Millerton News Editorial

Set quietly amid the affluent community of Millbrook, you might be surprised to find one of the world’s most elite ecological scientific research centers.

A handful of people in Amenia have been hard at work for a long time, trying to solve the problem of how a business district without a modern central wastewater system can attract more merchants, restaurant owners and other business people to invest in their community.

Congratulations, everyone, we have finally made it to year’s end. 2021 is quickly coming to a close and somehow, some way, we have all managed to survive another challenging and tumultuous 365 days during year two of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s mid-December, a joyous time for most who are thick in the grip of their holiday celebrations — shopping, baking, wrapping, visiting — doing all of those things that make us most jolly.

For what seems like the first time in a while, the holiday spirit seems to have been generously sprinkled all around the Harlem Valley — as those who live and work here, those who govern our towns and villages, along with those who manage many of our social services, nonprofits, libraries, churches, police and fire departments, our veterans, Sco

This week we report on a sad state of affairs in Millerton — after more than 174 years, the Millerton Presbyterian Church, fondly known to many as The Brown Church due to its dark-colored facade, announced that come Sunday, Jan. 23, it will give its final service and close its doors for good.

In a year marked by so much trauma and tragedy, it may seem like it’s asking a lot of our Harlem Valley readers to sit down at their Thanksgiving tables this year ready to share what it is that they have to be thankful for with each other.

There are times for all communities that are tipping points, when some centers that shape their residents’ lives in profound ways change or are at such dramatic risk that there is no turning back to what once was. We’ve all seen or know about such places.