$100K matching grant for your local news

Thanks to the generous support of our readers, subscribers, donors and advertisers, The Lake­ville Journal and The Millerton News remain very much alive and thriving as a nonprofit news organization. Our papers – and websites – are bucking the trend of disappearing or shrinking community news sources.

Each day, our editors and reporters bring you in-depth, nuanced coverage of your local community so that you can make informed and inspired decisions about the issues that matter most to you.

In recent weeks alone, our reporters have provided coverage on environmental issues impacting our lakes, roadways and forests; school and town budgets; youth sports from Little League to high school; education, including the retirement of several long-time educators and administrators, youth enrichment and student achievement; new businesses; healthcare, including changes at Sharon Hospital and the much anticipated opening of Community Health and Wellness Center in North Canaan (see story, here); affordable housing; real estate; community events; fishing; recreation; movies; art; gardening; food – the list goes on.

We’ve invested in more reporters, a new newsletter, and – in keeping with our mission, news on our newly-launched websites (lakevillejournal.com and millertonnews.com) is now available to all without a paywall.

But, to keep serving you the news you depend on, whether online, on your phone, by email or, yes, in print, we continue to depend on your donations.

In other words, local news needs local financial support to survive.

On that note, I have some very good news. Our board members have pledged $100,000 to match donations made over the next two months. Every donation up to this match amount — whether large or small – will be doubled until June 30.

We are one of the oldest independent local newspapers in the country, and our ambition, with your help, is to remain one of the best.

Please give generously at millertonnews.com/donate.

Thank you.

— James H. Clark, CEO/Publisher

Latest News

Backgammon series begins at Hotchkiss Library of Sharon
Backgammon lessons kicked off Wednesday, Aug. 13, at The Hotchkiss Library. Instructor Roger Lourie works with Pam Jarvis of Sharon, while his wife, Claude, assists at a second board with Janet Kaufman of Salisbury.
Leila Hawken

In light of rising local interest in the centuries-old game of Backgammon, Wednesday afternoon backgammon instruction and play sessions are being offered at The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. The first such session was held on Wednesday, Aug. 13, attracting two enthusiastic participants, both of whom resolved to return for the weekly sessions.

Expert player and instructor Roger Lourie of Sharon, along with his equally expert wife, Claude, led the session, jumping right into the action of playing the game. Claude chose to pair with Janet Kaufman of Salisbury, a moderately experienced player looking to improve her skills, while Lourie teamed himself with Pam Jarvis of Sharon, who was new to the game.

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Dugazon opens in Sharon, blending Southern roots with global style

Pantry essentials at Dugazon

Jennifer Almquist

You are invited to celebrate the opening of Dugazon, a home and lifestyle shop located in a clapboard cottage at 19 West Main Street, the former site of The Edward in Sharon. The opening is Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.

After careers in the world of fashion, Salisbury residents Bobby Graham and his husband, Matt Marden, have curated a collection of beautiful items that reflect their sense of design, love of hospitality, and Graham’s deep Southern roots. Dugazon is his maternal family name.

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Scrap to sculpture: Matt Wabrek of Birch Lane Rustics
Matt Wabrek creates sculpture from found scrap metal and wood.
L. Tomaino

A giant fish that sold at Trade Secrets, the high-end home and garden show held at Lime Rock Park, is just one of the creatures that Matt Wabrek of Birch Lane Rustics in North Canaan, creates by welding old tools and pieces of metal together.

The fish was so well liked by browsers at Trade Secrets that he received commissions for others.

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