Winter tree ID walk at Burroughs Sanctuary
A winter tree ID walk at Burroughs Sanctuary will take place this Saturday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is the first in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the Burroughs Sanctuary. After two hours spent identifying trees by bark, structure and bud along the trail to Chodikee Lake, participants can explore Slabsides and learn more about the life of John Burroughs.
Contact trip leader Tom O’Dowd (tkodowd@gmail.com or 914-213-7079 with any questions regarding the walk and meet him at Pond House (follow the “Path through History” signs at the interesection of Floyd Ackert Road and Route 9W in West Park and turn west onto Floyd Ackert Road, continue for nearly a mile and then take first left after Burroughs Drive.
Sidewalks donation part of New Paltz Storage plan approval
Town of New Paltz residents are going to see a clearer sidewalk benefit out of expanding New Paltz Storage on Henry W. Dubois Drive than perhaps they’ve ever seen before. Developer Andrew Loyer has agreed to donate $10,000 toward bicycle and pedestrian improvements as a condition of his project’s approval. Town law requires sidewalks for all subdivisions, “except that, at the discretion of the Planning Board, sidewalks may be eliminated.” It’s not clear that sidewalks have ever actually been required for any subdivision since the code was enacted some 50 years ago. Frequently, an easement for the purposes of creating a sidewalk district in the future in lieu of spending the time and money on building sidewalks now have been accepted, transferring the cost to property owners at that time rather than leaving it with the developer, as it appears is the intent of the law. Having Loyer pay such a sum toward bicycle and pedestrian improvements may be more in line with that intent. The deal was reached with Town Board members, who were approached as work on improvements related to the Empire State Trail are looming in front of this property. Sidewalk rules were triggered by virtue of this being a subdivision, as Loyer is moving the property line by acquiring land most recently part of the firehouse property next door.
While it appears all documents pertaining to this project were scrubbed from the Town web site immediately after the approval, past reporting indicates that a new three-story climate-controlled storage facility will be constructed on that land formerly part of the fire department lot. It will be much larger than the unassuming storage structure now there, but is not expected by the developer to be easily seen except when turning the corner around the firehouse onto Henry W Dubois Drive. Most of the property will be left undisturbed, and board members determined under the Town’s wetlands law that the project will not result in harm to the wetlands on the site. No one spoke at the public hearings held for several aspects of the project.
Generator plan to be approved behind the Institute for Family Health building in New Paltz
Barring something unexpected, a proposal to add a propane backup generator behind the Institute for Family Health building on upper Main Street in New Paltz should be approved at the next Town Planning Board meeting on February 24. Board members were satisfied that the nearby wetlands wouldn’t be damaged and, while they were uneasy with adding another fossil-fuel-powered generator at a time when carbon emissions are being closely watched, they agreed that there are no practical alternatives to provide emergency power at this time. Corporate representative were encouraged, but not required, to add electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will host its annual Shrove Tuesday community pancake supper on Tuesday, February 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. The meal provides a traditional “Fat Tuesday” start to the Lenten season and includes sausage and applesauce as well as pancakes. Supper is free, although donations will be accepted. St. Andrew’s will contribute proceeds after expenses to Family of New Paltz.
Members of the New Paltz Area Church Council and other local clergy prepare the pancakes and the parishioners of St. Andrew’s, including the children, coordinate the food and serving for this annual event.
The entire community is invited to attend. St. Andrew’s is located at 163 Main Street in New Paltz. For additional information, call 255-5098.
Repair Café in Gardiner
The Gardiner Library will host a Repair Café this Sunday, February 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Repair Café is a free event where community members bring beloved but broken items, and together, with volunteer repair coaches, fix them. Broken items include small appliances, lamps, clothing, frames, chairs and more. There will be free coffee and tea (bring your own mug) and baked treats and fruit for sale. Currently the café is looking for “repair coaches” to guide people in fixing all kinds of things. Repair coaches bring their own tools and supplies and offer repairs at no cost. If you would like to volunteer, the commitment can be on a per-event basis.
Visit www.facebook.com/repaircafehudsonvalley for more information about Repair Café or call Nicole at 255-1255. The Gardiner Repair Café meets in the community room, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike.
For further information, call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
What’s so funny about that?
Take a deep look at humor at the third “Experiment in Conversation” event this Saturday, February 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery.
How did humans evolve a sense of humor? How do professional comedians develop their material? What effect does a good laugh have on our neural development? The panel will include an evolutionary psychologist, psychiatrist, two working comedians and a political cartoonist.
The evening includes cocktails and light food. Limited seating is available at no charge. Reserve by email to Ralph.erenzo@wgrant.com, or call (845) 797-9010.
The distillery is located at 14 Grist Mill Lane in Gardiner.
Black History Month talk on February 27
The Jewish congregation of New Paltz and the New Paltz Historical Society are co-hosting a special event in honor of Black History Month on February 27, 7 p.m., at the New Paltz Jewish Community Center, located at 30 North Chestnut Street in New Paltz.
The guest speaker will be Susan Stessin-Cohn, and her talk is titled “Hidden Heritage,” The story of the Reverend James Murphy
Reverend Murphy was born into slavery as the illegitimate child of Jane, the biracial slave of David Johnston. He was condemned to a life of secrecy during an age when being of African descent meant a life of persecution and discrimination.
Stessin-Cohn is the New Paltz Town Historian and co-president of the New Paltz Historical Society.
Maya Gold Foundation to offer second adult trip to Nepal in October of 2020
After implementing two successful trips to Nepal for teens and one for adults, the Maya Gold Foundation is again offering an adult trip for adults in October of 2020. The trip will focus on culture and customs, cross cultural exchange, experiential learning and will include a five-day trek for participants to explore the Himalayan countryside. Those that cannot trek for five days are being offered an extended homestay version of the trek, and will immerse themselves in Himalayan village life after a one-day trek. The trip supports the efforts of partner organizations in Nepal that work to eliminate human trafficking. The trip is also a fundraiser for the Maya Gold Foundation, and all monies raised from the trip will go to support programs in the Hudson Valley and Nepal.
The twelve-day trip will cost $4,500 per person, and a portion of the fees are tax deductible. The trip fee is all-inclusive and participation is limited to ten individuals.
The trip will be co-led by Mathew Swerdloff and Paul Alexander. Swerdloff is a co-founder and president of the Maya Gold Foundation and has previously led youth and family trips to Nepal and has traveled widely in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Alexander is a board member of the Foundation and co-led the 2019 adult trip to Nepal.
Interested individuals may sign up to find out more at mayagoldfoundation.org/apply. For more information on The Maya Gold Foundation, visit www.mayagoldfoundation.org.
Slow Stitching Club at Gardiner Library
Gardiner Library hosts a new Slow Stitching Club beginning on Tuesday, February 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The club will meet monthly on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Enjoy hand sewing as a form of meditation, relaxation and socialization. Bring a portable hand-sewing project and enjoy some “me” time while artfully stitching a favorite project.
The Fiber Arts group meets in the library community room, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike. For further information, call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Anime Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host another installment of Anime Club this Saturday, February 22 at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required by February 20. Attendees are invited to watch the anime favorite Princess Mononoke while enjoying snacks and drawing and/or coloring characters from the movie. Drawing supplies will be provided, as well as popcorn and refreshments.
The program takes place in the library community room, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike. For further information, call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Pancake supper for Shrove Tuesday
A pancake supper for Shrove Tuesday will take place on February 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lloyd United Methodist Church, located at 476 New Paltz Road in Highland. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, apple sauce, beverages and dessert.
The suggested donation is $6 for adults, $3 for children 10-5 and free for those under five. For more information, contact Pastor Gail at (845) 255-8058.
Join the family! 
