Millerton Farmer’s Market set for ‘spooky’ sales month

"Sold out" signs were a common sight through the summer as visitors to the Millerton Farmer's Market bought up their favorite produce and baked goods.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
"Sold out" signs were a common sight through the summer as visitors to the Millerton Farmer's Market bought up their favorite produce and baked goods.
MILLERTON — As the Northeast Community Center’s farmer’s market heads into its final outdoor months, organizers say there are still a few tricks left in their bag. With autumn underway, the market will continue its new tradition of monthly themes to bring structure and fun to a season that doubles as a family-friendly outing, a place to meet friends and a chance to enjoy local music.
October will be “Spooky Month” at the market, and visitors can expect fall-themed crafts and maybe even a tarot card reader. Halloween will come early on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Katie Cariello, NECC food programs coordinator and market manager, said costumes are encouraged. Kids will be invited to go trick-or-treating around the vendors’ tables.
Looking ahead, November will be “Gratitude Month.” On Saturday, Nov. 8, the market will host programming in honor of Veteran’s Day and spend the month thanking their vendors and other community members.
Cariello is wrapping up her first season as the market manager and has enjoyed working with a small but collaborative team of vendors. “Our vendors are a tight knit group,” she said. “It’s always so lovely to see them collaborating together during the market.” Rather than competing for sales, Cariello and her team have observed a camaraderie that sets the tone for the community-oriented market.
For example, The Baker’s Wife — a small artisan bakery and mill in the Hudson Valley — has supplied bread to a few vendors so they can enhance the display of their products. You can also hear the vendors promoting each other, adds Cariello.
Attendance has spiked and plateaued at different points throughout the summer, but NECC said attendance isn’t always a good indicator of sales, with some vendors selling out on days when attendance was lower. Either way, Cariello and her team are grateful for the foot traffic through Veteran’s Park. “Customers of all kinds, whether they are weekly, visiting or come through once a month, all bring value to the market.”
But it’s not all about the produce and food. Cariello said one of her favorite aspects of the market is actually the NECC crafts table. “A point of pride is when a kid asks to stay and color while parents go purchase their vegetables and baked goods,” she said. “I’m happy we have created a safe and inviting place for families.”
With eyes toward expansion, NECC tested the waters this summer with a secondary market in Amenia, though the organization collectively decided there wasn’t quite enough momentum to continue with that initiative. “Launching a small town farmer’s market can be tough,” Cariello said, offering that while not entirely successful, there were positive aspects that came out of the pilot program. “A lot of good ideas were generated and the experience will positively inform community events moving forward.”
Cariello is grateful for the market’s longtime and new vendors and the relationships she has made in her first year at the helm. “They are the literal bread and butter of the program!”
Accessibility remains a central focus for the market, which continues to expand programs that make fresh, local food more affordable. Through the Double Up Food Bucks program, shoppers using SNAP benefits can double their spending power up to $50, turning $50 in tokens into $100 worth of market food. The market is also working to better support use of Farmers Market Checks, which are provided to seniors, WIC recipients and veterans. So far this season, the market is on track to redeem $1,000 in nutrition incentives — its benchmark goal — though organizers say more outreach is needed to ensure community members know these resources are available.
The NECC Farmer’s Market is always on the lookout for new vendors. If interested, an application is available on the NECC website and prospective vendors can contact the market manager at farmersmarket@neccmillerton.org.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.