AMENIA — Customers seeking their next great read are welcome to drop by Yellow Submarine Used Books in Amenia, where they can satisfy their search by leafing through the sundry of titles on display.
For Mary Thompson, a resident of nearby Sharon, Conn., owning a bookstore has been always been a dream of hers, one that never seemed financially possible until now. When asked whether she dreamed specifically about owning a used bookstore or an independent bookstore, Thompson replied, “I would have done either, but I have a particular love of used bookstores and I love the idea of giving books a second life, so I think it was natural for me.”
As for her store’s namesake, Thompson said she wanted something fun for her customers, a name that would bring back feelings of being younger, having fun and not worrying about the troubles of the world.
Currently employed as an English teacher at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington, Conn., Thompson said the bookstore is her retirement plan and that she wanted to get her plan off the ground now. Ready to channel her passion for the printed word into her own bookstore, her original plans to open this past April were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and then by the storm-driven power outages when she again tried to open in July.
Located at 3306 Route 343, Yellow Submarine Used Books finally opened in August, inviting readers of all ages to come inside and peruse the shelves for a story to take home.
Thumbing through the titles that currently line the shelves, customers are bound to find a title or two to pique their curiosity among the fiction, non-fiction, mystery, young adult, children’s, cooking, crafts, gardening, woodworking and other categories of books. In addition to visiting estate sales and library sales, Thompson mentioned that she also takes donations of books in good shape, meaning books with no stains, marks or damages and nothing smelly, moldy or wet.
“I hate to see them thrown aside or forgotten,” Thompson said. “There are a lot of great authors that are older that people don’t pay attention to anymore, so I thought it would be good to get people to notice them.”
Additionally, she said that if there’s a book a customer is looking for, she’ll search for it. So far, she’s received a couple of requests for self-improvement and science fiction books.
Given how closely Yellow Submarine Used Books sits in proximity to the Amenia Free Library (located just across the street), Thompson acknowledged she’s been asked if she’s in competition with the library. She then revealed that Amenia Free Library Director Victoria Herow happens to be her niece. And while Thompson hopes to host events in her store in the future, she said she and Herow will have to coordinate between the two of them to avoid any conflicts.
Though excited to carry out her future plans for community events, Thompson is willing to wait until life calms down a bit. In the meantime, she intends to continue selling books and DVDs and hopes to bring local art into the bookstore as well as cards, bookmarks, pens, socks and other small gifts.
Reflecting on seeing her dreams realized, Thompson said, “It means a lot to me — a lot of people say the book is dead and the book is not dead. People love books and people love to browse, and there are a lot of bibliophiles like me and the bookstore gives me a chance to explore the world of books.”
Now that school is back in session, Thompson plans to balance her teaching career with her work as a bookstore owner; once she retires, she plans to focus solely on running the bookstore.
Yellow Submarine Used Books is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Capacity is limited to between four to six people at time due to COVID-19 restrictions. Customers are required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer when they in the store.
Yellow Submarine Used Books can be reached at 845-789-1888.
Students wore black at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Friday, Jan. 30, while recognizing a day of silence to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
FALLS VILLAGE — In the wake of two fatal shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota, students across the country have organized demonstrations to protest the federal agency. While some teens have staged school walkouts or public protests, students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School chose a quieter approach.
On Friday, Jan. 30, a group of HVRHS students organized a voluntary “day of silence,” encouraging participants to wear black as a form of peaceful protest without disrupting classes.
The idea was spearheaded by junior Sophia Fitz, who said she wanted a way for students to express their concerns while remaining in school.
“What really inspired me was that I was feeling very helpless with these issues,” Fitz said. “Staying educated with what’s going on in not only our country but globally can be very stressful as a teenager. Kids right now are feeling very hopeless and want to do something, but don’t know how.”
Teachers Peter Verymilyea and Damon Osora were on board with the idea early on, describing it as a peaceful and respectful way for students to express their beliefs.
Assistant Principal Steven Schibi also backed the effort, emphasizing the importance of student participation.“I think it’s important for us to listen to students,” he said. “And they have to learn how to have a voice in such a way that it’s not disruptive.”
After discussions with Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Principal Ian Strever, school administrators agreed that participation would be optional and that students could choose whether to wear black or not.
Schibi, along with several staff members, participated in the movement by wearing black themselves. Math department chair Kara Jones was among the participating teachers. “Everybody deserves their voice, so I’d rather do the day of silence than everybody stay home,” she said.
Among HVRHS students who supported the protest, at least one cited concern for friends affected by immigration enforcement.
Sophomore Peyton Bushnell said he felt anxious, fearing for the safety of friends and acquaintances. “I think it’s all really messed up,” Bushnell said. “I have a lot of Hispanic friends, and I worry if there’s ICE in Great Barrington, if they came here [and] deported my friends. I can’t even imagine.”
Bushnell said Fitz’s initiative encouraged him to speak more openly about the issue.
Senior Molly Ford echoed that sentiment. “I think it’s a peaceful way to protest and I think it’s the best way to do so,” Ford said.
Many students wore black to show support, and senior Victoria Brooks shared her thoughts on what it meant to her. “It means following along in a form of advocacy alongside other students,” Brooks said.
Some students declined to comment when asked about the protest. Others said they were unaware the protest was taking place. Three seniors interviewed during lunch said they would have participated had they known, calling it a “neat idea.”
Not all students were convinced of the protest’s impact. A group of juniors questioned whether it would make a difference.
“I think that it is good that we’re trying to do something,” one student said. “But I’m not sure how much the silence aspect of it will help, but I think that it’s good that we’re trying.”
Some students questioned the efficacy of the protests, including a group of seniors who offered their opinions. They expressed the belief that the protests were “pointless,” and that President Donald Trump probably didn’t even know that HVRHS existed.
“I just don’t think it’s the best way to go about it. Like, what is us being silent and wearing black gonna do,” one of the seniors said.
Senior Cohen Cecchinato voiced his opposition to the protests in another interview.
“The staying silent, I think, is for the lives that were lost, which I agree with,” Cecchinato said. “But I think that wearing black, like the movement that it’s behind, the people that are putting it into place in our school are doing it because it’s like the ‘F ICE’ movement or the abolish ICE movement, which I think is just wrong.”
Other students said they believed political protests don’t belong in school.
“I just don’t think we should bring politics into school,” one senior said. Another added, “I think it’s causing … a really big divide and people are using it to be advantageous to themselves and their own beliefs.”
However, one senior expressed a sharply critical view of the protest. Senior Ashton Osborne dismissed students who chose to wear black or participate in the demonstration and criticized organizer Sophia Fitz. He also said he strongly supported the federal immigration agency and added that if he were old enough, he would want to work for ICE.
The comments reflected a minority viewpoint among students.
Mia DiRocco, Hannah Johnson and Peter Austin are seniors at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and participants in The Lakeville Journal’s student journalism program, which produces HVRHS Today.
PINE PLAINS — Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, will host a public forum later this month to discuss ongoing childcare challenges — and potential solutions — facing families in Northern Dutchess. The discussion will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Stissing Center in Pine Plains and is free and open to the public.
Drago said the goal of the forum is to gather community feedback that can be shared with county and state stakeholders, as Dutchess County positions itself to benefit from $20 million in state funding as part of a new childcare pilot program.
Earlier this month, Dutchess County was named as one of three counties in New York selected to participate in the pilot, which was announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul as part of a broader plan to bring universal childcare to the state. The funding is expected to support expanded childcare capacity, with a focus on infants and toddlers.
“We are inviting people who have expressed concern about childcare in Northern Dutchess, along with local school and faith-based program leaders, nonprofit organizations, and elected officials,” Drago said in a statement, calling childcare solutions a “critical need in our communities.”
The event follows the recent closure of the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program (ELP), which left a number of families in Millerton and surrounding towns without childcare options — and left teachers without jobs. NECC announced the closure of ELP in early November and officially closed its doors on Dec. 18, 2025.
In a signal of support, Assemblymember Didi Barrett — who represents a largely rural district that covers parts of Dutchess and Columbia Counties — joined childcare advocates in the state capital last week to hear concerns from constituents. Barrett has praised recent state investments aimed at addressing childcare gaps, saying she will fight to ensure funds reach rural parts of her district.
“I am committed to ensuring that this is truly universal childcare and that the program addresses the childcare needs in Millerton, North East, and the surrounding communities, especially with the recent closure of the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program,” Barrett said.
In December, Barrett secured $1 million in funding to expand childcare services at Dutchess Community College, and said she is committed to ensuring that new state funds will benefit those in rural communities.
Millerton's American Legion Post 178 on Route 44. Bob Jenks, who is involved in leadership at the legion, said the building could operate as an emergency warming shelter if North East or Millerton officials reached out with a need for one.
Much of New York state was pummeled with snow in late January, followed by a prolonged stretch of below-freezing temperatures and wind chills dipping as low as negative 15 degrees, prompting cold weather advisories urging people to stay indoors.
Despite the extreme cold, there are few clearly designated warming centers in the rural areas of northern or eastern Dutchess County, leaving residents in need with limited nearby options.
Rural communities like Millbrook and North East circulate information from the county’s emergency winter protocol, known as Code Blue, which provides assistance with shelter placement when temperatures fall below freezing. Many of those services, however, are concentrated in more densely populated areas such as the City of Poughkeepsie.
For people experiencing homelessness in rural communities — where public transportation is limited or nonexistent — reaching those resources can be difficult.
Millbrook Police Chief Keith Dworkin said the village does not have a significant homeless population and that officers rarely encounter people in need of a place to stay. When they do, he said, it’s typically during the summer and involves people passing through the area.
“If we came across someone who was homeless and needed access, we would bring them to the City of Poughkeepsie,” Dworkin said. “We would certainly do everything in our power to ensure they can go somewhere warm where they are taken care of.”
In Dover Plains, Supervisor Richard Yeno said there is no official process or procedure in the town, but they “handle it as it comes,” responding to emergencies or power outages in real time.
In the past, Yeno said, the Dover Plains Library served as a warming and cooling center, but needs a new generator to continue providing the service. In the meantime, the Dover Town Hall serves as a stop-in center with its generator, allowing people to warm up, fill jugs of water and charge devices. The space is too small to be used as a shelter, Yeno said. “It is the way it is,” he said. “It’s been like that out here in the valley forever, but we’re working on it.”
Those gaps became tangible in Millerton last weekend, when a pre-dawn emergency forced residents out into dangerously cold conditions.
Last Saturday’s carbon monoxide leak at 7-9 Main St. that displaced as many as 18 residents, including four children, led to a swift, community-wide response even in the absence of a formal emergency plan.
Millerton firefighters opened their doors to keep families warm, community members stepped in to help on the scene and the American Red Cross assisted displaced residents with temporary housing. An overnight warming shelter, however, was not part of the response.
The incident has renewed local discussions about whether rural communities should formalize cold-weather shelter plans. North East officials say county funds may be available to support warming centers, raising questions about who could step up locally to provide a location and staffing.
Town Councilwoman Meg Winkler raised the issue at a January Town Board meeting, saying she has been working with the Northeastern Dutchess Tri-town Coalition — a group focused on economic development and inclusive housing in Amenia, Pine Plains and North East — to better understand what options might be available for the region.
“I’d like to find a solution instead of this coming up every time we have a weather event and then not being able to help people,” Winkler said. “There should be a go-to solution put in place.”
Bob Jenks of Millerton’s American Legion Post 178 said the Legion has an unofficial agreement with the village and town to serve as a warming or cooling center when needed. He said no formal protocol exists outlining when or how that process would be activated.
Jenks said the Legion is one of the few places in town with a generator that can support longer durations if there was a widespread power outage. Though there are no beds, it does have a number of cots in addition to kitchen facilities for limited overnight stays.
“If something happens, the village and town know that we’re prepared to help, they just have to call up,” Jenks said.
The last time the Legion opened its doors as a warming center was during a significant snow storm before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are a veterans service organization and we are there for the community,” Jenks said. “One of our main pillars is community involvement and engagement.”
PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.
The Scoville Memorial Library: is seeking an experienced Development Coordinator to provide high-level support for our fundraising initiatives on a contract basis. This contractor will play a critical role in donor stewardship, database management, and the execution of seasonal appeals and events. The role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to the local community and skilled at building authentic relationships that lead to meaningful support. For a full description of the role and to submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Library Director Karin Goodell, kgoodell@scovillelibrary.org.
Weatogue Stables in Salisbury, CT: has an opening for experienced barn help for Mondays and Tuesdays. More hours available if desired. Reliable and experienced please! All daily aspects of farm care- feeding, grooming, turnout/in, stall/barn/pasture cleaning. Possible housing available for a full-time applicant. Lovely facility, great staff and horses! Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531. Text best for prompt reply.
COLBYS TREE SERVICES: provides reliable tree removal, trimming, and storm cleanup. Locally owned and fully insured, we’re committed to safe work, honest service, and keeping your property looking its best. CALL/TEXT 860-248-9456.
Hector Pacay Landscaping and Construction LLC: Fully insured. Renovation, decking, painting; interior exterior, mowing lawn, garden, stone wall, patio, tree work, clean gutters, mowing fields. 845-636-3212.
PROFESSIONAL HOUSEKEEPING & HOUSE SITTING: Experienced, dependable, and respectful of your home. Excellent references. Reasonable prices. Flexible scheduling available. Residential/ commercial. Call/Text: 860-318-5385. Ana Mazo.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3 BR/1 BA: fully furnished/fully equipped raised ranch style home in Canaan, available February 1 to June 30. Great opportunity to experience the area! $2600/month. 860-671-8753 or contact Elyse Harney Real Estate.
