The Apocalypse Is Good For You

Why are we drawn to post-apocalypse stories? One theory is that shows of social chaos and survival prepare us better for the fearful time we live in and that fans of such stories are better able to cope with anxiety.
So turn off the news, cut down on your meds and watch these two very different and exceptional shows.
‘Station Eleven’
Fans of “The Leftovers,” in which 2% of the world’s population disappears, will appreciate this new HBO miniseries, in which almost everyone is killed by a flu that “explodes like a neutron bomb over the surface of the earth.” Patrick Somerville created both, this one based on a 2014 novel by Emily St. John Mandel.
The story opens with Jeevan, an EMT trainee, rescuing Kirsten, a child actress, and taking her to his brother’s apartment high over the city of Chicago, where they seal themselves off from infection and the collapse of the city. Himash Patel plays Jeevan, and Matilda Lawler plays Kirsten, in one of the finest performances I’ve seen by a child actor.
Then the action moves forward 20 years, where an older Kirsten (Mackenzie Davis) leads a troupe of actors who travel among survivor settlements to perform Shakespeare.
Along the way you’ll be rewarded with some stunning and unforgettable passages, such as episode five, where a settlement of survivors in an airport terminal watches the arrival of a flight of sick passengers; will they disembark? Or episode nine, when Jeevan is attacked by a wolf and ends up assisting in a rough and improvised birthing center.
“Station Eleven” received rapturous reviews; I don’t disagree, but you will have to pay close attention as the story jumps among three time periods. There are some disturbing scenes, but you’ll see more Shakespeare than violence, maybe too much for someone like me with thriller genes. Be assured that the emphasis is not on the pandemic, but on a rebirth of art and the bonds that connect the survivors.
Stream on HBO Max.
‘Wall-E’
As a one-time science fiction editor, I’m occasionally asked for my favorite sci-fi movies. Some are surprised when I mention “Wall-E” in the same breath as “2001: A Space Odyssey” or “Blade Runner.” The animation wizards at Pixar have made many memorable films, but this is their most ambitious and original and in my view the best.
Hundreds of years into the future, our environmental recklessness has turned Earth into a giant trash heap. Wall-E is a garbage bot who tidies up his tiny corner of the planet during the day and at night inserts a tape into a dusty Betamax and watches “Hello, Dolly.” He has cute binocular eyes and is quite huggable, but there’s no one to hug him except for his sidekick, a cockroach. One day a probe bot named Eve lands in search of life. She’s been sent from the huge starship where humans have escaped into an orgy of luxury. The two bots have a magnetic attraction, and when Eve returns to the ship, Wall-E hitches a ride; much action ensues.
I love many things about “Wall-E.” It’s an almost Chaplinesque silent film with little dialogue. It’s a charming love story. Although Earth is a grim and desolate mess, the ending offers hope for its future. Its only human star is my favorite character actor (and an old personal friend) Fred Willard. And the music is playful fun: from “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” to Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose” — to Strauss’s “Thus Spake Zarathustra,” in a nod to Kubrick and one of the great openings in film history. I guarantee 97 enjoyable minutes for the entire family. Don’t skip the end credits.
Stream on Disney; rent on Amazon, YouTube.
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.