A sign that once marked the location of Daisey Hill stands empty and broken just over a year after the popular destination closed permanently at the end of the 2024 growing season.
MILLERTON — For years, James “Jimmy” Cookingham was a familiar figure at Daisey Hill Farm, where he worked the fields and assisted customers during the growing season. He died Jan. 19 at his home in Millerton at age 51.
Born in Sharon, Cookingham remained closely tied to the region throughout his life. He was drawn to farming at a young age and eventually became a central figure at Daisey Hill, which he operated with his wife, Jessica, for several years.
The farm, which closed at the end of 2024 due to financial hardship, was known for its pumpkins, sweet corn and flowers, and served as a seasonal gathering point during the fall. Many customers returned year after year, and over time the operation developed a loyal following.
Dana Scarpa, owner of Designer Finds on Main Street in Millerton and co-chair of the Millerton Business Alliance, said the farm stood out for both its affordability and the quality of what it offered. Speaking earlier this month, she said, “When you would go there, you’d know five other families — everyone knew everyone, and it brought people together across state lines.”
Cathy Fenn, co-founder of the volunteer-led Townscape organization, said she regularly purchased flowers from the farm and admired the way the Cookingham family ran the operation. “They were diligent, honest and always on time,” she said earlier this month. “And they grew the flowers themselves — they did a great job.”
Away from the fields, Cookingham was known as an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and riding four-wheelers.
The farm itself, however, faced growing challenges in its final years, as financial pressures mounted and uncertainty grew around the property’s future. Although Cookingham and his wife operated Daisey Hill Farm, they did not own the land.
In January 2024, as losses accumulated and before the farm’s lease was formally nonrenewed, Cookingham’s daughter Hailey launched a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to keep the business operating. The fundraiser raised just over $20,000 from approximately 175 donors.
Later in 2024, the family was notified that the lease would not be renewed, setting in motion a wind-down period that ultimately led to the farm’s closure.
In the months following the farm’s closure, a dispute related to the property became the subject of a criminal complaint. In December 2025, Cookingham was arrested on grand and petit larceny charges in connection with the alleged removal and sale of farm equipment belonging to the property owner. He was scheduled to appear in North East Town Court at the time of his death.
Additional reporting provided by Millerton News Staff.
The first art show opening of the year at The Fountains in Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 22, presented a retrospective of the works of Delores Levy, drawing the interest of Fountains residents and visitors alike. Ellen O’Shea, Fountains art program leader, at right, presented Levy with a bouquet. Also attending the opening and joining in the celebration were Levy’s daughter, Lynn Carson, and son, Bruce Levy.
MILLBROOK — Selections from a lifetime of creativity and an artist’s skilled depictions of scenic localesare on display at The Fountains in Millbrook. A retrospective view of the works of Delores Levy, 93, the new exhibit opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, drawing a significant turn-out of residents and friends.
Nearly 50 art enthusiasts attended the opening, marveling at Levy’s sensitive use of color and the varied subject matter within the collection of framed paintings, mostly watercolors, that were selected for the show. The exhibit will remain in place for one month.
Ellen O’Shea, art teacher at The Fountains, said that she had proposed the showing in December. It had developed from there as she took Levy’s portfolio home and made careful selections, seeing to the framing of a few to complete the exhibit.
“It was a pleasure to go through your portfolio,” O’Shea told Levy, presenting her with a bouquet to open the exhibit, a bouquet replete with Levy’s favorite yellow blooms.
“She’s magic; she’s fun to be around,” said Levy’s friend Joan Burgess of Millbrook, who attended the event. Within the two years of their friendship, Burgess said that Levy had painted a portrait of her dog, Sebastian, a painting that she displayed on her phone to the amusement of attendees. Burgess added that Sebastian himself is a popular canine figure along the sidewalks of Millbrook with his expansive welcoming personality.
A Fountains resident for the past four years, Levy was born in East Islip and raised in Oakdale, New York. Her interest in painting began in college, according to her daughter, Lynn Carson, who attended the event along with other family members. Levy’s career was in social work. She moved to Longboat Key in Florida upon her retirement, continuing to paint scenes in that locale.
“You should see how funny the house looks with so many hooks for paintings on the walls,” Carson said, adding that her sister, Karen Martin, is also an accomplished artist.
“There are a million things to say,” commented Deborah Slocum, Executive Director at The Fountains who attended the opening. “Delores is such an inspiration and so humble about her talent.”
Ronnybrook farm operates a dairy in Pine Plains.
Whole milk will return to school cafeterias across the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s signing on Jan. 14 of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan measure that allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and reduced-fat milk alongside low-fat and fat-free options.
“Milk in any of its forms is beneficial to consumers,” said Rick Osofsky of Ronnie Brook Farm. “Full fat is only 3.5% fat and it’s unfortunate it developed a bad rap. This will reintroduce milk to kids.”
Among the bill’s 118 House co-sponsors were Democrats from rural and dairy-producing regions, including Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, whose 18th Congressional District includes parts of Dutchess County, and Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District. Both lawmakers joined the bipartisan coalition backing the measure, which was led by Republican sponsors but drew Democratic support. Supporters from both parties said the change would support student nutrition and benefit the nation’s dairy industry.
Decade-old policy reversed
The new law undoes part of the nutrition standards that had restricted schools to serving only low-fat or fat-free milk dating back to updates of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Actfrom 2012 in an attempt to reduce saturated fat and calories in school meals to combat childhood obesity.
Critics of the old policy argued that the absence of whole milk contributed to declining milk consumption among students, saying many children did not like low-fat options. Supporters of the new law contend that offering whole and reduced-fat milk will increase participation in school meal programs and reduce waste.
Sloane Oksenhendler, 4, of Clinton Corners, takes advantage of a skating assist as she ventures onto the ice at an open rink event sponsored by the Amenia Recreation Department in collaboration with Silo Ridge on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
AMENIA — Now being offered for the second year by the Recreation Commission, residents are invited to enjoy community ice skating at the Silo Ridge outdoor rink, scheduled for Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, both Mondays. The hours are 3:30 to 6 p.m.
New this year at the same Silo Ridge location is backyard platform tennis, a form of paddle tennis different from pickleball. The dates and times are the same for both offerings.
There is no charge for skating or tennis, but pre-registration is required. A limited number of ice skates for children and adults are available for use at no charge. No one is permitted on the ice without skates.
To register for skating or tennis, email to recreation@ameniany.gov and indicate names of participants, email and phone number. Or phone 845-373-8800, extension 124. Leave message, if no answer. Registration can also be accomplished on the town website.
The Recreation Commission will also be offering Valentine’s Day activities for children on Saturday, Feb. 14. Details will be available on the town website.
The community swim program that had been offered to residents at the Maplebrook School’s pool in recent years has been discontinued due to the need for major pool repairs.
Approximately 100 citizens and representatives of citizen groups for and against the Shepherd’s Run solar project in Copake attended a public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Copake Town Hall where more than 50 people signed up to testify. Online hearings will be on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Matt Murell, chairman of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, was the first speaker among approximately 50 who testified on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at a public hearing on the Shepherd’s Run solar project application that was held in the Copake Town Hall. Approximately 100 residents and citizen groups attended and 50 testified at the first session held by Administrative Law Judges, from left, Dawn MacKillop-Soller and Maureen Leary. At center, Executive Director of New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Zeryai Hagos, came from Albany to hear testimony. Murell said the project was inconsistent with Copake’s local laws and should not proceed.Photo by John Coston
