Handmaking ornaments at Hunt

Handmaking ornaments at Hunt
Children at the David M. Hunt Library made ornaments on Saturday, Dec. 2, prior to the town’s tree lighting festivities.
Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Residents with the holiday spirit were already milling about the town Green well ahead of the official starting time of 4:40 p.m. for the lighting of the town’s tree and the singing of carols and holiday songs Saturday, Dec. 2.

Candles were distributed and lit, relative newcomers mingled with old-timers, and children dashed about according to their own logic.

The revelers sang a mix of traditional carols and popular songs, led by Rachel Gall on violin and John Stey on guitar.

Once darkness settled in and the tree was lit, a Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department fire engine, suitably decorated, motored slowly down Railroad Street to the corner of Main Street by the Green.

This was the moment the youngsters had been waiting for.

Santa Claus — the genuine article, not some department store impostor — clambered down from the cab and made his way into the crowd.

The children looked on in awe, seemingly unable to speak.

Until a young voice piped up.

“Hi, Santa Claus!”

“Ho ho ho,” replied Santa.

The ice now broken, the children swarmed the man in the red suit.

Earlier in the day, children gathered at the David M. Hunt Library worked on handmade ornaments, some of which made it to the town tree.

Latest News

Blues and bloodlines: The Devon Allman Project at Infinity Hall Norfolk

Devon Allman

Venla Shalin

On Friday, Aug. 15, The Devon Allman Project will play Infinity Hall in Norfolk. As the son of the legendary musician Gregg Allman, Devon carries on the family tradition while stepping out on his own.

“We’re honored to keep the tradition alive,” said Allman. “But I don’t play my records and try to compare them to records from 50 years ago. I try to write songs that mean something to me, and hopefully they’ll resonate with other people.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Construction on Main Street disrupts traffic, shuts down water

Fire hydrant replacements in the village disrupted water service for businesses on Main Street.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — Construction on Main Street last week disrupted traffic as crews worked to replace an outdated fire hydrant next to Oakhurst Diner.

The scheduled maintenance, which continued into this week, was part of a 2019 grant awarded by the New York State Department of Health under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act. Since then, the village has been upgrading undersized, damaged and outdated hydrants. A total of 25 hydrants have been replaced.

Keep ReadingShow less
Moviehouse grant totals $150,000 for capital projects

The Millerton Moviehouse was granted $150,000 for HVAC repairs. Moviehouse owner David Maltby said the repairs were needed as the HVAC system in the building is 40 years old.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Moviehouse announced last week that it received a $150,000 grant from State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41). Moviehouse owners David Maltby and Chelsea Altman accepted the check alongside town supervisor Chris Kennan and Senator Hinchey.

The funds will be allocated toward HVAC repairs that were completed in April, a crucial part of ongoing capital projects necessary for maintaining the historic 120-year-old building.

Keep ReadingShow less
Truitt to challenge Aymar-Blair for Comptroller seat

Republican County Comptroller candidate Will Truitt currently serves as the chair of the Dutchess County Legislature.

Photo provided

Republican Will Truitt of Hyde Park is facing off against Democrat Dan Aymar-Blair for the county comptroller seat in the Nov. 4 election.

Truitt currently serves as the chair of the Dutchess County Legislature and has served as Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley’s representative in the legislating body for the past ten years.

Keep ReadingShow less