Welcome news

Welcome news
Kim Choe (left) and Chris Choe were excited to share their plans for a new supermarket with The Millerton News.
Photo by Christine Bates

The news that owners of Sharon Farm Market have purchased the Millerton Square Shopping Center with plans to develop a new supermarket to meet the needs of residents from Copake to Dover is welcome almost beyond words.

Kim and Chris Choe purchased the property from veteran grocer Joseph “Skip” Trotta in mid-November. According to the Choes, the 29,000 square foot market will offer a wide selection that will include “full-service meat, deli, seafood, sushi, bakery, and produce departments.” In a Page One article by Christine Bates in the Dec. 4 edition of The Millerton News and online the Choes outline their ambitious plans.

North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan was quoted saying, “We are all looking forward to have a food market back in Millerton,” while also admiring the “vision” and “perseverance” of the Choes.

When the sale was announced, Skip Trotta noted: “This sale pleases us to know that this store will continue to operate as it was intended to operate back in 1971 when my father and I decided to leave our small market on Main Street and build the plaza. The residents in our area will no longer need to travel long distances to get good affordable and fresh groceries. We will all benefit from this sale. Thank you to the folks along the way who helped us finally get this done and for the patience shown by the people of the community.”

Congratulations to everyone involved. The Millerton News welcomes the Choes, who operate the family owned Sharon Farm Market at the Sharon Shopping Center in Sharon, where since 2010 they have sold groceries sourced locally. In June 2022, Choe expanded with the purchase of a roadside farm on Route 44 in East Canaan, Connecticut, with vegetable fields and livestock.

The market envisioned by the Choes will end a long stretch with Millerton existing as a food desert. We applaud the efforts by many to achieve the goal of having a place to buy groceries in town.


Holiday buzz

As November came to a close, Millerton once again ushered in the holiday season with a spectacular Festival of Lights. Both sides of Main Street were lined by parade watchers. Music from The Salisbury Brass Band filled Veterans Park. The late November temperatures didn’t dissuade anyone, and the fun included a free screening of “Prancer” at The Moviehouse, hot chocolate and snacks courtesy of NBT Bank and cookie decorating at the North East Community Center.

Praise is due to the Millerton Business Alliance for the big list of activities over the weekend. And it’s not over. The MBA is hosting a Winter Walk in the Village on Friday, Dec. 13, when from 4 to 7 p.m. the community is invited to stroll Main Street to shop stores with extended hours, limited exclusive sales, giveaways, treats and soak in the holiday atmosphere.

Is this a palpable holiday buzz?

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less