Ancramdale couple to host craft sale to benefit students in Kenya

Ancramdale couple to host craft sale to benefit students in Kenya

John Roccanova displays the woodcrafts he creates, standing with his wife, Jean, who helps direct the funds from each sale toward supporting students in Kenya.

Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON – John Roccanova developed a passion for craftsmanship in 1960s Brooklyn, where he spent childhood summers tagging along with his father to work at one of the countless woodworking factories that lined the waterfront and industrial side streets.

“Sometimes you’d be drilling four thousand pieces of wood over the course of a few days,” Roccanova recalled of his factory days, where he made display cases for department stores. “I got to see how things were made, and I got comfortable with the equipment.”

During this time, Roccanova said he and his friends did their woodworking outdoors, asking store owners for their discarded crates, using the wood and storage boxes to make scooters and forts.

What began as summer work evolved into a hobby and eventually, a career as a shop teacher in the Webutuck school district.

This fall, Roccanova’s craftsmanship fills the Irondale Schoolhouse in Millerton, where his handmade items will be on sale Nov. 22–23 and 28–30.

From salad bowls and trays to jewelry and children’s toys, shoppers can get a head start on the holidays with artisan-made pieces crafted from mahogany, walnut, maple and ash.

John Roccanova presents a handmade salad bowl among a plethora of wood products he's selling to benefit a Kenya-based anti-poverty organization.Photo by Aly Morrissey

Grow Against Poverty

Roccanova and his wife, Jean – both former Webutuck school teachers now living in Ancramdale – spend their retirement supporting a nonprofit organization in Kenya. Every dollar from John’s woodworking goes directly to children there.

Their involvement began after reading a New York Times article about extreme overcrowding in Kenyan schools. Moved to learn more, they eventually established the U.S. arm of Grow Against Poverty, the Kenya-based nonprofit they now support through John’s crafts.

Seven years ago, the couple traveled to Busia County, Kenya, to meet Helen Mukanda, founder of Grow Against Poverty. “It’s poverty like we’ve never seen before,” said Jean. Thanks to that visit and – and with the help of WhatsApp – the Roccanovas receive real-time updates and photos showing the impact of their donations. Mukanda and her board identify the areas of greatest need and share them with John and Jean.

The Irondale Schoolhouse is open for people to buy handmade wood dishes and other trinkets Nov. 22 through 23 and 28 through 30.Photo by Aly Morrissey

Their contributions sustain an organic gardening program that provides fresh produce for student lunches, which increases attendance at schools and is often a child’s best meal of the day. They also support efforts to reduce period poverty by building restrooms and showers and supplying sanitary products.

Roccanova grows emotional when he talks about the conditions in Busia County.

“When I retired, I didn’t know what I was going to do,” said Roccanova. “So I started making things. And then I had all this stuff. So we said, ‘Well, we can donate it.’”

To date, the Roccanovas have raised more than $75,000 for Grow Against Poverty. Wood crafts will be available at Irondale Schoolhouse this weekend and after Thanksgiving. Donations are also accepted online through GlobalGiving.org.

Latest News

Amenia to usher in holiday season with Celebration of Lights

AMENIA — Amenia’s annual Celebration of Lights returns to Fountain Square and East Main Street on Sunday, Dec. 7, between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Town of Amenia.

The event will be followed by the traditional Amenia Fire Company parade that will begin at 5 p.m.Parade vehicles and participants should line up in advance at the fire company on Mechanic Street.

Keep ReadingShow less
Smithfield’s traditional Christmas Concert and Tea returns Dec. 6
The Smithfield Valley Church on Smithfield Road in Amenia.
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Kick off the season in musical style with the Smithfield Christmas Concert and Tea on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., at the historic Smithfield Church. The concert is presented by the Bang Family Concert series, and it will feature the 15-member Smithfield Chamber Orchestra playing an eclectic mix of classical, pop and jazz.

The concert and tea is a tradition that began 20 years ago. The chamber orchestra under the direction of Matt Finley has provided the music for the past five years. This year’s repertoire will include emphasis on jazz versions of holiday favorites.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mary Ann Marschat

CANAAN — Mary Ann Marschat, age 88, a lifelong resident of Canaan, Connecticut, passed away on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, 2025. Born in New York City on July 19, 1937, Mary Ann came to live with her grandparents at about 6 months old. Canaan offered a country life and a large extended family. She became a sibling to her youngest aunts and uncles.

While educated in the local schools, her career path was set at an early age. Mary Ann learned about business riding along with her grandfather in his cattle truck. She listened to his stories and learned “the ways of business.” She prided herself on being an independent businesswoman. She maintained her farm in Canaan on her own for many years and later worked with other local farmers to keep the land and farm structures in use. She also had rental properties and at one time had a small collectable business in Sheffield, Massachusetts.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Fitzgerald Morrison

SALISBURY- — David Morrison, beloved husband, father, friend, uncle, and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 9, 2025, at age 57. A gentle, kind, funny, and very tall man, he adored his wife Frances and his sons, Walter and Henry. He achieved much success as a real estate investment management professional and loved a good spreadsheet, but his true passions were his family and friends.

Big Dave was a proud graduate of Williams College and collected an amazing group of friends there who remained a huge part of his life. He played basketball through high school and college and loved watching his sons play sports as a (loudly) vocal fan and stats keeper. He also served as their mentor, role model, and supporter of their passions. He was always up for golfing, sailing, fly fishing, boating and camping, even better with his boys. He excelled at planning adventures and hunting down the best of every type of cuisine.

Keep ReadingShow less