Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Workshop planned for June 9to air future ideas for Amenia

AMENIA — Signs are posted throughout the town inviting residents to engage in a conversation about the town’s future at a Community Workshop. The Listening and Learning session, called by the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, will be held at the Town Hall on Monday, June 9, between 6 and 8 p.m. The format will be that of an Open House. Come anytime and leave anytime.

The six-member CPRC will be present to hear from residents about what they care most about when thinking of Amenia’s future in the coming decades. Residents’ comments will directly shape the CPRC discussions to be incorporated into the town’s comprehensive plan update. It will be a time for conversation about what is working now, what should be improved and where the town should be heading. The plan was last updated in 2007.

As a result of the event, the CPRC will identify shared goals to create a roadmap that will chart the future of the town of Amenia.

At the Wednesday, May 28, meeting of the Planning Board, member Ken Topolsky who also serves on the CPRC, spoke of the importance of attending the June 9 event. He noted that the updated plan will serve as substantial guidance for all local zoning law until the next update that should occur around 2040.

The event is a key element of the CPRC process under the direction of planning consultants from Pace University’s Land Use Center and Nexus Creative Design of Mt. Kisco.

For more information about the workshop session and regular updates on the CPRC process, go to www.engagingamenia.com.

Latest News

Nearly 3,000 flags mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11

Firefighters, veterans and color guards stand before a hillside covered with nearly 3,000 American flags during Stanford’s ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

STANFORD — Nearly 3,000 flags covered the hillside at Stanford Recreation Park as hundreds of people gathered for the town’s annual ceremony honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Residents from across the region attended the ceremony, along with veterans groups and fire and rescue crews from Stanford, Millbrook, Amenia, Pine Plains and West Clinton.

Keep ReadingShow less
Former Amenia bank finds new life as coffee shop

Bean Bank Coffee owners Amy and Dave Cocheo stand inside their newly opened coffee shop and bakery at Freshtown Plaza in Amenia on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Photo provided

AMENIA — After an extensive renovation, Bean Bank Coffee has transformed the former Bank of Millbrook branch at Freshtown Plaza into a coffee shop and bakery serving Amenia and the surrounding community.

The business began its gradual opening Monday, Aug. 24, serving coffee and tea through its drive-through window and drawing curiosity from passersby. By Monday, Sept. 7, Bean Bank Coffee was fully open for business.

Keep ReadingShow less
Family taps into craft beer dream at Hopyard Brewery

The restored farmhouse at Hopyard Brewery.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASHINGTON HOLLOW — Craft beer fans in northern Dutchess County have a new local haunt to add to their rotation.

The 40-acre Hopyard Brewery at Washington Hollow opened its doors last month on Route 82, joining a small but growing cluster of farm breweries and distilleries that have reshaped the region’s rural crossroads. This month, the brewery is offering house-brewed Oktoberfest beers, Apple Cider Donut Hard Cider and Pumpkin Ale.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

North East authorizes renovation of former Jehovah’s Witness building into Town Hall

The former Jehovah’s Witness hall at 5603 Route 22.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

The Town Board unanimously approved a resolution last week authorizing the town to remodel a former Jehovah’s Witness hall on Route 22 for use as a new Town Hall.

The board also approved a $1,435,813 project cost estimate prepared by engineering firm LAN.

Keep ReadingShow less
Climber dies after 40-foot fall at St. Johns Ledges in Kent

St. Johns Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent, where a 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday, Sept. 10, after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

KENT, Conn. — A 30-year-old Great Barrington man died Thursday, Sept. 10 after falling approximately 40 feet while rock climbing at St. Johns Ledges along the Appalachian Trail in Kent.

The man was identified as Collin Salmon, who previously lived in Warren.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent Tritle’s annual Smithfield organ concert coming up on Sept. 19

Acclaimed organist and choral director Kent Tritle, pictured at the Smithfield Church organ at his 2024 concert, is returning for his annual recital on Saturday, Sept. 19 to benefit the Oratorio Society of New York.

Photo provided

AMENIA — New York Philharmonic organist and acclaimed choral director Kent Tritle will bring his lively, personable and intimate performance style to The Smithfield Church in Amenia on Saturday, Sept. 19. A highlight of the area’s performance season, the 3 p.m. concert will benefit the Oratorio Society of New York, where Tritle serves as Music Director.

This will be the 14th annual organ recital Tritle has performed on the Smithfield Church’s historic 1893 Johnson and Son tracker organ, meticulously restored and moved from its original location at the First Congregational Church in Kent, Conn.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.