The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn, Vivian Sukenik, Nancy Vialpando and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
June 8, 1933
‘Judge Daniel J. Gleason of Millerton Endorsed for The Supreme Court Bench’: Intense interest is being displayed in Millerton in the news that Daniel J. Gleason, a Millerton man and surrogate of Dutchess County for twenty years has been unanimously endorsed by the county Republican executive committee for nomination to the Supreme Court Bench to succeed Justice Morsehauser….
‘About Millerton’: Ray Goetchius, the national parachute champion, on Sunday leaped from a plane at an altitude of 5,000 feet, and landed in the center of the field. Goetchius showed his usual ability during his jump by coolly lighting a cigarette at about 2,500 feet from the ground when he was dropping at the rate of 30 miles per hour. He landed at a rate of speed that was judged by the bystanders as being about one-tenth the speed that he was descending the first 2,000 feet. Goetchius later jumped from an aerplane [sic] over the Columbia County Airport at 6 P.M. at an altitude of about 7,00 feet.
‘Will Vote on Sale of Beer Next Tuesday’: Mt. Washington, June 7- The polls for the special election to be held June 13 will be open from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. At this election the delegates to the state [sic] convention to consider the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment will be elected….
June 13, 1974
‘Young Men Organize for Community Service’: A group of young men are organizing a Jaycees chapter in Millerton. “We want to better our community any way we can,” said Robert McGhee, one of the organizers.
‘Class Makes Tuna Recipe’: Tuna Chow Mein…Cook onion in butter for two minutes. Add flour, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth, add water, bouillon cubes and milk; bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add tuna, celery and carrot. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 20 minutes…Serve tuna mixture over rice. Serves four; 30 cents a serving.
June 10, 1999
‘Strawberry Fair Saturday Promises Sweet Fun for All’: Amenia – This town will again be bustling with activity when it holds its annual Strawberry Fair Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Started a quarter of a century ago by the Amenia United Presbyterian Church, the fair has evolved from a one-stand operation to a major event that attracts people from several surrounding towns.
When church member Etta Rockwell first sold strawberries and ice cream in 1973 on the lawn in front of her Route 22 house, she probably never dreamed it would result in a town-wide celebration involving dozens of local businesses and organizations.
This year at the church, there will be plenty of strawberries – by the quart or atop a dish of ice cream – along with a variety of lunch items, including nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers and chili. In addition, there will be numerous vendors’ tables with arts and crafts, tag sales, home-baked goods, as well as a silent auction and a Chinese auction. At around 11 a.m., magician Bruce Hafford will arrive at the church to entertain the many children expected to attend the fair…
‘Historical Society Plans House Tour’: Millerton – Planning has begun for the second annual North East Historical Society House Tour to be held in August. Currently three homes are on the agenda and the society needs one more. Anyone willing to have their home on the tour is asked to get in touch with Project Chairman Henry Quinn.
‘Artist Valyou Showing Works at Manna Dew Café’: Millerton – David Valyou, a well-known local artist who is also a cook at Broadway Pizza, is branching into new territory.
Mr. Valyou, who works in a number of mixed media, will have his work on display starting July 1, at Manna Dew Café in Railroad Plaza….
Mr. Valyou said he liked the café setting for his art, in contrast to gallery showings. “It’s an ambush to the unaware,’ he explained. “It brings people in who would not normally go to a gallery.”
“I think it would be a great asset to the village to have a regular show,” Mr. Valyou added, “Gina’s got a good place for it.”
"They had this in mind from last year," girls varsity head coach Les Funk of Pine Plains said. Funk said the young team wanted the sectional title and "never gave up," until they won it Wednesday, March 5, at Mount Saint Mary College.Photo by Nathan Miller
Naveah Rennie, no 34 of Pine Plains, was the Bombers' dominant scorer, racking up 20 points by the end of the matchup against S.S. Seward Institute during the Section IX Class C finals at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 5.Photo by Nathan Miller
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC