DEP opens quarry trail
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was joined on July 17 by its partners from the Catskill Mountain Club and the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program to officially open the new hiking trail in the Town of Olive that runs two miles through the former Yale Quarry, which provided stone for the construction of Ashokan Reservoir in the early 1900s.
Visitors can access the trail through a dedicated parking lot on Route 28A, a short distance west of the Olivebridge dam. The trail features an easy hike that passes through the former quarry, including remnants of a rail-car loading zone and machinery used to load the stone. It also traverses forested lands, vernal pools and an open ledge with sweeping mountain views to the north and west. The trail is located on lands preserved by DEP. It was constructed, and will be maintained, by volunteers from the Catskill Mountain Club.
The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program provided funding for signs that educate visitors about the history of the site and the natural features along the trail. Information about the trail can be found at https://catskillmountainclub.org/events/where-to-go/ashokan-quarry-trail/.
Woodstock Library capital campaign website
The library Capital Campaign Committee has launched a new website to distribute information about the building project and provide an opportunity to contribute funds.
“There was an urgent need for accurate, reliable information on what the library’s plans were, how the project was progressing and how individuals can help,” said Capital Campaign Committee Chair Jeff Collins.
“Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation and rumors being promoted by project opponents,” Collins said.
The website, newlibrarywoodstock.org, includes the latest design details and project updates and all information has been vetted by the Library.
“This is our big chance to re-imagine life in Woodstock as we recreate our community in the wake of the pandemic and rebuild,” Collins said.
“The new library will benefit everyone, and its construction will create jobs and bring money into town. Our old building has done great service, but is past its due date.”
— Nick Henderson
Library trustee petitions available in Saugerties
Candidate petitions for the position of library trustee are available at the Saugerties Public Library. Three five-year terms are up for election in September. Anyone who is a resident of the Town of Saugerties is eligible to run. Due to the coronavirus, only 18 signatures are needed on the petitions (NYS Governor’s Executive Order 202.51). Petitions can be picked up at the library any time the library is open. Completed petitions must be returned to the library by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2020 to be on the September ballot.
Copies of the proposed 2021 budget will be available at the library beginning Tuesday, July 28 and may be picked up any time when the library is open. The board of trustees will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2020 budget at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, August 13, at 6 p.m. The meeting will either be held at the library at 91 Washington Avenue or the meeting will be electronic via “GoToMeeting” depending on the coronavirus status.
For more information, call the library at 246-4317.
Gardiner pavilion available to business
The Gardiner town board recognizes how difficult things are for local businesses dealing with the pandemic. The town would like to let business owners know that the pavilion at Majestic Park is available for them. If you have a need that may be met by using the pavilion, please contact supervisor Marybeth Majestic at 255-9675, extension 101 or supervisor.tog@gmail.com.
Peace , love, music and masks
Just a year ago, the Golden Notebook bookstore celebrated the Woodstock Festival’s 50th anniversary with a wall banner of Henry Diltz’s iconic photograph of Grace Slick from Michael Lang’s “Woodstock — Three Days of Peace and Music.”
A summer later, and a lot has changed. The Golden Notebook decided to slightly redesign the banner located on the side of its store in the center of town in hopes to encourage the use of masks everywhere in the fight against Covid 19. They are required in the store and in most businesses in town.
Scenic Hudson plans park
Scenic Hudson invites local residents to participate in discussions and provide input in planning a nature-based park on the 520-acre riverfront property the organization protected last year. The new state park will provide a place to explore nature, enjoy outdoor recreation and learn about local history.
Scenic Hudson and its consultants will hold meetings in several online formats, along with interviews with stakeholders, to facilitate active dialogues with residents to understand how the future park can help realize community connectivity as well as recreational and economic benefits. The intent of this public input is to ensure the resulting park is responsive to the goals and meets the needs of the community, region and state.
The first online public engagement session will take place from on Wednesday, July 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. It will include short virtual video tours of the existing landscape, a presentation on visions and opportunities for the site’s future, insights from local community leaders and a public Q&A. The public can ask questions or submit comments about the future park at qwparkquestions@scenichudson.org.
Kingston mayor Steve Noble said, “This new state park will be a tremendous asset for Kingston, providing a great new place for residents to enjoy healthy outdoor recreation and boosting the city’s tourism economy. To ensure the future park meets local needs, I urge the Kingston community to take this opportunity to share their visions with Scenic Hudson and its state partners.”
Shakespeare in Woodstock
William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) is this summer’s Woodstock Shakespeare Festival’s 25th anniversary featured presentation. Bird-On-A-Cliff Theatre Company will perform it on the festival’s outdoor stage, located on the grounds of the Comeau property.
Three actors have found and staged what they believe is Shakespeare’s very first play, written when he was only 17. To present it, the actors must perform 47 of Shakespeare’s villains, kings and heroes — all in 90 minutes.
Directed by David Aston-Reese, it will be presented on Woodstock’s outdoor Elizabethan stage every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from August 7 through September 6. Show time is 5:30 p.m. Bring a chair, a blanket, a picnic and a mask.
There is no formal charge for admission, although a donation of $10 is suggested. For information on the Woodstock Shakespeare Festival, the company and the stage, visit birdonacliff.org
Help People’s Place save Project Santa
Since March, People’s Place in Kingston has experienced over a 300 percent increase in services. Over 800 new households have needed assistance and over half-a-million meals have been distributed.
Looking forward to the holiday season, People’s Place is anticipating providing gift packages to over 2500 children this year via Project Santa, 500 more than in 2019. Project Santa is a 48-year-old Ulster County holiday tradition that provides toys and gifts to children ages infant through 14 years old. Children receive a main toy (a bike, Legos, drone etc.), board game/craft, winter weather items, books and stocking stuffers.
People’s Place will host a virtual Save Project Santa Christmas in July fundraiser live streamed from People’s Place this Thursday, July 23 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its goal is to ensure all the children of Ulster County have a magical Christmas this year, and all proceeds will go towards Project Santa. People’s Place will need to purchase over 20,000 toys and gifts this year.
Organizers are expecting Santa to fly in via the People’s Place rooftop. Ten local benevolent citizens will transform into Santa for the day to help raise funds and awareness. Donations will help them get off the roof.
For a full list of Santas and entertainment, visit www.peoplesplaceuc/save-project-santa.org.
Drive-in opera at TechCity
Singing loudly in a group is one of the riskier activities going when it comes to the coronavirus. You just can’t do it with a mask on and contain those germ-laden aerosols. So how in the world is the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice going to happen this summer? Virtual concerts are all the rage right now, but director Maria Todaro plans a drive-in opera performance.
On August 29, fans of grand opera will be able to pull up to a choice spot on the grounds of Tech City in Kingston and enjoy a fully staged production of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca from the shelter of their automobiles – not projected onto a giant outdoor screen, but live. Organizers are calling it “likely a first in the world of musical performance and certainly a first in the global world of grand opera.” As at a typical drive-in movie, the audience will drive right into parking slots, turn on their car radios for sound, relax, and enjoy the show. Both the venue and the technology ensure that audience members stay safe in their cars while musicians and staff socially distance themselves onstage or behind it.
One of the most widely performed operas of all time, Tosca is vibrant with passion and politics, as dramatic as it is lyrical, featuring some of Puccini’s music. For information and tickets, visit the website at www.phoeniciavoicefest.org.
Virtual at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will offer another virtual summer children’s program from Science Tellers premiering on July 25. Performers, educators and artists from all over the country have created prerecorded shows that incorporate science with storytelling. “Aliens: Escape from Earth” invites children Grades K-5 on a fantasy adventure: “During a midnight meteor shower, something mysterious falls from the sky.
Families are able to access this 35-minute program from its premiere through Labor Day. Visit the Ulster County Library Association at uclib.org/srp-2020/events to access the programming on or after the premiere date.
The Gardiner Library has also announced a new virtual cookbook club via Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. The “Breaking Bread” meeting will cover the topic of bread. Participants will discuss their experiences baking and learning from bread cookbooks. Come with some book recommendations and a copy of a specific recipe from your favorite bread cookbook you would like to share with the group. Contact Catarina at ccowden@rcls.org for the Zoom link and password.
The library is offering a new virtual summer mythology book club via Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 23 and August 6 at 4 p.m. For ages nine and older, explore Greek myths to Native American myths, the night sky and universe through mythology.
Art projects will include techniques used in The Flight of Icarus by Matisse. Attendees will make an astrology bracelet, space poetry, plotting planets and more. Registration is required the Friday before each session by contacting Carolyn Thorez at cthorenz@rcls.org for select or all dates. There will be a limit of 12 per session. Activity kits will be made available for curbside pick-up prior to first meeting.
The virtual magic tree house summer camp book club will meet Thursdays through August 13 at 4 p.m. Activities and challenges will accompany each story. Registration is required the Friday before each session by contacting Carolyn Thorez at cthorenz@rcls.org for select or all dates. Activity kits will be made available for curbside pick-up prior to first meeting.
For additional information, visit the Calendar/Events page at GardinerLibrary.org or the Gardiner Library Facebook page.
Drive-in fireworks August 4
While there won’t be a county fair this year at the fairgrounds in New Paltz, there will be county fair fireworks on August 4. Town supervisor Neil Bettez announced last week that with the assistance of police officers and members of the town’s youth program, residents are invited to drive to the fairgrounds that evening, where the gates will be opened at 7:30 p.m. and the show is scheduled to begin an hour later. Social distance guidelines are to be complied with during the festivities.
Bettez confirmed later that this is not the successor to the taxpayer-funded fireworks that usually fall near — but never on — the fourth of July. With mounting budget challenges, the supervisor made it clear in 2019 that the only way to afford fireworks is if local people volunteer to secure donations to pay for it. There were no fireworks this year, and it’s unclear how the pandemic might impact fundraising efforts for next year.
— Terence P Ward
Street paving to begin in New Paltz
The Village of New Paltz Department of Public Works will be paving the following streets starting Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31:
Harrington Street (Main Street to Henry W Dubois), Academy Street (North Chestnut Street to dead end), Wurts Avenue, Water Street (Main Street to Mohonk Avenue), South Side Avenue (Route 208 to Pencil Hill), dead end of Pencil Hill.
Please contact the department of public works with any questions or concerns at (845) 255-1980.
Phoenicia BLM vigil
Do you want to show solidarity peacefully and let our sisters and brothers know that all lives can’t matter until black lives matter? Join us for a socially distant, family-friendly gathering. The Black Lives Matter Solidarity and Peace Vigil will be held at Phoenicia’s Parish Field (behind the post office) on Sunday, July 26, at 5 p.m.
Musicians, poets and speakers include Deborah Zuill (as Sojourner Truth), Jalani Lion, Gus Mancini’s Sonic Soul Awe-kestra, Dennis Yerry and Joan Henry, Mikeala Tali, James Kopp and Leo, Ana Silva, Priscilla De Conti and Sparrow.
Masks and social distancing measures are a must, To limit crowding and excess cars, please carpool, bike or walk when possible. Parking will be available on Main Street.
Swim lesson registration at Moriello Pool
Due to COVID-19, the regular learn -to-swim program at Moriello Pool in New Paltz is not being offered this year.
However, Moriello Pool is offering a pre-school level program that includes children ages 3-5 and their parents.
Both child and parent will be in the water together and will receive instructions from ARC swim instructors according to American Red Cross learn-to-swim guidelines.
Masks to be worn — except when in the pool. Social distancing should be maintained while in and out of the pool.
If interested, stop by the pool or call (255-1700) during operating hours.
The fee is $25 for New Paltz residents and $35 for non-New Paltz residents.
Session 1 will take place on July 28 and 30 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.; session 2 will be held August 4 and 6 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
All fees to be paid at the first class.
Town of Ulster Library election and budget info
Town of Ulster Library trustees up for reelection in 2020 will remain in their seats until the next election. Trustees maintaining their seats are Allison Organtini and Susan Hayes. The election is scheduled on Thursday, September 17, 2020.
Library trustees attend at least one board meeting a month and serve on one or more committees. The role of a library trustee is to set policy for operation of the public library and to oversee the fiscal health of the organization.
The current Town of Ulster Library board of trustees will hold a Zoom video hearing on the proposed budget of $322,695 carrying a zero percent increase on Monday, August 24 beginning at 4 p.m.
Local history lectures cancelled in Saugerties
The Friends of Historic Saugerties has cancelled its monthly local history lectures held at the Saugerties Public Library for the remainder of 2020. The group hopes to resume in 2021, or as soon as it is safe.
A tribute to a local hero
The Woodstock American Legion honored US Army sergeant Richard (Doc) Quinn on July 12. On that date in 1970, the Woodstock native was killed in action in the Republic of Vietnam. Last year, a ceremony was held in Woodstock renaming Hillcrest Avenue to Sergeant Richard Quinn Drive. This is the road where the local American Legion Hall is located.
Sergeant Quinn distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during ground combat operations in the Phuoc Long Province. According to Don Haberski, vice commander of the American Legion Post 1026 in Woodstock, Quinn’s company had just departed its night defensive position and was advancing down a narrow jungle trail when the allied lead element contacted an enemy force of unknown size. Although exposed in a forward position, Quinn skillfully administered aid to his comrades. As he prepared to evacuate them to rear positions, he was mortally wounded by the hostile fire.
In late July 1970, Richard Floyd Quinn arrived at the Dover Air Force Base at Dover, Delaware. His body was soon sent to the Lasher Funeral Home in Woodstock. On July 25 1970, he was laid to rest at the Woodstock Cemetery.
Among Sergeant Quinn’s many awards and commendations, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.
“We honor Doc Quinn today and everyday and are reminded daily of his selfless sacrifice to his fellow soldiers and his country when driving on Sergeant Richard Quinn Drive on the way to our post,” said Haberski at the ceremony on July 12, which was attended by local officials, family and friends.
Fire tower on weekends
The Catskill Center has announced that the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower has reopened to visitors for the season, including its top cab, on weekends and holidays. The Hunter Fire Tower is staffed by a team of volunteer interpreters who are part of the Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project – on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays
The tower has been reopened in a cautious way with multiple new safety measures in place. Visitors are required to wear a face mask when climbing on the tower, to use hand sanitizer before and after climbing on the tower and only members of the same party climb together. Fire tower volunteers will have hand sanitizer available.
“We are excited that we are in a place where we have been able to begin reopening the Catskill Park’s fire towers,” said Jeff Senterman, executive director of the Catskill Center. “These towers are some of the most scenic and popular destinations in the park, and now with our volunteers from the Catskill fire-tower project beginning to return, the public will have the opportunity to once again enjoy the towers and learn about how to help responsibly enjoy and protect the Catskill Park on their visit.”
For more information, visit www.catskillcenter.org.
Hudson River Revival postponed
The airing of the remastered version of this year’s virtual Great Hudson River Revival Music Festival has been postponed. For a recording of the virtual revival originally broadcasted on June 20, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/HRSloopClearwater. The event has been posted in the form of a dozen one-hour videos.
Maya Gold Foundation hosts Global Teen Cultural Exchange
The Maya Gold Foundation will host the Global Teen Cultural Exchange and will facilitate an online conversation on July 27 about the work of four non-profits serving teens across the globe.
Youth leaders from the Maya Gold Foundation, Himalayan Children’s Charities, Miss Tourism Ghana and Travel Unity will discuss their communities, the programs they are involved in and their roles as emerging leaders in the non-profit sector.
This event is open to the public and attendees may participate in a Q & A following the presentations.
The event will be held on Zoom from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To register, go to www.mayagoldfoundation.org/apply. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the event to all the registered attendees.
For more information, please email info@mayagoldfoundation.org.