Millbrook races to support ailing resident

Millbrook races to support ailing resident
Violet Mackey, 14, with her mom, Danielle, and her brother, Brooks, 12, after running the 5-K Walk and Run for Barri. Here, they are after signing a card for Barri. 
Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

MABBETTSVILLE — Angels of Light was known for more than 15 years as a local nonprofit charity group that gifted a worry-free holiday season to area families with children who had been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Angels of Light would shop for holiday gifts, wrap them and then present them to the families so they could enjoy worry-free, stress-free holidays.

The Millbrook organization has provided these Christmas and Hanukkah blessings to more than 1,000 families during the past number of years. This past May, Angels of Light announced it would be broadening its mission to help families with other basic needs throughout the year. 

One recipient of its good works is local resident Barri Donellen, known by family and friends as a giving and generous person, beloved by many. Donellen has been diagnosed with Stage IV Esophageal Cancer. 

Angel of Lights Director Lori Decker organized a 5-K walk and run, along with a shorter race for children, that was held on Sunday, July 10, at the Town of Washington Park in Mabbettsville. The event was sponsored by Forza Fitness on Franklin Avenue in Millbrook; more than 70 people signed up to participate. 

“I’m so appreciative of the community and Lori for putting this all together. It’s just me and my mom, and it’s been so difficult,” said Daron McShane, Donellen’s daughter.

— Judith O’Hara Balfe

Latest News

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
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.

Keep ReadingShow less
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.

Keep ReadingShow less
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.

Keep ReadingShow less