Trailways suspends its services
As COVID-19 continues to impact the State of New York, Trailways made the decision to discontinue all its services throughout New York State effective Monday, March 30. They do not have a specific restart date, but believe they will resume service in April. Trailways will provide updates via social media every Tuesday and Friday. For additional information, call (800) 858-8555.
All schools will remain closed through April 15
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday, March 27 that all schools will remain closed until April 15, at which time the continued closure will be reevaluated. No school will be subject to a diminution in school aid due to failure to meet the 180 day in-session requirement as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. School districts will continue plans for alternative instructional options, distribution and availability of meals and child care, with an emphasis on serving children of essential workers, and continue to first use any vacation and snow days remaining.
New Paltz Community Foundation Launches “Project Help Your Neighbors 2020” for Community Members in Need
The New Paltz Community Foundation, Inc. (NPCF) has long sponsored or supported major community relief projects in New Paltz and Gardiner, such as Flood Aid, the complete renovation of the buildings that house Family of New Paltz, and most recently, the redesign and rebuilding of the St. Joseph’s food pantry.
The NPCF Board has just launched “Project Help Your Neighbors 2020” to provide meal vouchers redeemable at participating local, independently-owned restaurants, cafes and delis. Vouchers worth $20 for an individual or $50 for a family will be made available for community members in need.
NPCF Board members have collectively pledged $10,000 and released another $5,000 from the Foundation treasury, for a total of $15,000. New Paltz and Gardiner community members who would also like to contribute are encouraged to support this project by sending financial contributions to New Paltz Community Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1112, New Paltz, NY 12561 or made via PayPal on our website www.newpaltzfoundation.org, earmarked for “Project Help Your Neighbors 2020.”
Donations will keep this program up and running for an extended period of time. Our hope is that we will be able to help local individuals and families who are experiencing economic hardship during this stressful time, as well as support our hard-working locally-owned restaurants.
Vouchers can be picked up at Family of New Paltz. Their phone number is (845) 255-8801.
Questions about the NPCF project should be directed to President Eileen Gulbrandsen Glenn at sande2930@aol.com or at (845) 256-1945.
Emerson Resort & introduces “Get a Gift Card, Give a Gift Card” During COVID-19
While the Emerson Resort & Spa in the Catskill Mountains is temporarily closed due to precautions and recommendations from the CDC and local/state health officials for social distancing, the boutique property is now offering a “Get a Gift Card, Give a Gift Card” special now through Monday, April 6.
For every $100 spent on a gift card purchase, the Emerson will donate a $10 gift card to Family of Woodstock, Inc.
The Emerson gift cards can be used now (for locals) for their takeout menu from their signature restaurant, Woodnotes Grille, which serves Catskill-themed menu items with ingredients sourced from the local Ulster County and Hudson Valley area. Or when they reopen in the future, the gift card can be used at the Emerson Spa, The Shops at Emerson or overnight stays.
For more information, visit https://emersonresort.com/covid-19/
Maya Gold Foundation community is seeking teens to join Youth Action Team
The Maya Gold Foundation is seeking up to ten teens to join its Youth Action Team. The mission of the Maya Gold Foundation is to empower youth to access their inner wisdom and realize their dreams.
- The Youth Action Team is a group of teens that offers guidance and insight to the full board.
- The Youth Action Team meets with a board liaison throughout the year to assist in planning and implementing events and programs, offering feedback to the Foundation and generating ideas for new initiatives.
- The Youth Action Team offers youth the opportunity to lead and to participate and grow through service to their own community.
Membership is open to young people aged 13-18 from New Paltz and the surrounding areas. All interested young people are invited to apply. Applications are accepted through April 15.
For more information and to apply, go to https://www.mayagoldfoundation.org/apply.
Birthday card campaign
Anthony Cacchio (“Uncle Tony” — the previous owner of the Rosendale Theatre and current projectionist for the Collective) will celebrate his 88th birthday on April 2. The theater is asking that community members reach out and flood him with cards and letters.
Cacchio was in a car accident in November and suffered several hairline fractures in his neck and spine, and while in the hospital, he fell and broke his hip. He was transferred to a long-term care unit and has been in lock-down and cannot receive visitors.
If you would like to wish Uncle Tony a happy birthday, send cards to: Anthony Cacchio, TenBroeck Commons, Catskill Unit, 1 Commerce Place, Lake Katrine, NY 12449.
Mohonk Mountain House to remain closed until June 1
Due to the continued impact of the coronavirus, Mohonk Mountain House announced last week that its anticipated reopening date has been postponed to June 1. As a result, Mohonk has implemented temporary furloughs for 90% of its employees. All furloughed employees will retain health insurance benefits through May 31.
“We can think of no more difficult decision to have to make,” said Eric Gullickson, president of Mohonk Mountain House. “Our staff is our core — the essence of Mohonk. This temporary closure is rooted out of our concern and is in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of our entire Mohonk family. It is most important now that we all stay well so that once we get through this — and we will get through this — Mohonk Mountain House will reopen to deliver our tradition of warm hospitality on our mountaintop that we are known for after having been in operation for more than 150 years.”
Gardiner Library celebrates National Poetry Month
In recognition of National Poetry Month, Gardiner Library has created a Facebook group for library patrons to share their favorite poems or original works. If poetry is your interest, please join the Gardiner Library Poets group by visiting the Gardiner Library Facebook Page and clicking through to Groups to find the Gardiner Library Poets page.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Gardiner Library Italian conversational class continues online
The Gardiner Library is continuing to offer its free weekly Italian Conversational Class online, via Zoom, on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. until further notice. The link to join is https://zoom.us/j/976818818. This weekly class is designed for people who have some knowledge of the Italian language and would like to improve their conversational skills. It will be taught by Dr. Ornella Lepri Mazzuca, who is a native speaker of Italian.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Kanopy: Gardiner Library resource to access remotely
Gardiner Library patrons are invited to access Kanopy and Kanopy kids at home, just by using their library card. Find critically acclaimed movies, inspiring documentaries, award-winning foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos that inspire, enrich and entertain the entire family. Go to https://uclibrcls.kanopy.com/ or follow the link from www.gardinerlibrary.org. The Gardiner Library director, Nicole Lane, can be reached at nlane@rcls.org with any questions.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Holocaust memorial program postponed
The annual Holocaust memorial program, scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz Community Center, has been postponed.
Gardiner Town Hall offices to remain closed until April 12
For the safety of public health, Gardiner Town Hall offices will remain closed through April 12, at which time the safety of opening the building will be reassessed.
Town Hall officials and employees are working remotely. Emails and voice messages are being checked regularly. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings have been postponed or moved to virtual platforms. For additional information, visit www.townofgardiner.org/town-contacts.
Input needed for the New Paltz community open space survey
The Town of New Paltz is interested in your thoughts about clean water, wildlife habitat, farmland, scenic views and local history.
The survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NewPaltzSurvey. Responses are due by April 30.
Saugerties continues as a climate leader
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced recently that the Town of Saugerties received approval for its documentation of a Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory as part of the town’s participation in the states Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program that was established to document and celebrate the accomplishments of leading communities. The announcement stated that the Town of Saugerties “demonstrated an admirable commitment to ongoing action on climate change by renewing its existing 2019 certification to increase its number of points.”
Saugerties achieved Climate Smart Certification at the Bronze level in October 2019, the first town in Ulster County to obtain that certification level. The announcement further stated, “Certified communities are models for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building local climate resilience.” Achieving a bronze level of certification better positions the town to obtain grants to implement climate smart actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory is one of a hundred actions in the CSC program designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the town has completed 23 actions. The inventory conducted in 2010 by New York State identifies and quantifies the source of greenhouse gas emissions from community activities. It establishes a baseline from which future emissions reductions and progress can be measured.
Senator James Seward and his wife test positive for COVID-19
State senator James L. Seward has announced that both he and his wife Cindy have tested positive for COVID-19. Senator Seward, who continues to receive treatment at Albany Medical Center where he continues to receive treatment, was diagnosed with a mild case of the virus. He will be released from the hospital shortly and will remain under quarantine at home. Seward’s wife Cindy, who was tested at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, is also suffering from a mild case of the virus and is quarantined at home.
Senator Seward’s Oneonta office will remain closed. Constituents in need of assistance can call 518-455-3131. Senator Seward urges everyone to follow the CDC guidelines and to check the New York State Department of Health website for updates.
Thomas Cole National Historic Site Publishes Cole’s Lecture on Art
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site announced today that it has published, for the first time, Cole’s Lecture on Art – on the 175th Anniversary of its writing. Thomas Cole (1801-1848) is considered the founder of America’s first major art movement, the Hudson River School of landscape painting. The latest research indicates that he wrote the text in 1845 and intended to present it as a lecture; however, there is no record of his ever delivering it.
The Lecture on Art – now published as a 26-page paperback – is exceptional and timely. Cole does not simply reflect on art and its inherent values; he eloquently makes the case for art as a public entity, advocating for public art, for teaching art in all schools and for the industrial arts as well.
Elizabeth B. Jacks, executive director of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, states, “In these uncertain times, it is clearer than ever that art is a cornerstone of our society, enriching our personal lives, our communities and our economy. Thomas Cole’s Lecture on Art is extraordinary in advancing a public vision for art becoming that cornerstone. While Cole is renowned for his paintings and his role in founding what we now know as the Hudson River School of painting, he is remarkably eloquent with words. Whether advocating for public art or the preservation of nature, his words are as timely today as they were 175 years ago.”
The text for the new publication, Lecture on Art, was transcribed by Peter Fedoryk, a member of the 2019 class of Cole Fellows, as part of his fellowship program at the Thomas Cole Site. The book is the second in an ongoing series of Thomas Cole’s writings published by the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. The first in the series is Cole’s Essay on American Scenery, which underscores his role as a proto-environmentalist – a role that is increasingly recognized in exhibitions such as “Thomas Cole’s Journeys” (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018) and in recent publications, as the world confronts climate change and marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22).
Both books are available for purchase at https://store.thomascole.org/collections/frontpage/products/lecture-on-art.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck to offer virtual creative writing workshop
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck will present a free virtual/Zoom creative writing workshop entitled “Jumpstart Your Writing” on Saturday April 4 at 11 a.m. or Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.. The instructor will be Louisa Luisi-Vilardi. The workshop is open to adults ages 18 and up. It will be limited to six participants and donations will accepted.
Participants will hone their writing skills while drafting, editing, revising and more. Sharing drafts and feedback will be a part of this course as well.
To sign up for either date, email Kevin at kevin@centerforperformingarts.org. Please send your date choice, e-mail and phone number.
Join the family! 
