Gabriella Coons, 14, stands in front of the veterans’ memorial prayer garden she built at Our Lady of Hope parish in Copake Falls, New York, on Monday, Jan. 19. Coons completed the project as part of the requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America, the organization formerly known as Boy Scouts of America.
COPAKE — Gabriella Coons, 14, was out to beat her older brother when she became the first girl in Columbia County, New York, to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Coons said her brother’s merit badge sash hung on the wall at her home. “I would look at it and say ‘I want to do that, and I want to beat my brother,’” she said. “So, I did.”
The Copake native got into Scouting America, the organization formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, immediately after the group opened membership to girls in 2018.
Coons joined the Cub Scouts then, working through the ranks to join Scouts BSA just two years ago at 12 years old. In that time, she’s earned 81 merit badges and reached the top of the ranks with plans to earn all 141 badges.
To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, scouts are required to conceive and direct a community service project. The efforts have to be large-scale, and they usually require a long timeline. Coons said her project fit that trend.
Coons decided to lead the construction of a memorial gazebo in honor of U.S. veterans. Originally, she planned to build the structure on an empty lot in Copake, but she hit an obstacle when town officials said the plan required New York Department of Environmental Conservation review due to its proximity to a nearby stream.
Coons had to seek more money to cover the costs of the environmental review, but that wasn’t the final hurdle.
The approval was further delayed because town zoning code classifies a gazebo as an “auxiliary structure.”
“Someone said ‘There’s no primary structure,’” Coons said. “To have an auxiliary structure you need to have a primary structure.”
So Coons went in search of another location, leading her to Our Lady of Hope parish in Copake Falls on Route 22. She said she’s satisfied with the final result, despite the months of meetings and surprise obstacles.
“It’s a prayer garden for fallen soldiers,” Coons said. “So I feel it’s a good placement.”
Scouting is just one of Coons’s pursuits. She’s also a member of her local FFA chapter and a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian arm of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary that, among other things, teaches leadership and piloting skills to students K-12.
Coons’s mom, Natasha, said her daughter’s enterprising attitude made her proud.
“We sign up for one thing, she signs up for ten,” Natasha said. “She’s very impressive.”
AMENIA — After nearly a month on the job, Dutchess County Legislator Eric Alexander, representing District 25, attended the Amenia Town Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, to report on the work of the county committees to which he has been assigned.
“The legislature has switched to a Democratic majority,” Alexander noted, adding that Republican County Executive Sue Serino has said that she welcomes the opportunity to work in a bipartisan framework.
Alexander said that he will be serving as chairman of the Public Safety committee. Responsibilities will include Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the Sheriff’s department.
“It will give me a platform to set the agenda and focus on priorities like the growing cost of emergency care,” Alexander said, adding that he is seeking affordability options.
In response to a request by Gov. Kathy Hochul, each county will need to submit a comprehensive plan. Alexander said that the plan must include EMS service plans.
Having reviewed bids from three qualified locksmiths, the Town Board accepted the lowestbid, that of Stat Locksmiths of LaGrangeville to update the locks on Town Hall doors.
In other action the Town Board approved the hiring of a consultant planner to assist the Planning Board with projects under their consideration. The planner could also assist the Comprehensive Plan Committee with its updating process. The planner might also advise the Town Board on occasion, said Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm.
Planning Board engineer John Andrews will be asked to draft a Request for Proposals document, used to solicit applications. The vote was unanimous.
Hamm reminded residents of the town’s overnight parking ban that prohibits on-street parking between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. between Nov. 1 and April 1.
The first art show opening of the year at The Fountains in Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 22, presented a retrospective of the works of Delores Levy, drawing the interest of Fountains residents and visitors alike. Ellen O’Shea, Fountains art program leader, at right, presented Levy with a bouquet. Also attending the opening and joining in the celebration were Levy’s daughter, Lynn Carson, and son, Bruce Levy.
MILLBROOK — Selections from a lifetime of creativity and an artist’s skilled depictions of scenic localesare on display at The Fountains in Millbrook. A retrospective view of the works of Delores Levy, 93, the new exhibit opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, drawing a significant turn-out of residents and friends.
Nearly 50 art enthusiasts attended the opening, marveling at Levy’s sensitive use of color and the varied subject matter within the collection of framed paintings, mostly watercolors, that were selected for the show. The exhibit will remain in place for one month.
Ellen O’Shea, art teacher at The Fountains, said that she had proposed the showing in December. It had developed from there as she took Levy’s portfolio home and made careful selections, seeing to the framing of a few to complete the exhibit.
“It was a pleasure to go through your portfolio,” O’Shea told Levy, presenting her with a bouquet to open the exhibit, a bouquet replete with Levy’s favorite yellow blooms.
“She’s magic; she’s fun to be around,” said Levy’s friend Joan Burgess of Millbrook, who attended the event. Within the two years of their friendship, Burgess said that Levy had painted a portrait of her dog, Sebastian, a painting that she displayed on her phone to the amusement of attendees. Burgess added that Sebastian himself is a popular canine figure along the sidewalks of Millbrook with his expansive welcoming personality.
A Fountains resident for the past four years, Levy was born in East Islip and raised in Oakdale, New York. Her interest in painting began in college, according to her daughter, Lynn Carson, who attended the event along with other family members. Levy’s career was in social work. She moved to Longboat Key in Florida upon her retirement, continuing to paint scenes in that locale.
“You should see how funny the house looks with so many hooks for paintings on the walls,” Carson said, adding that her sister, Karen Martin, is also an accomplished artist.
“There are a million things to say,” commented Deborah Slocum, Executive Director at The Fountains who attended the opening. “Delores is such an inspiration and so humble about her talent.”
Ronnybrook farm operates a dairy in Pine Plains.
Whole milk will return to school cafeterias across the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s signing on Jan. 14 of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan measure that allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and reduced-fat milk alongside low-fat and fat-free options.
“Milk in any of its forms is beneficial to consumers,” said Rick Osofsky of Ronnie Brook Farm. “Full fat is only 3.5% fat and it’s unfortunate it developed a bad rap. This will reintroduce milk to kids.”
Among the bill’s 118 House co-sponsors were Democrats from rural and dairy-producing regions, including Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, whose 18th Congressional District includes parts of Dutchess County, and Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District. Both lawmakers joined the bipartisan coalition backing the measure, which was led by Republican sponsors but drew Democratic support. Supporters from both parties said the change would support student nutrition and benefit the nation’s dairy industry.
Decade-old policy reversed
The new law undoes part of the nutrition standards that had restricted schools to serving only low-fat or fat-free milk dating back to updates of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Actfrom 2012 in an attempt to reduce saturated fat and calories in school meals to combat childhood obesity.
Critics of the old policy argued that the absence of whole milk contributed to declining milk consumption among students, saying many children did not like low-fat options. Supporters of the new law contend that offering whole and reduced-fat milk will increase participation in school meal programs and reduce waste.
Sloane Oksenhendler, 4, of Clinton Corners, takes advantage of a skating assist as she ventures onto the ice at an open rink event sponsored by the Amenia Recreation Department in collaboration with Silo Ridge on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
AMENIA — Now being offered for the second year by the Recreation Commission, residents are invited to enjoy community ice skating at the Silo Ridge outdoor rink, scheduled for Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, both Mondays. The hours are 3:30 to 6 p.m.
New this year at the same Silo Ridge location is backyard platform tennis, a form of paddle tennis different from pickleball. The dates and times are the same for both offerings.
There is no charge for skating or tennis, but pre-registration is required. A limited number of ice skates for children and adults are available for use at no charge. No one is permitted on the ice without skates.
To register for skating or tennis, email to recreation@ameniany.gov and indicate names of participants, email and phone number. Or phone 845-373-8800, extension 124. Leave message, if no answer. Registration can also be accomplished on the town website.
The Recreation Commission will also be offering Valentine’s Day activities for children on Saturday, Feb. 14. Details will be available on the town website.
The community swim program that had been offered to residents at the Maplebrook School’s pool in recent years has been discontinued due to the need for major pool repairs.
