Beautifully said, Bruce!

Wow! This is some excellent news, Pat Ratchet, our spot-on, up-to-the-minute, main man (the ears, eyes, and always honest pen of all news Bennett!). You have no idea how I'm loving this particular posting of yours, but rest assured, you made my day, and I thank you abundantly! Long live out beloved ruin!

Abundant thanks to you, Ann and Jerry, for taking the time to write such a fabulous post. Your memories of Bennett are fascinating and I'm sure I'm not the only one who enjoyed reading about your time at Bennett. I am a native of Millbrook, and although I no longer live in the area, I continue to love this place with the same intense passion I did as a child. Although I didn't attend Bennett, my mother worked there as a hostess in the dining room from the late 60's thru mid 70's, thus there's a good chance she was one of those carefully starched, white-gloved ladies who served you your lunch! I've picked her brain to bits and pieces in quest of her memories of Bennett and I thank you for yours. A heartwretching shame indeed that this place wasn't treasured as well as it's been in our thoughts.

I must say, F.A, you do get extra points for continuing to amaze me with your buffoonery! Just when it seems you've reached the summit of Peak Foolishness - you manage to take it up yet another level! Once more you've "invented" comments from previous postings to fit your rants. NO ONE has suggested the VILLAGE purchase Bennett, rather, what HAS been remarked by myself and others, is that the village has a RESPONSIBILITY to "watchdog" our Historic Resources, especially one that is so HUGELY associated with our families and town heritage, (AKA priceless commodities) and certainly for a vast number of years, let us not forget what a treasure it presented for our economy. Funny, how Millbrook kept it's nose out of the distasteful business of Halcyon's demise, but my, how interested they have become now that the scent of development $$$ is in the air. Alas, in parting, dear F.A, I can't say it hasn't been fun, but it all comes down to what a wise man once said: "There's no arguing with a fool."
P.S (And I wouldn't take that bet, sweetie, you'd lose it big time.)

Seriously now, F.A, but why am I not at all surprised by the tone of your response to my posting???? For your own future reference, whether one is making comment to either the living or deceased, it's only a diss if there's NO truth involved. And thanks for the interest in my identity, I'm charmed.

Attention, F.A Manzi -- FACT: You sir are ridiculous! Your statement that the Village of Millbrook has nothing to do with the demise of Halcyon and no responsibilites in coming to this shameful conclusion is grossly incorrect at best. I can't quite determine from your postings whether you're a "real estate expert, running for public office, or possibly a developer," considering you're so well versed in the all aspects of these particular professions. You do seem to make a habit of misinterperating other peoples words in order to rant your inaccuracies (specifically toward Pat Ratchet and Donna). FACT: Bennett may very well have been tied up in private hands for a vast number of years, yet there was clearly a point long before Bennett was left to wither on the vine, that the powers-that-be in Millbrook needed to step it up and get involved in saving and preserving this incredible one-of-a-kind historic landmark, but apparently everyone was out shopping for antiques or socializing at the local winery. As convenient as it may be for you to do so, lets not ignore the truth that there definitely came a time when the building was ABSOLUTELY and positively in dire need of Millbrook's attentions. Surely there is no question that the elected officials of our fair village dropped the ball on this one for YEARS, when they clearly saw and understood the issues of neglect and insane vandalism going on at Bennett. And lest you have forgotten, YES, our communities and elected officials (past mayor Manzi included) have a direct responsibility to step it up and make every effort to preserve and protect those irreplacable monuments of Historical significance that assuredly affect an entire community -- and for vast numbers of us, our ancestral heritage as well. It's their JOB. It's not just about cutting ribbons and making pretty speeches -- pretending they don't notice the enormous building that's been graciously standing for over 100 years as a gateway to our community. FACT: Bennett was shamefully neglected for 30 years because no one in a position to do something about it cared to do so. This is yet one more shameful example of History being flushed away in an unequal exchange for development $$$, and it has nothing to do with an abundance of offspring, Mr.Manzi. (I'm assuming you don't have children, bitter, bitter, man...) It's ignorance such as yours, not progress, that has sounded the death knell for Bennett. The truly pitiful and abundantly sad truth about Millbrook, is that the fools don't even get what it WAS that made the village special. I can only assure you, it's not wineries, antique shops, or developments. And that's a FACT.

Thanks Pat. No question -- Mott's has the pix and you have the words! Off the charts awesome on every level.

Horrible, horrible, news. Argggg....knew this would eventually come, but it's still positively devastating!!! Any idea when this sacrilege is due to begin, Pat?

The Hayes Memorial Library might have what you're looking for, Barbara. They have the "Bennett Collection,"consisting of books and memoribilia. Other then that I've never heard of any other site that might otherwise have Bennett stuff. Sad doesn't even begin to cover it.

Nah...just a little tape, glue, love and care...no such thing as beyond repair.

Although it makes for interesting gossip, it's pretty much baloney. No suicides, and no professors creating acid (why bother when Timothy Leary was just down the road!) As for being haunted...that's best left to personal opinion, but I can say I've NEVER gotten any eerie or creepy vibes anytime I've been in Bennett. Although that could just be because the "spirits" know my intentions are pure -- aka, to admire this amazing place, not vandalize and destroy every nook and cranny as so many idiots have done over the years.

DItto. Abundant thanks to Motts for this fabulous site, and you ,Pat , for another excellent and informative posting. It's throughly annoying the way that those articles about Halcyon whicht do make it to the newspapers are not only biased, but full of enough holes that the all important facts consistantly fall through. (Hum, I think I might've just described all newspapers in general.) You can't imagine how valuable your reports are to all of us at a distance. Your "no BS" commentaries are beyond compare and I know that many of us are in agreement it's time to ditch the "Millbrook roundtable rag sheet" and start publishing the "Ratchet Herald".

You mentioned buildings to be saved in this proposed development deal, but I'm wondering about the Harkaway theatre. Any news on that building?

Rock on Motts! Looking forward to any and all new pix's of our beloved Halcyon.

Keep it coming Pat, and a happy jolly St.Patty's to you too :-)

Honestly, but I' ve obsessed over this amazing collection of photos for so long I'm seeing them in my sleep. Seems we're all in agreement that we'd greatly appreciate a second helping of photos, (please!) dear Mott's, before there's nothing left to look at. Whatda'ya think? Any chance of a return visit? Maybe the crazed caretaker will be off visiting a turkey farm over Thanksgiving and you'll then be free to be....

Damn, but these amazing pics make me almost insanely sad. My mother worked at Bennet t for several years in the 60' - 70's and can't believe that the "powers that be" have shown such disinterest in this beautiful place and allowed it to fall to such tragic ruin. One of her duties was serving meals in the dining room and she recalls in particular how the girls regularly engaged in ice cream wars. They'd fling spoonfuls of the cold creamy stuff at each other from large bowls that were placed on the tables for dessert. Made quite a mess as you can imagine.

Haven't been on here to check on my favorite site for some time and just want to say thanks to all of you who took a moment to share a memory or two about Bennett/Halcyon Hall. (is Motts photography the absolute best or what!) Although I live out of state now, Millbrook is my hometown and not only is this site fantastic, I'm especially intrigued by you, Pat Ratchet, and your project on James Ware. Please keep us posted as to your progress with this. I also see another terrific project for you in consideration of your impressive knowledge and insight into the history of Bennett. How about putting something together about this amazing place that we all love so madly?
Bad enough we're slated to lose our town treasure, it would be positively tragic to sacrafice tales and photo's of its incredible past along with the wrecking-ball. (Including a special chapter on all the idiots responsible for even allowing this day to come.) Would love to hear from you: wrddreamer@comcast.net

No, actually the chapel is a seperate building on the college property. In fact, it's where the over zealous caretaker now lives. That's why he's so "Johnny on the Spot" whenever someone happens by for a little peek at this awesome place.

I don't find this scary, but rather, profoundly sad. If ever a buildiing could shed tears, this one surely would. Mr.Motts, your photos are incredibly stunning and also something of an epilogue since the town has now approved development on this property. Shame on their disregard for glorious architecture and history.