• Proposed Manor House Expansion Draws Large Crowd

    Many differing views on effect of change in town center By Susan MacEachron Norfolk residents filled the Botelle School Hall of Flags on a very cold evening on Tuesday, Jan. 14, to attend the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) public hearing regarding a modification to the special permit granted in 1996 to the property known as […]

  • From All Angels

    Throughout the month of February, Garet&Co will be returning to Norfolk to present their third annual performance in the Battell Chapel, where each piece will be set in the round.  In this presentation, titled “From All Angles”, the audience will witness the translation of three of the works presented at their fall show.   “Can’t Keep […]

  • Norfolk Then

    Pictured here is the house built in 1898 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Spofford as their summer home. The son of Ainsworth Spofford, Librarian of Congress, Charles Spofford was an electrical engineer, who would be hired in 1902 to manage London’s underground railway system, converting it from steam to electricity. The Spoffords engaged the architect […]

  • Sweets on the Green

    A Decade of Decadent Desserts By Andra Moss How is your naughty versus nice rating? Those needing to influence Santa with an especially impressive treat should grab their stockings and head to the Norfolk Historical Society (NHS) for the 10th Annual Cake Auction on Saturday, Dec. 7.     Now a Norfolk holiday tradition, the event was […]

  • Artist Tom Burr Brings His Torrington Project to an End

    Performances celebrate studio closing By Stephen Melville Norfolk resident and artist Tom Burr organized a day of performances and exhibition at his studio in Torrington on Oct. 26, marking an end to what he has called “The Torrington Project.” For the past three and a half years, Burr has rented a vast—15,000 square foot—former industrial […]

  • New Meanings for a Monument

    Light Shines on the Memorial Green By Joe Kelly On Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, a crowd of about 100 gathered for the rededication of Norfolk’s World War 1 memorial, artfully restored under the auspices of the Norfolk Community Association. It was sunny. Temperatures in the low ‘60’s. Another day of no rain. Everyone talked […]

  • Norfolk Then…

    This 1920s postcard shows Memorial Green just after the War Memorial, designed by Alfredo Taylor, was built. It was Taylor’s wife Minna who first proposed that a memorial “heroes grove” be planted on the small lot of land known as the Triangle opposite the Catholic Church. The lot had been left empty with the demolition […]

  • Restored war memorial to be celebrated on veterans day

    plaque now honors all who served By Patricia Platt A World War I monument, designed by Alfredo Taylor and erected on Norfolk’s Memorial Green in 1921, bears the inscription, “for those who gave and those who offered their lives for liberty, the people of Norfolk have built this monument and crowned it with the Liberty […]

  • NLT Tail Ablaze with Runners

    More than 120 runners enjoyed perfect fall weather as they wound their way through picturesque Barbour Woods in the 11th Annual Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race. Some chose to add a challenging loop over Haystack Mountain, while the half-marathoners just kept moving on up—topping out at over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. *photo by June […]

  • Can you spot the Real Curler?

    There was movie magic ice to be made, and the pros of the Norfolk Curling Club were the first to get the call. In October, NCC’s Jon Barbagallo, Lou Barbagallo, Rachel Barbagallo, Mark Walsh, Harvey Chalmers and Phill West were hired by a production company to make curling ice at a Rhode Island hockey rink […]

  • Norfolk Then…

    This 1917 photograph is a timely reminder of the long struggle fought by many dedicated women for basic civil liberties, including the right to own property, hold public office, sit on juries, participate in public assemblies and vote. The group of 25 suffragists—20 women and five men—gathered on the porch following their meeting with Congressman […]

  • The chicken who wanted to be a star and other tales from a norfolk movie set

    By Andra Moss Secrets and small towns don’t often pair well, and Norfolk is a small town. Yet, for eight weeks this summer, a crew of nearly 100 people quietly transformed Tim and Paula Webster’s 1908 Norfolk farmhouse into a film set for a feature-length production, all the while staying under the local radar.  It […]

Articles

Norfolk’s Economic Development Commission Plans for the Future

Organization to concentrate on two key issues By Gordon Anderson According to the town website, the purpose of Norfolk’s Economic Development Commission is “to grow business revenues and to promote a wide variety of investment in the community. To achieve these goals, the Commission develops initiatives and encourages other governmental and volunteer groups to participate.” […]

Volunteers at Botelle School Enrich Student Learning Both Academically and Socially

By Kelly Kandra Hughes In 1998, Sergeant Richard Byrne retired from the Airport Division of the State Police. Looking for a way to spend his newfound free time, Byrne began volunteering at Botelle Elementary School, since his oldest granddaughter, Angelina Mary, was a student there. Twenty-one years later, Byrne is still active at Botelle. “It’s […]

Norfolk Hosts NHCOG 2019 Economic Development Summit

Attendees tour downtown before annual meeting By Ruth Melville The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) held its 2019 Economic Development Summit in Norfolk on Feb. 19. This annual gathering gives representatives of the 21 towns in the Northwest Corner a chance to assess how their region is doing—what gains, or losses, were experienced during […]

Cannabis: Coming of Age in 2019

By David Beers In early January, a store that sells recreational cannabis (marijuana) opened its doors in Great Barrington. The Theory Wellness dispensary is the first of its kind in our area, which makes it a much talked about destination. The recreational sale of cannabis is now legal in Canada and the states of Massachusetts, […]

Mountain View Green Retreat Offers Bio-Magnet, Massage and Reiki Therapies

By Colleen GundlachPhoto by Bruyce Frisch Imagine relaxing in a sun-drenched room overlooking the hills and valleys of Norfolk while a trained therapist works on revitalizing your spirit and relaxing your body. Soft music envelops the room while you recline in soft white linens. This is the reality to be found at Mountain View Green […]

Agricultural Education Program Provides Classroom Learning and Hands-On Skills

By Charlotte McDevitt There are many different activities that students can participate in when entering Northwestern Regional 7, and some programs will benefit them throughout their lives. One example is the Agricultural Education Program, or Ag. There are three different parts of the Ag program: Class and Lab, FFA (Future Farmers of America) and SAEP […]

Local Therapist Uses the Web to Teach Proper Movement Techniques

By Jude Mead “Remember what it felt like to be a kid, moving effortlessly and without pain? Correcting your movement is the first step in returning to this state.” These are the words of James O’Brien, a physical therapist and the founder of Perfecting Movement, LLC. O’Brien recently launched a new website, perfectingmovement.net, whose focus […]

Great Falls Brewing Company Now Serving Up Pints in Canaan Rail Station

By Jeremy WithnellPhoto by Clinton J. Sosna Great Falls Brewing Company in North Canaan opened its doors only this past December, yet it has already become a vibrant community hub in addition to a place to down a pint. Owner Chris Tripler says that has been his vision all along. Situated in the heart of […]

Summer Art Program Gets a New Start in Its 71st Year

New lecture series planned By Wiley WoodPhoto by A. Kim From mid-May to late June each year, Norfolk hosts the 26 undergraduates who attend the Yale Summer School of Art in Norfolk, but though they live in the houses of Norfolk residents, they go largely unnoticed. A few more young people may be seen walking […]

Affordable Condo Development Planned for Old Colony Road

State funds sought for 10 energy-efficient homes By Wiley Wood In 2015, Norfolk architect Kate Johnson won a statewide award for having designed an energy-efficient home. So efficient was the house that it was given a Home Energy Rating System Index of -12, meaning that the building generates more energy from the photovoltaic cells on […]

Pop-Up Makerspace Fosters Craft and Community

Making art while making friends By Ruth MelvillePhotos by C. J. Sosna The Hub has been host to a variety of public events since it opened its doors less than a year ago, but none has been as lively as the pop-up makerspace that took place on Jan. 26. This first-time event was organized by […]

Church Choirs in Norfolk Sing for Worship and Fellowship

By David BeersPhotos by Bruce Frisch For many decades both the Catholic Church and Congregational Church in town have had active choirs with a long list of devoted singing members. Both choirs are fortunate to be led by musically gifted and experienced choir directors (and organ players), who are paid church staff. Deirdre Broderick has […]