Dan Egan joined Cary Institute researcher Jane Lucas for a discussion on his bestselling book “The Devil’s Element,” at the Cary Institute in Millbrook Thursday, Jan. 16. Egan’s book is a comprehensive look at the ecological problems posed by phosphorous.
MILLBROOK — Bestselling author and veteran journalist Dan Egan joined Jane Lucas at the Cary Institute in Millbrook for an interview and discussion on his latest book, “The Devil’s Element,” Thursday, Jan. 16.
Fluffy white snowflakes were falling on the dark Cary Institute campus as eager visitors streamed inside to escape the cold and hear about phosphorous, the element Dan Egan said is too-often overlooked for its monumental importance to life on Earth.
Egan’s fascination with the fertilizing element started while he was working as a journalist covering the ecological devastation of Lake Erie. That lake, he said, was one of many victims of phosphorous.
Phosphorous is an important element to modern human life. Egan described the botanical concept of the “limiting element,” or the observation that the least abundant ingredient for life will be the limiting factor. In the early days of botanical chemistry, this was a huge discovery. Once scientists could isolate elements like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium, and they understood the role they played in plant growth, food production sky rocketed.
Egan credits the fertilizer revolution as the sole reason why the planet can support a human population of seven billion and counting, but he said our dependence and misuse of chemical fertilizers has huge consequences for our communities.
Egan’s research points to a growing body of evidence suggesting phosphorous contamination can turn rivers and freshwater lakes lethal with toxic algal blooms.
What’s more, toxic algal blooms caused by phosphorous contamination can even be swept out to sea, which occurred in Mississippi in 2019. That year, massive flooding upstream in the Mississippi river basin forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carré spillway on the Mississippi river in Louisiana on two separate occasions for an annual total of 122 days. The deluge of fresh water diluted the Gulf of Mexico enough that it could support the freshwater toxic algae that plague Lake Erie and other waters across the country. That summer, the state of Mississippi had to close its beaches all year long because of a huge bloom just off its shores.
In the question and answer portion, one concerned audience member asked what could be done to fix the problem. Egan said the issue isn’t one individuals can change on their own. The root of the problem, he said, is industrial agriculture. Fertilizer pollution is historically under regulated, and he said many businesses haven’t realized the utility of reclaiming phosphorous until recently.
Copies of Egan’s book are available for sale at Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook. The Cary Institute hosts regular science seminars and ecology lectures. A full list of planned events can be found online at www.caryinstitute.org.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025
