Region libraries gear up for fall activities

The Amenia Free Library is located at 3309 Route 343 in downtown Amenia.

Photo by John Coston

Region libraries gear up for fall activities

As autumn activities get underway, local libraries are doing their part to add to the enjoyment with special programs to supplement regular offerings which are listed on their websites along Libraries of Things which can introduce patrons to new activities.
Library directors detailed the possibilities in a recent Millerton News survey.

Millerton

NorthEast-Millerton Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson says the list of the dozen items in the Library of Things may be seen at nemillertonlibrary.org which also details limited access to ten museum passes, laptops and hotspots. She says upcoming activities are: “SANDIPITY a hands-on art workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 3:30 p.m.; a tag sale on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front yard Memorial Garden; an AARP Smart Driver Course, Friday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration required; Open Houses Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and the Festival of Frights Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.” The Annex at 28 Century Blvd. is the site of voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the Annual Holiday Fundraising Craft sale on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call (518) 789-3340.

Millbrook

Millbrook Library Director Courtney Tsahalis said, “We are very proud of our community fridge which is made possible thanks to our partnership with the Millbrook Rotary. Anyone who needs it can come and take food, no questions asked ... We have lawn games, a wax melter, and mini donut maker, a portable DVD player, and we just added a podcast microphone ... On Nov. 16 at 11 a.m., we are holding a program in partnership with the Millbrook Arts Group called Pulso De Barrio — Mexican Folk Music Workshop. The Friends of Millbrook Library will also be holding their popular Holiday Silent Auction again this year in December.” Call (845) 677-3611 or check millbrooklibrary.org for information about ongoing programs at the library at 3 Friendly Lane.

Hillsdale

Tamara Gaskell, Director of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library at 9091 State Route 22, Hillsdale notes their Library of Things includes “a seed library, camping equipment, cake pans, hotspots, and some themed backpacks with books and materials--on birds, stars, insects, ponds and streams, and dark skies.” She said scheduled special programs include: “a film screening of Hudson, America, Oct. 5; Putting Your Garden to Bed, Oct. 6: Alfred Hitchcock film screening, Oct. 12; Pumpkin painting, Oct. 19; Your Indoor Garden, Nov. 10; Marionette Performance of The Last Dragon by the Puppet People, Dec. 7; Holiday Centerpiece Workshop, Dec. 15; Friends Cookies, Soup and Book sale, Dec. 13-14.” All programs are listed at roejanlibrary.org. Call (518) 325-4101 for details.

Pine Plains

Annie Mallozzi, Assistant Director of the Pine Plains Free Library at 777 S. Main St., said they are expanding offerings to include a spice library which “focuses on Central and South American spices.” She adds, “We’re hosting a workshop for teens on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. on cooking ‘Easy, Good, and Cheap Recipes’” with an after school program Monday through Thursday. English Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.. and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Call (518) 398-1927 or go to pineplainslibrary.org for information.

Amenia

The Amenia Free Library offers home delivery and curbside pickup at 3309 Route 343. Library Director Victoris Herow says their expanded fall hours are listed at amenialibrary.org. “Navigating Medicare” will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m.; An AARPP Safe Driving Course will take place Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 1 - 4:30 p.m. Call (845) 373-8273 for required registration.

Stanford

Stanford Library Director Christa Cerue says the Library’s quarterly Repair Cafe will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Library at 6035 Route 82, Stanfordville. For information on their multiple regular programs and the Library of Things including a ukulele, board games, tennis and pickleball equipment, and backpacks, check stanfordlibrary.org, or call (845) 868-1341.

Latest News

Millbrook Scout completes Eagle Scout leadership work to benefit Angels of Light

Celebrating the completion of his Eagle Scout leadership project to benefit Angels of Light on Friday, March 21, Jayden Loibl, 17, was joined by Angels of Light co-Executive Directors, Lori Cassia-Decker, left, and Danielle Mollica.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Capping a lifetime of scouting achievement, Jayden Loibl, 17, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, completing a community project to handcraft outdoor benches and tables for the local nonprofit Angels of Light building at 28 Front St.

In addition to overseeing the construction of sturdy benches and tables that invite passersby to try them out, Loibl’s major project also created a Love Lock Pillar, and finished off the project by making stencil templates of the nonprofit’s logo to be used to identify the space and invite visitors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia approves sidewalk projectalong Route 44
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — Pedestrians will soon be able to walk safely between Broadway and Beekman Park, now that a construction contract has been awarded.

The planning process continued for many months, culminating in an invitation to bid. The Town Board voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 20, to select the lowest bidder, clearing the way for work to begin.

Keep ReadingShow less
Science confirms: It was a cold winter

Spring has officially arrived with freezing night time temperatures forecast through the first week of April.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

Victoria Kelly, Cary Institute Environmental Monitoring Program Manager and Senior Ecologist, prepared this report.

MILLBROOK — Since 1988 the weather station at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the Town of Washington has been keeping track of our local weather — precipitation, temperature, wind, air quality, etc.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East Fire District focuses on budget, spending

The North East Fire house on the south side of Century Boulevard.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

MILLERTON — The commissioners of the North East Fire District recently held their monthly meeting at the firehouse to discuss their current needs and general business.

Discussion centered around the current work on the 2025 budget and proposed expenditures, which ranged from upgrading their heating/cooling system to the possibility of replacing car no. 3.

Keep ReadingShow less