AMENIA — “Let’s get normal!” proclaimed the marquee sign placed at the entrance to the Four Brothers Drive-In Theater. After submitting a waiver to be declared an essential business and open their drive-in theater for the 2020 season following the state’s closure of non-essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the Stefanopoulos family was thrilled to reopen on Friday, May 15.
Located at 4957 Route 22 in Amenia, the drive-in theater adjacent to Four Brothers Pizza Inn was initially deemed a non-essential business under the New York state guidelines during the pandemic. In response, John Stefanopoulos, one of its owners, submitted a waiver to Empire State Development on Monday, March 23, to request the drive-in be deemed essential.
Envisioning a contact-less theater capable of offering entertainment to the community while taking the necessary precautions for preventing the spread of COVID-19, Stefanopoulos explained that the entire theater system could be fully automated and precautions could be implemented to make sure everyone keeps their distance while enjoying the theater.
By Monday, May 10, the Stefanopoulos family received a reply from the state; they were overjoyed to learn their waiver had been approved. Drive-ins throughout the state are now operating, and gaining in popularity.
Stefanopoulos said, “I think we’re just very lucky to be in a position where we can help to bring people together safely and responsibly. I think this is a great place to bring sanity back and I think it’s great we can do that.
“We’ve been running around the clock getting everything together and we’re very excited to have the public back.”
To ensure everyone stays healthy during their visit to the theater, Stefanopoulos said the drive-in has enacted a few simple rules and regulations. Whether they’re exiting their vehicles or waiting to purchase food or use the restroom, patrons must keep a distance of 6 feet and wear a mask at all times. During the movie, patrons must remain inside their vehicle at all times. No social gatherings are permitted, and no lawn chairs are allowed at this time, though that may change at a later date. Tailgating with the vehicle hatch open is only permitted when patrons are wearing masks, and sitting outside of the vehicle is only permitted when patrons are sitting on the bed of their pick-up trucks and wearing masks, though this rule is also subject to change depending on conditions.
Along with strictly enforcing these rules and limiting vehicle capacity to 50%, the drive-in will be offering car hop service during movies and will also notify patrons to come and pick up their orders when they’re ready. Restrooms will be sanitized routinely and all staff will be required to wear masks and gloves.
All tickets must be purchased online at www.playeatdrink.com. Patrons should then present their tickets to box office personnel. According to its website, the theater can’t guarantee entrance to patrons without pre-purchased tickets or a spot for non-reserved guests given the limited capacity. Patrons can purchase their food either online via www.playeatdrink.com, using the theater’s new outdoor kiosk at the phone booth, ordering at the Snack Shack or by calling their order in to 845-373-8178.
Stefanopolous said they’ve been training staff on the new rules and “getting prepared internally.” When asked whether these new regulations have impacted the number of people employed at the drive-in theater, he explained that even though the theater will be contact-less, it will still have employees working to keep everything sanitized and to help direct parking.
The gates to the drive-in theater officially opened at 5:15 p.m. on Friday evening and the first movie began at 8:10 p.m. Though there were reports of incoming thunderstorms for that evening, the drive-in pressed on with its plans, with movie-goers savoring the taste of early summer weather as a promising sign of good things to come. With “Trolls World Tour” and “Birds of Prey” selected as the theater’s first two films of the season, the drive-in attracted plenty of families for its grand reopening.
All while adhering to its new rules for keeping staff and customers safe, drive-in employees whipped up hot popcorn, cold milkshakes and many other drive-in delights that evening within the Snack Shack and offered service with a smile.
In addition to the families that flocked to the drive-in for a long-anticipated night out on the town, Four Brothers’ reopening caught the attention of NBC News and News Channel 12. Along with visiting the drive-in on Wednesday, May 13, Harry Smith, a long-time journalist from NBC News, and his producer, Caroline Gottlieb, visited the drive-in on Friday evening to interview members of the Stefanopoulos family before the first movie.
“Harry Smith and I were happy to highlight this positive story of a business carefully and creatively opening up and giving folks a fun night out,” Gottlieb said on a later date. “The guests and families there seemed to really enjoy the taste of normalcy — even if they had to don masks while enjoying the movie.”
For more information on the drive-in, go to www.playeatdrink.com.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
