Rotary will honor Harris medalists

SALISBURY — On Tuesday, June 7, the Salisbury Rotary Club and Foundation will honor three outstanding citizens who have worked for the benefit of their communities for more than a total of 75 years.At a gala benefit dinner at the Cornucopia Banquet Hall in Torrington, the three will certainly be roasted but more likely praised by those nearest and dearest to them.Salisbury’s retired Board of Finance honcho, Carl Williams, reputed to be the man behind the one of the lowest mill rates in the state, camp director, teacher, writer of doggerel supreme; Jerry Baldwin, longtime banker, mortgage pal in both Torrington and Salisbury, and community stalwart and now the owner of the brand new Caddie Shack in North Canaan; and Digby Brown, whose name is synonymous with SWSA, skiing, the Salisbury Association and the Salisbury Housing Trust — all will be receiving Rotary’s highest honor, the Paul Harris Medal.Named after one of the founders of Rotary Clubs International, the award is the highest form of recognition in Rotary throughout the world. To earn the award requires demonstrated leadership, tolerance and exceptional service above self over a long period of time.In bestowing this award to the three community leaders, Rotary expresses profound gratitude for substantial devotion to the community. These contributions come in the form of far-sighted ideas, hard work, cheerful direction and inclusive community concern.“In years past, we’ve given Harris awards, but we’ve always sort of hidden our light under the proverbial bushel, kept the kudos in the club,” said Rick DelPrete, Salisbury Rotary Club’s current president. “But by honoring Carl Williams, for example, we’re citing extraordinary achievement outside the club. These three guys are terrific and they deserve to be recognized publicly.”Both Brown and Baldwin are past presidents of the Salisbury Rotary Club. Brown has become the annual fireworks generalissimo, while Baldwin is chair of the Community Gifts Committee, which oversees foundation gifts to various civic and public organizations in need, i.e., local food and fuel banks, ambulance companies, fire companies, libraries, etc.Under the leadership of Rotarians Jean Valette of North Canaan and Val Bernardoni of Wolcott, plans for this event have been underway for nearly six months. Each of the honorees will be introduced by someone who knows them well, which means that histories will be presented — all in good humor — as well as accomplishments.The June 7 celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. and a cash bar will be available. Choices of meal will be selected in advance. Invitations are already in the mail, and an impressive list of sponsors is lined up. “If we omit anyone, take us to task,” said DelPrete. “Call me or grab another Rotary member and complain. We want a grand turnout for these men.” For more information and reservations, call Susan Dickinson at 860-435-9828.

Latest News

Housatonic softball beats Webutuck 16-3

Haley Leonard and Khyra McClennon looked on as HVRHS pulled ahead of Webutuck, May 2.

Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — The battle for the border between Housatonic Valley Regional High School and Webutuck High School Thursday, May 2, was won by HVRHS with a score of 16-3.

The New Yorkers played their Connecticut counterparts close early on and commanded the lead in the second inning. Errors plagued the Webutuck Warriors as the game went on, while the HVRHS Mountaineers stayed disciplined and finished strong.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers fall 3-0 to Wamogo

Anthony Foley caught Chase Ciccarelli in a rundown when HVRHS played Wamogo Wednesday, May 1.

Riley Klein

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School varsity baseball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wamogo Regional High School Wednesday, May 1.

The Warriors kept errors to a minimum and held the Mountaineers scoreless through seven innings. HVRHS freshman pitcher Chris Race started the game strong with no hits through the first three innings, but hiccups in the fourth gave Wamogo a lead that could not be caught.

Keep ReadingShow less
The artist called ransome

‘Migration Collage' by ransome

Alexander Wilburn

If you claim a single sobriquet as your artistic moniker, you’re already in a club with some big names, from Zendaya to Beyoncé to the mysterious Banksy. At Geary, the contemporary art gallery in Millerton founded by New Yorkers Jack Geary and Dolly Bross Geary, a new installation and painting exhibition titled “The Bitter and the Sweet” showcases the work of the artist known only as ransome — all lowercase, like the nom de plume of the late Black American social critic bell hooks.

Currently based in Rhinebeck, N.Y., ransome’s work looks farther South and farther back — to The Great Migration, when Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and the public violence of lynching paved the way for over six million Black Americans to seek haven in northern cities, particularly New York urban areas, like Brooklyn and Baltimore. The Great Migration took place from the turn of the 20th century up through the 1970s, and ransome’s own life is a reflection of the final wave — born in North Carolina, he found a new home in his youth in New Jersey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Four Brothers ready for summer season

Hospitality, ease of living and just plain fun are rolled into one for those who are intrigued by the leisure-time Caravana experience at the family-owned Four Brothers Drive-in in Amenia. John Stefanopoulos, pictured above, highlights fun possibilities offered by Hotel Caravana.

Leila Hawken

The month-long process of unwrapping and preparing the various features at the Four Brothers Drive-In is nearing completion, and the imaginative recreational destination will be ready to open for the season on Friday, May 10.

The drive-in theater is already open, as is the Snack Shack, and the rest of the recreational features are activating one by one, soon to be offering maximum fun for the whole family.

Keep ReadingShow less