What brought you to New Paltz?
My boyfriend at the time, who then became my husband, Steve Vermilye had started a construction company here. I visited him where he lived at a farm, actually, basically a commune. It was a big old farmhouse on Albany Post Road. When we got married, we moved there with our horse. Eventually, we needed a place for the horse and for ourselves. When we left the farmhouse, we drove around looking for a place, not only for us, but also for our horse. We saw a horse’s head sticking out of a barn. We rented a heated summer cabin, along with our horse, right next to Dressel Farms — idyllic and perfect. It was so remote, serene and rural, but within ten minutes we were at this crazy, delightful, hopping funky hippie downtown village!
How did you find your professional niche in New Paltz?
First I had my children. I worked as a playground supervisor for the Campus School. How lucky was that. I thought, “This will be a wonderful place for my children.” Then I went back to college and earned a degree in communications. After that I attended a fundraiser for Child Find at the old Locust Tree Inn. I left there sobbing. At first I ended up volunteering for Child Find, a New Paltz based national organization. I published my first article in the Daily News about Child Find. I went on all the popular talk shows of the time. I eventually became the information director. I testified at the US Senate hearing on behalf of the Missing Children’s Act. In New Paltz, there was such an extraordinary spirit of volunteerism. Amazingly, within months so much got accomplished. We met our goal, The Missing Children’s Act passed, but not before Rudolph Giuliani tried to block it. He was against it. The Huguenot Herald published a full page editorial telling people to send Giuliani telegrams of support for the Missing Children’s Act. I was later informed John Walsh, who happened to be at the DOJ, called to tell me Rudy was storming down the hall waving a ton of telegrams and screaming, “Where the hell is New Paltz, New York?”
You have been so active, contributing so much to the community. What else besides Child Find have you created?
I helped to find the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. I negotiated the purchase of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail from Conrail for the town and village of New Paltz. I worked at Shelter Systems and joined the New Paltz Downtown Business Association. I, along with my friends, organized a successful campaign to stop Orange County from granting WalMart a tax break here in New Paltz!
Then I ran and was elected, beginning what would become a 12-year term on the New Paltz Town Board. And now I’m back because there’s always more to do.
What would you miss the most if you left here?
“So much. Walking with my dear friends, who made me get outside and walk on the rail trail, when I thought I would not survive the grief after my husband died. Now the rail trail, which I helped create, is so joyful for me again, especially when my grandchildren run ahead of me — and come back for Nana.
Join the family! 
