Millbrook Library collects items for Ukrainian war victims in need
This photo shows a number of donations made by residents of the village of Millbrook and the town of Washington to the Millbrook Library, which Library Director Courtney Tshalis dropped off in Poughkeepsie at the end of March. The Afye Foundation in Yonkers was then going to ship the items to war victims in Ukraine.
Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe

Millbrook Library collects items for Ukrainian war victims in need

MILLBROOK — Courtney Tshalis, the director of the Millbrook Library, said she was so moved by what Ukraine is experiencing right now while under attack by Russia, that she wanted to help. She wanted to somehow get the library and the Millbrook community involved.

Tshalis got in touch with Dutchess County Departments of Emergency Response and Public Works, which were working with the not-for-profit Afye Foundation, which “collects unused medical supplies and equipment from throughout the New York metro area and gives them a second life,” according to its website, www.afyafoundation.org. The state is working with Afye to collect the much-needed items for Ukraine and the now 2 million refugees fleeing  the war-ravaged nation.

Tshalis set up a station to collect donations from the community at the library in March. People donated flashlights and batteries; diapers; deodorant; shampoo; face masks; hand sanitizers; health supplies; and personal hygiene items.

The feedback was great, said Tshalis, who personally delivered the donations to the J.C. Penney site at the Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie. From there the items were taken to the Afye Center in Yonkers for shipment to Ukraine.

Tshalis said she was touched by community’s response to the library’s plea for donations, and not at all surprised by the generosity of Millbrook residents, noting they always come through in times of need.

Dutchess County likewise held a large supply drive for Ukraine just last week, with great results.

— Judith O’Hara Balfe

Latest News

Home field advantage holds true for Webutuck softball and baseball

Olivia Wickwire, no. 2, tags out a runner at first base. The Webutuck Warriors varsity softball team beat the Germantown Clippers 14-7 at home Friday, April 25.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Webutuck girls varsity softball beat visiting Germantown 14-7 Friday, April 25.


Keep ReadingShow less
Historians and neighbors celebrate Revolutionary War veterans at old Amenia Burying Ground

Tim Middlebrook, President of the Columbia Mid-Hudson Valley chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, left, Amenia Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, center, and Amenia Historical Society President Betsy Strauss unveiled a new historical marker at the Old Amenia Burying Ground on Saturday, April 26. The marker commemorates revolutionary war veterans buried at the cemetery where the Red Meeting House once stood on Mygatt Road.

Photo By Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Tim Middlebrook of the Sons of the American Revolution and Amenia Historical Society President Betsy Strauss unveiled a new historical marker honoring Revolutionary War vets in the Amenia Burying Ground.

Rain all morning had threatened the event, but historical society members, lovers of history and sons of the revolution persisted and the rain let up just in time.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton ends Earth Day week with film and talk on pervasive plastics

From left, Deborah Maier, moderator, Megan Wolff, Nicole Clanahan and Olivia Skeen.

Photo by John Coston

MILLERTON — The Climate Smart Task Force celebrated the end of Earth Day week on Sunday, April 27, with a free showing of “Plastic People,” a documentary about humanity’s relationship with plastic, cosponsored by The Moviehouse.
The award-winning film portrays a pervasive role plastic plays in our lives and explores its effect on human health, especially as microplastics.

Microplastics have found their way into human organs and even into the placentas of new mothers. The film is a call to action by science journalist Ziya Tong, who talks with scientists and undertakes self experimentation to prove her points.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia Planning Board calls for more detail in Keane Stud subdivision covenant study
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — A report from the town’s visual impact consultant in connection with the application submitted by developers of the proposed Keane Stud subdivision led to discussion of the type of detailed information needed to satisfy local requirements at the regular meeting of the Planning Board on Wednesday, April 23.

At the April 9 meeting of the Planning Board, Keane Stud subdivision’s Senior Planner Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering had reviewed plan changes that had reduced the number of lots planned from 27 to 23 with a corresponding reduction in total acreage from 704 to 605. Changes had been made to protect the viewshed from DeLaVergne Hill, Sander said.

Keep ReadingShow less