A Celebration of Life for Marilyn Kay will be held on Saturday September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls, NY. There will be a coffee hour following the service. All are welcome.
Latest News
Motorcyclist seriously injured in Washington crash
Graham Corrigan
Sep 16, 2026
WASHINGTON — A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a collision with a delivery truck at the intersection of Route 44 and Kennels Road on Thursday, Sept. 10, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:10 p.m. as a 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle and the delivery truck were traveling east on Route 44, authorities said.
A preliminary investigation found that the truck began turning left onto Kennels Road when the motorcycle struck it. The motorcyclist was ejected and struck a nearby utility pole, sustaining serious injuries.
The motorcyclist was initially taken to MidHudson Regional Hospital and later transferred to Westchester Medical Center. The truck driver was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit.
The New York State Police, Millbrook Fire Department and Empress EMS assisted at the scene.
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Washington board reviews investments, fall events
Graham Corrigan
Sep 16, 2026
The Washington Town Board approved a new appointment, discussed the town’s investment policy and reviewed upcoming fall events at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 10.
The board appointed Jane Burdis to the town’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force.
Town Clerk Chrissy Briggs reported that the town will have an informational booth at Millbrook Community Day on Sept. 19, where residents can meet local representatives.
Briggs also announced that the town received a $25,000 county grant to replace windows on the first and second floors of Town Hall. The board approved issuing a request for proposals for the project.
The board then discussed the investment of town funds. The Bank of Millbrook remains the town’s designated depository, but board members disagreed over whether town deposits could be invested through NYCLASS, an investment pool for public entities.
Supervisor Gary Ciferri said the board approved NYCLASS as an additional depository in January and that the town has since earned higher yields on its investments. However, the town’s investment policy was not amended to reflect the change. The board agreed to consider a resolution updating the policy at its next meeting.
Recreation Director Danielle Szalewicz introduced Movie Night, a new Recreation Department program beginning this fall. Admission will be free, and residents are invited to bring chairs and gather on the lawn at the town park. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
“Captain America” will be shown Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., followed by “Hocus Pocus” on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. and “Lilo & Stitch” on Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Near the end of the meeting, Councilmember Maxine Verne said residents had approached her with concerns about donating to the library. She said they questioned how donations were being spent, given what they described as the building’s deteriorating condition.
Although the library is not overseen by the Town Board, Verne said residents had encouraged her to form a task force to examine the condition of the building and how donations are used.
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Former education secretary to speak at HVRHS
Christian Murray
Sep 16, 2026
FALLS VILLAGE, Conn. — Miguel Cardona, a former U.S. secretary of education and former Connecticut education commissioner, will speak at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Friday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Salisbury Forum’s speaker series.
Cardona will discuss the state of education and the challenges confronting students and educators. His talk will also examine the need for sustainable career pathways and the promises and limitations of higher education in helping students prepare for careers.
Cardona was appointed chairman of the Connecticut Career Pathways Commission, a group charged with developing a statewide strategy to better connect education, training and employment.
The commission brings together leaders from education, workforce development and industry. Its work is intended to expand access to career pathways that lead to credentials and well-paying jobs.
Cardona led the U.S. Department of Education under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. Before joining the Biden administration, he was Connecticut’s education commissioner. He began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Meriden.
The event will be held in the HVRHS auditorium.
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Irene (Renie) Dietter
Millerton News
Sep 16, 2026
ANCRAMDALE — Irene (Renie) Dietter, 91, passed away on Sept. 7, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Irene was born on Aug. 23, 1935, to the late Abbie (Brizzie) and Charles Boyles Sr. in Ancramdale New York. She was the 10th of their 11 children. Renie would never leave Ancramdale, remaining on the same half mile stretch of County Route 8 for her entire life. Irene would attend Pine Plains School and then follow that with work at the Pine Plains Shirt Factory.
On Nov. 28, 1953, Renie would marry the love of her life, Avery (Prope) Dietter. They would become inseparable and would be married just shy of 70 years. Together they welcomed three children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. While Prope worked, Renie held the house down. She was proud of her home and was known for her spotless house and yard. Most people knew Renie for her beautifully hung laundry line.
Renie was a woman who loved people. Together with Prope, they became the designated parents and then grandparents to all the children of Ancramdale. Known for being the “fun” house, they were always ready for a game of ball, a day of skating on the pond, sleigh riding or just enjoying a picnic. They began the tradition of the Halloween party at the Ancramdale Church and were leaders for many years of the Churches Youth Group.
Devoted to her church, where she was the current oldest and longest member, Renie was known for her dedication to the church suppers in the fellowship hall. She ran the church kitchen like a well-oiled machine, and she took such pride in the church hall. The church was her favorite place to be after her home. For many years she was the snack lady for Bible School. She devoted many Sundays to preparing food for coffee hour. And there were all of the behind the scene tasks she did without much notice like polishing the collection plates, starching tablecloths and dusting hymnals.
Renie loved her family and large extension of friends. She was a collector of people. For years she and Prope could be found surrounded by friends having coffee at the Farmer’s Wife or eating lunch at the Moose on the Loose. But her favorite place to be was home. After Prope had retired, they went on an extended trip with friends across the United States. Renie would say that she saw many beautiful sights but that no place was as beautiful as Ancramdale and her home.
Renie was known for her jewelry, especially her earrings. You could always tell what holiday was coming up by the earrings Renie wore. She had hundreds of them and took great pride in them. When she eventually went to stay with her daughter Gail, it was with her enormous jewelry box safely seat belted into the back seat of the car.
Renie will be missed not just by her large extended family but by the Ancramdale community as well.
Irene is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Ronald Brant and Gail and Nickie Heath, all of Ancramdale, two granddaughters and grandson- in laws, Monica and Brandon Cleveland of Ancramdale and Amanda and Edward Bishop of Pine Plains. Grandson and granddaughter-in-law Avery and Jennifer Heath of Stanfordville. Five great-grandchildren Sydney Cleveland (Calvin), Ronald Cleveland, Karlee Bishop (Michael) and Lilah and Thomas Heath. Renie leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends as well as two sisters-in-law, Helen Boyles and Bertha Boyles both of Ancramdale.
In addition to her parents and husband Avery, Irene was predeceased by her son Avery Dietter Jr., all of her siblings; brothers Russel, William, Henry, Charles Jr., Harold, Clifford and Robert and sisters Gladys (Millius), Eleanor (Cookingham) and Susan (Dietter) as well as her beloved cousins James and Eleanor Hoag.
Irene’s family would like to give a special thank you to Renie’s caregiver, Violet, who took such good care of her in the final weeks as well as the members of the Community Rescue Squad and the Town of Ancram Fire Department.
A funeral service was conducted on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, 15 Co Rd 8, Ancramdale, NY 12503. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains. In lieu of a traditional wake, Renie wished that folks gather in the fellowship hall following the interment for a celebration of her amazing life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, PO Box 99 Ancramdale, NY 12503. For directions or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.PeckandPeck.net
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Memorial service - Austin Barney
Millerton News
Sep 16, 2026
Haystack Book Festival returns to Norfolk
Mike Cobb
Sep 16, 2026
Belle Burden, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “Strangers,” will kick off the Haystack Book Festival in conversation with Roxanne Coady, RJ Julia Booksellers, on Oct. 2.
Provided
Now in its eighth year, the Haystack Book Festival brings together many of today’s best authors Oct. 2 through 4 for unmoderated conversations about their work in Norfolk, Connecticut.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Infinity Hall will host “The Brendan Gill Lecture” at 6 p.m., with Belle Burden in conversation with Roxanne Coady, founder and owner of RJ Julia Booksellers.
“We have a terrific program this year,” said festival organizer Michael Selleck. “We’re going to kick it off with Belle Burden, the best-selling author of ‘Strangers.’ The event has quite a bit of draw, so we moved it to Infinity Hall. It’s the first time we’re doing that.”
Burden’s book recounts the early days of the pandemic with her husband, who, without warning, announced that he was leaving her after 20 years.
In “Strangers,” Burden revisits her marriage, searching for clues that her husband was not who she always thought he was. As she examines her relationship through a new lens, she reckons with her own family history and the lessons she intuited about how a woman is expected to behave in the face of betrayal. Through it all, she is transformed.
“‘The Brendan Gill Lecture’ was originally a program that the library associates started. It’s a really great platform for us to have writers. This year we chose to do it as a conversation,” Selleck said.
A longtime Norfolk resident, Brendan Gill wrote for The New Yorker for more than 50 years. He contributed short stories, profiles and book reviews and was, in successive decades, the magazine’s movie, theater and architecture critic.
In 1998, “The Brendan Gill Lecture” was established by the Norfolk Library Associates to honor Gill’s generous contributions to the library.
Saturday’s events will be held at the Norfolk Library and include three conversations on America at 250.
“This year our Saturday program will celebrate America 250 through conversations that examine identity by living a life abroad, the effects of war and its aftermath, and the exploration and myth of the western frontier,” Selleck said.
“Across Borders and Belonging — Exile, Identity and American Lives Abroad” will kick off the day at 10:30 a.m. with David Mayers and best-selling author Nicholas Boggs.
At 1 p.m., “After the Wounds — War, Memory and the Search for What Endures” will feature authors David Nasaw and Elizabeth Samet. It will be followed at 3 p.m. by a conversation with Craig Fehrman and Megan Kate Nelson, “Inventing America — Power and Myth at the Nation’s Edges.”
On Sunday at 11 a.m., “Among the Trees — History, Science and Environment” will be discussed by Sophie Pinkham and Robert Moor. This event is sponsored by Great Mountain Forest.
When asked what he likes best about the festival, Selleck said:
“We like the intimacy and unmoderated conversations between the authors. Our hope is that people will be interested and want to come.”
For tickets and information, visit haystackbookfestival.org
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