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
WEST CORNWALL — Barbara Mary Hinkle‑Azzara, long‑time resident of Princeton, New Jersey, completed her life journey on Aug. 15, 2026, and is now reunited with her beloved husband Joe. Barbara’s passing leaves a deep quiet, as she was one of those rare souls whose generosity, kindness, and instinctive thoughtfulness made life sweeter for everyone around her.
Born in Macedonia, Ohio, Barbara grew up in the Nordonia schools and received her sacraments at Our Lady of Guadalupe. She graduated from Nordonia High School in 1983 and earned her degree in Medical Records Management from Bowling Green State University in 1987. She soon moved to New York City, beginning a long and respected career in medical records at St. Vincent’s Hospital and other major institutions, where colleagues admired her expertise and her unfailing willingness to help.
In the mid‑1990s, while working at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital, Barbara met Joseph Azzara, the love of her life. They married in 2001 at a favorite Long Island vineyard and built a warm, welcoming home in Princeton. Joe’s sons, Michael and John, lived with them part‑time, and Barbara embraced them with wholehearted affection, creating a family life defined by support, humor, and shared experiences.
Barbara and Joe shared a deep love of travel, especially their many trips throughout Italy, where they delighted in food, wine, and the simple joy of exploring together. They also treasured visits to France to see her sister Julie, ski trips, and countless weekends spent cheering at the boys’ soccer games. Barbara approached every journey — near or far — with curiosity, gratitude, and her signature generosity of spirit.
Her faith was a steady anchor throughout her life. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s in Princeton, where her spiritual life deepened over many years. After the loss of her father and later Joe, Barbara found profound comfort and support at the Chapel of All Saints in West Cornwall, Connecticut, where she spent meaningful time held in prayer, companionship, and quiet strength.
Barbara’s kindness was quiet but constant: thoughtful notes, small gestures, meals delivered, and an uncanny ability to sense when someone needed comfort. She lived by a line from her favorite band, Dave Matthews — “Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain.” And she truly did: celebrating others, celebrating love, celebrating the everyday moments that make a life full.
In 2025, Barbara faced her diagnosis of a rare, inoperable brain glioma with courage, hope, and unwavering faith. A new treatment brought brief encouragement, but she ultimately passed peacefully in Connecticut, surrounded by those who loved her.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and her father William. She leaves behind her step‑sons Michael Azzara of Charlotte, North Carolina, and John Azzara (Gina) of Asbury Park, New Jersey; her mother Mary Jean Hinkle of Hudson, Ohio; and her siblings Steve (Gloria), William (Nancy), Mary Ann (Peter), Mark (Joan), Kathryn (Jim), Peter (Evelyn), and Julie Saint-Jacques. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews across both families.
Barbara’s legacy is one of tenderness, generosity, faith, and radiant kindness. Those who knew her will carry her light forward, comforted by the belief that she rests in peace and is reunited with the loved ones who went before her.
There will be a memorial for Barbara with Chapel of All Saints @Trinity Retreat Center West Cornwall CT at a future date. Ryan Funeral Home, Lakeville, is in care of arrangements.
There will be a livestream Funeral Mass celebrated Saturday, August 29, 2026 @ 10:00 am St Paul Catholic Church, 218 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542 (Live stream link/directions available at ryanfhct.com)
Donations can be made to National Brain Tumor Society: braintumor.org/donate
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com.
Millerton News
SHARON — Dr. Joseph Valentine Hajek of Sharon, Connecticut, died in the early morning of Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. He was 89.
Joe was born in New York City on Sept. 8, 1936, the son of Joseph Hajek, born in 1889 in Prague, Bohemia and Olga Weber Hajek. He attended Trinity School and Philips Exeter Academy, and he graduated from Harvard College in 1958. After his undergraduate years in the Harvard ROTC, he entered the Navy for three years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant JG.
After his honorable discharge, he married Cicily Warren in 1962 while attending Harvard Medical School. After an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, he took up an orthopedic residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He also spent time abroad on a traveling fellowship, studying with John Charnley in England and Maurice Mueller in Bern, Switzerland. After a return to Brooklyn, New York, Joe and his family settled in Sharon in 1975, where he became the first orthopedic surgeon at Sharon Hospital. He retired in 2004 and spent the rest of his life in Sharon.
Joe led an active outdoor life, enjoying rowing, tending his apple orchard, making play equipment for his grandchildren, and caring for his dogs. He maintained his expansive property with his beloved tractors, chainsaws, log splitter, and other equipment perhaps less precise than his surgical tools, but which he used no less ably.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 64 years and by his sister Barbara Ulman of Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was predeceased by his sister Olga Cassard.
He is also survived by his daughter Schenley Hall and husband Jeffrey of Tucson, Arizona and grandsons Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nicholas; son Luke and wife Janet of Denver, Colorado, and grandsons Ryan and Trevor; daughter Mathilde Ross and husband Rob of Brookline, Massachusetts; and grandchildren Calvert, Josephine, and Winthrop; and son Justin of Sharon and granddaughter Julia.
Funeral services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Sharon at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Aug. 29.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of three organizations near and dear to Joe’s heart: the Sharon Audubon Society, the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, or Christ Church Episcopal.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Leila Hawken
AMENIA — The Town Board voted unanimously at its regular meeting Thursday, Aug. 20, to schedule a public hearing on a proposed law prohibiting smoking and vaping on all town-owned property.
The hearing will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
The proposed law would prohibit smoking or vaping tobacco — as well as cannabis products — in town-owned parks and other public recreational areas. The ban would apply to Town Hall and its surrounding grounds and parking lots, the basketball court, Beekman Park, Fountain Square, the Mygatt, Leedsville and Bangall-Amenia Road cemeteries, and the town highway garage and salt shed.
If enacted, the law would impose a $50 fine for a first violation and fines ranging from $200 to $500 for subsequent violations.
In other business, the board unanimously adopted a state-mandated 2026 Emergency Operations Plan outlining procedures for responding to and recovering from a local disaster.
Affordability fair
Dutchess County Legislator Eric Alexander, who represents Amenia, attended the meeting to provide an update on county matters and announce the Amenia Affordability Fair, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Representatives from county and local organizations will provide residents with information and assistance related to household expenses, tax relief, senior and veterans services, low-cost veterinary care, free hot meals and other resources.
Animal control
Animal Control Officer Kenneth Wallace reported on a proposed collaboration between Amenia and Dover aimed at improving animal control services. Wallace also serves on the county’s Animal Welfare Stewardship Committee.
“My hope is to make an alliance between Amenia and Dover an example to serve as a model for other Dutchess County communities,” Wallace said.
Wallace said local animal control officers lack enforcement authority and currently work through the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.
“We can only pick up and drop off animals,” he said. Officers may respond to complaints but cannot investigate or collect evidence of animal abuse. Such investigations also require veterinary services, which Wallace said the two towns could provide cooperatively.
Board members also discussed whether local constables could assist with animal control enforcement.
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Leila Hawken
Describing best practices in organizing a lifetime of photos and documents, resident Margaret Cornell led a program on Archiving Family Records at The Fountains on Monday, Aug. 17. Following the talk, Cornell, left, showed a scrapbook sample to Fountains resident Susan Haber.
MILLBROOK — Residents of assisted living facility The Fountains received an education in archiving personal records on Monday, Aug. 17.
Archivist Margaret Cornell, a resident at The Fountains of Millbrook, presented a program to assist fellow residents with the task of sifting through accumulated items, discarding what is irrelevant, and documenting what should be kept. An audience of 17 residents gathered.
Common to the experience of many is the accumulation of a lifetime of papers and photographs stored in boxes awaiting organization. Without that organization, the family memories contained in those boxes could dim and be lost.
Purposefully archiving those materials can be the answer to keeping those stories intact.
“What is archiving?” Cornell asked at the outset.
“Archiving is the care and putting in order many types of records so that they can be preserved and researched to capture the timeline of a family,” Cornell explained.
“It can be daunting,” she said of the work that can include photos, letters, diplomas, diaries, yearbooks, scrapbooks, family records, newspaper clippings, clothing, quilts, and more.
When sorting photographs, for example, concentrate on the person represented and sort by the person, being careful to fully identify persons and the location in the photo. Write on the reverse of the photo with a pencil, not with ink.
Remove letters from their envelopes and attach the envelope with a plastic clip, not metal.
For preservation, obtain acid-free paper and acid-free boxes. If looking to preserve newspaper clippings, less essential in the digital age, but perhaps desirable to preserve family obituaries, it is best to copy the obituary onto acid-free paper.
To examine an individual document, it is best not to lay it on a table where exhaled breath would damage the paper with moisture. Instead hold it vertically.
Be sure to refold quilts and larger fabrics at least twice each year and store them in acid-free boxes, Cornell said.
The question period was active and lively, exchanging ideas for curating photos, and flattening curled photos, with tips on decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
“Never do something you cannot undo,” cautioned Cornell, recommending archival glue for scrapbooking, allowing the document to be moved without damage to the document.
Cornell concluded the session by offering to help any resident with the task of archiving their collections of boxes of stuff.
Nathan Miller
DOVER PLAINS — Planning Board Chair Ryan Courtien has resigned, two weeks after his disappearance triggered a multiday search involving police, firefighters, K-9 teams, drones, and helicopters from across New York and Connecticut.
The Town Board accepted Courtien’s resignation at its July 27 meeting. That night, it also appointed two new Planning Board members, filling Courtien’s seat and another that had been vacant for several months.
Courtien disappeared from his home on July 12 and remained missing for nearly a week. Authorities ended the search after determining that he had boarded a train to Manhattan shortly after his disappearance.
Courtien was located by Dutchess County sheriff’s deputies at the Harlem Valley-Wingdale train station on Friday, July 17.
Town Supervisor Rich Yeno said he has had sporadic contact with Courtien and his family in the weeks following his disappearance.
“I know they’re going through some things,” Yeno said. “That’s about it.”
He said the Town Board received a letter before its July meeting from Courtien’s wife, Suzanne Calligan-Courtien, asking the board to accept Courtien’s resignation from the Planning Board and the chair position.
Calligan-Courtien sent the letter on Thursday, July 23. She cited “sudden, unexpected medical complications” as the cause for her husband’s resignation but did not provide further details in the letter.
The town’s Planning Board did not meet this month due to a lack of permit applications. Yeno said interim chair Valerie LaRobardier handled behind-the-scenes work through the month, and the board will return with a full slate and a designated chair when meetings resume in September.
Dick Hermans, founder of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and a current board member, said Courtien had been removed from his position as operations manager for the trail earlier this month. He did not provide further details. Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association President Phil Meeks could not be reached for comment.
Courtien has not responded to requests for comment on his disappearance or his resignation from the Planning Board.
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