Post Office moves; flood hazard sanctions; oldest house razed
From the Archives: Thursday, April 3, 2025
From the Archives: Thursday, April 3, 2025
‘Millerton Post Office Moved; New Location Said to be Temporary’;
With a crew of carpenters and cleaners working overtime since Saturday converting the erstwhile saloon of the late Charles A. Corey into a semblance of quarters suitable for the temporary installation of the Millerton post office, sufficient progress was reported Tuesday morning to warrant the immediate removal of mail and equipment from the Shufelt building where the post office has been situated for the past twenty years.
While admitting that the new location was in no way suitable for post office occupancy, the post office inspector supervising the work Tuesday morning pointed out that it was merely temporary, and that a new brick building yet to be erected has been leased by the United States government for five years on the condition that it be ready for occupation by June 1, 1934.
As far as could be learned such arbitrary action by any government department is unprecedented in the history of the United States with the possible exception of a time of national emergency which no one has felt adequately describes the present situation, and the legality of the department’s action as well as the ethics of the case constituted the chief topic of discussion throughout the Village over the week-end.
‘About Millerton’; Mrs. Willard S. Vail was able to sit up Monday for a few minutes for the first time since Wednesday when she contracted a severe bronchial cold that for a time threatened to develop into pneumonia. Mrs. Vail is compelled to use a cane in moving about because of the bad sprain she suffered about two weeks ago when she fell part way down a flight of stairs.
William Masten has moved from the Hoysradt house in Railroad Street to the Clement Wiltsie place in Mill Street.
‘Former Millertonian In Match’; Pocket billiard enthusiasts will have an opportunity to witness an interesting contest Saturday night when William Rathbun, former Millertonian, will play an exhibition match with Frank Taberski, of Schenectady, veteran cue artist and former world’s champion, in the Masonic Temple in Poughkeepsie.
‘Flood Hazard Areas Face Federal Economic Sanctions’; State Environmental Conservation Regional Director Warren H. McKeon said this week that Millerton, Millbrook and other Dutchess County communities with flood hazard areas may shortly face Federal economic sanctions under provisions of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.
These communities are threatened with a loss of Federal aid for a wide variety of projects and activities in areas subject to flooding. Mortgage money for homes and business properties in these areas is also scheduled for termination if the communities do not join the National Flood Insurance Program before July 1 of this year.
‘Day Care Holds Raffle’; The Millerton Day Care Center is sponsoring a raffle, with the drawing for three prizes - a picnic basket, hibachi and an iron — set for Tuesday, April 22.
Tickets costing 25 cents per chance or $1 for a book of five, are being sold by parents of children enrolled in the Day Care Center.
‘Trap Shoot To Benefit Ambulance Fund’; The Millerton Gun Club will sponsor a trap shoot on Sunday, April 13, with all proceeds earmarked for the Millerton Ambulance fund. Grounds will open at noon, and refreshments and food, including barbecued chicken, will be available.
All “hot shots” are welcome, stresses Gun Club member Charlene Ahearn. Persons with questions are invited to contact Mrs. Ahearn at….
‘Grange Week Proclaimed’; Mayor-elect John L. Hermans Tuesday proclaimed the week of April 6-12 as “Grange Week” in Millerton, and urged all citizens to join him in honoring this worthy organization.
‘March Colder, Less Snowy’; Frank Paar, Millerton’s “weatherman,” has announced that March this year was colder and less snowy than the same period last year.
According to Mr. Paar, the temperature this March averaged 31.61 degrees, with only 2 inches of snow recorded, while March 1974 experienced a 33.74-degree average, with 6 inches of snow. The year 1972 saw the wintriest March: 10.5 inches of snow fell and the mercury averaged 31.16 degrees.
‘Sheriff’s Report’; Millerton Burglaries
The Sheriff’s office is currently investigating a burglary at the home of Donald Ezzo on Gun Club Road, Millerton. During the night of March 22 the hinge pins of the front door were removed, allowing entry via the door, and a 22 Winchester rifle, tools and a tent were stolen. The garage also was entered and tools pilfered.
Corporal Bedell and Officer Decker, while investigating this burglary, discovered that the home of another Gun Club Road resident, Arnaldo Gallardo, had been partially ransacked sometime between March 18 and 21. The house had been forcibly entered through the front door. Gallardo was out of town during this period.
‘NE’s Oldest House Coming Down’; NORTH EAST — A house near Spencer’s Corners that dates to the mid-18th century is coming down, a North East landowner confirmed last week.
Christof Hamm, who has recently purchased and built on farmland near the house, said, “The house is in bad condition and not worth saving,” citing the need for extensive asbestos removal from the site.
A “center-hall colonial,” the house is commonly known as the Merwin House and is located on Merwin-Clark Road near Spencer’s Corners.
Merwin House is thought to be the original structure from the 18th century, though there have been additions and changes over the years. The house was built in the mid- to- late-1700’s by Uriah Lawrence, Esq., a native of England, on a road that became an iron-ore trade route running from Salisbury, Conn., to Rhinebeck.
‘Village Budget Rises, 10% Raises Proposed for Mayor, Trustees’; MILLERTON — The Village Board got right down to work on the 2000-2001 budget and swore in new trustees John Scutieri and Beverly Gordon during meetings March 30 and April 3, while Michelle Haab announced her resignation as village attorney.
‘HV Rail Trail Seeks More volunteers’; MILLERTON - The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) will hold two meetings in April for trail volunteers.
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.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
Demitasse owner Hayden McIntosh Geer said she is excited by the shift to online sales.
MILLERTON — Some might have argued that launching an in-person retail business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t advisable. But against all odds, Demitasse in Millerton managed not only to build a thriving, mission-based brand in a small storefront on Main Street, it developed a loyal customer base and provided a welcoming space for visitors. Last week, Demitasse announced it is closing-up shop and moving fully online.
“We are excited,” said owner Hayden McIntosh Geer, who opened Demitasse with her husband, Richard, in 2020. “Though we will miss our customers and the camaraderie on Main Street, it feels right and there was no second guessing.”
The building that houses Demitasse and neighboring Candy-O’s is on the market, leaving the future uncertain. Geer said she and Richard will continue supporting their favorite Millerton spots, now with more time to enjoy local businesses and neighbors.
Known for its carefully selected gifts and home goods, Demitasse has received frequent praise for its curation. Yet Geer is quick to deflect. “I didn’t know I was creative until I opened the store,” she joked. “When anyone talks about the curation I just point to the makers. They are the ones who create the beautiful items that hold purpose and intention. That’s what made our place special.”
The decision to open a gift shop was never part of a master plan, Geer said. “We found our way as we went along and it happened very organically.” But from day one, she knew she wanted to support marginalized artists and makers.
Demitasse owner Hayden McIntosh Geer, right, and her husband, Richard, sitting on the bench in front of the Main Street storefront. Photo by Jessica Yurko
For example, Sidai Designs, which makes beaded jewelry in Africa, provides work for 120 Maasai women and helps support their communities. Maison d’Haiti, which produces handcrafted goods in Haiti, employs nearly 100 women at fair-trade wages, giving them a reliable income through sales in the U.S. and Haiti.
One of the highlights of having a storefront — and a true testament to what she and her husband had created — came when the editor of a major culture and lifestyle magazine told Geer how much she loved shopping at Demitasse for its quality and mission-driven products.
“I could have quit right there,” Geer joked, reflecting on the highs and lows of the last five years.
Just as thoughtfully as the products were curated, every element of the store reflected care and craftsmanship. Hayden and Richard incorporated their tastes and skills into every nook and cranny, including shelving made from reclaimed wood from their home. Some of those shelves now have a new life at The Beehive, a boutique in Mount Kisco, New York.
Today, their digital shelves continue to highlight a diverse range of makers, with biographical details available on each product listing. The website carries the same aesthetic found in-store, maintaining the mission to support LGBTQ+ makers, environmentally friendly products, and Black- and women-owned businesses.
Looking ahead, Geer says, “We want people to know that if they enjoyed shopping in our store, they’ll love our website.” Shoppers can still expect beautiful gift wrapping and flexible exchange policies, and Geer is offering personal deliveries within driving distance on a limited basis.
Above all, Geer says her heart is full of gratitude for her customers. “They came in, shared life stories and became friends. We love Millerton, and I hope people will remain in touch.”
Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.
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.’”
Olenik worked with The Cruiser’s Division in Mamaroneck, New York, to design the vehicles.
“We really want to thank the Pine Plains Police Department for their tremendous support,” Olenik said. After the fire, “they were the first ones to come forward and offer help.”
The new police cruisers are outfitted with lights with automatically adjusting brightness to best perform in ambient conditions.Photo by Aly Morrissey
Since February, Millerton officers have been borrowing a patrol car from Pine Plains. With the new vehicles now in service, Olenik said he plans to thank Pine Plains officers by treating them to dinner at Four Brothers in Amenia and having their car detailed
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry.
MILLBROOK – In a time when optimism and unity can feel elusive, sometimes a walk down Franklin Avenue is enough to feed the soul. With Millbrook Community Day just around the corner, one highlight will be Fashion Feeds, a community effort led by Millbrook native Erin Rollins, whose mission is to fight local hunger.
The concept is simple. People donate new or gently used designer fashion, which is sold at affordable prices, and all proceeds benefit The Food of Life/Comida de Vida Pantry at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia.
Since hosting her first charitable clothing swap 12 years ago, Rollins has raised nearly $100,000 for the pantry. She expects to hit six figures this month.
“Food insecurity is a real issue, and when I’m able to walk into the church and hand over money to a need that is so significant, it fills my cup,” Rollins said.
Fashion Feeds plays a vital role in sustaining the pantry, which serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week. Rev. AJ Stack, priest-in-charge at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and executive director of the Food of Life Pantry, said Fashion Feeds has become one of the pantry’s most successful fundraisers. “With the rising costs of food, housing, healthcare, and transportation, food pantries have become essential for families’ survival,” Stack said.
Fashion Feeds clothing is available year-round at the Millbrook Antiques Mall, but the annual pop-up will take place during Community Day. This year’s sale runs Sept. 18-20, featuring racks of one-of-a-kind finds on the patio and inside Corcoran Country Living from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
New this year is a $25 pre-sale Sip & Shop, which includes a glass of prosecco or sparkling water and early access before doors officially open Friday morning.
From J.Crew to Giorgio Armani, shoppers can find designer clothing and accessories at unbeatable prices — from $5 to the thousands — with every dollar going to local families.
An interior designer by trade, Rollins backs up her artistic eye with research to ensure garments and accessories are priced to sell, while also respecting the value of each donation.
“It’s time-consuming,” Rollins said. “But you want to make sure you’re valuing everything that’s donated to you.”
After becoming empty nesters in 2013 and selling their Millbrook landscaping and garden center business, Rollins and her husband were ready to start a new chapter. Rollins found inspiration after attending a clothing swap in Rhinebeck.
“On the way home, I thought, ‘I can do that,’ so I planned my own event that fall and had my friends donate their clothes,” she recalled, laughing about how she made soup for more than 30 women.
While soup is no longer served, the warmth of community continues to fuel the mission.
Millbrook Antiques Mall donates a year-round booth to Fashion Feeds, allowing all profits to go directly to the pantry. When donations outgrew Rollins’ basement, Global Self Storage offered a free unit to hold garment racks — donated by J.McLaughlin — and boxes of designer items. Corcoran Country Living also provides space during Community Day for the annual sale.
“It’s a true community effort in support of our neighbors,” Rollins said.
Beyond feeding families in eastern Dutchess County, Fashion Feeds also aims to address climate change and reduce pollution by promoting secondhand shopping. “Fast fashion is the second biggest polluter in the world, and by donating or purchasing vintage clothing, we’re preventing items from entering the waste stream,” Rollins said.
Though she has stitched Fashion Feeds from the ground up, Rollins prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Lakeville resident Susan Simmons discovered Fashion Feeds last year and was inspired by the mission. She now helps amplify Rollins’ work.
“She is an unsung hero because she does it all herself,” Simmons said, who is helping organize the Thursday Sip & Shop event. “It’s incredible what she quietly does for members of our community.”
Shoppers can support the cause by purchasing items from Fashion Feeds. Accepted payment methods are cash, check or credit card through Zeffy, a platform designed for charitable organizations.