Presenting the annual Citizen of the Year award to Aaron Howard Jr., right, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman spoke of Howard’s many contributions to the Amenia community. The traditional ceremony took place at Fountain Square on Sunday, Dec. 1, as part of the Parade of Lights holiday celebration.
AMENIA — During a traditional event at Fountain Square that occurs just before the annual Parade of Lights, the Citizen of the Year award for 2024 was presented by Town Supervisor Leo Blackman on Sunday, Dec. 1, to Aaron Howard Jr.
While residents awaited the presentation and endured a frigid breeze, a contingent from the Webutuck high School Band, led by Band Director Eric Weiner, performed a program of holiday-themed music. Freshtown volunteers were distributing hot beverages.
The new Silo Bakery, slated to open around mid-February, opened its doors to distribute freshly baked cookies to passers-by. By all accounts, the cookie effort was successful and the cookies received great reviews.
Key to the selection of former Fire Chief Aaron Howard was the breadth of his volunteerism detailed by Town Supervisor Leo Blackman who said that it was difficult to keep track of the myriad ways in which Howard has served his community as a lifelong resident. Upon graduation from Webutuck High School in 1999, Howard served in the U.S. Marines in the Middle East for seven years.
Since high school, Howard has been a member of the Amenia Fire Company, serving as Chief from 2017 to 2022. He presently serves as vice-president of the Fire Company Board and is a member of the Fire Advisory Board. He has also served in a variety of leadership roles within the Dutchess County Chiefs Council.
His memberships include the Lions’ Club and both local VFW posts, and he remains active in local and area youth activities, coaching youth soccer and baseball, along with teaching 6th grade catechism at Immaculate Conception Church.
At Webutuck High School Howard is a technology and career teacher, one of the programs that helps students to look ahead to their years after high school.
Howard and his wife, Kathleen, married soon after his service in the Marines and have two children, Nolan and Elaina.
Habitat for Humanity on Jimmy Carter’s death
Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to remember his life of service. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
Maureen Brennan Lashlee, CEO states, “The local affiliate was incorporated at about the same time President and Mrs., Carter began their lifelong commitment to Habitat homeownership. As we remember President Carter’s servant leadership, we give thanks he chose to put God’s love into action advocating for policies and resources to assure an opportunity for everyone to become a homeowner. He gave of his time, talent and treasure unselfishly and unceasingly.”
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with the rest of the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia, soon bringing worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy will live on in every family we serve around the world.”
After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then until 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.
“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired, and wept.”
Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.
In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat for Humanity will be celebrating President Carter’s life of service with local observances. To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
January 11, 1934
‘3,000 Now at Work Under CWA’; Approximately 3,000 are now listed on the Civil Works Administration payroll in Dutchess County, it was announced last Thursday by T.A. Corby, executive officer of the county CWA organization. Only a slim margin of 100 are to be added under the present quota, but it is hoped that the quota may be increased.
‘At the White House Party’; Russell B. Hosier, son of Mr and Mrs. Charles Hoslier, of Millerton, an officer at the White House in Washington, D. C., with Mrs, Hosier and their two children, Richard and Warren, attended the Christmas reception given by President Roosevelt for the officers and their families.
‘Telephone Operator Suffers Broken Ankle in Fall’; Miss Claire Diegnan, telephone operator on the Millerton exchange, suffered a broken ankle Saturday night when she slipped and fell on the icy street in front of Bloch’s store. Miss Diegnan was taken to Sharon Hospital where a cast was placed on the injured ankle. Miss Diegnan is under the care of Dr. H. A. Richardson.
January 9, 1975
‘Millerton Couple Have 1st Baby Of New Year’; Mr. and Mrs. John Sawchuck of Millerton are the parents of the first baby born in 1975 in Sharon Hospital.
Their daughter, Michaelene, made her debut at 8:55 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. The baby, who weighed 4 lbs. 4 oz. at birth, is the couple’s first child.
‘Police Guard Leads Parade’; The New York State Police Honor Guard under Troop-Commander Major P.G. Emden will lead off the Millerton Centennial Parade, according to Dick Valentine, a member of the celebration committee.
Mr. Valentine said that the July 27 parade will feature a number of other groups to be announced as soon as plans are final. The “Century Celebration” will take place on July 25, 26, and 27.
‘North East Historical Society Promotes Millerton Growth’; The North East Historical Society greets 1975 as Millerton’s Centennial year. The celebration of Millerton’s incorporation (1875-1975) is being ushered in with the new year. We take great pride in all our members who have contributed their efforts in the public study of their community in the past year, said Eileen Banks of the Historical Society.
The Historical Society is making plans for the town, with the help of Millertonian Richard Valentine. The time bomb [sic], complete with artifacts, will be buried on the Green in August. The Block Dance and the renaming of Parking Street also will take place this summer. “So ladies,” said Eileen Banks, “start making your colonial gowns. And gentlemen, how about the sideburns?”
The Society would like to publicly thank the Millerton Diner for making the lights available for the Christmas tree.
January 13, 2000
‘Tour of MES Reveals Substandard Conditions’; MILLERTON — As a reminder to the public about the deteriorating conditions in some of its buildings, the Webutuck School Board led audience members on a tour of Millerton Elementary School (MES) this week.
If the board was looking for a venue to showcase the need for facilities improvement, it found it in MES — a mildewed, Depression-era grotto with rusting pipes and dangling tiles.
Former MES Principal Gene Brooks came out of retirement to lead the tour. Just outside the auditorium where the Monday night School Board meeting took place, Mr. Brooks pointed out none of the fire alarm boxes were currently working.
‘Webutuck H.S. Computer Lab Open to Public’; AMENIA — The Webutuck Central School District has announced the availability of the high school computer lab to the community. The facility will be open beginning Tuesday, Jan. 25, until March 7. Technicians will be available to ensure everything is working well and to provide technical help.
Microsoft Office 97 and a high-speed Internet connection will be available.
Registration is required. Contact Barbara Bagomolny at the district office of Webutuck High School by Jan. 19.
‘Letter To Editor — Food Pantry Says Many Thanks for Holiday Generosity’; On behalf of 75 families in the Millerton/North East area who received a Holiday Food Basket, The Millerton Food Pantry would like to thank all the individuals, merchants, adult and youth civic groups for their generous donations of money, food, vehicles, time and hard work.
Mariley S. Najdek
Beverly H. Gordon
Millerton Food Pantry
Paul Winters announced his candidacy for Amenia Town Supervisor on Friday, Jan. 3.
AMENIA — Accepting a request from the Amenia Town Republican Committee, councilmember Paul Winters announced on Friday, Jan. 3, his candidacy for the position of town supervisor. The election will be held in November.
Winters has served several town committees and other local volunteer endeavors. Since January of 2024, Winters has been serving as a councilmember on the Town Board.
Volunteer service positions include ten years, beginning in 2010, of coaching youngsters playing with the Amenia Minors team. Winters has been an active member of the Amenia Lions Club since 2014.
Between 2021 and 2024 Winters concurrently served on two town committees, the Recreation Commission and the Wastewater Committee, before his election to the Town Board.
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Winters detailed short and long-term town accomplishments and goals to harness the innate energy and innovation which he senses amongst Amenia’s residents.
In the past year, Winters cited progress in attempts to lower the average age of town committee volunteers. Plans to build a new town garage are moving ahead.
Goals to be pursued, Winters said, include attracting new business opportunities, addressing town employees’ pay scales, initiating term limits on the Town Board, and working to change the community’s demographics to a lower average age, achievable through offering affordable and workforce housing opportunities for younger families.
Seth Rogovoy at the screening of “A Complete Unknown” at The Triplex.
When Seth Rogovoy, acclaimed author, critic, and cultural commentator of “The Rogovoy Report” on WAMC Northeast Public Radio, was asked to lead a talkback at The Triplex in Great Barrington following a screening of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” he took on the task with a thoughtful and measured approach.
“I really try to foster a conversation and keep my opinions about the film to myself,” said Rogovoy before the event on Sunday, Jan. 5. “I want to let people talk about how they felt about it and then I ask follow-up questions, or people ask me questions. I don’t reveal a lot about my feelings until the end.”
The film, directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, portrays young Dylan’s arrival in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s. The film depicts his interactions with key figures like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Suze Rotolo (called Sylvie Russo in the film), while also exploring Dylan’s evolution from performing traditional folk songs to writing his own, including iconic tracks like “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The narrative touches on his struggles with fame, identity, and the pressure to conform, culminating in his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
“I went into seeing the film with an open mind,” said Rogovoy, “recognizing that this film is not for me. It’s not for ‘Dylanologists,’ for experts. It’s a Hollywood film. I don’t think it does harm, but I think it doesn’t do a lot of what it could have done.”
The film presents a sentimental narrative with many historical inaccuracies. “According to Elijah Wald, whose book the film is based on, he said he likes the film but that it’s entirely fictional,” said Rogovoy.
The talkback itself was lively, with audience members sharing their thoughts on the film’s nostalgic appeal and its historical inaccuracies. Several attendees mentioned how the film helped them relive the cultural transformation of the era.
“It brings to mind the first time I heard that music, and the change it had on our culture,” shared one audience member.
Another attendee, who was just a baby during the time period depicted in the film, said, “I loved how much of his music they did play. It wasn’t just one verse and then cut away. I really got a renewed appreciation for his genius. I’m going full Dylan when I get home.”
While Rogovoy’s approach during the talkback was to facilitate discussion, audience members were eager to hear his analysis. His 2009 book, “Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet” explores Dyan’s connection to Jewish liturgy. In contrast to “A Complete Unknown,” Rogovoy offered a reminder of “I’m Not There,” the 2007 experimental musical drama co-written and directed by Todd Haynes where six actors portrayed different facets of Dylan’s persona. He described the film’s nonlinear narrative as offering what he called “a Dylanesque portrayal” of the artist, capturing more of the complexity of Dylan’s identity. Rogovoy characterized Chalamet’s portrayal as “one note.”
“And how do we know about the essence of Bob Dylan at that time?” asked Rogovoy. “Well, because there are a number of documentary films with footage of that time, which I’m sure that they (the filmmakers and cast) all viewed again and again. My understanding of Chalamet’s preparation was that he really immersed himself in everything to be a credible Bob Dylan. But in the end, I just found him to be entirely monochromatic.”
The screening and talkback provided a nuanced platform for discussing “A Complete Unknown”—a film that, while not without flaws, ignited a conversation about Bob Dylan’s influence and his enigmatic role in shaping American music and culture.
