GHENT — Approximately 150 people turned out for the information session hosted by the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) in on Sunday, Oct. 15.
The meeting hall of the Ghent VFW was just about filled to capacity in a gathering that also served as HVRTA’s annual membership meeting.
The invitation was extended to the public to discuss the 8-mile expansion of the rail trail from Philmont to Ghent. The conversation was spearheaded by HVRTA Chair Phil Meeks, HVRTA Executive Director Lisa DeLeeuw, and Mark Morrison of engineering firm of MKM Landscape Architecture of New York, which is planning the 8-mile extension.
Aside from a detailed description of the addition to the existing rail trail replete with maps, PowerPoint slides and lively discussion, refreshments were served. Following the presentations, the audience was invited to make comments and ask questions.
Meeks extended welcome to all, including several local officials who attended. He said, following the meeting, “I was very pleased with the turnout at our annual meeting. There were a lot of very good questions on the expansion of the trail, and the benefits to our local communities.”
A few questions centered on the impact the trail would have on its nearest neighbors, and its accessibility. Members of the Rail Trail Association were also on the agenda, and were able to address many of the questions as the group oversees the maintenance of the existing trail and the expansion as it takes place.
One of the items talked about was the fact that the new section will be paved, and will reach well into central and northern Columbia County. When finished, the trail will lead hikers into the Village of Chatham, not too far from where the Shaker Museum is expected to be built.
Ghent Town Supervisor Craig Simmons and Village of Chatham Mayor John Howe were among the attendees, as was Ghent Councilman Dan Barufaldi. Howe remarked that Chatham is beginning a multimillion-dollar water project, roughly in the area of the rail trail expansion. Such is his belief in the trail: He hopes to get the water project moving ahead of the expansion so that, once completed, there will be no need to disturb the trail when the expansion has begun.
What the residents do want to hear is that there will be ample parking for the cars of the hikers, that the trail will be well maintained, and that all rules will be enforced, such as not cutting or removing vegetation, no unleashed pets, no feeding wildlife, no camping or fires, and quiet when near local residences.
A grant in 2023 allowed for the final design and engineering plans for the expansion; however, it is not yet funded. Grants and donations are being sought, and completion will depend on when the funds can be acquired; however, the project is now “shovel-ready” as soon as the funds are in hand.
Millerton News
EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.
Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.
Pauline is survived by her daughter Paula Ducharme and husband Tom of York, Pennsylvania. Her son Michael Garfield and wife Joann of Winchester Center, Connecticut. Her granddaughter Koren Garfield and her great grandchildren, Alyssa Jade, Addison Jacob and Brennden Leo of Colebrook, Connecticut.
Pauline is also survived by her sister, Althea Marshall and her husband Corky of North Canaan, Connecticut. She was predeceased by her brothers, Everett and Alan King.
A Celebration of Pauline’s life will be held on Monday June 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the North Canaan Congregational Church 172 Lower Road East Canaan, CT 06024.Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in East Canaan, CT. Memorial Donation can be sent to the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps P.O. Box 178 North Canaan, CT 06018. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.
Millerton News
Last Week’s Question
What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?
“Town centers that want to be welcoming this day and age should provide free wifi and plug points amongst seating and parks since everyone is on their phones nowadays. Especially in Millerton there is no service for anyone using T-Mobile towers.”
— Andres Vialpando, Millerton
This Week
Bear encounters are being reported with increasing frequency across the region — rummaged trash cans, damaged bird feeders, and face-to-face surprises.
Have you had a run-in with a bear? What happened, and how did you handle it? And what do you think towns and neighbors should be doing to keep both people and bears safer?
Send your responses to publisher@lakevillejournal.com by Monday, June 1, at 10a.m. or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
We’ll publish a selection in next week’s paper.
Millerton News
A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.
Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.
Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.
Check out photos from the ceremonies on Monday, May 25:
Photo by Nathan Miller
A group of veterans and their loved ones observes a moment of silence inside American Legion Post 178 on Route 44 in Millerton.
Photo by Leila Hawken
VFW Post 5444 Commander Nick Woodard opens Amenia’s Memorial Day ceremony at Amenia Town Hall on Monday, May 25. The traditional ceremony, featuring remarks from local officials and religious leaders, was held inside the Route 22 building due to the threat of rain.
Photo by Natalia Zukerman
Onlookers of all ages crowd the sidewalks along Franklin Avenue in Millbrook on Monday, May 25, for the village’s annual Memorial Day parade. Festivities included a parade, a military flyover and a period of reflection at Millbrook’s Tribute Gardens.
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Leila Hawken
AMENIA — The Town of Amenia has approved a shared maintenance agreement for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail with Dutchess County and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.
Town Board members accepted the agreement by unanimous vote at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, May 21.
Under the five-year renewable agreement, the county and the town will each engage in monthly inspections. The county will trim trailside vegetation at least twice a year or as needed, and the town will assist with light trimming at trailheads, road crossings and parking lots.
The town agrees to maintain the parking areas and may install and service trash cans at trailheads, as well as winter clearing of the parking lots, including the areas surrounding electric vehicle charging stations.
The annual costs in connection with the EV charging station services are to be borne by the town, including electricity costs, software and hardware maintenance and upgrades.
For its part, the county will mow the trailsides at least four times each year when the trail is open between April and November. The county will also remove any graffiti, but the town would need to report the graffiti to the county. The county will also be fully responsible for portable toilet facilities and their servicing.
During public comment, resident Judy Moran asked the board which entity is to be responsible for trash pickup along the trail, as well as the town’s estimated costs associated with the agreement as they are to be included in the town budget.
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association is to provide insurances for the trail including Workers’ Compensation, general liability, commercial liability and commercial umbrella.
In other action, the Town Board voted unanimously to allow the Parks and Recreation Commission to suspend its park rules against alcohol consumption, but only for the hours during the Summer Music Series concerts.
Board members gave Judy Westfall a consulting position to the offices of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Westfall will assist and advise in office duties on an as-needed basis. The move comes after Westfall chose to retire from her position as Planning Board secretary.
Natalia Zukerman
For many pet owners, animals are family. On Saturday, May 30, that bond will be celebrated in a uniquely practical and heartfelt way when the Blessing of the Animals returns to Third Lutheran Evangelical Church in Rhinebeck alongside a free rabies vaccination clinic hosted by Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.
The event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., is free for Dutchess County residents and open to dogs, cats and domestic ferrets three months and older. While the clinic itself provides an important public health service, organizers say the day has become about much more than vaccinations.
“It’s a very simple afternoon of kindness,” said event curator Rosemary Joyce. “I think of it like a gardener — you go someplace, you learn how to plant seeds and then you take those seeds home and grow them in your own community. Except these are the seeds of kindness.”
The annual blessing is now entering its fourth year, with each event honoring a different theme. This year’s celebration pays tribute to renowned primatologist and animal behaviorist Jane Goodall.
“Most people know her from her work with primates,” Joyce said, “but she also taught us to understand that animals are sentient creatures — they feel like we feel.”
Joyce pointed to recent scientific studies that scanned dogs’ brains using MRI technology.
“When dogs are presented with the scent of the people they love, the part of their brain that lights up is the exact same part of our brain that responds to love,” she said. “So not only do they love us — dogs love the way we love.”
Unlike larger ceremonial blessings often held around the feast of St. Francis, Rhinebeck’s blessing is much more personalized.
“This is not where everyone gathers and gets blessed all at once,” Joyce said. “This is individual and hands-on. You walk up to Pastor Jim Miller, and he talks to you and your animal.”
Past participants have brought everything from dogs and cats to chickens, parrots, reptiles and even an iguana “draped around someone like a scarf,” Joyce recalled.
The event also features more than a dozen rescue and animal welfare groups, each bringing “ambassador animals” for visitors to meet.
Among the most anticipated returning guests is Lazarus, a 9-year-old Eurasian eagle owl with a six-foot wingspan.
“He’s the wow factor,” Joyce said. “I watched a father hustling his two boys to leave last year because they had another appointment. I told him, ‘If you haven’t seen what’s over there, you haven’t seen this event.’ He walked over, looked at Lazarus, and his mouth just dropped open. The little boy came out in him.”
Other participants include rescue horses from the Southlands Foundation, adoptable dogs from Animal Farm Foundation, reptiles from Two by Two Animal Haven, small animals from 4-H and rescued farm animals from Hope Farm Animal Sanctuary, including Rosie, a 200-pound potbellied pig.
Joyce said one of her favorite aspects of the event is watching it create unexpected connections.
“I’m always amazed that people who would never talk to each other on the street are suddenly sitting on the lawn talking like old friends,” she said. “Animals are great catalysts for human connection.”
This year’s rabies clinic, provided by HVARS, adds a critical public service component.
Rabies vaccinations are required by New York state law for all dogs, cats and domestic ferrets by four months of age. Owners who fail to comply can face fines of up to $200.
“A lot of people don’t realize that,” Joyce said. “And they also don’t realize how affordable this clinic makes it.”
Vaccinations are free for Dutchess County residents with proof of residency and $15 per pet for non-residents. Vaccines are valid for three years with proof of prior vaccination, or one year without it.
Microchipping will also be available for $45, and one-year distemper vaccines for $25.
“It’s the size of a grain of rice,” Joyce said of the microchips. “It’s tiny, safe, affordable and permanent. If your pet is lost or stolen, all someone has to do is scan it.”
She noted that the service can be especially important as pet thefts have risen in recent years.
The clinic was made possible through a donation from the Estate of Charles Svatek, whom Joyce described as someone “known for true acts of kindness and a loving desire to make the world better for all living creatures.”
For Joyce, the event reflects a larger message about compassion — for animals and for each other.
“If this event does anything,” she said, “I hope it reminds people that kindness ripples outward.”
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged at hvars.org, though walk-ins will be accepted as space permits. Dogs must be leashed; cats and ferrets must be in carriers. The event will be held rain or shine.
Nathan Miller
Sheila Srere, left, and Cathy Fenn plant flowers in a small island at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail’s intersection with Main Street in Millerton on Thursday, May 21.
A band of volunteers planted flowers across downtown Millerton on Thursday, May 21, as part of local group Townscape's annual beautification efforts. Community members from across northeast Dutchess County came together to plant flowers at Millerton's veterans memorial monument in front of the United Methodist Church on Main Street and in planters and flower beds along Main Street down to the intersection with Route 22.
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