MILLERTON — It was a long time coming to unveil their new Annex, but the Millerton Fire Company finally did so, inviting the community to tour the structure and learn more about the company’s history and need for volunteers at its Open House on Sunday, Sept. 12.
Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the road to the Annex and firehouse, located at 29 and 24 Century Blvd., respectively, was closed off to motorists. The volunteer members of the Millerton Fire Company were busy greeting residents and local and county leaders, sharing the fire district’s history.
Members also educated those who stopped by about the company’s history thanks to various memorabilia and an impressive scrapbook collection compiled by longtime member Bernie Silvernail.
Popcorn was popped, T-shirts were sold to support the fire company and children wore red plastic fire helmets, perhaps dreaming of one day volunteering themselves.
Following a prayer honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Millerton Fire Company President Lenny Morrison shared what they’ve done over the years in terms of funding, equipment and apparatus. He said that from 1942 to 2019, the Millerton Fire Company had spent $277,661.40 on equipment.
Looking at another layer of history, Fire Chief Jason Watson said the Millerton Fire Company became North East Fire District in 2004 with a starting budget of $151,000. Today, he said they’re up to $422,000.
“It’s not been easy,” he said, “but with hard work and dedication we’ve been able to do many things around here to keep the community members safe.”
Watson detailed the various purchases of firetrucks and other essential equipment as well as the change in membership and other milestones, like the start of the junior firefighter program. All of this, he said, couldn’t have been done without the cooperation of the company and the fire district working together to accomplish goals. Today, Watson said there are 460 active members.
Fire District Chairman Stephen Valyou talked about the challenges that have been overcome throughout the years, noting their biggest challenge has been keeping up with changing times.
Nevertheless, he said it was the district’s aim to provide the best equipment to keep members safe so they could protect the community.
“We try to work together to get the best that we can with the means that we have,” Valyou said. “I think overall we’ve been able to stay ahead.”
Offering a commemoration and appreciation to the company on behalf of the town, North East town Supervisor Chris Kennan said one of his goals as supervisor is to help keep the community unified, and he praised the fire company and fire district for being a unifying force. Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver (R-19) explained it was incumbent on every fire company member to recruit volunteers, “because we need it, ladies and gentlemen, we need that service in our community… It’s the most gratifying thing you can do for your community.”
Taking the microphone in hand, Morrison announced the dedication of plaques that would be hung on the company’s equipment in honor of members past and present. Truck 51-13 was dedicated to the company’s Truck Committee (which included Morrison and nine other members) while Truck 51-11 was dedicated to past members Bob McGhee and Gary Fenn, both of whom have passed away. The tanker was dedicated to Dick DeWitt, Willie Oles, Russell Palmer, H. Lee Miller and Howard Brusie Jr., and the rescue truck was dedicated to John and Lou Schultz and Dave VanDebogart. The brush truck was dedicated to Tony Piscitello while the Tahoe was dedicated to former Rescue Squad Captain Walter Bernitt.
The utility truck used for traffic control and pulling the company’s ATVs was dedicated to Silvernail, whom Morrison said has 71 years of active service in the company. The ceremony’s audience gave Silvernail a standing ovation.
Surprising the company, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced the county’s 2022 budget will now allow fire companies to apply to the Municipal Investment Grant Program and that he and Pulver worked to add $1 million to the pool to help volunteer companies county wide. On behalf of all those who call Dutchess County home, Molinaro thanked company members past and present.
At the ceremony’s end, the community was invited to take a tour of the new Annex, enjoy live music and other activities, and learn more about volunteering.
From left, Millerton Fire Company President Lenny Morrison, with help from Fire Chief Jason Watson, announced the dedication of plaques to be hung on the company’s fire equipment in honor of company members past and present. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle.
From the end of a firetruck’s ladder, an American flag was hung and could be seen swaying above the Annex where the Open House was held Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle.
From left, Millerton Fire Company President Lenny Morrison, with help from Fire Chief Jason Watson, announced the dedication of plaques to be hung on the company’s fire equipment in honor of company members past and present. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle.
"They had this in mind from last year," girls varsity head coach Les Funk of Pine Plains said. Funk said the young team wanted the sectional title and "never gave up," until they won it Wednesday, March 5, at Mount Saint Mary College.Photo by Nathan Miller
Naveah Rennie, no 34 of Pine Plains, was the Bombers' dominant scorer, racking up 20 points by the end of the matchup against S.S. Seward Institute during the Section IX Class C finals at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 5.Photo by Nathan Miller
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC