WEBUTUCK — This year’s People as Reading Partners program (PARP) went out with a big bang, as Webutuck Elementary School hosted a giant inflatable planetarium in its gymnasium.Two reading programs dominated the month of March at Webutuck Elementary: PARP and One School, One Book.PARP encourages children to read for at least 15 minutes each day with their parents. Every Friday during the month of March students brought in a checklist signed by their parents confirming that the students had met the reading quota on at least five days of the week.For One School, One Book, the school chooses a book and buys copies for every student in pre-kindergarten through third grade. This year’s title, Eleanor Cameron’s “The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet,” was distributed to 300 students.PARP and One School, One Book work in tandem for most of the month, and the book chosen provides a theme for the different activities that are held throughout the month. Keeping with the outer space adventures of “The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet,” the school brought the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum’s Starlab show, a giant inflatable planetarium that students and teachers climbed into, where the guide takes them on a journey to the stars.“We hadn’t done a final show in years,” explained librarian Beth Murphy, who heads the PARP program every year. “We had Starlab because it just tied in so perfectly with our theme.”The students’ reaction to the presentation was the perfect way to end the reading initiative, she added.“I never would have thought that you could put 17 kids in that planetarium and have them as engrossed as they were,” she said. “You never heard a sound from any of the students once they were inside.”After a record high 89 percent of students participated in PARP last year, numbers dipped a little this year for the program, Murphy acknowledged, but there were some bright spots, including very strong first-grade participation.One School, One Book still has two chapters left to go, given the length of the book, Murphy said. All the students who participated in PARP this year will receive a certificate in a wrap-up assembly.“We even had pre-k students participating in Starlab this year, which we haven’t been able to do before,” the librarian added. “But the presenter was really good. A true educator, she really differentiated for them based on their level, and had every one of them engrossed.”
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Let's Hear It - November 12, 2026
Lakeville Journal
This Week
Unofficial results from the Connecticut Secretary of the State show that Democratic candidates gained ground in each of the six Northwest Corner towns in this year’s midterm election, compared with 2022. The results raise questions about whether the region’s political landscape is changing or whether this election was an exception.
Do you think this year’s results reflect a broader political shift in the Northwest Corner?
Send your responses to social@lakevillejournal.com by Monday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. or comment on Facebook or Instagram. We’ll publish a selection in next week’s paper.
Last Week’s Question
As large-scale solar projects are proposed in our region, how should communities balance renewable energy development with other land uses?
“There is plenty of space for solar. Instead of building a farm we should just put one on every viable roof and the building owners can subsidize their electricity costs with it.”
—Andres Vialpando
“Yes, agriculture and solar can and does co-exist. Check out J&R Pierce Family Farm and ASGA for education on this. The Pierce farm is successful in doing this far upstate NY. Solar grazing and farming subsidizes farmers, helping them keep their land, proves it does not degrade the land and is a win-win. Or, of course, you can just wait it out and save your energy for when the data centers move on it.”
—Stacy Mantel
“I believe solar should not go in fields as we have lots of options for roof shutters and many other things that can go on buildings and structures that already take up land. Why destroy the land when we can use what we already have taken.”
—Jesse Morey
“I think I read that once the panels are installed, the land is no longer able to be used for farming. Maybe toxins from the panels, but not sure. We need to preserve precious farmland.”
—Patricia Chamberlain
“Yes to solar-NO to ignorance and fear mongering.”
—Johnny Martin
Letters to the Editor - November 12, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Coming home is only part of the journey
“Welcome home! We’re so glad you are with us again. “Now go find a life that matters.” Joining the ranks in the military means that everything is reduced to black & white. The word uniform says it all. No dissenting opinions, no questions and one purpose: serve the mission and your team.
Coming home does not include a playbook. There’s no reverse boot camp. Civilians are more about the individual than the unit or the cause. That’s why so many military vets go into law enforcement or jobs as first responders. It’s the sense of belonging and their resourcefulness that make them willing to put them in harm’s way again.
You may meet them on your worst day, when they can do what you can’t do for yourself. Others go into various careers, but some kind of capacity to sacrifice and serve is underneath it all. One vet said to me that she thinks the word veteran is thought of as a diagnosis. I think of it as an indication of bravery, selflessness, resourcefulness and responsibility. So, welcome home indeed.
Anything we can do to recognize and support your journey into the sometimes confusing and complex world of civilian life — is our pleasure.
Jane Strong
The Equus Effect
Sharon
Thanks for a personal touch on election day
Just a quick thank you to all the volunteers on Election day for their dedication and efficient services. And my sincere thanks for such friendly yet professional attention afforded me and my wife Rindy. She is not mobile and confined to a wheelchair now so it was such a pleasant surprise when we pulled up in front of the Town Hall to vote election day and discovered curbside service. A simple call to the number posted, a warm and friendly greeting and two registrars, Jenn Law and Maureen Dell came out immediately provided the ballots and allowed our votes to be cast.
What a wonderful community we live in!
Jon & Rindy Higgins
Taconic
Thanks to The White Hart for support
The East Mountain House thanks The White Hart Inn for their Provisions Café Round-Up program and for offering space to host a twice monthly Tuesday afternoon grief support group “Talking about Grief.”
The White Hart has become a community hub and their on-going willingness and extraordinary generosity in supporting the Town’s non-profits through the round-up program and facilitating gatherings that sustain those in our community needing a space to meet is truly appreciated.
Cristin Rich
East Mountain House
Salisbury
What to do about Trump?
While many issues are critically important for the new Congress to address promptly, one question hangs over us: What to do about Trump?
The Constitution provides three separate procedures by which Congress can remove Donald J. Trump as President.
Impeachment. The President shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. (Article II, 4) Impeachment requires a simple majority vote of the House, and Conviction in a trial by the Senate requires the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. (Article I, 3)
Inability. A determination that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office requires a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. (Amendment XXV, 4)
Disqualification. In Trump v. Anderson, 601 U. S. 100 (2024), the Supreme Court summarized the import of Section 3 of Amendment XIV: “Section 3 ... proscribes conduct of individuals. It bars persons from holding office after taking a qualifying oath (to support the Constitution) and then engaging in insurrection or rebellion – nothing more.”The Supreme Court further opined that “responsibility for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates rests with Congress...” (emphasis added). Section 5 of Amendment XIV is clear: “The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.” It is notable that the Supreme Court characterizes the constitutional “power to enforce” as “responsibility for enforcing.” Section 5 does not stipulate a super majority requirement for enforcement legislation, and a simple majority vote in each of the House and the Senate is sufficient. Any such enforcement legislation should not be subject to presidential veto because the Constitution bars the oath breaker from holding office.
As the clamor to do something about Trump gets louder and louder, each of the three procedures available to Congress will merit close consideration. The Supreme Court has clearly stated that it is the responsibility of Congress to enforce Section 3 of Amendment XIV of the Constitution. Why not enforce the Constitution in accordance with its terms by simple majority votes in both the House and the Senate? The voters have done their job. Now, Congress is responsible.
G. A. Mudge
Sharon
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Turning Back the Pages - November 12, 2026
Norma Bosworth
125 years ago — November 1901
When Judge William Travers Jerome arrived in Lakeville on Tuesday evening, he was tendered a royal reception and a hearty welcome. About 400 citizens were gathered at the depot, and when the Judge stepped from the train, a roar of applause went up that denoted the enthusiasm and delight of his host of friends, while the surroundings were a blaze of red fire. After shaking hands with a number of friends the Judge and his party were driven to his residence where they dined and enjoyed a brief rest. At 2 o’clock a message from President Roosevelt was received, congratulating the Judge upon the splendid fight and victory.
SALISBURY — James R. Harrison has closed his house for the winter and the family will spend the winter at the White Hart Inn.
SHARON — At the Barnes place workmen are busy digging a cellar drain of eight feet in depth, at the starting point near the house. It is to cross the road and will extend nearly across the field in front of the house, and must necessarily be quite an expensive job.
James Martin this week moved his family to Stockbridge where he is to take charge of a mining plant.
SHARON — Uncle George Cole is in town for a few days.
Last Sunday night a couple of worthless curs got into the large flock of sheep belonging to the Belcher sisters on the Lime Rock road and before they were discovered they had bitten and badly wounded forty sheep, the most of them so badly that it will be necessary to kill them. The owners of the dogs are not known. The next night one of the dogs returned to put the finish on his work, but a bullet soon put an end to his miserable existence.
Delbert Blass who has been working in Ancram for several weeks has returned to his home in Ore Hill.
Gertrude Adeline, aged two years and eight months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward McCarrick of this village died shortly after one o’clock on Saturday morning of spinal trouble. The funeral was held at the home on Monday afternoon. This is the third bereavement Mr. and Mrs. McCarrick have sustained, and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to them in their sorrow.
100 years ago — November 1926
SALISBURY — Elbert Cane of Tenefly, N.J., spent the week-end with his mother, Mrs. Charles Cane. On Saturday evening 26 children and grandchildren of Mrs. Cane gathered at the home and had an enjoyable party. There was a fine supper, games and other amusements.
We have often wondered why so many theatres were named “Strand” or “Capitol.” Do you suppose it is because so many bad actors get stranded in the capitol?
Wedding bells are to ring in Lime Rock soon.
LIME ROCK — Archie Lynch and Eugene Eggleston are wiring cottage No. 5.
The ground frozen quite solidly on Wednesday night, marking the first real wintry weather of the present fall.
50 years ago — November 1976
The first substantial snow of the season hit the Northwest Corner unexpectedly Wednesday morning, snarling school buses and causing hazardous driving conditions generally. Two inches had fallen in Lakeville by 10 a.m.
A Northwest Corner physician and pharmacist confirmed separately this week reports of a local outbreak of scabies. State Health Department officials have become concerned about a state-wide increase in the number of cases. Recently, Torrington area school officials reported several elementary school cases.
SALISBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission voted Monday night to append a “notice of illegal conveyance” to land records pertaining to property sold to various parties by Northwest Lumber and Supply Co. The notice will carry a warning that the subdivision of the company’s property on Under Mountain Road was made without the necessary approval of the commission. The PZC approved plans for the subdivision, after the properties had been sold, but later found that the lot boundaries recorded on the deeds did not conform to the boundaries on the plan it had approved.
LAKEVILLE — Robinson Leech Associates, the real estate firm which has been in Salisbury for many years, has moved to new quarters in the former Becket and Wagner law building on Main Street, Lakeville.
State transportation commissioners James F. Shugrue of Connecticut and Raymond T. Schuler of New York have jointly urged Conrail to immediately take steps to restore rail freight service over the Poughkeepsie Bridge in New York. The railroad bridge across the Hudson River has been out of service since it was damaged by fire in May 1975.
CANAAN — The irresponsible actions of some youths apparently have endangered the future of Halloween in Canaan. Discussion at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting centered around the possibility that Halloween may be banned for older children next year.
We aren’t sure, but members of The Lakeville Journal’s staff are willing to bet that the Canaan news office must be one of the smallest in the world. The little building, which was formerly the watchman’s shanty along side the railroad tracks, measures only six feet by eight feet. It now rests in the little island by Collin’s Diner and is open for business on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Norfolk Ambulance Service, sponsored by the Lions Club, has received new plectrons for its radio system, it was reported last week.
25 years ago — November 2001
The future of the historic Canaan Union Station may still be uncertain, but most of the businesses it housed before the Oct. 13 fire that destroyed half the depot are
Americans went to the polls
Kathy Herald-Marlowe
“I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.”
—Thomas Jefferson
Millions acrossAmerica assembled at four No King’s Rallies in 2025 and 2026 in over 12,000 locations with more than four million Americans attending.On November 3, 2026, a massive number of Americans mailed in, voted early, stood in long lines to cast their vote in the mid-terms – one of the highest turnouts in the history of the country.Americans went to the polls:be they of any skin color, be they of any religion, of any land of ancestry, of varying levels of education, in all 50 states and Washington DC (not territories).
Many voted as they have for decades and many dramatically changed their vote –they didn’t/wouldn’tvote for the policies that deprived them national and personal status/results ushered in by a grotesque, profane-laden falsifier – the one who boosted he was elected in 2024 with a landslide-he won by 1.5% over Harris – he garnered 2 million votes more than Harris, he himself having won the electoral college votes in 2016 and lost the popular vote to Hillary by 3 million votes. Trump never won a majority in either 2016 (46.4%) or 2024(49.4) let alone amassed a landslide (defined as a10 point win)–that was Johnson, Nixon, Regan, of course FDR. Trump has never been reliable about elections as he has rarely been reliable/truthful about most aspects of his administration.
So Trump has never been a trusted President, even his Congress in 2024 held a meager advantage: 6 Senators of 100 and 5 Representatives of 435.With the mid-term last week, any slight Trump advantage has been forfeited:Democrats Representatives 259 to 179 GOP, 54+ Democratic Senators to 44 GOP.
I am reluctant to acknowledge the mid-term outcome as a color – Blue- thought this one is as a cloudless, summer sky.I prefer to call this election substantially what it is:Americans reclaiming decency, refuting cruelty, standing up for democracy – they clear that this country, the White House are the people’s not a tenant’s for four years. Trump rants on about his Ballroom, about naming the Reflection Pool after him, persists in making vanity projects his priorities.This all in a time of war, high inflation, the reduction of the standard of living for middle and lower level voters–his pledge is Benefits to Billionaires. Our military is kept at sea on ships under-serviced, unsupplied, unmaintained while most US bases in the Middle East are without overhead protection, they are flimsy, often canvas. The best of the best treated as the worst of the worst.
Winning Senators and Representatives fill their acceptance speeches with “We” not “I”, with unity not hate, a promise and commitment to all to attend to everyone’s needs not just those of partisan voters.These newly electeds don’t defend the killing of US citizens by ICE, don’t demean the differences of their opposition as to religion, don’t speak of disgust for persons condemning tasteless, pro-abuse ads. The resounding message of the elected across the nation is to make needed improvements to the lives of all: “This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in.” Theodore Roosevelt.
For awhile there I had begun to doubt that I was living in the country I grew up in. I was dismayed by the imprisonments, inhumane treatment and in some cases the deportation of immigrants to countries where they had no connection not even language. Was this America? It wasn’t, it isn’t for me nor millions of my countrymates. Its two years until who is wanted out is out yet law and order, decency, generosity, and attention to our military will be returning with sincerity.Not fast enough.
Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.
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