Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.
holidays

Sharon gathers to light menorah

Sharon gathers to light menorah

A group joins together to share in the lighting of the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah on the Sharon town Green Sunday, Dec. 14.

Ruth Epstein

SHARON — In an ecumenical atmosphere, the menorah on the Town Green was lit Sunday evening, Dec. 14, for the start of Hanukkah.

Carl Chaiet, who has been marking the Jewish holiday for several years, noted the candelabra used to observe the Festival of Lights, stands between the town’s Christmas tree and the creche, the latter sharing an electrical connection with it.

During the lighting ceremony, attended by close to 30 people, Chaiet lit the first candle. He had found the pieces of a candelabra about 20 years ago in his father’s basement, saved from a closed synagogue. As an artist, he saw the opportunity to reconstruct the disassembled piece of brass and bronze and erect it on the Green, with the approval of the then-Board of Selectmen.

Since then, he and his wife, Selectman Lynn Kearcher, lead a ceremony on the first night of Hanukkah. An additional light goes on each following night.

Ruth Epstein

“The celebration of Hanukkah is a celebration of strength, determination and resilience,” he said. “Each year the message seems pertinent to all of us and we invite all faiths to join in the lighting.” One woman noted the importance of that message more so this year because of the mass shooting that took place in Australia that weekend with the killing of several people celebrating Hanukkah.

Chaiet recited some prayers and led the group in singing holiday songs. Since the Hanukkah miracle involved oil, it is customary to eat foods fried in oil. A favorite is the potato latke. Kearcher gave out their version—bags of potato chips—along with samples of circular pieces of chocolate wrapped in gold, known as Hannukah gelt, another holiday treat.

holidays

Latest News

Classifieds - July 30, 2026

Classifieds - July 30, 2026

HELP WANTED

Garden Help. Looking for an experienced person to weed my acre garden and cut back some plants. In Salisbury. For July and August. Could continue into Fall. naylor99@gmail.com

Home Help Needed. Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.

Keep ReadingShow less

Legal Notices - July 30, 2026

Legal Notices - July 30, 2026

Notice of Decision Town of Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission

Notice is hereby given that the following actions were taken by the Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on July 20, 2026:

Keep ReadingShow less

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.