Title: Dover historian's book signing to help local food pantry
Author: Jennifer Barry
Publisher: Harlem Valley Times
Date: 12/12/2008
Now that Arcadia Publishing's newest addition to its "Images of America" series, "Dover," has hit bookshelves in local independent bookstores, author Donna Hearn is scheduled to do two book signings in the area.
Hearn will first appear at Merritt Books in Millbrook on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m., where she will give a presentation on the history of Dover Plains as well as answer any audience questions and sign copies of the book.
The event will also act as an opportunity to raise donations for a new food pantry set to open in the Dover area, which is intended to serve those in need in eastern Dutchess County this season.
Originally from Dover himself, Merrit Books owner Scott Meyer saw the book signing as an opportunity to also bring attention to community needs.
"When we schedule an event like this, we always want to make sure it benefits the community somehow," said Meyer. "This signing and food drive will be done as a part of our 25th year in the community, so we hope we can either raise 25,000 canned goods or $25,000 in donations - something that can benefit others this season."
While also benefiting those who are facing difficulties during the holiday, the event celebrates the rich history of the area - from those who built the infrastructure of the Northeast during the mid 1800s to the 1960s, when the Dover Drag Strip made history as one of the first big drag racing tracks.
With more than 200 vintage images, an unprecedented amount for the series, Hearn said that writing the book created the opportunity to compile new and different images and information as well as further document the artists, authors and inventors who contributed to important aspects of the town's history.
"The unique history of Dover and the lasting impacts made by its inhabitants are intriguing," said Hearn. "The small community was home to a celebrated cavern, colonial counterfeiters, an inventor with revolutionary ideas, famous artists and a prolific author."
For more information on the Dec. 13 signing, or to reserve a copy of "Dover," call Merritt Books at 845-677-5857.
For those who cannot make it to the Merritt Books signing, there will also be another signing at the Dover Plains Library. The event will take place Dec. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Books will be available for purchase at the library. Call 832-6605 with any questions.
Title: Through photos, text, book tracks Dover's growth
Author: Michael Woyton
Publisher: Poughkeepsie Journal
Date: 12/10/2008
When Donna Hearn started putting together a book on the history of the Town of Dover, her concern was she wouldn't have enough material.
"When I was finished, I had exceeded the limits of the book," she said. "It was frustrating because I didn't want to have to take stuff out."
The resulting book, called "Dover," topped out at 128 pages and was published in November by Arcadia Publishing of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
"I had so much fun putting it together," Hearn said. "I wanted it to be something the young people could look at and say, 'See, we are a great town.' "
The Dover area was originally inhabited by the Schaghticoke and Pequot Indians.
One of the first white settlers, Richard Sackett, was granted a patent for land in 1704. But his claim was superceded by the 1697 and 1703 patents of Henry Beekman.
Beekman's children eventually divided his land, with the northeast sector going to his daughter Catherine Pauling.
The Pawling Township, which included Dover, was created in 1788.
In 1807, the Town of Dover was carved out of Pawling.
"The new town was entitled to half the accumulated taxes and half the debt," Hearn wrote in "Dover."
Throughout the book are historic photos and maps, which Hearn scanned from private collections.
Former historian Doris Dedrick of Dover Plains was impressed with the book.
"There were some things in there I didn't know," she said, "and I've been here forever."
Dedrick's family are the Hufcuts, whose picture, taken before 1925, appears about halfway through the book.
"It brought back memories," she said, "because it's a part of my life here in Dover."
Hearn said at times the now-tranquil Dover was a bustling place.
In the early 1950s in Wingdale, the Dover Drag Strip was the place to be.
Thousands of people used to come to the town for the races, Hearn said, creating a need for diners and restaurants.
She said it was fascinating to find out that Dover's economy was incredibly varied, due to a large number of businesses, hotels and merchants that catered to visitors.
"Dover was a very touristy place," Hearn said.
