High or Low Tech?
New Strategies Considered for Speed Control in Norfolk By Avice Meehan First Selectman Matt Riiska often ends his monthly Norfolk Now column by asking people to slow down and observe the speed limit. But what exactly is the speed limit on town roads?“It is 25 miles an hour all through the town, on all town […]
Unexpected Pairings and Inspiring Juxtapositions at the Haystack Book Festival: “Worthy and Unworthy Lives”
By David G. Troyansky The Haystack Book Festival, now in its seventh year, has established itself as a venue for exciting unmoderated conversations between authors of recent books. Sometimes the pairings almost create themselves. This year, for example, Jean Strouse and Susan Galassi both examine art and patronage, Hampton Sides’ book on Captain Cook and […]
Botelle Starts the Year in Style
By Avice Meehan Principal Lauren Valentino (in red) and Superintendent Kevin Case welcome students to the first day of school at Botelle Elementary School. After two days of professional training for staff, Botelle opened its doors on Aug. 27 to welcome 55 students for the new school year. The building gleamed and the crisp, sunny […]
Know Your Neighbor
Meg Hill How did you come to Norfolk?I landed in Norfolk somewhat fortuitously. I was living in Westchester County, where l had an active career in music and where I had raised my three kids. In 2018, my partner, Philip Carr-Harris, was nearing the end of a five-year stint teaching abroad and was looking for […]
Around the Green
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir: A Story of Hope and Resilience By Jude Mead The Matsiko World Orphan Choir brought their message of hope, resilience and the transformative power of music to an energized performance at the Norfolk Library on Aug. 21. For most of them, it was their first time performing in a library […]
Cyclists Hit the Road for WIN
A new addition to WIN was a Saturday morning bike ride through Norfolk organized by Rails to Trails member West Lowe. Riders can enjoy more of Norfolk’s stunning scenery—and support the construction of the accessible North Brook Trail—on the Oct. 18 Tour de Forest. Pick the 13-mile fun ride or 30-mile gravel ride. Full information […]
Bumps on a Log
Sunning turtles have become a common sight in the wet, marshy area at the intersection of Westside and Mountain Roads—along with a few ducks and a Great Blue heron. The town crew cleared the grates in mid-August to lower water levels around the bridge, which is slated for replacement in 2026. First Selectman Matt Riiska […]
Out and About
Detailing West Lowe’s “Restomod” By John Buchanan Just in case not all Norfolk Now readers happen to be fluent in auto arcana, let’s start with a vocab lesson. Restomod (n.): a classic vehicle that has been restored with modern modifications. Granted, avid “Rod & Custom” and “Motor Trend” readers endlessly debate just how much mod […]
Norfolk Remembers
Deidre Byrne Deirdre Byrne Escheman, 77, of Challenge, Calif., passed away on July 6, 2025, suddenly and unexpectedly.Deirdre was born Sept. 2, 1947, in Winsted, grew up in Norfolk and attended local schools. She lived a life devoted to her faith, family and dear friends. Her family was truly the light of her life. She […]
Norfolk Remembers
Starling Ransome Lawrence Starling Ransome Lawrence, known to all as Star, died on Aug. 21 in the hospital at the age of 82, due to complications from a fall in April. Starting as an assistant editor at W.W. Norton in 1969, he rose to become editor-in-chief and vice-chairman during his 55-year career there. Known for […]
