All Aboard: Oblong Books Connects to Community Via Rail Trail

From 1852 to the mid-1960s, the New York & Harlem Railroad ran northward through rural southeastern parts of New York State, regularly delivering passengers between New York City and small towns in counties like Columbia and Dutchess. And while those steel rails have long since been torn up and recycled, the path of the old railroad is again bringing people upstate and into these bucolic villages. People from across the country and around the world are now hiking, walking, or enjoying a country bike ride on a portion of the old railway, thanks to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRT) and Oblong Books & Music of Millerton, New York.

One of the stops on the old rail trail, Millerton is a small village that, to this day, would look right at home in a Norman Rockwell print. It has been the home of Oblong Books & Music for more than 30 years, and during that time, Oblong's owner, Dick Hermans, has played a significant role in opening up the "rail trail" to the public.

Hermans is about to begin his second term as chairman of HRVT, and in September, his bookstore, with the help of a number of publishers, will hold its First Annual Great Oblong Tote Auction -- a silent auction to benefit HVRT.

The goal of the auction is to help fund HRVT's purchase of about 14 miles of abandoned rail bed in Columbia County. The auction will consist of 10 themed tote bags stuffed with autographed books and items from community-based vendors. Among the titles in the auction are a copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince signed by illustrator Mary Grandpre; a signed limited edition galley of Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier, the author of Cold Mountain; and items signed by T.C. Boyle, Tamora Pierce, Mike Lupica, Patricia McKissack, and Paul Zelinsky.

HVRT has raised 90 percent of the $220,000 needed to purchase the 14-mile stretch of rail bed. "We have the title to it, but we're making payments over two years," Hermans explained.

The rail trail, which will eventually become a 46-mile linear park that follows the old tracks from Wassaic to Chatham, New York, has been one of the store's longest running community projects: Hermans has been involved in the rail trail reclamation project since the 1970s, when a group of people first sought to have the railroad reopened.

The first section of Harlem Valley Rail Trail opened in 1996, and about six years ago, the trail was extended to Millerton. The rail trail has certainly been a boon to the economic health of the village. "Our town is lively [today]," Hermans said. "We had some years [in the past] when we weren't so lively. The weekend traffic is robust -- you see people with bikes on their cars."

The silent auction, which is the brainchild of Hermans' daughter, Suzanna, and Michelle Charles, the store's children's department manager, will take place at Oblong Books from September 20 to September 30 and will culminate in a celebration at the store on September 30 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Charles, who has worked at Oblong Books for six years, told BTW, "[The rail trail has] been so good for our community. Since the trail opened, people come from all over.... It's a wonderful attraction, and they come to Millerton and stop, browse, and shop at the stores here."

Working with HVRT is just one way that Oblong Books has maintained its connection with the local community over the years. "Hopefully we've been getting three generations to read and make [books] a fundamental part of their lives," said Hermans. "We've really been able to do this by being a solid store. People rely on us." And by helping Millerton maintain its vibrant Main Street, Oblong is ensuring that it can continue to play a vital role in residents' lives. --David Grogan