Art in the Loft at the Millbrook Winery

Art in the Loft first-place winner Linda Lavin with her painting “Starry Night.” Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe
Whether you’re there for the art, the wine, the ambiance, or for all three, Art in the Loft at the Millbrook Winery is always a good place to be, and this year, the 23rd since it began, was no exception.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, the air was too chilly to spend time in the vineyard or on the patio, but inside, it was warm and friendly — the food by Simply Gourmet was grand and music by The Swing Vipers was swinging!
A collaboration between Millbrook Winery and Arts Mid-Hudson, a number of art pieces are chosen each spring and judged by a juried panel to hang on the walls of the gallery at the winery. Visitors not only enjoy seeing the artworks, but they vote on them, as well.
With a point system of three points for first, two points for second and one point for third, the votes are tallied in November and the winners are announced at the Art in the Loft reception held at the winery. On that day, 20% of all wine sales purchased by reception guests is donated to Arts Mid-Hudson, a nonprofit group that has been active since 1964.
David Bova, general manager and vice president of the winery, recalled the history of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the celebrated French vineyard, and its tradition of having leading artists design its labels, starting with Jean Carlu in 1924. In 1945 it resurrected the idea and had young, unknown artist Phillipe Jullian design a label celebrating the Allied victory and the return of peace. Miro, Chagall, Braque, Picasso, Dali, Francis Bacon, Jeff Koons and King Charles of England among others are some of the artists who have since designed labels for the French winery.
Bova said that it was this Rothschild tradition that inspired him, along with marketing director Stacy Hudson, to form the partnership with Art in the Loft. Art in many forms can be submitted, although the majority are paintings in different mediums as well as photographs.
There were 16 artworks hanging in the exhibit. Bova said that over 20,000 people had visited the winery this year and a total of 2,400 votes made. Hudson added that seven out of the 16 paintings were sold prior to the judging, to be picked up after the winners were announced.
The winner not only gets the recognition, but the winning artwork is made into a label for a special wine, and for each bottle of wine bearing that label, the artist will receive 10% and Arts Mid-Hudson will get 10% of the sale.
This year’s winner was Linda Lavin of Rhinebeck for “Starry Night,” a print on giclee canvas. She is an occupational therapist who has been painting for about 10 years, and is inspired by color. Not always certain about what her subject will be, she is inspired by color and shape, and said her work is an appropriation — it has been a real process. Her work received 759 votes.
Second place went to Arquimedes Mejia for “Winery Lake,” an oil on canvas, with 615 votes. Third place, with 470, went to Maureen Lohan-Bremer for an archival pigment print titled “The Mighty Hudson.”
The Millbrook Vineyards and Winery is located at 26 Wing Road. For more information about Arts Mid-Hudson go to www.artsmidhudson.org
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.