Amenia's inaugural open mic night
Local favorite Judy Westfall performed a selection of songs made popular by John Denver.
Photo by Leila Hawken
Organizer John Nowak, master of ceremonies, kept things on track and even performed as one of the acts that included song, poetry, sing-along, and storytelling. Photo by Leila Hawken
Ken Topolsky shared a story reflecting on his early years and formative parental influence.Photo by Leila Hawken
Latest News
The season of thanks
Nov 25, 2025
With the end of the year approaching, it’s a good moment to look at the work in front of us and the community that makes it possible.
Local news exists only because a community chooses to support it. Throughout the week, readers pick up the paper or read us online. They call, email, send photos, share tips, and ask questions. They tell us what matters in their towns and trust us to report it accurately and fairly. That trust is the foundation of what we do.
We’re grateful for our readers — those who have been with us for decades and those who are just joining us. We’re grateful for the people who answer our reporters’ questions, even when the stories are complicated. And we’re grateful for advertisers who continue to invest locally and understand the role a regional newspaper plays in community life.
We’re also grateful for the commitment this region has shown to supporting independent local journalism. Donor support helps us keep local government visible, cover schools, and report on the everyday moments that shape life here. It also allows us to invest in the next generation through our summer internships and our high school journalism program, where students learn by doing real reporting.
And, of course, we’re grateful for the people inside the paper — reporters, editors, designers, photographers, drivers, and staff who work to help you stay informed and connected.
As we enter the season of gratitude, we want to say this plainly: thank you for reading, for engaging, and for believing that our towns deserve strong local news.
Your support is vital
This weekend we presented the Estabrook Community Leadership Award to Bunny Williams, who has spent decades working to better our communities, at our Jubilee reception. (Click here for coverage.)
As Bunny noted in her remarks, “What I learned is that the best part of this community — as beautiful as it is — is the people.”
Thank you to everyone who helped make our event a success.
This edition also marks the launch of our annual appeal. Enclosed you’ll find a pre-addressed envelope and letter, or you can donate online at lakevillejournal.com/donate.
We look forward to another year of telling the stories of this region — and we’re grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.
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Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller
AMENIA — The Amenia Housing Board on Nov. 20 outlined a list of questions it wants answered before issuing its required recommendation to the Town Board on the Cascade Creek workforce housing proposal.
Proposed as a conservation subdivision by the nonprofit Hudson River Housing (HRH) of Poughkeepsie, the Cascade Creek project calls for building homes on 28 lots served by shared water and septic systems.
Before issuing its recommendation, the Housing Board agreed it must first hear back from the Town Board on several points. Housing Board member Juan Torres raised concerns about bonding for the planned shared utilities, questioning who would be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the systems.
“If the water fails and the development needs $1 million to repair it, who pays?” Torres asked, noting that the development’s residents would have limited resources. The board also added a question about the process that would apply in the event of a default.
Torres sought additional detail on resale restrictions for homeowners who may wish to sell and profit from the sale.
Housing Board member Josh Frankel raised design-related concerns, seeking assurances that the subdivision would include a variety of home styles. Board chairman Charlie Miller also said he would want clarification on the methodology for selecting homeowners.
Roughly 30 residents attended the Planning Board meeting, and most voiced concerns about various aspects of the Cascade Creek proposal. During public comment, several speakers questioned whether the development’s tax assessments would be lower than those of comparable homes elsewhere in Amenia.
Others worried that an influx of new families would increase enrollment in the school district, leading to larger class sizes and higher educational costs. Some residents feared the project could lower surrounding property values.
Concerns were also raised about fire safety, with a few speakers warning that homes built in close proximity could make it easier for a fire to spread.
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Dutchess County Sheriff's sub-station on Route 22 south of Amenia, New York.
Archive photo
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Harlem Valley area activity reportNov. 13 through Nov. 20
Nov. 16 — Deputies responded to 38 S. Center St. in Millerton for a reported ] family domestic disturbance at that location. Matter resolved without any further police intervention.
Nov. 16 — Deputies responded to 18 N. Railroad Ave. in Dover to investigate a disturbance later determined to be a domestic dispute. Matter resolved without further police intervention.
Nov. 17 — Deputies responded to the area of 239 Route 292 in Pawling to investigate a property damage automobile accident.Investigation at the scene resulted in the arrest of LaurenPluss, age 26, for DWI.Pluss to appear in the Town of Pawling court at a later date .
PLEASE NOTE:All subjects arrested and charged are alleged to have committed the crime and are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are to appear in local courts later.
If you have any information relative to the aforementioned criminal cases, or any other suspected criminal activity please contact the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 845 605 CLUE (2583) or email dcsotips@gmail.com.All information will be kept confidential.
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Overlooking Copake Lake, 403 Lakeview Road includes a private dock just across the road. The home sold for $789,000, recorded on Oct. 7, making it the month’s highest-priced transfer in Copake.
Photo by Christine Bates
COPAKE — October was another busy month in Copake, with seven transfers recorded, ranging from $14,000 for a small lot in Taconic Shores to a $789,000 lakefront home.
The number of pending and contingent sales indicates that buyer demand remains strong and the market is steady. In mid-November, 21 homes were on the market: eight priced under $500,000, eight between $500,000 and $1 million, and five above $1 million, with the median list price hovering around $600,000.
Transactions
23 Maple Lane — 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch on 1.49 acres sold by Laura S. Carfi to Kevin, Gloria and Reagan Anderson for $545,000.
1024 Lakeview Road — 3 bedroom/3 bath lakefront home on .24 acres sold by Roger and Diana Maglio as Trustee and Maglio Family Trust to Phoebe Melley for $700,000.
7 Memory Lane — 2 bedroom/2 bath house on .5 acres sold by Ryan Sloan to Catherine and David Dibari for $640,000.
State Route 23 (Tax ID 144.-1-21) — 1.5 acres of vacant land sold by David Birch as Trustee, David Birch Revocable Trust by Trustee and David Birch Living Trust by Trustee to Ricardo J. Martino for $14,000.
7926 State Route 22 — 3 bedroom/2 bath mobile home on 1 acre sold by Carol Loffman by Attorney and William T. Sinclair as Attorney to Joshua and Emily Weaver for $185,000.
403 Lakeview Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on small lot sold by Joseph and Jennifer Fodera to Matthew F. Nolan Jr. for $789,000.
119 Old Route 22 — 3 bedroom/1 bath home on 2.3 acres sold by Judith G. Blevins to James R. Maher Jr. as Trustee, Deborah B. Mayer as Trustee and the Maher Family Trust for $205,000.
*October Town of Copake real estate recorded as sold with consideration is derived from Columbia County public deed transfers with property details from SDQ Imagemate. Market data and active listings data reported from realtor.com as of Nov. 18, 2025. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
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