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The current conflict in the Mideast that began on Oct. 7, 2023, involving Israel, Hamas, the Palestinians, Hezbollah and Lebanon continues to show up daily on the news front. The war in Ukraine equally puts a prominent news focus on what next month will be a three-year long invasion by Russia. Both stories fight for our attention every day. Now we have a third dominant news story, the inauguration of a new president who is testing the boundaries of the presidency.

Digesting the steady stream of all this news has become a complex process, requiring that we summon and revisit a knowledge of history, that we strive for a fair footing with regard to political viewpoints and try not to rush to judgment, while not forgetting our humanity and what that means. These are not simple times. It’s not easy to settle for an ‘it is what it is’ stance.

In terms of total vote for president across the country, the tally differed by a little more than a percentage point (1.47%). In other words, while half of Americans who voted for change might be applauding the flood of executive orders coming from the White House, the other half expresses dismay.

Just as political polarization remains consistently high in the United States, civility in American society is on the decline. We must remember that we are a community. We should protect that community by acknowledging differences of opinion, recognizing that our worth as a community comes from the respect we grant each other.

This newspaper isn’t covering the war in Ukraine or the Mideast conflict or the White House. It is covering our Dutchess County communities, and our goal is to report the news of our communities accurately and fairly, and to foster the free flow of information and opinion. And we put a premium on civility for the sake of our own community.

Latest News

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

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Wassaic Project opens new gallery space in historic Gridley Chapel
Samuelle Green turned paper, wire, and glue into a honeycombed hive at Wassaic Project’s Maxon Mills in Wassaic.
Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project started its 2026 season in style on Saturday, May 16, with an exhibition that featured 39 artists whose work was showcased at its flagship Maxon Mills location and plans for its new space at Gridley Chapel.

The chapel, which was erected in 1873 and is located across the street from Maxon Mills, is a recent addition to the Wassaic Project.

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Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Last Week’s Question

What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?

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Millbrook approves Thorne Building renovations
The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.
Archive photo

MILLBROOK — A long-vacant landmark in the center of the village is one step closer to a major transformation after the Planning Board unanimously approved renovation plans for the historic Thorne Building on Monday, May 18.

The project, proposed by the Millbrook Community Foundation, would convert the former school building — vacant for roughly two decades — into the new Thorne Center, a multi-use arts and community hub designed to host performances, educational programming, music instruction and public events.

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Memorial Day paraders brave wet weather

A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.

Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

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Amenia to split rail trail maintenance with county
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — The Town of Amenia has approved a shared maintenance agreement for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail with Dutchess County and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.

Town Board members accepted the agreement by unanimous vote at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, May 21.

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