Cows, horses die in fire; more fires; the fish lady
From the Archives: Thursday, April 24, 2025
From the Archives: Thursday, April 24, 2025
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.”
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.