MILLERTON — Longtime dancer Gina White had long dreamed of opening a dance studio, and had been repeatedly approached about teaching in the village of Millerton. In February, White opened Danceworks with grand plans, hoping to “give the community something they don’t have right now,” she said at the time, referring to the fact that there are yoga and pilates studios and even The Music Cellar in town, but no dance studio.
“There’s yoga and there’s music and it seems like a trifecta to have dance as a part of it,” she said.
Sadly, the spread of the coronavirus happened just as Danceworks was taking off, leading White to temporarily close its doors on Thursday, March 12.
“Of course, it was devastating because we had just opened our doors a month ago and everyone was so excited about it,” White said. “For now, we’re just taking it day by day.”
White’s resume includes both national and international performances, from her work on the international tour of “Rugrats” to her brief appearance on “So You Think You Can Dance” and her feature work on the NBC’s reality TV show, “Fame,” with stage and screen legend Debbie Allen. White worked with the dance company Catapult Entertainment on and off for five years following the birth of her daughter, Evangeline.
When asked if she believes her daughter will follow in her dancing footsteps, White said, “She’s familiar with what it’s like — I’m positive she’ll follow in step.”
As far as opening a dance studio in Millerton, White said, “I feel like there is a desire for it here in town and I’m excited to offer what I can.”
White’s mission is to bring the community together through dance and focus on mind and body wellness, once the current health crisis ends and non-essential businesses can reopen.
Though she originally envisioned the former Saperstein’s building at 41 Main St. as the perfect space for her studio, White scouted a few more choice locations before deciding on space at 5916 North Elm Ave. (Route 22), which she renovated earlier this year. It was previously Cozzy’s pizzeria.
Danceworks will offer a range of traditional dance styles — including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, lyrical and contemporary — for children, teens and adults alike. White said she’s considered adding an all-boys hip hop class in the future.
Danceworks plans to charge a registration fee of $15 per student. Fees are planned at $55 for one class per month, $110 for two classes per month and $165 for three classes per month. Students will be able to pay for all of the classes on a monthly basis. Danceworks also plans to offer a special discount: if participants take three classes, they can attend one class free of charge.
Though she’s well aware that not everyone is bound to become a professional dancer, White said once she reopens, she plans to teach her students that anything is possible and that they can pursue their creative ambitions just as they can attend a four-year college and raise a family. As they pursue dance, she said she hopes they will learn lifelong skills such as leadership, discipline and taking care of their bodies.
White said, “I want people, regardless of their gender or background, to come to the space and safely create something, whether it’s rehearsing for a play or doing a tai chi class. It can be anything just so long as we’re coming together through dance.”
For more information on Danceworks and its future programs, email danceworksmillerton@gmail.com or call 860-992-2799.
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
