Pine Plains Memorial Day parade draws big crowds

PINE PLAINS —  Packed onto the sidewalk, hugging the shade and surpassing 200 in number, Pine Plains residents came out in force for Memorial Day. The main event was the parade, which began at the Pine Plains Fire House, stopped at the town clock, proceeded to the Evergreen Cemetery, and concluded at the Pine Plains American Legion Post No. 426.

Leading the parade were veterans, service people, and historical reenactors from all eras of American history, followed by the Stissing Mountain Junior High School band, and the Pine Plains FFA.

Leading a group of his military history students, outfitted in Revolutionary War garb, was Neil Murray, history teacher at Stissing Mountain, who delivered a speech outlining the long service record of the townspeople of Pine Plains. Emphasizing the important of “bringing history to life,” Murray described those historical figures as being “vivid with color, and with real lives, emotions, and experiences” beyond their service records.

Marie Stewart, director of operations at the Stissing Center and member of the town’s zoning board of appeals, directed the parade, led the flower-laying, and delivered remarks honoring those who “sacrificed their all” in service of the country, noting that Memorial Day is an opportunity to “celebrate their lives” and “pass down the stories of the fallen.”

From the town clock, the parade proceeded to the Evergreen Cemetery, where the flag was raised and a seven-gun salute delivered, and then on to the American Legion Post, where dedication was given by Post chaplain George Keeler.

Delivering a seven-gun salute at the flag raising at Evergreen Cemetery. Photo by Elias Sorich

The first of many World War II-era vehicles being driven by veterans and their families at the Pine Plains Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29. Photo by Elias Sorich

Stissing Mountain High School history teacher Neil Murray and members of his military history class in Revolutionary War garb. Photo by Elias Sorich

  
Delivering a seven-gun salute at the flag raising at Evergreen Cemetery. Photo by Elias Sorich
Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Giana Dormi, no. 3 of Pine Plains, and Michelle Blackburn, no. 12 of Pine Plains, put the pressure on Juliana Manginelli, no. 11 of Tuckahoe, as she tries to find a pass during the second round of the regional tournament at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. on Tuesday, March 11.

Photo by Nathan Miller

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — The Pine Plains Bombers were knocked out in second round of the Section IX regional tournament after a hard fought game against the Tuckahoe Tigers on Tuesday, March 11.

The Bombers won the tip and got off to an early lead, but the Tuckahoe Tigers outpaced them quickly and finished the game 59-25.

Keep ReadingShow less
basketball

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

Dan Aymar-Blair

Photo provided

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair released a special report early last week on federal monies and how they move through the county level, including the disbursement process in the county; how federal funding benefits Dutchess residents and whether any fiscal distribution issues have surfaced locally as a result of actions taken on behalf of the Trump administration.

According to Aymar-Blair’s report, federal programming represents roughly 10% of Dutchess expenditures, not including any COVID-19 assistance. As an illustration of federal- to county-level distribution and spending, in 2023, under the Biden administration, the county received approximately $65 million from the U.S. government with $25 million going toward direct aid in support of such programs as home energy assistance and food stamps. Federal monies were also disbursed — and continue to be directed — toward county-level agencies, programming and supports such as adoption, foster care and child care needs, emergency/disaster assistance, infrastructure development and maintenance, and workforce initiatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
government

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

The Stissing Center was bustling just before the show on Sunday, March 9.

Photo by Alec Linden

PINE PLAINS — The Stissing Center was packed on Sunday for an afternoon performance of podcast and NPR series “Selected Shorts.” The sold-out show, which was recorded for national broadcast at a later date, brought a lineup of four accomplished actors and storytellers to the Pine Plains stage to recite a selection of short stories from award-winning authors.

“Selected Shorts,” a product of Manhattan-based performing arts powerhouse Symphony Space, features prominent actors who recite works of short fiction. The full program usually revolves around a theme; Sunday afternoon’s focus was “transformations.”
Comedian, writer and actress Ophira Eisenberg — or “renaissance woman of storytelling,” as Stissing Center Executive Director Patrick Trettenero introduced her — assumed hosting duties, warming up the crowd with jokes about Brooklyn egg prices and doctors with self-esteem issues — “I want a megalomaniac with a god complex and no hobbies.”

Keep ReadingShow less
events

Amenia Board funds comprehensive plan update

Amenia Board funds comprehensive plan update
Town Hall in Amenia on Route 22.
Archive photo

AMENIA — Updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan will proceed following action by the Town Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 6, to provide funding for the services of professional town planning consultants.

The committee had suspended its work for several months feeling that its planning would benefit from expert planning advice.
By unanimous vote the Town Board agreed to allocate $37,500 to hire the services of Nexus Creative Design of Mount Kisco, New York, the collaborative arm of Pace University’s Land Use Law Center. Together, the planning experts will work with the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee to facilitate local forums, gathering and interpreting residents’ input regarding visions and aspirations for the town’s future.

Keep ReadingShow less
government