Double wedding, then a car crash

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

October 4, 1934

‘Double Wedding Performed Friday’; Miss Christine Hoffbeck became the bride of Arthur McGhee, son of Mrs. Catherine McGhee, of Millerton, and her sister, Miss Elda Hoffbeck, was married to Howard Wheeler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Wheeler, of Wassaic, in a double wedding performed Friday evening in the Smithfield Church by the Rev. Arthur James, pastor. Both brides were the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Hoffbeck, of Millerton.

‘Married Two Hours, Couple In Accident’; Married just two hours and leaving Millerton on a wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McGhee suffered minor injuries Friday night when their automobile was struck head-on by a car driven by Elisha Austin, of Winchell Mountain. Mrs. McGhee was formerly Miss Christina Hoffbeck, of Millerton.

The accident occurred on Route 22 in front of Sharkey’s Restaurant. Austin, arrested on charges of reckless driving by Police Chief Van De Bogart, will be arraigned in town court Monday night.

‘About Millerton’; Robert Lane, proprietor of the local movie theatre, has made the Millerton school a splendid proposition. He has selected a subject taught in all the grades, written the name of the subject on a piece of paper, placed the paper in a sealed envelope, and the envelope is now resting in the school safe. When the six weeks report cards are issued the envelope will be opened and all pupils in the grades having 90 or above in that subject will be admitted free to the movies for one night.

October 2, 1975

‘Downey Gains Nomination As Independent Candidate’; Edward Downey, a local attorney, has been nominated as an Independent candidate to seek a 4-year term as Councilman in the Town of North East. A petition signed by over 70 Town voters was filed with the Dutchess County Board of Election on Wednesday: Downey was recently nominated for the same office by the Democratic Party.

“My Independent candidacy is a response to the many Republican and independent voters who have expressed their support for me.” Downey stated.

Downey, a lifelong resident of the Town, was graduated from the Webutuck Central School, Union College and the Indiana University School of Law. He has also served 2 years in the field artillery of the United States Army.

‘Manson To Head Ticket For North East Dems’; The North East Democratic Caucus, meeting Sept. 25 in the Millerton Library community room, selected Willis H. Manson as candidate for Town Supervisor. Manson will face incumbent Frank Perotti, the Republican candidate. Seventeen Town Democrats attended the Caucus.

‘Boards To Take Up Comprehensive Plans’; The North East Planning Board began Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, with North East Town Board and Millerton Village Board members, to take the final steps in considering and possibly enacting a comprehensive land use and zoning plan for both the Town and Village.

North East Zoning Board of Appeals members were also invited to attend the meeting.

The Comprehensive Plans will have to be approved or rejected by the Town and Village Boards, after they are brought before a public hearing.

Planning Board member Dave Sherman said of the complex plan, “The Boards have to be taken through it.”

No timetable has been established by the 2 Boards to consider the plans. Planning Board member Edward Downey said, “We want to sit down with the Boards and work out a schedule.”

Land use plans for the Town and Village were developed by the North East Planning Board with the assistance from Dutchess County Planners.

October 5, 2000

‘Grey House Coming to NE, Hamilton Inn Moving’; MILLERTON—There’s some moving and shaking going on including one convert from a neighboring town. Millerton businesses,

At least one business on Main Street will relocate to accommodate the Hamilton Inn restaurant, and a Lakeville company will move into the current Hamilton Inn location.

Grey House Publishing, a publisher of business, health and demographic reference books with offices now in Sharon and Lakeville, is consolidating offices and moving to North East, a press release from the company said.

Completing the musical chairs, North East Travel shifts over next door to what’s known as the Benedict House, the pale yellow house which hosts A Stitch in Time.

Massage Therapist Matthew Schwartz said he has been allowed to stay on in the office spaces in the rear of the Platt A. Paine House.

‘NE-Millerton Library Will Dedicate Children’s Room to Sapersteins’; MILLERTON — Refreshments, remembrances, a bronze plaque and new additions to a colorful mural: all are happening this Saturday at the North East-Millerton Library, as it holds a ceremony dedicating the children’s room to the memory of Irving and Shirley Saperstein.

The occasion marks a gift by Susan Saperstein Rabin of a piece of land from the Saperstein estate, said library board of trustees President Carol Decker. The land will eventually be sold to benefit the library and its programs for kids.

The Sapersteins were a fixture of the community since the 1940s, when they arrived in town and opened a shop next to the Village Diner. The store bearing his name at the corner of Dutchess Avenue and Main Street is owned by Irving’s son, Louis.