Wreath-making workshops

Barbara Ellis and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5) made wreaths at Great Mountain Forest on Dec. 2.
Photo by Jennifer Almquist
Woodsmoke curling above the small, weathered barn and, within the faded green doors, the smell of fresh-cut pines and cider warming on the woodstove made a perfect setting for the annual wreath-making workshops at Great Mountain Forest (GMF) in Falls Village.
For decades, folks have enjoyed creating their seasonal masterpieces using evergreens, berries, and pine cones gathered from the woods nearby.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the first pair of workshops took place at the Mountain House Barn on Canaan Mountain Road under the expert guidance of GMF staff: director of programs and operations Matt Gallagher and office manager Vicki Muni Nelson. [The second set of workshops took place Saturday, Dec. 9.]
Participants in the wreath-making ranged from two women who learned about the workshops from a friend they met at Yellowstone to a local family with two young daughters, and to everyone’s delight, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5) and Barbara Ellis, her friend and campaign manager at Friends of Jahana Hayes, arrived ready to join the fun.
Gallagher welcomed the 20 or so wreath makers and explained the names and origins of the various pine branches lying on the rough floor in great piles. A blaze of red winterberries in a large bucket stood next to baskets filled with pine cones gathered from various types of conifers that grow in the GMF. There were large bows of various ribbons: red, shiny gold, brocades, patterns of vintage trucks, burgundy velvet, and even some reindeer images. The staff had made educational signs with the specific names of the conifers and cones, listed with their Latin names.
Muni Nelson demonstrated the methods of wreath making, which involved metal rings, spools of green garland wire, wire cutters, hot glue guns for adhering the cones, and wired stakes for the bows. A patient teacher, Muni Nelson worked with each maker during the session. A father and mother said they were making some good family memories. After some guidance, the two girls set right to work making their own wreaths that they held up proudly at the end.
Hayes said she was happy to spend time with her friend and, yes, have some personal time, which is in short supply. After another difficult vote in Congress the day before, Hayes felt respite in the barn working with her hands. She laughed as she twisted her greens with wire and created a festive bow: “You must know that I am very competitive, even with crafts!” Later, she wrote on her social media page: “I have found another CT-05 gem! Had a fabulous afternoon at Great Mountain Forest holiday wreath making workshop. Craft, laughs, and hot apple cider-a great way to get into the holiday spirit!”
Norfolk artist Bevin Ramsey came with his petite mother, Maureen, who had traveled from Ottawa to spend time with her family and celebrate a granddaughter’s birthday. The joy between them was contagious.
Each worktable was a flurry of activity. Ellen Walsh of Winchester Center showed off her steel-toed work boots as she tackled her huge wreath.
Journalist Avice Meehan chatted with Hayes, both having recently attended former Gov. Weicker’s memorial service. Meehan had been his press secretary. Susannah Wood from Norfolk worked solo, while Norfolk tax collector Sarah Bruso shared her table with Martha Mullins.
According to The New York Times in a Dec. 25, 1988, article: “Ancient Pagan people, endowing trees with spirit, sheltered the branches of life-preserving evergreens through the frozen winter. Early Romans gave gifts of green branches at New Year’s, bestowing the wish for health and vigor upon family and friends. The evergreen wreath its circular shape an emblem of perfection, unity, and the enduring sun-later became a symbol for Christ’s suffering. Evergreens embody eternal life. . . today’s wreaths communicate a sense of joy and a desire for peace.”
As they joined in spirit with an ancient, symbolic and traditional craft, the Norfolk makers proudly hung their wreaths on the gray barn walls for the group to admire. One by one, the jolly revelers walked away through the surrounding meadow bearing their festive wreaths home to grace their doors and windows.
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.
Gil met Sally, the love of his life, while attending Housatonic Valley Regional High School.He went on to attend Northwest Community College before serving in the United States Air Force. Professionally, he was the longtime owner of Universal Business Equipment in Bridgeport, a role he held with pride for more than 20 years.
Gil had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and was an avid golfer and fly fisherman. He also enjoyed birdwatching and gardening. Perhaps more than anything, Gil will be remembered for his love of cooking. He took great joy in preparing meals for family and friends. Right up until his final days, he was finding joy in discovering new ways to cook the vegetables he grew in his garden.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service at Stepney Baptist Church, 423 Main Street in Monroe on Tuesday, July 29at 11:00 a.m.
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit Gilbert’s tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com
The Millerton Village Offices on Route 22 north of the intersection with Route 44.
MILLERTON — The anticipated follow-up to the May 21 special meeting regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement will take place Tuesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Legal counsel for the village is expected to attend.
At the May meeting, nearly 20 residents and community members urged the village board to adopt a local law limiting cooperation between Millerton’s police and ICE, aiming to protect immigrants, including undocumented individuals. While no resolution was reached, Mayor Jenn Najdek committed to holding a follow-up meeting where village legal counsel would be present to help clarify questions and explore the proposal in more depth.
The May meeting featured passionate community input stressing the moral and legal importance of clear local guidelines on ICE cooperation, balanced against concerns from officials about potential budget strains and the risk of losing federal infrastructure funding.
According to the agenda released by the village, the ICE discussion is slated to occur early in the meeting. Other key items include a public hearing on Local Law X — intended to expand eligibility for planning and zoning board positions to residents of Dutchess County — and a resolution to approve a recreation contract with the Town of North East.
The meeting is open to the public and will take place at the village offices at 5933 N. Elm Ave.
Author and cartoonist Peter Steiner signed books at Sharon Summer Book Signing last summer.
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.
The event will include a selection of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by eight festive author dinners where writers will read and discuss their work one-on-one with attendees.
Saturday will feature a new Page to Plate program that merges the literary and culinary worlds. Just as writing is a practice of patience and love, so too is the art of cooking. Cookbooks and food writing make cooking teachable to those excited to learn and celebrate the art of a perfect meal.
Through a combination of demonstrations and conversations, acclaimed cookbook authors and chefs will cover a variety of delicious topics. Highlights include a discussion with Chris Morocco, food director of “Bon Appetit” magazine and “Epicurious.” Sharon resident and chef Jessie Sheehan will demonstrate recipes from her cookbook “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy, Savory Recipes for 24/7 Deliciousness.”
With the combination of vetted recipes and thorough discussion from food experts, attendees are sure to leave knowing how to cultivate the ultimate act of service: the gift of a full stomach.
Sunday will be brunch at a private Sharon residence hosted by Graham Klemm and Cody O’Kelly to celebrate author Carolyn Klemm and her cookbook “Culinary Collection: Favorite Country Recipes.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hotchkisslibraryofsharon.org
All proceeds support the programs at The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon.
Ukraine Emergency Fundraiser at The Stissing Center in 2022 raised over $120,000 for Sunflower of Peace.
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.”
Sponsored by the Town of Stanford, Friends of Ukraine, L.E. Design LLC, Bartelby & Sage, Oblong Books and Borshch of Art, the fundraiser will host the recitation of war-time Ukrainian poetry. Readings will include the works of Vasyl Sagaydak, Oksana Lutsyshyna, Serhiy Zhadan, Victoria Amelina, Marjana Savka, Ostap Slyvynsky, and Mariana Harahonych.
“Poems are fishhooks into our souls,” added Mark Lagus, another event organizer, explaining why poetry was chosen for the main event.
Guests will also enjoy a performance by Ukrainian Village Voices, a New York City- based band dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Ukraining Folk music. The evening will also feature speakers Jed Sunden and Maria Genkin, along with a live auction. Food and drink will be provided by Bartelby & Sage, a sustainable, local and female-owned company.
All ticket proceeds, bids, and donations will go directly to Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit. Razom, meaning “together” in Ukrainian, has the mission of “contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous and democratic Ukraine,” through “creating, inspiring, and collaborating on initiatives that motivate people to think, partner and do.”
Tickets, donation opportunities, and more information are all available by visiting www.wordsfromukraine.org