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

Turning Back the Pages

100 years ago —
December 1924

Mrs. George Dunning of East Canaan is assisting at the Salisbury post office.

The White Hart Inn has been closed for the winter.

Earl J. Vosburgh’s White Wyandottes gathered in a nice string of ribbons at the Sharon Poultry Show last week. Mr. Vosburgh took the Silver Cup for sweepstake champion male. This is the second year he has won this cup.

WANTED — A housekeeper or a wife as I am alone and lonesome. I have a fine home, every thing to do with, well furnished. Write to Chas. H. Pitcher for full particulars, Sharon Valley, Conn. R.F.D.

Alfred J. Smith was in Sharon hospital last week to have troublesome tonsils removed.

Daniel Lorigan and his force of road men have done a good piece of work this week in spreading a light coat of sand on the state road hills, which owing to their icy condition were more or less dangerous to travelers. The sand provides good traction for wheels and is appreciated by drivers of cars and also drivers of horses.

The first snow storm of any consequence thus far this season arrived last Saturday, between three and four inches of snow covered the ground. Being of a damp nature it clung to every twig and branch, creating a fairy like effect.

Dufour Brothers are remodeling the small building in the rear of their garage to make it suitable for storing cars during the winter months.

Hugo Pavoola and young son made it a twosome at Sharon Hospital last Sunday, when both underwent operations for the removal of troublesome tonsils.

Philo Lyon of Lime Rock is putting an addition on his store for rooms to live in.

Seventeen relatives and friends ate Thanksgiving dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gordon of Lime Rock.

Charles Paddock Jr. of New York has been suffering from a severe attack of sciatic rheumatism, and also water on the knee, caused it is thought from a cut received by falling upon a piece of glass. He is at present reported as somewhat improved.

50 years ago —
December 1974

Salisbury selectmen voted formally Tuesday night to invite the Town of Sharon to participate in the new solid waste recycling and transfer station which Salisbury expects to have in operation by the spring of 1976. First Selectman Charlotte Reid was instructed to write a letter which the Sharon selectmen are to take up at their meeting Friday night. She reported that Sharon is interested because of the possibility that the Amenia town dump, which Sharon now uses, may be closed soon.

Andrea and Laura Gandolfo, seven- and six-year-old daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Gandolfo of East Canaan, played up a storm in New York City last Saturday and walked away with honors in the Eastern State Cup Accordion Championship, sponsored by the American Accordionists’ Association. Andrea, seven, and the more experienced of the two, took first place in all of New England in the Seven Year Old Virtuoso class. Laura, who has been studying only since last spring, scored a 98 out of a possible 100 to win a trophy and a National Certificate of Merit. Both girls are students of Gary Ross of the Lakeville School of Music. A third of Mr. Ross’s students, John Cattelan, also of Canaan, placed third in the Seven Year Old Standard Class.

Falls Village firemen voted last Wednesday to buy a “nearly new” ambulance van to replace the town’s 1957 ambulance. The new Dodge van is two years old, fully equipped and will cost the firemen about $8000.

25 years ago —
December 1999

CORNWALL BRIDGE — The Sunday New York Times will be especially heavy this coming Sunday, Dec. 5. The magazine section alone, the final of six special millennium supplements, weighs one pound, 11 ounces, according to the scales at LaBonne’s Market in Salisbury. This issue of the usual Sunday magazine is called “The Times Capsule.” In the year 3000 it should give people a feeling of what life was like in 2000. Author Michael Pollan, a resident of Cornwall Bridge, was one of the issue’s two editors. He loved the quirky problems involved in creating the capsule and the contacts with the hundreds of people he has dealt with over the past two years — scientists, architects, authors, to name only a few categories.

Selectmen in Kent and Sharon have been asked to consider joining a coalition to work toward limiting Indian tribal expansion and recognition. Kent First Selectman Dolores “Lorry” Schiesel and Sharon’s Robert Moeller said Wednesday they each received thick packets of documents from officials of the towns of Ledyard, Preston and North Stonington, communities that border the Mashantucket Pequot’s reservations in the southeast section of the state. Ms. Schiesel, whose town is home to the Schaghticoke Indian reservation of which its members are seeking federal recognition, said she understands the mission of the coalition would be two-fold, to seek to limit tribal/trust land acquisitions and to keep a diligent eye on Congress’ actions regarding federal tribal recognition.

Canaan Auto Supply is now settled in at its new quarters on Route 7, the site of the former Johnny’s Restaurant.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Harding concedes State Senate District 30 to Zimmer

Just as polls close, Former District 30 State Senator Stephen Harding greets supporters at his election watch party at The Abby Restaurant & Bar in New Milford, CT, Nov. 3.

Patrick Stachniak

In an unprecedented midterm election the evening of Nov. 3, Democrats across the country flipped battleground races for federal and local representatives in what has been described as a blue tsunami. The results in Connecticut were no different.

Keep ReadingShow less

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

The Men of CACA. From left, the author, Steve DeSimone, and Tom Gallucio.

Gary Dodson

I recently convened the fall meeting of CACA, which stands for Cinema, Angling and Culinary Appreciation.

This takes place in Phoenicia, New York. We fish all day, make a bountiful dinner, and watch the world’s worst movies.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon ambulance captain carries on family tradition of service

Thalia MacMillan

Ruth Epstein

SHARON ­— Whether it’s in her professional work or her community volunteerism, Thalia MacMillan strives to advocate for others. She developed that instinct from her many family members who also have the same calling.

Many in the region know her dad, Stanley MacMillan, who served for decades as a building inspector and fire marshal. Her mother, Grace Kandefer, was a longtime nurse at Sharon Hospital. Both were active volunteer first responders. Her brother Stanley MacMillan, Jr., is a member of the Sharon Fire Department.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Sharon plans replacement of West Cornwall Road bridge

SHARON — The Board of Selectmen and Planning & Zoning Commission have approved new plans to replace the West Cornwall Road bridge over Pine Swamp Brook, just south of the historic covered bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall.

The project has been in the works for three years after a survey determined that the structure was nearing the end of its intended life-span. After passing the P&Z commission, the project now only needs approval from four property owners near the site to begin the bidding process.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salisbury Forum links science, religion and Earth’s future

From left, Sam King, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim discuss how religion and science can be used to address environmental challenges on Oct. 30.

Patrick L. Sullivan

LAKEVILLE — Religious scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim and environmentalist, writer and former Hotchkiss teacher Sam King delivered a presentation at The Hotchkiss School Friday, Oct. 30.

Sponsored by the Salisbury Forum, “Change the Story, Change the World: A New Vision for an Ecological Era” explored how religious tradition and modern science can be used together to address environmental and spiritual challenges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Backgammon group adds ‘Pizza and Play’ at White Hart

Playing backgammon at the Saturday session at Le Gamin in Sharon are front, Jennifer Dowley and Harding Bancroft. Behind them are Michael Lonergan and David Dabill.

Ruth Epstein

Like pickleball enthusiasts who just can’t get enough of the game, those who love backgammon are eager to play as often as possible.

With interest growing, Backgammon of Northwest Connecticut has added a third location for its weekly gatherings.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

google preferred source

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