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.

Latest News

Village Trustees approve new police cruiser and clarify trash responsibility

MILLBROOK — Purchase of a new police cruiser and an adjustment within regulations governing trash were two major items resolved at the regular meeting of the Village Trustees on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

By unanimous vote, the trustees approved the purchase of a new police vehicle described by Chief Keith Dworkin as a 2023 Dodge Charger at a cost of $52,000 to be funded by a five-year bond issue. The cost includes the purchase price of the car and additional outfitting of the vehicle for use in law enforcement, such as lights, sirens, graphics, computer equipment and the protective barrier between the front and back seats.

Keep ReadingShow less
Site visit to the Trail to Train underscores need for repair

Residents’ concerns about the condition of the Trail to Train between Wassaic and the train station, particularly the presence of warped planks, led local officials to meet with county and state officials for a site visit on Sunday, Sept. 15. Left to right are Anil Beephan, 105th district state assemblyman; Deirdre Houston, 25th district Dutchess County legislator; and Amenia councilmembers Nicole Ahearn and Rosanna Hamm.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Severely warped planks distorting the handrails along the Trail to Train boardwalk led to a site visit by county and state officials accompanied by Amenia town council members on Sunday, Sept. 15.

During the brief inspection, discussion turned to responsibility for maintenance and any funding that could be available through county or state sources.

Keep ReadingShow less
Crescendo’s upcoming tribute to Wanda Landowska

Kenneth Weiss (above) will play a solo recital performance in honor of Wanda Landowska, a harpischord virtuoso, who lived in Lakeville for many years.

Provided

On Sept. 14, Crescendo, the award-winning music program based in Lakeville, will present a harpsichord solo recital by Kenneth Weiss in honor of world-renowned harpsichordist Wanda Landowska. Landowska lived in Lakeville from 1941 to 1959. Weiss is a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and has taught at Julliard. Born in New York, he now resides in Europe.

Weiss will play selections from “A Treasury of Harpsichord Music.” It includes works by Baroque composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Handel. It was recorded by Landowska at her Lakeville home, at 63 Millerton Road, which overlooks Lakeville Lake. Weiss said, “I am honored and excited to play in Lakeville, where Wanda Landowska lived.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Silent cinema, live magic

The live audience at Music Mountain takes in a silent film Sept. 7.

Natalia Zukerman

On Saturday, Sept. 7, Gordon Hall at Music Mountain was transformed into a time machine, transporting the audience for a 1920’s spectacular of silent films and live music. Featuring internationally acclaimed silent film musicians Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton, the evening began with a singalong of songs by Gershwin, Irving Berlin and more. Lyrics for favorites like “Ain’t We Got Fun,” “Yes Sir That’s My Baby,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” were projected on the screen and Sosin and Seaton lead the crowd with an easeful joy. The couple then retreated to the side of the stage where they provided the live and improvised score for Buster Keaton’s 1922 short, “Cops,” and his 1924 comedy, “Sherlock Jr.”

Joanna Seaton and Donald Sosin, a husband-and-wife duo, have crafted a singular career, captivating audiences at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals—New York, TriBeCa, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Telluride, and Yorkshire among them. Their performances have graced venerable institutions like MoMA, Film at Lincoln Center, the AFI Silver Theatre, and Moscow’s celebrated Lumière Gallery. Their melodic journey has taken them to far-flung locales such as the Thailand Silent Film Festival and the Jecheon International Music and Film Festival in South Korea. Notably, Seaton and Sosin have become a fixture at Italy’s renowned silent film festivals in Bologna and Pordenone, where they perform annually.

Keep ReadingShow less