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Author Karen Belove and her horse, Sally, the inspiration for the titular character of her debut children’s book.
Provided
Karen Belove, of Stanfordville, said her first children’s book wrote itself one day after more than a decade of thinking about it.
Belove’s debut book, “Cotton Candy Sally Finds a Home,” is a heartfelt tale about the trials of youth and horse training. It follows Cotton Candy Sally, a horse born in Iowa and later sold to a facility in New York City, and a young girl named Kara as she navigates adolescence and the death of a parent.
The book was inspired by the real-life story of Belove’s first horse, a quarter horse from Iowa also named Cotton Candy Sally, that ended up at a facility in Queens, New York, after its owners sold it.
That horse set Belove down a lifelong path deeper into the equestrian world.
“I really loved the horses,” Belove said. “It was slowly taking over my life, though I didn’t realize it.”
While horses were becoming an increasingly central part of her life, Belove cut her teeth at advertising agencies in New York City. She wrote ad copy every day, an occupation she said both helped and hurt her while writing her first book.
“It was a little bit of a detriment because it’s such a different kind of writing,” Belove said. “I had to forget about the exclamation marks.”
Even so, Belove said she paid special attention to the book’s prose. Children, especially those in their preteen years, are complex, and she wanted to honor that complexity in both the content and the composition.
Her book is character-driven, Belove said, because those were the narratives she remembers resonating with her most as a young reader. A favorite was Beverly Cleary’s “Beezus and Ramona.”
“I told my mother then, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to write stories like “Beezus and Ramona,’” Belove said.
She credits her parents’ support for her career in writing. Though they were not artists themselves, they encouraged Belove and her sister to pursue creative interests. That encouragement, Belove said, led her to become a writer and her sister a painter.
“I can still remember the first thing I ever wrote,” Belove said. “It was a poem about my cat.”
Her childhood cat had escaped from the family’s home in suburban Westchester County. To process the loss, Belove wrote a poem and showed it to her mother, who insisted she bring it to school the next day to show her teacher.
“My mother kept it,” Belove said. “I still have it.”
Belove was close with her parents, so the sudden death of her father at age 56 sent her on a search for joy that eventually led her to Cotton Candy Sally, an experience she said is reflected in her book.
These real-life experiences are meant to give young readers an engaging, empowering and educational narrative, Belove said, because the complexities of real life are unavoidable.
“Life enables me to write the kind of book I want to write,” Belove said. “Children are complex. They’re really trying to navigate a world they have no experience navigating.”
Belove self-published “Cotton Candy Sally Finds a Home.” More information about purchasing the book is available at sallyhorsechronicles.com.
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‘Conversant’ opens at Troutbeck
Jan 21, 2026
Natalia Zukerman
Visitors gathered at Troutbeck in Amenia for the opening of “Conversant” on Friday, Jan. 16, a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist E.E. Kono, presented in collaboration with the Wassaic Project. Kono, an alumna of the Wassaic Project’s Winter Residency program, created a series of luminous egg tempera paintings inspired by Troutbeck’s landscape, history and legacy as a site of social and intellectual exchange. The works incorporate silverpoint, locally sourced pigments and recurring clematis motifs, referencing the estate’s history as a gathering place for artists, thinkers and social reformers. The exhibition will end with an artist talk on April 19.
Natalia Zukerman
Co-owners Nicholas Policastro, left, and Andrew Thielemann of Café Gourmet.
Bob Ellwood
Café Gourmet Bakery and Catering opened in Canaan in November 2024, bringing a high-quality yet approachable dining experience to East Main Street. The restaurant is co-owned by Andrew Thielemann, general manager, and Nicholas Policastro, executive chef, who met two years ago while working in similar roles at another establishment and decided to strike out on their own.
Currently, the restaurant is open five days a week — Thursday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — serving breakfast and lunch. Dinner service is planned for later this winter.
“Before the end of winter, we will be offering dinner service,” Thielemann said. “Initially, we’ll open softly for a couple of nights — Fridays and Saturdays —then expand dinner service fully Thursday through Monday by the beginning of summer.”
The phased rollout will allow the owners to gather feedback and iron out any wrinkles while serving a carefully curated menu designed to give customers the quality food and service they have already experienced as breakfast-and-lunch diners.
“Then we’ll move forward on expanding menu offerings based on what we’ve learned,” Thielemann said.
Thielemann has spent three decades in the hospitality industry.
“From dishwashing to running entire operations as a general manager,”Thielemann said. “Mine has been an experience-driven career,” he added. “Locally, I spent a few years at Troutbeck in Amenia, then went to Community Table in New Preston. What I bring to the enterprise is my ability to manage multiple stakeholders in venues ranging from casual dining operations to high-end country clubs, always with excellent hospitality as my primary deliverable.”
Policastro earned his culinary arts business management degree at SUNY Delhi, where he won multiple awards as an undergraduate. After graduation, his expertise grew with each professional move: an internship at the Otesaga Hotel & Resort in Cooperstown, New York; a chef role at Turning Stone Casino in Utica; chef at the private Columbia Golf Course in Claverack, New York; and at Wheatleigh in Lenox, Massachusetts, where he perfected his upscale French cooking.
The menu reflects that depth of experience. Breakfast is available all day, and after 11 a.m., an extensive lunch menu is offered through closing at 3 p.m. Standout breakfast items include the Crème Brûlée French Toast; the Salmon Avocado Toast on house-made whole wheat sourdough; and the Elderflower Fruit Parfait with house-made granola.
Lunch offerings include French onion and potato & leek soups, a variety of fresh salads, and a “Shareable” section featuring items such as truffle fries and chocolate sourdough with ricotta.
Online reviews reflect the experience:
•“WOW!! This place is incredible! The food was absolutely delicious… Andrew, the co-owner, was friendly and made us feel so welcome.”
•“The most charming spot around with an unpretentious atmosphere and genuinely great food. High-quality ingredients, thoughtfully made dishes, and very fairly priced.”
•“The wait staff asks right away when you sit down about your dietary needs, like gluten- and dairy-free, or allergies. So welcome and proactive!”
•“I intend to become a regular customer; this restaurant, this wonderful food — well worth the trip.”
Café Gourmet – Bakery & Catering is located at 18 E. Main Street in Canaan. Phone: (959) 227-9021. Reservations are not required at this time. Once dinner service begins, reservations will be recommended.
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Legal Notices - January 22, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
Legal Notice
John J. Contracting USA LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 12/29/2025. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 364 Pumpkin Lane Clinton Corners NY 12514
Purpose: The purpose of the LLC IS TO ENGAGE IN ANY AND ALL LAWFUL ACTIVITIES FOR WHICH A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MAY BE ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Section 203 of the LimitedLiability Company Law.
01-08-26
01-15-26
01-22-26
01-29-26
02-05-26
02-12-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Lady Hounds Farm, LLC. Arts. or Org. filed with SSNY on 8/25/25. Office Location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Jane D. Watson, 33 Prospect Avenue, Amenia, New York 12501. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
12-18-25
12-25-25
01-01-26
01-08-26
01-15-26
01-22-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Max Cohen Design LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/07/2025. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Max Cohen Design LLC, 253 Benson Hill Road, Dover Plains, NY 12522. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
12-18-25
12-25-25
01-01-26
01-08-26
01-15-26
01-22-26
Legal Notice
Notice of formation of Glynevian Gundogs LLC. Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 9/25/2025. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Business Name and Address. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
01-15-26
01-22-26
01-29-26
02-05-26
02-12-26
02-19-26
Notice of Receipt of Tax Roll and Warrant
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Eileen Ciaburri the Tax Collector for the Town of Pine Plains, has received the Tax Roll for 2026 and will be collecting taxes during the month of February 2026 at the Town Hall, 3284 Route 199 East, Pine Plains New York, on Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10:00AM to 1:00 PM and during the months of March, April & May on Tuesday and Thursday 10:00Am-1:00PM. Taxes collected through the month of February 2026 are without penalty. Penalties are levied as follows: March 2 percent, April 3 percent, May 4 percent.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that pursuant to the provisions of the law, the Tax Roll of the Town of Pine Plains will be returned to the County Treasurer of the County of Dutchess on the first day of June 2026.
Eileen Ciaburri
Tax Collector
Town of Pine Plains
01-15-26
01-22-26
TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH EAST
NOTICE OF CONTINUATION OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the North East Town Board shall conduct a continuation of the January 8th public hearing on the 3rd day of February, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the Town of North East Town Hall, located at 19 N. Maple Avenue, Millerton, New York 12546 on the adoption of Local Law No. B of the Town of North East which enacts certain amendments to the North East Zoning Code and Map. The amendments to the Code primarily focus on provisions relating to the Town’s non-residential zoning districts and uses with several additional amendments affecting general standards, definition of terms, supplemental use, specific standards, site plan requirements, procedural components, as well as aspects specific to residential districts and uses for continuity. Any person desiring to be heard on the Local Law shall be provided with an opportunity to do so at the public hearing.
Copies of the proposed Local Law and Full Environmental Assessment Form are available for inspection on the Town of North East Website, at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours and at the North East-Millerton Public Library. Dated: January 8, 2026.
BY ORDER OF THE NORTH EAST TOWN BOARD.
ELIZABETH STRAUSS Town Clerk
01-22-26
TOWN OF NORTH EAST, DUTCHESS COUNTY
NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX BILLS AND WARRANT
TAKE NOTICE, that I, Elizabeth “Tilly” Strauss, the undersigned Collector of Taxes of the Town of North East, County of Dutchess and State of New York, have duly received the Tax Rolls and Warrant for the collection of property taxes within the Town of North East for fiscal year 2026. Collection of taxes will begin with the receipt of taxes through March 2, 2026 at the Town Hall, 19 N. Maple Ave, Millerton, New York, on the following days and times: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; and FEBRUARY ONLY Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - noon. Checks are to be made payable to “North East Tax Collector”.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that taxes may be paid on or before March 2, 2026 without penalty. All taxes received after that date shall have an added interest of 2% for the month of March, 3% for the month of April, and 4% for the month of May. In addition, after May 15th, a fee of $2.00 will be added for each parcel.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that after June 1st, 2026 all unpaid taxes will be turned over to Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance, 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Dated: January 5, 2026 Elizabeth Strauss Town Clerk/North East
Tax Collector
01-15-26
01-22-26
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