This is the time of year when, normally, we would head to the Goshen Fair in Connecticut or the Dutchess County Fair in New York and learn the differences between all those types of cows that we see in the fields as we drive around on our country roads.
This year there are no agricultural fairs. But you can still learn about dairy cows — and taste some exquisite handmade chocolates made from the milk of those same cows.
If you’ve lived here for a while, you’ve probably heard of Thorncrest Chocolate Shop and Farm in Goshen, Conn. Almost everyone with a sweet tooth knows this place — and raves about it.
The chocolate itself is silky, creamy, gorgeous, everything that chocolate ought to be.
It’s fresh, so much so that it comes with a warning that these sweets are best eaten within two weeks of purchase (and you should store them in a cool, dark place — but not your refrigerator, where they’re likely to get discolored).
There are pre-made assortments but why bother when there is the temptation of the daily menu, which includes almost 30 different specialty items, including (for example) Madras Curry Dark Chocolate, Lavender Dark Chocolate and Lemon Mint Dark Chocolate — in addition to more traditional favorites such as caramels; chocolate bark with granola or trail mix; chocolate with peanut butter (called Tali’s Delights); or citrus peel, apricots or candied ginger dipped in chocolate.
And then of course there are the cows, who lounge around in their stalls eating hay, steps away from the newly built retail shack.
The chocolate master is Kimberly Thorn. The masters of the cows are her husband, Clint, and sons Garrett and Lyndon, who are generally out and about working on the farm and are happy to answer questions about their “girls,” the dairy cows.
Like the farm they live on, the cows are lovely and clean. The barn is open for visits; often one of the family farmers is there, ready to answer questions and introduce “the ladies” — and explain which cow’s milk produces which chocolates, caramels, yogurts and cheeses.
You can phone in your order (sometimes there is a long line). You can also phone ahead to arrange a more deluxe tour of the barn.
The dairy barn is open for visits from Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Private group tours are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday though Monday from May to October; there is a fee for these group visits, which can accommodate up to 35 people (the fee is between $50 and $85 depending on the size of the group; there is no charge for individual informal visits to the barn).
There are also (in a non-quarantine time) chocolate tastings and talks at $10 per person; and there are cheese-making classes.
The farm’s website warns that sometimes circumstances will arise that will keep visitors out of the barn.
“We are a working dairy farm and occasionally these hours will need to be flexible for the stable, as well as weather dependent,”the website warns. “This is to ensure the safety, health and comfort of our cows.”
The chocolate shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To learn more about Thorncrest Chocolate Shop and Farm, go to www.milkhousechocolates.net, where you can see the daily menu, arrange a group tour and get directions; or call 860-309-2545.
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
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 “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.
