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Lakeville Journal earns top honors at New England newspaper awards
Christian Murray
Mar 18, 2026
Left to right, Christian Murray, Executive Editor; Nathan Miller, Managing Editor of The Millerton News; Natalia Zukerman, Arts & Lifestyle Editor; Thomas K. Carley, Chief Operating Officer; and James H. Clark, CEO/Publisher receive awards at the New England Newspaper and Press Association spring conference in Portsmouth, NH.
Melissa Ferrick
The Lakeville Journal earned several top honors at the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s annual spring conference on March 16 for its work in journalism, community engagement and audience outreach.
Among the awards, the organization received first place in the Community and Audience Engagement category for its high school journalism program. The program, launched in April 2025 with funding support from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, 21st Century Fund and individual donors, teaches professional journalism to students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and launched the student newspaper HVRHS Today.
The paper also earned first place in the Human Interest category for Natalia Zukerman’s story, “Bearing Witness at Auschwitz,” a personal account examining the legacy of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance.
Additional honors included second place for Fundraising Strategy, second place for Outstanding Newsletter for the paper’s “What To Do” newsletter, and second place for Newspaper Event for the community Street Fair.
Publisher James H. Clark said the awards reflect the organization’s belief that strong local news is the foundation of a strong community.
“These honors recognize the strength of our local reporting, our commitment to meaningful engagement and the deep connection we have to the communities we serve,” Clark said. “I’m proud of the work our team does every day to serve our readers and keep our communities connected.”
The high school journalism initiative was designed as a bottom-up program that gives students broad latitude to shape the publication’s voice, design and coverage. A team of five to six students plan each issue, pitching story ideas and reporting the articles independently.
Nathan Miller, managing editor of The Millerton News and program lead, said the recognition is shared with the students.
“The program’s success would not be possible without the amazing students who worked for the past year to create HVRHS Today,” Miller said.
Zukerman said she was grateful to see her work recognized. “I’m honored that this piece was recognized,” Zukerman said. “It documents not only a historic commemoration, but a deeply personal reckoning. For me, remembrance is not passive. In this time of rising authoritarianism and multiple ongoing genocides, I feel an unyielding responsibility to remember and to speak.”
The annual NENPA awards recognize excellence and innovation among newspapers and media organizations across New England, honoring work in reporting, audience development and community service.
The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News are published by LJMN Media, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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Legal Notices - March 19, 2026
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Your Mom’s Bush Native & Medicinal Plant Nursery LLC. Arts. Of Org. file with SSNY on 1/20/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 3657 U.S. 44, Millbrook, NY, 12545. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
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Notice of Formation of CGM Freight, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/13/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 27 Whinfield Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
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Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Dreamcatcher Holdco, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/18/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 79 Kent Street, Beacon, New York 12508. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Rosie Rosenthal, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with NYS Dept. of State (SSNY) on 2/21/2026. Office location: 108 Salisbury Turnpike, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 108 Salisbury Turnpike, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
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Classifieds - March 19, 2026
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
Help Wanted
Gardeners needed for native plant design business: March 15- December 1st. Must be physically fit and dependable. Call for interview 347-496-5168. Resume and references needed.
Want to join our team?: Wyantenuck Country Club is seeking Bartenders, Dishwashers, Line/Prep Cooks and Waitstaff. Positions start the last week of April/beginning of May. We offer a competitive pay with flexible shifts on weekdays and/or weekend daytime or evening shifts. Please send resumes to: brandon@wyantenuck.org, call 413-528-0350 or stop by in person.
The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon: seeks a motivated, tech-savvy, creative Community Engagement Coordinator to implement our marketing and communications strategy and assist with programming and events. Must demonstrate graphic design experience, strong technology skills, excellent spoken and written communication, an attention to detail, and ability to prioritize. Must work well independently, with a team, and with the public. 20-24 hours per week. Send cover letter, resume, and writing and graphic design samples to ghachmeister@hotchkisslibrary.org.
Services Offered
GARDENING: Spring and Fall Cleanup and Stone Walls. 845-444-4492.
Hector Pacay Landscaping and Construction LLC: Fully insured. Renovation, decking, painting; interior exterior, mowing lawn, garden, stone wall, patio, tree work, clean gutters, mowing fields. 845-636-3212.
Real Estate
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 discriminationbased 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.
Rentals Wanted
64 year old single female seeking: private room and bath for long term rental. Excellent business, personal and landlord references. Lauramoore1965@gmail.com.
Space for Rent
The CT Appalachian Trail Committee: is seeking +/-500 ft-sq of space to store our tools, signs, and equipment. Ideally located between Kent and Falls Village. trails@ct-amc.org.
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‘STOP ICE’ billboard turns heads in North East
Aly Morrissey
Mar 17, 2026
A provocative new billboard on Route 22 in the Town of North East appears to bear a political message but is actually an ad for a local paving company.
Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — A billboard located in North East recently received a new advertisement, and the message is catching drivers’ attention.
At first glance, the billboard appears to convey a political message. In large capital letters, it reads, “STOP ICE.” But in much smaller type below, the sign clarifies its real pitch: “from filling your driveway potholes next winter — pave it. Call Ben.”
The advertisement is for B. Metcalf Asphalt, a local paving company.
Ben Metcalf, the business owner, declined to comment on the billboard or his advertising approach.
However, after a photo of a new billboard was posted on Facebook, people started to weigh in, with some expressing alarm.
The sign — visible to drivers travelling south on Route 22 — is located on property owned by the McEnroe organic farm operation across the road from a New York State road salt shed.
One Facebook user called the billboard a “low-tech version of clickbait.”
Some residents said the billboard caused them to hit the brakes. “It startled me,” said Facebook user Karen Knudson. “Going past the sign at 50mph STOP ICE is all I saw!”
“Putting anything politically incitive on a sign advertising your business is probably a bad idea,” Dennis Williams commented. “You’re likely to cut your potential market right in half.”
While some made claims of self-promotion, an overwhelming number of Facebook comments indicated that the sign was mostly effective advertising, not intended to lean toward any side of the political issue.
“It got everyone talking,” one user wrote.
“They often have somewhat edgy outdoor advertising,” another user commented.
Pine Plains documentary filmmaker Stan Hirson, 88, posted the photo to Facebook, where it drew nearly 63 comments as of press time.
“My goal in all my work is to build community by bridging different types of people and getting them to interact with each other,” Hirson said. He said he doesn’t often take a stand on issues but likes to get people talking.
“Sometimes it’s messy, okay? If you look through some of the replies on this very innocent billboard post, you’ll see hostility,” he added. “People get very snarky and they need to show off. That’s ok, but we really need to do it face to face.”
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Planning Board grants 12-month extension for Stissing Center renovations
Nathan Miller
Mar 17, 2026
Patrick Trettenero, Stissing Center Executive Director, displays a photo of the current state of the music and performing arts venue’s renovations at a regular meeting of the Pine Plains Planning Board on Wednesday, March 11.
Photo by Nathan Miller
PINE PLAINS — Planning Board members approved a second renewal for ongoing renovations to the Stissing Center, an arts venue in downtown Pine Plains.
Board members granted a 12-month renewal of the Stissing Center’s site plan, allowing the project to continue while construction moves forward. Planning board approvals typically expire after a set period if projects are not completed, requiring applicants to request extensions while work continues.
Patrick Trettenero, Executive Director of the Stissing Center, explained the 200-year-old building is undergoing significant renovations to solidify the building’s structure, replace the roof, and enhance the center’s ability to show films in addition to its regular roster of performances and musical acts.
Trettenero described the renovations as extensive. He said the current phase of the project, which involved replacing much of the building’s structural supports, is within six weeks of completion. Phase four will see a large addition to the building’s rear. Trettenero said that work may take longer than a year, and board members may have to grant another extension next March.
Earlier steps in the renovation included enhancing the building’s parking space and improvements to the basement that allowed the Stissing Center to open Grace Note — an intimate music venue space and bar below the center’s main event hall.
Board members unanimously approved the renewal. Planning Board attorney Warren Replansky said forward progress on the project was heartening. Board Chair Michael Stabile agreed and said the board would reconsider another renewal next year if necessary.
“They’re making progress,” Replansky said. “That’s what matters.”
The Stissing Center’s renovations were first heard and approved by the Planning Board in 2024. Board members granted a 12-month extension for the project last March. The most recent renewal is the second extension the center has received for major renovations to the building’s structure.
Trettenero said the Stissing Center still has to secure additional funding for the final phase of the project.
“We have to raise some money this year to unlock some matching funds from the State of New York to finish that phase,” Trettenero said. “We are confident we’ll get there.”
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North East Community Center Executive Director steps down after 8 years
Aly Morrissey
Mar 14, 2026
The building that housed the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program in Millerton. The program closed last November due to financial difficulties, a decision that drew criticism from parents and staff and preceded the recent departure of Executive Director Christine Sergent.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
MILLERTON – The North East Community Center announced that Christine Sergent, who has served as the organization’s executive director for eight years, left her position as of Friday, March 13. Staff were notified on Friday shortly before a statement was sent to the community.
Board Chair Irene Banning said she and the board accepted Sergent’s resignation, but would not elaborate on the timing or circumstances surrounding the departure. Sergent was removed from the website’s staff page as of Friday evening.
“Leadership changes always feel like a loss, and they are,” Banning said. “But they are also opportunities.”
In a statement, Banning expressed gratitude for Sergent’s eight years of service, highlighting her work expanding the Food Pantry and championing the Transportation Program.
“While we are losing a skilled manager with Christine, change is an opportunity for reevaluation and the infusion of energy into the future of NECC.”
Banning said she and NECC’s Vice Chair Julie Berkun Fajgenbaum will step into Sergent’s role temporarily – serving as a “backstop” rather than taking charge – while the board organizes a search process for the next executive director. Banning said she hopes the process will be efficient and move quickly enough that an interim director will not be necessary.
The search process has yet to be formalized, Banning said, adding that it would likely include a committee consisting of board members and staff. A first step would be gathering information from employees and community members to help the committee draft a job description.
“We hope to collect lots of applications from very qualified candidates,” Banning said. The current NECC organization is filled with capable program directors and senior staff, she added.
“The organization is on solid ground and our programs are working well and are funded,” she added. “We have good relationships with donors and funders and show them on an ongoing basis that we perform up to and beyond expectations.”
As for what NECC is looking for in a new executive director, Banning said she can’t “jump the gun.” Conversations with current staff and board members will inform a job description, and Banning is confident that the right candidates will emerge.
Sergent and the board faced criticism following the unexpected closure of the organization’s Early Learning Program (ELP) last November, citing financial difficulties, which left families and staff scrambling.
Although parents said they understood the financial realities, they were frustrated by the way the closure was communicated, describing it as abrupt and lacking transparency.
“The way the announcement was made was disappointing and feels antithetical to the fabric and character of NECC,” said Finegan Ferreboeuf last fall, whose toddler was enrolled at the ELP prior to its closure.
Former ELP Director Emily Redmond, who was fired last November following the program’s closure, was also vocal in her criticism of the process. She said she and her colleagues would have valued the opportunity to discuss potential solutions before the decision to close was finalized.
However, Redmond also sees the change as an opportunity.
“I hope NECC finds someone wonderful who will fill that role with grace and courtesy and respect for the community they represent,” Redmond said.
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