Musing on summertime

It’s been a good summer thus far in this area other than brief skirmishes with moles and rabbits invading our vegetable and flower gardens, minimal adverse weather and the usual turmoil of owning a home and property. Rewards of fresh vegetables now supplement our meals.

Usually days require light clothing, morning sweatshirts or sweater. Don’t forget long sleeves, hat and sunscreen for prolonged exposure to the sun. Those rays look delightful and enticing but can be dangerous if precautions are not taken.

We were delighted to learn our granddaughter qualified for the national swimming finals at Ocala, Florida,and have been attentively watching simulcasts of her races. In Ocala.A variety of birds have had successful hatches and hummingbirds seem to be in over abundance. Their feeders require daily cleaning and filling. Their flight antics and near mid-air collisions are fascinating to watch and often make me conjure ‘if only our military developed a fighter plane with flight capability of a hummingbird it would be invincible’. Baby sitting a couple of independent thinking pugs has kept us occupied, amused and at times frustrated.

The fringe growth of our property is receding and soon ready for brush-hogging to control overgrowth.

My thoughts are turning to fall events: Great stream and river fishing beckons as does our yearly reunion of The Rounders of Riga at deer camp (More on that later).

Legion and Firehouse breakfasts are opening to the public, usually on Sunday mornings. Where locals and ever increasing neighboring towns public enjoy socializing and a fulfilling sit-down meal or grab some take-outs for themselves or those unable to attend.

God bless you faithful and patriotic readers and your families. Enjoy the remainder of summer and the upcoming delightful fall season. Til next time.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851. in North Canaan, Connecticut.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Stanford home market sees nine sales in July and August

Built in 1820, 1168 Bangall Amenia Road sold for $875,000 on July 31 with the transfer recorded in August. It has a Millbrook post office and is located in the Webutuck school district.

Christine Bates

STANFORD — The Town of Stanford with nine transfers in two months reached a median price in August of $573,000 for single family homes, still below Stanford’s all-time median high in August 2024 of $640,000.

At the beginning of October there is a large inventory of single-family homes listed for sale with only six of the 18 homes listed for below the median price of $573,000 and seven above $1 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
Out on the trail
Nathan Miller

Hunt club members and friends gathered near Pugsley Hill at the historic Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia for the opening meet of the 2025-2026 Millbrook Hunt Club season on Saturday, Oct. 4. Foxhunters took off from Wethersfield’s hilltop gardens just after 8 a.m. for a hunting jaunt around Amenia’s countryside.

Millbrook Library dedicates pollinator pathway garden

Joining in the fun at the dedication of the new pollinator pathway garden at The Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4, local expert gardener Maryanne Snow Pitts provides information about a planting to Lorraine Mirabella of Poughkeepsie.

Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Participating in a patchwork of libraries that have planted pollinator pathway gardens to attract insects and birds to their native plantings was one of the accomplishments being celebrated at the dedication of a new pollinator garden at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4.

“A lot of work went into it,” said Emma Sweeney, past President of the Millbrook Garden Club, who started the local library’s initiative two years ago.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia Town Board continues discussing board alternates

Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.

Nathan Miller

AMENIA — After gathering comments from the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, as it considers adding alternate members to those boards, the Town Board discussed possible changes to local laws governing those boards at its meeting on Friday, Oct. 3. The meeting date, usually on a Thursday, had been changed to accommodate a holiday.

In recent weeks Town Board attorney Ian Lindars has been compiling comments from the affected boards along with comments from the Town Board. The new laws may bring the appointment of two alternate members to each board. Alternate members are likely to be required to attend all meetings and be prepared to be seated if needed and be familiar with the applications being discussed. They would also need to take training required of all board members.

Keep ReadingShow less