Gifted gardeners do not hunker indoors in winter when they could be outdoors getting advantageous pruning done. About 30 residents gathered at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8, to participate in a hands-on winter pruning workshop sponsored by the Amenia Garden Club. Expert local gardener Maryanne Snow Pitts provided guidance and encouragement.
AMENIA — Tips on prudent pruning and how to do it properly during the cold months were the order of the day at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8, as local expert gardener Maryanne Snow-Pitts, a Wassaic resident for 23 years, shared her extensive know-how.
The pruning workshop was sponsored by the Amenia Garden Club and attracted about 30 residents of mixed experience who sought to know more about proper techniques for winter pruning of trees and bushes. The Town Hall’s grounds provided prime examples of bushes and trees needing some expert attention.
During an information session before the start of the snipping, clipping and sawing, Snow-Pitts shared advice on how to approach the work and bring about a good outcome.
“It’s best to avoid hacking at plants badly,” Snow-Pitts advised. “When your pruner is sharp — and clean — it’s the best time to prune,” she added.
Observing the optimal shape of the tree or bush and how the plant is growing, whether reaching horizontally toward sun, for example, are important considerations, Snow-Pitts said. She focused also on how to prune prior mistakes, such as steady pruning of the branch tips, a debilitating action that will eventually deprive the core of the plant of sunlight.
“Don’t prune more than one-third of live wood at a time,” she cautioned, favoring diversity in cuts that will create branches of varying lengths. She advised identifying and removing dead wood first and taking out the larger old canes to promote new, healthier growth.
It is better to know than to hope. Even if the Ukraine democratic government wants to do a deal to end the war by ceding parts of the Donbas region to Russian takeover, what the Russians — Putin and his military advisors — will want, will include a constant threat to a sovereign Ukraine all the while preserving Putin’s hold on the Donbas.
Israel set the standard that the West has turned a blind eye to. When Israel captured Golan in the Six-Day War in 1967, they also took — and want to forever hold — the Golan Heights. Golan, as it is called, is a plateau which borders the Yarmouk River in the south, the Sea of Galilee and Hula Valley in the west, the Anti-Lebanon mountains with Mount Hermon in the north and Wadi Raqqad in the east. If the IDF military controls the high ground of Golan, they can thwart any invasion from Syria. That’s why in every peace treaty subsequent discussion and negotiation with Israel they will never give up the Golan. Never.
In the Donbas, the Ukraine military controls and should never cede Donets Ridge, including Mohyla Mechetna (the highest point on Donets). Although the majority of the Donbas region is now occupied by Russian forces, the Russians have not, and seem incapable of, capturing the Donets Ridge. Even if Trump wants Ukraine to cede all of the Donbas Region as part of a capitulation — oops, sorry, “US brokered peace deal” — the Ukraine government cannot and should not ever cede the Donets Ridge. To do so would be to incur, as Israel did prior to the Six-Day War, constant threat of a Syrian Army looking down on and wanting to recapture the Holy Land. After ’67, Syria tried, more than once, to recapture the Golan and was defeated.
Putin will know that a naïve Administration, childishly uninformed, might think they can make a blanket statement of ceding the Donbas work for peace. But when serious negotiators sit down to negotiate, Ukraine will know they cannot allow ceding the Donets Ridge. Yet the Russians will know that unless they get the Donets Ridge, their “capture” of the Donbas will forever be under threat from the higher ground. Putin is not naïve, he and his generals will know this.
There is no hope for a peaceful resolution here until the fighting is exhausted. Europe knows this, that’s why they are here trying to educate the Administration who, so far, think they can make a sweeping statement and it’ll all be done, fine, no problem. Stupid, ego-driven, people think that way. Mistaken, naïve Neville Chamberlain thought he could stall Hitler. This Administration is incapable of grasping the end-game Putin is playing. Assuaging egos, pomp and red carpets never, ever, won the diplomatic game — especially not this one with historic precedent clearly so very obvious to serious negotiators for which the Administration shows itself woefully inadequately staffed.
Peter Riva, a former resident of Amenia Union, New York, now lives in Gila, New Mexico.
It’s been a good summer thus far in this area other than brief skirmishes with moles and rabbits invading our vegetable and flower gardens, minimal adverse weather and the usual turmoil of owning a home and property. Rewards of fresh vegetables now supplement our meals.
Usually days require light clothing, morning sweatshirts or sweater. Don’t forget long sleeves, hat and sunscreen for prolonged exposure to the sun. Those rays look delightful and enticing but can be dangerous if precautions are not taken.
We were delighted to learn our granddaughter qualified for the national swimming finals at Ocala, Florida,and have been attentively watching simulcasts of her races. In Ocala.A variety of birds have had successful hatches and hummingbirds seem to be in over abundance. Their feeders require daily cleaning and filling. Their flight antics and near mid-air collisions are fascinating to watch and often make me conjure ‘if only our military developed a fighter plane with flight capability of a hummingbird it would be invincible’. Baby sitting a couple of independent thinking pugs has kept us occupied, amused and at times frustrated.
The fringe growth of our property is receding and soon ready for brush-hogging to control overgrowth.
My thoughts are turning to fall events: Great stream and river fishing beckons as does our yearly reunion of The Rounders of Riga at deer camp (More on that later).
Legion and Firehouse breakfasts are opening to the public, usually on Sunday mornings. Where locals and ever increasing neighboring towns public enjoy socializing and a fulfilling sit-down meal or grab some take-outs for themselves or those unable to attend.
God bless you faithful and patriotic readers and your families. Enjoy the remainder of summer and the upcoming delightful fall season. Til next time.
Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851. in North Canaan, Connecticut.
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
‘Entries Come In Fast For County Fair; All Space Taken In Several Departments; Auto Races Slated’; RHINEBECK, August 22 — Entries have been coming in so rapidly for the exhibits at the Dutchess County Fair at Rhinebeck, to be held August 28th to 31st, with auto races on Sept. 1st, that in several departments no more space is available.
Superintendent Tozier, in charge of the 4-H Club exhibit, states that 109 head of cattle alone will be shown by boys and girls of Dutchess County. The fair management has allotted an extra tent of 2,400 square feet of coverage to house this exhibit, in addition to the 8,800 square feet of tent space originally allowed for this outstanding display.
G. Herbert Allen, general superintendent of cattle, predicts that the entire cattle show will house over 300 head of the country’s best. Henry G. Traver, in charge of Guernseys; Frederick Ham, at the head of the Holsteins; and William Telfer, sponsoring the Jersey exhibit, all report heavy entries.
‘Car rams barn at North East center’; James H. White, 46, of Danbury, and his son, Harry, 6, escaped with minor cuts and bruises Saturday when White’s automobile ran off Route 22 at North East Center, broke off an electric light pole, hurdled a ditch and crashed into a barn on the William M. Sadler farm. According to Police Chief Van De Bogart, who investigated, White said he had fallen asleep. The accident occurred at about 3:45 P. M. and considerable damage was done to the car.
‘Unearth Skeleton On Morehouse Farm’; The skelton [sic] of an adult person was unearthed last Thursday on the Henry J. Morehouse farm on the Amenia-Sharon road by a steam shovel which was being used to dig gravel for the new Sharon-West Cornwall highway. According to reports of the find, workmen did not see the skelton [sic] when it was scooped up by the steam shovel, but discovered it when a truck load of gravel was dumped on the road.
Dr. J. S. Chaffee, health officer of the Town of Sharon, made an examination of the skelton [sic] and reported that he believed it had been buried for about twenty-five years.
‘Grange Places 2nd At County Fair’; Millerton Grange 796 won second place in the Grange exhibit at the Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck, this past week. All of the displays were centered on the nation’s bicentennial and the Millerton theme was “The Industrial Evolution: 200 years of American Progress.”
The display featured old equipment, tools, and items and the modern equivalent and its effect on the lifestyle of the people. Also featured were fruits, flowers, vegetables and baked goods.
There were 12 granges throughout the county represented and Millerton was 1.1 points behind the first place winner, Pleasant Valley. The committee for the local grange was co-chaired by Helen Lachler and Hugh Leighton.
‘Guide Dog Homes Sought’; Temporary homes are being sought for 10 Labrador retriever puppies who will eventually become guide dogs for blind persons.
John Byfield, director of training for the Second Sight Dog Foundation of Smithtown, N.Y., has explained that the pups need to live in a stable family environment from the age of 6 weeks until they are a year old. This litter will be ready for distribution in early October.
The Labrador retriever pups are now at the home of Leon Silvernale, Rudd Pond Farms, Millerton, N.Y.
‘Firestone tire recall hits McLean Ford’; MILLERTON — If you listen to John McLean, owner of McLean Ford on Route 44, one of the most notable things about the recent recall of Firestone tires is that lawyers everywhere are sure to go into a litigation feeding frenzy. And customers are getting some great deals on new tires.
However, the problem, especially in northern states, may be overstated. “We’ve had no problems ... never,” Mr. McLean said, referring to his dealer-serviced vehicles.
McLean’s has many customers waiting to have tires replaced, and now dealers are allowed by Firestone to use any of a long list of tire brands.
“People love it,” he said of the recall, which authorizes free-of-charge replacement of all recalled tires.
According to the Firestone Web site, bridgestone-firestone.com, 97 percent of the incidents involving defective tires were reported in southern states, where road temperatures are naturally the highest. When tires are inflated on the low side, or about 26 pounds per square inch (psi), as opposed to the tire manufacturer’s recommended 30 psi, the tire’s sidewall can peel off and cause a blowout at high temperatures.
The discrepancy in recommended tire pressure is sure to generate lawsuits between Firestone and Ford, he said.
The recall affects all North America-produced Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires in size P235/75R15, according to the Firestone Web site. Also, Wilderness AT tires in that size produced in Decatur, IL., are being recalled.
‘Water Tower Work May Start Next Week’; MILLERTON — It looks like the painting of village water tower is imminent .
At Monday’s monthly meeting, Village Trustees voted to accept a bid from a New Jersey firm, U.S. Engineering, to paint the tower inside and out, as early as next week. Mayor Michael Cawley said the company is now doing work on a similar project in Connecticut.
‘Fire Truck Getting Workout’; Millerton Fire Department First Lieutenant Jim Milton said the new fire truck, delivered Aug. 10, is getting much use in its maiden few weeks, including a call on the day it was delivered. New awnings were installed on Aug. 15, and a few glitches in the operation of the truck were fixed.
The department is looking into starting an auxiliary, Mr. Milton said, which will be joined by honorary members.
Also being considered is a retirement plan, or “service award program,” for department members, through a points system. The move may also help in the recruitment of younger volunteers.
‘Skinner Top Fisher’; MILLERTON - At the Millerton Fire Department Tractor Pull, Saturday, Aug. 5, the Millerton Gun Club had a fishing pond for children.
Kyle Skinner won a fishing pole for catching the biggest fish, a golden trout.
The pole was donated by Matt Jenks.
COPAKE— Opponents of the Shepherd’s Run solar projecthere have asked New York State regulators to put a hold on a pending application for a permit because of new concerns raised about the company’s financial solvency.
The concern was raised following a motion brought in Delaware Chancery Court seeking a restraining order against Hecate LLC, the developer of Shepherd’s Run.
The motion was brought this month by a Hecate creditor, NEC VI, which loaned Hecate $82 million. The lender claims in court that Hecate is in breach of credit agreements andhas been making “ongoing attempts to hide and dissipate” NEC VI’s collateral in order to pay unsecured obligations to its principals and other creditors.
“Hecate Holdings is woefully insolvent, strapped for cash, and drastically overleveraged,” the motion states.
In an Aug. 20 letter tothe NYS Office of Renewable Energy Siting and two other state agencies, Sara Traberman on behalf of Sensible Solar for Rural New York called on the agencies to put on hold any further consideration of Hecate’s application for a 42 megawatt solar installation in Copake. Sensible Solar wants the agencies to conduct further due diligence regarding Hecate’s financial status.
Matt Levine, the Shepherd’s Run project manager, said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 22: “Hecate Energy remains committed to Shepherd’s Run, and to continued engagement with the community and project stakeholders to advance the project through the ORES process.
“Regarding the legal matter mentioned, Hecate denies that NEC’s claims and allegations have merit and will vigorously dispute them in court.”
The project proposed by the Chicago-based developer of solar, wind and energy storage projects, has been controversial for the rural hamlet’s residents since it initially was discussed in 2017. Then, it was planned as a 60-megawatt solar farm to be located near the intersection of Routes 23 and 7. In February 2024, the state granted a motion from the Town of Copake to dismiss the application, and Hecate regrouped, filing last December.
Since then, state regulators have issued two notices of incomplete application.On June 27, ORES found Hecate’s most recent application deficient in eleven areas.
Over the summer, state regulators have received extensive public comment from residents of Copake. The majority of the nearly 100 comments oppose the project, including more recent ones that cite the Delaware court proceedings as a reason to pause the project.
