Mrs. Roosevelt’s ‘OK’; enveloping dust storm; diner for sale

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

May 17, 1934

‘County Girl Scout Fund Campaign Wins Approval of Mrs. Roosevelt’; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the President, has pledged her approval and support of the Dutchess County Girl Scout Council’s fund campaign which is in progress this week. The first lady of the land is honorary president of the national Girl Scout organization.

Upon learning that the Girl Scout Council of her home county had no official director and was about to conduct a drive to raise money for employing one, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote the campaign committee a letter of encouragement immediately.

‘Dust Storm Passes Over This Section’; Hudson Valley Enveloped Friday; Believe Storm Came From Mid-West

Various parts of the Hudson Valley area, including this section, were enveloped by an unusual dust storm last Friday.

Believed to be similar to the dust storms which had been passing over the Middle West although of less intensity, the storm followed closely upon the heals of a violent rain and wind storm which passed through the Hudson Valley the night before.

The dust storm hung aloft at an altitude of between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, it was reported by officials of the Department of Commerce Airways station at New Hackensack.

May 15, 1975

‘Owner Puts Diner On The Market’; The Village Diner on Main Street, long a fixture in Millerton, is up for sale. Lois Shaffer of Millerton, the owner since 1973, has put the restaurant on the market for a price of $55,000.

Asked why she is selling, Shaffer said, “It’s too big an operation for me alone. I’m not a man and when this breaks and that breaks I have to get someone to fix it. It’s too much.” She also said she would like to spend more time with her children.

‘North East Votes Flood Insurance’; The North East Town Board, at its regular meeting last Thursday, voted to apply to the Federal Government for flood plain insurance.

May 18, 2000

‘New Weed Fighting Effort: Sterile Carp Put Into Rudd Pond’; NORTH EAST - New York state engineers and North East residents gathered last Wednesday at Rudd Pond and introduced 480 sterile carp, a measure described as a natural way to keep weeds at bay.

George Carmody, an engineer with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said the carp will enhance the pond for recreation use during summer months, though the effects may not be seen until next year.

The fish, about a foot in length, may grow to 50 to 60 pounds as they devour weeds, and eventually die off.

Over the past few years an aquatic harvester has reduced weed concentration in selected areas. Caretakers will continue to use the contraption on a limited basis.

Rudd Pond, along with hundreds of other lakes in the northeast, has gone through a natural process called “eutrophication.” Also known as “aquatic succession,” eutrophication occurs when nutrients leach into the lake and feed the growth of aquatic plants. The result is that the body of water eventually converts into a wetland or swamp.

The process is exacerbated by the tendency of milfoil, a non-native species, to rapidly proliferate.

Connecticut officials had raised concerns about the carp in the past, contending that the species significantly changes the ecosystem in which it lives. Connecticut had become involved because Rudd Pond drains into the Webatuck Creek, which becomes the Tenmile River near Wassaic and eventually drains into the Housatonic River.

To prevent migration, New York has erected screens at the pond’s outlet to Webatuck Creek, said Mr. Carmody.

‘Wellness Weekend: Walk, Run and Roll’; WEBUTUCK - The Webutuck Central Schools Drug and Alcohol Prevention Task Force will host a Wellness Weekend, Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities will include Walk, Run and Roll, a barbecue and a pick-up soft ball game.

Transportation via a shuttle bus from the Webutuck Junior-Senior High School to the Amenia entrance to the Rail Trail (Mechanic Street) will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Bring a baseball glove.

‘Jump Start Café Leaps onto Millerton Scene’; MILLERTON — A new deli and coffee shop set up shop early this week in Millerton, with a grand opening slated for this weekend.

The Jump Start Café opened Monday in Railroad Plaza in the storefront formerly occupied by the Manna Dew Café. Owner Maria Tamburrino said her grand opening this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include a live remote broadcast by WQQQ-FM.

Touted as “a kid-friendly place,” Jump Start has food that appeals to kids and grown-ups alike, but there is a small play area for children featuring a TV, VCR, book shelf and tiny chairs.

In addition to lunch fare, Jump Start offers a full assortment of breakfast items including bagels, muffins, doughnuts, pastries, cereals and egg-based sandwiches. Except for the doughnuts and bagels, the above items are baked fresh on the premises.