Karl Liebsch
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About Compass
Feb 11, 2026
Beginning this week, readers will see a redesigned Compass section, focused on arts and lifestyle coverage from across the region. This update marks the first step in an expanded approach to arts and lifestyle reporting.
Compass covers the creative, cultural, and everyday activity that shapes life here — the work people make, the places they gather and the ways communities express themselves. Arts and lifestyle reporting is part of the broader story of this area and an essential record of how people live.
New this week is the introduction of a regular community profile highlighting individuals who contribute to the region’s cultural life through creative work, long-standing involvement in local institutions, or by simply making life here more interesting.
Arts and lifestyle coverage is not only about documenting what has already happened. Compass will continue to emphasize reporting on events and activities readers can take part in — performances, exhibitions, talks, festivals and outdoor activities.
We’re also seeking new voices. We welcome story ideas, tips and pitches, and we’re interested in working with writers and photographers who want to contribute thoughtful, independent arts and lifestyle coverage. Send inquiries to nataliaz@lakevillejournal.com.
We look forward to your feedback.
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Borrow what works
The assertion by Tyler Graham — who says he wants to “Save Millerton” — that the Town of North East should not follow, or copy, the lighting code from the wealthy town of Southampton has no merit.
The members of the Zoning Review Committee have held nearly 100 meetings, according to Town Supervisor Chris Kennan, who notes that the new code is intended “to support business growth and expand housing opportunities — not transform Millerton into something unrecognizable.”
That sounds good to us. In the case of lighting, this hard-working group of our neighbors did extensive research, and relying on their expertise and knowledge, decided that, in the case of lighting, this was the best proposed language for our Town to adopt.
Of course villages and towns use each other’s language — there is nothing fishy about this. In fact, this is the job of the Zoning Review Committee. Let’s thank the members for doing such a thoughtful and thorough job.
Also, there will be ample opportunities for residents to be involved. Suggesting otherwise is counterproductive.
Ellen & Moshe Adler
Millerton
Congratulations to Quest grant recipients
Congratulations to Quest grant recipients. Quest is a fund at BTCF started by the late Rhoda Lubalin, a longtime Amenia resident.
Per her wishes, Quest’s goal is to add cultural, artistic, scholastic enrichment opportunities and equipment for students that would not otherwise be available, given the limits of Webutuck’s annual budget.
Grant awards for 2026 were announced at the Webutuck School Board meeting on Monday.
Thus far, $144k has been awarded, over approximately 14 years, to teachers, and non- profits, including Cary Institute, North East Community Center and the Wassaic Project. This year, a Webutuck student was also granted an award!
Many thanks to all who submitted thoughtful grant requests on behalf of Webutuck students.
Vicki Doyle
Amenia Town Councilwoman
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Robins, additions, school funding
Feb 11, 2026
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
Feb. 14, 1935
Harold Denison Sees First Robin
Harold Denison of Boston Corners, noted etcher and illustrator, has the distinction of being the first to report seeing a robin in this section. Mr. Denison saw a robin, generally accepted as an official herald of spring, at his Boston Corners home Saturday morning.
$10,500,000 Asked of PWA for Parkway
The Taconic State Park Commission has requested $10,500,000 of the Federal PWA for continuation of the Eastern State Parkway, it was revealed last week at the Park Commission’s office in Poughkeepsie. It was disclosed further that Governor Lehman has incorporated in his annual budget message a special bill providing for the expenditure of $325,000 to be paid out of bond issue moneys to continue construction of the Parkway. With the possibility that funds will be forthcoming from both Federal and State sources, the opinion was expressed that perhaps sufficient money would be available to complete the project this year.
Paul T. Winslow, executive secretary of the Commission, in disclosing that the request had been submitted to FWA officials said that first of all the appropriation would provide sufficient funds to continue the road through Dutchess and Columbia Counties to the Albany-Pittsfield road. Other projects included in the request are an administration building and bath houses for the park area, a police station for the parkway, dredging in the Norrie State Park at Staatsburg in the construction of a basin for small river craft and a swimming pool at Norrie Park.
Because President Roosevelt was especially interested in the Parkway while Governor of New York and also because the project has already been started and requires only additional funds for its completion, Taconic Park Commission officials were optimistic that they would receive an allocation of the proposed huge public works appropriation.
Work begun Monday Morning on Shufelt Addition
Excavation for the new addition to the Shufelt Building was started Monday morning by Edward Hoffman who has been awarded the contract for the concrete work. Contracts for the balance of the construction work have not been let as yet. The addition is to be a one-story, wooden structure and will fill the corner of the Shufelt property at Main and John Streets.
Ice Being Harvested At Taconic
TACONIC, Feb. 13 - Men employed by E. G. Woodward and Walter Angus are harvesting ice from the Channel. Thomas O’Hara, Sr., is also harvesting ice from the big lake. The ice is from twelve to fourteen inches thick.
Mrs. Carl Smith of Bailey’s Island, Me., is a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Curtis at Grassland Farm.
Miss Mildred Pitcher, focal school teacher, is now boarding with Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wick.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Hemmerly of Lakeville were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rebillard on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles O’Hara and son have returned to their home here after spending several days with Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parsons in Salisbury.
Mrs. Carrie Stubbs of Portland. Me., who has been a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Curtis, has returned home.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kelsey of Amenia. N. Y., were recent guests of relatives in town.
A daughter, Madeline Louise, was born on Thursday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Thomen.
February 12, 1976
Webutuck Could Lose 15% State Aid Next Year
Webutuck Central School could stand to lose over 15 per cent of its State aid next year if the New York legislature approves budget cuts presently proposed by Governor Hugh Carey.
Webutuck District Principal Mike Rindsberg said at Monday’s School Board meeting that “at the moment the prospects are very dim” for State Aid for the 1976-1977 school year. “Unless some adjustment is made, we could lose well over $200,000,” said that Webutuck administrator.
Bus Behavior
School Board Member Mary Fortin asked school administrators if parents are aware of the proper behavior for children on school buses. She said that she knew cases of chronic misbehavior.
February 8, 2001
Copake Falls Woman Will March 60 Miles for Cancer
MILLERTON- On May 18, Deborah Barrett, an employee at The Lakeville Journal Co., will commence on a three-day, 60-mile walk from Leominster, Mass. to Boston in order to raise money and show support for breast cancer research.
After a close friend passed away from an illness last March, Ms. Barrett, a Copake Falls resident, felt compelled to find a way to express not only her grief, but also her desire to help decrease the occurrence of such untimely deaths. While surfing the Web, Ms. Barrett found information about the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks, and knew it was the right thing for her to do.
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