Trail blazers

With spring now almost over, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail has been welcoming a steady stream of local residents, area visitors, families and outdoor enthusiasts during the past couple of weeks. Whether they’ve been blazing across the trail on foot, on bicycles, on skateboards or on roller blades, chances are trailgoers have caught a glimpse of the region’s resident wildlife that live along the trail while getting their exercise, some fresh air and hopefully relaxing along the way.

Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

If they were to take a closer look at the ponds that border the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, trail enthusiasts heading from Coleman Station in Sharon, Conn., to Amenia Station in Amenia, might find a swan or two taking a leisurely swim. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Latest News

Celebrating agriculture
Photo by Nathan Miller

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.

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Rev. AJ Stack of St. Thomas announces resignation

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.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

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.

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Local and County candidates to hold forum Oct. 24

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.

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Koi harvest
Photo by Leila Hawken

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.