Howard R. Baird, Sr.


SHARON — Howard R. Baird, Sr., of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully Nov. 19, 2025. He was born in Barton, Vermont, on May 3, 1939, to the late Ray and Mary Louise (Bean) Baird. Howard worked hard all of his life, from farming to Purina feed to a highway department employee in New Milford, before moving to Sharon. He then continued to work with the Sharon Highway Department until his retirement in 2001 after 27 years of service. After retirement, he worked for Up Country Services with his daughter, Melissa and son- in- law, Don.
In July of 1961, he married Anita Barney and together they raised six children. Howard enjoyed fishing and family get-togethers. His passion was his vegetable gardens. He was also a social member with the Hillsdale Fire Department in Hillsdale, New York.
Howard is survived by Anita Baird; his daughters Sharon (Steven) Hotchkiss, Wina Briggs, Melissa (Don) Hosier, Natalie (James Jr.) Conklin and Lori (Larry) Conklin;fifteen grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren and ten great great grandchildren; in addition, his brothers, Ernest (Gail) Baird, Clement (Margaret) Baird, Clinton (Amy) Baird, Carl (Brenda) Baird, sisters, Ruby Barney and Mary (Keith) Tomlinson, his nieces, nephews and many cousins.
He is predeceased by his parents; a son, Howard Russell Baird; a grandson, Dylan James Conklin; his brothers, Theodore and Rupert Baird and sister, Dorothy (Williams) Dallas.
A time to share memories and offer condolences will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 8063 Route 22, Copake, NY. where a funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Hillsdale Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sharon Fire and Rescue, PO Box 357, Sharon, CT 06069 or to AFSP OOTD Walk Berkshire County for Dylan’s Eagles. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.peckandpeck.net
Le Petit Ranch offers animal-assisted therapy and learning programs for children and seniors in Sheffield.
Le Petit Ranch, a nonprofit offering animal-assisted therapy and learning programs, opened in April at 147 Bears Den Road in Sheffield. Founded by Marjorie Borreda, the center provides programs for children, families and seniors using miniature horses, rescued greyhounds, guinea pigs and chickens.
Borreda, who moved to Sheffield with her husband, Mitch Moulton, and their two children to be closer to his family, has transformed her longtime love of animals into her career. She completed certifications in animal-assisted therapy and coaching in 2023, along with coursework in psychiatry, psychology, literacy and veterinary skills.
Le Petit Ranch operates out of two small structures next to the family’s home: a one-room schoolhouse for animal-assisted learning sessions and a compact stable for the three miniature horses, Mini Mac, Rocket and Miso. Other partner animals include two rescued Spanish greyhounds, Yayi and Ronya; four guinea pigs and a flock of chickens.
Borreda offers programs at the Scoville Library in Salisbury, at Salisbury Central School and surrounding towns to support those who benefit from non-traditional learning environments.
“Animal-assisted education partners with animals to support learning in math, reading, writing, language and physical education,” she said. One activity, equimotricité, has children lead miniature horses through obstacle courses to build autonomy, confidence and motor skills.

She also brings her greyhounds into schools for a “min vet clinic,” a workshop that turns lessons on dog biology and measuring skills into hands-on, movement-based learning. A separate dog-bite prevention workshop teaches children how to read canine body language and respond calmly.
Parents and teachers report strong results. More than 90% of parents observed greater empathy, reduced anxiety, increased self-confidence and improved communication and cooperation in their children, and every parent said animal-assisted education made school more enjoyable — with many calling it “the highlight of their week.”

Le Petit Ranch also serves seniors, including nursing home residents experiencing depression, social withdrawal or reduced physical activity. Weekly small-group sessions with animals can stimulate cognitive function and improve motor skills, balance and mobility.
Families can visit Le Petit Ranch for animal- assisted afterschool sessions, Frech immersion or family walks. She also offers programs for schools, libraries, community centers, churches, senior centers and nursing homes.
For more information, email info@lepetitranch.com, visit lepetitranch.com, follow @le.petit.ranch on Instagram or call 413-200-8081.
By any other name, it’s still as sweet. Robin’s Candy in Great Barrington re-branded as Coco’s.
Robin’s Candy, the iconic Main Street candy shop in Great Barrington, has a new name, a refreshed look and a new owner. Now rebranded as Coco’s Candy, the beloved destination continues to offer its signature mix of nostalgic favorites and modern sweets.
The new owner, Elise Contarsy, who purchased the store from founder Robin Helfand in June, said stepping into ownership felt natural after being a customer for more than 15 years. “I was excited about the shopping experience she had built and the possibilities for the shop going forward,” she said.
Coco’s Candy is named for Contarsy’s poodle, Uncle Coconut, affectionately called Coco. “He’s the uncle of Sammy and George, our friend’s poodles,” said Contarsy. “We call him Coco for short.”
While the shop has been updated with a fresh look and an evolving assortment of candy, Contarsy said the heart of the experience remains the same. Coco’s will continue its mix of nostalgic treats and contemporary confections, along with the local chocolates and imported licorice that have long made the shop a destination. “Would you be surprised if I said licorice is my favorite candy?” she added.
Holiday shoppers will find plenty to explore this season, from treats offered for a limited-time only and fun-size classics to stocking stuffers available only during the holidays. The store will also be open seven days a week from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 for all your sweet tooth needs.
“Our goal is to continue being a joyful part of the community,” Contarsy said. “Whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming in to check out the new look, we’re excited to welcome you to Coco’s Candy.”
Coco’s Candy is located at 288 Main St. in Great Barrington. Visit www.cocoscandy.co.
MILLERTON — After a brief, one-minute public hearing that drew no comments, the North East Town Board unanimously adopted its 2026 budget on Thursday, Nov. 13, incorporating two final adjustments totaling $20,000.
Supervisor Chris Kennan proposed the additions before the vote. The first was a $5,000 line item to support the Village of Millerton’s upcoming 175th anniversary celebration. The second was a $15,000 allocation to hire a grant writer to prepare a 2026 New York Forward Grant application to support the town-village wastewater project.
“The village is in the center of the town,” said Kennan, who called the village’s request for support toward the milestone anniversary “reasonable.” He acknowledged the overall cost of the celebration will be well above the $5,000 mark. In addition, the town has been asked to run a volunteer event and Kennan, an avid runner, will work to organize a “fun run.”
Efforts to apply for a New York Forward Grant, an unmatched grant from the state for $4.5 million awarded to communities in the mid-Hudson region, would significantly bolster the town and village’s long-term efforts to support the wastewater project. “I think we need some professional help,” said Kennan, adding that he believes the town stands a very good chance of being selected. If unused, the funds will revert back into the budget.
These adjustments were only introduced at the Nov. 13 meeting because state rules prohibit changes between the public hearing notice and the hearing itself. Both items passed unanimously, adding the combined $20,000 to the 2026 budget.
The preliminary spending plan totaled $5,043,192, an increase of about 2.7% over the 2025 budget. With the two additions, the final adopted budget stands at $5,063,192, a 3.2% increase over the 2025 budget.
Once again, Kennan highlighted the steep rise in emergency medical services (EMS) spending. The town’s ambulance line will climb from $511,558 to $696,345, a 36.1% increase and the largest year-over-year jump in the budget.
“This is the only choice we have,” Kennan said. “The alternative choice is we don’t have an ambulance and we let people figure it out.” Several towns in the region follow that model – they rely solely on volunteers and neighboring communities that pay for contracted services.
Kennan noted that North East has the smallest population of the three towns that share a contract with Empress EMS – along with Amenia and Dover Plains – yet pays the highest rate. Costs have escalated under the multi-year contract signed in 2024, though officials initially hoped that there would be ways to reduce costs.
After Empress acquired Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) earlier this year, Kennan confirmed the incoming company committed to honoring the existing contract through 2026.
While a long-term solution remains elusive, Kennan said he and other elected officials are playing the long game and raising the issue at every level of government.
Kennan also said the town faced rising costs across several budget lines, including insurance, auto equipment, New York State Retirement, a 6.5% increase in health insurance, an additional $50,000 increase for the NorthEast-Millerton Library following its successful 414 funding referendum, and data processing expenses.
The town will continue its annual support of the North East Community Center with a $5,000 contract and a $500 contribution to the center’s transportation program.
“I think we’ve done the best we could to try to bring this down,” Kennan said of the adopted budget.
The Joint Chiefs will perform at The Center on Main in Falls Village on Nov. 29
Local folk heroes the Joint Chiefs will visit the Center on Main in Falls Village on Saturday, Nov. 29, for a special concert. The band has been a linchpin of the Berkshire music scene for more than three decades, and founding member Eliot Osborn feels a special kinship with next week’s venue. “It’s a community space, and the Joint Chiefs are really a community band.”
It all started in northwest Connecticut. The group began playing together regularly in the mid-1990s and steadily amassed a devoted following in the area’s folk and country music circles. With a handful of studio and live albums at their disposal, this week’s audience can expect a little of everything. “People have been listening to us for so long now that we’re part of their nostalgia,” said Louise Lindenmeyr, the band’s mandolinist. “It’s almost like we’re part of their scrapbook — everybody’s just chiming right in.”
Lindenmeyr also plays the button-box accordion and sings. But she’s not the only one. Rich, complex harmonies have always been one of the Joint Chiefs’ calling cards, but lead vocals are a shared responsibility. Their instruments are always changing hands. “Music is always evolving in a healthy environment,” said Osborn. “It has to change and grow. What has stayed the same is that nobody’s really in charge. That’s why we chose the name the Joint Chiefs. There isn’t one person who dictates the musical direction.”
Guitarist George Potts and percussionist Diana Harold round out the group. The Center on Main show promises songs old and new, a welcoming holiday spirit and some of the region’s best local musicians.
The Center on Main is at 103 Main St., Falls Village. Admission is $15 at the door and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Graham Corrigan is a writer and musician from Philadelphia currently living in Lakeville.