Research and development

The catch of the day for the Tangled column of the week.
Patrick L. Sullivan
The catch of the day for the Tangled column of the week.
Fishing trips are rarely straightforward propositions. Over 52 years of flicking the baited hook, I have learned not to make plans with rigid schedules, because something always goes awry.
Last week I traveled deep into the wilds of Greene County, N.Y., for some research and development with my fishing guru Gary.
This meant remembering where his house is.
In that part of the world, there is a Route 23, a Route 23A, and a Route 23C.
I have often wondered why the geniuses that assign numbers to roads couldn’t just call them Route 23, Route 24, and Route 25.
Maybe a sequential clump of numbers is too easily confused. How about Routes 23, 47 and 59?
Luckily Gary’s neighbor has hung a gigantic American flag a couple doors down.
Whoops, there’s the flag, turn around.
R&D project A was a town reservoir. I’m not going to name the town because everything about this adventure was highly irregular.
Acting on intelligence gleaned from unusually reliable sources, we drove past a series of increasingly unpromising signs.
First we were warned to keep out. Then it was no hunting, fishing, trapping or trespassing for any reason. Then the signs returned to the general “keep out” theme.
We finally got to a gate. It was open. There were two men talking about something.
Gary went over to them. He conversed with one. He returned.
“We’re good,” he said. He had been talking to the water supply boss, who said it was fine if we parked outside the gate, out of the way, and walked up.
“It’s only about a quarter mile,” said Gary.
Of course it was mostly uphill, and not a gentle grade, either.
At the midway point, we heard yelping and hollering from the deep woods.
Two men emerged. They did not look outdoorsy. They looked out of shape and frustrated. (I am, after all, a highly trained observer.)
They had lost two chihuahuas. The dogs had been in the woods all night. The plan seemed to be to stumble around the woods in haphazard fashion yelling variations on “Here doggy!”
There didn’t seem to be anything we could do so we soldiered on, eventually reaching a large pond of sorts which was the reservoir that supposedly held big rainbow trout.
We tried, but it was windy and squishy and I was wearing a pair of boat shoes, handy enough in the right context but next to useless here.
I caught two bluegills. Gary caught a shiner.
On the way back the rescue team had located one dog. The other one had gone silent. I suggested opening a can of the ripest dog food available, on the theory the rich scent might overcome the dog’s terror.
The R&D continued at Lake Colgate, which is really more of a pond, created by damming up the East Kill. There is another impoundment about a mile upstream, and in between is a nice-looking bit of stream that should contain brook trout.
There is another impoundment about a mile upstream, and in between is a nice-looking bit of stream that should contain brook trout.
On this day it contained shiners and nothing else.
We tracked it down to where it merges into the lake, and I caught another bluegill which was sitting in about three inches of water making faces at me.
I showed him.
The guru in action in his natural habitat: the slow wait by the watery depths.Patrick L. Sullivan
The good thing about riding around with Gary is his catalog of amusing anecdotes and vivid character sketches. Also cigar smoking is allowed.
This time I learned about Cowboy George. A Brooklynite, George found himself in New Mexico, where he developed a taste for garish, stage cowboy attire.
Upon his return to Brooklyn, he developed the theme, with a twist.
George was also a cross-dresser. And a cocaine dealer, with a sideline in illegal guns.
Gary once asked him why he liked dressing like Dale Evans.
“When that buckskin hits my thighs, the years just melt away,” George replied.
Back in Phoenicia, I convened with my nomadic attorney, Thos., who was ensconced at the Woodland Valley Campground nearby.
I’m not sure how we got on the subject, but he explained his “layered defense” for personal protection that does not involve a firearm. His travels take him all over the place, and carrying a gun just isn’t practical for legal reasons.
The first item is pepper spray.
The second is a gas mask. “One of those World War One things, I want it to be terrifying.”
And the third is a spear.
He explained he had returned a custom made spear to the Japanese maker. It wasn’t pointy enough.
“I’d do more damage hitting someone with the handle.”
Thos. further explained that sometimes he finds himself bivouacking in less than ideal circumstances.
Thos. saw “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” at a tender age, and it left a lasting impression.
One Florida campground reminded him of the film enough that after talking with his new neighbors for five minutes, he got back in the car and left, without unhitching the camper or even stopping at the office to get his 15 bucks back.
Some fishing did get done on this trip.
Woodland Valley Creek is a major Esopus tributary and for 60 years or so, the Woodland Trout Fund (which sports the easily misconstrued acronym WTF), has planted brown and brook trout on Memorial Day weekend with a smaller stocking in July.
There is excellent access to public water downstream, and the WTF has a long-standing arrangement with the homeowners in the valley that trespassing for the purpose of fly-fishing is allowed.
The years have not been kind to the stream. Hurricanes and floods have reconfigured the streambed several times and left exposed clay banks. Forests of knotweed have eliminated cherished pools and runs.
And the new generation of homeowners are not as accommodating as their predecessors.
Nonetheless, it is where I learned to fish, and I always chip in. I try to catch my first Catskill trout of any given year in Woodland, with a bamboo rod and a dry fly.
That didn’t happen this year. I was unfaithful and hit the Beaverkill, Schoharie and a couple of others first.
But I did chuck a Chubby Chernobyl into the pool where my late father caught his last trout, and a feisty brown obliged by smacking it hard.
I used a Phillipson bamboo rod, seven feet for five weight, which my father gave me as a college graduation present.
Other kids got fancy cars, or a seat on the board, or a months-long trip to Europe.
But I’m still using the rod.
So who got the better deal?
An adult lanternfly and nymphs in the final stage just before entering adulthood.
The Spotted Lanternfly, an insect native to Asia and first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, has made its way into northeast Dutchess County, New York, and the Northwest Corner of Connecticut.
Brent Boscarino, Coordinator of the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, explained that the lanternfly is a nuisance pest, but it’s not quite dangerous enough to trees and plants to kill them.
“Response is going to vary depending on where it is discovered,” Boscsarino said. He said the insects don’t pose a threat to humans or even that large of a threat to local trees and plants except for vineyards and timber lots.
Spotted Lanternflies will breed and congregate in massive groups in a tree or a collection of vines, feeding on the plants leaves and stems with special mouths that pierce and suck out the insides. During this process the insects secrete a sticky substance known as honeydew. The added moisture can propagate sooty mold on the bark of trees and plants.
But the insect is rarely solely responsible for killing its host plants, Boscarino said, and if they’re out of sight there’s no need to go search out the bug to eradicate it. Instead, focus on areas where large populations of the bug might be causing a nuisance, like in trees nearby to regular gathering areas.
“If you’ve got a big canopy tree that hangs over your deck or a pool or a place where you congregate with your family, that is the area to focus on,” Boscarino said.
Suggested management strategies focus on trapping the insect in its nymph stage, when it’s flightless and continually falls off and climbs back up the trunk of its host tree.
Sticky traps can be used, but additional measures should be used to prevent mammals and birds from becoming stuck to the trap, according to information published by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. CAES also has information about funnel-style traps, where a mesh is wrapped around the trunk of the tree to route the bugs through a funnel into a container.
Spotted Lanternflies prefer to congregate in the invasive Tree of Heaven, and removing that tree from property can go a long way in discouraging the insects, according to the CAES.
Legal Notice
Brevi Properties LLC
Brevi Properties LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 8/27/2025. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 16 Peaceable Way Dover Plains, NY 12522. Purpose: Real estate management. Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.
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Change of Meeting Date
Please take notice the regularly scheduled Amenia Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for 11/17/25 has been rescheduled to 11/3/2025 at 6:00pm.
10-16-25
Legal Notice
Silent Mind Apparel, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/09/2025. Office location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: P.O. Box 593. Purpose: any lawful act.
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LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF AMENIA
SNOW REMOVAL BIDS
PERIOD 11/6/2025 - 4/30/2026
NOTICE is hereby given that sealed bids for Town of Amenia Side Walk Snow Removal will be received until Noon on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Town Clerk’s Office, Town of Amenia, Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22, Amenia, NY 12501 opened and read at the Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22 on Monday November 3, 2025 at 1:00pm.
Detailed specifications may be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, by calling (845) 373-8860 Ext. 125 or by emailing townclerk@ameniany.gov . All bids must have proof of insurance for liability and property damage in addition to proof of Worker’s Compensation coverage. All bids must also be accompanied by a notarized non collusive statement and corporate bidders must file a corporate resolution with a corporate seal. All envelopes must be clearly marked “Snow Removal Bid 11/6/2025 to 4/30/2026”.
The Amenia Town Board reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. Bids will be awarded at the scheduled Town Board meeting on November 6, 2025.
Dawn Marie Klingner
Amenia Town Clerk
10-16-25
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF AMENIA
SNOW REMOVAL BIDS
PERIOD 11/6/2025 - 4/30/2026
NOTICE is hereby given that sealed bids for Town of Amenia Wassaic Trail Snow Removal will be received until Noon on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Town Clerk’s Office, Town of Amenia, Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22, Amenia, NY 12501 opened and read at the Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22 on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 1:00pm.
Detailed specifications may be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, by calling (845) 373-8860 Ext. 125 or by emailing townclerk@ameniany.gov. All bids must have proof of insurance for liability and property damage in addition to proof of Worker’s Compensation coverage. All bids must also be accompanied by a notarized non collusive statement and corporate bidders must file a corporate resolution with a corporate seal. All envelopes must be clearly marked “Snow Removal Bid for Wassaic Trail 11/6/2025 to 4/30/2026”.
The Amenia Town Board reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. Bids will be awarded at the scheduled Town Board meeting on November 6, 2025.
Dawn Marie Klingner
Amenia Town Clerk
10-16-25
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
NAILED BY ALYSSIA LLC has been formed as a limited liability company (LLC) located in Dutchess County, New York by filing Articles of Organization with the New York Secretary of State (NYSS) on July 15, 2025. Alyssia Morton Beliveau is designated as registered agent for the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Alyssia Morton Beliveau will be mailed any process against it served to 579 Carpenter Hill Road, Pine Plains, NY 12567. The purpose is to engage in any lawful business practice.
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NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2026 BUDGET
The Wassaic Fire District shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of discussing its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget on October 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at the Wassaic Fire House, 27 Firehouse Road, Town of Amenia, New York. Copies of the proposed budget are available for inspection at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Amenia and by contacting the secretary at 845-705-8304.
Copies of the proposed budget will also be available for inspection at the aforesaid public hearing.
Pamela Butts
Secretary
Wassaic Fire District
10-16-25
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PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Planning Board of the Town of North East on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the North East Town Hall, 19 N. Maple Ave., Millerton, NY at 7:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible on the application of Perotti Homestead Farm LLC for a Minor Subdivision on Tax Parcel #7069-00-953630 located at 5-15 Homestead Farm Lane, Millerton, NY in the A5A Zoning District of the Town of North East.
The above application is open for inspection at the Town Hall or via email. Please request a copy by emailing the Planning Board office at pb@townofnortheastny.govor calling 518-789-3300, Ext. 608.
Persons wishing to appear at such hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative. Communications in writing relating thereto may be filed with the Board at such hearing. Dated: October 9, 2025.
Dale Culver
Chairman,
Planning Board
10-16-25
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Planning Board of the Town of North East on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the North East Town Hall, 19 N. Maple Ave., Millerton, NY at 7:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible on the application of Silver Mountain Hay LLC for a Minor Subdivision on Tax Parcel #7170-00-062510 located at 437 McGhee Hill Road, Millerton, NY in the A5A Zoning District of the Town of North East.
The above application is open for inspection at the Town Hall or via email. Please request a copy by emailing the Planning Board office at pb@townofnortheastny.gov or calling 518-789-3300, Ext. 608.
Persons wishing to appear at such hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative. Communications in writing relating thereto may be filed with the Board at such hearing. Dated: October 9, 2025.
Dale Culver
Chairman,
Planning Board
10-16-25
Notice of Submission of Question to Voters of the Town of Amenia at the next General Election
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to NYS Education Law §259(1)(13), and in accordance with the provision of the N.Y.S. Election Law, the following question will be submitted to the qualified voters of the Town of Amenia at the General Election to be held on the 4th day of November, 2025:
“Shall the annual contribution of the Town of Amenia for the operating budget of the Amenia Free Library be increased by Twenty Thousand ($20,000) Dollars to the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand ($265,000) Dollars annually?”
Dawn Marie Klingner
Town Clerk,
Town of Amenia
10-09-25
10-16-25
PUBLIC NOTICE
Transportation providers and other interested parties are hereby notified that the North East Community Center, Inc. at 51 South Center Street, P.O. Box 35, Millerton, NY, 12546, is applying for a federal grant of up to $500,000, under Section 5310 of Chapter 53 of Title 49, United States Code, for transportation services within the Towns of Amenia, North East, Dover, Pine Plains, Stanford, and Washington to meet the needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities.
The purpose of this notice is to invite private, for-profit bus, taxi, or ambulette operators and other interested parties to participate in the development of the proposed grant project and in the provision of enhanced transportation services to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities.
Please contact Christine Sergent, NECC Executive Director, at (518) 789-4259, within 15 calendar days of this public notice to request a copy of the project proposed. Comments on proposed projects must be submitted to Christine Sergent within 15 calendar days after receipt of the proposed project information.
Kim Henrichs
Grants and
Contracts Director
10-16-25
Kitchen Help Wanted: two years experience preferred. KPG Kitchen and Bar, located in Kent, CT. Please call for interview 860-488-6755.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
SNOW PLOWING: Be Ready! Local. Sharon/Millerton/Lakeville area. Call 518-567-8277.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
The roof of the Grove was damaged by the tree, the event tent was punctured, a chef was injured and the Jubilee Luncheon was canceled Sunday, Oct. 12.
LAKEVILLE, Conn. — The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News Jubilee Luncheon fundraiser at the Grove Sunday, Oct. 12 was canceled after a very large section of a tree fell on the caterer’s tent at about 10 a.m.
Most of the catering staff heard the tree breaking up and got out of the tent in time, but the chef was hit by the falling limbs and sustained non-critical injuries.
A portion of the Grove’s roof sustained damage and branches came through the tent.
The Lakeville Hose Company responded to the scene. The chef was transported to Sharon Hospital by the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service.
“While we’re deeply disappointed to cancel our annual fundraising event, our first concern is for our caterer’s chef, who was injured in the incident and is now recovering at home,” said James Clark, Publisher. “We’re grateful there were no more serious injuries, and we deeply appreciate the understanding and support of our honoree, underwriters, and guests.”
The incident occurred during preparation for the event, which would have centered around the presentation of the Estabrook Community Leadership Award to Bunny Williams.
Food that The Marketplace had prepared for the event was donated to People’s Pantry in Great Barrington.