
A fleet of stationary bikes at the Interlaken Inn gym ready for a spin class. The gym is only open to the public during Studio Lakeville sessions.
Alec Linden
A fleet of stationary bikes at the Interlaken Inn gym ready for a spin class. The gym is only open to the public during Studio Lakeville sessions.
While exercise is vital in maintaining physical fitness, staying active can have profound impacts on mental health as well. According to the Center for Disease Control, regular physical activity can bolster memory and critical thinking skills, learning, regulate emotions, improve sleep, and ameliorate depression and anxiety. Maintaining a program of moderate to vigorous exertion has even been shown to aid in preventing dementia later in life.
While Northwest Connecticut and the Taconic Region of New York are rife with opportunities for outdoor exercise, for many people finding instruction and community is essential to sticking with long-term fitness goals. And of course, sometimes it rains. Find below a brief primer of some of the facilities on offer in the region that keep Tri-State residents moving and healthy.
Leslie Eckstein, licensed personal trainer, massage therapist and esthetician, operates a holistic wellness program from the amenities on offer at the Interlaken Inn, focusing on individually-focused classes and sessions that promote fitness and relaxation alike. Services range from spin classes, Pilates, personal training, massage, facials, weights training and more. Virtual classes via skype and group personal training appointments are also possible, as well as an array of online classes for those who prefer to work out at home. A full menu of services, a regular class schedule and pricing are available online.
74 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, Connecticut
860-671-1741, studiolakeville@yahoo.com
Sharon’s Danica Center offers the skills and knowledge of licensed physical therapists Dr. Bente Dahl-Busby and Doctor Sabina Busby, alongside the Pilates instruction of Donnell Oakley, to help clients looking to improve mobility, ease pain, recover from injuries or surgery, or just assist in improving general flexibility and body strength. The facility also offers Pilates classes in two levels, alongside Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi balance and therapeutic movement classes. More detailed information regarding the varied services, which range from individual sessions to group classes, can be found on Danica’s website.
101 Gay Street, Sharon, Connecticut
860-397-5363
danicacenter@gmail.com
Conveniently located in downtown Salisbury, certified instructor Nina Embiricos’s studio offers a variety of classes for all ability levels, drawing inspiration from Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Katonah Yoga practices. There are group classes programmed every day, and Embiricos also offers private sessions alongside specialized workshops that occur several times a month that concentrate on a specific focus, such as sound-bathing or specialized instruction from a visiting instructor. Pilates classes are also available. For more information and pricing, visit the studio’s website.
15 Academy Street, Salisbury, Connecticut
347-206-0366
info@rigayoga.com
The Canaan Branch of the Northwest CT YMCA has been serving the people of Northwest Connecticut since 2004. Located on the campus of Geer Village in North Canaan, the Y offers a great facility and staff who care about you and our community.
860-499-3195
Certified instructor Sarah offers a range of classes that she keeps accessible for residents of all ages, body types and budgets to participate in and maintain their strength, mobility, and mental well-being, all while having a good time. She particularly focuses on keeping older residents strong and active. She offers regularly scheduled classes alongside personalized sessions for individual goals such as strength resistance or yoga for those with osteoporosis. Visit Sarah’s website to learn more about her studio’s services.
18 Old North Road, Amenia, New York
646-401-4188
info@ameniayoga.com
For those looking for a fully equipped membership gym that also offers fitness and strength classes from a broad array of professionally-certified instructors, take the short drive south and west to Litchfield. Litchfield Hills Fitness offers regular hours seven days a week to its varied facilities, which includes a weight room, stretching room, cardio deck, and extensive main fitness room. For gym-goers who fancy a post-workout sauna, this is the place to be. Individual and small-group personal training are also on offer, alongside a full-curriculum of specialized classes. A full schedule and information on pricing and hours are all available on the gym’s website.
599 Bantam Road, Litchfield, Connecticut
860-567-3510
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.