Tobacco firm fights leprosy rumor; Sandy Berger at Webutuck reunion

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

August 2, 1934

‘Sheriff Revokes Cook Appointment’; The career of Jesse L. Cook of the town of North East as a deputy sheriff was terminated after four days by Sheriff Hiram Carroll because he “exceeded his authority” and “acted without directions from the sheriff’s office.” Cook was a deputy sheriff in possession of a badge and full powers for six days, the records show, but Sheriff Carroll explained that the appointment was actually in force for only four days, it having taken two days to make out and file the papers.

‘Illustrates Liberty Story’; Harold Denison, nationally prominent Boston Corners artist, is the illustrator of “Wild Wings,” a novel by Bogart Rogers and Frank M. Dazey, the first installment of which appears in the August 4 issue of Liberty magazine.

‘Annual Meetings Will Be Conducted By Union Free School Districts’; Local District To Elect President And Member Of Board

District No. 6 of Millerton and fourteen other union free school districts of Dutchess County will hold their annual meetings next Tuesday evening. Convening at the Millerton High School building, inhabitants of the local district qualified to vote at school meetings will elect a president of the Board of Education and another member of the board, the terms of Elmer W. Simmons, president, and Herman E. Brown having expired.

The proposed budget for the 1934-’35 [sic] school year, which will be presented for the approval of the voters, totals $30,491.

‘Reward Of $25,000 Is Announced’; Tobacco Company Brands Rumors False And Malicious

Rumors which were widespread in this section the first of the week to the effect that the public we had been warned by radio Saturday against smoking Chesterfield cigarettes packed in factory No. 25 because four cases of leprosy had been discovered in the plant, met with complete denials from the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co., Inc., manufacturers of the cigarettes.

August 7, 1975

‘Centennial Slates Weekend Of Music’; As part of the Millerton Centennial Celebration, there will be a weekend program of children’s entertainment Saturday afternoon Aug. 9, at the Millerton Theater.

‘Library To Move’; The Millerton Free Library has entered an agreement with the Church of Christ Scientist for the acquisition of the church’s building on Main Street, according to Robert Trotta, a library trustee.

August 3, 2000

‘More Than 300 Attend Three-Day Webutuck Millennium Reunion’; MILLERTON — Phil Terni ‘60 hadn’t originally planned on going to the “Webutuck Millenium Reunion” last weekend.

And then, in the paper, he saw the list of alums, some coming from as far away as Indiana and Colorado.

“If they could come that far, I figured I could drag my freight 11 miles down the road,” Mr. Terni quipped.

By all accounts, the reunion was a hit.

“It was beyond fantastic,” said Sally Smith ‘61, the main organizer, who was rewarded with a raft of e-mails and phone calls Monday thanking her for the weekend.

“Millerton hasn’t see[sic] that kind of excitement in years ... People hadn’t seen each other in 40-plus years. The bond is still there, like time hadn’t even passed.”

Adding to the excitement was the presence of Samuel “Sandy” Berger ‘63, Bill Clinton’s national security adviser, who was able to attend thanks perhaps to less-than-successful Camp David Accords. “It was great to see that he enjoyed himself,” said organizer Cathy Fenn, who attended Webutuck’s class of ‘63.

‘Tractor Pull Saturday’; MILLERTON - The antique tractor pull is slated for Saturday, Aug. 5, at Eddie Collins Field, Route 22 North. The Millerton Fire Department will serve breakfast starting at 6 a.m., followed by the tractor pull at 9 a.m.

Approximately 65 tractors, 1959 models and older, will participate in the pull. Other activities planned for the day include free rides on the Veterans Administration bus, a petting zoo for children and hay rides.