Sharon Farmhouse Subject of New Design Book

Rizzoli New York, a leader in publishing stately, glossy tomes exploring architecture, interiors, and the decorative arts, has often sought inspiration for its magnificently photographed coffee table books in the rural countryside outside of New York City. In the past, Rizzoli has worked with Bunny Williams of Falls Village, Conn., on "Life in the Garden," Carolyne Roehm of Sharon, Conn., on "Design & Style: A Constant Thread," and Gil Schafer of Millbrook, N.Y., on "A Place to Call Home: Tradition, Style, and Memory in the New American House." Now, a new monolith released this fall focuses on the work of the 2023 Elle Decor A Listed multidisciplinary architecture and interior design firm Hendricks Churchill, founded by husband and wife team Rafe Churchill and Heide Hendricks. "Our Way Home: Reimagining an American Farmhouse," photographed by Chris Mottalini, takes an inside look into the couple's own renovated historic home, Ellsworth, a white clapboard that stands on what was once a 19th-century dairy farm in Sharon. It demonstrates the pair's exhaustive work for the most demanding and knowledgeable client possible — themselves. 

"With Ellsworth, it was important for us to use the furniture that we had accumulated over our long relationship and different houses we've designed — our twentieth anniversary is coming up," Hendricks said at a launch event and Q&A for the book held at The White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Conn., on Oct. 5, hosted by Oblong Books in Millerton, N.Y. She and Churchill were there in conversation with Jessie Sheehan, a cookbook author of "Snackable Bites" and "The Vintage Baker," whose home in Sharon was Hendricks' first project as an interior designer, kicking off her career. "With each one of these homes we've renovated for ourselves, there was something unique to the property, and I would be very sentimental. It's really hard for me to move on, whereas Rafe is always looking ahead to the next one."

Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill are a husband and wife architecture and design team who have revitalized several historic Sharon homes. Photo Rizzoli/Chris Mottalini

Latest News

Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker

WINSTED — Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Jan. 18, 1948, in Winsted, Connecticut to Gilbert and Alta (Bierce) Schoonmaker, Gil spent four decades enjoying life on Highland Lake before settling in Monroe.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally (Gustafson) Schoonmaker, and his two daughters, Lynn Sindland and her husband Lee of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Deb Pikiell and her husband Tim of Bristol, Connecticut. Gil was a proud grandfather to Ozzie, Tommy, Betsy, Katie, George, Lucy, Maddie, Joey, and Julia, and he cherished his time with his eight great-grandchildren. Gilbert leaves behind his siblings Ann, Gary, Gail, Jan, and Tim.

Keep ReadingShow less
Books and bites beckon at the upcoming Sharon Summer Book Signing

Author and cartoonist Peter Steiner signed books at Sharon Summer Book Signing last summer.

Photo by Stephanie Stanton

The 27th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 3, at noon.

Friday’s festivities will honor libraries and the power of the written word. In attendance will be 29 locally and nationally recognized authors whose books will be for sale. With a wide array of genres including historical fiction, satire, thrillers, young adult and non-fiction, there will be something for every reader.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from Ukraine to America come to Stissing Center July 27

Ukraine Emergency Fundraiser at The Stissing Center in 2022 raised over $120,000 for Sunflower of Peace.

Photo by Michael Churton

The spirit of Ukraine will be on display at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains on Sunday, July 27. Beginning at 5 p.m., the “Words to America from Ukraine” fundraiser is set to showcase the simultaneous beauty of Ukrainian culture and the war-time turmoil it faces, all the while fundraising in support of Ukrainian freedom.

“Words to America from Ukraine” aims to remind and spread awareness for the suffering that often gets forgotten by those who live in comfortable worlds, explained Leevi Ernits, an organizer for the event. “We are trying to make an attempt to remind people that we are human, and we are connected with human values,” she said. “With very few words, poetry can express very deep values.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Grumbling Gryphons’ set to celebrate 45th anniversary with gala and summer theater camp

Celebrating its 45th year, the Grumbling Gryphons will perform at HVRHS Friday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.

Photo provided

The Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater is preparing to celebrate its 45th year — not with fanfare, but with feathers, fabric, myth, chant, and a gala finale bursting with young performers and seasoned artists alike.

The Gryphons’ 2025 Summer Theater Arts Camp begins July 28 and culminates in a one-night-only performance gala at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Friday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. Founder, playwright, and artistic director, Leslie Elias has been weaving together the worlds of myth, movement and theater for decades.

Keep ReadingShow less