Cows, horses die in fire; more fires; the fish lady

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

April 26, 1934

‘Midnight Fire Destroys Barn On McGhee Farm; Is Believed Incendiary...Fifteen Head Of Cattle. Team Of Horses. Perish In Flames’; A large barn on the James McGhee farm on Silver Mountain was completely destroyed by a midnight fire of mysterious origin last Wednesday with a loss roughly estimated at between $11.000 and $12.000. Fifteen head of grade cattle and a valuable team of horses perished in the blaze, and an automobile and farm equipment stored in the building was also burned. The loss was partially covered by insurance.

‘Paramount Theatre To Be Re-opened. Moving Picture House Taken Over By Robert A. Lane’; The Paramount Theatre in Millerton has been taken over by Robert A. Lane and will be re-opened in the near future, it was learned early this week. Early showing of all feature pictures produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists, R. K. O. and Columbia studios are promised under the new management with three or four changes in presentations each week during the summer season.

‘About Millerton’; N. Collins Smith, of Amenia Union, expects to begin the erection of a camp at Indian Lake within a few days on the site recently purchased from the Loope Realty Corporation. Workmen completed the grading of a roadway to the property from the state road last week.

Maynard Cook, Orville Velley and Floyd Dow motored to New York City Sunday and saw the world’s champion New York Giants suffer their first defeat of the 1934 season at the hands of the Boston Braves.

April 24, 1975

‘Commemorative Items Offered For Centennial’; The Millerton Centennial Committee is offering for sale a commemorative mug, plate and tile. These items will sell for $5, $2, and $2 respectively.

Each item is ceramic and will depict a picture of the Town Clock and a suitable inscription. The mug will be offered as a collector’s item since only 1000 copies will be made. The plate and tile will be open stock. They will be supplied by Sheffield Pottery, Sheffield, Mass.

‘Wave Of Fear Spreads After 2 Barns Burn’; Fire razed 2 dairy barns last week sending a wave of fear throughout the Dutchess County Farm area. In the 24 hour period of Thursday, April 17, Morgan Culver of Stanford and Edwin Pilch of Pine Plains watched their dairy barns burn to the foundations.

As news of the second fire spread throughout the communities farmers became fearful of the safety of their own barns and livestock. The William George farm on Route 82 in Pine Plains arranged to have a dog loose in the barn area to alarm them of trespassers. Other farmers put their cows out of the barn after the evening milking.

April 27, 2000

‘Fish Lady is Back’;The “Fish Lady” is back! Beginning Saturday, April 29, you can purchase Joan’s (the Fish Lady) vacuum sealed, preweighed fish at Paley’s Market in Sharon. Fresh fish will be delivered to Paley’s Thursday afternoons or Friday mornings. The spring hours at Paley’s are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Silamar Farm, on Route 44 in Millerton, is open for the spring season with a selection of perennials and pansies. According to Julie Schroeder, the spring produce is just beginning to pop up in the fields.

Peggy McEnroe, owner of The Millerton Deli, has created some new, yummy cookies. Customers refer to them as “those cream-filled pecan things,” and “the chocolate ones with the cream in the center.” Considering how tasty the cookies are, they deserve names. If you have a suggestion, jot it down on a piece of a paper and pass it along to Peg. Be sure to include your name and telephone number. If your suggestion is chosen, Peg will give you a pound of those now-nameless yummy cookies.

‘Today’s Capital Project Referendum: Mood is Cautious as Voters Head to Webutuck Polls’; WEBUTUCK — In what could be a watershed moment in Webutuck history, voters head to the polls today to weigh in on whether the district should be allowed to proceed with a $20-million capital improvement project.

And with the exception of some students, most observers were guarded in their predictions.

“I am cautiously optimistic,” said School Board President Joe Larocca, who had also been a strong proponent of the last two failed capital projects.

Mr. Larocca declined to speculate on whether the board would consider a maintenance-only package if today’s referendum fails.

“I don’t even want to think about that,” he added.

Town of Washington resident Dick Krivacs, who has grandchildren in the district and has been a frequent visitor to board meetings, was also hopeful.

“I certainly hope so,” he replied when asked for a prediction. “I’d like to see it pass.”