Opening Meet kicks off formal hunt season

AMENIA — Unseasonably warm weather marked the start of the 105th Opening Meet of the Millbrook Hunt, held at Coole Park Farm in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 6. Fieldmaster Parker Thorne welcomed the crowd of more than 80 riders, friends and well-wishers, and noted that among the group was Billy Leitch, who was riding in his 62nd Opening Meet. With the day already heating up by the 8 a.m. start, huntsman Donald Philhower led the 17 and a half couple of hounds (that’s a total of 35 dogs) south toward Millbrook School and Fraleigh Hill. The warm, dry weather and light breeze made for challenging scenting conditions, but after about 45 minutes the hounds were able to pick up a scent, which resulted in a good gallop for the field. For some riders the biggest excitement was avoiding ground nests of bees, which get riled up when disturbed by horses galloping by.Opening Meet is the start of the formal hunt season and with that comes a change of dress from the more informal tweeds of cubbing season to the iconic scarlet coats often seen in classic hunting prints. The Millbrook Hunt is one of the oldest and most traditional hunts in the United States, and the membership on Saturday was turned out in style, complete with braided manes and tails for the horses.A brief dictionary of hunting terms:• Dogs are always referred to as hounds.• The field refers to all the riders on horseback. • Whips, or whippers-in, are the riders who assist the huntsman in managing the hounds.• Colors are awarded to members of the hunt who have hunted consistently for at least three years and are in good standing. • Couples is the term for a pair of hounds. Generally the huntsman brings out about 14 on a given day. • “Ware hound” or “ware hole” means watch out for a hound or a hole. • “Tallyho” is the cry when a fox or coyote has been spotted, but decorum dictates that it is only staff that makes the call, as the intent is to alert the huntsman and not make a lot of noise. Despite the fact that the masters and whips do use radios to stay in touch with each other, much of hunting is still done by ear. And staying quiet so that the hounds can be heard is very important.The Millbrook Hunt joint masters are Nancy Stahl, David Hathaway, John Ike and Parker Thorne. To learn more about the history, terminology and traditions of the Millbrook Hunt go to The Millerton News website at www.tricornernews.com and search the archives for Millbrook Hunt.

Latest News

Yellowjackets lose to Hawks in Falls Village

Yellowjackets lose to Hawks in Falls Village

FALLS VILLAGE — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic Yellowjackets co-op football team lost 47-14 to the Woodland Regional High School Hawks Saturday, Oct. 5.

Woodland’s explosive speed created breakaway plays on the ground and in the air. Woodland QB Jack Brunetti Brunetti threw for 160 yards and the Hawks’ backfield combined for 298 rushing yards.

Keep ReadingShow less
gnh football

Economic pressures jeopardize Connecticut's farming future

Economic pressures jeopardize Connecticut's farming future

Marble Valley Farm in Kent leases land from the Kent Land Trust at below-market rates. The model enabled owner Megan Haney to grow her vegetable operation in an otherwise harsh economic climate for Connecticut farmers.

Photo by Sarah Lang

Last month, the USDA’s 2024 Land Values Summary reported that Connecticut has the third most expensive farm real estate in the country (tied with Massachusetts) at two times the northeast average for dollars per acre.

To Chelsea Gazillo, the senior New England policy manager for American Farmland Trust, these numbers reflect a “farmland access and succession crisis” that has impacted the state for “the last 15 years at least.”

Keep ReadingShow less
agriculture

Amelia R. Wright

Amelia R. Wright

Falls Village – Amelia Rosalie (Betti) Wright, 91, of Falls Village died September 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Kenneth Wright.

Amelia was born September 6, 1933 in Torrington, CT, daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Passini) Betti. Amelia worked at Camp Isabella Freedman as the Head Housekeeper. She was employed there for 35 years. She attended the Falls Village Congregational Church and had been very active at the Senior Center in Falls Village. She enjoyed collecting. She also enjoyed the craft classes offered by Adult Ed at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the Cape, Vermont and New Hampshire. An avid flower person, Amelia had traveled to the major flower shows in both Boston and Philadelphia.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Osborn and her husband David of Falls Village, her son, Robert H. Wright of Falls Village and her son, Donald Wright and his wife Kate of Millbrook, NY; her sister, MaryAnn Betti of Falls Village; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Katie Osborn and Jacob Wright. Amelia is also survived by her great grandson, Gunner Osborn. Amelia was predeceased by her brother, Donald Betti.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT. Calling hours will be held at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018 on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Falls Village Volunteer Ambulance Association, 188 US-7 South, Falls Village, CT. 06031

Fashion and fun mark a century of service

Fashion and fun mark a century of service

Tom Barret shows off some Rummage Sale finds.

Natalia Zukerman

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Cornwall Woman’s Society hosted its 100th anniversary celebration at Mohawk Mountain ski lodge.

“This celebration is to thank the people of Cornwall for their support and to celebrate the 100 years that the Woman’s Society has contributed to Cornwall and to needs near and far,” said Nancy Barr, co-chair of the Cornwall Woman’s Society (CWS).

Keep ReadingShow less
community