WASSAIC — With the call for racial justice and equality growing stronger, people far and wide have sought to promote radical change these last few weeks, collaborating together on both an individual and community level in a united front for Black Lives Matter (BLM). When Paola Velez, the pastry chef of Kith/Kin in Washington, D.C., decided to launch a worldwide virtual bake sale called Bakers Against Racism, thousands of bakers, pastry chefs, cooks and other masters of the culinary arts around the globe responded with enthusiasm, eager to mobilize in an effort to advocate “radical change against systematic and structural racism,” according to the www.bakersagainstracism.com.
Taking pre-orders from Monday, June 15, through Saturday, June 20, the virtual bake sale culminated on Saturday, June 20, when customers were invited to stop by The Lantern in Wassaic to pick up their goodies.
Standing underneath the shade of The Lantern’s front porch, a small, but talented menagerie of bakers, cooks and pastry chefs from the local region gathered to sell their homemade goods for the BLM cause and to raise awareness of the need for change. Among the sale’s participants, The Lantern made room on its front porch for Ariel Yotive from Troutbeck and Serge Madikians from Serevan, both in Amenia; Jessie Sheehan from Sharon, Conn.; and Johnny Dearth from The Lantern. All proceeds raised at the bake sale went toward organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Taking the lead for bringing Bakers Against Racism to the local region was Amenia resident Dana Cowin, the former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine Magazine and host of the podcast, “Speaking Broadly.” Cowin said she placed the call out for chefs, cooks and bakers interested in participating just two weeks ago. Within the hour, she received a number of enthusiastic responses.
“The community of chefs, cooks and bakers in this area is extraordinary. There’s so much talent, so much enthusiasm and so much generosity,” Cowin marveled, praising everyone for showing up with contact lists for customers along with beautifully packaged treats.
“I’m happy to be able to raise money for this Black Lives Matter cause through this international bake sale,” she continued, voicing her appreciation of The Lantern providing the space for the sale.
In this age of social distancing, some might be curious as to how a “virtual” bake sale might work. The virtual aspect was through participants’ promotion of Bakers Against Racism on the world wide web, whether it was featured on their respective restaurants’ websites, social media accounts and ads; through their own online presence; or in connection with Bakers Against Racism. Starting June 15, the virtual pre-sale for Bakers Against Racism had participants buzzing around their kitchens to organize pre-orders of their food as well as extras to sell at the collective sale. By the day of the collective sale, many of the participants had already sold an astounding number of goods.
Sheehan, a cookbook writer and recipe developer from Sharon, remarked with pride her success in having sold out orders of her olive oil poundcake, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate zucchini bread and chocolate walnut marshmallow fudge.
“It feels important and amazing to be able to contribute in some tiny way, doing what it is I do, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to do something like this,” Sheehan said.
“Basically, it’s a way for us as restaurant hospitality people to show support in ways we know how,” said Erika DaSilva from The Lantern as she sold The Lantern’s house-made pizza dough for customers to take home along with orders of savory scones.
“It was great to get Troutbeck involved in such an incredible fundraiser for such a wonderful, international movement,” said Victoria Hood from Troutbeck as she helped Yotive sell everything bagels and mini chocolate babkas.
The bake sale drew a steady stream of customers throughout the afternoon. All while respecting social distancing rules, customers eyed an enticing assortment of goods on display, from scones, bagels, blondies and babka to strawberry shortcake, ginger molasses cookies and Armenian spice walnut cake, knowing their purchases would contribute to a worthy cause. Seven months into her pregnancy, Pawling resident Agatha Jordan said she’s been unable to go to BLM protests. However, by supporting Bakers Against Racism, she could show her support for radical change.
“It’s really encouraging,” Jordan said as she watched customers buy baked goods, “and it’s a great way for me to participate.”
Bringing their goodies to the shade of neighboring trees, a small impromptu picnic formed across the street from The Lantern as neighbors and friends sat together to savor their treats with other like-minded individuals, pleased to support an evolving cause geared toward lasting change. The sale raised $3,500; Sheehan, meanwhile raised $1,000 on her own from her baked goods, specifically for the NAACP.
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.
Goldsmith, a prominent advocate for environmental restoration, views nature as a source of spiritual renewal. His work focuses on helping landscapes regain their natural balance and biodiversity through organic processes rather than human intervention.
He is involved with initiatives such as Nattergal, a British nature recovery company, and the Conservation Collective, a network of local environmental foundations.
Ginsberg, a conservation scientist and former senior vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Program, will join Goldsmith to explore the intersection of science, policy, and ethics in environmental restoration.
To learn more, visit www.troutbeck.com
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.
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.”
The crew will close one lane of traffic on Route 44 to complete the repair.
Residents and businesses in the area of Park Avenue and Main Street/Route 44 should expect water outages while the repair is being made.
Village officials sent out a notice of the repair work around noon today, Nov. 3.
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
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.
One village official is particularly invested in seeing the process move forward. Caroline Farr-Killmer, the village’s fire project manager, has been working closely with Mayor Jenn Najdek and the Board of Trustees to oversee every phase of the recovery. She has coordinated contractors and engineers, tracked inventory losses, and ensured compliance with building codes.
Mayor Jenn Najdek noted in a Monday, Oct. 27, meeting of the village's Board of Trustees that air quality management is one of the aspects of demolition that contributes to the price tag.Photo by Aly Morrissey
“This milestone is a significant one,” Farr-Killmer said. “It has been a work in progress that individuals have poured a lot of their time and effort into.” She acknowledged that while it may have seemed like progress was slow, this process required thoughtful and thorough management. “It is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I am grateful for the team effort put in by all of those involved.”
In the weeks after the fire, Farr-Killmer visited the charred building almost daily and documented damage to the structure and inventory. She said the fire itself was only the beginning, and pointed out that navigating insurance, rebuilding plans and deadlines have been hidden challenges.
The demolition marks the first physical step toward rebuilding. Farr-Killmer and Village leaders are developing plans for two replacement facilities — one for the Highway Department and another for the Water Department, designed to meet modern building codes and accommodate future needs.
“For the Village, it means we are starting from scratch, but things will continue to run smoothly, efficiently and effectively,” Farr-Killmer said.
With demolition underway, the Village of Millerton will begin a new chapter — one that will be complemented by the upcoming renovations that are planned at Eddie Collins Memorial Park. Construction for that major project, which will include a short-course Olympic pool and pool house, is scheduled to begin in July 2026 after the 175th celebration.
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.
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.
The study will help inform the board’s review and approval process.
Wednesday’s meeting served as a public scoping session, allowing residents to suggest which environmental and community issues should be analyzed as part of the study.
Peter Feroe, an environmental planner with AKRF, Inc. of New York City representing the developer, presented an overview of the project and outlined the preliminary scope of analysis.
About 35 residents attended the meeting at Town Hall, where Feroe explained that the plan calls for 23 residential-agricultural lots and four lots to be set aside for conservation and equestrian use. Two of the preserved parcels would remain forested as conservation areas, while the other two would support equestrian activities.
The 23 lots would be sized at 10 acres each. Since the entire area is within a designated Scenic Protection Overlay District, the layout requires Planning Board approval.
The proposal calls for the 23 lots to be served by three roads that presently exist as farm roads on the acreage, Feroe said, although the three roads would need to be improved for use.
“This is not a public hearing on the subdivision application,” Planning Board attorney Paul Van Cott said, noting that the decision will be made after the completion of the impact studies.
“There will be full public hearings on the impact studies and on the full Keane Stud subdivision application, perhaps two months from now,” Van Cott said.
Feroe reviewed maps of the property located on Depot Hill Road, off Old Route 22. Nine of the ten acres on each lot would be conserved.
“A full 90% of the site would be reserved for agriculture,” Feroe said, noting that no buildings are envisioned as part of the subdivision application. Purchasers of the lots would need to come before the Planning Board for site plan approval.
The Planning Board had asked the applicants to consider the effects of future potential residential build-out on the acreage.
“The goal is to continue to promote agriculture to preserve the rural character,” Feroe said, noting that the town’s comprehensive plan favors balance in development.
Since planning for the subdivision began in 2021, Feroe said, multiple project modifications have been made, including reductions in size, removal of lots, and revisions to the layout. The maximum home footprint was scaled back, and the maximum home height reduced to 28 feet.
All development restrictions imposed by the Planning Board would be included in covenant deed restrictions to be adhered to by lot purchasers, Feroe noted.
Residents’ comments centered on the theme of a feared loss of agricultural heritage inherent to the community’s character, and the desecration of the view from the DeLaVergne Hill lookout to the west.
Resident George Bistransin spoke of diminished agriculture in the area and its impact on farming, noting that he now buys hay from a Salt Point supplier for his animals.
Mark Doyle, representing the Conservation Advisory Council, described potential impacts on water bodies and active farmland.
“There should be no division or construction on the viewshed area,” said resident Sharon Kroeger, secretary of the Committee to Save the View from DeLaVergne Hill, an organization dedicated to protecting the viewshed seen as key to the community’s identity.
Recalling his past experience serving on the Planning Board, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman spoke of the iconic view from DeLaVergne Hill, called by many the “Gateway to the Berkshires.”
Blackman said he was troubled by the idea that the unobstructed agricultural land would be broken up, suggesting the house lots should be separated from the agricultural expanse.
The next Planning Board meeting, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, is expected to include adoption of the final draft of the current scoping analysis. The study can be viewed in full on the town website.
