MILLBROOK — The community gathered to create an overflow crowd to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, after learning how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese.
The event celebrated the start of the “Year of the Snake” while gaining greater understanding of Chinese arts and culture. The program, held at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Feb. 15, was sponsored by the Millbrook Arts Group and the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center.
“We’re always excited to introduce Millbrook’s children to a wider community,” said Millbrook Arts Group board member June Glasson.
Lin Fen-Lan, director of the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center, located in Poughkeepsie, began the program by teaching a bit of the Chinese language and explaining the cultural tradition of the Chinese paper lantern and lantern festivals held throughout China, Taiwan and surrounding Asian countries.
What observers commonly believe to be Chinese dragons, often seen in parades or cultural celebrations, stem more from the lion, seen as a mythical creature, as lions are not found in China. Some traditions have thought of the lion as a cat, all serving as inspiration for the design of the dragon with a large head and fabric body animated by human dance performers providing the legs. The dragon-lion-cat dance is thought to have the power to frighten away evil spirits.
Young dancers demonstrated their talents in interpreting Chinese dance as cultural tradition at the Chinese Lunar New Year event that attracted an overflow gathering of families. The program was sponsored by the Millbrook Arts Group and the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Feb. 15. Photo by Leila Hawken
Accompanying the dragon dance is a traditional cacophony of percussive instruments, gong, cymbals and rhythmic drums, the sounds filling the library space, the total effect being to keep evil spirits at bay.
Babies born in the Year of the Snake, Lin said, can look forward to possessing intelligence and wisdom, good fortune, prosperity and health. The Chinese see the snake as wise, clever and thoughtful, so that babies born this year will grow up to be problem-solvers who think before they act.
Other performances included Chinese yo-yo demonstrations requiring expert coordination, and young costumed dancers demonstrating their talents in traditional dance.
Noting that this year was the first performance appearance at the Millbrook Library, Lin was pleased to see Millbrook’s children being introduced to Chinese culture.
“We love our culture,” Lin added.
A Poughkeepsie all-volunteer non-profit since 1968, the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center is family-oriented where students of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn the Chinese language, culture and the arts.
To learn more, go to www.mhclc.org.
In addition to fresh floral arrangements offered at The Little Flower Bar, a new business at 8 Old North Road in Amenia, owner Kelly Deneen offers an array of gifts in an attractive price range.
Since its soft opening Saturday, Nov. 29, at the 8 Old North Road plaza, Deneen said business has been steady, with a strong showing during the holiday season.
“It’s going to evolve,” Deneen said of the young enterprise.
The flower bar includes a wheeled, multi-shelf display of fresh-cut flowers. Deneen said the portable setup can be brought to hospitals, businesses or private events, where people can select individual stems to create their own arrangements or purchase flowers to go, making it an interactive and visually engaging feature.
A thriving new business in town, The Little Flower Bar created a fresh floral arrangement on the spot for Walter Irvine of Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 8. Owner Kelly Deneen paused for a photo with the satisfied customer.Photo by Leila Hawken
Adding to the shop’s charm is a curated selection of affordable gifts, ranging from photo frames and wine glasses to themed trays for milestone occasions, as well as items for sports fans and holidays.
“Valentine’s Day is coming up next,” Deneen noted.
Flowers are offered by the stem, and arrangements can either be made for customers or created by customers themselves. Flower selections change weekly based on the season and availability from local gardens. During the winter months, flowers are sourced from area wholesalers.
“Carnations will always be on the bar,” Deneen said, “because most importantly they were my grandmother’s favorite, but also for their quiet beauty and long-lasting charm.”
Deneen grew up in Millerton and purchased her grandmother’s home following her death in 2021. Her grandmother had lived there since 1962, and her grandfather grew up on Belgo Road.
Before opening The Little Flower Bar, Deneen spent her career in the auto racing industry.
“I worked in the car racing industry my entire adult life. I started right here at Skip Barber Racing School when I was 21. In 2013, I moved to Indianapolis to work for Andretti Autosport. I spent the next 12 years in the IndyCar paddock,” summarizing her connections to the auto racing world and her experience in large-scale event planning.
A seasonal selection of fresh flowers will be offered at The Little Flower Bar, a new business at 8 Old North Road in Amenia combining creativity and small-town affordability to customers. Owner Kelly Deneen is poised to assist customers with arrangements to go, a varied selection of gifts, and event planning.Photo by Leila Hawken
Five years ago, she started working from home in Millerton, traveling to the races. That was when she nourished her love for flowers, purchasing flowers just to play with arranging.
“We have the best flower farmers right here in the Northwest Corner,” Deneen said.
“Every flower has a personality that can speak for you when words fall short,” Deneen said.
“This is so lovely, and that’s a man saying that,” said customer Walter Irvine of Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 8, as he stopped in for a made-to-order custom floral arrangement. Irvine recalled that he and Deneen have known each other since the 1960s, having a common interest in the auto racing industry.
The Little Flower Bar is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m until 4 p.m. The phone is (845) 231-6341. For more information go to
Amenia residents comment on Cascade Creek subdivision plan
Residents filled the Town Hall meeting room to capacity for the Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to provide comments about the Cascade Creek workforce housing application submitted by Hudson River Housing.
For several months, the non-profit developer has been engaged in preparing environmental impact analyses for the property, examining utilities, stormwater runoff, and potential effects on wildlife and watercourses. Once that environmental review phase is complete, detailed site plan drawings will be considered as part of the application’s next phase.
Senior planner Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering, speaking on behalf of the Cascade Creek project, reviewed conservation plans for the 24.13 acres that would comprise the development. Of the total acreage, 59% would be preserved as open space.
The plan calls for 28 half-acre house lots, each encumbered by conservation easements, along with a rectangular space designated for a community garden. Sewer and water utilities would be on-site.
Since the Planning Board’s November meeting, Sander reported, the developer has met with local fire officials, leading to an agreement to provide a buried large reservoir water tank to combat fires and the use of fire-resistant building materials in each home.
Planning Board Engineer John Andrews reminded residents that the meeting was an opportunity for public comment, describing it as an informal public hearing, and noted that future formal public hearings will be held on the project.
Summarizing the comments heard at the meeting, Planning Board member Jamie Vitiello enumerated topics that would lie within the purview of the board and the required environmental analysis currently being considered. Topics identified by Vitiello included the fire department’s concerns about adequate water supply in case of fire, Webutuck School enrollment growth, effect on community character, and increased traffic.
Newly seated Planning Board attorney Victoria Polidoro of Rodenhausen Chale and Polidoro LLP, with offices in Rhinebeck, suggested that she would be interested in information about marketing plans for the Cascade Creek subdivision.
Vitiello suggested that there are some aspects that are not within the purview of the planning board, but Andrews said he felt that getting more information into the public record is within its purview.
Several residents offered comments at the meeting, including former Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti, who expressed concern about the effect on the aquifer and area homeowners’ wells, particularly in times of drought. Although bog turtles are not present on-site, she said they do inhabit wetlands surrounding the site, along with other forms of familiar wildlife. Finally, Perotti said that the proposed on-site sewage system does not adequately meet state standards.
Resident George Bistransin submitted a petition carrying 204 signatures of residents who oppose the project.
Another resident said that he was generally in favor of workforce housing and understood the local need for it, but he had questions about the project’s business model, including the financial responsibilities of the homeowners and what mortgages would be available to them. He sought evidence that the project is financially viable.
Resident Ken Merritt expressed concern about the effect on groundwater levels in the area, indicating his opposition to the project.
“Who will pay to have area wells redrilled?” asked resident Kim Travis, also expressing concern about rainwater runoff and the diminishment of the rural character of the area.
Questioning the traffic study conducted as part of the application, resident Judy Moran noted that the study was done when schools were not in session.
Former Town Supervisor Leo Blackman spoke, noting his prior years of service on the town’s Housing Board.
“There is definitely a problem with a lack of affordable housing,” Blackman said. “The community could become economically segregated,” he warned.
Addressing concerns over higher-density housing, Blackman described the high incidence of small house lots already existing within the community.
“We need affordable housing; we need to do something,” resident Gaye Parisi said. Parisi currently serves on the Housing Board.
Planning Board Secretary Judy Westfall read two letters into the record. The first was from the local fire department, noting no access to a municipal water supply, the unreliability of natural water sources, concerns about monitoring the buried tank, the need for adequate turnaround room for fire apparatus, and plans for snow removal.
The second letter was from resident Daniel Donnelly, who favored the application and urged its approval.
Northern Red Oak Trails Project
Plans for a proposed 12-mile network of hiking and biking trails by Northern Red Oak, LLC, which require a special use permit, were reviewed by the Planning Board. Andrews explained that the permit must be issued by the Town Board and that the application had been referred to the Planning Board for comment.
Andrews said the Zoning Board of Appeals has already reviewed the proposal and raised only minor concerns, while the fire department also identified issues that have since been addressed. Endangered species requirements have been met, he added, with the applicant proposing a rattlesnake education program for the safety of hikers and bikers.
Andrews also reported that the applicant is seeking permission to cross easements held by state electric and gas utilities on the site.
The next step, Andrews said, is for the applicant to update its submission to address a small number of remaining items, allowing the Town Board to schedule a public hearing.
Planning Board member Foz Bullock noted that the applicant hopes to begin construction in May.
New Coffee Shop at Freshtown Plaza
Plans to convert the vacant branch bank building at Freshtown Plaza into a coffee shop were discussed by the planning board, with a public hearing on the project scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11. A building permit was obtained by business owners Amy and David Cocheo in late October.
The board noted that there is ample parking available. The only changes to the exterior would add a speaker post and a signboard to serve the drive-through lane, repurposing the former bank’s drive-up window. Inside seating will also be available.
Planning Board member Nina Peek reported that the coffee shop plans to be open six days a week, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Cocheos expect to open for business in March.