From left to right: Melvin Mathers, Maya and Emi Wakamatsu and Athena Burke, learning to use the Glowforge laser cutter which the NorthEast-Millerton Library was able to purchase with funds from The Webutuck QUEST for Excellence Fund.
As The Webutuck QUEST for Excellence celebrates its tenth anniversary by distributing funds totaling over $21,000 while fulfilling a record 20 grant requests to teachers and community programs, Webutuck school Superintendent Ray Castellanni lauds the group’s contributions.
He says, “I’d like to thank, for every student and staff member in the district, the foundation for their continued support of our academic programs, our teachers and most importantly our students. The opportunity they have provided for both our staff and students is immeasurable. Things that we would not be able to fund within our budget they have actually helped us fund, and that has made a tremendous impact on chlldren’s lives across our community, and we look forward to their partnership for many years to come.”
He adds the effect on teachers is “tremendous because there are certain times where they may have something that is specific to their classroom or their program for their students and the district is not able to fund it. So this allows them to take chances on innovative ideas and projects or some possible trips for our students that would not be funded otherwise. So it always has ... a positive impact.”
Castellani provides approval of grant applications for funds that are administered through the Berkshire Tacconic Community Foundation with the ultimate decision on the awards made by the QUEST board.
According to chairman Lynn Buckley, QUEST “Started around June, 2013 with current committee members Tim Bontecou, Murray Zimiles, Vicki Doyle, Elizabeth Murphy, and Buckley, as well as Jennifer Dowley, Chris Kennan, M.C. O’Connor, Lisa Straus, Janet Reagon and Rhoda Lubalin, who were “interested in cultivating an atmosphere of high expectations and achievement, as well as a love of learning.”
She notes that recognizing “the positive impact educators can have on student learning... we hoped by offering monetary resources; Webutuck educators and other community organizations could be energized to create innovative programs and projects to enrich the learning of students in the Webutuck School District.”
Buckley explained that as the initial donor of $25,000, the late art teacher Rhoda Lubalin of Amenia, was given the honor of giving the group its inspirational name.
While Lubalin’s original plan was to support the arts, Buckley said, “After more thorough discussions” which highlighted deficits in reading and writing at the third-grade level, the group decided to focus on those areas in grades K-3.
Buckley explained that as the years passed and the fund grew from it’s initial total of $95,000 supplied by committee members to its current $500,000 provided mainly by “friends of friends,” QUEST’S range of what could be supported also grew as it continued with it’s mission to “support projects and efforts that create a culture where academics are respected, that cultivate an atmosphere of high expectations of achievement, encourage student initiative, creative thinking and innovation.”
This year’s recipients and projects are: Taylor Chadwell, grade 1, Pete the Cat Literacy Project; Karen Thompson and Jordan Stroly, speech therapists in WES for the Kindness Kart; Tammy Nethercott and Alyssa Plastini, kindergarten, Creating a Serenity Space; Elizabeth Murphy, Elementary Librarian, Makerspace Supplies; Anastasia Demetros, grades 4-6, Establishing a School Store; Dan Hart, Grade 4, the Wild Robot Cross Curricular Study; Audrey Toonkel, grade 4, Creating a Safe Haven for Social-Emotional well being; April Whalen, grade 4, Colonial Times, Crafts and Trades; Colin Brannen & Tom Monteverde, HS, Using Physics and Calculus in an Amusement Park Outing; Danielle Fridstrom, HS, STEAM fair t-shirts; Christine Gillette & Kathleen Howard, middle school, Fun with Collision and Energy; Leah Sprague, HS, VR Technology in Makerspace; Leah Sprague, HS, Senior class trip to VT; Jonathan Scarinzi, 8th grade, Trip to Boston; Craig Wickwire, HS, Afterschool Art Club materials; Eric Wiener, HS, Play it Forward (purchase of musical instruments and help monetarily with the rental fees of instruments); NECC, creating a Book of Poems; Cary Institute of Ecosystems, Ashley Alred, Multi year educational partnership for middle schoolers; Wassaic Project, creating a student mural; and NE Millerton Library, Sustaining 3D Printing.
The current committee, which also includes Sam Busselle, is interested in adding additional members, particularly parents of Webutuck students. For information, call Buckley at 518-789-3082.
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.
Village of Millerton Police Recruit Hannah Dworkin, left, is officially sworn in by Town Clerk Lisa Cope.
MILLERTON — For Hannah Dworkin, 25, of East Fishkill, joining the police force was more than a career choice. It was a family tradition.
Raised among military veterans and law enforcement officers, Dworkin is the daughter of Millbrook Police Chief Keith Dworkin and has two brothers who also serve as police officers. Even her maternal grandfather served behind the badge.
“I’m proud to join the family business,” Dworkin said at her swearing-in ceremony on Monday, June 23, at the Village of Millerton Police Department. “I am fortunate to have a family full of strong role models. They taught me the importance of loyalty, family values and taking pride in your work.”
Dworkin’s commitment to hard work is evident. After high school, Dworkin took a job at Stewart’s, where she spent seven years rising through the ranks to become a supervisor. During that time, she also studied criminal justice at Dutchess Community College, earning college credits and strengthening her interest in a law enforcement career.
“I’ve always known I wanted to work in law enforcement,” she said. “As a kid, I was fascinated by forensics, but lately I’ve become more interested in the community side of the job.”
Hannah added that she is interested in criminal behavior and the psychology behind it. She added, “I think it’s fascinating to understand how people think and learn what drives them to make certain choices … not just criminally, but in life in general. It’s interesting how the way someone was raised can shape how they live their life.”
Hannah said she is especially excited about what lies ahead in Millerton. “Chief Olenik has a lot of great ideas and knows exactly where he wants to take the department. I think that’s really important,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the community and the people I’ll serve.”
Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shared her enthusiasm. “We’re so looking forward to having her here,” he said. “She’s going to be fantastic with community relations.”
Dworkin will fill the position vacated by Officer Julia Phillips, who recently resigned to spend more time with her family. “She was a great officer,” said Chief Olenik at a recent Village Board meeting, where Dworkin’s candidacy was introduced and approved unanimously.
Hannah’s parents looked on proudly at the swearing-in ceremony. Her mother, Mary Dworkin, grew emotional. “Hannah has looked up to her brothers and her dad for so long, and it’s nice to see things come full circle,” she said. “This is something she’s really wanted, and we’re thrilled she’s following in her family’s footsteps.”
Her father agreed. “This is something she’s worked hard for,” said Millbrook Police Chief Keith Dworkin. “To see her achieve that goal — it’s fantastic. We’re very proud.”
In August, Dworkin will begin a five-month training and certificate program at SUNY Ulster in Kingston, which includes all state-required police academy components, such as physical training and academic coursework. Chief Olenik says she will begin working with the Millerton department upon completing the program.
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.
