Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Those not-so-little acts of kindness

They can make such a big difference in our everyday lives. Little acts of kindness take little effort and have big results. 

Every day can be a new day if we lend a little kindness. In today’s troubled world, anxiety and uncertainty are ever increasing. Individuals need a bright ray of sunshine knowing someone cares. It doesn’t need to cost anything other than a few minutes of time. In the military, our code of honor was to protect and look out for one another (having each other’s six). 

The timely delivery of the COVID vaccine to states last December was initially bobbled by many unprepared and disorganized state leaders. Distribution clearly vastly improved with supplies to local pharmacies, clinics, retail outlets and various venues this year. 

At first everyone was wondering which injection they should take? Pfizer, Moderna or J&J? Answer? The first one available. They’re all highly effective preventing hospitalization and death (though J&J had its troubles with its vaccine, as reported in the news), and although the president’s goal of immunizing 70% of America by July 1 might not succeed, New York State hit that mark on Tuesday, June 15. 

The sooner we, the citizen army of this nation, get the juice in our arms, the sooner we defeat this invader and protect one another. Those who are not vaccinated should keep their masks on in public. 

Caring individuals, meanwhile, keep assisting others with registering for vaccines and offering rides to injection sites. 

Many caring neighbors are also offering medical visit rides, looking in and conversing with one another to ensure their mutual welfare. Individuals are also preparing, buying or offering meal ingredients to make life easier for others. 

Patriots are flying our American flag, our symbol of freedom, and openly supporting our first responders. Many are running errands or shopping for those having difficulty doing so. 

In these days, when so many politicians and institutions have failed us, it’s encouraging to know that average, reasonable folks in this country mostly care for one another. They create their own aura of optimism; they make their own sunshine. 

Challenging times are not new, and we will overcome the challenges presented to us now.  We need to stick together, help one another whenever possible and look forward to a great summer. 

God bless you, patriotic and caring readers, and your families.  

 

Millerton resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam War veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the Couch-Pipa VFW Post 6851 in North Canaan, Conn.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Time for harvest

Time for harvest

Throngs of visitors crowd Amenia’s Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the town’s second annual Harvest Festival. The event filled downtown Amenia with vendors selling food, jewelry, trinkets, decor, books and art — and a stage on each end of the street filled the air with music.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

Throngs of visitors crowd Amenia’s Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the town’s second annual Harvest Festival. The event filled downtown Amenia with vendors selling food, jewelry, trinkets, decor, books and art — and a stage on each end of the street filled the air with music.


Keep ReadingShow less
Copake solar farm permit denied by state energy officials

The hamlet of Craryville in the Town of Copake, New York, will no longer be the home of a 42-megawatt solar farm following New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting denying a permit for the facility to Chicago-based Hecate Energy LLC.

Photo by Nathan Miller

COPAKE — New York State denied Hecate Energy LLC’s application for a more than 700-acre Shepherd’s Run solar project, pointing to two factors: floodplain and community protection issues and identification of and protection of wetland resources in this rural hamlet.

Jason Zehr, interim executive director of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission,issued the decision on Wednesday, Oct. 14, five days before the clock was to run out for the state to approve or deny the Chicago-based company’s application.

Keep ReadingShow less
State legislators allocate $400,000 toward North East’s new Town Hall

State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, left, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, center, and North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan enjoy the scenes of fall south of Millerton on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the site of the new North East Town Hall.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett have directed $400,000 in state funding to North East’s plan for a new Town Hall.

The money covers about 28% of the $1.44 million renovation estimate that will transform the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Route 22 into municipal offices.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Millbrook Library receives money for roof repairs

From left, state legislators Didi Barrett and Michelle Hinchey visit the library with library board member Vicky Contino, library director Courtney Tsahalis, and board member Dann Kenefick. The library recently won $300,000 in state grants to help repair the building’s roof and update its HVAC system.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Library has been awarded$300,000 in state capital grants to help fund roof repairs and heating and cooling upgrades expected to cost at least $2 million.

The grants, announced last week, were the result of advocacy by the offices of state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett.

Keep ReadingShow less

Legal Notices - October 20, 2026

Legal Notices - October 20, 2026

Legal Notice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF DISCO PICNIC LLC Articles of Organization filed with the New York Secretary of State on 06/22/2026. Office located in Dutchess County. Principal business location: 59 Yellow City Road, Amenia, NY, 12501. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of process to: 59 Yellow City Road, Amenia, NY, 12501. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Board of Trustees seeks clarity on local cop’s license plate readers

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Police Chief Keith Dworkin discussed license-plate readers and his department’s use of the technology at the Village Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 14.

The chat was spurred on by recent action by Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi to dismantle the county’s network of stationary, pole-mounted license-plate reader cameras manufactured by Flock Safety.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.