'Tis the Season for Choirs, Commerce and Curmudgeons

It’s official! The holiday season is here, as jolly elves and cheery reindeer supplant ghosts and witches in the stores. But forget about Halloween being scary. It was the first radio encounter on Nov. 1 with “Happy Holidays†that really sent chills of horror through me. Oh, noooo! They’re back! Those same five songs we’ve heard for years, now playing every hour for the next six weeks.

      Fortunately, there are some compensations for some of the commercial fare that pervades the airwaves at this time of year. All one has to do is drive a few miles and there’s plenty of great live music to choose from.

   Last year a new chamber group, Wind in the Wilderness brought the sweet sounds of woodwinds and strings to the Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls, NY, just off Route 22 on Route 344. The season opener takes place Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. with artistic director Sharon Powers on flute, oboist Ellen Katz Willner, and cellist Beth Craig. Works include trios by Corelli and Stamitz, a cello solo by Bach, Peter Schickele’s “Dream Dances†(dancing in the aisles permitted), and a duet by Ginastera. Suggested donation of $10 includes reception.

   The next concert in the series is Feb. 20, with the Oblong Wind Quintet.

   Our favorite folkies, Jay Ungar, Mollie Mason and the Family Band will come to Club Helsinki Hudson on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. If you’ve heard them on WAMC, you know their blend of traditional and newly-composed folk, blues and raggy tunes is good, honest entertainment for your whole gang. Tickets $18 (over 21 only). Dinner runs from 6-11 p.m. Visit www.helsinkihudson.com to hear clips from other coming attractions like the raw-voiced Bronx-born blues singer with a searing guitar, Popa Chubby (Nov. 26); Another fine guitarist and singer/songwriter is James McMurtry, best-known for “We Can’t Make It Here†(Dec. 2); and superb banjo-picking by Wesley Corbett of the band Joy Kills Sorrow, featuring mandolinist Jacob Jolliff,  Berklee College of Music’s first full-scholarship mandolin student. The band’s music is haunting in the best sense of the word. (Dec. 3).

   As for holiday fare, Vassar College will present its annual Service of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Nathan Carlisle, tenor, a member of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus will make a return appearance to perform with the Lessons and Carols Choir.  There will be a premiere of the choral work by composer/conductor Thomas Juneau, “The People Who Walked in Darkness,†which was commissioned for the service by the Vassar College choral ensembles.  The Lessons and Carol Choir is under the direction of Christine R. Howlett, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Vassar.

Latest News

Salisbury ski jumpers put on show for students

Gus Tripler prepares to jump from the new 36-meter jump.

Margaret Banker

SALISBURY - With the Winter Olympics just weeks away, Olympic dreams felt a little closer to home for Salisbury Central School students on Feb. 4, when student ski jumpers from the Salisbury Winter Sports Association put on a live demonstration at the Satre Hill Ski Jumping Complex for more than 300 classmates and teachers.

With screams of delight, student-athletes soared through the air, showcasing years of training and focus for an audience of their peers. The atmosphere was electric as the jumpers soaked up the attention like local celebrities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - February 5, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Scoville Memorial Library: is seeking an experienced Development Coordinator to provide high-level support for our fundraising initiatives on a contract basis. This contractor will play a critical role in donor stewardship, database management, and the execution of seasonal appeals and events. The role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to the local community and skilled at building authentic relationships that lead to meaningful support. For a full description of the role and to submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Library Director Karin Goodell, kgoodell@scovillelibrary.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - February 5, 2026

Legal Notice

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2026-0307 by Amber Construction and Design Inc for vertical expansion of a nonconforming structure at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville, Map 36, Lot 09 per Section 503.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The Owners of the property are Joseph Edward Costa and Elyse Catherine Nelson. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.

Keep ReadingShow less
Putting a stamp on Norfolk

Antonio Alcalá

Provided

As part of the Norfolk Economic Development Commission’s campaign to celebrate the Norfolk Post Office and the three women who run it — Postmaster Michelle Veronesi and mother-and-daughter postal clerks Kathy Bascetta and Jenna Brown — the EDC has invited USPS art director and stamp designer Antonio Alcalá for a visit.

Postage stamps designed by Antonio Alcalá.Provided

Keep ReadingShow less