MILLERTON — A treasure trove of photos, papers, posters, portraits, primary sources, newspaper articles and other items representing 50 years of a loving stewardship of the heritage of the North East community is on display at the NorthEast-Millerton Library at 75 Main St. through the end of November.
According to Society president Ed Downey, when the group decided at the beginning of the year to recognize their 50th anniversary, they set the focus of the golden event on three aspects of the development of the organization.
Thinking first of those who came before — a natural thing for history buffs to do — Downey said they asked the questions: “Who were these people? What did they do? Why did they do it?”
A gleaning of the minutes of meetings throughout the years led to a recognition that what was accomplished over the years “was truly remarkable.”
Wanting to honor the “many people who made wonderful contributions” they focused on representing three in particular: Town Historian Chester Eisenhuth, and “Stanley Smith and his wife Marian Smith, who did a lot over a long period of time.”
Next, they recognized the importance of restoring community artifacts.
The first project being acknowledged by illustrations was accomplished in conjunction with the North East Fire Company, known at that time as the Fire Department, and involved the restoration of a 1892 fire hose cart, now stored at the Rhinebeck Fair Grounds, Downey said. After the water system was put in, “You would haul this to the location of the fire and then use the hose to hook it up to a nearby hydrant.”
The display also recognizes the work done by property owner Jonathan Finkle who, according to Downey, “found in his backyard something buried there. It turned out to be the old watering trough that used to be in the middle of the village.” Finkle and Smith excavated and, with the help of the Society, restored the trough and moved it to its present location on the Town Hall property.
Portraits of two members of the Winchell family, which played an important part in the development of the town, were also restored and are currently part of the display at the library.
The Society also works on telling the story of “things that were lost but which are important to us.”
One is an extensive history of the Maltby Furnace, researched and written by Eisenhuth and “with the editorial assistance of Marian Smith.” Downey notes that while the furnace is “long gone,” the work is illustrative of the iron ore industry here.
Finally on display and representing the Society’s preservation of primary source material are six volumes of business ledgers of Spencers’ Corner’s Wakeman Bradley from the 1820’s.
Downey notes that the organization, which encompasses history as far back as indigenous people who were here before the arrival of Europeans, welcomes new members who might wish to explore areas of interest including genealogy, archaeology, and particular time periods such as the American Revolution which Downey indicates will be of particular importance in the next ten years as the 250th anniversary approaches.
Despite the extensive display, Downey notes a good deal of material was omitted from the exhibit due to space limitations, and some of those omissions will be the basis for a talk he will present at the Society’s annual meeting at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Library Annex at 28 Century Blvd. Refreshments and a private tour of the display will follow. All are open to the general public as well as to the Society’s 200 members.
For further information, call the library at 518-789-3340 or write to eddowney12@gmail.com.
In an article in the Nov. 3 edition about the Northeast Historical Society, a restored 1892 fire horse cart was correctly identified in a photo caption but incorrectly described in the story text as a 1982 cart. Also, Marian Smith assisted in the writing of a history of the Maltby Furnace, not Betsy Strauss. In one instance, Marian Smith’s name was incorrectly spelled. In the article, the prior location of an old watering trough was in the middle of the village, not the town.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
