Generous spirit, generous community

Generous spirit, generous community
From left, back row, Millbrook Village Trustee and President of the Millbrook Business Association Kevin McGrane, Village Highway Superintendent Bob Collocola, Debbie Flanigan, Town Clerk Mary Alex, Forza Gym  owner Lori Decker, Abby Alex, and kneeling in front, Ivan Hernandez are among the volunteers who have been helping Millbrook Diner owners Debbie and Thanasi Theodoropoulos, not shown, through Serving Millbrook, distribute meals. 
Photo by Judith O’Hara Balf

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Diner owners Debbie and Thanasi Theodoropoulis have been donating hot meals seven days a week to the community through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By mid-May, after nearly a month of giving away meals, more than 3,100 dinners had been served. 

Produce, eggs and milk have also been made available to residents in need from Locust Hill Farm, Marona’s Market, Stonewood Farms, Blue Barn BnB owner Joan LaCasse and others. 

A GoFundMe page, and donations from so many people in the town and village, have made it all possible. Other volunteers not shown in these photos include: Mike Flanigan; Morgan Varavaldi; Emma Sweeney; Leah Cornell; Ann Leady; Irene and Bill Wing; Lisa Lacey and her children, Matty, Stephen and Benjamin; and Robin Alexander. Also helping, Grace Church; and Dutchess County Legislator Deirdre Houston (R-25).

— Judith O’Hara Balfe

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A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

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bike route

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

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bike route

North East town records brought into the digital age

North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

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Millbrook Fire Department Carnival returns

Millbrook Fire Department Carnival returns

The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.

Archive photo

MILLBROOK — Summer fun is just around the corner, thanks to the fire department and the return of the Fire Department Carnival scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Saturday, July 12, on the Thorne Building grounds on Franklin Avenue.

Opening night activities will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Carnival will open each night at 7 p.m., remaining open until 11 p.m.

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