Author to share tales from new ‘Route 17’ book

Esther Cohen will read from her latest book “All of Us: Stories and Poems Along Route 17” at the Roeliff Jansen Library in Hillsdale at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Photo provided
Esther Cohen will read from her latest book “All of Us: Stories and Poems Along Route 17” at the Roeliff Jansen Library in Hillsdale at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.
COPAKE — Esther Cohen, a self-described lover of pens, will have plenty on hand for the audience to use as she combines readings from her latest book with an opportunity for them to create their own writings at the Roeliff Jansen Library, 9091 Route 22, Hillsdale at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.
An energetic communicator, Cohen, who notes keyboards are also welcome, says she especially likes to work with others and enjoys the feedback that classes and in-person events such as the RoeJan presentation allow.
That evening’s “All of Us: Stories and Poems Along Route 17” features portraits of individuals such as might be found in Cohen’s daily life in either her small New York City rent-controlled apartment or her home in Greene County’s Cornwallville, which she shares with her husband of 40 years, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Odabashian.
Her writing throughout the years runs the gamut from humorous and heartwarming to insightful and thought provoking.
Some of her works are presented as prose and some as poetry. Defining the latter, Cohen notes, “The author is the decision maker... If you, the writer, say it’s a poem, I believe it’s a poem.”
With eight books to her credit and five star ratings on Amazon and Good Reads, Cohen’s days are crammed as she writes and posts a daily poem where she “tells the story of what happens every day,” a practice she began ten years ago simply because, “No one else had done it, so I thought I’d try.”
She conducts numerous readings and Zoom writing classes mainly sponsored by the venerable New York Society Library. In a new serial mystery on Kindle Vella, she shares the continuing adventures of a 93 year old sleuth in “There’s a Body in My Lobby.”
Although she has worked with traditional publishers in the past, Cohen is particularly enthusiastic about venues such as her poetry site at overheardec@substack.com “where writers have a voice” because “I hear from readers every single day. I’m crazy about that. People write me and they say all sorts of things.”
Cohen says she was basically “raised in a library,” and that her love of writing began at an early age. When she was in seventh grade she and her best friend Gabby began a neighborhood newspaper together. Since then Cohen has been a faithful observer and recorder of life around her.
In general, the work she produces has a light touch as she believes, “It’s such a difficult time. I’m in the fun camp. The world is so crazy. Politics are so crazy. Wars are so horrible. There’s so much sickness. I think we have to remember to enjoy ourselves.”
Beyond being an author, Cohen has contributed her efforts to multiple causes over the years. A political activist, she was the long-time director of Bread and Roses, an organization which aims to improve the lives of marginalized individuals through music.
She founded Unseen America, where “we gave cameras and 12 week classes with professional photographers to migrant workers and nannies and health care workers, fast food workers, and hundreds of groups of people to tell the stories of their lives from their prospective of what they see.” Cohen has taught writing classes centering on journaling to many including previously incarcerated women and has worked with labor unions and other nonprofits.
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.