The Fountains at Millbrook host Valentine’s fundraiser

Fredlyn “Freddie” Doelling and her cat, Peaches.

Lisa Reickermann

The Fountains at Millbrook host Valentine’s fundraiser

This Valentine’s Day, residents and associates at The Fountains at Millbrook celebrated love by giving back. From Feb. 1 to Feb. 14, they collected pet food, toys, blankets, and other supplies to support the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue. Their efforts resulted in a donation valued at approximately $300, which was delivered to the shelter on Feb. 15.

The Fountains is a unique retirement community that warmly welcomes pets, recognizing the joy and companionship they bring to residents. Unlike many senior living facilities with strict pet policies, The Fountains embraces animals as part of the community.


Joy Papa, a resident of The Fountains, with her dog, Pookie.Lisa Reickermann

Resident Joy Papa knows firsthand the deep connection between people and their pets. She spent Valentine’s Day with her chihuahua, Pookie. “Valentine’s Day is not just about having a boyfriend or husband,” said Papa. “It extends to family, friends, and, for me, my dog. Pookie is good company, keeps me on my toes, and brings me peace.”

Lucy Bonacquist, another resident, shares a similar bond with her 13-year-old dog Harvey. Harvey has become a beloved figure in the community, often joining residents for activities and providing encouragement during Bonacquist’s exercise class, “Limber Up with Lucy.”

“Harvey is essential to my well-being,” said Bonacquist. “He has more friends than I do here!”


Lucy Bonacquist, a resident of The Fountains, and her dog, Harvey. Lisa Reickermann

Fredlyn “Freddie” Doelling and her orange cat, Peaches, enjoy their daily companionship. “I just love Peaches; she’s great company and loves to talk to me,” Doelling said. Peaches has won over many residents, often joining in on visits for extra attention and playtime.

Lisa Rieckermann, community life director at The Fountains, highlighted the impact of pets on residents’ well-being. “Whether furry or feathered, the pets bring so much joy to our community on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. We are excited to have a fundraiser that can bring animals a bit of the happiness they bring us.”

Through this fundraiser, The Fountains at Millbrook extended its love for animals beyond its own community, sharing kindness with pets in need. Their Valentine’s effort proves that love truly knows no bounds.

Latest News

East Canaan's CowPots to face the 'Sharks'

Amanda Freund of East Canaan will appear on the television show "Shark Tank" on April 4 to pitch CowPots.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

CANAAN — Fans of the television show “Shark Tank,” stay tuned. On Friday, April 4, Amanda Freund of East Canaan will be facing the panel, imploring members to invest in her unique product: cow poop.

Freund and her father Matthew Freund produce and market CowPots, which are made from the abundance of manure found on their dairy farm. Matthew Freund, realizing cows were producing more manure — 100 pounds per cow per day — than was needed for fertilizing fields for crops, came up with the concept of the pots. Years of trial-and-error experimentation finally resulted in success. In 2006 he began selling the biodegradable pots using 100% composted manure to local stores. Now the pots can be found in outlets across the country, as well as internationally.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotchkiss lacrosse ices Kingswood Oxford 19-0

LAKEVILLE — The Hotchkiss School opened the girls varsity lacrosse season with a big win in the snow against Kingswood Oxford School.

The Bearcats won 19-0 in a decisive performance March 26. Twelve different players scored for Hotchkiss, led by Coco Sheronas with four goals.

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS releases second quarter honor roll

FALLS VILLAGE — Principal Ian Strever announces the second quarter marking period Honor Roll at Housatonic Valley Regional High School for the 2024-2025 school year.

Highest Honor Roll

Grade 9: Parker Beach (Cornwall), Mia Belter (Salisbury), Lucas Bryant (Cornwall), Addison Green (Kent), Eliana Lang (Salisbury), Alison McCarron (Kent), Katherine Money (Kent), Mira Norbet (Sharon), Abigail Perotti (North Canaan), Karmela Quinion (North Canaan), Owen Schnepf (Wassaic), Federico Vargas Tobon (Salisbury), Emery Wisell (Kent).

Keep ReadingShow less
Thomas Ditto

ANCRAMDALE — Thomas Ditto of Ancramdale, born Thomas David DeWitt Aug. 11, 1944 in New York City changing his surname to Ditto at marriage, passed peacefully on Pi Day, March 14, 2025. He was a husband, father, artist, scientist, Shakespeare scholar, visionary, inventor, actor, mime, filmmaker, clown, teacher, lecturer, colleague, and friend. Recipient of numerous grants, awards and honors in both the arts and sciences, a Guggenheim and NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts fellow, he was a creative genius beyond his time. In addition to authoring scores of papers, he held several patents and invented the first motion capture system and the Ditto-scope, a radically new kind of telescope. He was a pioneer in computer generated video, film, and performance.

When not hard at work, he was always there to help when needed and he knew how to bring smiles to faces. He loved his family and pets and was supportive of his wife’s cat rescue work.

Keep ReadingShow less