Clown, Jail construction, County Fair, West Nile

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

Sept. 5, 1935

“Uncle Bob” Sherwood Gives Stereopticon Talk

MT. WASHINGTON - “Bob” Sherwood, “Uncle Bob” of the radio and the last living clown of P. T. Barnum’s Circus, gave a stereopticon lecture and show on the lawn at Penny Royal Arms here Saturday evening. Approximately 200 turned out to see the famous fun-maker in person.

Historical Society Will Conduct Tour To Unveil Markers Placed By Department Of Education

The Dutchess County Historical Society will make it [sic] annual tour to points of historical interest in the county next Wednesday. A feature of the tour will be the unveiling of markers placed on building [sic] having historical backgrounds by the State Department of Education.

Those making the tour are to assemble at the brick meeting house on the Dover Plains road near Millbrook at 10:45. Here the story of the Nine Partners Patent, Nine Partners meeting house and Nine Partners School will be told by Helen W. Reynolds. W. Willis Reese, president of the society, will preside.

Caroline E. Haviland will unveil a marker on the roadside at 11:30 a. m., erected by the State Education Department in honor of the meeting house which was built in 1780. Mrs. Austin Flint of Millbrook, daughter of the late John D. Wing, is to unveil a marker erected in honor of Nine Partners School which was opened in 1796. Sections of the chestnut pipes which conveyed water to the school and the original school bell are to be exhibited.

North East Proposes Jail As WPA Job

Plans Prepared For $3,000 Structure, Supervisor Minor Discloses

Supervisor Frank L. Minor revealed Tuesday that plans for a $3,000 jail for the Town of North East have been prepared by Charles J. Cooke, architect, and have been forwarded to the district WPA headquarters for approval as a town project. Supervisor Minor indicated that, preferring the jail project, the township will not take part in the proposed $500,000 WPA “mud pie” road program for Dutchess County, under which towns receive $1,500 per mile for improving dirt roads.

Mr. Minor disclosed that it costs the township forty dollars for each prisoner taken to the county jail for temporary commitment. North East has been without a lock-up for several years. The town used the village of Millerton lock-up until that was closed after it was condemned by the State Commission of Correction.

The new jail, a one-story-fire-proof structure, is to be added to the present town building in Millerton.

Florida City Expects Many New Yorkers

Several Millerton Residents Among St. Petersburg Visitors Last Winter

ST. PETERSBURG - America’s famous winter resort inaugurated another season Labor Day as hundreds of northern families arrived here over the preceding week-end for the opening of free public and private schools. New York will again lead all other states in the number of sojourners represented and that commonwealth is expected to set a new all time mark this winter with the registration of 10,000 or more tourists. It fell short of the five-figure mark last winter by 35, listing a total of 9,965 Empire Staters, the highest ever recorded by any sovereignty. Many Millerton residents who were here last season are returning for another stay in the warm and even climate of this famous resort. Among the visitors from Millerton who were registered at the City Information Bureau last season included Miss Marjorie H. Baldwin, Robert Coldwell and Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Cook.

September 2, 1976

Area Farmers Score Big At Fair Competition

Area residents flocked to the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck last week and returned with numerous awards. Local farmers did particularly well in the livestock judging.

A heifer co-owned by George Beneke and George Flanagan of the Willowbrook Farm in Millerton was named the grand champion in Holstein competition. The Willowbrook Farm also placed 1st among class No. 4 and No. 5 Holsteins.

In the 2-year old Holstein competition, a Perotti and Sons of Millerton heifer took the grand prize. The Pleasant View Farm of Millerton took a 1st in the Breeder’s Young Herd competition.

Brrr!

The Millerton area had 2 days of unseasonably cold weather early this week. On Monday morning the mercury went down to 47 degrees and on Tuesday it was recorded at 38, which may be the lowest ever for the date.

The records aren’t complete in Millerton but the coldest Aug. 31 in Albany was in 1965, when it got down to 39 degrees. Record or not, it was quite chilly early this week, leading to some suspicion that summer may be prematurely over.

September 6, 2001

West Nile Virus Birds Found Here

MILLERTON — State officials have notified the Dutchess County Health department that two dead birds found in the town of North East were infected with the West Nile virus.

The birds are the third and fourth bodies found in the county this year that are infected with the disease. State health officials said 26 dead birds were confirmed with West Nile in Dutchess County last year.

The virus, a mosquito-borne illness, can cause deadly swelling of the brain in some cases. Health officials say the victims are most often older people. Healthy adults and children who get infected generally have no symptoms or flu-like symptoms.

Birds, especially crows and other wildlife also contract the virus. Finding dead birds may indicate mosquitoes in the area carry the virus.

County Health Commissioner Michael Caldwell announced Friday that the two birds found in North East were collected on Aug. 22 and were confirmed to be infected with West Nile last Thursday by state health officials.

As a result of the recent findings in North East as well as the city of Poughkeepsie and in Red Hook, the state Department of Health declared “a public health threat” for the county.