Chess anyone? June 14 plein air chess in Wassaic

WASSAIC — Just steps away from exuberant cheers ongoing at the finish line for RattleSnake Run on Saturday, June 14, visitors can find a more subdued ambiance by observing or participating in open-air chess matches in the space between the General Store and The Lantern.

The first-ever Community Simultaneous Chess Game will begin at 3 p.m., intended for children who are at least eight years of age and adults. The number of players is limited to the first 16 who sign up. Sixteen chess boards will be set up with chess pieces, with a single registrant seated at each board. Amenia resident Bill Kroeger will be the opposing player at all 16 chess boards, offering instruction, encouragement, or masterful strategic play, determined by skill level.

All experience levels are welcome. To sign up, stop in or phone the General Store at 845-373-7735 during open hours between 2:30 and 6 p.m. daily. The event is free and there are no prizes except the satisfaction of having participated. Organizers indicate that if the Community Simultaneous Chess is successful, it may become an annual event.

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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.

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“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.”

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