Celebrating art in the community, the Millbrook Library held an opening on Thursday, April 11, of a new exhibit featuring the paintings of Dr. Leon Nesis, left, a resident at The Fountains. A bouquet was presented by Ellen O’Shea, Arts Coordinator at The Fountains. The exhibit will continue until May 20.
MILLBROOK — Art was in the air as the Millbrook Library opened a new exhibit of the paintings of Dr. Leon Nesis of Millbrook, on Thursday, April 11, showcasing a selection of the artist’s works while celebrating the public role of arts in the community. This is the second exhibit of works by Nesis at the library.
Nesis signs each of his works “Loncho,” a childhood nickname in Argentina, where he was born. A significant part of his career was spent in the General Surgery Department at New York University Hospital. He and his wife, Bobbie, now reside in a cottage at The Fountains in Millbrook.
“Everyone who comes through the library has commented on how beautiful these paintings are and the variety of the subject matter,” said Gabrielle Esposito, adult programming director at the library. For the viewer, each painting has a story to tell.
“We are super lucky in our association with The Fountains,” Esposito added.
Nesis has pursued painting as a hobby for decades. The subject matter of this exhibit depicts scenes inspired by his travels throughout Mexico and Argentina, a few grazing cows and a group of abstracts, using a variety of mediums including water-based and oil-based oils and watercolors.
“When Leon retired, he started painting and had a successful studio in the Berkshires,” said Ellen O’Shea, Arts Coordinator at The Fountains.
“I just think he’s a natural, excellent with color,” said O’Shea, adding that Nesis likes the cadmiums, red and yellow.
“It’s a hobby I’ve always enjoyed,” Nesis said. “The colors make you feel warm,” he added.
“The exhibit is intended to celebrate Leon’s talent,” said Lisa Rieckermann, Community Life Director at The Fountains, “and to have it be exposed for the community’s benefit.”
It’s good to get it out into the community,” Rieckermann added.
The exhibit at The Millbrook Library will continue until May 20.
AMENIA — Continuing to seek town guidance toward completing a state-mandated environmental assessment form, developers proposing a subdivision of the Keane Stud property received a clarifying listing of pertinent sections at the regular Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
By unanimous vote, the board approved both the listing of the sections to be completed and a resolution indicating that the environmental assessment study needs to be submitted as part of the process. That study is considered to be the first step in the environmental review requirements. Planning board member Jamie Vitiello abstained from the vote; James Walsh was absent.
Representing the Keane Stud developers was attorney Diana Kolev, Partner of DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise Wiederkehr LLP of White Plains. Since June, the developers have sought to understand the steps necessary to define environmental and visual impacts of the proposed subdivision.
The developers asked for the board’s advice about relevant sections of the state-mandated Full Environmental Assessment Form, a 13-page form that asks for impact determinations within a variety of categories.
Planning Board engineer John Andews reviewed which categories the developers should focus upon, encompassing impact on the land, whether through construction or re-contouring plans, although no impact on geological features is foreseen. Impact on surface water is expected but rated as a low impact.
Planning Board chairman Robert Boyles asked that storm water runoff be identified.
No impact was expected to affect the air, plants and animals.
Since it was first envisioned, the developers have reduced the total Keane Stud development acreage from 704 to 605 acres and the number of proposed lots has been reduced from 27 to 23.
Owner Juan Torres noted that 90% of each parcel will be reserved for conservation; 10% will be allowed to be built upon.
In fact, the eventual owners of the proposed lots may never build on some of them, planning board engineer John Andrews told the board.
During public comment, resident Sharon Kroeger submitted a packet of summary materials supporting protection of the viewshed from DeLaVergne Hill. She also determined that multiple public hearings will be held as the review process progresses through the environmental impact and the visual impact stages.
Red Oak Trails Project
Having presented plans for the Northern Red Oak Trails Project to a recent meeting of the Town Board, following presentation of a preliminary plan to the Planning Board on June 11, the developer returned to the Planning Board. The Town Board has advised the developer to ask the Planning Board to provide comments for the Town Board to consider.
Andrews noted that it is likely that the Town Board will refer the plans on to the Zoning Board of Appeals for comment, although the Town Board remains the final approval authority.
Lauren Zane of the Northern Red Oak Trails Project was present to answer questions about plans for 426 Old Route 22 that would create 10-12 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails on a 450-acre parcel that would combine three properties.
Andrews noted that one of the properties is encumbered by an easement held by the Dutchess Land Conservancy.
Parking for 24 cars and restroom facilities are envisioned.
An existing dilapidated structure on the property that was once a home but is now deemed uninhabitable would be demolished. That site is likely to serve as parking for 24 cars and restroom facilities for visitors to the trails.
Maintenance of the trails would be ensured by the nonprofit Hollyhock Foundation. That foundation supports environmental projects that battle greenhouse gases.
“This project has the health and beauty of the community in mind,” said planning board member Ken Topolsky and chairman Boyles expressed concern about plans for emergency access.
To accommodate a holiday, the next meeting of the Planning Board is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25, departing from the usual Wednesday meeting night. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
MILLERTON — Village of Millerton Board members met on Sept. 9 for their monthly workshop, which included routine business, a public hearing on the Altice franchise agreement renewal and a presentation on the wastewater system.
The presentation on the wastewater project provided an optimistic look at the timeframe and funding. Construction could begin in early 2027 and wrap up by the spring of 2028, according to Erin Moore of Tighe & Bond, an engineering and environmental consulting firm.
During the public hearing regarding the renewal of the Altice/Optimum franchise agreement, it became clear that Millerton is last in line for major fiber optic upgrades intended to improve cable service.
Altice has committed to going 100% fiber but said the work could be several years away for Millerton and North East. A company representative explained that upgrades begin at “head ends” located in White Plains and Wappingers and progress outward, making Millerton a low priority. The representative added it would be extremely difficult to have crews “jump the line.”
The village attorney will review contract revisions with Altice, with a final draft potentially presented at the October meeting. Meanwhile, the Altice rep says the company is addressing individual customer issues on a case-by-case basis, meaning residents experiencing poor service can request replacement drops directly from the provider.
In routine business, trustees unanimously renewed a one-year contract at a 3% increase with the Village of Rhinebeck for utilizing the services of zoning administrator, code enforcer and assistant building inspector Justin Noyes, who splits his time between villages.
Deputy Mayor Matt Hartzog highlighted the upcoming Sept. 30 business forum to discuss plans for the village’s 175th Anniversary Celebration, scheduled for July 11–19 of next year.
Mayor Jenn Najdek announced that the engineer for the delayed Eddie Collins Park renovation will provide a status update at the October board meeting.
Najdek also requested approval to file an extension for the 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Veteran’s Park, citing difficulties locating CAD design files from the previous engineers. The project will include one remaining section of sidewalk on Main Street, from the bank to the library, completing the full stretch of the street that was not included in the earlier sidewalk project.
New trustee Katie Cariello said she will be available at the North-East Millerton Library Annex on October 16 and 23 from 4–6 p.m. to assist residents with the new online water payment system. Cariello said the sessions will provide tech support and give her a chance to connect with residents personally.
SHARON — William Sanford Kelsey, 81, of 397 Clayton Road, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. He was the loving husband of the late Patricia Kilby Fleming Kelsey, who died in 2020.
Born on Feb. 18, 1944, in Sharon, Bill was the son of the late William Samuel and Frances (Morehouse) Kelsey.
Following high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving proudly in the U.S. Naval Air Corps from 1965 to 1969. After returning home, he worked in a variety of occupations, including mechanic and welder, but found his greatest satisfaction as a tractor-trailer driver for Westchester Modular Homes.
Bill was deeply committed to his community, serving with the Sharon Fire Department, on the Sharon School Building Committee, and as a member of the Sharon Congregational Church. A gifted builder and creator, he lived off the grid for over 20 years — an accomplishment he was very proud of. He loved working with his hands and always enjoyed building and creating new things. In his free time, he enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and golfing, and any activity that allowed him to spend time outdoors.
Above all, Bill valued family and deeply cherished his lifelong friends. He was always there to lend a helping hand to a friend in need and proudly shared the accomplishments of his children and grandkids. He is survived by his two children; Adam Kelsey and his wife Katy of Denver, Colorado, and Amy Wheeler and her husband Kevin of Woodstock, Vermont. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Patricia Beatty of Wakefield, Rhode Island, and Lin Peterson of Glastonbury, Connecticut; four grandchildren, Quinn and Violet Kelsey and Liam and Hannah Wheeler; as well as several cousins and extended family members who remained an important part of his life.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Sharon Congregational Church, 25 Main Street, Sharon, CT 06069. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Salisbury Cemetery, Undermountain Road, Salisbury, CT 06068.
Arrangements are under the care of Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018.
PINE PLAINS — Bonnie Jean Stedt died peacefully at home on Sept. 5, 2025.
Her body was 81 years old. Her spirit was forever young.
Originally from Southern California, Bonnie began her business management career at I Magnin in San Francisco in 1967. By the early 1970’s, Bonnie had begun career-pathing up the ladder at Filene’s Department Store in Boston. She was promoted often, ultimately to Vice President, Stores and to Senior Vice President, Personnel and Labor Relations. In those early days, Bonnie was widely known as the ’glass ceiling breaker.’
In 1986, Bonnie briefly returned to California to Bullock’s Department Store as Senior Vice President, Operations, before being recruited to and joining the worldwide American Express Company, in 1988, headquartered in Lower Manhattan. She headed Human Resources for American Express for the next 13 years, as Executive Vice President. She met many world leaders and was connected to world events in this position. Her role in shepherding the employees of the AmEx headquarters site, a near neighbor to the Twin Towers, through the 9/11 tragedy, was particularly notable.
Bonnie was an avid equestrian. In her corporate retirement, she loved nothing more than rounding up her three dogs and loading two or three of her magnificent horses into their trailer and driving to horse competitions all over the East coast.
She was a highly successful competitive rider and supporter of the Eventing discipline, the triathlon of equestrian sports. She won many championships and in 2005 was first in the year-end awards for the Northeast Area (USEA Area 1) on her beloved horse Clancy Himself. Additionally she was Vice President of the Millbrook Hunt and foxhunted for over three decades. She owned Foxrace Farm, her personal horse farm. No one was more important to Bonnie than friend and Olympian Boyd Martin. She was an initial syndicate owner and sponsor of Otis Barbotiere, Boyd’s horse for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This year, 2025, Boyd has many wins on Bonnie’s horse, Miss Lulu Herself, including the Millbrook Horse Trials in August. Her relationship with Boyd and his wife Silva was close to 20 years.
Colleagues and cohorts, described Bonnie in so many different words, but all netted to ‘superb friend,’ ‘wonderfully lively companion to travel the world with,’ ‘smart and funny — never a dull moment,’ ‘appropriately serious when she had to be,’ ‘always full of heart and courage.’
Preceded in death by her father, Arthur R. Stedt, her mother Antoinette Verbraggen Stedt and her brother, Larry Stedt, Bonnie is survived by her niece, Shannon Casey. In her illness she was wonderfully cared for by Carolyn Oakman in Aiken South Carolina.
Bonnie leaves her neighbors in mourning from Pine Plains, New York and in Aiken, South Carolina, her two home locations, as well as good friends from around the whole country.
