A First First-Night in Millerton


MILLERTON — Old and young alike could be seen Sunday evening enjoying the best of what Millerton had to offer as the village celebrated New Year’s Eve with its first-ever First Night. The North East Community Center (NECC) sponsored the event.

"I know last year I kept coming across first nights and thought, why don’t we have one? Millerton seemed the perfect place for one," NECC Executive Director Jenny Hansell said. "I think kids are typically left at home with the babysitters on New Year’s Eve and I think something really significant for them, and fun and festive, is good. If feels like it warms the heart in some way."

The night started early with a sing-along for the children at the community center, followed by a live performance at Irving Farm Coffee Shop. Magic tricks were part of the entertainment as were the Grumbling Gryphons, an award-winning children’s theater troupe. There was an adult singalong as well as an acro-comedic circus duo who performed and delighted those in attendance. The last performance of the night was a live band at Manna Dew, along with New Year’s Eve showings of "Charlotte’s Web," "The Pursuit of Happiness" and "The Good Shepherd" at The Moviehouse. At 10 p.m., there was a kiddie countdown for children with confetti and noisemakers.

All in all, it was a first first-night to be enjoyed by all.

"It’s dynamite," said father Justin Magruder, a part-time resident of Millerton. "We’ve done the other celebrations before but it’s nice to focus on the children. It’s great that this is kid-friendly, and it’s better than being in front of the TV."

Andrea Tufts, a mother of two, agreed.

"It’s a nice, family-oriented way to bring in the new year, and we were really excited about Millerton having a first night, since we’ve been to others before."

That’s the kind of response Hansell said she had hoped to receive, in order to have the event grow.

"Next year I hope to make it bigger and more of a communitywide event, so that we can end up collaborating with more of the community," she said.

That collaboration process is something that is very important to the community center, and to Hansell, who is busy trying to get a sense of what the community wants from NECC.

"We’re in the middle of asking, ‘What role do we play?’" she said, adding that it could run from providing day care to holding exercise classes to offering social services. "We’re beginning the process of asking a lot of questions and listening to people and what they think. I would like to think that we’re a place that brings people together, and if anybody has thoughts of what they would like the community center to do they should call us."

The number for NECC is 518-789-4259.

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