Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Measles, Junior Prom Queen and King, and more Black bears

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were com- piled by Kathleen Spahn, Vivian Sukenik, Nancy Vialpando and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

June 1, 1933

‘School Was Hard Hit by the Measles’:… last month was a record month in many respects. First, the Millerton school had the lowest monthly average that it has had in three years. Second, the yearly average is the lowest it has been in three years. Third, the first and second grades hit the lowest point that has been reached by any room in the past three years….The figures for the past month show how Old Man Measles laid the school low, and had it not been that it was closed for a week by the board of health, there is no telling where the monthly percentage would have been…

‘Goetchius to Make Double Appearance’: Ray Goetchius, of Millerton, national champion parachute jumper, will appear next Sunday at both Millerton and the Columbia County Airport near Hudson. At 2 o’clock he will give the performance postponed from Memorial Day at Spencer’s Corners near Millerton and at 5:30 will make a leap at the Columbia County Airport.

June 6, 1974

‘Canevari Cited as Top Player’: Dan Canevari, the son of Mr. Mrs. Charles Canevari of Millerton, has been a top ballplayer this season for the Webutuck Warriors.

On the mound he has compiled an impressive 1.86 E.R.A., posting a 4-2 record. In 56-one-third innings he struck out 75 batters and walked seven.

Dan has often played right field when not pitching, since his solid .400 bat has been quite an asset to the offense.

‘Her Highness’: Jane Crawford was crowned Junior Prom Queen at Webutuck High School by last year’s queen.

‘His Majesty’: Dave Runge, Webutuck High School’s Junior Prom King, is crowned by last year’s king, Jay Kain.

‘Merwin Chairs Bicentennial School Group’: Lori Merwin of Millerton, a sophomore at Webutuck High School, Amenia, has been chosen as chairman of high school activities throughout the county for the American Revolution bicentennial parades, fireworks and festivities committee.

Miss Merwin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Merwin, Airport Rd, has an interest in history, but is majoring in mathematics at Webutuck in preparation for being a special education teacher…

June 3, 1999

‘It’s Bears, Bears Everywhere – Millerton’: A wandering bear was spotted last week off Rudd Pond Road in the town of North East, just at the edge of the village.

Todd Kitchen, his wife Martha and their children Hannah and Jacob were heading south on Rudd Pond Road May 24 around 7:45 p.m. The black bear darted in front of their car in a westerly direction somewhere between Belgo and Gay roads….

After about 15 minutes from the original sighting, the bear was seen by passersby walking down Stone Avenue, off Beilke Road. The bear trotted into a field and into someone’s backyard, before disappearing.

He said a friend who also saw the bear estimated it weighed about 250 pounds: “It was a big bear.”

But he was not afraid of the wild animal.

“He looked harmless,” Mr. Kitchen recalled.

Bear sightings in our area are becoming more commonplace. According to Dick Henry a big game biologist with the state Department of environmental Conservation…. “It’s not uncommon to have them show up in Dutchess County,” he said….

“People react out of fear, because they don’t know bears. They are vegetarians by and large,” he explained. “They are not a threat to people.”

‘Circus Will Be In Millerton Saturday’: The Russia Cossack Riders will be among those performers featured by the 1999 edition of Vidbel’s Olde Tyme Circus, which is coming to Millerton, Saturday, June 5. There will be performances at 2 pm. And 4:15 p.m. The red and white striped big top will be set up for the day at Eddie Collins Field, Route 22 in Millerton. The circus is one of the major fund-raisers of the year for the Millerton Lions Club….

Other feature acts with Vidbel’s Circus include hilarious clowns, trained goats, aerialists, horses, jugglers, a comedy dog review, and much more during the nearly two-hour performance.

‘Fund-raiser to Benefit Boston School Trip’: The fourth-grade class is having a Tupperware fund-raiser to build funds for next year’s trip to Boston. The students all look forward to this trip and need your help to get there. If anyone is interesting [sic] in buying Tupperware products or booking a Tupperware party, please call the Webutuck Elementary School.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Legal Notices - July 23, 2026

Legal Notices - July 23, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

Coldworks Mechanical LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/28/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: P.O. Box 353, LaGrangeville, New York 12540-0353. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less

Classifieds - July 23, 2026

Classifieds - July 23, 2026

HELP WANTED

Home Help Needed. Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.

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 discrimination based 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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton’s 175th celebration overcomes weather challenges

Customers peruse jewelry and art at a vendor’s station during Millerton’s 175th Fair on Friday, July 17.

Photo by Lucia Iandolo

MILLERTON — The community wrapped up its week-long 175th anniversary fair Sunday, July 19, with sunny skies and a sizable turnout after rain threatened to put a damper on the whole weekend.

Rainy weather on Saturday, July 18, led to reduced attendance, but didn’t kill volunteers’ spirits. Lisa Hermann, who led the planning efforts for the week-long celebration, said the poor weather was unfortunate but plans continued on with slight modifications.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Food pantries, farmers markets adapt after federal aid cuts

Volunteers at St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Food of Life pantry distribute vegetables and other food to patrons on Friday, July 17, in South Amenia.

Photo by Eloise Pickering

A year after federal funding cuts to supplemental food programs, local farmers markets and food pantries continue adapting to ensure community members have access to food.

Farmers markets throughout the region accept a variety of food assistance benefits, and food pantries are switching to new choice models, allowing their guests and neighbors to choose their food rather than be sent home with a pre-packaged box.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Fire Department Carnival carries on despite rain, air quality concerns

About to begin dispensing ride tickets at the opening day of the annual Millbrook Fire Dept. Carnival on Wednesday, July 15, the ticket booth was a focus for visitors as they awaited the opening and the start of the rides.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Millbrook’s four day Fire Department Carnival that took place between July 15 through July 18 saw community turnout through rain, heat, and poor air quality.

With a looming storm and Canadian wildfires lowering air quality, residents and families still lined Franklin Avenue during the July 18 parade, cheering on local fire departments.

Keep ReadingShow less
Washington officials begin pool renovation talks

MILLBROOK — Washington’s town board will begin workshopping plans for renovations to the town pool next week.

At a regular meeting on Thursday, July 9, the board discussed a preliminary feasibility study on the pool and surrounding park. A monthly workshop, hosted at Town Hall, will begin to address concerns and solidify plans on how to improve the park. The first session will take place on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.