
About 60 people gathered for the vigil, which honored those killed in the past year and called for change in the attitudes and behaviors that enable abuse.
Virginia Gold, Project SAGE’s director of client services, spoke about Carrie Stetson, who was killed in Winsted in June by her estranged husband. Stetson ran the Railroad Cafe at Geer Village in North Canaan and in Winsted.
“Carrie did everything right,” Gold said. “It wasn’t enough.”
Stetson’s husband, Leon Stetson, was arrested and charged with murder, home invasion and violation of a protective order. He remains in jail, with his next court date scheduled for Oct. 27.
“No single action is enough,” Gold told the gathering. “Change doesn’t work that way.”
While organizations such as Project SAGE provide practical help to victims of relationship violence, Gold said, their broader mission is to change conventional attitudes about power and control. Events such as the vigil contribute to that work incrementally.
Lindsay Dombrovsky and Janay Gregory attend the vigil to raise awareness and show support for survivors. Madi Long
The evening began at Cannon Park, at the intersection of Main Street and Sharon Road, where participants received small packets of red sand.
Artist Kristen Pratt of the Red Sand Project explained that the participatory art project raises awareness of people who fall through the cracks, including those affected by relationship violence and human trafficking.
She led participants in pouring the bright red sand into cracks in the sidewalk.
“It illuminates something we often overlook,” Pratt said.
She reinforced the message by writing “No One Should Fall Between the Cracks” in chalk on the sidewalk.
Participants then walked to Project SAGE’s headquarters at 13A Porter St. The Lakeville nonprofit supports victims and survivors and works to end interpersonal relationship violence.
Executive Director Kristen Van Ginhoven said Project SAGE holds the vigil each October alongside similar organizations nationwide. She described the emotional demands of the work as holding “joy and grief, side by side.”
Gold thanked attendees for being “a witness to the power of community and hope.”
Project SAGE board chair Tom Connell closed with a message about the importance of their participation.
“Your presence here is the sound of hope,” he said. “It’s a reminder of what it means to show up and work for change.”
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination
HELP WANTED
Carpenters Wanted:Local established company looking for qualified carpenters. Segalla's TurnKey Housing, LLC is looking for a few carpenters with varying levels of expertise to join an established team. Must be able to work well with others performing a varied list of tasks from siding and framing to finish trim. Competitive wages, 401K, paid holidays, vacation and health insurance offered. Please contact us at 860-824-0019.
Wanted: a mechanic to service my small Husqvarna Z254F zero-turn lawn mower. I'm in Lakeville. 860-435-2660.
Full-time Warehouse and Office positions available in Sharon, CT. We're looking for dependable, self-motivated individuals who are ready to work and take pride in doing a good job. Pay is $22 to $30 an hour, depending on experience. Applicants must have reliable transportation, be dependable and on time every day, be self-motivated and able to work independently, have a positive attitude and good work ethic. Interested? Call Mike or Greg at 800-245-8222 for more information.
HOUSE FOR RENT
2 Bedroom House. Millerton, NY. Quiet. 4 miles from town. No Dogs. $2400 monthly, plus utilities. 518-567-8277.
TAG SALES NORTH CANAAN, CT
TAG SALE. October 16, 17, 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 119 Granite Avenue Ext. North Canaan, CT 06018 (corner of Granite Ave. Ext. and Orchard St., off Railroad St). Furniture, jewelry, indoor plants, dried hydrangeas, woman's white ice skates (size 8), women's tan Birkenstock sandles (size 38 narrow), holiday decor, decorative housewares, miscellaneous.
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
3 room apartment in Sharon, utilities included. $1800 per month. 860-248-0056.
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