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

Historical Society offers free commemorative Copake scrapbook

Historical Society offers free commemorative Copake scrapbook

Roeliff Jansen Historical president Lesley Doyel says the attendance was “thrilling” with some 70 viewers at this July 6 unveiling of the Society’s free Bicentennial exhibit, “Mementos, Maps & Milestones: Copake at 200.” Visits will be available each Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. until Sunday, Oct. 6. Doyel says the exhibit, along with the town’s Bicentennial events such as talks, the town picnic, parade and fireworks, has “rekindled an interest in Copake history.”

Photo by Peter N. Fritch

COPAKE — The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society is offering a way for those who care about the Copake area to hold onto the past with the publication of a free “Commemorative Scrapbook” which will be distributed starting at a launch at the Society’s headquarters at 8 Miles Road, Copake Falls, on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m.

According to Society president Lesley Doyel, the booklet uses the words of “the people of the time... and is comprised of a lot of clippings from the period.” It also includes writings by Herold Faber, a New York Times editor and former president of the RJHS and Elinor Mettler, a founding member of the Society and editor of RoeJen Independent.

Doyel says members of the Society’s board, who are mainly natives or longtime residents, “took things from past and put it all together” with Peter N. Fritsch managing the graphic design.

Among other things, the scrapbook tells the story of the RJHS and the growth of historic societies across the country, the rescue of the old church which became their headquarters, their historic marker, the railroad, the town’s 200th Anniversary and the objects in the current exhibition, “Mementos, Maps & Milestones: Copake at 200.”

According to a Society release, “Donna Platt and Nancy Thorson will speak at the launch of the booklet about growing up in the area and about Copake Falls post office signage and the antique fire truck bell they recently donated to RJHS. Then Catherine Mikic will speak about Copake’s Heritage Guide” with copies of the Guide available.

The Society will feature a series of talks by Judy Ackley Whitbeck on Saturday, September 14 from 2 to 3 pm on growing up on her area farm and the phone company; by Ross Mauri and Mike Fallon from 2-4 pm focusing on artifacts ; and Janet Mackin on Sunday, September 22 and Sunday, October 6 discussing the Grange.

Books and reproductions of posters from the Copake Theatre will be for sale.

For more information, visit www.roeliffjansenhs.org or the Society’s social media.

Latest News

Sharon Farm Market owner says store will remain open amid closure rumors

Sharon Farm Market owner says store will remain open amid closure rumors

Fernando Nottebohn says he appreciates Sharon Farm Market as part of a weekly circuit he does from his home in Lithgow, New York, that also includes Paley’s Farm Market

Photo by Alec linden
"We're going to fix the store."
— Chris Choe, co-owner of Sharon Farm Market

SHARON – Despite months of speculation fueled by half-empty shelves, inventory shortages and the planned departures of two longtime businesses, Sharon Farm Market is not closing, according to owner Chris Choe.

“We’re not shutting down,” Choe said, adding that he and his wife, Kim, are planning a series of upgrades they hope will transform the market over the coming months. Choe said they expect to receive a new 20-year lease from the property’s landlords and are moving forward with plans to revitalize the business.

Keep ReadingShow less
grocery store

Smithfield pops

Smithfield pops

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 14-member Smithfield Chamber Orchestra presented “Our American Composers,”a Spring Pops Concert at the Smithfield Church on Saturday, May 30. Part of the Bang Family Concert Series, the sixth annual pops concert played to a full house under the direction of Michelle Demko, serving her first year as Music Director.

music

Amenia affordable housing subdivision moves closer to environmental approval

Amenia affordable housing subdivision moves closer to environmental approval
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — The Planning Board moved closer to completing the environmental review of the proposed Cascade Creek subdivision during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 27, agreeing to consider a formal environmental determination at its June meeting.

The discussion centered on completion of the Environmental Assessment Form, a key component of the project’s review under New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Keep ReadingShow less
government
google preferred source

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

Yerger Johnstone

Yerger Johnstone

SHARON — Yerger Johnstone, former managing director in the mergers and acquisitions department at Morgan Stanley and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, died on April 19, 2026, in Chelmsford, England. He was 86.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 7, 1940, Mr. Johnstone was the son of architect Henry Inge Johnstone, architect, and Kathleen Yerger Johnstone, the noted nature writer and civic leader after whom Alabama’s state seashell, Johnstone’s Junonia, is named. He graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1958, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South at Sewanee in 1962, and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1964.

Keep ReadingShow less

Richard R. Stover

Richard R. Stover

WEST CORNWALL — Richard R. Stover, 82, of West Cornwall, died peacefully at Noble Horizons on May 26, 2026.

Son of the late Robert and Leona (Heinbockel) Stover, Rick was born Feb. 6, 1944 in Edina, Minnesota. He attended the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Economics and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Keep ReadingShow less

Floyd Irving Isham

Floyd Irving Isham

SHARON — Floyd Irving Isham Jr., 87, a longtime area resident, died Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Sharon Health Care Center in Sharon. Mr. Isham worked for the Tri-Wall Container Corp. in Wassaic, New York, for fifteen years and also worked as a self-employed private caretaker for over twenty-five years, caring for local estates in Shekomeko, Pine Plains and Ancramdale, New York, prior to his retirement.

Born Aug. 25, 1938, in St. George, Vermont, he was the son of the late Floyd Irving and Hazel (Thompson) Isham, Sr. Following his high school years, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1958 until his honorable discharge in 1961. Mr. Isham also served in the Vermont National Guard. On Aug. 11, 1990, in Dover Plains, New York, he married Nancy L. Cross. Mrs. Isham died on July 8, 2005.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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