Remembering Jerry and DeVere Oakes
Jerry Oakes and his wife of nearly 72 years, Ellen DeVere Bechtold Oakes, passed away 10 days apart in August 2025, both at the age of 94. Born in Indiana and Hoosiers to the core, Jerry and DeVere lived in Norfolk for 21 years before moving to assisted living in Farmington in 2023. Jerry was […]
Norfolk Centenarian Was a Strong Advocate for Peace
Norfolk will remember Joanne Davis Hohmeister as a quiet but strong woman who was known for her kindness and compassion for family, friends and strangers alike. Joanne died Dec. 27, 2025, in Stamford, just a month after she enjoyed a celebration of her 100th birthday with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born on Nov. 16, […]
Remembering John Barry: Veteran and Volunteer
John Michael Barry, 83, of The Villages, Fla., died peacefully on Jan. 1, at the Moffitt Cancer Center, after a brief period of illness, in the presence of his loving family. John was born on June 4, 1942, in Winsted and raised in Norfolk, where he developed the values of faith, service, hard work, and […]
Generations of Service in Norfolkart
By Avice Meehan Something that was equal parts mundane and remarkable occurred on a Sunday afternoon in November in the large, second-floor meeting room in Norfolk Town Hall. A majority of those elected to town office came together to take the oath of office administered by Town Clerk Debbie Nelson. Cider and doughnuts followed, with […]
Connecticut State Northwestern Celebrates 60 Years
Norfolk connections continue to grow By Virginia Coleman-Prisco This year, Connecticut State Community College Northwestern marks a significant milestone: 60 years of serving as the primary institution of higher education for the state’s Northwest Corner. Many know it as Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NWCC), but as of 2023 it has been the Northwestern Campus of […]
Why Do Electricity Rates Go Up?
Study cites range of factors, no easy solutions By Joe Kelly The normally staid, quiescent, if not completely somnolescent subject of electricity rates and their regulation has lately become a hot topic. It figured in this fall’s gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, including active discussion over the role that AI data centers play […]
Botelle Beat
Botelle Young Authors Take a Magic Tree House Adventure By Lauren Valentino This fall, Botelle’s third- and fourth-grade students completed an extraordinary writing project that brought the magic of literature to life. As part of their first English Language Arts unit, students studied Mary Pope Osborne’s beloved “Magic Tree House” series—with close attention to the […]
Swap Shop Success
By Andra Moss A year and a half has sped by since volunteers Susan Sloan and Kathy Connolly opened the Norfolk Swap Shop in a shipping container on the grounds of the Norfolk Transfer Station. Their constant thoughtful attention has made it a pleasant stop for dropping off gently used items and browsing for lucky […]
Heard Around Town
Personal Connections to an Icon, an Iconic EventWhen John X. Fernandez steps to the microphone to introduce the documentary film “Dolores” at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Norfolk Library, his words will carry special power. That’s because the iconic labor leader and activist, Dolores Fernandez Huerta, is also the 95-year-old matriarch of his […]
Food Pantry Shifts Focus
Demand brings a limit to hours, communities served By Elizabeth Bailey The Norfolk Food Pantry began as just that – a room stocked with cans of vegetables and jars of peanut butter donated by residents for anyone in need of help. Canned goods were there for the taking and no one tallied up the cost […]
