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Celebratory times at St. Joseph’s-Immaculate Conception Church

Celebratory times at  St. Joseph’s-Immaculate Conception Church
Father Hartley Bancroft III prepared to cut the cake that celebrated his formal installation as pastor at St. Joseph’s-Immaculate Conception Church in Millbrook on Thursday, Sept. 9. He’s been leading the church since January 2020.
Photo by Aneta Miller.

MILLBROOK — On Thursday, Sept. 9, New York Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Geraldo Colacicco, former rector of  St. Joseph’s-Immaculate Conception Church in Millbrook, oversaw the installation of Father Hartley Bancroft III  as the pastor of the parish. 

Father Bancroft came to the church on Jan. 1, 2020, and is already much beloved by the parishioners, having managed adroitly over the church during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More than 200 parishioners attended the evening installation during Mass for the 33-year-old priest, including his father, mother and godfather.

-— Judith O’Hara Balfe

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Swingtime Canteen to close with 4th of July spectacular

The all-female cast of Swingtime Canteen prepares to wave goodbye after bringing WWII-era music and stories to the stage. The special July 4 performance is among Sharon’s holiday festivities.

Photo by Jennifer Zmuda, Courtesy of Sharon Playhouse

SHARON, Conn. – Swingtime Canteen will go out with a bang after the Fourth of July, with the Sharon Playhouse’s patriotic season opener set to close Sunday, July 5. With a handful of shows remaining, the all-female cast reflected on the importance of centering women in a WWII story, their favorite moments in the production, and their go-to local haunts while staying in the Northwest Corner.

Sitting on the vibrant stage bedecked with stars, stripes and life-sized WWII-era posters, the cast took turns talking about the relevance of the show as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary.

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At 95, Elyse Harney celebrated with Honorary Doctorate

Elyse Deublein Harney (center) celebrates with Keith Harney, Elyse Harney Morris, Paul Harney and Michael Harney after receiving an honorary doctorate from St. Joseph’s University.

Provided

On May 19, Elyse Deublein Harney returned to St. Joseph’s University in New York City, her alma mater, where she graduated in 1952. Before the crowd gathered for the university’s 107th commencement ceremony, the Salisbury resident, entrepreneur and community leader received an honorary doctorate and delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2026.

The recognition arrives at a meaningful moment for the Harney family. In February 2027, Elyse Harney Real Estate will celebrate its 40th anniversary, joining Harney & Sons Fine Teas, co-founded by Elyse and her husband, John, in 1983, as one of two enduring family businesses that have shaped both the region and the family’s legacy.

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The Renaissance spirit of Pilar Proffitt

The Renaissance spirit of Pilar Proffitt
The Renaissance spirit of Pilar Proffitt
The Renaissance spirit of Pilar Proffitt
Think logically and then break the mold with creativity.
— Pilar Proffitt

Pilar Proffitt is forging a remarkable artistic path grounded in her long history in Northwest Connecticut. Proffitt is a true Renaissance woman with a quirky sense of humor — a visual artist, architect, designer of interiors, furniture and products, and curator of home furnishings.

Her latest grand project is still quite literally under wraps. Large windows obscured by construction paper on a bustling avenue in Manhattan prevent passersby from peeking into the 15-story boutique hotel designed and furnished by Proffitt for an international hotel group, which is nearing completion. The hotel’s lobby, restaurant, common areas and rooms stand out for their attention to design — from the furnishings, colors and fabrics to the mosaic floor tiles, hardware, wrought-iron gates and stairs, selection of antique books, and the art on the walls. The collection includes paintings by Proffitt, photographs by Wassaic Project co-Executive Director Jeff Barnett-Winsby, time-lapse photography by Xan Padron and classics from the Warhol Factory.

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Take a trip to WWII England with the Sharon Playhouse’s ‘Swingtime Canteen’

The set for “Swingtime Canteen” transports the audience to WWII London.

D.H. Callahan

Dateline: 1944. A platoon of our boys are stationed in London, waiting to be sent to the mainland to fight the Axis powers and liberate Europe. While they wait, a group of glamorous gals from Hollywood are sent over to distract them with singing, dancing and a few memories of home.

That’s the scene at “Swingtime Canteen,” the new production now on stage at the Sharon Playhouse.

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