MILLBROOK — With perfect weather on hand, the Save the Elm Drive Gazebo fundraiser provided a good time for a good cause on Thursday, May 12, at the Millbrook Winery Loft. The event was held by the FRIENDS of the Gazebo with support from the Millbrook Historical Society.
The atmosphere at the winery was upbeat as guests mingled, some of whom went onto the patio to look over the vineyards. Others stayed inside to nibble on the delicious hors d’oeuvres including crab balls, lox, skewered chicken, deviled eggs and more.
Each $50 ticket included the vineyard’s wine, and after so many people have been staying home due to the COVID pandemic, it was nice to break out some spring clothes and attend a more formal affair and meet old friends for a good cause. Those who attended enjoyed music by duo Larry Ham and George Potts.
More than 60 people attended the event to save the Gazebo, spearheaded by FRIENDS leader Ashley Lempka, who was assisted by Director of the Millbrook Library Courtney Tshalis and volunteer Michelle Del Valle.
The fundraiser included a silent auction with items from local businesses including Alicia Adams Alpaca; Juniper; All That Java; Canoe Hill; Babbette’s Kitchen; Millbrook Winery and Vineyards; Orvis Sandanona Game Fair; and more.
Lempka has made saving the gazebo her special project since last fall. She’s worked with the Millbrook Central School District and its school board, the historical society, local residents, businesses and local leaders to save the decaying structure.
Donations have been raised to help fund repairs, or even a possible replacement of the gazebo, which is located on a small piece of property owned by the school district.
After much planning the FRIENDS decided the gala at the winery would be a smart way to generate even more fiscal support and awareness for the cause.
The project is not totally without controversy, as the gazebo is not only closed but taped off and closed for use by orange caution tape.
The cost of repairs have been deemed prohibitive by the Millbrook Board of Education (BOE), which said the option to refurbish it isn’t favorable at this time. Just the demolition alone is estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to the BOE.
Many residents, though, have fond memories of the gazebo, built sometime in the 1980s. Lempka believes it may have been designed by famous architect James Ware.
With help from Millbrook residents, she thinks it can still be saved. Lempka said about 25% of the estimated cost to repair or replace the gazebo has already been raised. She has continued to work with the BOE to see the project through to fruition throughout .
The FRIENDS of the Gazebo is hoping the community will continue to donate to the fund; to do so or to learn more, go to www.millbrookgazebo.com.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
