WASSAIC — From the serenity of its nature trails and open landscape to the community programming geared toward fostering peace, the World Peace Sanctuary at 26 Benton Road in Wassaic has been treasured by residents and visitors alike since it opened in 2001.
When those living within 500 feet of the sanctuary received a letter from the Amenia Planning Board about a March 24 public hearing regarding the sanctuary’s application for a minor subdivision of its property (for the full story, go to www.tricornernews.com), many became concerned about what the subdivision could lead to. The peace sanctuary has since stated that it intends to sell 128 acres and hold onto only 26 acres, feeling that will be sufficient for their needs.
Neighbors have since banded together and formed Save the Sanctuary Wassaic (SSW); they’ve approached the sanctuary to consider alternatives to selling to the highest bidder.
“What we’re trying to do is to keep this really important natural resource available to the public as a green space,” said Patricia McGrath, a Wassaic resident and founder of SSW. “The sanctuary’s encouraged community events there, encouraged community access, and so we would really miss it if it were gone or changed.”
As former chair of Amenia’s Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC), Tonia Shoumatoff said when the sanctuary acquired the land in 1988, it was considered as holy as Mount Fuji in Japan. Masahisa Goi is the late founder of the World Peace Sanctuary; he’s from Japan, home to the sanctuary’s original site and creator its well-known message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
From its wetlands, aquifers and forest land to the timber rattlesnakes, bog turtles and other endangered and protected species found at the Wassaic sanctuary, McGrath emphasized the value of preserving the land as “a wealth of natural resources in a large space, which she said “offers us the chance to walk through nature, to feel connected to something larger than our current troubles.
“I have smiled on that land, I have danced on that land, I have sung on that land, I have beat drums on that land,” she said. “I have talked to Mother Nature on that land. It feels like a dear old friend to me that I don’t want to lose. Really, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about not being able to visit there.”
When McGrath learned of the subdivision application, she said she was heartbroken, though hopeful things might change.
Like McGrath, Shoumatoff said she was disappointed to hear the news from the town and not the sanctuary’s parent society in Japan and San Francisco, which may be in charge of making the final decision as to the sanctuary’s future.
SSW has eight members hoping to preserve the sanctuary site; McGrath formed the group to provide the sanctuary options so it won’t have to sell to a potential developer who could ultimately put up a large housing development. Aside from reaching out to land conservancy organizations like Dutchess Land Conservancy (DLC), SSW has made other suggestions.
If it’s too costly to maintain the property, the group has offered to fundraise to cover expenses; SSW members also offered to volunteer and personally help provide maintenance.
“We’ve tried to get them to talk to us about what it is that they need because we will do whatever they need to help meet that need so they don’t have to sell the property and preferably not even have to subdivide it,” McGrath said. “Until we know what we need to do, we can’t do it.”
Meanwhile, McGrath has sought legal counsel to determine how to best protect her home — directly across from the sanctuary’s entrance — from any potential issues that might arise from any development down the road. Water run-off is a special concern as it has been an issue in the past, flooding nearby homes.
“That would be, in my opinion as the former CAC chair and the former watershed director for the area, a tragedy,” Shoumatoff said, “because not only is that land sacred land, especially in these difficult times of COVID-19, people walk every day. We need open space where people can go to find solace and reflect and find peace.”
Though she was unable to comment on the sanctuary property specifically, DLC President Becky Thornton said DLC is always happy to talk with landowners about conservation options.
Meanwhile, World Peace Sanctuary Administrator Ann Marie Robustelli did comment.
“It’s not even subdivided,” she said. “That’s what’s important here, it hasn’t even been subdivided,” though she acknowledged “it’s clear we are pursuing a subdivision,” and “once that’s obtained and authorized, we will be putting up… 128 acres for sale.”
Whether the peace sanctuary would consider putting its land into conservation, Robustelli said that she had no comment, as “we are not in a position to make that decision.”
Nathan Miller
Little leaguers run across Eddie Collins Memorial Park in Millerton for lunch, popcorn and ice cream at the pavilion during the Webutuck Little League season opening party on Sunday, April 12. The league has signed up 80 players for the 2026 season comprising six teams, including one tee-ball team, three baseball teams and two softball teams.
MILLERTON — The Webutuck Little League held its season opening party on Sunday, April 12, at Eddie Collins Memorial Park on Route 22.
Players enjoyed free food, popcorn and ice cream and a day of playing in inflatable castles and an obstacle course.
The league has signed up 80 players across six teams — one tee-ball team, three baseball teams and two softball teams.
Leila Hawken
Celebrating the significant history of embroidery and its place within the fabric of the community, an exhibit opening was held on Thursday, April 9, at the Millbrook Library. Millbrook Historical Society secretary Alison Meyer, co-organizer of the event, provided welcoming remarks. The exhibit will continue until Saturday, May 2.
MILLBROOK — A new exhibit at the Millbrook Library tells the story of the Millbrook Needlework Guild, a storied group that has threaded its way through the past century of life in the village.
The exhibit opening was held on Thursday, April 9, attracting residents and visitors to view exquisite historic pieces of needlework art, all linked to today’s Millbrook due to their continuing importance as local works of art.
Assembled by the Millbrook Historical Society in a project that spanned two years, Society Secretary Alison Meyer, co-organizer of the event, welcomed a substantial turnout of residents and visitors. Meyer noted the contributions of her co-coordinator, Society board member Denise Bauer in bringing the event to life.
“It all began with the Millbrook Needlework Guild organized in 1954. The legacy has been preserved in churches, homes and the library,” Meyer said, noting that exhibit pieces have been loaned from throughout the village community.
“It’s gone from a local endeavor to the national scene and now back to local,” Meyer added. Also participating in the exhibit is the area’s Skyllkill Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America that was formed in 1974, continuing the tradition to the present day.
A highlight of the opening was the presentation of a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Millbrook Historical Society to resident Anne Collins who had first suggested the idea for the exhibit.
When it was formed in 1954, the Millbrook Needlework Guild, whose members were local women devoted to the art, was gifted with a house donated by Margaret Thorne Parshall. The house still stands at the corner of Franklin and Maple Avenues. The imposing home also served as an academy for instruction in embroidery, under the tutelage of then Millbrook resident Erica Wilson who came to be known by many as “the first lady of stitchery.” Wilson’s shops still operate in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
In 1958, Parshall helped establish the American branch of the British Embroidery Guild, having traveled to England to meet with needleworkers. That organization became the Embroiderers’ Guild of America in 1958.
The exhibit will continue at the Millbrook Library until Saturday, May 2.
Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — Among the many activities planned for the Millbrook Community-wide Yard Sale on Saturday, April 25, will be a repair café offered at the Millbrook Library between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The rain date will be Sunday, April 26.
Residents can bring up to two small items in need of attention to the library and find local experts willing to provide free repairs. The event is intended to keep such items from being discarded into landfills, when all that may be needed is a small fix.
Eligible for repair are broken lamps and small appliances, jewelry, wooden furniture, mending, and darning among sewing services. Local repair coaches will either fix the item or provide advice on where to take it next. The community is also invited to bring knives in need of sharpening.
Demonstrations of bicycle maintenance will be a feature. Bring plastic bags and batteries to the library for recycling during the event.
The Community-wide Yard Sale provides an opportunity for Millbrook neighbors to get together and share in finding treasures at yard sales throughout the village, enjoy music, get things repaired at the library, or simply socialize.
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Leila Hawken
Sophia Zhou
AMENIA — The Bang Family Concert Series will feature New York-based pianist Sophia Zhou in performance at The Smithfield Church on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 3 p.m.
Zhou’s program “Into the Light” will include a rare treat — Beethoven’s grandest and most technically challenging piano sonata, “Waldstein,” along with works by Mozart, Chopin, and Debussy.
The concert is open to the public. A suggested donation of $20, payable at the door, will contribute toward funding more concerts. A reception with refreshments will follow the concert.
The Bang Family Concert Series has a tradition of hosting eclectic performances by gifted musicians from the Tri-Corner area. Known to area residents, Zhou has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician in New York, Washington, D.C., Amsterdam and Shanghai. She has played with chamber musicians in New York, Hong Kong and with faculty from The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute and Manhattan School of Music.
Currently, Zhou serves as Founder and Artistic Director of the Millbrook Music Salon.
The Smithfield Church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road in Amenia. The church is accessible for people with disabilities.
For more information, go to thesmithfieldchurch.org/concerts.
Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — The village Board of Trustees is considering allowing bingo and games of chance within Millbrook again, more than four years after officials repealed a local law and effectively banned the activities in 2021.
Two local laws that, if passed, would allow bingo and other games of chance to be included in fundraising events were discussed by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 8.
The trustees voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing for Local Law No. 2 and No. 3 on Wednesday, April 22, beginning at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
Bingo and games of chance are seen as significant highlights of the fire department’s annual carnival.
“We need a new local law,” Mayor Peter Doro said, explaining that it would provide the legal framework to allow the games.
Doro said that the village’s legal counsel is drafting resolutions to establish the local laws. Following the public hearing phase, the village would need to hold a special election to approve the new local laws.
The date for the special election was set by the Trustees for Tuesday, June 23, in time for the firemen’s summer carnival.
Doro explained that the special election could be administered locally, probably at the firehouse.
To limit costs, the town could print the ballots, but the Dutchess County Board of Elections has advised that four paid poll watchers would be needed to oversee the process. Because a small turnout of voters would be likely, votes could be hand-counted, rather than machine-counted, Doro added.
Nathan Miller
MILLBROOK — Millbrook’s Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the 2026-27 town budget following a public hearing at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 8.
The budget for the coming year totals $2,538,844, up 0.25% from $2,532,541 in the current year.
Mayor Peter Doro said the increase falls within the 2% property tax cap imposed on local governments by New York State since 2012. Budget lines showing anticipated increases include utilities, paid ambulance service and insurance.
“We’ve all worked hard in the past months,” Doro said, describing the budget review process that involves each of the village’s departments.
Separate unanimous approvals were adopted for the 2026-27 water and sewer budgets. The Water Department budget totals $425,500, up from the current year of $411,950. The Sewer Department budget totals $470,425, up from $435,100.
Although no public comment was offered during the hearing, one trustee suggested that the village should remain vigilant about rising costs.
“There are things we could do to mitigate costs,” said Trustee Shannon Mawson.
To view a copy of the budget as adopted, go to www.villageofmillbrookny.com.
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