Transitions

A time of transition, a time of change: Annual graduations signify more than just a rite of passage. Changes of great magnitude, transformational, happen right on the heels of graduations, making them bittersweet for all those celebrating the successful conclusion of one phase of their lives. There are some friends left behind, some friends made for life. Some teachers who will never be forgotten, whose lessons will carry their graduates forward and inspire them to achieve good things for the rest of their lives. Others will be too soon forgotten. Congratulations and good luck to all the graduates of 2011. Whatever the best lessons of those years leading up to this culmination of achievement may be, hold them close, for they will give strength, joy and courage when it is most needed.This week brought sorrow to us at this newspaper. Please allow us to express that sadness briefly here: The Lakeville Journal Company’s Managing Partner for the last 16 years, A. Whitney Ellsworth, died on Saturday, June 18, after half a year of enduring pancreatic cancer. Find his obituary and an article on him in this issue. When he received his diagnosis in January, he called together a quick Monday morning meeting to inform all in the company. He made the announcement of his terminal illness in a straightforward way, taking care to make all those in the room comfortable, at ease, as he was himself. He was a wonderful mentor and a steadfast support for all of us at The Journal and had a way of regularly conveying warmth and respect to all his colleagues. He will be greatly missed. Whitney gave us the benefit of his wisdom, journalistic knowledge and integrity. He also showed us, sadly, how to face death with grace and courage.

Latest News

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.

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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.

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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.

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Bach and beyond
The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) of Stockbridge will present a concert by cellist Dane Johansen on June 28 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Provided

The mission statement of the Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) reads: “Our mission is to preserve the cultural legacy of Baroque music for current and future audiences — local, national, and international — by presenting the music of J.S. Bach, his Baroque predecessors, contemporaries, and followers performed by world-class musicians.”

Its mission will once again be fulfilled by presenting a concert featuring Dane Johansen on June 28 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 29 Main Street, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

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