To envision a stable Sharon Hospital of the future, the leadership team and board of directors have partnered with the Foundation for Community Health to study the development of a sustainable healthcare model to support medical needs in northwest Connecticut and northeast New York for years to come.

Intending to identify realistic and implementable best practices for the delivery of care in rural communities, the report will examine the demand for services and programs, in addition to fiscal and operational performance evaluations. With consideration for historic, current and anticipated community need, the review will also include insights from recent interviews and previous community health needs assessments, town halls, public hearings and the many community meetings held over the past 18 months.

The study is led by Stroudwater Associates, a private healthcare consulting firm that helps strengthen the vital role of hospitals and clinics in rural America across strategic, financial, clinical and operational areas.

“We share an obligation to improve the region’s quality of life with comprehensive programs that support our rural communities,” said Dr. Mark Hirko, president of the hospital. “This collaboration is an innovative step to ensure Sharon Hospital delivers sustainable care for the foreseeable future.”

Survey data, to be shared with the community upon completion, will offer key guidance as Sharon Hospital looks to adapt an operational and financially viable model of care aligned with best practices for rural hospitals.

“It is our hope that this study results in the development of an actionable plan for Sharon Hospital that will ensure its resiliency, enhance its responsiveness to the community and allow it to continue to play its historically critical role as an anchor for all healthcare services,” said Nancy Heaton, CEO for the Foundation for Community Health.

As the hospital and community work to evolve beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges, the study will bridge knowledge about barriers, trends and determinants to healthcare access in rural areas, such as proximity, affordability, utilization, resources, socioeconomic status and population demographics.

Legislative Office Building, Room 4000

Two years ago Hudson River Housing in Poughkeepsie held a workshop for folks in Northeastern Dutchess County on affordable housing issues. They had not had much of presence here, and wanted to assist us in providing housing options. About a year ago we formed the “Tri-Town Coalition”, and established local committees in Amenia, Millerton/NE, and Pine Plains, to focus on the specifics of realizing this goal, which is stressed in each of our Comprehensive Plans. I should note that all of the towns also lack a water-water system, which limits the density of development (both residential and economic). Millerton & Pine Plains have been quicker to begin that process, but Amenia is awaiting a grant to hire their same engineer. However, Amenia has been first out of the gate in developing a survey of local housing needs. We sent out postcards to all residents, and have been delivering flyers to local businesses for their employees. The intent is to reach all those who live OR work in Amenia. The survey went live on our website (ameniany.gov; at very top of page) w/a paper option via box outside Town Hall Once we tabulate the results (after April 27th), plan to share our findings with the Amenia Town, Planning & Zoning Boards. Then we will make plans for a public Listening Session, to place the need in context locally, present our findings, answer questions and solicit comment. Our intent is to tailor a solution very specific to working folk here.

Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides skilled nursing, specialized care for those with short term rehab, long term care, memory impairment, or compassionate end of life care.

We care for families too! Paperwork support for families trying to navigate the maze of Medicare parts A, B, C, D and Medicaid, supplemental insurance, referrals, regulations, deductibles and co-pays.

Commemorate Earth Day with Food and Climate: The Path Forward

Presented by Katy Kinsolving

Observe Earth Day this year by joining us for Food and Climate: The Path Forward, an eye-opening program that will examine how our food and agricultural systems contribute to climate change. Presented by Katy Kinsolving, Food and Climate will also explore how the changing climate will impact the way we grow food. The talk concludes with an exploration of nature-based means of mitigating the impacts of climate change through individual action.

NOTE: Spring Term is open for Registration!

TLC is a non-profit membership organization providing the opportunity for lifelong learning to residents of the Northwest Corner of Connecticut and adjacent communities in New York and Massachusetts.

TLC's courses cover a wide variety of academic subjects taught by volunteers, all experts in their fields. Click on Course Listings on the left to see what courses we offer.

Annual membership dues of $60 per person are fully tax-deductible. There are no other set fees. Individuals may sign up for any number of courses. Classes lasting two hours are held once a week at one of our three conveniently located venues. [Note: During the pandemic, all courses will be conducted via Zoom.]

Attendees are free to come and go as they like; there are no exams. Those taking advantage of TLC's program will rekindle the excitement of learning, expand their horizons, be able to share their knowledge, have fun and make new friends.

TLC is a wonderful way to stay involved and well informed. Join today! For more information, click on an item on the left, or contact us by mail or by phone.

Taconic Learning Center, Inc.

Click Here to go to online Registration,

Sat, Apr 10th @ 10:00am ZOOM Presentation

The exhibition SMALL TOWN, BIG TALK is aimed at creating and strengthening relationships among the residents of the second-smallest town in the Nutmeg state. This civic art project will feature portrait photography by Rebecca Bloomfield, paired with insightful quotes from interviews conducted by Adam Sher. Supported by a grant from Bridging Divides, Healing Communities--a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the exhibition is free and open to the public during library operating hours and online at huntlibrary.org/art-wall. 

With the advent of ever-present social media, actual real-world

civic engagement among neighbors has diminished in every community and made

worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. Falls Village residents Rebecca

Bloomfield, Adam Sher, and Meg Sher were eager to re-engage their fellow

townsfolk and forge new friendships and understanding across social, racial,

and class divides. To move beyond small talk, a series of “big talk”

questions was developed to engage subjects’ world views and personal

philosophies. A public call for subjects was made and respondents were

scheduled for socially distanced outdoor photo and interview sessions.

Rebecca Bloomfield, the project’s photographer, found that she

was thinking a lot about vulnerability while the interviews were being conducted. “It’s

so rare that we get past small talk with our neighbors, and I think it’s rare

because it’s vulnerable to ask the questions in the first place, let alone open

up and answer them.”

Interviewer Adam Sher, an educator and community organizer, says,

"There is a lot of talk about unity these days, but even in small towns

unity is elusive, and perhaps impossible without experiencing our diversity of

thought and feeling.”