When Gordon Stewart first broached the idea of Philipstown.info to me and asked me to be editor, I thought I knew what it was going to be: a directory of services with a little local color that would occupy me for a couple of hours a day during the week.

How mistaken I was for it quickly has become an active, 24/7/365 source for news and events in Philipstown as well as the surrounding area and it occupies many more hours of my day at a greater variety of times during the day than I could have imagined. I don’t say this to complain but to express my constant wonder at all that goes on in our corner of the world.

Global events and issues manifest themselves here and local issues reflect the world at large. Over the past six months I have learned more about all aspects of Philipstown than I thought possible. The most pleasurable aspect has been meeting all the different people who make up our community and seeing how everyone fits in, including me and my family.

Looking over our archive has been like looking at a family photo album: seeing events and people I had forgotten and becoming reacquainted all over again. A few stories have stuck with me that do not require refreshing. These are predominantly ones about people in our community, illustrating how we are more than the sum of our parts. These are not a “top ten,” and are not listed in any particular order, but are stories that have resonated with me for various reasons.

Familiar Cold Spring Landmark Gone These gas pumps were one of the first things I saw the first time I visited Cold Spring.

Depot Youth Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol: What the story means to the young actors I have worked in various aspects of theater since I was a young teenager and the kid’s enthusiasm takes me back to where I began.

An African Journal Watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom doesn’t hold a candle to this story.

Summertime, and the Singin’ is Easy: Benefit Soirí©e Highlights Depot Youth Players Again, I am drawn to anything theater-related and the enthusiasm of our children.

Little Stony Point: of people, places and foresight Mike Turton picked this one too and it’s really a no-brainer as to why.

First Jobs. First Pay Checks A tale of pickle pushers, golf ball shaggers and cow milkers My first job was delivering newspapers.

Back to the Future in Philipstown?  Fascinating Exhibit Explores History of Local Business Who knew?

Seven years of Saturdays — and still counting Growing up with the anti-Vietnam war protests of the 1960s and 70s, I am pleased to see that “protest” does not have to be a dirty word.

Civil War Cannonball Closes Part of Main Street in Cold Spring Later detonated safely in Mayor’s Park Literally a flash from the past.

Another Big Halloween in Cold Spring Just what makes it so popular? This is just one of the many things that make our community unique . . . and I love watching the little kids, who are proud and excited; the teenagers, who are blase; and the parents, who are also proud and excited.

One Man’s Yuletide Notebook Reflections on Christmas past Once again Mike casts all our memories through the prism of his own.

Behind The Story

Type: Opinion

Opinion: Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

Mell is a freelance journalist and former editor at The Current.