Scoville unveils renovated building

Scoville unveils renovated building

Kyla DeRisi with bound copies of The Lakeville Journal.

Patrick L. Sullivan

A group of 20 or so patrons of the Scoville Memorial Library took a tour through the nooks and crannies of the building on Friday evening, Dec. 20.

The tour was a repeat of last year’s tour, but everybody who showed up was new to it.

There were fewer staffers on hand due to the snow that was falling at show time. Karen Vrotsos, the head of adult programs, stood in for library director Karin Goodell. Also leading groups were volunteers David Rogers and Macey Levin, and the latest addition to the staff, children’s librarian Kyla DeRisi.

Vrotsos took a group to the director’s office, where they admired the portrait of Andrew Warner — one of the founders of Hartford — and heard how a long shot inquiry from a descendant led to the portrait turning up in the library’s holdings.

Then it was up the narrow spiral staircase to a room that holds the original books that made up the library’s initial collection.

The books are small, fragile, and lean heavily toward religion and morally uplifting subjects.

There is also a sword, which might have been made in France in the 1770s and exported to the American colonies for use in the Revolution.

Moving to the reading room, Macey Levin reminded the younger members of the group that it used to be the children’s section, directed the group’s attention to the stone carving in the wall — from Salisbury Cathedral in England — the Oak Room (aka the Kobler Room or the Tower Room) and the map on the wall in an alcove showing the old 14 school districts within Salisbury.

In the basement, DeRisi pointed out a display of miniature books donated by the late Whitney North Seymour. The display was once in the main room of the library, was stowed away in the director’s office, and was then relocated downstairs during the most recent renovation.

There are also bound copies of the Lakeville Journal.

Upstairs under the bells, Rogers explained why the group could not go up the “rickety” ladders to see the actual bells. (Answer: insurance).

Rogers said the “Parsifal Peal” used by the library for its bells is based on Richard Wagner’s “Parsifal” opera and as far as he knows is the only bell tower in the United States that plays it.

He then obliged by playing it on his saxophone.

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less