Jingle All The Way, Thru parade

PINE PLAINS — The Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center campus was bursting with Christmas cheer on Friday, Dec. 11, as the Pine Plains Elementary PTA hosted a Jingle All The Way, Thru holiday drive-thru parade for district students and their families. 

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., a steady stream of students and their families navigated their cars through the Seymour Smith parking lot, where holiday displays of all shapes and sizes were set up, featuring different traditions from the holiday season. 

From the holiday-themed banners hanging off the fence surrounding the playing fields to the Hanukkah station to Bee Bee the Clown’s Mrs. Claus station to the Grinch driving an ATV, the parade offered an abundance of holiday cheer for those driving along the parade route. 

School district staff and families also pitched in, adding to the festivities by decorating their vehicles and waving to those passing by. Some of the participants handed out treats and others dressed up for the occasion. 

As spectators made their way through the parade, the Pine Plains Elementary PTA encouraged students and their families to consider writing letters to residents in local nursing homes; the PTA even provided a drop box for any outgoing holiday cheer.

— Kaitlin Lyle

With help from their families, members of the Pine Plains Central School District’s Transportation Department waved to families driving by a brightly decorated school bus. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

From left, with that timeless tune, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” playing out of their car’s speakers, Jaylen, Teyden and Alyssia Beliveau paid homage to the holiday song by decorating their Jeep as a reindeer with Maliah (front and center) playing the role of Grandma. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Emilia Ross waved to those passing by, along with her mother, Pine Plains Transportation Supervisor Lauren Ross, and her King Cavalier, Samantha. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

With help from their families, members of the Pine Plains Central School District’s Transportation Department waved to families driving by a brightly decorated school bus. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Police Department has received two new patrol cars to replace vehicles destroyed in the February 2025 fire at the Village Water and Highway Department.

The new Ford Interceptors are custom-built for law enforcement. “They’re more rugged than a Ford Explorer,” said Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik, noting the all-wheel drive, heavy-duty suspension and larger tires and engine. “They call it the ‘Police Package.’”

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

The main entrance to Kent Hollow Mine at 341 South Amenia Road in Amenia.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia residents and a Wassaic business have filed suit against the Town Board and Kent Hollow Inc., alleging a settlement between the town and the mine amounts to illegal contract zoning that allows the circumvention of environmental review.

Petitioners Laurence Levin, Theodore Schiffman and Clark Hill LLC filed the suit on Aug. 22. Town officials were served with documents for the case last week and took first steps in organizing a response to the suit at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.

Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.

Keep ReadingShow less