Of bread trucks and muskrat pelts

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were com- piled by Kathleen Spahn, Vivian Sukenik, Nancy Vialpando and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

91 years ago:
February 1933

A six-pound baby daughter, Virginia Ellen, was born at 9 PM Monday, Feb. 6, at Sharon Hospital, to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Cornelius, of Millerton. So far as can be learned Miss Cornelius is the leading contestant from Millerton in the Baby Derby contest.

William J. Beardsley Jr., of Poughkeepsie, is in town every day supervising the alterations and repairs that are being made on the Millerton Inn.

50 years ago:
February 1974

As soon as a certified title search is completed, the Briggs House, on the corner of Maple Avenue and Parking Street will officially become the North East Town Hall.

The Millerton Fire Department will hold its 12th annual ball on February 16th at the Millerton Fire House. Dancing will be from 9AM to 1PM to the music of the Bill Patzwahl Trio. Tickets are $5 per couple.

25 years ago:
February 1999

“Community Snapshot: John Meyers”: John Meyers, a 90-year-old Millerton native, was born above what is now the Millerton Card and Coin Shop. [...] He started out working with his father as a carpenter and then began a 42-year career at the Borden’s milk plant in Millerton […] [As a child] He rode his horse into town to catch a movie, which cost only 10 cents. At that time, they had a piano player for silent movies. He was an accomplished hunter and trapper. A good muskrat pelt could fetch $2. He also collected ice during the winter, storing it in the ice house, covered with sawdust. Mr Meyers moved to Queens in 1935 when Borden’s moved, [returning to Millerton when he retired in 1970]. Mr Meyers never was a world traveler, but he has no regrets. “I have everything I want, I’d rather live here.”

“Northeast”: Two public hearings and discussions about a proposed $250,000 fire-rescue vehicle for the Millerton Fire Department are likely to be featured attractions of tonight’s town board meeting. […] The rescue vehicle could improve response time, especially since there is a shortage of manpower. At Sunday’s well-attended pancake breakfast, firemen displayed the 30-year-old bread truck which is currently used for rescue operations. According to Fire Chief Mike Segelken, the people who attended were supportive, “And we thank them for their support.”