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Rocky Lee Merchant

LAKEVILLE — Rocky Lee Merchant died Jan. 20, 2015, after a short battle with melanoma.

Born the second of a pair of fraternal twins on Aug. 3, 1966, in Calais, Maine, he always claimed to have kicked his twin sister out first because she was cramping his style.  

He had a rough-and-tumble childhood as one of nine siblings.  

He was predeceased by two brothers, his father and his stepfather.  

He is survived by his mother, two brothers, four sisters and his loving partner of 20 years, Kelly Allison.  

His bright smile, gracious flirting and humorous wit will be sorely missed. Private memorial services are being planned.

Lakeville Journal

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Sharon voters split opioid settlement funds between ambulance, regional programs

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Sharon voters approved splitting $24,000 in opioid settlement funds at an Aug. 27 town meeting.

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The decision Thursday, Aug. 27, came two months after voters rejected an earlier Board of Finance-backed proposal, 27-11, at a June 18 town meeting. Residents had expressed concern about directing all the money, which must be used for opioid remediation, to a regional organization rather than supporting the town’s emergency medical service.

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Last month, James Boehmer and Greg Fricke of Peggy Mercury launched their first fashion line, “Imaginary Concerts,” wearable art sold exclusively at their store in the Kent Barns section of Kent, Connecticut.

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Photo by Jessica YurkoMillerton author Janice Erlbaum will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her memoir “Girlbomb” at Black Rabbit Dispensary on Sept. 5.
Photo by Jessica YurkoMillerton author Janice Erlbaum will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her memoir “Girlbomb” at Black Rabbit Dispensary on Sept. 5.
With memoir...the character only knows what the character knows.
—Janice Erlbaum

In “Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir,” published in 2006, author Janice Erlbaum wrote about the years after she left her family’s Brooklyn apartment at 15, moving through shelters, group homes, squats, clubs and the streets of 1980s New York while somehow continuing to attend high school. The book has sold more than 75,000 copies, stayed in print for two decades and continues to find new readers.

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Spencertown’s 21st Festival Of Books

Spencertown’s 21st Festival Of Books
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On Saturday, Sept. 5, the Spencertown Academy Arts Center in Spencertown, New York, will host its 21st annual Book Festival.

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On Sunday, Sept. 6, Lime Rock Park will host a screening of the documentary “Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman” at the Colonial Theatre in North Canaan at 7 p.m.

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A scene from last year’s Dance Barn.

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On Sunday, Sept. 6, PS21 in Chatham, New York, will host a celebration of community through dance at its second annual Dive Barn performance at the organization’s Dance Barn.

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