MILLBROOK — During this bleak and very cold winter, thoughts of a gazebo are probably far from one’s mind, Yet there it sits, the well-know gazebo on Elm Drive in Millbrook, withstanding another season of ice and snow, with its future still undecided.
When a mailer went out to citizens mentioning the possible demolition of the garden structure, many were alarmed at the prospect. One person, Ashley Lempke, began the FRIENDS of the Gazebo movement.
A survey was distributed last October by the Millbrook Central School District (MCSD), which owns the gazebo and the land on which it sits, before the FRIENDS was formed. It received more than 100 replies — pro, con and in-between.
On Dec. 21, 2021, the school district shared the repair estimate and survey results with Lempke, who now chairs the FRIENDS movement.
The price for demolishing the gazebo was estimated at $7,800.
One wry comment made in the survey reportedly said that was too high.
“Get the fire department to burn it down; $7,800 to demolish it? Ridiculous!”
Others suggested volunteers could just tear it down. But some asked what would replace the gazebo if it was demolished.
One suggested benches for the tennis court nearby.
Another idea suggested a “butterfly garden.”
There were some concerns about its safety, although it is taped off to the public.
The MCSD is maintaining the gazebo during the winter; it is currently in a state of disrepair.
Several comments were made about its historical significance; it’s stood for a very long time and has been an important part of many local residents’ lives.
One resident recalled that her daughter had gotten engaged in the gazebo; another recounted his school band giving a performance there. Many remembered playing there as children.
“It is an iconic structure in the neighborhood. It can be found in countless photographs over generations,” read one survey.
“As much as any structure in Millbrook it speaks of another time in the village of Millbrook where I’ve lived for 70 years. Preserve our past, Restore the Gazebo.”
Yet another survey read, “The gazebo is an integral part of Millbrook’s history and should be saved at all costs. Please don’t take this treasured icon of our childhood away… it’s not JUST a gazebo, it’s a part of all of our childhoods. There is ALWAYS a way… let’s find it and stop erasing everything from our dearly loved village of years ago!”
Another respondent wrote, “A restored and repurposed Bennett property, Thorne building and, to complete the trifecta, a restored Millbrook Gazebo. Perfect!”
The comments were divided on whether the MCSD should repair or replace the gazebo. Some said a prefab gazebo would be acceptable while others strongly rejected that idea.
The estimate given by local contractor J.P. Woods came to nearly $53,000, which included the removal of much of the damaged structure, the pouring of a new concrete slab and repairing the existing stonework. All of the rotten wood would have to be removed and replaced, the roof would be jacked up and replaced with new wood and shingles, and then painted. New posts, handrails and balusters would also be installed, according to the estimate.
Some respondents thought restoring the gazebo would be a good senior project for students at Millbrook High School, while others thought it could be a good community project.
Many respondents didn’t seem to care what is done with the structure as long as it doesn’t raise taxes. Most of those concerned about the cost suggested getting multiple bids.
The MCSD discussed the gazebo at its BOE meeting on Dec. 21 and agreed to get another estimate following an assessment from its engineers and architect.
The board added it would like the FRIENDS to see how any fundraising efforts might go, and will discuss how it would be able to accept any funds raised as the project goes forward.
Lempke reported on a Monday, Jan. 10, MCSD school board meeting in an e-mail to the FRIENDS group, writing, “They would like the FRIENDS to start raising the funds for the Gazebo restoration ASAP.”
She said she plans to set up a FRIENDS meeting to review the best next steps and begin brainstorming fundraising ideas.
Those who would like to get involved in the Save the Gazebo effort should go to www.millbrookgazebo.com.
NORTH CANAAN — Dr.f Donald Terance “Doc” Martin, 86, of North Canaan, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at his home in North Canaan, which was his last wish. Dr. Martin was a dentist in Canaan, retiring in 2014. He served the community and their needs whether they could pay or not, and at all hours of the day and night. They do not make men like Don “Doc” Martin anymore.
Born on Aug. 27, 1938 in Walla Walla, Washington, he was the youngest of George T. and Anna Mae (McGrath) Martin’s eight children. Don proudly served in the US Navy with the Seabees during the Vietnam War. He adopted the Seabee’s “Can Do” attitude that served him for the rest of his life. Don married Lynne Horner in 1964.
Don was a 50-year friend of Bill W. He sponsored numerous others through his devotion to Alcoholics Anonymous. When people asked how he managed to stay sober for five decades, he said, “Don’t drink. Go to meetings. And don’t die.” And, “If you’re going to get old, you should do it in the program.”
Don fiercely loved his family, and he embraced his community. Wherever he went, people shouted, “Hi, Doc!” He enthusiastically supported local causes. In the early 1980s, he founded Friends of Football, a booster club for the Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s football team. He was a regular at Housy athletic events during his children’s years as students there, and continued to support the teams even after his youngest child graduated.
In addition to his loving wife of 60 years, Don is survived by a son, Rick Martin of Canaan, and two daughters, Kelley Marshall and her husband, Bill, of Hyde Park, New York, and Laura McCarthy and her husband, Neil, of Berlin, Connecticut. He is also survived by four grandchildren; William Marshall, V, Meagan Marshall and her fiancé, Cameron Jones, Maxim Martin and Meave McCarthy; a special friend, Jeff King, cousins Ann Kaufman, Jay Martin, Kathy Horner, Dan Horner, John Horner, Katherine Edlund, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at the North Canaan Congregational Church, 172 Lower Rd, East Canaan, with Pastor Mark Brady officiating. The repass follows from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the VFW Post #6851, 104 S. Canaan Rd., Canaan, CT. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doc Martin should be made to the Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, P.O. Box 306, North Canaan, CT 06018 or VFW Post #6851, P.O. Box 913, Canaan, CT 06018. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT.
Busy as he is these days, Santa took a bit of time to join in congratulating Wassaic’s Citizen of the Year, Ana Hajduk, following a presentation ceremony at the Wassaic Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 14, all in conjunction with the 2024 Wassaic Parade of Lights.
WASSAIC — Wassaic residents turned out to celebrate the 2024 Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 14, enjoying the traditional parade and festivities with refreshments at the firehouse.
One of the highlights was the naming of Wassaic’s Citizen of the Year, Ana Hajduk, honoring her many contributions to the improvement of community life.
Presenting the award certificate was Amenia Town Supervisor Leo Blackman who spoke of Hajduk’s talents as garden designer and her work with designing and faithfully tending the small garden in front of the post office where a veterans’ memorial stands.
She also looks after the needs of the newly planted pine tree which has replaced the old Wassaic Christmas tree. She also lends her talents to tending the beds planted by the Amenia Garden Club. And, she has successfully conquered the mugwort infestation at the Borden plant.
Blackman praised Hajduk also for her work with the Fountain Square plantings, and her willingness to lug buckets of water to a variety of growing things.
Hajduk lived for a time in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where her mother had rehabilitated an abandoned rail line to create a six-block long public park over a period of 20 years.
“Ana has it in her blood to improve the places where she lives,” Blackman said.
Mary Albasi, resident of The Fountains at Millbrook, knitting for one of the community’s donations.
MILLBROOK — A long-established tradition of giving to deserving community organizations is continuing throughout the holiday season at The Fountains at Millbrook.
Three area charities were selected for this year’s charitable giving. The Center for Compassion in Dover Plains has received 26 bags of food and several boxes of clothing collected by Fountains residents since the Thanksgiving season and continuing through the holidays. The extensive history of giving was described on Wednesday, Dec. 11, by Lisa Rieckermann, community life director at The Fountains.
Infants housed at the Care Net Pregnancy Center in Poughkeepsie are being kept warm by hand-knit items produced by the Knit/Crochet Group at The Fountains. Resident Mary Albasi was praised by Rieckermann for her dedication, having created more than 100 pieces for the center.
“Mary’s passion is truly shown through the dedication she has for her work,” Rieckermann said.
Families at the Grace Smith House, a domestic violence support center in Poughkeepsie, are also being assisted by residents at The Fountains. This month, Rieckermann reported, Terri Smith, a staff member in The Fountains’ Café, is raising funds for gift cards to be provided to the Grace Smith House. Skilled at crafting, Smith is using her talents to create centerpieces for Café tables. Residents purchase the centerpieces, thereby raising the funds to purchase the gift cards.
“It makes my heart happy to give back,” Smith said.
Residents also maintain an ongoing interest in supporting the Holiday Toy Drive with the American Legion and the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue organization.
Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago and Town of North East Councilwoman Meg Winkler help welcome Habitat for Humanity homeowners Anthony and Vanessa Macagnone (center) to their new home on Rudd Pond Road in Millerton, Wednesday, Dec. 18.
