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
New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey buys two books from Oblong Books in Millerton on Thursday, April 23, after inducting the business into the state Historic Business Preservation Registry.
Hermans and Nelson opened Oblong Books in 1975 after graduating from college, finding a home for their bookstore at 32 Main St. Multiple relocations and more than 200 employees later, the business remains a fixture in Millerton.
“We’ve been through thick and thin,” said Dick Hermans. “I think we’ve been successful because we stay involved in the community.”
Employees of Oblong Books and local Town of North East and Village of Millerton officials gathered with State Senator Michell Hinchey on Thursday, April 23, to honor the bookstore’s placement on the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry.Photo Provided
The designation honors New York businesses that have operated for at least 50 years. Oblong is the first business from Millerton to receive the honor. “Oblong has stood the test of time, even in the age of e-commerce,” Hinchey said. “It has remained authentically true to its mission of human connection.”
In 2001, Hermans opened a second store in Rhinebeck. Hermans’ daughter Suzanna started working at Oblong shortly thereafter, helping the store navigate the newly-imperiled physical market.
“We thought that was going to be the death knell of books,” she said, “but it turns out a physical book is actually a perfect object. You can share it with a friend, or you can keep it for 50 years.”
The bookstore is known not only for its literary inventory, but also for author events, music selections and children’s toys.
The owners’ commitment to community also extends to the nonprofit world: since 2023, Oblong has partnered with the Beacon Prison Books project to provide free books to incarcerated individuals in the region.
E-books are now available on Oblong’s website, too. But the space has largely remained the same, with its weathered wooden floorboards and cozy nooks. There’s a section for music and records upstairs, and Oblong Jr. downstairs for younger readers and toy connoisseurs.
Next time visitors stop by, they will see something new: a window decal bearing the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry logo.
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