memorial day

Amenia honors the sacrifice of the fallen on Memorial Day

Amenia honors the sacrifice of the fallen on Memorial Day

A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held at Town Hall due to forecasts of rain. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from local VFW post #5444. A solo performance of the national anthem was provided by Joseph Sobol.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Veterans, townspeople and children gathered on Monday, May 27, for a traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Prayers, speeches and patriotic music brought the community together to remember.

Usually held at Fountain Square, this year’s observance was moved indoors to the Town Hall because of rain. The event was organized by VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains.

The ceremony began promptly at 11 a.m. with an Honor Guard presenting the colors.

VFW Commander Nick Woodard welcomed the more than 100 who gathered in the Town Hall auditorium, to honor the memory of the brave men and women who answered the call to duty.

“Those who served left farms, friends and loved ones,” Town Supervisor Leo Blackman remembered, citing the responsibility borne by all to maintain freedoms. He noted that Amenia’s Memorial Wall at Fountain Square holds the names of all the honored who sacrificed.

“We gather again to honor and reinforce patriotic values,” Blackman said.

Joseph Sobol presented a folk rendition of the national anthem.

Speaking of the depth of national gratitude, the Rev. A.J. Stack of St. Thomas Episcopal Church asked for kindling of the flame of unwavering devotion to duty that preserved the peace and tranquility of the nation.

A closing prayer was offered by the Rev. R. Kent Wilson of Immaculate Conception Church remembered the fallen as having given the most precious gift for others and for us. He asked that their memory be honored by ensuring that their comrades are cared for.

“May we never forget what they have done,” Rev. Wilson said.

In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Community Enhancement Committee, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and members of Post #5444.

memorial day

Latest News

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

AMENIA — The concept of “rewilding” the environment will be the focus of a discussion at Troutbeck in Amenia on Saturday, Nov. 8, featuring environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and Dr. Joshua R. Ginsberg, president of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The program begins at 3 p.m.

Admission is free, but registration is requested. Troutbeck encourages attendees to arrive early for lunch or stay afterward for dinner in its dining room.

Keep ReadingShow less
environment and conservation

Route 44 to be reduced to one lane of traffic for water leak repair in Millerton

Route 44 to be reduced to one lane of traffic for water leak repair in Millerton

Water from the damaged pipe has bubbled up to the surface of Route 44 near Park Avenue in Millerton on Monday, Nov. 3. Water department crews are expected to repair the leak between 5 p.m. and midnight.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Drivers passing through Millerton should expect delays on Main Street/Route 44 around Park Avenue as a Water Department crew works to repair a leak under the westbound lane.

Interim Superintendent of Public Works Joe Olenik said the work will begin around 5 p.m. tonight, Nov. 3, and he expects repairs to be finished by midnight. “There’s concrete under that, so it’s going to take a little longer,” Olenik said, pointing to a picture of the puddle that has accumulated on Route 44 because of the leak. “It’s not just blacktop and dirt.”

Keep ReadingShow less
traffic

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.

The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.

Keep ReadingShow less
water department

Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

A preliminary draft of an impact analysis study for a Keane Stud subdivision application drew residents to a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Photo by leila Hawken

AMENIA — Residents had the opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to weigh in on the proposed Keane Stud subdivision, a plan that would divide roughly 605 acres into 27 mostly residential lots, during a meeting of the Amenia Planning Board.

The session was part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, following the board’s decision that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared to evaluate potential environmental and scenic impacts from the project.

Keep ReadingShow less
planning board