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Sixty-four pickleball players from the the Tri-state region competed in an all-day tournament in Copake on Sunday, June 1.
Photo by John Coston
COPAKE — After a day of heavy rain that forced the cancellation of the second annual Copake PICKLEMANIA pickleball tournament, the games were back on Sunday, June 1, at Copake Memorial Park.
Division 1 (rated Recreational) winners: From left to right, Silver Winners Maureen Krejci of Southfield, Mass. and Wendy Chivian, Canaan, New York ; Gold Winners Deb Reed of Forest Hills, New York, and Colin Goundry; Bronze Winners Anne and Doug Kleeschulte of Kingston, New York.Photo by B. Doctor
Starting a 7:15 a.m. volunteers armed with four leaf blowers began moving the water off the courts, and then followed up with squeegees to get the courts dry for the 64 pickleball players — comprising 32 teams — who would compete in two divisions throughout daylong games.
Last year the regional tournament drew players from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, and it was the same this year. Competitors from Ulster County, DutchessCounty, Columbia County and Connecticut and western Massachusetts — and Queens — traveled to compete at the town-sponsored event.
Tournament director Bill Boris-Schacter instructs players as the second round gets underway. Photo by John Coston
The tournament was organized by a steeringcommittee of the Copake Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC).Steering committee members include: Bill Boris-Schacter, head of the committee, Vicki Sander, Signe Adam, Madeline Silverman,Rob Lazarus and Jayne McLaughlin, ambassador for USA Pickleball, which is the national governing body of the sport.
Boris-Schacter, a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee,served as tournament director.
Town Supervisor Richard Wolf was on hand, and met up with Hillsdale’s Supervisor Mike Dvorchak and its newly appointed Deputy Supervisor Bart Ziegler, all of whom observed the play while chatting with townspeople.
Pickleball has been around for decades, starting with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball in the 1960s, and by the 1990s was being played in all 50 states, according to USA Pickleball. Copake’s event is not a USA Pickleball sanctioned event.
From left, steering committee members Madeline Silverman, Vicki Sander and Signe Adam.Photo by John Coston
Winners announced in two divisions of play were:
Division 1
Recreational rated
Bronze Winner: Anne and Doug Kleeschulte of Kingston
Silver Winner: Wendy Chivian of Canaan, and Maureen Krejci of Southfield, Massachusetts
Gold Winner: Deb Reed of Forests Hills, New York, and Colin Goundry
Division 2
Competitive rated
Bronze Winner: Daniel Berghold of Rhinebeck, and Brad Quick of Staatsburg
Silver Winner: Mike Rose of Chatham, and Mike Rose Jr. of Colonie, New York
Gold Winner: Kirk Mitchell of New Lebanon, and Michelle Johnson
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Burial ground Mass at St. Patrick’s
Jun 03, 2025
Mass celebrating Feast of the Ascension was held May 29 at St. Patrick’s Church.
Photo By Christine Bates
MILLERTON — The sun broke through on a cloudy evening at 5:30 and a bagpiper played for a Mass celebrating the Feast of the Ascension in the graveyard of closed St. Patrick’s Church in Millerton on May 29.
The cars of about 50 former parishioners and town residents were parked on the side streets and lot across from the church. Some were clever enough to bring their own folding chairs.
Father Andrew O'Connor led the Ascension Day Mass at St. Patrick's burial ground in the Village of Millerton.Photo by Christine Bates
Rob Cooper, a former altar boy at St. Patrick’s, was there with his mother. Elyse Harney who provided support for the event was there with her children — Michael, Elyse and Paul.
Father Andrew O’Connor, resident priest at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Amenia, officiated in front of an elevated chair representing the chair of St. Peter, designed by Father O’Connor and fabricated by local artist Svend Lindbaek.
An effort to reopen St. Patrick’s, which was closed by the Archdiocese of New York ten years ago, is underway after well attended services on St. Patrick’s Day and turn out on Thursday.
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With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.
Webutuck Central School District
By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.
Also approved by a margin of 185 to 92 was a vehicle purchase proposal totaling $249,190 to cover the cost of acquiring one 65-passenger school bus and two Chrysler Voyager vehicles to serve the students’ transportation needs.
Two School Board candidates seeking re-election were unopposed. Nichole Reyes received 260 votes and Anthony Robustelli, 234.
“Thanks to the community for supporting our children’s programs,” commented School Superintendent Raymond Castellani, immediately after the vote count was announced. “Thank you to the voters,” he added. “It makes the work so gratifying when you have the support of the voters.”
Millbrook Central School District
By a margin of 816 to 331, voters approved the proposed school budget for 2025-26. The budget totals $35,649,651, a 3.1% increase of $1,074,576over the current year. Of the total, the amount to be raised by taxes after expected revenues are deducted, is $27,782,136, a 2.61% increase over the current year.
Extensive repairs and renovations to maintain and improve the middle school and high school at a projected cost of $37,381,383, defined as Proposition 2, passed by a margin of 748 to 399.
Proposition 3 to cover upgrades to the elementary schools at a cost of $1,883,099, passed by a vote of 706 to 439.
“With these results we will be able to ensure the safe and health upkeep of our facilities as we plan for the future of our district,” said Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, commenting on the vote. She went on to thank the voters for having come out to vote.
Hernandez Pidala also thanked the students and constituents who helped share information within the community about their schools’ needs and the importance of voting.
Unopposed candidates for re-election for three-year terms as members of the school board were Dena Ghobashy and Jennifer Carnecchia. Voters also approved the election of Perry Hartswick, seeking to continue his service as Board President.
Pine Plains Central School District
By a margin of 294 to 102, voters turned out to approve the proposed school budget totaling $38,712,336, a 2.71% increase of $1,022,592. The amount to be raised by taxes is $27,885,802, an increase of 3.2% over the current year.
A proposition that will create a Capital Reserve Fund to aid with future expenditures passed by a vote of 309 to 87, and another proposition to purchase two new 71-passenger school buses and an eight-passenger Chevy Suburban passed by a vote of 284 to 110.
Total cost for the two buses and the van is estimated at $396,369. The proposition also added $118,911 in anticipated tariff costs. The proposition costs are to be supported by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund that had been approved by voters in 2022.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the school board were Fred “Chip” Couse with 333 votes and Amie Fredericks with 330 votes. There were 16 write-in votes.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community and are looking forward to a successful 2025-26 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm, commenting on the positive vote result.
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Amenia gathers at Fountain Square
May 28, 2025
A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.
An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.
“Aware of the dangers but responding to the call of duty,” Woodard spoke of those who bravely served and ultimately sacrificed their lives. On behalf of those gathered, he extended deepest respects and “the highest tribute we can offer.”
VFW Post Chaplain Rick Butler offered a prayer asking for help in supporting families of those who gave their lives for their country.
“How far back are the losses,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, reflecting on the losses over centuries of battle. He spoke of the ongoing historical society project to erect signs at each local historic cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
The ceremony included donation of a defibrillator by former local Fire Chief Bob Boyles to VFW Post #5444, Auxiliary President Charlene Mayville.
Closing prayer was offered by Fr. Andrew O’Connor of Immaculate Conception Church who read Psalm 127.
In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Honor Guard of the Wassaic Fire Company, the Community Enhancement Committee for Fountain Square floral planting, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and the Honor Guard and Auxiliary of Post #5444.
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Village Trustees hear call to adopt law to limit local cooperation with ICE