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 www.tricornernews.com and search the archives for Millbrook Hunt.

Latest News

Wake Robin developers reapply with P&Z
Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.
Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — ARADEV LLC, the developer behind the proposed redesign of Wake Robin Inn, returned before Salisbury’s Planning and Zoning Commission at its May 5 regular meeting with a 644-page plan that it says scales back the project.

ARADEV withdrew its previous application last December after a six-round public hearing in which neighbors along Wells Hill Road and Sharon Road rallied against the proposal as detrimental to the neighborhood.

Keep ReadingShow less
Housatonic lax wins 18-6 versus Lakeview
Chloe Hill, left, scored once in the game against Lakeview High School Tuesday, May 7.
Photo by Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse kept rolling Tuesday, May 6, with a decisive 18-6 win over Lakeview High School.

Eight different players scored for Housatonic in the Northwest Corner rivalry matchup. Sophomore Georgie Clayton led the team with five goals.

Keep ReadingShow less
Troutbeck Symposium 2025: the latest chapter in continuing a vital legacy

Participating students and teachers gathered for the traditional photo at the 2025 Troutbeck Symposium on Thursday, May 1.

Leila Hawken

Students and educators from throughout the region converged at Troutbeck in Amenia for a three-day conference to present historical research projects undertaken collaboratively by students with a common focus on original research into their chosen topics. Area independent schools and public schools participated in the conference that extended from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2.

The symposium continues the Troutbeck legacy as a decades-old gathering place for pioneers in social justice and reform. Today it is a destination luxury country inn, but Troutbeck remains conscious of its significant place in history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roaring Oaks Florist launches self-serve flower market

Terence S. Miller, owner of Roaring Oaks Florist in the new self-serve area of the shop.

Natalia Zukerman

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Roaring Oaks Florist in Lakeville has launched a new self-serve flower station next to its Main Street shop, offering high-quality, grab-and-go bouquets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week — including Sundays when the main store is closed.

Owner Terence S. Miller, who bought the shop 24 years ago at just 20 years old, calls the new feature “a modern twist on an old-school honor system,” with some high-tech updates.

Keep ReadingShow less