SALT POINT — Blue and yellow flags seem to be popping up all over Millbrook lawns like sunflowers in the summertime these days, the national flower of the Ukrainian people the flags represent. They are especially prevalent along Franklin Avenue, as well as in the nearby village of Millerton and throughout the Harlem Valley.
Many of the symbols showing solidarity with the war-torn nation were created at The Country Postman in Salt Point, a hamlet of Pleasant Valley that is as much a part of Millbrook as any other community.
The copy shack and shipping center has been operating for more than 15 years from the Washington Hollow Plaza at 2517 Route 44.
Recently, much of the business’ time and energy has been redirected to fulfill needs beyond copying and shipping.
A frequent customer who preferred to remain anonymous recently approached store owner Ralph Simmons and front of the store manager Shyla Winter with a special request. She asked to print Ukrainian flags to place on local lawns to show support for the embattled nation.
The customer originally ordered 10 flags, upped the order to 20 and it’s grown from there. She’s had neighbors and friends place orders, too. Simmons extended her a large discount. Since then, many others have ordered the flags, said Simmons.
The blue and yellow flags are painted with the Ukrainian flag and come with or without an image of a sunflower. They’re 24-inches by 18-inches and include a metal stake to plant in the grass. They cost $14.98 with a percentage of the sales going to help Ukraine.
Simmons is donating part of the proceeds to the Afya Foundation, a nonprofit that collects unused but still viable medical supplies and equipment from the New York to send where it’s needed most. Currently, those supplies are going to Ukraine.
“I think there’s such a desperate need just now,” said Simmons. “I wish everyone would do this. It’s a small effort compared to what they actually need.”
By Saturday, March 26, 539 flags were sold, and $2,500 donated to Afya.
Afya Foundation estimates that 90% of its funding goes to direct aide.
Simmons is originally from Millerton and expanded his shipping business at the plaza through the years, building up to a staff with 12 employees.
The Country Postman ships everything from small books to fragile antiques to large furniture, all around the country and even abroad. The store is also copy and print shack and even restores old photographs. It also offers a courier service.
Simmons has contributed to charities before, such as Lucky Orphans and Angels of Light.
He said he “believes in doing good for humanity.”
To contact The Country Postman, call 845-677-1076 or go to www.countrypostman.com.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025
