Roel Jan Library Children and Youth Services Associate Tia Maggio held Storytime with Tia on Saturday, Feb. 26, and read “Fox in Socks” in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Afterward, everyone went sledding.
Photo by Robin Gotlieb
Latest News
In Remembrance: Bob Moeller
Apr 10, 2024
Back in the 1970’s, a visit to the Sharon Audubon Center made an impression on me that lasted a lifetime. As an eager young naturalist, I attended the Sharon Audubon Festival, a two-day feast of presentations and field walks by experts in plants, insects, birds, and other branches of natural history. In session after session, we were hosed with fascinating information. I lapped it all up, but one experience stood out: a walk led by the Director, Bob Moeller, along the Borland Trail. It was unhurried and very quiet. Bob simply stopped at intervals and read short passages from the nature writing of Hal Borland, for whom the trail is named. Bob’s demeanor invited us to relax, listen, observe, and reflect in the same way that Hal might have done in the same place. We tapped our own awareness rather than tracking someone else’s. I never forgot it.
Almost forty years later I became, in turn, a Director of the Sharon Audubon Center. On my first day, I opened a closet door and found a yellowed, typewritten sheet tacked to the inside with instructions from Bob about how to prepare a mammal skull. The instructions were simple, clear, and ended with “That’s about it.” It was like hearing his voice all over again.
With Bob’s passing, tributes have come into Sharon Audubon from former interns and staff, now conservation professionals themselves, who had the privilege of working with him here. All credit him with influencing their careers. Scott Heth, one of Bob’s successors as Center Director, recalls: “Bob mentored countless young naturalists. He encouraged people to do the work to find the answers to questions. I have fond memories of walking the woods with Bob when I was very young...I knew then that I wanted to do what he did.” Former intern (now Ph.D) Sandy DeSimone wrote from California: “I loved his teaching style, based in nature education theory that was so far removed from the canned nature walks I had been on in the past. Bob was undoubtedly one of the strongest influences on my career path.” Corky Potter went from working with Bob to founding Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center at Penn State. Its entrance has the motto “Keep on Discovering,” inspired by Bob’s way of “not telling, but of asking questions to unfold the essence of the world around us.” Art Gingert of West Cornwall recalls “Bob was magnificently trained as an old school naturalist…but the best thing is that he was a superb teacher, always making time—often on the spot—to listen, entertain a query and then graciously share his knowledge.” Rock Moeslein in Virginia recalls that Bob taught “the importance of appreciating volunteers and people for all that they brought to the Center and the community.” (Amen to that!) He adds that the mentoring went on for another 48 years! Tom Mullin, writing from Maine, noted that in addition to leadership at Sharon Audubon, Bob “went on to have instrumental leadership for the region…the memory of his kindness and vision are ones that I recall with deep fondness.” Tom recalls other things too: “I have some wicked funny stories of Bob. I am sure many of us do. I hope I can make the Celebration of Life planned for later in the year.” Hope you do, Tom!
Without doubt, this is just a small sample of the impact Bob Moeller had on a generation of naturalists, scientists, and conservationists. He put Sharon Audubon on the national map as a source of excellence. As we welcome this year’s interns, just starting their own careers, we’re humbled and inspired by the challenge of living up to Bob’s example.
Maybe we’ll take them for a walk on the Borland Trail.
Eileen Fielding
Director, Sharon Audubon Center
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Vilma Bernardon Bruno
Apr 10, 2024
MILLERTON — Vilma Bernardon Bruno, 91, a thirty-one year resident of Millerton, formerly of New Hyde Park, New York, died peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon.
Born Feb. 26, 1933, in New York City she was the daughter of the late Dominick and Mary (Biasotti) Bernardon. She was a graduate of New York City Public Schools. On Feb. 16, 1952, in East Elmhurst, New York, she married John Anthony Bruno. Their marriage lasted 63 years. Mr. Bruno passed away on Dec. 11, 2015.
Vilma enjoyed sewing, crocheting, word search puzzles, gardening and jig-saw puzzles. In her spare time she was also an avid reader and a wonderful cook, she especially loved making and eating delicious donuts.
Vilma is survived by three children, John Bruno and his wife Robin of Livingston, William Bruno of Massapequa and Lisa Napolitano and her husband Joseph of Millerton; eight grandchildren, Christa, Erin, Bethann, Johnny, Joe, Vicky, Gina and Joey; ten great grandchildren, Lily, Emma, Rosie, Jake, Ethan, Dillon, Maddie, Natalie, Hallie and Julian. In addition to her parents and husband, Vilma was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Maddie Bruno, a granddaughter, Alyssa Bruno, a nephew, Andrew Bruno and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Anthony and Emma Bruno.
Calling hours will take place on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.Pastor William Mayhew will officiate. A committal service will be offered on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, NY. Rev. Robert K. Wilson will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Millerton Fire Company, P.O. Box 733, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family, a floral tribute to the service or to plant a tree in Vilma’s memory, visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com.
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Craig Kardon
Apr 10, 2024
MILLERTON — Craig Kardon, 58, passed away at his residence on Feb. 13, 2024 in Largo, Florida. He was born in the Bronx, New York, on May 14, 1965. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Milton and Pauline Kardon, Uncle Alan Kardon, and long term significant other, Christine Smith. He is survived by parents, Paul and Anna Christina Kardon, sister Gabrielle Kardon, daughter Krista Kardon-Thompson, son-in-law Hunter and grandson Bryce Thompson.
He resided in Poughkeepsie, Millerton, and Lakeland, Florida. Craig graduated from Indian Mountain School, Lakeville, (1980); Loomis Chaffee, Windsor, Connecticut (1983); and received his Bachelor of Arts from SUNY New Paltz, New York (1990).
Craig was an athlete who excelled in baseball throughout grade school into college. He was an avid sports fan. He owned Doc’s Place, a sports bar in Lakeland, Florida for 18 years. Craig also worked in real estate.
While Craig was growing up, he had an interest in abstract art, starting with using colored pencils on paper or drawing a pattern on his daughters wall to his newest career, Craigscreations. Craig decided to seek his dream of creating abstract paintings while driving for Uber/Lyft. He created designs with oil paints on canvas’s to which he showcased at art shows and through social media.
This past year Craig developed Craigscreations, an online store with his designs on various household items and clothes. He wanted nothing more than to share his passion with everyone through his work.
A celebration of life will take place on April 20, 2024 at 1 p.m. The location will be 6816 East Road, Lakeland Florida, 33809.
Contributions can be made in memory of Craig to Indian Mountain School: https://www.indianmountain.org/giving or by mail: Indian Mountain School, 211 Indian Mountain Road, Lakeville, CT 06039. Attention: Advancement Department.
Make checks payable to Indian Mountain School, and include in memo “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” Craig Kardon, Class of 1980. Any questions regarding this process, please contact Donna Stoetzner, Advancement Associate, 860-435-0871 ext. 155.
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Legal Notices - 4-11-24
Apr 10, 2024
NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET,
ANNUAL MEETING, SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION AND VOTE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Northeast Central School District, Dutchess and Columbia Counties, New York, will hold a Public Hearing on the Budget in the High School Library at the Webutuck High School Building, Haight Road, Amenia, New York, on Monday, May 7, 2024 at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2024-2025 School Year.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the budget for the 2024-2025 school year, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours, between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., prevailing time, at the Webutuck Elementary School, Eugene Brooks Intermediate School, Webutuck High School and at the District Administrative Office between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., prevailing time, effective April 30, 2024, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays. Copies of the Budget will also be available at the Northeast-Millerton Library and the Amenia Free Library. A report of tax exemptions, showing how much of the total assessed value of the final assessment roll or rolls used in that budgetary process is exempt from taxation, shall be annexed to the budget document.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Annual Meeting, Election of Members of the Board of Education and Vote on the Budget of the qualified voters of the Northeast Central School District, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Webutuck High School gym, Haight Road, Amenia, New York, between the hours of 12:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, when the polls will be open for the purpose of voting by voting machine:
A. To elect two (2) members to the Board of Education: one seat (1) is for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027 to fill the vacant seat of incumbent board member Joanne Boyd; one (1) is to fill the vacant seat that was occupied by Rick Keller Coffey (who resigned 1/22/24) commencing on May 21, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.
B. 2024-2025 Northeast (Webutuck) CSD Budget
To adopt the annual budget of the North East (Webutuck) Central School District for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be raised by taxation on the taxable property on the District.
C. 2024-2025 Transportation Vehicle Purchase
SHALL the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District be authorized to: (1) acquire two (2) 2024 Chevy Type A 20- passenger school buses and one (1) 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 transportation vehicle, at a cost not to exceed $222,238, which is estimated to be the maximum cost thereof; (2) expend such sum for such purpose; (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid; and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District and/or enter into installment purchase agreements at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $222,238, and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
D. Capital Reserve Fund
Shall the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District be authorized to expend a sum not to exceed $4,500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to finance the cost of installation of air conditioning in the classrooms of Eugene Brooks Intermediate School and Webutuck High School?
E. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.
The election and budget vote shall be by machine, early voting or absentee ballot. The hours during which the poll shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 9:00 P.M. to cast their ballots.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions for the nomination of candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with Clerk of the District no later than Monday, April 22, 2025, by 5:00 P.M., prevailing time, in the form and manner prescribed by Section 2018 of the Education Law. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at-large for the vacant seats. Such petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the School District, shall state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence address of the candidate. The petition shall also describe the length of the term of the office and contain the name of the last incumbent. Petition forms may be picked up on any school day at the Office of the District Clerk, at the Webutuck High School building, Haight Road, Amenia, New York between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M or on the district’s website at www.webutuckschools.org beginning March 1, 2024.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the qualified voters of the School District shall be entitled to vote in said annual vote and election. A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America, (2) eighteen (18) years of age or older, and (3) resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days preceding the annual vote and election. The School District may require all persons offering to vote at the budget vote and election to provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law section 2018-c. Such form may include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card. Upon offer of proof of residency, the School District may also require all persons offering to vote to provide their signature, printed name and address.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that early mail ballots and absentee ballots will be available for this Election and Vote. Applications for early mail and absentee ballots for the School District Election and Vote may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk at the Webutuck High School building, Haight Road, Amenia, New York on school days during school hours, or on the district’s website at www.webutuckschools.org beginning March 1, 2024 but may not be returned to the District clerk any earlier than April 21, 2024, and must be returned to the District Clerk by May 14, 2024 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, May 20, 2024, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Early mail and absentee ballots must be received at the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M., prevailing time, on the day of the Election and Vote, May 21, 2024.
The Education Law makes special provisions for absentee voting by “permanently disabled” voters of the District and any questions regarding these should be directed to the District Clerk.
A list of all persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District at the said District Administrative Offices during regular office hours, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., prevailing time, including the day of the Election and Vote. Any qualified voter may file a written challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an early mail voter may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot.
The Education Law also makes special provisions for absentee voting for “military” voters of the District. Specifically, the law provides a unique procedure for “military ballots” in school district votes. Whereas absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail, a military voter may elect to receive his/her absentee ballot application and absentee ballot by mail, email or facsimile. The military voter must, however, return his/her original military ballot application and military ballot by mail or in person. The Clerk of the Board shall transmit the military voter’s military ballot in accord with the military voter’s preferred method of transmission, or if no preferred method is identified by mail, not later than twenty-five (25) days before the vote, April 26, 2024. The Clerk of the Board must then receive the military voter’s military ballot by mail or in person not later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the vote.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with Education Law §§ 2035, 2008, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with and directed to the District Clerk at the District Office, on or before April 22, 2024; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District; and must state the name and residence of the candidate, and the name and residence of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain or place before the voters any petition or any proposition if its purpose is beyond the power of the voters or is illegal, or any proposition requiring the expenditure of monies which fails to include specific appropriations for all such expenditures required by the proposition.
Therese M. Trotter
Clerk of the Board
Northeast (Webutuck) Central School District
194 Haight Road,
P.O. Box 405
Amenia, NY 12501
04-11-24
PINE PLAINS
TOWN BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Pine Plains Town Board will hold a public hearing on the adoption of a for the Extending a Local Law No. 3 of 2023 which Enacted an Eight Month Moratorium on the Processing and Approval of New Applications for Tier 3 Solar Facilities for a Period of Six Additional Months on April 18, 2024, at 7:15 p.m. at the Pine Plains Town Hall, located at 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York. A copy of the proposed Local Law is available for inspection on the Town’s official website and at the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours. Any person desiring to be heard on the adoption of said Resolution shall be given an opportunity to do so. Dated: March 21, 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE PINE PLAINS TOWN BOARD.
MADELIN DAFOE,
Town Clerk
04-11-24
PINE PLAINS
TOWN BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Pine Plains Town Board will hold a public hearing on the adoption of a for the Removal of the Current Conservation Council Members from the Conservation Advisory Council on April 18, 2024, at 7:05 p.m. at the Pine Plains Town Hall, located at 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York. A copy of the proposed Resolution is available for inspection on the Town’s official website and at the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours. Any person desiring to be heard on the adoption of said Resolution shall be given an opportunity to do so. Dated: March 21, 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE PINE PLAINS TOWN BOARD.
MADELIN DAFOE,
Town Clerk
04-11-24
OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITION
TOWN OF AMENIA
is seeking applications for the following Volunteer Positions
Recreation Commission Member
Water District
Wastewater Committee
Ethics Board
Town residency required for the volunteer positions. Letter of Interest and Resume may be submitted via email to dmklingner@ameniany.gov via mail to Town Clerk, Dawn Marie Klingner, 4988 Route 22 Amenia NY 12501. Application deadline April 18th at Noon.
04-11-24
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