Students make a splash at beach party social

WEBUTUCK — Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School grabbed their surf boards and sunglasses for a beach-inspired party on Friday evening, Feb. 3. The idea was the brainchild of teacher Mari-Ann Hoke, who organized the fete as a fundraiser for the Class of 2017, along with teacher Sue Pomeisl.“We’re trying to bring some activity to the school, and thought something kooky in the doldrums of winter would be fun,” Hoke said. “We’re trying to bring in more activities. It gives the kids fun at school and outside of school, and it looks like it’s working.”It certainly appeared to be working on Friday evening, as dozens of fourth- and fifth-graders buzzed around the middle school gymnasium. There were plenty of activities to keep them busy: a cake walk, a bean-toss tic-tac-toe, dancing, raffles and, of course, tasty treats.Fifth-grader Seleen Hosier was decked out in beach attire — something she said she would love to do more often, with or without the weather’s cooperation.“I like dressing up,” Seleen said. “I love wearing shorts and flip-flops!”She also said she enjoyed the music and getting out onto the dance floor with her friends.ELA teacher Denise Conway said the party was a good way to get students to socialize with one another outside of the classroom, and credited her colleagues with pulling off such a successful theme party.“It’s good so far. I think everyone is have a great time,” she said. “There’s a deejay with music, and I think this is the first time we’ve had a dance with a beach theme.”Fifth-grader Mallory Storms said what pushed the party over the edge, in her estimation, was the disco atmosphere.“I like the dark lights on the dance floor the best,” she said.Fourth-grader Jack Sheeley, meanwhile, had other things on his mind.“My favorite part of tonight is the cake walk,” he said, admitting the desserts looked tempting after an evening of festivities.The children continued to play and party until 8:15 p.m.; their laughter paying homage to all who helped organize and volunteer for what was clearly one of the most successful events of the season.

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Club baseball at Fuessenich Park

Travel league baseball came to Torrington Thursday, June 26, when the Berkshire Bears Select Team played the Connecticut Moose 18U squad. The Moose won 6-4 in a back-and-forth game. Two players on the Bears play varsity ball at Housatonic Valley Regional High School: shortstop Anthony Foley and first baseman Wes Allyn. Foley went 1-for-3 at bat with an RBI in the game at Fuessenich Park.

 

  Anthony Foley, rising senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, went 1-for-3 at bat for the Bears June 26.Photo by Riley Klein 

 
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

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Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit lakevillejournal.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

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