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The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.
Archive photo
MILLBROOK — Summer fun is just around the corner, thanks to the fire department and the return of the Fire Department Carnival scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Saturday, July 12, on the Thorne Building grounds on Franklin Avenue.
Opening night activities will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Carnival will open each night at 7 p.m., remaining open until 11 p.m.
There will be fun for everyone. All activities are free. Visitors can enjoy Bingo, games of chance, rides and games, and a 50/50 raffle drawing each night. Food will be available.
Music will be a feature on Thursday through Saturday. From 8 to 11 p.m. enjoy the sounds of DJ Gourmet on Thursday, Heavy Gauge on Friday, and Rhythm and Blues on Saturday.
Also on Saturday plan to be on hand for one of the largest parades in Dutchess County, starting at 6 p.m., proceeding along Franklin Avenue.
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Cellists to perform at Smithfield Church
Jul 02, 2025
The Smithfield Valley Church on Smithfield Road in Amenia.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — As an alternative to three tenors, The Smithfield Church invites music fans to a concert that will feature three cellists in a program called “Three Cello Fellows” to be held on Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m.
Part of the Bang Family Concert series, three acclaimed New York City orchestral/chamber musicians will play a varied program of all-cello works by Luigi Boccherini, David Popper’s Requiem for three cellos, Bela Bartok duos and selections from the cello suites by J.S. Bach.
Arthur Fiacco, Robert Burkhart and Alberto Parrini have been individually in demand for years, playing in New York City’s most illustrious venues, and with distinguished regional orchestras and ensembles. Their personal career experiences include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York City Ballet, and Orchestra of St. Lukes, as well as appearances with Sting, Barbara Streisand, Metallica and others.
Arthur Fiacco is well known to Smithfield audiences as occasionally performing over the past 14 years with noted conductor and organist Kent Tritle at the popular annual Tritle organ recitals.
A meet-the-artists reception will follow the concert. All are welcome. A donation of $20 per attendee is suggested; children are admitted free.
The Bang Family Concert Series presents performances by gifted musicians from the region to Tri-Corner area residents, inviting a warm community of music lovers to gather at the Smithfield Church’s landmark Greek Revival building.
The Smithfield Church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road (Route 83), Amenia, New York. The church is air conditioned and fully accessible. For more information: thesmithfieldchurch.org or thesmithfieldchurch@gmail.com.
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Awash in flowers within the Piecemeal Farm booth at the season’s first Amenia Farmers’ Market were vendor Ross Pforzheimer, left, with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman and NECC Food Program Coordinator Katie Cariello.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — Brimming with colorful fresh seasonal produce, a pop-up farmers market welcomed shoppers on Friday, June 27 at the Town Hall lower parking lot. Choices were varied, including seasonal harvests of leafy greens and flowers, cheeses and meats, French crepes, and plants, all accompanied by live music and crafts for youngsters.
Sponsored by the North East Community Center and the Amenia-Wassaic Community Organization, the event will repeat on the second and fourth Fridays of each month through Sept. 5. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m.
“I’m excited to see it,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman. “We’ve been meeting with the NECC for a long time.”
Having brought playful black lab puppies to the season’s first Amenia Farmers’ Market on Friday, June 27, Mark Hussey was pleased to show one particularly patriotic puppy that was a big hit.Photo by Leila Hawken
Pleased with the collaborative effort between the sponsoring organizations, Danielle Mollica of the AWCO said that the pop-up market idea was a great way to bring the community together.
Vendors who wish to participate at the farmers market should contact Katie Cariello, Food Programs Coordinator at the NECC. For information, go to katie@neccmillerton.org or phone 518-407-7030.
For general questions about attending the farmers market, call 845-863-4862 or email danielle@ameniawassaic.org.
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Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston
AMENIA — Following months of meetings and significant discussion at the regular meeting of the Planning Board on Wednesday, June 25, the board voted 5-1 to approve Hudson River Housing’s conservation analysis document in connection with the Cascade Creek affordable housing project.
Planning Board chairman Robert Boyles cast the negative vote.
Senior Planner Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering asked the planning board to approve the conservation analysis that he indicated had been revised to accommodate conservation concerns.
“We feel that our plans provide benefit to all involved,” Sander said of the conservation analysis. Board member Ken Topolsky questioned the definition of “benefit,” leading Sander to reply that “benefit” indicated “no impact.”
Planning board member Foz Bullock asked how utilities can co-exist with conservation interests.
“Because the utilities are sub-surface, there is no visual impact, no impact to wildlife, and no soil removal. The bottom line is that what they are proposing agrees with code,” planning board engineer John Andrews said.
Topolsky asked about grading and erosion control at the Cascade Creek site. Sander explained that those elements are to be detailed within the preliminary subdivision mapping phase of the application process, the next step coming up.
“This is preliminary,” planning board attorney Paul Van Cott explained. “Beyond the non-binding conservation findings will be the subdivision planning phases.
Explaining the order of the process, Atty. Van Cott said that preliminary mapping will provide project layout that will address such issues as drainage, stormwater runoff, and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) requirements.
“All of that comes before a public hearing,” Van Cott said.
“We’re here to listen,” Sander said. “We will address your concerns within the next set of plans,” Sander said.
In a process that began in January with preliminary plans described by Sander of Rennia Engineering, and a determination from planning board engineer John Andrews that a conservation analysis was needed, several meetings ensued. One of the meetings was a listening session in which HRH met with neighboring property owners and residents to hear their concerns. Those concerns led to revised conservation planning, presented to the Planning Board in March.
In May, a public hearing about the revised conservation planning was held with many residents’ comments focusing on site development rather than conservation planning.
Silo Ridge
In other action on Wednesday, June 25, a public hearing invited comment on Silo Ridge plans to revise its official plans to eliminate 13 townhouses and substitute ten condominiums in the same space on a single lot.
Of concern to planning board members was the likely tax receipt impact where the town would lose $48,000 in tax revenue based on the change to the site plan.
Silo Ridge consultant Patrick O’Leary agreed to provide more information explaining that the tax impact would be offset by new homes being planned for future construction.
The public hearing was held open until the next planning board meeting on Wednesday, July 9, awaiting O’Leary’s information.
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