Beloved Lions Club Community Calendar taken over by library

MILLERTON — As the community is hopefully getting back to a post-COVID world, many worry that some time-honored traditions will be lost. But fear not — that won’t happen to a much-loved feature of the area that promises to continue as the NorthEast-Millerton Library assumes the task of producing and selling the Lions Club Community Calendar. 

“We’re delighted to hear of the library’s interest in continuing this long community tradition,” Lions Club Treasurer Ed Downey said. “The unique feature of the calendar is its personalization as it publishes the birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates of interest to the community such as the monthly meeting dates of many local municipal and not-for-profit organizations. A small payment is made on a per-listing basis to cover the cost of publication and to enable the library to raise funds to support its important mission.” 

The calendar, now in its 63rd year and traditionally produced by the Lions Club, was initiated in 1953 for the following year’s calendar. Cliff Andrews, the Lions’ first president and father of Millerton resident Helen Valentine, wrote at that time in his Millerton News column, that the calendar served “to make our community a real friendly one by bringing each individual a little closer to his neighbor.” 

NorthEast-Millerton Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson agreed that the calendar did exactly that.

“When I first came to Millerton and heard about the calendar, I was surprised that this charming tradition had survived for as long as it had,” she said. “When a community is in a time of stress or trouble, these traditions are the first to fall to the wayside, but this one has persevered. Now it will continue to do so under the umbrella of the various activities and services the library provides.”

Recognizing that this is a particularly difficult time for many, Leo-Jameson said, “It would be truly a shame to lose it now when all we want is to gain some sense of normal and hold on to the good parts of what our life was before. Now, with the blessing of the Lions Club and Treasurer Ed Downey, we at the library can help in that process.”

While details can be found online, she said the group is looking toward an Aug. 1 deadline with advertisements, calender orders and date submissions all due at that time. 

Leo-Jameson noted that payment through the library’s online system will hopefully make things easier for those who wish to participate.  

For more information, visit the library at 75 Main St., call the library at 518-789-3340 or log onto its website at www.NEMillertonLibrary.org.

North East Historical Society President and Lions Club Treasurer Ed Downey contributed to this article.