Last year’s summer reading program visit by the Two-by-Two Animal Haven shown here proved to be so popular it was repeated on Tuesday, July 2 at 10 a.m. at the Millbrook Library at 3 Friendy Lane in Millbrook.
As students through North East leave school behind for the summer, their teachers are hoping they will return in the fall with all their hard earned reading skills in tact.
But like most, NorthEast —Millerton Library Youth Services Director and retired Webutuck elementary school teacher Lynn Buckley knows that without some sort of intervention, the dreaded “Summer Slip” could take away some of that progress for too many students — particularly for those whose gains were hardest fought.
One solution? Enter the summer reading “Adventure Begins in Your Library,” a statewide effort, The Collaborative Summer Library Program, which provides suggestions and encouragement for local libraries. Although working around the central theme, local libraries put their own spins on the topic as they hope to lure both enthusiastic and reluctant readers into their stacks and through their pages.
Library events are free and open to all with no card required although one is needed in order to check out books, DVD’s and other material. Cards are free to residents of the areas served.
Details of all libraries including addresses, schedules and programs are available on their websites. Highlights of the summer are as follows.
Amenia
Amenia children will be keeping their reading accomplishments close to their hearts as they wear a lanyard with a punch card record of their summer reading attached. Saying they want the children to have flexibility in their choices of books, Library Director Victoria Herow says “ We’re not prioritizing numbers” but are suggesting various categories such as adventure, animals, and more with prizes given for books read. The high points of the summer will be several visits by “The Nutty Scientist” who will “teach science in a fun way.” In order to encourage more children to signup for the library, the staff will be visiting camps in the area. Go to amenialibrary.org or call 845-373-8273 for more information.
Millbrook
Summer reading at the Millbrook Library officially kicked off with a party on Friday, June 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. with an ice cream truck, live music, lawn games, face painting, and food. Patrons may register for the program and pick up season schedules at the library.
Children Literacy Coordinator Kate Anderson says that with special programs for every age group from babies on up, the library will keep its online calendar full as readers will win prizes their reading. For each book completed, they will also earn a token which will be added to a bucket at the main desk. At the end of the program, for each token counted, the library will donate a book to the United Way for distribution to families. Anderson says this is a way of “getting books into the hands of kids who don’t have books at home ... to encourage kids who normally do not read.” Go to Millbrooklibrary.org or call 845-677-3611 for more information.
Millerton
Buckley says shouts of BINGO will cap accomplishments of young readers at the NorthEast-Millerton Library as they complete their cards with boxes representing an accomplishment such as “reading a graphic novel or reading under your bed.” Bi-Lingual cards are available and readers may complete as many as they like, earning a prize for each one. As a bonus, Buckley has added a special “word games” section to the June children’s news letter which will keep participants of all ages occupied on even the rainiest day while building language skills. Throughout the six week session, there will be regular story times for a variety of ages mixed with music, backyard adventures, and outer space puppeteers. Kickoff for a pirate themed Adventures of the Sea will be on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a..m. to 12:30 p.m. with craft construction of a pirate hat or treasure map. Go to nemillertonlibrary.org or call 518-789-3340 for more information.
Pine Plains
With the goal of introducing more children to the Pine Plains Free Library, Assistant Director Amy Mallozzi said the library is partnering with the town summer camp, booking performers for the camp with the event open to the public. Campers will also visit the library on a weekly basis, both of which she says will “increase traffic.’” Mallozzi hopes those visits will show that the library is “more than just sitting quietly and looking at a book.” Prizes will be given for the number of minutes read not just the number of books because as children read at different rates, they want to give them credit for the time they put in. Program registration is either in person or by phone. Mallozzi says no cards are needed as the program is “open to all. We don’t check. We don’t ask, we just hope people will come and participate.” Go to pineplainslibrary.org or call 518-398-1927 for more information.
Stanford
Stanford Free Library Director Christa Cerul says they will “have something for everybody,” with reading logs as incentives leading to prizes including a raffle for four tickets to a Harlem Valley Renegades game with readers earning a ticket for each book read. Current focus is on story times for separate age groups: babies, toddlers, pre-school and kindergarten, and grades 1-3 with times posted online and a baby sitting class July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. Thinking of new patrons, Cerul says, “We always hope the summer reading draws them in.” Go to stanfordlibrary.org or call 845-868-1341 for more information.
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.”
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.
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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
Olivia Montoya
DOVER PLAINS — Francis “Butch” Lynehan, 75, a twenty-year resident of Dover Plains, New York, formerly of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Born Aug. 29, 1950, in Sharon, he was the son of the late William W. and Nellie (Kluun) Lynehan.
Butch grew up in Sharon and attended Sharon Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Army and is a Vietnam War Veteran.
After his military service of three years, he was employed at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and later worked many years for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Butch was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Chestnut Ridge Rod & Gun Club in Dover Plains, Millerton Gun Club and the Sharon Fish & Game. He was a longtime member of the V.F.W. Post 5444 in Dover Plains and the Sharon American Legion Post 126. He was a former member of the Sharon Fire Department.
Butch is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy (Stark), his former wife, Rosemarie (Marchi) Larosa and their two sons, Michael and Stephen. He was the proud grandfather of three grandsons, Mason, Noah and Tucker. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Pat of Sharon, and Yvonne of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and several cousins and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William “Billy” Lynehan and his niece Lisa Hoglen.
There will be no calling hours. A private burial will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Hillside Cemetery in Sharon, with Standard Military Honors, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Sharon Fire Department, 36 West Main Street, Sharon. All are invited to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon American Legion Post 126, 15 New Street, Sharon, CT 06069 or Sharon Little League/NWCTSBLL, P.O. Box 569, N. Canaan, CT 06018. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Butch’s honor, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
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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