
Kevin Elam, left, and Jesse Ofgang, right, entertained guests at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on March 5 with an array of Irish and Scottish musical fare.
Krista A. Briggs
Kevin Elam, left, and Jesse Ofgang, right, entertained guests at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on March 5 with an array of Irish and Scottish musical fare.
Acclaimed Irish flutist Desi Wilkinson advises musicians to “Play only tunes and songs you’re mad about … Emulate what you like and then do your thing.” It’s advice Jesse Ofgang and Kevin Elam have seemingly taken to heart as part of their “Prelude to St. Patrick’s Day” tour which landed at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on March 5, where the Celtic-flavored duo found themselves playing to a nearly full house on a wet and windy Wednesday.
While neither Ofgang nor Elam is originally from Ireland, their musical souls are firmly connected to both the Emerald Isle and the Highlands. While Ofgang claims partial Irish heritage through his mother and believes his musical partner is not of Irish descent, Elam’s resumé is filled with accomplishments in Irish music. He took top prize in 2019 in men’s English singing at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competition in Drogheda, Ireland and has medaled at both the All-Ireland Fleadh and CCE Mid-Atlantic Fleadh competitions. Despite his Irish roots, Ofgang’s musical focus is actually across the Irish Sea, where he earned a master’s degree in Scottish music and bagpipes. As a student, he performed with the 16-time world champion Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band.
Both musicians are multi-instrumentalists. Elam, the duo’s vocalist, is skilled in tin whistle, bouzouki, banjo, mandolin and guitar while Ofgang, a bagpiper, has mastered uilleann pipes and border pipes as well as the Irish flute and whistles, organ, guitar and piano. In addition to touring — together and separately — Ofgang and Elam both provide instruction to students in musical instrumentation.
“Prelude to St. Patrick’s Day,” which wrapped up on March 9 in Middletown, Connecticut, featured an array of Celtic tunes and songs. According to Ofgang, there’s a difference between the two. By definition, songs include lyrics and tunes consist strictly of music. Ofgang and Elam included both in their hour-long set at the Library Annex, which began with “The Foggy Dew,” a song lamenting Ireland’s political divide and the resulting violence of the Easter uprising, which was followed by a jig, “The Road to Lisdoonvarna.”
“Rocky Road to Dublin” drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd as did the folk song, “The Lakes of Pontchartrain,” which Elam and Ofgang introduced as a song about alligators. The ballad is actually of unknown origin and its subject matter centers on a Creole woman and the unrequited love a drifter holds for her in the Deep South. The duo believes the song may very well have been penned by an Irish immigrant to the United States.
Elam and Ofgang invited the crowd to join them in “The King’s Shilling,” another song exploring the realities of war with its introspective chorus “Come ladies, come. Hear the cannons roar. Take the King’s shilling and we’re off to war.”
The duo then segued over to Scottish fare with the audience joining in once more for “Auld Lang Syne,” traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve, but the song is also used to close out occasions — ver as the evening slowly wound down. Ofgang, assisted by Elam, then wrapped up the night with traditional Scottish bagpipes, a worthy overture to St. Patrick’s Day 2025.
The concert was sponsored by the Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. Library director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson said the library is looking into additional grants to fund further programming for community enjoyment. For more information, visit nemillertonlibrary.org.
People who don’t study history – or think they can rewrite history to suit their ideals – are fundamentally unsound, morally and practically. Their undoing may happen all at once, over short periods of time, over periods of passionate revolt or, indeed, years. But it will happen, historical facts simply cannot be swept aside.
America was founded by disaffected people. America was populated – in waves of immigration – by disaffected people from across the globe. Not one person who immigrated to America who came here hundreds of years ago, two hundred years ago, one hundred years ago, fifty years ago, or in the past few decades came here to become part of a rigid and fixed establishment, to become a sheep as a followers, nor just someone to fit in with a crowd. Americans, each and every one of us, are ambitious, fiercely independently minded, setting personal freedom as our core existence, never permitting the concept of loss of liberty to become commonplace.
Do you feel I am wrong? Think simply of the first settlers here. These men and women were allowed to actually own – freehold – the land they farmed. Nowhere else on the entire planet was that possible at the time. That’s a fundamental USA right. Or you might ask yourself, when you get stopped speeding by a police car, what is you first reaction? Compliance or questioning authority? What do you say to the officer? Probably a defiant, “Why have you stopped me?” Because in America you have the right to defend your personal freedom, question authority, rebel – so you speak up from only that perspective, not that you want to break the law, but you are not sure your independence is subject to the law at that time. You are a rebel. You are American.
We are a nation of rebels. Think I am wrong? Remember back to 1970 when students and “peaceniks” across the country demonstrated, often facing down police with batons, guns, watercannon, and tear gas against the Vietnam War. Students at Kent State were shot dead in that protest. Think of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, clearly out-gunned, out-manned on the streets across the nation. Lawbreakers? Hell yes but unarmed, vulnerable, defiant. Rebels, in a true, real, American way. Pink hatted ladies marching? Think they are not rebels? They are and they will be back in force, soon.
Now, stop for a moment and ask yourself – if you have any grasp of world history – could any of the typical American demonstrations, riots even, have happened in Italy or Germany in the 30s? People there did not have the same spirit of independence as Americans do, they could not, in their innermost being, understand being that defiant. They were raised to be subservient, not free-thinking, not liberated.
Even today, think of that American crossing the street in the middle of a block. Jaywalking is a technical offence. But how many Americans jaywalk? How many Germans do even today? None. The simple truth is, we’re not a very law-abiding nation of individuals. Sure we’ll comply, we’re not deliberately law-defiant speeding over the limit, “Yes officer, you’re right I was speeding… sorry…” But somewhere in our mind, at that moment, we had reason, and that reason is always based on our feeling of our right to proceed with liberty; to do as we damn well please, not simply to follow orders. Orders are, often in America, first questioned and then seen as only a slight barrier to common-sense self-motivation.
And that’s why authoritarian regimes here can never prosper. They will fail, sometimes quickly, sometimes over weeks, months, maybe even years or after a calamity like a war. But the spirit of the very people who chose to be here, generationally chose to be here, is fiercely independent and those few who seek to change that moral code have misjudged the real America. Authoritarians will fail. Historic fact cannot be rewritten to suit their false hopes. And wannabe authoritarians are, in truth, foolish to think otherwise. In their ignorance of what makes America great, they cannot help but lose.
Peter Riva, a former resident of Amenia Union, New York, now lives in Gila, New Mexico.
A Plus Detailing Hiring: Open position for a Full Detailer & Cleaner. Depending on experience $21 to $30 per hour. Contact Ryan at 959-228-1010.
Driver: For The Lakeville Journal and Millerton News newspaper routes, part time Wednesdays, Thursdays and some Fridays. Call James Clark. 860-435-9873, x 401 or email publisher@lakevillejournal.com.
Town of Amenia Highway Department HIGHWAY WORKER:Truck Driver, laborer, Full time, Health Insurance, NYS Retirement, paid holidays, vacation, Personal leave, comp time, longevity pay etc; CDL LICENSE REQUIRED $26- $28 an hour depending on experience. Pick up applications at Amenia Highway, 8 Borden Lane, Wassaic, NY Or call 845-373-9922.
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center: is a year-round 120-person retreat facility that is located in Falls Village, CT. Want to work at a beautiful, peaceful location, with great people? This is the place to be! We are currently seeking positions for a Maintenance Associate (full time, temporary), Retreat Services Associate (front of house), and Mashgichim (F/T and P/T) for our summer season. For more details please visit our website at adamah.org/about-adamah/careers/ or email a copy of your resume to rebecca.eisen@adamah.org.
Music Director: Sharon Congregational Church in Connecticut seeks a Music Director to plan, coordinate and develop the music ministry. Responsibilities include weekly worship and holiday services. Weddings and funerals will be at his/her discretion. Director will lead a small group of volunteer musicians instrumentally and vocally in traditional and contemporary Christian music. The Director must be an active Christian and proficient with piano or guitar. Position requires three hours on Sunday and two to four hours prep weekly. Salary range is $9,000 to $10,500 commensurate with experience. Three weeks of vacation. Contact email: PastorDawson06@yahoo.com.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499 or 860-671-7024.
Experienced Horse Equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-671-0499 or 860-671-7024.
Carpenter, Builder: David James Valyou 25 years serving NY CT MA older homes and barns my specialty. Repairs, Renovations Based in Canaan CT. Contact: 917-538-1617 davidvalyou@yahoo.com.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
NEED YOUR HOME CLEANED?: Diana and Juliet have been servicing the Northwest Corner since 1998. We offer guaranteed satisfaction and have great references. Please call 860- 605-0528.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $10.00 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499 or 860-671-7024.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
SALISBURY spacious 2 bedroom apt.: in historic house. Private garden entrance in quiet location overlooking town. Ideal for a single person or a couple without children. $1200 per month. 860-435-1007 or richardjboyle9@gmail.com No pets.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly housekeeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.
North Canaan, CT
Town wide tag sale: Sat June 14th & Sun June 15th in North Canaan, CT. Spots available at Lawrence Field. To register your spot at home or at the field for $10/weekend go to www.NorthCanaanEventsCommittee.org for more information.
Legal Notice
Notice of formation of Pioneer Window Cleaning & Paint LLC. Arts. Of Org. Filed with SSNY on 2/5/25. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designate as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Timothy Thompson, 4 Mc Arthur Pl,
Plains NY 12522. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
05-08-25
05-15-25
05-22-25
05-29-25
06-05-25
06-12-25
TOWN OF PINE PLAINS
DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held by the Town of Pine Plains Planning Board on the 11th day of June 2025 at 7:35pm at the Town Hall, 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York, for the purpose of hearing all persons for or against an application submitted by The Hudson Company for a site plan, special use permit, and lot line adjustment for a mill, showroom, and accessory apartment located at 2436 Route 83 Tax Map ID #134200-6871-00-455865-0000 and 7702-7714 South Main Street Tax Map ID#134200-6871-00-437906-0000, Town of Pine Plains, Dutchess County.
Any resident of the Town of Pine Plains shall be entitled to be heard regarding said application. The application is available for review during regular business hours at the Pine Plains Town Hall.
By order of:
Town of Pine Plains Planning Board
05-29-25
Members of American Legion Post 178 and local veterans march in the Millerton Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025.
MILLERTON — The sun came out in full force for Millerton’s annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26 — a welcome change from the recent stretch of cold and rainy weather.
Sidewalks were filled with friends, families and furry companions as the community came together to honor fallen service members.
The Webutuck School Band plays patriotic tunes as they lead Webutuck Little League, elected officials, and fire and emergency vehicles through the Village toward Irondale Cemeter. Photo by Aly Morrissey
American Legion Post 178, the Webutuck School Band, Webutuck Little League and local fire and emergency vehicles marched down the flag-lined Main Street to cheers and applause.
The procession began at the Fire House on Century Boulevard, paused at Webutuck Creek Bridge to honor Navy and Merchant Marine veterans then continued across Route 22 to Irondale Cemetery for a prayer and moment of silence.
A woman pauses to pay respect at the grave of a United States veteran Photo by Aly Morrissey
Back at Veterans Park, ceremonies resumed as the American Legion’s New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Jenks introduced Dr. Julian Strauss, who offered a prayer honoring fallen soldiers, active service members, and their families.
Following the presentation of colors and the National Anthem by the Webutuck School Band, Jenks addressed the crowd.
He began with a quote by President Ronald Reagan: “Memorial Day is a day of ceremonies and speeches. Throughout America today, we honor the dead of our wars. We recall their valor and their sacrifices. We remember they gave their lives so that others might live.”
U.S. Army veteran Justin Dishart, currently a signal officer with the New York Army National Guard, delivers keynote remarks in Veteran’s Park during the Millerton Memorial Day Parad. Photo by Aly Morrissey
Jenks noted Memorial Day honors more than one million men and women who have died defending the United States, from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror.
“As Legionaries, we are pledged through the preamble of our constitution to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations of the great wars,” he said. “Yet, we do not remember our fallen brothers and sisters in arms because of an edict of ritual; we do so because we want to.”
A Battlefield Cross assembled in Veteran’s park to honor fallen soldiers.Photo by Aly Morrissey
Jenks then welcomed Millerton Mayor Jennifer Najdek, who read the 2025 Memorial Day Proclamation: “Memorial Day has been set aside to honor the memory of those military personnel who gave their lives for — and in the defense of — our country.”
U.S. Army Veteran Justin Dishart, currently a signal officer with the New York Army National Guard, of Clifton Park, New York, served as keynote speaker. Enlisting in 2009, Dishart has deployed multiple times to Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Syria, and now serves as the G-6 at Joint Forces Headquarters–New York.
“We are very fortunate to be here today, and of course Memorial Day is here every year … and it is our duty to be here rain or shine,” he said.
Dishart framed his remarks around the idea of happiness, pointing out that people often confuse Veterans Day — a celebration of those who have served — with Memorial Day, a more solemn occasion honoring those who died in service. Instead of criticizing the misunderstanding, he encouraged the crowd to find meaning — and even joy — in remembrance. “In our Declaration of Independence, it says ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’” he said, noting that while life and liberty are guaranteed, happiness is not. “You have to pursue it.”
Members of Webutuck Little League marched in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025.Photo by Aly Morrissey
Dishart shared emotional stories from his service, expressing gratitude for those he knew, those he never met, and those he lost.
“Beneath all of that… all of us did it from a sense of duty that each of us feel as Americans deep in our hearts,” he said. “Each of us joined for the flag we bear on our shoulders.”
After the keynote, a bell was rung in remembrance of each Millerton veteran who died in service during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terror.
Dr. Strauss closed the ceremony with a benediction, and Sgt. Maj. Jenks acknowledged those who helped organize the day, including past commanders, the Sons of The American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary, NorthEast Fire District and Millerton Fire Company, Chief Olenik and the Millerton Police Department, New York State Police, Webutuck School Band, and Townscape for designing and planting the patriotic memorial.