From the archives

91 years ago: May 5, 1933

‘Mayor Brewer Wants Millerton Cleanest Town in the Valley’: If Millerton is not the cleanest town in the Harlem Valley by May 28, the fault will not be that of Mayor William J. Brewer. His Honor has just issued a proclamation setting aside the days of May 19 and 20, 26 and 27, as Clean-Up dates and urges all good and true Millertonians to renovate the town from top to bottom.[...] all in all, give the whole village such an appearance that when motorists pass through they will instinctively exclaim, “Oh, what an attractive town!”

‘Call Issued for Vote on Prohibition’: Tuesday, May twenty-third, is the big day-no matter on which side your feelings lie-when voters of New York State will decide on the thirteen-year-old question of repealing the Eighteenth Amendment.

‘Pine Plains Church to Burn Its Mortgage’: The Presbyterian Church ladies have completed their plans for the services Friday evening when the church mortgage will be burned. There will be speechmaking, after which refreshments will be served.

50 years ago: May 9, 1974

‘Keuka Honors Miss McEnroe’: Patricia McEnroe of Millerton was the recipient of the Pi Gamma Mu Achievement Award at Keuka College’s Honors Convocation held on April 29, She is a member of the class of 1976. [...]

‘55 MPH Limit Still in Effect’: State Police Superintendent William E. Kirwan reminded New York Motorists this week that there has been no increase in the state speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

“With the greater ease in obtaining gasoline,” he said, “we have been getting complaints that many motorists are exceeding the speed limit outside of the presence of troopers.”

Referring to the elimination by Governor Wilson of the odd-even gasoline distribution plan, the superintendent urged that motorists not interpret this “as a signal to return to the faster speeds of former days.” [...]

25 years ago: May 13, 1999

‘Millerton Honors Its Local, Beloved Miracle Worker Eugene Brooks’: Millerton – Community service and citizenship will take center stage Saturday, May 15, at the opening ceremony for the Eugene Brooks Rail Trail Station behind the North East Community Center.

As a longtime and beloved local education administrator, Mr. Brooks believes every student should know an adult – not necessarily in his or her family – to say hello to. Judging by the way he skillfully and playfully works a crowd in Millerton, he is the type of person who instantly lights up a room when he enters. He is someone who takes pride in responding to people and their needs.[...]

Mr. Brooks always had an open door for students. Today he is so well known and respected around Millerton two of his neighbors wait outside his home to greet him every day. He is a person people rely on. […]

“I’m deeply honored by the fact that I am being recognized for what I should be doing.” Mr. Brooks said. “Volunteerism is what makes rural America tick.”

And he said Millerton is full of examples of giving people.

“I can look at my neighbors and be glad at what I see,” he said. “I helped do that.”

‘Library Displays Photographs Of Egypt’: Like to see Egypt? Or have you been there and would love to go again? You’ll find some enticing photographs of some of Egypt’s ancient glories at the Northeast/Millerton Library through May.

The exhibit, entitled “Aswan Twilight” is a collection of large-format photographs taken by Millerton resident and photographer Andrew Reinhart Charlton and includes large-scale views of the Sphinx, the Giza pyramids, part of the colonnade of Amenhotep III’s Temple of Luxor and a sunset view of graceful felucca vessels sailing on the Nile. Mr. Charlton has included helpful historical notes and comments to accompany each photograph to orient the viewer. […]

‘Rail Trail Association Seeks Public Input’: Millerton —The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association will hold a public meeting to discuss landscaping along the trail in the village of Millerton. The meeting is Tuesday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, South Center Street. Dutchess County officials will be present.

Construction will begin in coming weeks to extend the trail from Coleman Station to Route 44 in Millerton by late summer or early fall.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

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Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

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To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

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Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

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Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

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