Zumba classes on Highland Lake

WINSTED —  A weekly Zumba class is being held during the summer at Highland Lake on Monday evenings, led by Patricia Pepen.

Pepen also has classes at Dance ‘N Beyond Studio in Winsted and Becoming Balanced Studio in Torrington. 

“Zumba is cardio workout which involves Latin dance techniques and routines that make you move your entire body,” Pepen said. “It is good because you burn calories and beneficial because you learn how to dance to Latin music.”

Pepen said she started to practice Zumba seven years ago as a fun way to exercise and lose weight

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Pepen currently resides in Torrington and is the mother of two teenagers. 

“My main background is as a dance instructor,” Pepen said. “I have been working in different dance studios teaching salsa, merengue, bachata, hip-hop and reggae for nearly nine years in the Torrington and Winsted area.”

Pepen is also a runner and participates in competitions such as the Camp Moe 5K race, where she has previously finished in first place. 

“I love to exercise, and I want to transmit my energy to people so they can be as passionate as I am for the exercise,” she said. 

Pepen said the average number of participants per Zumba class is around 25 to 30 people, and anyone is welcome to join. Pepin said after Zumba class participants will “feel great, very sweaty and very excited for the next class. Anyone can do Zumba as I play very good music, even for kids.”

For more information about classes go to www.facebook.com/ppepen/.

Latest News

Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less
Veronica Lee Silvernale

MILLERTON — Veronica Lee “Ronnie” Silvernale, 78, a lifelong area resident died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. Mrs. Silvernale had a long career at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, where she served as a respected team leader in housekeeping and laundry services for over eighteen years. She retired in 2012.

Born Oct. 19, 1946, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Sophie (Debrew) Hosier, Sr. Following her graduation from high school and attending college, she married Jack Gerard Silvernale on June 15, 1983 in Millerton, New York. Their marriage lasted thirty-five years until Jack’s passing on July 28, 2018.

Keep ReadingShow less
Crescendo launches 22nd season
Christine Gevert, artistic director of Crescendo
Steve Potter

Christine Gevert, Crescendo’s artistic director, is delighted to announce the start of this musical organization’s 22nd year of operation. The group’s first concert of the season will feature Latin American early chamber music, performed Oct. 18 and 19, on indigenous Andean instruments as well as the virginal, flute, viola and percussion. Gevert will perform at the keyboard, joined by Chilean musicians Gonzalo Cortes and Carlos Boltes on wind and stringed instruments.

This concert, the first in a series of nine, will be held on Oct. 18 at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, and Oct. 19 at Trinity Church in Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less