AMENIA — Charles and Charlene Mayville were recognized as Amenia’s Citizens of the Year at a brief ceremony in front of the town’s Christmas Tree at the annual Celebration of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, joined by Town Board members Rosanna Hamm and Nicole Ahearn and Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner, presented a certificate to the Mayvilles just after 4 p.m.
Blackman praised the couple for their dedication to community service and their volunteering spirit.
“They’re actually on their way to help another community right now,” Blackman said, explaining that the ceremony had to be moved up a half hour earlier to accommodate the recipients’ schedule.
Amenia residents Olivier and Augustine Agnez posing for a picture with Santa Claus at the Silo Bakery on Main Street in Amenia on Sunday, Dec. 7.Photo by Nathan Miller
“This is obviously a total surprise, and we’re really grateful that you’re thinking of us and what we do,” Charlene Mayville said. “I know there’s a lot of volunteers out there, and it’s just such a rewarding and fulfilling experience to do for others and to see happiness on their face when we’re done.”
The Citizen of the Year ceremony was part of Amenia’s annual holiday celebration. Downtown this year was free hot chocolate and cookies in front of the basketball court — where a fire pit warmed frigid hands and the Webutuck High School band played a collection of holiday tunes — Santa Claus sitting for pictures in the Silo Bakery on Main Street and arts and crafts at the Amenia Free Library.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Piper Sniffen, left, and her brother Xander color in an illustration of cats decorating a Christmas Tree at the Amenia Free Library's arts and crafts day during Amenia's holiday celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Fire crews douse the smoldering remains of an equipment shed at 357 Hunns Lake Road in Stanford after a fire and propane tank explosions destoryed the structure and farm machinery housed inside on Friday, July 17.
Ahlf reported the fire just before 1 p.m. The structure, an equipment shed that housed a tractor, a lawnmower and other farm machinery, was about 50 years old. The fire completely destroyed the shed and equipment stored inside, but caused no injuries.
"Nothing important, compared to a life," Ahlf said of the destruction. "Now I get to see how good my insurance is."
The fire had been brought under control by about 1:30 p.m. Fire crews continued to tamp out latent hot spots into the afternoon.
The mutual aid response drew fire crews from Stanford, Pine Plains, Ancram and North East.
A fire company official with the Stanford Fire Department said propane tanks exploded in the blaze, but was unsure if that was the cause of the fire or a secondary effect.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Heavy smoke rising from the destroyed structure as seen from Richie Ahlf's driveway entrance on Hunns Lake Road in Stanford on Friday, July 17.
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