PINE PLAINS — Hailed by many for their patience and perseverance, the Stissing Mountain Class of 2020 was at last rewarded for their hard work with the graduation ceremony they had been waiting for these last few months on Sunday evening, July 12.
“We waited patiently to give the students the best graduation ceremony we could given the circumstances,” said Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School Principal Tara Grieb, “and I believe that patience paid off. We are so happy for them.”
Yet just when the district anticipated smooth sailing for its long-awaited graduation ceremony, inclement weather prompted the district to postpone the ceremony date on Friday, July 10, and then the rain date on Saturday, July 11. Graduates, families and faculty members breathed a sigh of relief when the weather cooperated on Sunday, and they proceeded to move ahead with the ceremony that evening.
Graduation was closed, limited to graduates, a handful of administrators, the necessary district staff and two seats per graduate’s family. The ceremony was also live streamed to the district website at www.ppcsd.org. By the stroke of 6:30 p.m., the graduates were ready to accept their diplomas.
With the music of “Pomp and Circumstance” starting to swell, the graduates stepped onto the football field behind Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, dressed in their Bomber blue graduation caps and gowns. In the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, they maintained a 6-foot distance from one another as they advanced onto the field in the direction of their seats, also set 6 feet apart.
Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler welcomed all, and recognized the challenges this year’s graduates faced in the last three months of their senior year — from the outbreak of COVID-19 to having their graduation date postponed by Tropical Storm Fay — and all they had missed out on. Handler commended the Class of 2020 on their perseverance.
“Whatever came their way, they bounced back,” he said.
Handler added he admired their resilience, character and patience.
“I am so proud of this class, the Class of 2020, and I’ll remember you folks always,” he proclaimed.
Though he took a moment to acknowledge “the elephant on the field” in terms of what his class had missed out on, essayist Timothy Roach II shared the memories he said he’ll cherish from his time in the Pine Plains Central School District, amusing the crowd with anecdotes about his classmates and stories of all the little mishaps they shared.
“Even with an outcome like this, there is still a silver lining,” Timothy said. “We may not have the memories of our senior trip, I may not be getting the proper pandemic-free graduation, but what I do have is the memories that got me to where I am now, the times that built all of us from the ground up.”
“We’re finally getting our outdoor graduation,” valedictorian Leah Schmid declared. “All it took was a global pandemic.”
Even as she acknowledged all that they had lost from their senior year, Leah shared her admiration in seeing how the graduates had made their families proud and created an unbreakable tie among each other.
After reflecting on the lessons he learned as a Stissing Mountain student and admiring the Class of 2020’s diverse population of athletes, scholars, musicians, artists and activists, salutatorian Ryan Marino said, “These unexpected circumstances have shown what my peers and I have known all along: That the Class of 2020 is the best class at Stissing Mountain and will go on to great things.”
Turning the crowd’s attention to the current tensions surrounding racial injustice and inequality, essayist Mikayla Quinn reminded her fellow graduates, their families and the faculty of the ways they could engage in the evolving call for change.
“I know this may not be the right time or place to talk about this,” she said, “but it is always the right time and place for these conversations.”
At long last, it was time for the graduates to accept their diplomas, officially closing the book on their time as Pine Plains scholars. For each name that was announced, graduates savored their moment in the spotlight and the celebration of their labors of the last four years.
“Ladies and gentleman, this is the Class of 2020,” Grieb announced, and the crowd went wild as they rose from their seats to applaud the new graduates.
Leila Hawken
Tiffany Zezula, deputy director of the Pace Land Use Law Center of White Plains, presents early results of a survey of Amenia residents on their desires for local parks and recreation during a forum at Webutuck High School on Saturday, June 13. Residents were invited to hear a preliminary report on the ongoing study sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Commission to assist with charting the future of recreation and parks in Amenia.
AMENIA — Residents would like to see more amenities, programming and access at Amenia’s parks and recreational sites, according to preliminary results from a town recreation survey presented Saturday, June 13.
A status report was presented at the Webutuck High School auditorium on Saturday, June 13, by Engaging Amenia planning consultants from Pace Land Use Law Center of White Plains.
Reviewing highlights from the survey, Tiffany Zezula, deputy director of the Pace program, said 116 residents — about 3% of Amenia’s population — have completed the questionnaire to date. Full-time residents accounted for 88% of respondents, while 32% were age 65 or older.
Among respondents, 77% reported traveling to one of the town’s 12 recreational sites by car.
The most frequently visited destination was the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, prompting discussion about the need for additional parking. Residents also said that they would like to see the addition of benches along the rail trail.
Respondents also said they would also favor community gardens, more picnic areas, and provision for waterway access and even swimming throughout the area.
There are low-cost programs that might be easily implemented, such as birdwatching groups, historic walking tours, or walking/hiking clubs, Zezula said.
“This is going to facilitate the conversation,” said town councilmember Nicole Ahearn about the survey’s outcomes.
Zezula said the survey is intended to complement work already underway by the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee as it evaluates the future of parks and recreation in Amenia.
Residents can still participate in the survey through June 30. Judy Moran, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, has arranged a display at the Amenia Library where residents can review planning materials and submit comments.
A final report is expected in July, Zezula said.
Preliminary results of the study can be viewed at www.engagingamenia.com.
Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Plans for new apartments on South Center Street are facing uncertainty over parking regulations in the Village of Millerton.
The buildings have a total of four apartments located at 26-32 South Center St, though only three have been occupied in recent years. Owner Alex Magalhaes described plans to renovate the interior of the building and utilize the empty unit.
Planning Board members raised a concern over available parking. They noted that village code requires 1.5 off-street spaces per residential unit. The property currently has no off-street parking and owner Magalhaes said there’s no room to install additional parking.
Magalhaes explained that apartment residents would use the municipal parking lot across South Center Street.
“When we first purchased, it had in the lease that we can use the parking,” Magalhaes said.
Dutchess County owns that lot, prompting questions from Planning Board members about whether that’s permissible and under whose authority.
Board Chair Andrew Rebillard, along with board member Kevin Webb, doubted the Planning Board had the authority to permit parking in that lot.
“I would propose that we get guidance from counsel,” Webb said. “To see what our ability is here.”
Webb asked if the property could fit additional off-street spaces. Magalhaes said the property has space for a small driveway in the northwest corner, but there was not any additional space for cars.
Despite the uncertainty, board members voted to set a public hearing on the plans for their next meeting on Wednesday, July 8. That meeting is expected to happen barring news from the county that the lot can’t be used for residential parking.
“It doesn’t sound like it’s something that’s going to stop this project,” Rebillard said. “Rather just make it take longer.”
Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — The North East/Millerton Climate Smart Task Force is seeking participants for a community-wide flea market set to coincide with Millerton’s 175th celebration.
The community-wide flea market will run throughout Millerton, with Eddie Collins Memorial Park serving as a central hub. Spaces at the park are available or sellers can run a sale at their own homes.
The market effort is set to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week-long celebration’s first day on Saturday, July 11.
Task force member Kathy Chow described the flea market as an opportunity to rehome old possessions without sending them to a landfill, reducing waste and building a sense of community. She said the group is in need of interested sellers.
“The Climate Smart purpose for doing this is to help people repurpose stuff that they already have,” Chow said. “To cut down on waste and all the stuff that we throw away, and even the unnecessary storage that we have.”
For a $10 registration fee, sellers that sign up by June 30 either get a space at Eddie Collins Memorial Park to set up a display or a marker on the map of flea market vendors across town.
A third option is to give items away for free. Residents that aren’t interested in running a tag sale at home or a flea market space at the park are encouraged to place free items at the end of their driveways for passersby to take.
More information on the town-wide flea market is available online at villageofmillerton.gov/175th.
“It’s a terrific, feel-good activity,” Chow said. “Everybody loves getting rid of their stuff and finding new homes for it.”
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Graham Corrigan
PINE PLAINS — The Planning Board unanimously approved the environmental review for a proposed storage facility expansion and farm stand at 2818 Church St. during its meeting Wednesday, June 10.
The property, located across from the high school, would expand the neighboring Stissing Storage business. Steve Hobson of HTWO Properties presented updated site plans that include additional storage units at the rear of the lot and a free-standing farm stand near the road.
Since first presenting the project in January, Hobson has made several revisions to the proposal. A row of Green Giant Arborvitae have been planted on the property’s north side to screen the additional storage units. A fence will be replaced along the south side, and a right-of-way for pedestrian traffic to the school has been added from the dead end at Nine Partners Lane.
More parking spaces were also added to Hobson’s plans. The next phase will include the demolition of an existing structure on the property, which will be replaced by storage units. Hobson says pending final approval from the county and a site visit from the New York Department of Transportation, he hopes to have the demolition done and new concrete laid before year’s end.
Leila Hawken
Artistic talent is on display at the Fountains’ Summer Art Show, which opened Thursday, June 11. The exhibition features works by several residents and drew a strong turnout of artists and guests, who were welcomed on opening day by art instructor Ellen O’Shea.
MILLBROOK — There is no shortage of talent at The Fountains in Millbrook evidenced by the opening of the Summer Art Show on Thursday, June 11.
Works of several residents are on display in the Gallery for the coming weeks.
Resident Shirley Fernekes is one of the featured artists with several paintings on display, selected to show the breadth of her works over a lifetime. Included are depictions of wildlife, seascapes and New England scenes, reflective of her travels. She recalled beginning in acrylics before switching to her preference for oils and watercolors.
“I’ve always been painting…all my life,” Fernekes explained, having attended Wooster and Silvermine art academies for her studies.
Her work has brought several awards, including recognition by the Connecticut-based Kent Art Association.
“It’s almost like I can’t not do it,” said resident artist Gail Curcio whose father Theodore Wheldon was an accomplished artist, as was her grandfather.
“I’m thrilled with the art classes and Ellen’s encouragement,” Curcio said, speaking of Fountains art instructor Ellen O’Shea who mounted the exhibit.
“The talent is fantastic. Everyone is very interested in learning,” O’Shea said of the show, noting that all are welcome to join in art classes or work on their own. Several works were included that were by six resident artists who are improving with good results. They are Lucy Johnson, Margaret Cornell, Reiko Ramsey, Graham and Sheila Attlesey and Mary Kay Blasi.
The Fountains houses a significant presence of talent, including in the visual arts. The Summer Art Show that opened on Thursday, June 11, features the works of several residents, accomplished in interpreting the world around them. The opening was well-attended by residents and friends.Photo By Leila Hawken
Millerton News
TACONIC — Richard McGriff died unexpectedly on May 16, 2026. This is a collection of loving reminiscences.
With a smile like that and a laugh like that and a soul like that, how could you not love him? Macey Levin and Gloria Miller
Richard McGriff knew about loyalty and honor; he practiced them both. He was a good friend and he will be missed. Dick Boyle
Whenever I saw Richard I asked how are you doing and he always replied, “Can’t complain because nobody wants to hear it.” I would always reply “I’ll listen, not that I’m going to do anything about it,” and we would laugh every time. Janet Hodgson
Rich had a wonderful tenor voice. We talked about starting an “oldies but goodies doo-wop” group as we both knew the words to a lot of those songs, but it never happened. John Hebdavny
Somebody shouting, “Hey Rev!” as they drove by. Turning around, it was a delight to see Richard waving exuberantly from his car! John Carter
Whenever I got to talk with Richard - I simply found optimism again, not only possible, but likely. The world was a better place with Richard in it. I sorely miss him. Paul DePaolo
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Richard. He was a warm and kind person and had a beautiful singing voice. Mike Mangini
He’d drive through town, see me at my coffee, blow the horn, call my name. It could just make my afternoon. Peter Fitting
There’s Hope and Crosby. There’s Rich and Macey. Rich and Macey put on a better show. Bill Anstett
Richard had an indomitable spirit and a positive outlook that made me feel better simply by being in his presence. Mark Shearer
We knew Richard only to say hello as he drove by, when we saw him at the P.O. Always with a smile, always with an “upbeat” comment to make.... just a really nice man who helped to make Taconic Road a place where we are happy to live. Joel and Terry Cohen
We will always remember Richard’s kindness and the familiar sight of him driving past our house each day to pick up the newspapers. He will be missed on Taconic Road. Bobby Graham & Matt Marden
Richard was such a lovely man. He always had a smile and a laugh for you. Although, if I was working outside, he would always hit the horn as he drove by and scare the crap out of me! Karen Bibro
We will miss you, Richard, and the genuine kindness and warmth you brought into our lives. Jeff Holt & Jillian Cleary
Always a smile on his face. Michael Kahler
Richard’s exuberant personality always brightened our day. His cheerfulness and charm blessed all around him. Ismael Ginouves
Great sense of humor, always kind and generous. He got us tee shirts that said “Be kind to your cashier!” Dawn Prince (LaBonne’s Market)
Richard was a fashion icon with the kindest heart and most beautiful soul and I feel privileged to have had him in my life. Ashley Radcliffe
He was a man who carried a constant smile, known for his warmth, humor, and truly positive spirit. I’ll always cherish our dinners at The Woodlands—his joy for life was contagious. Kelley Smith-Hull
What I loved most about Richard was he had a genuine interest in people. I will miss our encounters around town but take comfort that he is with his Dorothy. I’m truly overjoyed that he came into my life. Roger Crain
He was the kindest, fairest, caring and curious of humans. When I last saw him he left in laughter and smiles. There is a space I will hold for him.” Aimée D Davis
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