MILLBROOK — When Orvis Sandanona Manager Peggy Long announced that the kitchen would be closed from Monday, June 20, through Friday, July 17, it was with mixed feelings. Long-time and legendary Orvis chef, Jerry Greenland, had just announced he was retiring, and while everyone was happy for the man behind the iron grill, they were also mourning the loss of someone in their kitchen they’ve worked with year in and year out. Not only was Chef Jerry a great chef, but he was a really good friend as well. Long said he had been there since before Sandanona bought the property in 1995.
Asked about his signature dish, most agreed it was his chili — beanless, but meaty — perfect for a shooting club where hungry hunters and fishermen dine, with a nice little kick. Those who still have room left in their bellies like to finish it off with a chunky chocolate chip cookie that melts in their mouth.
There are so many dishes that Chef Jerry is famous for, so many favorites that Orvis diners will miss, that folks are already mourning his retirement. Mostly because they’re missing the man himself, and the cheerful smile and kind word he always seemed to have for everyone.
Chef Jerry said he will miss Orvis, too, and the many friends he made there, but he’s looking forward to all the things he hasn’t had time to enjoy during the past 20 or so years. He said it’s been about 23 years that he worked at Orvis, but Long thought it was more like 25.
Chef Jerry originally wanted to go into the world of women’s fashion, but it wasn’t feasible as he didn’t want to live and work in NYC and preferred the more rural countryside of the Hudson Valley.
He got his first restaurant job at the age of 16, when he was still in high school in Yorktown, just south of Dutchess County in nearby Westchester County. He attended Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie and worked at various jobs, but when he was offered a job cooking at Loyola Seminary in Chicago he accepted, and he worked there for a few years.
When that institution closed, he transferred to a job at Mt. Saint Mary High School in Newburgh, back in Dutchess County. From there he went to the University of Vermont, when it opened the Living Learning Center. There he remained for about seven years.
At that point, Chef Jerry decided to open his own restaurant in Shelburne, Vt. He spent about 30 years in Vermont, and only moved back to New York when his mother became ill.
He worked at Slammin’ Salmon in Millbrook for a time and then went to work at Lola’s Café in Poughkeepsie, which is what led him to chef at Orvis.
Making the roughly hour-long commute from his home in Fishkill to Orvis every day could be tough at times, but he acknowledged that he never tired of the beautiful country drive.
In fact, he loves the rural country landscape so much that right after his last day at Orvis on Sunday, June 27, Chef Jerry headed back to Vermont to spend time with friends. It was something he said he was very much looking forward to.
Other things he looked forward to upon his retirement included gardening, not that he’s had much luck with it lately, thanks to the out-of-control deer population in Fishkill.
An animal lover, he might now have time to get another dog. He’s mourning the loss of his 12-year-old collie, “Taurus,” whom he got as a puppy of 8 months; he does have a cat named “Kitty Man.” When he lived in Vermont he also raised geese and chickens.
Chef Jerry said he also wants to spend some time enjoying another hobby now that he lives a life of leisure, restoring classic cars. First, however, he wants to relax and enjoy that time with his friends in Vermont.
Everyone at Orvis was disappointed that he had refused a going away party; he’s low-key and humble, they said, that’s just his way.
Two colleagues at Orvis, Laura Santiago and Patty Esposito, are among those who said they are already missing him.
“We’ve worked with him for a number of years, and there will never be another chef like Jerry,” they agreed.
Those who remain in the kitchen can’t help but notice the hole Chef Jerry left — now they’re just hoping he left something to help fill it — his classic recipes.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025
