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Saluting Salisbury Forum’s success
Oct 01, 2025
Almost 20 years ago in a packed chapel at The Salisbury School a television journalist famous for his coverage of national politics led a discussion on the question: “Can Democracy Survive the Media?” His name was Sander Vanocur, a prominent reporter whose contemporaries were other big names at political conventions in the 1960s: John Chancellor, Frank McGee and Edwin Newman. Vanocur was was one of the questioners at the first of the Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960.
The Salisbury event back then in 2005 was brought to the Northwest Corner by a unique regional organization known as The Salisbury Forum, which now is celebrating 20 years sponsoring open discourse for a community hungry for thoughtful dialogue.
Last week, another prominent journalist, Judy Woodruff, former anchor and managing editor of the PBS Newshour, was on stage at The Forum’s sold-out event at The Salisbury School. (Read Patrick L. Sullivan’s coverage on page A2.)
For two decades, the Forum, a nonprofit, has hosted speaker forums that “foster a deeper understanding of issues that affect our lives globally and locally,” to quote its mission statement.
As a community we are fortunate to be the beneficiary of such a committed and valuable local organization. The Forum is supported as well by other institutions in our community that provide venues for the Forum’s event. Those include The Hotchkiss School and Salisbury School, The Moviehouse in Millerton and Housatomc Valley Regional High School in Falls Village.
For twenty years, forums — free and open to the public — have explored a wide range of topics that span the rural health crisis in the Northwest Corner, to discussions on food access, the future of journalism, the future of democracy, climate change, citizenship, pandemics, the future of books in an age of AI, as well as subjects related to science, politics and international relations. There seems to be no end to the survey of topics explored by the forums. And no limit to the level of sophistication of its speakers. They include scholars from many disciplines, diplomats, housing experts, award-winning actors of theater, film and television, environmentalists, filmmakers, art critics, theater critics, and on and on with speakers who illuminate the challenges facing America today in civic, political, scientific and cultural life.
The Forum is an adult-ed course we receive for free, which connects us with ideas and draws conversation about the full gamut of Arts and Science of today’s complicated world.
We thank the Forum and its board for an indispensable service to the community. And encourage everyone to visit the Forum’s website to learn more about the people who make it happen and about the history of this nonprofit’s contribution to our community.
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Double wedding, then a car crash
Oct 01, 2025
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
October 4, 1934
‘Double Wedding Performed Friday’; Miss Christine Hoffbeck became the bride of Arthur McGhee, son of Mrs. Catherine McGhee, of Millerton, and her sister, Miss Elda Hoffbeck, was married to Howard Wheeler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Wheeler, of Wassaic, in a double wedding performed Friday evening in the Smithfield Church by the Rev. Arthur James, pastor. Both brides were the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Hoffbeck, of Millerton.
‘Married Two Hours, Couple In Accident’; Married just two hours and leaving Millerton on a wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McGhee suffered minor injuries Friday night when their automobile was struck head-on by a car driven by Elisha Austin, of Winchell Mountain. Mrs. McGhee was formerly Miss Christina Hoffbeck, of Millerton.
The accident occurred on Route 22 in front of Sharkey’s Restaurant. Austin, arrested on charges of reckless driving by Police Chief Van De Bogart, will be arraigned in town court Monday night.
‘About Millerton’; Robert Lane, proprietor of the local movie theatre, has made the Millerton school a splendid proposition. He has selected a subject taught in all the grades, written the name of the subject on a piece of paper, placed the paper in a sealed envelope, and the envelope is now resting in the school safe. When the six weeks report cards are issued the envelope will be opened and all pupils in the grades having 90 or above in that subject will be admitted free to the movies for one night.
October 2, 1975
‘Downey Gains Nomination As Independent Candidate’; Edward Downey, a local attorney, has been nominated as an Independent candidate to seek a 4-year term as Councilman in the Town of North East. A petition signed by over 70 Town voters was filed with the Dutchess County Board of Election on Wednesday: Downey was recently nominated for the same office by the Democratic Party.
“My Independent candidacy is a response to the many Republican and independent voters who have expressed their support for me.” Downey stated.
Downey, a lifelong resident of the Town, was graduated from the Webutuck Central School, Union College and the Indiana University School of Law. He has also served 2 years in the field artillery of the United States Army.
‘Manson To Head Ticket For North East Dems’; The North East Democratic Caucus, meeting Sept. 25 in the Millerton Library community room, selected Willis H. Manson as candidate for Town Supervisor. Manson will face incumbent Frank Perotti, the Republican candidate. Seventeen Town Democrats attended the Caucus.
‘Boards To Take Up Comprehensive Plans’; The North East Planning Board began Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, with North East Town Board and Millerton Village Board members, to take the final steps in considering and possibly enacting a comprehensive land use and zoning plan for both the Town and Village.
North East Zoning Board of Appeals members were also invited to attend the meeting.
The Comprehensive Plans will have to be approved or rejected by the Town and Village Boards, after they are brought before a public hearing.
Planning Board member Dave Sherman said of the complex plan, “The Boards have to be taken through it.”
No timetable has been established by the 2 Boards to consider the plans. Planning Board member Edward Downey said, “We want to sit down with the Boards and work out a schedule.”
Land use plans for the Town and Village were developed by the North East Planning Board with the assistance from Dutchess County Planners.
October 5, 2000
‘Grey House Coming to NE, Hamilton Inn Moving’; MILLERTON—There’s some moving and shaking going on including one convert from a neighboring town. Millerton businesses,
At least one business on Main Street will relocate to accommodate the Hamilton Inn restaurant, and a Lakeville company will move into the current Hamilton Inn location.
Grey House Publishing, a publisher of business, health and demographic reference books with offices now in Sharon and Lakeville, is consolidating offices and moving to North East, a press release from the company said.
Completing the musical chairs, North East Travel shifts over next door to what’s known as the Benedict House, the pale yellow house which hosts A Stitch in Time.
Massage Therapist Matthew Schwartz said he has been allowed to stay on in the office spaces in the rear of the Platt A. Paine House.
‘NE-Millerton Library Will Dedicate Children’s Room to Sapersteins’; MILLERTON — Refreshments, remembrances, a bronze plaque and new additions to a colorful mural: all are happening this Saturday at the North East-Millerton Library, as it holds a ceremony dedicating the children’s room to the memory of Irving and Shirley Saperstein.
The occasion marks a gift by Susan Saperstein Rabin of a piece of land from the Saperstein estate, said library board of trustees President Carol Decker. The land will eventually be sold to benefit the library and its programs for kids.
The Sapersteins were a fixture of the community since the 1940s, when they arrived in town and opened a shop next to the Village Diner. The store bearing his name at the corner of Dutchess Avenue and Main Street is owned by Irving’s son, Louis.
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“The Red Sand Project” from 2024 will once again open this year’s annual vigil.
Natalia Zukerman
With October designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Project SAGE, based in Lakeville, will host three events to shine a light on the issue.
Kicking off the initiative is the annual Vigil and Red Sand Project Action, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9. Supporters will gather at 6:30 p.m. at Community Field, 10 Sharon Road, where a candlelight remembrance walk will proceed to the Project SAGE office at 13A Porter St.
The vigil is dedicated to honoring individuals who have lost their lives to domestic violence in Connecticut over the past year, while reaffirming Project SAGE’s commitment to ending relationship violence. Discussions and reflections on sensitive topics will take place. Staff will be on hand to provide support as needed. A small reception will follow the memorial ceremony. The event is sponsored in part by National Iron Bank.
Fifteen minutes prior to the start of the vigil, Red Sand Project Action members will conduct an activity to raise awareness of human trafficking. More information about the program is available at redsandproject.org/about.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the third annual Take Back the Hike will be held to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault, spur discussions about personal safety in public spaces, and highlight the therapeutic and healing power of nature. The event is sponsored by Project SAGE, the Kent Land Trust and Kent Park and Recreation.
Hikers will gather at Skiff Mountain South Preserve at 10 a.m. to embark on a three-mile hike across Skiff Mountain to the Harrison Overlook, embracing both the beauty of the outdoors and the strength found in community action.
“The partnership between Project SAGE and the Kent Land Trust has created an event that resonates deeply with the values of community, safety and conservation,” said Melissa Cherniske, program manager of the land trust. “We are looking forward to this year’s Take Back the Hike and are excited to continue building on this meaningful tradition.”
To register, go to https://bit.ly/registerforhike?r=qr.
The final event will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, when Project SAGE launches a new partnership with The Moviehouse in Millerton. A screening of the documentary “Another Body” will begin at 7 p.m. This award-winning film follows an American college student’s search for answers and justice after she discovers deepfake pornography of herself circulating online.
Following the screening, Virginia Gold, Project SAGE’s director of client services, and Linda Ciano, director of community engagement, will hold a talkback, moderated by executive director Kristen van Ginhoven.
This event is part of Project SAGE’s Year of Digital Safety offerings. Ciano said, “Nearly every relationship today has some sort of virtual component, whether that means meeting new love interests through dating apps or staying connected with family and friends on social media. Building the skills needed to have healthy interactions online and knowing what to do if things go awry are vital.”
Moviegoers should note the film includes language and images that may be difficult to watch. Staff will be on hand to provide support if needed.
Tickets are $18 and available for purchase at themoviehouse.net.
“We are looking forward to a full Domestic Violence Awareness Month this year,” said van Ginhoven. “With new and ongoing events that are accessible to all, we look forward to uniting with advocates, sister agencies and coalitions across the country to raise awareness and uplift efforts toward our common goal of ending domestic violence.”
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Letter to the editor: Thursday, June 12, 2025