Juneteenth and Mumbet’s legacy
Sheffield resident, singer Wanda Houston will play Mumbet in "1781" on June 19 at 7 p.m. at The Center on Main, Falls Village.
Jeffery Serratt
Tombstone of Elizabeth Freeman in the “Sedgewick Pie” family burial ground in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Lonnie carter 
Latest News
Barbara Ann Murphy
Millerton News
Apr 29, 2026
AMENIA — Barbara Ann Murphy, 93, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and unwavering love for her family. Born on Jan. 5, 1933, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Barbara was the daughter of Wallace and Catherine Schaffer. She dedicated her early life to caring for others, graduating from St. Francis School of Nursing in Poughkeepsie and later earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Her calling to serve led her to the Army Nurse Corps, where she proudly served as a First Lieutenant during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Walter Reed Hospital. It was through her work as a nurse that Barbara’s life took a beautiful turn; she met her future husband, William E.P. Murphy, while caring for him as a patient at St. Francis Hospital. Their love story blossomed into a marriage that began on Sept. 20, 1958, and endured until his passing in 2000.
Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who built a life centered on faith, family, and service. After raising her children, she returned to nursing at the Wassaic Developmental Center, where she worked until her retirement in 1990. She also served her community as a member of the Amenia Fire Company, volunteering as an EMT and offering care and comfort to those in need. Service was not just her profession, it was a defining part of who she was. She spent over 50 years in Amenia, New York, a place she proudly called home before moving to Geer Village in Canaan, Connecticut in 2013.
A deeply devout Catholic, Barbara lived her faith daily. She was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, faithfully attending daily Mass and serving as a lector. Her commitment to her faith extended beyond routine; it was a guiding force in her life, one she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Whether it meant finding a church in an airport during travels or sharing quiet moments of reflection, she ensured that faith remained at the center of family life.
Barbara found joy in life’s simple and meaningful pleasures. She was an avid traveler, exploring Europe and enjoying riverboat cruises with her beloved husband Bill. After his passing, she continued her adventures with her sisters-in-law, embracing the world with curiosity and gratitude. At home, she was rarely without a book in hand, a voracious reader who found comfort and joy in stories.
She will be remembered for her wisdom, her steady presence, and her ability to find joy in laughter, especially a good joke, often shared and passed along from others. Above all, she will be remembered for her deep love of family, her strength, and the values she lived by every day.
Barbara is survived by her children; Christopher Murphy (Tamara) of Clermont, Florida, Maureen Morley (Thomas) of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, Eileen Ehlers (Richard) of Olathe, Kansas, Leah Rost (Ernest) of Brick, New Jersey, and William Murphy, Jr. (Mary) of Amenia, New York. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren;Richard Ehlers, Jr., Elyse Colon, Hillary, Lauren and Kurt Bennett, William Rost, Abbey, Krista and Liam Murphy, and Owen and Connor Lynch, along with ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister in-law; Veronica Rosen and her husband Ron of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Sandra Murphy of Simpsonville, South Carolina, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, William E.P. Murphy, her grandson, Gregory Rost in 2018, and her sister, Joan Post in 2017.
Barbara’s life was a testament to faith, service, and love, a life well-lived and deeply cherished by all who knew her.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Church, 4 Lavelle Road, Amenia, NY. Burial followed at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia, NY, with Standard Military Army Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 4 Lavelle Road, Amenia, NY 12501. To send an online condolence to the family or to plant a tree in Barbara’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.comArrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
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Ronald W. Murphy Jr.
Millerton News
Apr 29, 2026
MILLERTON — Ronald W. Murphy Jr., passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, at his home in North Carolina, with his family at his side, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and strength. He was born April 3, 1960, to Ronald W. Sr. and Janet Murphy. Ron lived in Millerton, New York before recently moving to North Carolina to enjoy the warmer southern weather. He lived a life full of passion for his family and the simple joys that brought him happiness.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Beth Polanis-Murphy, who remains at home; his children, Kelly Kilmer (Walter), John Murphy, Bobby Murphy (Danielle), and Betsy Toth (Steve); stepdaughter, Sara Murali; and his sister, Inez Tierney. He was a proud and cherished grandfather to Victoria, Dylan, Jemini, Eric, Ronan, Morgan, Alex, Gage, Mira, Amelia, Carter and great grandfather to Colton and Gunner.
Ron was predeceased by his first wife, Jane Murphy in 2012; his parents, Ronald Sr. and Janet Murphy and his granddaughter, Karlene Ann Golden.
Ron had a deep love for classic cars and motorcycles. Whether he was restoring, admiring, buying/selling or simply talking about them, they brought him great joy.He was also a lifetime member of the Millerton Volunteer Fire Department.
Ron was never shy about sharing his advice, had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor, a joke to tell, and a truly big-hearted nature. His presence will be deeply missed but forever cherished by all who knew him.
Honoring his wishes, services will be private, with a quiet graveside service for family at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at 10286 Staples Mill Rd., Box 814 Glen Allen Virginia, 23060. To send an online condolence to the family or to plant a tree in Ron’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
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Letters to the Editor — Thursday, April 30
Millerton News
Apr 29, 2026
Omissions in ‘surging gas prices’ article
Last week’s front-page article, “Surging gas prices stretch local budgets,” was timely and certainly of interest to everyone. However, I noted two obvious omissions. One, there was no mention of local governments adjusting their budgets by reducing spending as most families must do when confronted by rising prices in the face of fixed incomes. When costs rise for essential commodities such as gasoline, the logical response is to temporarily cut back on spending for non-essential things like entertainment and eating out, or postponing major purchases. The economy is cyclical and the cost of gasoline fluctuates. It will not remain high forever. Budgets can always be readjusted when things return to what passes for normal — for families and local governments, alike.
Speaking of which, the present cost of gasoline has risen from approximately $3.00 a gallon a year ago to about $4.00 presently. This is due to our current conflict with Iran, something which began 47 years ago. The Iranian mullahs declared war on us but we never responded. Every president just kicked the can down the road, expecting a successor to deal with it. “It,” of course, was the threat of a nuclear attack as soon as they completed a weapon to use. They got closer and closer until President Trump moved preemptively to eliminate the threat. Geopolitics are complicated and things do not get resolved overnight. The rest of us need to practice patience.
I noted one more thing in the article. While the cost of a gallon of gasoline rose from $3.00 to its current $4.00 in the past year, nowhere in was it mentioned that the average weekly retail gasoline price hit an all-time high of $5.07 a gallon in 2022 when Joseph Biden was President. Most people seem to have selective amnesia.
Richard Kopec
Sharon
Medicaid critical for dementia testing
I think that almost everyone knows someone or some family that has been affected by — or is currently affected by — Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. There is some good news: medical science now knows of diet and other lifestyle changes that can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia.
There is FDA-approved biomarker testing that can inform people of dementia risks with a simple blood test. Biomarker testing is available for cancer risks as well. Early warnings of cancer can, of course, also help patients to fight this disease more effectively. As the old saying goes, “knowledge is power.”
Disappointingly, Governor Hochul has scaled back Medicaid coverage for these blood tests from her 2027 budget. I think that it is cruel and ultimately bad for our society as a whole not to provide Medicaid coverage for biomarker testing for those who are among the most vulnerable in our State.
I am hopeful that our representatives in the State Senate and State Assembly — Senator Hinchey and Assemblywoman Barrett — will use their influence to get Medicaid coverage for biomarker testing back in the 2027 budget.
Amy Rothstein
Pine Plains
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A ballroom, really?
Millerton News
Apr 29, 2026
Saturday’s shooting targeted an event designed to defend the First Amendment freedoms Donald Trump has spent years undermining — labeling the press as “the enemy of the people”. His takeaway? Washington needs a new ballroom. Sen. Lindsey Graham agreed, “It’s very difficult to have a bunch of important people in the same place unless it’s really, really secure.”
This from a president who, within hours of his inauguration, shut down the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and has since ordered the rollback of background checks, defunded community safety programs, and made it easier to put weapons in dangerous hands.
So far this year, 69 children under 12 and 262 teenagers have been killed by gun violence — a number that grew since this was written. Firearms have been the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 19 every year since 2020.
One man with a gun disrupted a dinner. Hundreds of children are dead.
The president’s solution? Build himself a ballroom. Call it a bunker if it helps.
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License plates, Sharon Hospital, Christmas in April
John Coston
Apr 29, 2026
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
April 25, 1935
New License Plates Would Cost Millions To Motorists
The Senate, in the closing hours of the session just ended, passed a bill providing for the adoption of new type of automobile license plates which, if Governor Lehman signs the measure, will result in a cost of millions of dollars to the motorists of New York State. After passing the Assembly by a close margin, the bill went through the upper house with every Republican member present and two Democrats voting against it.
Fire Company Sponsors Entertainment; Proceeds To Benefit Pumper Fund
The Millerton Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a vaudeville and moving picture entertainment to be presented at the Millerton Theatre, Tuesday night for the benefit of the pumper fund. Members of the department are hopeful that proceeds of the entertainment will substantially increase this fund which is to be used to purchase a new fire truck, replacing the antiquated apparatus now in use.
Stanford Woman Saved From Fire
STANFORDVILLE - Caught in the path of a raging brush and grass fire that burned over an area of more than 100 acres in the Town of Stanford here Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton Field was saved from almost certain death by Charles Osterhout, a neighbor, who rushed into the flames and carried her to safety. Unconscious from shock, the woman was not revived until late Sunday night. She suffered slight burns.
Starting from a rubbish blaze on Mrs. Field’s property, the fire was finally subdued by the Stanford and Clinton Fire Departments with the assistance of rangers and neighbors after a long battle.
April 22, 1976
Vandals Desecrate Millerton Church
Vandals smeared human excrement over the walls and curtains of the Sunday School room of the Millerton Methodist Church on Main Street on Wednesday night, April 14. They caused $600 worth of damage.
Gas Station Burglarized
New York State Police Investigators are looking into the possible connection between an April 13 burglary at Conklin’s Texaco in Millerton and recent burglaries in the Lakeville area.
On April 13, thieves broke into the Route 44 service station in Millerton and stole 1 radio. Connecticut State Police recently apprehended 26-year- old Roy Duntz of Salisbury and Raymond Sprague, 20, of Millerton, on charges that include burglary and attempted burglary in Lakeville.
A spokesman for the N.Y. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation said his office is investigating the possible connection between the New York and Connecticut crimes. Duntz and Sprague are being held in Litchfield County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail each.
April 26, 2001
Sharon Hospital Resubmits Application a Third Time
SHARON - What seemed like a collective sigh of relief, similar to one heaved upon completion of a major term paper, emanated from Sharon Hospital this week.
On Tuesday, all the information requested by the attorney general’s (AG) office to complete the application needed to proceed with the sale of the hospital to Essent Healthcare, was sent. Two previous submissions were deemed incomplete, but officials feel confident the third time is the charm.
“We’re patient and confident,” hospital CFO Rob Wright said during an interview Wednesday morning.
“We’ve gone through an exhaustive search to get all the information.”
The search involved tracking down documentation about gifts that had been given to the hospital since its opening in 1909. That information, along with material about conflicts of interest and Sharon’s proposed affiliation with St. Francis Hospital and Health Center in Hartford, were lacking in the last application.
If the application is approved, Sharon Hospital would become the first in Connecticut to convert from non-profit to for-profit.
In a cover letter from Reid & Riege, the law firm hired for the application process, attorneys John Horak and John Newman stated, “The Hospital and its advisors have worked long and hard to provide you with detailed information about the proposed transaction and the Hospital. We believe that the Notice satisfies all the established requirements for ‘completeness’ ...and that the 120 day review period should commence.”
In a return piece of correspondence issued from AG Richard Blumenthal’s office Wednesday, he said, “These additional documents are a welcome step toward completing the application. They seem to address many of our concerns that made previous filings incomplete or inadequate. We have done only a preliminary review since the documents were received just hours ago, but our hope is to move forward as promptly as possible to public hearings that will give citizens and others an opportunity to comment.”
Christmas in April: Volunteer Group Will Paint Village Firehouse
WEBUTUCK — Webutuck students, parents and staff will be busily at work Saturday, April 28, as part of “Christmas in April.” This not-for-profit agency raises funds and organizes volunteers to provide home repairs for individuals who are unable to do so for themselves.
Instead of assisting an individual homeowner this year, the Webutuck volunteers have an unusual project, painting the interior of the Millerton firehouse. Millerton Mayor Mariley Najdek suggested this undertaking to technology teacher John Roccanova. Fire Chief Al Andrews said it was time for the chore to be done and was all for the idea of having the Webutuck group tackle the job.
At present, there are 12 students and seven parent and staff volunteers signed up. They will work in shifts of 7:30 a.m. to noon and noon to 4:30 p.m. Students can use their hours towards earning a school and community service credit.
Ed Herrington Inc. and Westchester Modular Homes have contributed paint and supplies for the day’s activities. Volunteers are also asked to bring roller handles, brushes and drop cloths.
So far, the Millerton Deli, Broadway Pizza and Christina’s Garden Restaurant and Gourmet Greek Deli have offered to provide food for the volunteers.
Additional contributions of supplies and snacks would be greatly appreciated. Call Mr. Roccanova at xxx-xxxx.
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