Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Drop-in tea with Millbrook’s mayor — and pet adoption — at the library

Drop-in tea with Millbrook’s mayor — and pet adoption — at the library

First meetings with prospective family pets were the order of a perfect spring day as the Millbrook Library hosted a pet adoption event that drew four animal rescue organizations on Saturday, May 18.

Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — In addition to the personable Village Mayor Tim Collopy being on hand to chat with residents as part of the Community Tea series sponsored by the Millbrook Library on Saturday, May 18, there was the excitement of a pet adoption fair featuring cautious kittens, boisterous puppies and even chinchillas hoping to find suitable homes.

Those activities, combined with regular Saturday morning library users, made for a busy Saturday at the local library.

Social connection was the goal.

Participating in the second of a series of community teas hosted by the Millbrook Library on Saturday, May 18, was Village Mayor Tim Collopy who began by greeting residents on the porch and later moved inside to be near the indoor action for the library’s pet adoption event.Leila Hawken

Collopy spoke of current projects underway throughout the village including the most major of projects, an upgrade for the present wastewater treatment plant, projected to take three years to complete at a cost of $10 million. Village Trustees are beginning the supplemental infrastructure funding process that requires detailed engineering studies to be completed in the coming months.

Another project, now well underway and visible to residents, is the planting of trees in the village. It has been a four-phase project, Collopy said. Five new trees were recently planted along the south side of Franklin Avenue.

The final phase will see the crosswalk redone where Franklin and Front Streets meet, Collopy noted. As Franklin is a state highway, the work will be done when it can be scheduled.

“It’s a good opportunity to highlight the good work these organizations do,” said Library Director Courtney Tsahalis, pleased with both events as they unfolded.

Chinchillas were a favorite at the pet adoption event held at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, May 18. This as yet unnamed youngster is held by Deana Matero of “My Hope’s in You” Small Animal Rescue of LaGrangeville, one of the participating nonprofit rescue organizations.Provided

Chinchillas, young and very young, were shown off by My Hope’s in You Small Animal Rescue of LaGrangeville. Also showing pets up for adoption were Compassionate Animal Rescue of Dutchess County, Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary of Poughkeepsie, and the Stray Cat Network of Red Hook.

“We’re here to check out the kittens,” one young couple was overheard saying as they headed for the display by the Stray Cat Network. Camryn Lauffer, president of that organization, said that the Millbrook Library event was her first-ever adoption event, since she began her tenure in 2020.

While no one could go home on Saturday with a pet, there were inquiries about the necessary application process and lots of bonding with potential pets loaded with charm.

Bashful young chinchillas drew admiring gazes from kids and parents at the pet adoption event at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, May 18. Freya Hersey, 9, and her sister, Akicita, 6 (almost 7), paused to have a look at the popular display of My Hope’s in You Small Animal Rescue of LaGrangeville.Leila Hawken

Latest News

Legal Notices - September 1, 2026

Legal Notices - September 1, 2026

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of GREEN VILLAGE CONTRACTORS LLC Articles of Organization filed with the NYS Department of State (SSNY) on 05/15/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Tomas Tun Ico 766 Old Route 22 Amenia, NY 12501 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less

Classifieds - September 1, 2026

Classifieds - September 1, 2026

SERVICES OFFERED

Hector Pacay Landscaping, LLC. Residential & Commercial. Tree service, Painting, Masonry, Stone Walls, Lawn Mowing, Gardens, Construction. 845-636-3212. CT and NY.

Julieth Cleaning Pro. Spotless Homes at Competitive Prices! House Cleaning. Apartment Cleaning. Office Cleaning. Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning. Post Construction Cleaning. Basement & Attic Cleaning. General Cleaning. Reliable, Professional & Friendly Service. Proudly serving Torrington, Canaan, Litchfield, Winsted, Norfolk, New Hartford, and surrounding areas. Call today for your FREE estimate! 860-806-2110. JuliethCleaningPra@gmail.com

Keep ReadingShow less
Friends, neighbors remember NECC co-founder Sam Busselle

Friends and colleagues of the late Sam Busselle gathered at his home on Sunday, Aug. 30, to give and hear testimony about his lifelong mission to make Millerton and northern Dutchess County a better place.

Photo by John Coston

MILLERTON — Sam Busselle’s half century of life and work in the Millerton community was celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 30, by friends, family members and colleagues who gathered to remember him as someone with boundless imagination and a relentless push to make the community a better place.

Busselle, who died on July 31 at the age of 86, was a Millerton resident for 50 years and cofounded with Wendy Curtis what became the North East Community Center, a nonprofit that addresses social service needs in the local community and northern Dutchess County.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

New apartments coming to North East business district after site plan approval

A former office building on Route 44 will soon be the first apartment complex in North East’s business district.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — New apartments are coming to North East’s business district along Route 44 after Planning Board members approved site plan documents.

Lilly Simons and her mother, Lauren, presented plans to convert a building that was once a restaurant and then an office building on Route 44 across from North East Ford. Simons plans to turn the building into an eight-unit apartment complex with five one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments and a single studio.

Keep ReadingShow less
Upcoming ‘Affordability Fair’ in Amenia highlights cost-cutting options

AMENIA — In the midst of the ongoing affordability crisis, Amenia’s upcoming town meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, will double as an affordability fair.

Organized by local politicians and businesses, the fair will bring residents and local businesses together to highlight discounts already available in the community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protective order issued in former IMS athletic director’s sexual assault case

TORRINGTON — A judge issued a protective order Thursday, Aug. 27, in the criminal case against Maxwell Abendroth, the former Indian Mountain School athletic director and gym teacher charged with three felonies involving alleged sexual contact with a 15-year-old student.

The court identified the person protected by the order only by initials and did not disclose the individual’s relationship to Abendroth or the pending case.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.