Retired local veterinarian Julian Strauss, whose Amenia roots run deep, shared stories of agricultural heritage and personal history based on his new book “Home Farm,” during a talk at the Amenia Free Library on Wednesday, June 11.
AMENIA — A sizable audience turned out on Wednesday, June 11, at the Amenia Free Library to hear local author Julian Strauss share stories of Amenia’s rural past and present.
Stories of local rural heritage are supported by Strauss’ 40 years as a farmer, along with experience as a beloved, recently retired veterinarian, historian, agriculturalist, and steward of land. Admired for depth of character, having been raised on a 284-acre Amenia dairy farm where he continues to live and farm, Strauss attracted an enthusiastic audience to greet the publication of his new book, “Home Farm.”
“I learned so much about the area by working with Julian,” said the book’s editor, David Stanford, who introduced Strauss’ talk. “Julian was one of the joys,” Stanford said of the project.
Describing himself as “an aspiring agrarian,” Strauss said that one of his aims is “to encourage listeners and readers to write their own history.” Strauss has enjoyed membership in the After-School Boys Club, begun in 2015, that has boasted a membership of 15 men, many of whom have contributed to Amenia’s agricultural history, while meeting regularly for ice cream and to further the restoration of the Indian Rock schoolhouse.
The subtitle of “Home Farm” defines the book’s theme, “The Love of Place in a Changing World.”
“I have more of an awareness of the civilization I am a part of,” Strauss said. “I am biased toward agriculture.”
An accomplished researcher with decades of practice in veterinary medicine, Strauss spoke of animals in rural life.
“I love draft horses,” Strauss said, reminding him of a rural cautionary note. “Never go through a gate and fail to close it, even for a minute.”
“I still like cows, most of the time,” he mused.
A 1915 journal kept by farmer Ed Dean and purchased at a local yard sale by Boys Club member Bill Burke, provides an underpinning for the book as it describes local farming extending into centuries past. Strauss interjects his own decades of farming experience and thoughtful commentary.
Additional Dean family farming journals, provided by Ed Dean’s granddaughter and woven into the book, add insights into the evolution of farming from early family farms envisioned by Thomas Jefferson to agri-business, the pressures and struggles endured by local farmers.
Strauss’ invitation to explore selected passages from the 1867 and 1921 farming journals, along with his own recollections and modern insight offers an important view of local farming roots that once defined the town and still echo.
“Home Farm” is available from area booksellers.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025
