Saturday Night Live: "Seussical Jr" at HVRHS

The Falls Village Children's Theater Summer Workshop presents "Seussical Jr" on Saturday night, August 23, at 7 PM. As always, you will be amazed how director Lanny Mitchell can pull together a show in just three weeks. As always, you will be awed by the passion and determination of the two dozen youngsters in this FVCT production. As always, admission is free but donations for the not-for-profit Falls Village Children's Theater Company are gratefully accepted.

Free Family Day at Music Mountain

On Saturday August 16 from 11 - 4, Music Mountain will be brimming with jugglers, dancers, mimes, puppeteers (including Mark Alexander's Mortal Beasts & Deities), story tellers, with music ranging from folk and country to rock. There will be continuous performances in Gordon Hall, including the Bergonzi Quartet's unique interpretation of Prokofiev’s, Peter and the Wolf, an engaging introduction to the orchestra for children of all ages, at 2 PM. No admission charge, free parking. Picnicking on the lawns. The Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and baked goods.

Swimming Lessons

The Falls Village Recreation Commission is offering swimming lessons through the Y at the new pool. Registration this week (until Aug. 10) for three, one-week sessions starting Aug 11, Aug 18, and Aug 25. The lessons are Monday thru Thursday from 10 to 11am. Please contact Northwest YMCA at 824-2790.

The FVCT "Little Kids" Perform Friday Night

The Falls Village Children's Theater Company Summer Theater Program presents, The Fuzzball Nobody, a musical with libretto and lyrics written by Joshua Stone and directed and choreographed by Lanny Mitchell. The story of Blueby, a bug on a journey to discover who he really is, is portrayed by children ages 4-9 who sing, act and dance through this wonderful adventure of bumblebees, centipedes, ants and all the creatures who live by the brook. This musical is a delight for kids and adults of all ages. August 1, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Warren Turnpike. Falls Village, CT. As always, admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated. For more info call 860-824-4303.

In Our Own Backyard

If you haven't been to Music Mountain recently, consider going this Saturday night at 6:30 when Betsy Howie's friend Joyce Lyons, a fabulous jazz artist, will sing from the American songbook. "I'll be there and would love to see some friendly faces," says Betsy. (And remember, children under 18 are admitted free when accompanied by a ticket holder.)

Everyone in the Pool!

The pool opened today as promised. If you don't know how to find it, the entrance is next to the transfer station on Route 63 (between Routes 126 & 7)

The Pool to Open on July 16

The word from the Rec Commission: Opening Day is Wednesday, July 16 at 11 AM.

The Children's Theater is Back!

If you've had FVCT withdrawal, you can cure that on Saturday night, July 12, at 7 PM at Housatonic Valley Regional High School

The story of Aladdin is set in Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tale! All the favorite characters are here in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. This musical is filled with magic and mayhem and is certain to entertain an audience of all ages. The award-winning score includes “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me”.

Aladdin is presented by the children (age 10-16) in the first session of the Falls Village Children’s Theater Company’s summer theatre program. Not only do the children learn their lines, songs and dance routines, they also learn and practice the art of set and costume design.

As always, admission is always free but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information: call 824-4303.

Free Shakespeare!

Each year the Falls Village Children's Theatre is fortunate to be able to treat several children to a day of Shakespeare at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. This year our program will be on August 9th. A bus will leave Kellogg School parking lot at approximately 11-ish and return approximately 7:30-ish. It is a wonderful day and the shows are unbelievable. Last year one five year old laughed so hard he fell off his seat (literally!) The final details have not been worked out but will include:
Arrival and a picnic lunch (packed by parents)
All will see Mad Pirates and the Mermaid,a spectacular show
Then the group will be split in two. Children entering 7th grade and older (NO exceptions) will see Othello on the main stage. Please review information about Othello to decide if its appropriate for your child.

Younger children will participate in interactive workshops with the Shakespeare actors and their education team. Go to Shakespeare.org for more information.

Admission to the theater and the programs that day are being donated by John Harney & Associates. The FVCT does ask that each child contribute a minimum of $5 for the bus.
Attendance is limited and is on a first come, first serve basis. Contact Denise Cohn before July 10.
.

Look Familiar?

A new poster, 100 Doors in Falls Village, which, amazingly, originated as Sean Caiati's first grade "First 100 Days of School" project, is now for sale to benefit F.O.L.K.S. (Friends of Lee Kellogg School) for $10. You can even get it beautifully framed by Real Memories for $75. To purchase, contact Betsy Howie at 100Doors@comcast.net or go to Toymaker's Cafe between noon and 4 PM on Saturday and Sundays in July & August.

Click on the poster to see it bigger

A Few Good Men

At 6 PM on Sunday night, I drove over to look at the new pool and found Jim March and Tim Downs hard at work (when they could have been home having dinner with their families.) We should be thankful to them and all the other volunteers for their hard work trying to complete the pool project (which has to meet all sorts of health department and state requirements.) It's looking like it may still be ten more days before we'll be able to dive in . . .

Rain Delay

Everyone keeps asking me if I know when the pool is opening and if there is going to be any fee for residents or guests. I posed this question to First Selectman Pat Mechare, who responded promptly. Here is her reply:


The best way to get the latest update on the pool is to call me at this office or at home. I would again encourage you to ask those who ask you to do that. At this point in time we are not sure of the exact date of the pool opening. The rain has put a crimp in the plastering of the inside of the pool so they are behind in finishing that task, which puts us behind in re-filling it and properly chlorinating the water. The State won’t conduct their inspection until that is complete. The finishing touches on the pool building are being completed and if all goes well should be done by early next week. Tim is working on some things that need to be done in the parking area. A potable water sample is being collected tomorrow for testing, an order is in to install the phone and on it goes. It doesn’t look like the pool will be opened by July 1st, but we’re hoping that within a week after that date we’ll be all set. However, there are no guarantees.

The Recreation Commission just this afternoon submitted a recommendation to the B of S regarding fees. I hope to be able to address that at a special B of S’s meeting on Thursday. Their recommendation is no charge to residents this year and $5 a day or $120 charge a season for non-residents. It’s hard to know if the B of S will make any modifications to that recommendation.

Be assured that the Town will announce the opening date when it is set in several different venues, but again have people contact me and I’d be happy to give the update.

Bummer!

Check out Terry Cowgill's blog for information about the closing of the iron bridge that links Falls Village and Amesville. With work beginning on the bridge near the high school, now there is likely to be even more traffic and delays on Route 7 . . .

Cell Phone Tower Concerns

Dina Jaeger, who lives on Beebe Hill Road, asked me to post this letter:

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing to you regarding my grave concerns over the proposed cell tower to be erected on Route 7 at the location of the future Falls Village Fire Department building site. I have always supported and continued to support the FVFD and the vital work that the members provide to our community. And I do understand that there is a need for increased radio frequency communication at this site. But that support not withstanding, I am vehemently opposed to the construction of this tower. There are many reasons to oppose this tower. The most important, to my mind, is public health. These towers emit radio frequencies, a form of electromagnetic radiation, (EMR) for a distance of up to two and a half miles. They are essentially these same frequency radiation of microwaves in a microwave oven. Numerous studies have shown that even low levels of exposure to this radiation cause damage to cell tissue and DNA. There is strong scientific evidence that links exposure to brain tumors, suppressed brain function, depression, miscarriage, Alzheimer’s disease, and numerous other very serious
illnesses. To learn more, go to www.bioinitiative.org (find the summary for the public PDF) and www.safewireless.org.

Children are at the greatest risk due to their thinner skulls and rapid rate of growth. Also at greater risk are the elderly, pregnant women, and anybody with a compromised immune system. Siting a tower so close to two schools and a day care
center is ludicrous. Also ludicrous is the fact that our government does not allow human health concerns to be used as an argument to be used against cell tower construction. That regulation is courtesy of the FCC Wireless Act of 1996, largely written by the lawyers representing the wireless industry. There are no safety standards for electromagnetic low- frequency (ELF) safety in place AT ALL. We all treasure the natural beauty of our region. The vast numbers of migratory birds that pass through the Housatonic quarter are at great risk to EMR exposure. The creatures and plants that make this area one of the most important in this state in terms of biodiversity are also threatened by this radiation exposure. The proposed tower will affect much of Robbin’s Swamp and Housatonic State Forest lands. For information start your search at the websites listed above.

If the health of your family, community and environment are not sufficient to raise concern, consider the effects on your property values. Because my property abuts the proposed site, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) was obliged to forward to me via certified mail a Hearing Notice on behalf of CellCo Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless. This is a very confusing document and is available for review at the Falls Village Town Hall and online at the CSC site. This notice states there will be a public field review at the proposed site at 2 PM on Tuesday, July 1st, when they will fly a balloon to simulate the visual impact of the proposed one- hundred and fifty foot tower. A semi-private hearing at Lee H. Kellogg School at 3PM, and again at 7PM at Kellogg that same evening will follow this. The general public is permitted to make short comments at the 7 PM meeting. The purpose of the hearing is to weigh in on their application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public
Need. Verizon Wireless/ Cellco contends that the public’s need for this facility outweighs any adverse environmental effects. There is cell service currently available at the FVFD site. It’s not Verizon Wireless. Is that company’s desire to increase their market share in
this region a public need?
So, what to do? Get in touch with our local government, stop by town hall, or e-
mail Pat Mechare at canaan021selectman@comcast.net. While you’re at town hall, review the Verizon application. The documents supporting my intervener status are available for review as well. Check out the status of this case online by going to
ct.gov/csc. We are docket number 360. Get in touch with our congressman, Chris Murphyand copy our senators Christopher Dodd and Joe Lieberman. Sign the petition that will be circulating around town (e-mail me if you would like to sign;
dinajaeger@comcast.net). This petition needs to be mailed by June 20th to the Connecticut Siting Council, so don’t delay. Anybody who works, lives or goes to school near this site should consider signing this petition. Most importantly, safe the date of July 1st to have your voices heard.!
I’d like to close with reasserting my continued support for our Fire Department
and others who serve as EMTs. Your health is as important to our community as
anybody’s. Please rethink your position on this tower, for everyone’s sake, particularly
our children’s. Let’s figure out another way to get the radio communication service that you need to do your work. In 2004 the International Association of Firefighters voiced its members’ opinions on cell phone towers and antennas by opposing the installation of cell phone antennas near or on fire stations until a credible study can be done to establish their safety. Go to www.iaff.org for more.

I look forward to working with this wonderful community.

Best regards,
Dina Jaeger

A Place Called Hope

The new swimming pool is looking almost ready to be used....

Suddenly . . . A Summer Festival For Us!

This coming Saturday, June 7, is looking like it will be the most exciting day in town since last fall's Scarecrow Contest and Hoedown. Here's what's happening.

The David M. Hunt Library will be holding its first Homegrown Plant Sale from 8 AM - 4 PM (and on Sunday from 9 AM - 1 PM.) The library will also be holding its monthly new Book Sale inside (10 AM - 2 PM) and its annual used book sale under a tent outside (9 AM - 4 PM on Saturday and 9 AM - 1 PM Sunday).

The Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Farmers' Market and Crafts Fair on the Town Green from 9 AM - noon, which they will hold the first Saturday of every month through the growing seasons. The fee to be a vendor is $10. Contact Kent Allyn: 824-5960

The Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society is holding its Annual Tool Discovery Day where people can show, sell or swap tools from 11 AM - 3 PM. The suggested vendor donation is $10. The museum will be open for tours. Information: 824-8226 or 824-7893

The Falls Village Day Care and F.O.L.K.S. (Friends of Lee Kellogg School) will hold a Tag Sale at the Kellogg gym on Saturday from 9 AM - 4 PM and on Sunday 9 AM - 3 PM.For more information call Laurie Wadsworth: 824-4851
Donations will be accepted Wednesday - Friday at the school between 3:30 and 6 PM.

The Falls Village Congregational Church is holding a Tag Sale/Bake Sale on Saturday from 9 AM - 2 PM. Contact Mary Atwood: 824-7258

Memorial Day 2008

If you blinked, you missed the parade, which passes by in about 90 seconds.

The featured speaker at the ceremony on the Town Green was US Army Captain Patrick Hafner, an Iraq War veteran, who lives in Falls Village with his wife Lara Mittaud and their son, Marc

The Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxillary served refreshments after the ceremony at the Fire House

Memorial Day in FV is always a time for old friends like Bonnie Burdick and MaryLu Sinclar to catch up

The Falls Village Community and Cultural Center looked spiffy thanks to the hard work of FVCCC board member Dale McDonald and a new sign painted by Dominic Caiati


FVCCC board member Vincent Inconiglios dreamed up the community art project, which was a hint of all the creative activity that will take place at the FVCCC once it is renovated.

The cast of the Falls Village Children's Theater production of "Annie" reunited to sing songs from the show, accompanied by Joshua Stone.

It was clear that the FVCCC will be a multigenerational center for the arts

Everyone is Welcome

After the Memorial Day parade, the ceremony on the Town Green, and refreshments at the Fire House provided by the Ladies Auxillary, everyone is invited to the Falls Village Community and Cultural Center. There will be live music by Joshua Stone, the "Imagine" Art Show in which students have imagined what can happen inside the Community Center when it is renovated, and a collaborative community painting project that everyone can participate in.

Falls Village Rules!

Willy Blass, Israel Fitch and Jeff Vanam of Falls Village's Battle Hill Forge at Trade Secrets in Sharon on Saturday May 17.

That may be a bit of hyperbole, but certainly Trade Secrets, the big plant and antiques sale for Women's Support Services, would not be the same without the participation of so many Falls Villagers, including the gang from Battle Hill Forge (photo above--click on it to see bigger) on Route 7, which made its Trade Secrets debut yesterday. They brought their extraordinary hand-forged metal arbors, plants supports, fencing as well as sculpture and chain mail. Their wattle fences, which are used for defining flower beds and borders, are all the rage among serious gardeners. Battle Hill's tent was next to Tommy Scott's very busy Falls Village Flower Farm booth (they're neighbors in real life, too) so it all seemed very familiar. Cyd and John Emmons of Gardenalia are Trade Secrets stalwarts and so are volunteer coordinators Deb Munson and Karin Gerstel. As always, Bunny Williams was schmoozing, shopping and being thanked by everybody because Trade Secrets was launched at her house on Point of Rocks Road seven years ago.

In Memoriam

Lua de Sa e Silva Shaw
1993 - 2008

She loved the snow, she loved the sun, she loved sleeping by the fireplace, and she loved the women of Sand Road (especially Amanda, Kate and Nicole), who were always loving to her.

Timing is Everything

You'd think that there would not be scheduling conflicts in a town this small. Think again. The annual evening of Bingo for Education--which raises money for student scholarships--is this Friday night at 7 at the Kellogg School, and it's a family-friendly event, which seems to bring out most of the students at Kellogg along with their parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and babysitters. Alas, the town has scheduled a second public hearing on the budget at Town Hall for Friday night at 7 PM, too. Ah, the challenges of citizenship.

Reviving the Village Gardeners

Last summer, many people in town were grumbling about how shabby the public plantings looked (right). All those beds of hydgrangea that dot the village were overgrown with weeds and they had not been mulched as in previous years. Jack Limpert decided to do something about it and talked to Debbie Munson about organizing volunteers to take care of the public beds. While the Board of Selectmen has budgeted for some maintenance, there are still other garden areas that will go to weed again unless volunteers step in to help. Jenny Law (below) and Karen Lindquist were weeding outside Town Hall on Sunday, and if you would like to volunteer to keep Falls Village looking its best this summer, call Jack Limpert, who is organizing weeding teams, at 824-5958.

Your View Counts!

Community Forum to discuss
The Future of Housatonic Valley Regional High School
Tuesday April 29, 7 PM
Lee H. Kellogg School


From the Region One Press Release:

Strategies are needed to ensure Housatonic Valley Regional High School students the best possible preparation for life and work. Difficult decisions will have to be made by the Board of Education as enrollment figures shift and economic factors continue to put pressure on limited resources.

To inform the Board's decision-making; a Long Range Planning Team has been established and has begun work. The Team, made up of community members, staff and faculty, has scheduled a series of public forums in each of the member towns, at which they will present important information as well as solicit citizen responses. A survey to record public opinion, accessible online and in print, will also be introduced.

The community's participation in this planning process is essential to the direction of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. All citizens in Region One are urged to participate in the forums, and respond to the survey

The Spring Wish List

The Falls Village Daycare is always looking for volunteers and donations. Here's the not-for-profit pre-school's Spring Wish List


Building & Grounds

Back door needs to be repaired
Tile by front door, and in I/T program needs to be replaced
Plastic window boxes for flowers – 5
Seed packets – vegetable and flower
Gardening tools
Someone to build and install shelves throughout the Center
Handy man to construct a covered sandbox, coat hooks for preschool, and build a baby swing set on the toddler play area.
Electric Dryer
Storage cabinet with doors
Computers: we need someone who can fix them!
Someone who can sew? We need a creative person to make us curtains. (Fabric to be provided by the Center)
Bookcases – 3 or 4 needed
DVD player
CD/Tape/Radio players – 1
2 sets of speakers for computer
Four or six passenger stroller for the infants under 12 months
Double Stroller
Picture paper for our computer and Kodak printing dock
Batteries – All sizes
Toddler outdoor climbing toys
Baby swings - 2
Our screens keep falling out! Any ideas for installing them so the children are unable to push them out?
Power washer – The Center is in need of a bath!
Plastic storage bins with lids (shoe box size)

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE?
Fabric – for creative art projects
CD’s – burn you child’s favorite music (dancing and rest time music)
Dress up clothes – do you have any old Halloween costumes
Old magazines, grocery store flyers, or catalogs for activities

Falls Village Daycare Center Inc
35 Page Road
Falls Village, CT 06031-0261

860-824-0882

The Next Great Website: Real Memories.com

Last year at this time, Kimberly Rock and I were sharing our fantasies about what we'd do if we won the lottery and could buy the Falls Village Inn. In the meanwhile, we have each developed websites and if we're successful enough maybe one of us can buy the Inn someday. (Or maybe we'll buy it together.) Kimberly and her husband, Eric Haggard, who live in the sweet yellow house with the white picket fence on Main Street, have launched an awesome new business called Real Memories, where you can upload your digital photos and choose custom frames for each picture and add a personalized caption to the mat as well. Real Memories prints your pictures for you with high quality paper and ink and eliminates the guess work in trying to find a frame that fits your pictures and your decor. What's more, they will gift wrap and UPS every purchase, which makes it a great gift source for birthdays, anniversaries and Mother's and Father's Day. They manufacture their products in downtown Torrington, creating local jobs and boosting the regional
economy.

Real Memories reflects Kim and Eric's loving family life and devotion to making happy memories for their daughters, Jessy and Jordan (who are pictured above in their colorful playroom), which is why I decided to write about them for my new website, Rural Intelligence. Hopefully, this small-town synergy will someday rescue and revive the Falls Village Inn.

The Real Deal: Kim and Eric are offering a 15% discount for their friends and neighbors in Falls Village. When you visit the site, enter code: intro15rm

The Newest Website in Town

Roberta and Tommy Scott, who run the meticulous Falls Village Flower Farm on Kellogg Road, now have their own website. All last year, they took photographs of the plants and flowers they grow themselves, so now you can browse their site and preview their stock in bloom before heading over to the farm to shop. The Scotts kept the site simple on purpose, because they wanted it to reflect the farm itself, which is all about exquisite, healthy plants and hands-on, personal service.

Added April 15:
Here's a story about another new garden website that should interest any serious plant person.

A View from Backstage

Betty Tyburski, who now lives on the Twin Lakes, left her heart in Falls Village, where she lived for 35 years. A familiar face at the David M. Hunt Library, she volunteered backstage at the Falls Village Children's Theater production of "Annie". She writes:

Well, I woke up this morning and as I dressed, I sang silently to myself "Easy Street, (drum drum drum) "Easy Street," (dah dah dah dum dum)! At odd moments I have found myself singing "It's A Hard Luck Life" and other Annie tunes. Scenes from the play come forth again and again, such as Daddy Warbucks dancing with Annie or Miss Hannigan going off stage to let off a scream. I guess you can say that I caught the Children's Theater fever pretty bad, and that's good. What fun it was to be involved with the show! I was so high after opening night that when I returned home I could not get the electricity out of my body for several hours. It was such a incredible undertaking and it all ended so beautifully. I never saw the show from beginning to end until dress rehearsal night, and even then there were still some rough spots. (Holy Cow! The kids learned how to take their bows just before the opening night curtain!) And, when I attended rehearsals at Kellogg or the Town Hall I saw actors not knowing their lines and the general enthusiastic chaos of dozens of high-spirited kids running wild (until Lannie tamed them down with a few well-placed shouts). And from this organized chaos came forth a beautiful, mesmerizing, intoxicating play starring young children from tiny Falls Village. And I must single out six-year-old Elijah Stone: Seeing him on stage singing his solo, gently rocking side to side, tore my heart to pieces. Being behind stage was something to behold too. Some actors were high-strung, others were low-key. One scene that was especially fun to watch was when the kids formed a circle and played a hand-slapping, sing-song game and Lannie joined in. His back-stage presence, so calm and full of fun, was especially good for the children. His private pre-show pep talk with the actors, complete with nerve-calming screaming was perfect. He is a magician whose professionalism and devotion to theater turns untrained children into disciplined actors. Anyway, I thank the Falls Village Children's Theater for letting me take a small part in the production of Annie. I thank all the other adults whose hard work and devotion to a dream made the play Annie come to life for all who participated or came to watch. It was a memorable experience, to say the least. And now I sign off as I feel, once again, the urge to sing "Easy Street".
Director Lanny Mitchell helps his cast calm their nerves and let off steam backstage

Photos by Betsy Howie

What's Going on Inside 107 Main Street?

Annie Bidou knows, and she reports:

Since Clifton Jaeger moved out of the Old Town Hall space, I’ve heard rumblings in Toymakers Café that people are intimidated by the new tenants. No friendly pieces of art in the windows; no signs of who or what dwells within. In fact, it is Michael Klemens the herpetologist and Ken Leabman, his partner, who have settled in.(They're with Michael's son Robert in the photo below.) “We LOVE Falls Village,” they say. “It’s a magical, charming town.” I have been pleased to make their acquaintance through their visits to our café. First, let me clarify – a herpetologist is someone who specializes in the study of amphibians like reptiles, lizards, turtles and snakes. (During the recent bog turtle controversy surrounding the proposed golf course in Norfolk, Michael was consulted as an expert.) And he is wondering if there are any artistic young people out there who would like to draw some amphibians to post in his window! (Drop your artwork off at Toymakers and we’ll be sure they get it). As for Ken, I’m excited to report that he is helping Michael open a small antiques store in the front of the left side of the building this spring! The shop will specialize in antiques and decorative objects from the 1880’s to the mid-20th century. Signs of life on Main Street! Yes!! Michael and Ken are a quiet burst of fresh energy here in town.

Rather than providing privacy, the shades currently on the windows are there to protect the furniture, books and fabrics from U.V. sun damage. When the antiques store is ready, the shades on the left hand side of the building will be gone.
The two live in Amesville but dine frequently at Toymakers, where I hope some of you have met and spoken with them. Ken seems more easy-going, whereas Michael often is immersed in intense business or scientific conversations. But both of them have terrific senses of humor and delightful smiles, and I look forward to their visits. I think the most heartwarming moment was when I heard Michael say, “You know, everyone gets caught up in the politics of it all, and no one really cares about the bog turtle.” I have not followed, or taken sides in, the turtle controversy, but I am proud to have as a neighbor on Main Street a man who could make such a caring, intelligent, big-picture statement.

“We have been delayed in getting things going because of the ongoing renovations to the roof and windows,” Michael laments. At this point, they even struggle to get in the front door due to warping caused by water damage. With so much to contend with, let’s give them LOTS of encouragement to bring their trades to our fair town. And LOTS of business once they open their antiques store. Leaving a comment of support (or bringing amphibious artwork to the cafe) would help right now!

Bravo!

Everything you ever wanted to know about why Falls Village is such a special town could be seen and heard at the FVCT's production of Annie. It's next to impossible to sit through the show without getting teary because every child onstage shines. Annie is an inspiring reflection of the tiny town itself, a community of charitable, creative and passionate people.

A Day To Celebrate (Twice!)

Talk about timing! On the eve of the FVCT's production of Annie, the Falls Village Community & Cultural Center learned that it had been awarded a $200,000 STEAP Grant from the State of Connecticut, which should go a long way towards opening the doors of 103 Main Street.

'Annie' Opens Tonight!

I haven't seen a rehearsal, but I am told that this year's Falls Village Children's Theater production will be the best ever--and if you saw The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella then you know that means Annie is going to be spectacular. I hear that a couple of the numbers are old fashioned show-stoppers. If you want good seats, get to Housatonic Valley Regional High School early for this limited engagement: Friday, March 28 at 7 PM, and Saturday March 29 at 2 PM and 7 PM. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. And the Kellogg 7th grade will sell refreshments, including Sweet William's special Annie cookie (below), during intermission to fund their 8th grade trip to Canada.

How Cool is our Congressman?

If you sign up for Chris Murphy's newsletter, you will get emails occasionally from him asking for your opinion on important issues. Today, for example, he asked: Should the federal government be stepping in to help shore up Wall Street banks? He truly wants to know what we think.

Anticipating the 'Annie' Intermission

It's becoming a tradition for baker Jason Young (aka Sweet William) to make a special cookie to be sold at the intermission of the Falls Village Children's Theater's spring musical (this year on March 28 & 29.) Last year for Cinderella, Jason made a sweet glass slipper. This year, he has made what is no doubt the most adorable (and tastiest) Annie cookie ever created.

Thank You, Guys

Ten of our neighbors spent Saturday working for free to put a roof on our future pool's post-and-beam bath house, which is architecturally quite stunning. Pool committee chair Jim March wanted to publicly thank all the volunteers and to give special recognition to the "young guys, Jamie Fox and Will Fox, who really rose to the occasion. Because of their roofing experience, they made a big difference in the completion of the roofing project.

(And thanks to Wayne Collier for sending in the photograph.)

Let's Raise the Roof

An aerial view of the new pool.

Noelle LaMuniere sent me this announcement.

Calling all able volunteers to finish the roof of the new pool house on Route 126 this Saturday from 8 AM on. Bring your own hand tools.
If you want to help, but do not have roofer/carpenter experience, bring your brawn to help move shingles and assist in other ways. If you want to help but do not have a whole lot of brawn to spare, come over with coffee or sandwiches and cheer on the effort of your fellow citizens (or be available for a hardware store run).

Weather call will be made on site Saturday morning.

After the roofing is done, interior framing of the pool house comes
next...so if you can't help this weekend, come for the next one. For more information, contact Jim March at 824-0218