Free Concert at Music Mountain - May 22

FVCT presents the musical "13" in the Berkshires: June 4 - 6

The Falls Village Children's Theater (FVCT), the five-year-old northwestern Connecticut not-for-profit troupe, is expanding to the Berkshires, where it will present the Broadway musical "13" at the Consolati Performing Arts Center at Mt. Everett Regional High School in Sheffield, MA, on June 4 - 6.

A musical about contemporary adolescence, "13" is the story of Evan Goldman of New York City whose parents get divorced, and he must move with his mother to Appleton, Indiana, where he will have his bar mitzvah away from his family and friends. Evan's new best friend in Appleton, the nice girl next door, knows that her hometown is, as she sings, "The Lamest Place in the World." A classic fish-out-of-water story, Evan's songs include "Being A Geek" and "A Little More Homework." When it debuted three years ago in Los Angeles, Variety said, "If the prospect of watching an all-teen company enact an all-teen musical accompanied by an all-teen band makes you cringe: Chill, dude, "13" is sheer bliss...Librettist Dan Elish's simple narrative about middle-school outsiders tiptoeing their way through a minefield of cliques and gossip is the framework for a celebration of the kind of teen spirit that soars rather than smells."

Featuring a cast of 18 experienced actors from the tri-state area who range in age from 12 - 17 under the direction of former Broadway dancer Lanny Mitchell, "13" is a funny, buoyant look at a young man's culture shock in his own country on the eve of his becoming a man in the Jewish faith. It is a poignant, exuberant and universal tale about trying to find one's place in the world. A five-piece high-school band will perform the score.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students (the show is rated "PG"), and they are available at Tune Street in Great Barrington, MA, the Canaan Apothecary in Canaan, CT, the Falls Village Citgo or online at FVCT.org.
The show is a fundraiser for the not-for-profit FVCT.

Falls Village Children's Theater presents "13"
Consolati Performing Arts Center at Mt. Everett Regional School
June 4 at 7 p.m.
June 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
June 6 at 2 p.m.

Bingo for Scholarships - May 7

Take the Survey

Our neighbor Ruth Skovron encourages everyone to take this survey to have input into the economic development of the northwest corner and to save our village centers

At Long Last!

Are burgers and beer in our future?

What's Cooking in Falls Village?

Erica Joncyk, the new director of the D.M. Hunt Library, is helping to organize The Falls Village Day Care Cookbook Volume 2, and she is inviting everyone to submit recipes:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! One and all!! You may have heard through the grapevine that there is to be a second edition of Friends of Falls Village Day Care Cookbook! Remember the first one? Back in 1990, Norma DeMay (formerly Grusauskas), Jean Bronson, Fran Chapell and Karen Lindquist put together a treasure of a cookbook. I know because my copy is so stained, written in and 20 years later, with out a cover. It is the only cookbook that I know of that when mentioned at a local party and one of the people at the party wasn’t around in the ‘90’s to have purchased one, that there is a collective sigh of ‘aw too bad for you’ from the ones who do have a copy. There are so many fantastic recipes that my family grew up with and continues to use in their lives and I trust, will pass those recipes on to their children.
Here is a great opportunity for all Falls Villagites to gather their favorite recipes and share them with their neighbors. Those of you who have contributed before and may have changed their recipes to fit our now ‘healthier life styles’, please submit those changes….we would love it! Melissa Lopes has spear headed this fundraising project and her timing couldn’t be better to help the Day Care earn some needed funds to keep our excellent Day Care center running smoothly. The committee has decided for the sake of continuity to bestow the title of Friends of Falls Village Day Care Cookbook, vol. 2. You can pick up recipe forms at the D. M. Hunt Library right here in town or the Douglas Library in North Canaan. Even if you don't have a recipe, you can pre-order your cookbook by sending your check payable to FVDCC". Our hopes are to gather 200 recipes and the target date to get all of the recipes in is April 30th, 2010 so we can have the cookbook published by September 1st, 2010. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Melissa at mannymelissa@sbcglobal.net.
Thank you and can’t wait to read your recipes,
Erica Joncyk

Click on the form for a full-size version to print out

"Guys & Dolls" is a Smash Hit!

The kids (and parents) have done it again! You have two more chances to see "Guys & Dolls" at Housy at 2 and 7 pm on Saturday, April 10.

"Guys & Dolls" Opens Friday Night

There's no question that "Guys & Dolls" will be a hit as the FVCT raises the curtain on its 5th all-town musical. The only question is how fantastic it will be!

Easter Egg Hunt - April 3

For the Love of Our Library

Zoë Fedorjaczenko reports that the Chocolate & Chile library fundraiser was a huge success:

What do you get when you take twelve simmering crockpots of chili (from vegetarian to venison) made by organizations (from the Fire Department to the Historical Society), add fifteen chocolate desserts (from Scotch truffles to white chocolate cheesecake) and ten different selections of artisanal chocolate (from Chocolate Springs Café to Berkshire Bark), mix in silent and live auctions (with items from a hand knit bamboo yarn scarf to a Harney Tea gift package), toss with a Name that Tune game (with composer Joshua Stone), and combine with in a cold month - otherwise known as Chocolate & Chili in the Village - 2010 style. That’s what those who attended this Falls Village event to benefit the D. M. Hunt Library enjoyed on Saturday at the Old Town Hall in Falls Village. This event brought together the talents of many local bakers and chili-makers; it was even hard to find a parking space, an unusual circumstance in this small town. For all of us on the C/C committee, I thank everyone who came, contributed to, and worked on making this event a fun way to end winter’s tough month of February and benefit the library. We’ll see you next year!150 people (from Falls Village to Kent) in a spacious site? You get a hot time

TONIGHT! Chocolate & Chile Fundraiser for the Library

IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT PARTY AT THE OLD TOWN HALL. TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR!

Save the Date: March 5

“FREE MONEY” FOR Friends of Lee Kellogg School (F.O.L.K.S.)

The ever-creative parents at the Lee H. Kellogg School have come up with a new, easy way to raise funds for school trips and other "extras." Here's their press release:

Without spending anything extra people can now help FOLKS (Friends of Lee Kellogg School) raise funds to go towards fieldtrips, cultural programs and guest artists, special classroom items, playground and afterschool program items, as well as financial assistance to help insure that all students can participate in school programs and trips. Guaranteed contributions from participating retailers go directly to FOLKS, the volunteer parent and teacher group for Lee H. Kellogg School, through the new Scrips Card program.

“I’ve raised over $60 for FOLKS in the last two months alone without even trying and without pleading for anyone to buy a ticket, an ad, a pie, or anything. I just used the Scrip cards at the check-out when I did my grocery shopping and also when I bought office supplies,” explained Amy Wynn, a Kellogg School parent.
“At every turn, we are asked to buy something for a fundraiser in our small community. This program is a great alternative that can ease this burden throughout our region. We are asking that people try it at least once and see how good it feels to know you are helping raise needed funds by simply doing your everyday shopping and paying for it with your Scrips cards,” encouraged Margaret Caiati, FOLKS coordinator for this program. “Our goal is to get at least 80 people paying for $100 of their grocery bill at Stop ‘n Shop with the Scrip cards each month for the next three months. This would meet our initial goal of raising $1,000 this spring for field trip and cultural program funds,” she added.

The Scrips cards are easy to order and use and there is no extra charge. To help FOLKS raise funds, all one has to do is purchase Scrips Cards - which are basically gift cards - through the FOLKS Scrips program. The Scrips card purchaser receives the exact value paid for the cards; there are no added fees. The specific retailer for each type of card donates from 2% to 17% of each purchase directly to FOLKS. The whole community beyond Kellogg School and Falls Village is encouraged to participate.
The Scrips cards can be used for things bought each week such as groceries and drug store items, seasonal items like home improvement/gardening items and clothing, as well as gifts for holidays and special occasions. The Scrips Program has over 250 retailers to choose from, such as Stop ‘n Shop, CVS, K-Mart, Best Buy, Lands End, Applebee’s, Amazon.com, TJ Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Staples, ITunes, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Home Depot, and many more. A full list of retailers and the order form is available at the FOLKS webpage housed at www.kelloggschool.org.

Questions about the FOLKS Scrips program and ordering cards can be directed to Margaret Caiati at (860) 824-1415 or mcaiati@comcast.com.

A Hot Time in A Cold Month

The D. M. Hunt Library in Falls Village will turn up the temperature with Chocolate & Chili in the Village on Saturday, February 27th at the Old Town Hall from 6 to 9 pm.

For the past two years, Friends of the D. M. Hunt Library has held its winter fundraiser Chocolate in the Village – an event featuring all things chocolate – at the library. This year the Friends have added chili to the mix and will hold the newly named Chocolate & Chili in the Village at the Old Town Hall.

As before, this event will feature dozens of delectable chocolate creations made by Falls Village’s accomplished culinaristas. Chocolate treats from sweet to savory - amazing baked goods, truffles, chocolate tortilla chips with cranberry salsa, chicken with mole sauce, chocolate cherry “mice” – are just some of what chocolate cravers can sample.

For those looking to heat things up, there will be at least ten tempting chilis to tingle the taste buds. All of the chilis will be made by local community organizations including Falls Village’s Fire Department, Daycare Center, Historical Society, Great Mountain Forest, Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, and Toymakers Café. These groups will compete to be named Best Chili.

Joshua Stone, Falls Village’s own award-winning composer, will host “Name that Tune” a musical game which was so popular last year – with prizes of course. A live and silent auction where you can bid on gift certificates for chocolate desserts, chocolate and chili “flavored” hand knit scarves, books and more will round out the event.

Tickets are $25 per person and include all the chocolate and chili you want, beer and wine, and ten tickets to vote for best chili. All proceeds benefit the library. For information and to reserve tickets call the library 860-824-7424.

The Rec Commission Wants You

If you would like to help make Falls Village a wonderful place to live and play, you might consider joining the Recreation Commission, which is looking for new members. Click on the image to read the particulars.

That Small Town Magic

Mary Elling who lives on Point of Rocks Road writes:

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU to whatever good soul decorates the little-
bridge's little-tree for many holidays throughout the year!!!!!
You are obviously whimsical, kind, thoughtful and a lovely, generous
person(s).
It makes me smile every time I cross the bridge.
All of us who live in Falls Village or Amesville are very lucky that
you believe in good deeds.
People who drive over the bridge for the first time must think what a lovely community this must be.
And it is.
Happy New Year to Everyone!"

Cell Phone Tower Meeting December 9 at Kellogg School

If you click on the attached notice you can read the details

FVCT's Fall Production

On Saturday, December 5, at 7 PM at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Admission free, but donations welcome.

TOWN MEETING TONIGHT - NOV 24 - 7 PM

Special Town Meeting @ Town Hall. "To see what action the Town will take to advise the Selectmen regarding a proposed lease and agreement with the Falls Village Children’s Theater Company." Copies of the proposed lease and agreement are on file with the Town Clerk

Tree Lighting - December 6

Hometown Holiday Shopping - December 3

Click on image to see it bigger.

Searching for the Perfect Town X-mas Tree

The Rec Commission (aka The Town of Falls Village) is looking for that special tree that will stand in the Town Square as the official Falls Village 2009 Christmas Tree. It should be no more than 20 feet. The Rec Commision has scheduled the Tree Lighting for Sunday, December 6th at 4:30pm so the tree would be needed in time for it to be put up and lit before then.

If anyone has such a tree and is willing to part with it, contact Betsy Howie by email at Tatiferous@comcast.net

Scenes From A Scarecrow Contest '09

Hometown Halloween

Rain Delay: Pancake Breakfast, Scarecrow Contest & Hoedown Postponed Until Sunday, October 25

Everyday Heros

I was reluctant to call 911, because I did not want to trouble the men and women who volunteer for our fire and ambulance department. But after the plug-in carbon monoxide alarm I had just bought at Lindell's started chirping (after the other one in my house was chirping and I could not interpret whether that meant the battery was dying, the alarm way dying, or I was on my way to dying). So within five minutes, the good men and women of the Falls Village Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Department were at my house, and they knew right away that my plug in alarm needed to have a battery in it too as a back up and that was why I heard chirping. (If only I had read the 20 page instruction manual before plugging it in.) Oy vey, as my grandmother used to say. I am so embarrassed to have wasted our volunteers' time. But I am comforted to know that my neighbors are ready to be my heros if one day I truly need them.

Words & Music Library Benefit at Music Mountain on Sunday, Oct. 18 @ 2 pm

When I heard that Betsy Howie and Lonnie Carter were going to share the Music Mountain stage on Sunday, October 18, and read 84 Charing Cross Road as a benefit for the library I immediately thought of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Why? Because Howie and Carter were once a couple and just like the Burtons, who performed in Private Lives after they split, it's kind of fun to watch a play when there's an added subtext. Besides, as everyone in town knows, Betsy and Lonnie are gifted and generous artists and the reading should be a once in a lifetime theatrical experience.

Here's the Hunt Library's press release on the event, which includes great local music too:

Come remember or learn what it was like to write letters and listen to great music!

84, CHARING CROSS ROAD will be read by Betsy Howie & Lonnie Carter as a benefit for the David M. Hunt Library on Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m. at Music Mountain. 84 records a correspondence and a love story of 20 years in funny, warm and moving letters between a New York City book lover and her favorite London bookshop. It was supposedly the inspiration for the best seller The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.

Joshua Stone will direct talented volunteers from the HVRHS Jazz Band and Sweethearts in great s-w-i-n-g-i-n-g songs: Blue Moon, Satin Doll, Take Five, Mr. Sandman, Something's Gotta Give, Where the Boys Are, Jump, Jive & Wail, and more!

You will hear Joshua Stone on piano and Tom Krupa, HVRHS Musical Director, on trumpet. Tom Krupa will direct the HVRHS Jazz Combo--Kellogg’s own: Jacob Horowitz, Piano; Van Daalhuyzen, Bass; Ben Paley, Guitar; Dylan Vadakin, Drums; Ben Finkelstein, Trumpet. Joshua Stone will direct several "Ensembles à la McGuire Sisters" and Alicia Simonetti-Schpurr, HVRHS Night Choir Director, will direct the Chorus--Meghan Brown, Shyla Gregory, Danielle Kearns, Samantha McKenzie, Kayla Robinson, Becky Sawicki, Cornelia Smith, Genevieve Terrall, Cassie Worthington, Ellie Yahn


And a special bonus performance: Three Generations of Falls Village Sinclairs--Mary Lu Sinclair and Laura, Lusanna & Kneeland Munson--will sing Que Sera, Sera!




Hunt Library’s 12th Annual Words & Music*

Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm at Music Mountain

$15/$18 @ the door
Teenagers: $10, Children 12 & under: $5

* All proceeds help pay for the operation (buying books, DVDs, computers, salaries) of our wonderful library and staff!

"Chairish the Arts" Auction at Mohawk Mountain on Saturday, October 17

You can support arts education in our region--and the work of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council which is run by Falls Village resident Amy Wynn--at a live and silent auction of one-of-a-kind chairs at the lodge at Mohawk Mountain.
SIlent Auction 2 - 4:30 PM; Live auction at 4:30 PM
Adults: $15.00 or $25.00 (beer/wine)
Children 12 and up: $5.00
Children 12 and under: Free
For more information Click Here

You Can Still Enter the Scarecrow Contest

Click on the images to read the details. Registration and hay & crossbar pickup will be October 10 at 103 Main Street from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Or contact Denise Cohn (824-4303) or Dan Shaw (824-5582) to arrange to pick up supplies at another time.

Get Jazzed to Support the 8th Grade Class Trip

Renowned trumpeter and Summit Records recording artist Louise Baranger will perform with her quartet at Music Mountain in Falls Village, CT on October 3rd at 7:00 PM to benefit the Kellogg School 8th grade. Ms. Baranger has an extensive resume, including performing with Harry James, John Pizzarelli, Clark Terry and Dionne Warwick. She has worked for television and on Broadway and has recorded with the Stan Kenton Alumni Tribute Orchestra, Holly Near, and Joe Cocker among others. Tickets are $25.

Music Mountain is home to the country’s oldest chamber music festival and to Gordon Hall, a venue famous for its acoustic excellence. The grounds are perfect for a pre-concert picnic in the idyllic hills of Northwestern Connecticut.

The concert is to help cover costs of the Lee H. Kellogg School eighth grade class trip to Quebec in the spring.

Seating is limited and this show is expected to be sold out. To purchase tickets in advance contact Denise Cohn at 860-824-8025. Mastercard and Visa accepted. Tickets will also be sold at the door for any remaining seats. Visit the Trumpet Blues wesite for information on Louise Baranger and her tribute to the life and music of Harry

The Library's Not-So-Silent Auction

If you would like to see pictures of Saturday night's lively cocktail party benefit for the David M. Hunt Library at the old Town Hall, click here to see the photos on Rural Intelligence.

Town Clerk Mary Palmer with actress and author Betsy Howie

Support The Library Saturday Night!

There's a new spin on this year's Silent Auction. It's being held in the loft-like old Town Hall space on Main Street.


The D.M. Hunt Library will hold its 8th Annual Auction in the Village on Saturday, Sept 26. The event features both silent and live auctions. Fine wine, beer, and the library’s own special Green Man Grog will be served. Food catered by Freund’s Farm Market & Bakery in East Canaan. Magician Sandy Rhoades will perform. Mary Palmer will conduct the live auction. Tickets cost $25 and are tax-deductible.

This year’s auction will take place at The Old Town Hall on Main Street, a short walk from the library. This venue puts a fresh face on this favorite annual event while providing a more spacious layout in a historic building and wheelchair accessibility.

The silent auction, which opens at 5pm and ends at 6:30pm, features local food, goods, and services as well as tickets to museums and performance events. Many of these items are bundled together as gift baskets with specially chosen books.

Featured live auction items include a private screening event at The Movie House in Millerton, NY, a cocktail party for 20 at the home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli, a flight in Bob Giumarro’s Piper Archer, and tickets to Lime Rock Race Park with an opportunity for “hot laps” around the track in a pace car.

Auction in the Village is an annual fund raiser to benefit the 120-year-old David M. Hunt Memorial Library and helps raise up to 20% of the library’s annual operating budget.

A second part of the library’s fund raising season, Words & Music, takes place at Music Mountain at 2pm on Sunday, October 18. This performance based event will feature a live reading of the play “84, Charing Cross Road” by James Roose-Evans based on the novel by Helene Hanff. Featuring Betsy Howie and Lonnie Carter; Music Director Joshua Stone. Tickets $15 advance; $18 door, tax-deductible donation.

Both events have been made possible by generous support from underwriter Century Aggregates and sponsored by Rural Intelligence, Salisbury Bank, Torrington Savings Bank, Elyse Harney Real Estate and The National Iron Bank.

8th Annual Auction in the Village
To Benefit the David M. Hunt Memorial Library in Falls Village
5pm to 8pm, Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Old Town Hall – 107 Main Street, Falls Village, CT 06031
Tickets $25 / Information: 824-7424 / Wheelchair accessible

Dod Adoption Days Redux

New School Year! New Classes at FVCT!

The Falls Village Children's Theater is expanding its offerings this year by adding new instructors and a collaboration with the esteemed Shakespeare & Company from Lenox, MA. Click on the image to read all about it.

Dog Adoption Days: Sept 5 - 7