PINE PLAINS — Touched by the full-hearted community effort organized by Willow Roots and its many volunteers, the faith of Pine Plains residents in their community was amplified as they watched countless local organizations, businesses and individuals join together to make spirits bright at the food pantry’s third annual Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 19.
Organized by Willow Roots’ holiday events coordinator Dani Nicholson, the event ran from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parking lot behind The Stissing Center (TSC) on Church Street (Route 199). Willow Roots was blessed with an afternoon of sunshine and spirit in equal measures.
Whether those who came for the free meals drove through to pick up their food or ambled around the parking lot, visitors were instantly overtaken by the sense of community spirit.
Families had the option of staying to savor the holiday meals and festivities among friendly faces or taking them to go.
Their hands hovering over the warmth of a fire pit, a group of carolers supplied music as they sang seasonal favorites with gusto.
Willow Roots Vice President Brett McCormack and FORM + LIGHT Founder Sarah Rigano offered visitors on foot and in vehicles artful branches of natural greens as festive symbols of hope to add to their homes for the holidays.
As motorists advanced forward, they were greeted warmly by volunteers who offered them hot chocolate donated by Ronnybrook Farm; cookies donated by the “Cookie Fairies” from various churches in town; and presents in brightly colored bags arranged by Robert Burden.
“It’s a good little event and the cars keep on coming,” observed Jack Banning, an avid advocate of Willow Roots and one of the masterminds behind TSC.
Meals cooked with skill and crafted with a wide-ranging menu were provided by talented local chefs from Champetre, Cider Brothers Roadhouse, Farmer’s Wife, Lia’s Mountain View, Moose on the Loose and Tower Restaurant. Altogether, Willow Roots Co-Founder Lisa Zayas counted 181 dinners served at Sunday’s party.
Making an early appearance in town before Christmas Day, Santa Claus (thanks to his close friend, Rich Jewitt, manager at Stewart’s Shop) and Buddy the Elf (thanks to his close friend, David McGill, shift manager at Stewart’s) visited with local children to give away some gifts before the big day.
“It’s amazing: Every effort you see here, there’s a human behind it,” McCormack said, “and we believe that’s what it’s about — creating a community. There are so many helpers, it would be impossible to name them all.”
The list of volunteers and organizations that made this year’s holiday party possible was seemingly endless, as was the community’s appreciation for all that Willow Roots does to uplift and support them, with free food distribution at 7730 South Main St. in Pine Plains from 10 to 11 a.m. on the first, third and fourth Saturdays of each month.
“I think the most important thing is to care about each other and show up for your neighbors and your community from a place of hope,” Rigano said.
“It’s all about the community,” Jewitt said from behind his Santa beard. “For me, it’s about the kids and the community, especially with COVID-19 and everything that’s been happening the last couple of years.”
“Willow Roots does such a fantastic job in the community in all the things they do and the events they do in the community,” Jewitt said. “Everything the whole town does to come together is amazing, and that’s what small-town living is all about.”
To contact the food pantry, email willowrootsinc@gmail.com or call 518-751-0164.
Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.
AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.
“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.
“Megan’s job is not an easy one,” Blackman said, honoring Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent who has served the town for 20 years.
Also among those honored was Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner for 20 years of service as Court Clerk.
Maureen Moore, Court Clerk, was also honored in absentia for her 20 years of town service.
In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.
AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.
A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.
As with the first historic market installation at the Old Amenia Burying Ground, held in April, Amenia Union Cemetery graves of Revolutionary War veterans had been marked with American flags in advance.
Jim Middlebrook, representing the Columbia Mid-Hudson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, attended along with other members of his chapter. Speaking before the unveiling, Middlebrook said that the historic marker project had begun in August 2024, and included a detailed process to certify the names on the graves.
Middlebrook described the work of the William C. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse whose mission is to promote “pride of place” by providing grants in support of installing historic markers and plaques nationwide to honor patriots for their service. Active now in seven or eight states, Middlebrook said, the foundation will soon add Connecticut and Massachusetts to the list.
The new Amenia Union marker honors “at least five veterans of the American Revolution interred between 1787 and 1810,” although Town Historian Betsy Strauss lists six veterans buried in the cemetery. The sixth, Gerhard Winegar, whose burial had been in 1781 could not fully satisfy the certification standards.
Strauss provided the following listing of six names:
Col. Colbe Chamberlain, 1739-1796
Capt. William Chamberlain, 1745-1810
Lieut. Samuel Snyder, 1712-1808
Gerhard Winegar, 1750-1781
Ensign Henry Winegar, 1723-1787
Capt. William Young, 1747-1806
Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.
MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.
Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.
“The Millerton Street Fair will celebrate everything we love about this community — its spirit, its dedication to service and its creative energy,” said James Clark, publisher and CEO of The Millerton News.
Local nonprofits will showcase their work and impact, including Climate Smart Millerton, Eddie Collins Memorial Park, North East Historical Society, Townscape, Tri-Corner FEED, Village of Millerton, and the Webutuck Elementary School.Participating businesses include Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT, The Elephant’s Tusk, and many more.Local retail and dining establishments will be open with special promotions. NECC’s Farmer’s Market will run during the event.
Among the planned festivities are live music from John Stey and the Resilience Brass Band, performances from Bee Bee the Clown, face painting by students from Webutuck High School, and a community-wide scavenger hunt for kids.Other kids’ activities include egg and spoon races, and a “touch-a-truck” open house at the firehouse.The Irondale Schoolhouse will be hosting a special exhibit, and the North East-Millerton Library will be offering signups for the Summer Reading Program, a science show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lawn games, and a cookie cook-off.
For more information, go to millertonnews.com/street-fair.
The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.
MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.
For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.
The second talk, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m., invites Carl Lounsbury of the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg to speak on the architecture of the Nine Partners Meetinghouse. His talk is titled, “Nine Partners Meetinghouse Plan: A New Form in the Hudson Valley.” Expert in early American architecture, Lounsbury’s talk will compare Nine Partners with other later houses of worship in New York and New England.
Both lecture events will be held at the 1780 brick Nine Partners Quaker Meetinghouse in Millbrook. An earlier meetinghouse on the site had burned. The building has remained largely unchanged since the 18th century.
Given the age of the structure, handicapped access is limited and there are no rest room facilities.
Visitors should enter through the cemetery gate entrance.
The lectures are free and open to all, supported by a grant from the county and offered as part of Dutchess County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.
