COPAKE — Under ordinary circumstances, cyclists of all levels of experience would come pouring into Columbia County in the fall to take part in the Roe Jan Ramble, an annual community event sponsored by the towns of Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale, created to raise awareness and donations to support the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. While the Roe Jan Ramble won’t be taking place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cyclists can ramble through the region on their own by checking out the scenic routes posted on the event’s website, www.roejanramble.org.
In addition to five new routes for cyclists to explore, event organizers have posted the race routes from the 2018 and 2019 Roe Jan Rambles to give cyclists a chance to relive the glory of previous rides. The five new routes feature a 19-mile Copake-Taghkanic-Ancram route, a 33.8-mile Hillsdale-Copake-Ancram route, a 21.8-mile Copake-Ancramdale route, a 12.6-mile Hillsdale route and a 16-mile Hillsdale route.
As listed online, the suggested routes are on paved, lightly traveled public roads as well as sections of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, “winding through lovely farmland, rolling hills and the picturesque hamlets of the Roe Jan Area in Columbia County.”
Cyclists can visit the website to get printable maps and cue sheets for the different routes.
“We’re disappointed we can’t offer a group event this year,” the website states. “But we hope you’ll find personal enjoyment in setting out on your own.”
Though the pandemic has changed the way in which people are able to gather this year, cyclists and visitors of the Roe Jan area are welcome to explore the scenic rides while exercising the necessary health and safety precautions. In spite of the challenges posed by COVID, Columbia County Tourism Promotions Specialist Amy Farrell noted how these self tours have helped promote the region. Whether they’re taking a pseudo-hike or walk with their immediate family members or in a small group, she said the tours give folks a chance to “explore their own backyard and look to see what they haven’t gone to before.”
As far as how the Ramble’s cancellation may impact local communities, Ancram town Supervisor Art Bassin said he didn’t think it will do much harm.
“We have been seeing a very large number of bicyclists riding our roads this spring and summer, caused probably by the large influx of people coming into the area from the city” Bassin said. “I expect this year’s virtual ramble will have the largest number of riders ever.”
And there’s still time, despite temperatures dropping, though this past week was abnormally warm for November. Chilly fall mornings and evenings are a great time to squeeze in a ride before winter arrives. Although the clocks changed back on Sunday, Nov. 1, with Daylight Saving Time and everyone lost a little bit of sunlight, there’s still plenty of time to get in a pleasant ambling ride, or for those wanting more of a challenge, an invigorating miles-long race along the Ramble routes — so make sure to grab that tire pump and check out the options.
“The Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour has grown every year and so I am betting that if we are able to do a Ramble next year there will be record participation,” said Copake Supervisor Jeanne Mettler. “It is a wonderful event which not only raises cyclists’ awareness of our area but has also raised significant money for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.”
For more information, go to www.roejanramble.org.
Built in 1820, 1168 Bangall Amenia Road sold for $875,000 on July 31 with the transfer recorded in August. It has a Millbrook post office and is located in the Webutuck school district.
STANFORD — The Town of Stanford with nine transfers in two months reached a median price in August of $573,000 for single family homes, still below Stanford’s all-time median high in August 2024 of $640,000.
At the beginning of October there is a large inventory of single-family homes listed for sale with only six of the 18 homes listed for below the median price of $573,000 and seven above $1 million.
July transfers
79 Ernest Road — 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 6.87 acres in 2 parcels sold to Matthew C. Marinetti for $1,225,000.
29 Drake Road — 3 bedroom/3.5 bath home on 2 acres sold to Harper Montgomery for $850,000.
6042 Route 82 — 4 bedroom/2 bath home on 1.09 acres sold to Spencer Thompson for $795,000.
125 Tick Tock Way — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath ranch on 1.9 acres sold to Fleur Touchard for $475,000.
August transfers
102 Prospect Hill Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath home on 6.35 acres sold to Karl Creighton Pfister for $565,000.
252 Ernest Road — 2 bedroom/1 bath cottage on .85 acres sold to Meg Bumie for $465,000.
1196 Bangall Amenia Road — 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 2.16 acres sold to Roderick Alleyne for $875,000.
Hunns Lake Road (#759929) — 59.1 acres of residential land sold to Argos Farm LLC for $3,325,000.
* Town of Stanford recorded real estate transfers from July 1 to August 31 provided by Dutchess County Real Property Office monthly transfer reports. Details on each property from Dutchess Parcel Access - properties with an # indicate location on Dutchess Parcel Access. Market data from One Key MLS and Infosparks .Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
Hunt club members and friends gathered near Pugsley Hill at the historic Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia for the opening meet of the 2025-2026 Millbrook Hunt Club season on Saturday, Oct. 4. Foxhunters took off from Wethersfield’s hilltop gardens just after 8 a.m. for a hunting jaunt around Amenia’s countryside.
Joining in the fun at the dedication of the new pollinator pathway garden at The Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4, local expert gardener Maryanne Snow Pitts provides information about a planting to Lorraine Mirabella of Poughkeepsie.
MILLBROOK — Participating in a patchwork of libraries that have planted pollinator pathway gardens to attract insects and birds to their native plantings was one of the accomplishments being celebrated at the dedication of a new pollinator garden at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4.
“A lot of work went into it,” said Emma Sweeney, past President of the Millbrook Garden Club, who started the local library’s initiative two years ago.
The Pollinator Pathway program is a national effort to plant native plants that native insects depend upon for sustenance and preferred plants for their own seasonal reproduction.
Jana Hogan of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Executive Director of the Pollinator Pathway program, was on hand to present a plaque to the library for its successful participation.
“A garden is not just a garden,” said garden designer Andy Durbridge of Wassaic, designer of the library’s garden. “It may serve as a model for other gardens along the line.”
Speaking to the 50 visitors at the dedication, Durbridge said that the library’s garden has a mission, that it is a working garden, planned to serve insects and birds over their seasons. The earliest plants support pollinators, while the full range of plants continues to serve the needs of those they attract, offering habitat, shelter and food.
A pollinator garden is akin to a prairie, rather than a formalized European garden, Durbridge noted.
The garden project was supported by the library’s Friends group using funds raised during the Holiday Silent Auction and ongoing book sale. A grant from the Millbrook Garden Club also provided support.
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
AMENIA — After gathering comments from the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, as it considers adding alternate members to those boards, the Town Board discussed possible changes to local laws governing those boards at its meeting on Friday, Oct. 3. The meeting date, usually on a Thursday, had been changed to accommodate a holiday.
In recent weeks Town Board attorney Ian Lindars has been compiling comments from the affected boards along with comments from the Town Board. The new laws may bring the appointment of two alternate members to each board. Alternate members are likely to be required to attend all meetings and be prepared to be seated if needed and be familiar with the applications being discussed. They would also need to take training required of all board members.
Lindars will prepare a draft of the new local laws to be reviewed by the Town Board and the affected boards.
As the Town Board begins work on the town’s annual budget negotiation process and anticipating an increase in some budget lines to accommodate major projects, the board unanimously approved three resolutions. The first will override the tax levy limit imposed on municipalities by the state of New York, a limit generally tied to the rate of inflation.
A public hearing on the proposal to override the levy limit was set for Thursday, November 6, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
