Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Bennett Park grand opening set for Oct. 5

Bennett Park grand opening set for Oct. 5

Millbrook’s Bennett Park’s eastern portion has been open for several weeks prior to the official grand opening on Oct. 5.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLBROOK — Celebrating completion of the first phase in the historic development of Bennett Park, a grand opening will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the park. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn.

The first phase has brought the creation of Millbrook’s largest public green space. The project is a major undertaking by the nonprofit Millbrook Community Partnership, whose president, Oakleigh Thorne, is expected to share plans for the rest of the project, including the Woodland Trail feature, now underway.

The project began in 2021 with the demolition of the imposing Bennett College buildings, deteriorated beyond saving.

“I am thrilled to have been a part of restoring the Bennett College campus to a place of beauty,” Thorne said in a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 24. “It was truly sad to watch its slow deterioration over the years, and our hope is that Bennett Park becomes a spot for our community to enjoy for many generations to come.”

The grand opening will welcome all residents and their families, along with visitors. There will be souvenirs, refreshments and children’s activities.

Bennett Park is located at 7-9 Bennett Common Way. Additional event parking will be found on Carroll Boulevard off of Franklin Avenue.

Latest News

Beatrice Humes Bunce

Beatrice Humes Bunce

NORTH CANAAN — Beatrice Humes Bunce, 89, of Brooksville, Florida, formerly of North Canaan, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2026.

Born on July 29, 1937, in North Canaan, to Douglas E. Humes Sr. and Claudine Goodsill Humes, Bea grew up in Clayton and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

Keep ReadingShow less

David L. Davis

David L. Davis

NORFOLK — David L. Davis, 84, of Norfolk, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Sept. 15.

Born in Nottingham, England, David was educated at Bromsgrove School and later graduated from hotel school in Birmingham, England. His education and natural talent for hospitality became the foundation of an extraordinary career that took him from England to some of the finest hospitality establishments in the United States.

Keep ReadingShow less

David A. Godding

David A. Godding

WINCHESTER — David A. Godding Sr., 82, of Winchester Center, Connecticut, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. He was the loving husband of Cheryl Godding for 36 years.

David was born Oct. 17, 1943, in Sharon, to the late Leonard and Gladys (Robertson) Godding.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

James D. Gold

James D. Gold

WEST CORNWALL­ — James D. Gold IV, age 37, of West Cornwall and Brooklyn, New York, passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2026 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City following a three-year battle with melanoma.

James was born Sept. 11, 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton where he spent his childhood. A child with unique and diverse interests, he twice represented his elementary school in the Massachusetts State Geography Bee, performed in numerous high school drama productions and competed on the ski team. From an early age, James had a passion for imaging and drawing buildings often sketching many versions until just perfect. He attended Middlebury College in Vermont graduating with a degree in architectural design. As a junior, he studied at the Ecole Speciale d’Architecture in Paris, became fluent in French and worked on the restoration of an historic chateau.

Keep ReadingShow less

Rock Paper Scissor

Rock Paper Scissor
Cartoon by Natalia Zukerman

Let's hear it — October 1, 2026

Let's hear it — October 1, 2026

This Week

With colder weather on the way, households across the region are starting to look ahead to the cost of keeping their homes warm this winter. Home heating oil prices have surged in recent months, with prices reaching record levels in several states. For households that rely on heating oil, those increases could make a significant difference in winter heating bills.

Are rising home heating oil costs a concern for you this year?

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.