Historian Russell Shorto joins local educators Peter Vermilyea and Rhonan Mokriski for a conversation about Shorto’s “Revolution Song” on March 27 at the Salisbury Forum, marking Salisbury’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Register at salisburyforum.org
Latest News
Frank G. Hufner
Millerton News
Sep 08, 2026
SHARON — Frank G. Hufner, 80, of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Sept. 6, 2026, at Sharon Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was the loving husband of Linda (Panelli) Hufner.
Frank was born on Sept. 23, 1945, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of the late Frank H. Hufner and Charlotte (Kaimer) Hufner. He was raised in Monroe, Connecticut and a graduate of Masuk High School.
Frank graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture with an associate degree. He was the founder of Cedar Hill Farm, a greenhouse growing operation and vegetable farm in Newtown, Connecticut. He and his wife operated a garden center and farm market there for more than 40 years.
Frank was also a founding member of the Bethel Farmers’ Market and remained actively involved for many years. His commitment to his community and to agriculture extended to his involvement with the Connecticut Farm Bureau, where he served as president of the Fairfield County chapter. His love of hunting and fishing led him to the Newtown Fish & Game Club, where he was a longtime member and served as president for several years.
Frank was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He truly valued the friendships he made throughout his life and made an effort to remain interested in the lives of those he cared about. He will be remembered for the relationships he built and the many years he spent working alongside his wife and serving his community.
He is survived by his two sons and daughter; David Robert Hufner and his wife, Kara Capone, of East Haddam, Connecticut, Frank Gary Hufner, of Sharon, Connecticut, and Sharon Burge and her husband, Craig W. Burge, of Nashua, New Hampshire. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Brooks R. Hufner, Brody D. Hufner, Craig James Burge, and Kara Maire Burge.
A memorial service will be held at Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, Connecticut, on Sept. 14, 2026, with calling hours from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by burial at Ellsworth Cemetery in Sharon.
For those who wish to make a memorial contribution, donations may be made to the Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital in Memory of Frank G. Hufner, via www.givetoynhh.org or mail to PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.
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Frederick J. Bate III
Millerton News
Sep 08, 2026
GOSHEN — Frederick J. Bate III, 79, of Goshen, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2026, at Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation in New Milford. He was the loving husband of Marie (Savan) Bate.
Fred was born on Feb. 13, 1947, in Torrington, the son of the late Frederick J. Bate Jr. and Doris Bate.
He attended Cornwall Consolidated School and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village.
Following high school, Fred proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman and combat medic during the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, 5th Division.
Following his military service, he continued his education and training, earning certificates through the State of Connecticut Office of Civil Preparedness in radiological monitoring, as well as through the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency Staff College in Battle Creek, Michigan. He also completed training in radiology through the Bureau of Radiological Health and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the United States Navy Basic Hospital Corps School.
Fred dedicated much of his life to serving his community and working in fields that allowed him to help others. He worked for Sharon Hospital as a radiology technician and taught EMT classes, becoming one of Connecticut’s first emergency medical technicians after serving our country.
He also worked for the State of Connecticut at Housatonic Meadows as a constable and park ranger at Kent Falls. Fred also served as superintendent of Trinity Conference Center and, later in his career, as manager of the Cornwall Transfer Station, where he worked until his retirement. In 2003, The State Department of Environmental Protection recognized the Cornwall Transfer Station for having one of the top 10 recycling programs in Connecticut.
A lifelong member of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, Fred was deeply committed to his community. In recognition of his dedication and service to the people of Cornwall, he received the Community Service Award from the VFW on Memorial Day in 1995.
Fred will be remembered for his commitment to his country, his community, and the many people he served throughout his life.
In addition to his wife, Marie, he is survived by his two children, Alexandra and John; 3 stepchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; his sister, Susan Williamson and her husband, David; his brother, James Bate; 2 nephews; 2 nieces; and 2 cousins.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. at The Cornwall Cemetery on Route 4 in Cornwall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Home Foundation, 199 Park Rd. Ext., Middlebury, CT 06762 or Off the Streets - Danbury, PO Box 591, Bethel, CT 06801.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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Millbrook Community Day returns Sept. 19
Leila Hawken
Sep 08, 2026
MILLBROOK — The annual Millbrook Community Day will return with a variety of family fun and neighborly celebration of a fall day in the village on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Community Day 2026 will be held between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. along Franklin Avenue in the village center.
Expect to see live music, the bubble bus, food trucks, sidewalk sales, the always popular scarecrow competition, and farmers and artisans selling their produce and creative wares.
In front of the Millbrook Deli, Major League Baseball’s Doc Gooden will be greeting passersby and signing autographs. Bring an item to be autographed or Gooden will have photos in uniform available. The appearance is sponsored by local auto dealer Ruge’s Chevrolet and VFW Post 9008. Hours are noon to 1:30 p.m.
Watch for four comedic musicians who will entertain along Franklin Avenue and throughout the village.
The lawn at the Millbrook Library will be alive with activities, including a chance for youngsters to explore a village police car, a bounce house and pumpkin decorating. Hatchet throwing will be offered between noon and 3 p.m.
Residents are invited to participate in the Great Millbrook Bake-off contest featuring all manner of desserts. Judging is scheduled for 1 p.m. Advance registration is required. Detailed information is provided on the following website.
For more information about specific events and registration rules and forms, go to www.millbrooknewyork.com and click on “Community Day.”
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Amenia officials approve settlement for stalled sidewalk construction
Leila Hawken
Sep 08, 2026
The town may now solicit bids from contractors to complete a sidewalk project along Route 44 leading to Beekman Park, bringing an end to months of delays while Amenia negotiated compensation for the incomplete work.
Photo by Nathan Miller
AMENIA — Town Board members are making progress on two projects in the town’s center after approving resolutions at their Thursday, Sept. 3, meeting.
The long-stalled Route 44 sidewalk project near Beekman Park is headed toward a new round of bidding after the town reached a $150,000 settlement over the original contractor’s default. Town officials will also be moving ahead with plans to renovate Fountain Square Plaza — a veterans’ memorial and public space located at the intersection of Route 44 and Route 343 in front of the Bank of Millbrook.
Work on the sidewalk connecting Broadway and Beekman Park has been halted since the New York State Department of Transportation issued a stop-work order over construction defects. Town officials previously said portions of the sidewalk and catch basins would have to be redone after problems were found with the work performed by Southern Industries Corp.
The town had a $234,326 performance bond covering the project and sought payment from the bond after determining that Southern Industries had defaulted on its contract.
The town recently reached a settlement with the surety company for $150,000, which the Town Board unanimously accepted Sept. 3.
The settlement clears the way for the town to solicit bids from a new contractor to complete the unfinished project.
Fountain Square improvements
Progress on Amenia’s new sidewalks comes as officials plan to renovate Fountain Square Plaza.
The Town Board voted unanimously to award a design contract to Aspect 120 Landscape Architects of Irvington, New York. Town officials plan to improve the condition of existing structures at the plaza in front of the Bank of Millbrook at the intersection of Route 22 and Route 44.
Under the initial contract, Aspect 120 will conduct outreach to gather information from town staff and other stakeholders and prepare a conceptual design of a project to renovate the public area at Fountain Square. Those initial phases are estimated to cost $11,400.
The resulting report will be expected to provide what the architects describe as a framework of opportunities and challenges, developing a scope and direction for the project.
Civil Engineering support will be provided by Sorrell Engineering of Beacon.
Total design work leading up to the point of the start of construction are estimated by Aspect 120 at $57,000.
“We are here to begin the process,” said councilmember Vicki Doyle, adding that she looked forward to working with Aspect 120 on what she called “the long overdue renovations of Fountain Square.”
Doyle said that residents should watch for opportunities to participate in the design process.
Some anticipated improvements will bring improved pedestrian flow and electrical upgrades serving the plaza.
New plow truck
Town board members also unanimously approved the purchase of a new plow truck for the Amenia Highway Department Thursday, Sept. 3.
Estimated cost for the plow truck’s body is $161,995, with an additional cost of $183,945 for the cab and chassis. The Highway Department’s Equipment Reserve Fund will support the purchase.
Town officials reported that the new truck will be built and delivered in 2027.
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Let's hear it — September 10, 2026
Millerton News
Sep 08, 2026
This Week
Eddie Collins Memorial Park is set to be closed for construction on mulitple projects through July 31, 2027. The closure could mean changes to how residents use the park for recreation, events and family activities
How will the park’s closure impact you and your family?
Send your responses to social@lakevillejournal.com by Monday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
We’ll publish a selection in next week’s paper.
Last Week’s Question
Do you have concerns about flock cameras and how they’re being used in Dutchess County?
“I personally think the bad outweighs the good with these cameras. They have been widely abused all over this country already and the amount of details that are gleaned and digitally “mapped” are exactly the kind of things that are and should be private and protected under the Constitution. No more cameras!”
— Barbara Lyman Reeves
“I have nothing to hide. I obey the laws … and if a child goes missing or there looking for that car and time is very important when it comes to a kidnapping.”
— Chasity Hotaling Fuggetta
“Get rid of all of them, I do not trust how the data is potentially handled”
— Doug McRoberts
“I wouldn’t want flock cameras in the best of times let alone in this era of billionaire fascists trying to dismantle our democracy. This is all part of a greater plan to track and control (arrest) anyone who challenges the unjust project 2025 system they have been building. As useful a tool as it may be to stop whatever crimes, make no mistake that that is not what its bigger purpose will be used for when what they say constitutes a crime is criticizing the government or being a non white immigrant etc. Flock cameras are an attack against our liberty and freedom.”
— Andres Vialpando
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