MILLERTON — When Boston Corner resident Mike Burch was growing up in the 50s in Albany, life was very different for him. He’s now 5-foot, 8-inches tall, 198-pounds and 72 years old. He has long white hair, peppered with a bit of gray typically tied in a pony tail in the back and grown in a long, chest-length beard in the front.
He no longer has to train with weights and take part in sports to strengthen his lungs due to his childhood asthma. Yet train with hundreds of pounds of weights each day he does.
That’s how this grandfather came to be the new record holder for the 70-to-74-year-old age group in the 198-pound weight class in the American Powerlifting Association’s (APA) National Championship competition on Saturday, May 28, at the Steel Beach Gym in Oakville, Conn.
The national APA competition marked the 35th anniversary of its founding in New England, which is why it was held in the Nutmeg State.
As the APA noted on its website, www.wpapowerlifting.com, “powerlifting is a strenuous athletic event.” The competition included three categories: squat attempts, bench presses and deadlifts.
“I broke the world record with lifting 490 pounds,” said a beaming Burch, “before that the record was 485 pounds. I used to lift 800 pounds for five reps back in my 20s. I used to bench press 650 pounds.”
Considering the septuagenarian is a grandfather of one and father of three, dead lifting nearly 500 pounds today is still pretty impressive.
“I have three kids and a grandson,” said Burch, clearly proud of his family. “I started all of my kids with weight lifting, my two sons and daughter. I started weight lifting when I was 2 years old because I had asthma and I guess the weights increased my lungs. I tell these young kid to start lifting weights all the time.”
Burch said his father, who did not himself train with weights, became his personal trainer when he was a child. None of his other relatives lifted weights, but Burch said his dad somehow knew the exercise regimen would help his breathing.
“My father recommended it for the asthma, and guided me when I was young,” remembered Burch. “He was good at training me. As a student, I became a top sprinter in New York State, and ran the 100-meter race in 9.8 seconds — that’s pretty good for an asthmatic.”
The U.S. champ said he “felt pretty good” about his transformation from sickly to superstar. As he grew older, Burch continued to train and make a name for himself on the weight-lifting circuit.
“I became state and national champion on the bench, and today my grandson trains with me. Eli is my training partner,” said Burch. “He really motivates me; he’s 16 and lives in Great Barrington, Mass., and he can really psych me up.”
For this year’s national APA title, Burch faced off against the former U.S.-record holder from Ukraine, who set the former record of 485 pounds in 2017.
“I beat him,” said Burch. “I’m going to the worlds in September… and I’m planning to break it big this time. I’ve been going to the worlds and nationals all my life.”
While Burch could not explain why powerlifting has never made it to the Olympics, he said if it did, the U.S. would be assured a gold medal.
“It was never in the Olympics; I don’t know why. It should have been because the U.S. would dominate,” he said, noting athletes can partake for as long as their bodies hold out, and he would. “At 72, I would take part. Sure, why not?”
Leila Hawken
In observance of Arbor Day on Friday, April 24, third grade students at Alden Place School took turns shoveling soil around a newly planted sweetgum tree, helping give it a strong start.
MILLBROOK — Nothing says Arbor Day like planting a tree.
The third grade class at Alden Place School gathered on school grounds Friday, April 24, for a ceremony that included a proclamation reading and the planting of a young sweetgum tree.
“I am an arborist and this is my favorite day,” Dennis Gendron of Twin Brooks Farm told the students. His farm had donated and prepared the spot where the 8-year-old tree would grow. He pointed out that the young tree was about the same age as the students. Then he pointed out a 25-year-old Sweetgum tree providing ample shade for the school’s entrance. The youngsters marveled at the size difference.
To mark the occasion, Village Trustee Julia Bucklin read an official proclamation issued by Mayor Peter Doro. The 45 students then lined up each to take a turn at shoveling one spadeful of soil onto the roots.
“This is a great opportunity for our students to learn about the role that trees play in our community,” said Alden Place’s Principal Andrew Cedermark, noting that trees provide animal habitat, clean fresh air and beauty within view of the classroom windows.
A similar Arbor Day observance and tree planting was held a short time later at Elm Drive Elementary School.
Leila Hawken
The cast took a well-earned bow following their performance at the annual Fountains Radio Play presentation of “The Speakeasy’s Secret” on Friday, April 24.
MILLBROOK — A capacity audience filled seats at The Fountains assisted living facility on Friday, April 24, for another production by the Radio Workshop.
Now a regular feature of The Fountains’ entertainment lineup, the Radio Workshop — a resident-led group that produces live, old-time-style radio plays — returned with an original mystery, continuing a tradition that began in 2024.
“Each year the group grows in numbers,” said Marge Wardrop, playwright, project director, play narrator and The Fountains resident who leads the Radio Workshop venture.
This year’s production,“The Speakeasy’s Secret,” moved between 1929 and 2026, with a brief stop in 1949, all kept straight by Wardrop’s narration. A third of the stage held the 1929 action, while the remaining two-thirds represented present day life at The Fountains. A piano situated between the two eras and played by Judy Handman and Arline Wood provided musical interlude before and during the performance.
Additional fun spots were provided by familiar old-time radio commercials presented by the cast and giggled over by the audience.
Live sound effects were in the hands of Shelia Attlesey and Pat Carr, while Wayne Chadwell managed the audio equipment.
The 11-scene story begins in 1929, when speakeasies operated in secret under Prohibition and backroom bookmaking was common. At Harry’s Place, business is faltering and a raid appears imminent. Harry, along with two associates and his wife Velma, decides to hide $100,000 in a location in upstate New York before authorities close in. Think Millbrook.
Harry is eventually imprisoned for 20 years, but the cash is said to have made it to Millbrook undetected and hidden somewhere. Harry’s granddaughter, Mabel, in 2026, is determined to find it, so she moves into The Fountains, along with her disagreeable, alienating personality.
Mabel’s behavior raises the suspicions of The Fountains residents, many of whom are into detective work.
The single clue that Mabel carries with her from her grandfather, Harry, is: “You’ll find the money if you change your ways.”
As residents reach out in friendship, Mabel gradually softens and shares the clue, having been assured that they just want to help her and don’t want a share of the cash.
Friendship wins out. Mabel changes her ways and her rough demeanor, and in short order, the cash is found in The Fountains’ chapel basement. That building did exist in 1929.
Mabel is so changed that she decides, along with her new friends, that money is no longer important and donates the funds to the chapel renovation fund. Mabel announces that she will move permanently to The Fountains.
The final scene takes care of the loose end of Harry’s release from prison in 1949, as his wife and cohorts are there to pick him up. They show interest in driving to Millbrook to reconnect with the money stash, but Harry reports that he has gone straight, no longer interested in the money, having turned over a new leaf thanks to the excellence of a prison program.
This final scene was clearly critical to seeing that the stash remained in place until 2026 for Mabel to find.
Judging from the hearty audience approval, The Fountains Radio Workshop will likely be encouraged to create more radio adventures for residents and visitors.
Millerton News
AMENIA — The Amenia Fire Company will be sponsoring a Steak Bake on Saturday, May 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the firehouse.
The meal includes mashed potatoes, corn, salad, dinner roll and a dessert.
Diners may pre-order a meal by calling Shawn Howard at 845-418-8633.
The meal is eat-in or take-out. Tickets are $25 each and are available from any fire company member.
The firehouse is located at 36 Mechanic St. in Amenia.
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Leila Hawken
Daisy Hamilton, left, and her sister, Alta, center, keep their mother, Ash, company while she provides sewing services at a Repair Café at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, April 25. The Millbrook Library was a hub of activity during the Millbrook Community Yard Sale on Saturday. Originally expected to be held outside on the library’s lawn, the Repair Café was moved indoors due to rain sprinkles and chill wind.
Christine Bates
MILLBROOK — The median price of a single-family home in the Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook has declined sharply from last year’s peak, although values remain high compared to previous levels.
The 12-month trailing median price stood at $625,000 as of March 31, down 30% from the $895,000 recorded for the same period ending March 31, 2025. Still, that figure is 22% higher than the comparable period ending March 31, 2024.
The number of single-family home sales on a 12-month rolling basis in the Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook varies widely year to year. A total of 35 single-family homes were sold in the 12 months ending March 31, 2026, compared with 34 sales in the period ending March 31, 2025, and 25 sales for the 12 months ending March 31, 2024. The busiest year took place during the 12 months ending in October 2021, when 64 homes were sold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inventory of all listed single-family homes has remained stable at 25 for the first three months of the year. As of mid-April, there were 28 single-family homes on the market in three distinct price segments.
Five properties were listed above $5 million, with 11 between $1 million and $5 million, and another 12 between $500,000 and $1 million. No residential properties were listed below $500,000, and only one was asking below the current median price of $625,000.
There were five parcels of land listed for sale on the MLS, all of which have been on the market for more than 300 days. Commercial and retail properties are active, with five properties for sale, including the Millbrook Antiques Mall building.
465 Shunpike — 4 bedroom/5 bath residence and a 1 bedroom/1.5 guest house on 40.32 acres sold in March 11 for $5,775,000.
54 Bennett Common — 2 bedroom/2 bath condo sold in March for $352,500.
Lot 748535 Hollow Crest Lane — 6.2 acres of vacant residential land sold in March for $130,000.
Valley Farm Road — 5.73 acres of rural residential land title transferred in February for $180,000.
Town of Washington recorded February real estate transfers from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, sourced from Dutchess County Real Property Office monthly reports supplemented by sales data from First Key MLS for February and March and market data from InfoSparks. Details on each property from Dutchess Parcel Access. Current listings from One Key MLS. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
Aly Morrissey
The Sharon Playhouse is alerting theatergoers to purchase tickets directly through its website or box office, as the venue responds to a rise in third-party scams.
SHARON — The Sharon Playhouse is warning theatergoers ahead of its 2026 season to avoid third-party ticket sellers after scams surfaced during last year’s record-breaking run.
Officials said tickets for MainStage and YouthStage shows are only available through the Sharon Playhouse website or box office and will not cost more than $55.
The issue extends beyond Sharon. Regional venues, including the Warner Theater in Torrington and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, report similar problems with third-party sellers inflating prices or distributing fraudulent tickets.
Scams have typically taken two forms, Playhouse officials said, including legitimate tickets resold at inflated prices – sometimes up to five times the face value – and entirely fake tickets.
“We’re on the radar now,” joked Artistic Director Carl Andress, pointing to the theater’s surge in attendance in recent years. The Playhouse saw the highest overall attendance in its history last year, a factor leaders believe is contributing to scam activity.
Michael Baldwin, the Playhouse’s Education and Community Director, said the consequences fall hardest on customers.
“We’re thrilled that we are selling more tickets – and even selling out,” Baldwin said. “But if someone purchased a fraudulent ticket last year, there were times when we didn’t have another ticket to offer them.”
To combat the issue, the Playhouse will begin scanning tickets for the first time in its history. Previously, ushers looked at tickets and directed people to their seats.
The problem is exacerbated by third-party ticket sellers with larger marketing budgets, often dominating online search results through paid ads.
“It’s a constant challenge we’re working on from a marketing standpoint,” said Lynette Shy of Confluence Arts Solutions, the Playhouse’s marketing partner. She noted that patrons frequently believe they are purchasing directly from a venue when they are not.
Despite efforts to counter misleading listings, the Playhouse said its budget simply can’t keep up.
“These people have a lot more resources than nonprofit performing arts groups,” Shy said.
Some resellers purchase tickets in bulk and relist them at higher prices, she said, adding that efforts to monitor suspicious sales are ongoing but scammers are “getting smarter and smarter.”
At Bushnell, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Marketing Stephanie Fried said the impact can deter audiences entirely.
When theatergoers see prices inflated far beyond what they should be, Fried said, many simply walk away without realizing affordable tickets are available directly from the venue. In some cases, she said, seasoned scammers use tactics like countdown clocks or misleading inventory lists to create a sense of urgency.
“In every one of these scenarios, the patron trusted a process, acted in good faith, and was harmed,” Fried said. “Every Connecticut consumer deserves honest, transparent access to tickets for the events they want to attend.”
Early signs suggest the problem is continuing into the upcoming Sharon Playhouse season, prompting staff to get ahead of the problem. Warnings are being posted on the Sharon Playhouse website, e-mail communications and social media.
“We want to keep selling out,” Andress said. “But we want our customers to have the best experience and pay the prices that we actually charge.”
Tickets for the 2026 season can be purchased at sharonplayhouse.org or in person at the box office.
Sharon Playhouse 2026 Season
The Playhouse has aligned its 2026 MainStage programming to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary.
“The 2026 season reflects the heart of America,” Andress said. “Stories of hope in hard times, generosity in moments of crisis, and joy created through music, laughter, and community.”
The season kicks off with the high-energy star-spangled musical hit, Swingtime Canteen on June 19, followed by the ultimate Broadway fairytale, 42nd Street, and continues with the Tony Award–winning musical Come From Away through September 27.
The theater’s YouthStage lineup is not to be missed, with dozens of local children and familiar faces taking the stage in Pooh’s Parade, Matilda, Jr., Big Bad, Shrek Kids, and Zombie Prom, the second annual pre-professional Launchpad Company production featuring local teens.
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