One Cream Studio: A skincare destination in Millerton

Virag Mate-Kovacs at One Cream Studio in Millerton.
Natalia Zukerman
Virag Mate-Kovacs at One Cream Studio in Millerton.
Located in the warm and welcoming multi-use building at 1 John Street in Millerton, One Cream Studio offers a personalized approach to skincare and self-care, led by Virag Mate-Kovacs, a highly skilled aesthetician with years of international experience.
Mate-Kovacs began her career in Budapest after graduating from a prestigious beauty academy in 2006. After years of honing her craft, she moved to Manhattan in 2010 to expand her skills and experiences.
“It was always my dream to come here (to the States), to make my life more interesting,” Mate-Kovacs recalled. Her time in New York City was busy and fulfilling, working in upscale spas with a variety of clients, including notable celebrities.
In 2021, Mate-Kovacs and her family relocated to Lakeville, seeking a quieter lifestyle. This change gave her the opportunity to open One Cream Studio in 2023, combining her expertise and passion into a business that reflects her vision for customized, thoughtful skincare treatments.
One Cream Studio offers a range of skincare services, from rejuvenating facials to advanced treatments using state-of-the-art machines. Mate-Kovacs takes pride in tailoring her services to individual needs. Her early work in Hungary focused on men’s skincare, which gave her a deep understanding of diverse skin concerns. “European men really take care of their hair, facials, nails—it’s a priority for their lifestyle,” she explained.
Over time, she has expanded her expertise to focus on women’s skincare as well, blending her knowledge with a unique perspective on holistic care. “People aren’t coming just for skin problems—they’re coming for their mental health as well. It’s a time for rest and personal conversations,” she shared.
Her approach has resonated with clients, from mothers in need of self-care to teenagers exploring skincare for the first time. Mate-Kovacs also understands the challenges of adapting treatments to local conditions. “People’s skin here is a lot drier. People spend a lot more time outside here so there’s more eczema and rosacea because of the temperature differences,” she said, recommending heavier creams for hydration during the winter months.
Opening her business in Millerton has brought new opportunities and strong connections. “1 John Street is such a great spot,” said Mate-Kovacs, praising the Millerton Business Association and a local women’s business network started by Abigail Horace of Casa Marcelo in Salisbury for their support. “We’re helping each other, sharing information, and building each other up.”
Mate-Kovacs is no stranger to personal challenges. Born with hearing loss, she communicates mostly through lip-reading and text. Her speaking voice is clear, however, and she takes care to make sure she is communicating accurately. Her space is incredibly calming and welcoming; one wants to curl up and take a long, herbal-scented nap. “My favorite thing is when clients fall asleep during a treatment. It makes me happy because they’re finally relaxed,” she shared.
One of Mate-Kovacs’s biggest goals is to encourage clients to make time for themselves in their busy lives. “You are being touched, which is really so important,” she said. Her focus is on creating an environment where clients feel cared for and with services designed for both regulars and weekend visitors, One Cream Studio continues to grow as a go-to destination for expert skincare.
Bookings can be made on Instagram (@onecreamstudio) or www.onecreamstudio.com
An old-fashioned handshake finalized the transfer of ownership of the Gridley charcoal kilns to the Town of Amenia on Thursday, July 3. Restorer of the kilns Bernie Leighton represented owner Eric Bommer at the event. He is shaking hands with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman. Town Historian Betsy Strauss, center, spoke of the history and unveiled a new permanent sign detailing the site’s importance to the iron industry of the 19th century.
WASSAIC — Under sunny morning skies on the eve of July 4 Independence Day celebrations, a long-anticipated gift to the town of the historic Wassaic Charcoal Kilns became official. The transfer of the two restored 19th century stone kilns is now official after an on-site ceremony on Thursday, July 3.
The kilns, expertly restored by local resident Bernie Leighton, have been transferred to the town as a gift from Eric Bommer, owner of the Deep Hollow Preserve adjacent to the property.
Noting that 2025 marks the Bicentennial of the kilns that were built in 1825 by Noah Gridley, Town Historian Betsy Strauss invited everyone to plan to visit the site to learn more about the kilns and their importance to the early history of Amenia and the iron industry that thrived throughout the region.
“This is an historic place and this is an historic day,” “Three years ago, you would not have been able to see the kilns,” said Strauss, addressing an enthusiastic gathering of residents who witnessed the historic occasion.
“Noah was ‘the father of Wassaic,’” Strauss said. Noah had come to Amenia from the nearby town of North East. His father’s work was also within the charcoal industry. Noah’s one-of-a-kind kilns stood near Furnace Bank Road that led to the smelting furnace situated next to Wassaic Creek.
There are no kilns of this type and design anywhere in North America.
A sign detailing the history of the charcoal kilns and the recent restoration now stands at the site of the historic kilns on Deep Hollow Road just off Route 22 in Wassaic. The sign and restoration were part of an effort by the Amenia Historical Society and Bernie Leighton, who cleaned up the site and restored the kilns.Photo provided
Strauss thanked Eric Bommer for the gift and Bernie Leighton for his long years of diligent labor and care in 2022 and 2023.
Leighton spoke briefly, pleased that the site could be restored and saved.
Termed the kilns “the great pyramids of Amenia,” Town Supervisor Leo Blackman recalled first coming to Amenia.
“The area appealed to me,” Blackman said, noting that he saw the vestiges of industry in Wassaic, attractive to him because of his profession as a preservation architect.
“I watched the renovation of the kilns,” Blackman said, expressing gratitude to Leighton for his work.
“Betsy is tenacious and wonderful,” Blackman said in praise of Strauss. “I love the sign,” he added, noting that Betsy had researched and created the historic sign at the site to inform visitors about the kilns and the industry they supported.
“I’m honored to be standing here,” Blackman said.
“There would be no Wassaic without the Gridleys,” Strauss said. The railroad came in 1851, thanks to convincing Cornelius Vanderbilt to build the line to Wassaic.
Gail Borden came to take advantage of the railroad line. By 1887, the area’s iron industry was ending. Dairy farms had taken over, leading Borden to situate his plant nearby to manufacture condensed milk, a process he invented.
According to Blackman, the final approval before the transfer could take place came from the state environmental officials determining whether the ash deposits throughout the area were toxic, but as the site work has not disturbed the subsurface, approvals were issued.
Following the ceremony, Blackman commented that when the kilns were operating, the trees were pretty much gone, having been harvested for charcoal. Most of the oak trees in the area today have sprouted from oak stumps.
Leighton recalled that his work was to clear away the overgrown brush and vines and even remove trees from the site, long overgrown. He had to reset the stones in the kilns that he found were held in place by soil as mortar, giving rise to much of the overgrowth. He used an additional 15 tons of rock to make the repairs and 400 bags of concrete. There is an inner lining of rock and concrete within each kiln. He said he added shards of stone for stabilization.
“We want people to know the site is now open to the public,” Strauss said. The site will be open between April 1 and November 15 each year, from sunrise to sunset.
Everyone is encouraged to visit the site located on Deep Hollow Road just off Route 22, Strauss said. Individuals and any groups are welcome. School tours can be arranged.
The burned remnants of the Millerton water department building near Eddie Collins Park on Route 22.
MILLERTON — A State of Emergency notice posted to the Village of Millerton website on Thursday, July 3, referenced “a fire at the Village Highway Garage” and stated, “such conditions threaten the public safety of the citizens and residents of the Village of Millerton.”
Mayor Jenn Najdek clarified that the document is in reference to the February incident and that there was no new fire — the alert was simply a renewal of a 30-day emergency declaration approved by the Village Board in March.
“One of our two village wells is still not functioning due to damage from the original fire,” Najdek explained. “Typically, we alternate both wells, and the concern is overuse on the well mechanics.” If the current well fails, the village may face the expensive and logistically challenging task of trucking in water.
She explained that declaring a State of Emergency allows the village to respond more quickly to emergency infrastructure needs, such as hiring contractors or engineers, without going through the full public bidding process. The second well is expected to be operational by the end of the month.
Mayor Najdek also reassured residents that the village’s water supply remains safe.
“We are continually monitoring and testing the water, and we have not had any issues of contamination due to the fire,” she said. The village remains in regular communication with the Dutchess County Department of Health.
Louis W. Watterson, known as L.W. “Blue Water” Watterson, set the tone with folk, soul and blues music.
MILLERTON — The North East Community Center Farmers Market drew another big crowd on Saturday, July 5, just one week after Main Street buzzed with activity during the first-ever Millerton Street Fair, hosted by The Millerton News.
“Since the sun has been out, we’ve really seen an increase in folks coming out to join us,” said Katie Cariello, NECC’s food program coordinator. Cariello runs the weekly market and has brought her own flair to Saturdays in downtown Millerton.
North East Community Center Food Program Coordinator Katie Cariello said the sunshiny summer weather has brought a surge in attendance at the Farmers Market.Photo by Aly Morrissey
This month, the market is celebrating “Picnic Month,” inviting visitors to “BYOB” — Bring Your Own Blanket, that is. With live music, colorful flower stands, local produce, vegan treats and handmade crafts, the market has become a laid-back summer staple.
“Folks are just enjoying the weather and hanging out,” Cariello said. “We’re seeing a lot of new faces, which is exciting, but our usual crowd is here, too.”
Looking ahead, August’s theme will be “Dog Days of Summer.” On the first Saturday of the month, organizers hope to welcome adoptable pups from Animal Farm Foundation to join in the fun.
AMENIA — For residents considering adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit within their homes or perhaps converting garage space to create an apartment, the Amenia Housing Board has announced a new grant program to begin soon.
The new program titled PlusOne ADU being introduced in Dutchess County will become active on July 14. Residents can complete an interest form by visiting the Town of Amenia website. The program is administered through Hudson River Housing.
Eligible homeowners can receive a grant of up to $112,500 plus technical assistance to create a new accessory dwelling unit or improve existing units. To qualify, the homeowner must fall within 120% of the Adjusted Median Income for Dutchess County.
Grant funding can be used to plan, design and build an ADU, the intent being to create more affordable housing opportunities, provide opportunity for property owners and promote long-term community stability. Provisions of the program stipulate that the homeowner must build or upgrade an ADU at their primary residence and use the new unit for year-round housing only. A family member is allowed to occupy the new unit. No short-term or vacation rentals are permitted.
Information is available from the Housing Board or by contacting Jordan Schinella, Community Development Manager at Hudson River Housing. To learn more, contact Schinella at Jschinella@hudsonriverhousing.org.