Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Rattlesnake Run sees biggest turnout in five years

Rattlesnake Run sees biggest turnout in five years

Runners beginning the second heat, the 10K distance.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

AMENIA — The rain held off for the fifth annual Rattlesnake Run on Saturday, June 14, which took place along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.

With more than 110 registered runners, this year marked the largest turnout since the race’s inception in 2020, race organizer and founder Florent Lacroix said.

Photos By Aly MorrisseyGordon Simpson, 2, gets a head start during the 10K heat.Photo by Aly Morrissey

“It’s a fun community event,” Lacroix said. “The goal was originally to connect the towns of North East and Amenia, and the event keeps growing every year.”

In a shift from last year’s format, this year’s course began and ended in downtown Wassaic, allowing runners to pass each other along the trail for a more communal, interactive experience.

Participants chose from three distances — a half marathon, 10K, and 5K — each drawing a sizable group of runners.

Rattlesnake Run founder and organizer Florent Lacroix with Wassaic Project music director Tim Love Lee, who set the vibes as DJ for the event.Photo by Aly Morrissey

Named for the mountain that looms nearby, and surrounded by the vibrant presence of the Wassaic Project, the event offered a colorful and scenic environment. Spectators and runners alike enjoyed a festive atmosphere featuring a bake sale, live DJ, arts and crafts, and even a child magician.

Lacroix says he will connect with runners to see how they felt about the “out and back” format along the trail before determining the format for next year.

Sponsors of the race included Wassaic Project, Jack’s Auto Service, Four Brothers, Silo Ridge, Stoneleaf, St. Thomas Church, and the Food of Life Food Pantry. The logo and branding for the race were designed by Studio Bueno.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

Latest News

Wassaic wine shop celebrates first birthday

Erika DaSilva cuts a chocolate and mango puree birthday cake at Ten Mile Table in Wassaic on Saturday, July 25, to celebrate the wine shop’s first anniversary.

Photo by Nathan Miller

WASSAIC — More than two dozen residents and wine aficionados came together Saturday, July 25, to celebrate a local wine shop’s first anniversary.

Ten Mile Table, a wine shop founded by Erika DaSilva that occupies Wassaic’s historic candy store, celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday with a bonafide birthday bash complete with chocolate cake, wine tastings, charcuterie and a DJ.

Keep Reading Show less

MILLBROOK — The summer brush pick-up program is continuing on the second Mondays in August and September.

The next scheduled pick-up will be on Monday, Aug. 10. Residents may place brush at their curbside up to 10 days before the pick-up date, but it must be at the curb before the Monday morning of pick-up. The town will make one pass only through the village on each collection day.

Keep Reading Show less

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep Reading Show less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep Reading Show less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep Reading Show less

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep Reading Show less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.