Vassar Haiti Project annual art sale and auction
The Vassar Haiti Project celebrates 20 years with its traditional annual art sale and auction offered this year through virtual platforms. Hundreds of original paintings and handcrafts made in Haiti by artists and artisans will be offered for sale or auction. All purchases are 50-percent tax-deductible and donations are tax-deductible.
During the period from now through October 7, more than 70 original Haitian artworks will be available for auction. Bidding will take place in nominal increments over the course of the month. The auctions provide an opportunity for any art enthusiast looking for both great deals and some unusual and unique pieces featured in a website gallery open to the public.
Christopher Bjork, professor of education, Asian studies and international studies at Vassar College, will present opening remarks on Friday, October 2 at 9 a.m. Meet some of our Haitian artists and gallery owners on Saturday, October 3 at 10 a.m. A special live concert will take place on Saturday evening, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. A raffle and closing remarks will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, October 4 at 5 p.m.
For information, visit https://thehaitiproject.org/familiesweekend or call 437-5370.
Ulster announces over 2000 residents have recovered from Covid-19
Since reporting the county’s first positive case on March 8, Ulster County has issued over 80,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests. The daily positive test rate has remained under 1.5 percent for 41 straight days, according to a release from the county. That’s not a high bar. More than 30 new Ulster County positive cases would have to be reported in one day in order to break the streak.
“I want to thank the tremendous work of front-line workers who have kept our numbers down and helped those impacted recover,” Ulster County executive Pat Ryan said. “While this is encouraging news, it does not mean we can ignore the important safety precautions we must all follow to combat Covid 19. It is absolutely critical that we all continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, and wash our hands to avoid a second wave.”
There are currently 119 active cases of Covid 19 in Ulster County, and 94 fatalities.
U-Act voter drive-thru
Ulster Activists (U-Act) is conducting a voter drive-thru, where voters can pick up a voter registration form, application for an absentee ballot and information about the elections. The voter drive thru will be held every Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. at the New Paltz Community Center, 3 Veteran’s Drive. The dates are September 12, September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10 and October 17.
Volunteers will be masked and gloved. Voters are asked to remain in their cars, wear a mask and bring a pen to complete the requested form. Voters can return the completed form to volunteers for drop off at the Ulster County board of elections.
Ancient Egyptian funerary figures to Polaroid photographs by Andy Warhol, to produce a trans-historical, multi-cultural “remixing.”
For information, visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/news.
Ulster County law aims to protect consumers from price-gouging during emergencies
A county law aims to protect consumers from unfair trade practice and price gouging on any consumer goods or services within Ulster County during a declared emergency.
According to the new law, during or immediately after a declared state of emergency, businesses are prohibited from increasing prices by more than 25 percent on items less than $499.99; 15 percent on items between $500 and $2,499.99; 10% on items between $2,500 and $9,999.99; and more than 2 percent on items that cost $100,000 or more. Affected items include but are not limited to: hand sanitizer, toilet paper, sanitizing wipes, and other items of necessity during the pandemic or other items of necessity in the event of a declared emergency. Violators of the law may be referred to the district attorney for prosecution. In addition, a fine may be levied from $250 to $5,000 per day for violators
Individuals looking to make a claim under the law should reach out to the Recovery Service Center (845-443-8888) Monday and Friday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 or email (RSC@co.ulster.ny.us(link sends e-mail).
Lost lady bugs now “found”
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) master gardeners are participating in the Lost Ladybug Project with Cornell University. The nine-spotted ladybug was declared the official New York State insect in 1989. However, by 1995 there was only a single small colony of the ladybugs left in the state. After being raised at Cornell University, the native ladybugs were delivered via Federal Express to Ulster County. On Tuesday, September 1 the ladybugs were released into the SUNY Ulster Xeriscape Garden.
The insects will help with pest control and species restoration in the garden. The program will last through 2022 and will continue to release native ladybugs for pest control and species restoration as well as tours of native plants that attract native ladybugs and other beneficial insects. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to make seed balls, which will grow a variety of native ladybug attracting plants. Seeds will include a research-based mix of flowering plant seeds known to attract not only lady bugs, but also other beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, damselflies, big-eyed bugs, spiders and tachinids.
Upcoming workshops on ladybugs and other beneficials for pest control are in the works. For information, visit http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/gardening.
Old Dutch Church living history
Theatre on the Road and the Old Dutch Church in Kingston will offer living-history tours Saturdays in October in the cemetery of the church. Guests will take a trip across three centuries and meet seven characters who made Kingston the place to be.
On this tour, guests will meet Calvert Vaux, an architect who designed New York’s Central Park and many of the Hudson Valley’s finest residences. Visitors will also witness the banter between Sadie and Elsie Reher, two sisters whose family owned a bakery on the Rondout. Jenny Hasbrouck, an enslaved person who took her own freedom, will make an appearance, along with Father Divine, a celebrated African-American spiritual leader. Emily Crane Chadbourne, an art collector and philanthropist, will regale us with her story and Rachel Hasbrouck, a young woman who survived a Tory attack while escaping the burning of Kingston, will finish the tour.
Live tours will take place on October 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 7 p.m. and each will be limited to 60 people. There will be no more than ten people at each gravesite. Masking and social distancing will be enforced. A virtual version of the tour will be available on www.livinghistoryny.com beginning November 1.
Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased by visiting www.livinghistoryny.com. For information, call 475-7973. Theatre on the Road is the creation of actor, writer and director Frank Marquette and his wife Kristen.
New solar-boat programs
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s solar-powered tour boat Solaris is back from New York City with a new motor, ready to get people out on the river. The museum is offering a number of fall programs for all ages. The fall foliage cruises and lazy Sunday family cruises are one hour long. The family cruise also includes a complimentary scavenger hunt and special pricing for children.
The ecology exploration and industrial waterfront cruises are each an hour and 15 minutes long and explore the ecology and history of the Hudson River and Rondout Creek, with crew pointing out and explaining local wildlife and historic landmarks. The sunset cruise is an hour-and-a-half long and departure times vary to reflect the shifting sunset. Guests are encouraged to bring their own wine and snacks aboard, though masks must be worn when not eating or drinking.
The dual-lighthouse cruise is the longest at two hours, but includes up-close views of the Rondout and Esopus Meadows lighthouses.
Starting in mid-September, the museum is offering a brand new lantern cruise — which departs after dark by lantern light and includes Hudson River legends and lore with experienced storytellers. The cruise will include nighttime views of the Sleightsburgh barge graveyard and the Rondout Lighthouse. “We know being on the river at night is a fun and spooky experience,” says Sarah Wassberg Johnson, director of exhibits and outreach at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. “The lantern cruises are a safe and intimate way to experience the magic of the Hudson River after dark.”
Passengers are limited to twelve people per trip to encourage social distancing and all passengers are required to wear masks. Solaris and restroom facilities are disinfected several times a day between trips. To purchase tickets, visit www.hrmm.org/all-boat-tours. All proceeds benefit the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
Denizen Theatre opens doors
Denizen Theatre in New Paltz will be reopening its doors for Tony-nominated Broadway playwright, Neil LaBute, this October. The world premiere True Love Will Find You in the End is about marriage and divorce; passion and obsession; and how love can find you in even the most extraordinary circumstances. It will run from October 8 to 18, Thursday through Saturdays at 6 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m.
In an intimate setting — only eight seats per performance — this theatre production places the audience safely on opposing sides of a socially distant square. This theatrical experience transports patrons into the world of the play through a layered composition of sound, light and narrative as we experience two sides of the same story. The audience is the observer and the observed.
“Sometimes the most creative solutions are born out of the most atypical restrictions,” said producing artistic director Harry Lipstein.
Love Will Find You in the End is directed by J.J. Kandel. The design team includes Greg MacPherson (lighting design) and Nick Moore (sound design/composer). The producer is Sarah Cronk. The Denizen Theatre is at Water Street Market, 10 Main Street, Suite 501 in New Paltz. For information, call 303-4136 or email information@denizentheatre.com.
Art Uncorked annual benefit
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz will present the Art Uncorked Benefit and Auction on Tuesday, October 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. The event will honor Mickey Jamal and Susana Torruella Leval and will feature a signature cocktail and appetizer created by Bruce Kazan, chef and owner of Main Course Catering + Marketplace.
Jamal is founder and CEO of CPD Energy. He opened his first gas station in New Paltz in 1981 with a vision to double in size every five years and to become the best in the industry. Nearly 40 years later, that first gas station remains the cornerstone of a retail and wholesale enterprise that spans the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Jamal is active in local communities and in the industry. He is a member of the board of directors of the SUNY New Paltz Foundation and is a long-time supporter of the Samuel Dorsky Museum.
Torruella Leval is director emerita of El Museo del Barrio, New York City’s leading Latino cultural institution. She served as the museum’s director from 1994 to 2002, after four years as its chief curator. She is also a trustee emerita of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Aperture Foundation and Dreamyard, as well as a member of the board of trustees of The Brooklyn Museum. She was the curator of the exhibition Eugene Ludins: An American Fantasist, presented at The Dorsky Museum from February 11 to July 15, 2012.
The minimum donation to attend the benefit is $75. Purchase a ticket to get the recipe for your DIY cocktail and appetizer at https://newpaltz.ejoinme.org/ArtUncorked2020Tickets
Writing workshop with Betty Marton
The Gardiner Library will host a three-part virtual writing workshop series entitled “(Re)Writing Your Life” with Betty Marton beginning on Thursday, September 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join a small group of like-minded writers in creating short essays about your life based on your photographs. The series will continue to meet on October 1 and October 8. The cost is $15 per 90-minute session with a preferred commitment to all three sessions. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org to register and for the Zoom link.
Writer, editor and memoirist Betty Marton, from In Your Own Words (https://www.iyowpublishing.com/) has developed a guide with questions designed to take you below the surface of familiar photos so you can develop compelling and detailed stories about your life. The workshop will discuss how to connect the information about the past to the present, to give greater context and insight into how the past informs the present or how a present perspective and help reinterpret past events. When appropriately explored, past memories can also help us better understand the present move us with greater ease and clarity into the future.
For more information, visit GardinerLibrary.org.
Police reformers seek input
The New Paltz Police Reform and Reinvention Committee (NPPRRC) will host opportunities on September 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. for community members to share experiences and ideas with committee members as it works to develop recommendations for ways to improve and enhance the services of the police department. These gatherings are the first in a series of outreach events designed to hear firsthand concerns and ideas on policing.
Steering committee members will be available in New Paltz at the Peace Park on Plattekill Avenue to receive public input. Members will observe proper social distancing measures and masks are required.
The town board established the NPPRRC whose mission is to help identify and hopefully eradicate racism within the department using a collaborative problem-solving platform that will include elected officials, the police department and community members. The committee will later work to craft policy and legislative recommendations to be presented to the town board.
“Bike Ahead” gains momentum
In September 2016, Gaby O’Shea was struck by a vehicle in New Paltz and suffered life-threatening injuries. The New Paltz community organized a fundraiser to aid in her recovery and to spark dialogue between motorists and cyclists regarding bike safety. Ryan Cronin offered to create a piece of art and sell it with a portion of the sale going directly to Gaby and her family to aid in her recovery. ‘Expect A Bike Ahead’ was born, and was sold before the paint was dry to one of Cronin’s collectors.
Fast forward several months and lawn signs were created that people have been seeing all around Ulster County for the past several years. The signs were all given away for free, on a first come, first serve basis. Within two days, all of the signs were claimed. In 2019, Cronin partnered with SUNY Ulster to produce more signs. These were also given away for free throughout Ulster County.
“Expect A Bike Ahead” lawn signs will once again be available; thanks to SUNY Ulster, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration & the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and La Luna Farm in New Paltz. Signs will be distributed, free of charge, on Sunday, September 20 at The Cronin Gallery, located at 10 Main Street, Water Street Market in New Paltz. Fifty signs are available and will be offered on a first come, first serve basis, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masks are required to enter the gallery.
Rosh Hashanah services
Chabad of New Paltz will host a tashlich and shofar service for Rosh Hashanah this Sunday, September 20 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. at the scenic overlook by the Carmine Liberta Bridge at the corner of Main and Huguenot streets in New Paltz. Additionally, there will be full-length, in-person outdoor services on Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 from 8 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A shofar blowing will take place at Chabad of New Paltz on Sunday, September 20 at noon.
Chabad is at 10 South Oakwood Terrace in New Paltz. For additional information, visit www.JewPaltz.com.
Marbletown all-renewable future
On Tuesday, September 1, Marbletown’s town board unanimously adopted a plan to shift local energy use to renewables for power, heating, cooling and transportation. In addition to protecting the climate, the plan would save residents money, according to Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC) chair Tom Konrad. In Marbletown, full electrification and renewables could cut residents’ energy expenses by about 40 percent, or $6.5 million annually, Konrad told the board while presenting the plan.
Created by the Marbletown ECC in collaboration with Sustainable Hudson Valley (SHV), the plan offers specific strategies and tools to assist residents and businesses in making voluntary changes. The plan focuses on educating the community about renewably powered alternatives to older equipment and vehicles, when they are ready to be replaced. It also encourages local policies that can make the switch easier while saving people money
“I’m excited for two reasons,” commented Marbletown ECC member Iris Marie Bloom. “One is the climate emergency: every fraction of a degree of warming we prevent is super important right now and for future generations. The other is helping Marbletown residents save money the way I’ve been saving. My household has been at “net zero energy” for heating, cooking, cooling, EV charging and hot water since 2017 — and it’s a thrill to get no bills.”
Over the coming years, the plan calls for increasing access to electric vehicles, heat pumps and energy storage systems to maximize the benefits from solar power and energy efficiency. Residents can sign up for both the discount Green Group Purchase and for free energy coaching at this website: https://sustainhv.org/green-group-purchase-program/.
Kingston parks and recreation
Kingston has been working to offer the programming while adhering to Covid 19 restrictions. The Parks & Recreation Department just issued a new monthly newsletter which details some of the events offered this fall: kayaking, nature walks, a disc golf club and more.
In addition to programming, the parks will be seeing some renovations and improvements including:
• Hasbrouck Park pavilion is having its roof replaced.
• Hutton Park pavilion will be refurbished.
• Barmann Park will have the perimeter fence and overgrown vegetation removed. Rickel Knox Park will also get a new playground and play surface, as well as new benches, a new handicapped accessible entryway and front fence.
• Loughran Park will get new playground equipment and the tennis courts will be repaired.
• Kingston Point Park is currently under renovations to construct a new accessible ramp to the bathrooms and an accessible changing room. Kingston Point Park will get a brand new U-12 soccer field and parking lot.
• Hodge Center will be retrofitted with a new accessible door.
• Andretta Pool will be repaired, plumbing upgraded and interior and exterior renovations including a brand new splash pad.
• Dietz Stadium Complex and parking lot will benefit from a new master plan and other major renovations.
• Rondout Neighborhood Center will get a new HVAC system, LED lighting and other upgrades.
• Several parks will get wi-fi and security cameras installed.
• TR Gallo Park is getting a full replacement of its electrical system.
• All park pole lighting will be replaced with LED lights.
Kingston September 11 ceremony
The City of Kingston decided to hold the 9/11 ceremony privately this year because of safety concerns for the first responders and community members. On September 11, a small group of members of the Kingston Fire Department, Kingston Police Department, sheriff Juan Figueroa, county executive Pat Ryan, mayor Steve Noble and a handful of others gathered at Fireman’s Park to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Members of the Kingston Fire Department placed a wreath at the Fireman’s Park monument uptown and rang the bell in honor of those who died on 9/11 and all the fallen heroes this past year.
Kingston reads about racism
Kingston reads about racism is an initiative that encourages all members of the Kingston community to read the same book and to gather (virtually) for discussions about race and racial justice. By coming together as a community, we can raise the level of awareness, engage each other in honest and challenging conversations and, critically, take the next step: commit to dismantling racism.
The chosen book is How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi’s concept of antiracism not only brings new energy to the conversation about race and racial justice in America, but it gives us a new lens to turn on ourselves and each other. This nuanced examination of all forms of racism will allow us to see clearly how poisonous the consequences have been and continue to be and, importantly, how we can oppose racist and assimilationist ideas in ourselves and in our systems. We are asked by the author to consider: What would an anti racist society look like? How can we play an active role in building it?
This book is a deep dive into ethics, history, law, and science and includes Kendi’s own awakening to antiracism. Community conversations will take place on Zoom on Thursdays, October 1, October 15 and October 29 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Registration information is posted on the Kingston Reads website at https://kingstonreads.org.
Email Amanda or Anthony at Rough Draft with any questions. You can reserve a copy for pickup at: roughdraftbar@gmail.com
New food services director joins New Paltz Central School District
The New Paltz school district has appointed Joe Papp as its new director of food services. Papp replaces Michael Robinson, who retired in 2020 after serving as food services director for 25 years.
Papp will be responsible for the menu planning, training and supervising food service staff, coordinating serving schedules, ordering supplies and maintaining food preparation equipment. He has almost two decades of food services experience.
Papp said he has no initial changes planned for the district’s food services, explaining that he is still meeting faculty and staff and learning the routines and building schedules. “I have received an extremely warm welcome from all the staff here,” he said. “It is a very uplifting environment to work in.” Papp added that he believes that the pandemic has thrust everyone into “the same boat of uncertainty,” emphasizing the importance of working together. Papp cited the implementation of providing meal service in the classroom as a significant challenge in his new role, requiring an abundance of communication and teamwork.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Mr. Papp’s vast experience join our district team,” said superintendent Angela Urbina-Medina. “Mr. Robinson leaves big shoes to fill, and we wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Families who qualify for free and reduced meals are encouraged to complete an application at https://bit.ly/2QqucFg, and return it to 196 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561. For those who received this benefit last year, last year’s application will remain in effect until October 22. This application can also be completed at any time during the year if circumstances change.
Woodstock Library election
Woodstock voters will pick two unopposed trustee candidates and decide on an operational budget with no tax-levy increase for the October 1 library election. Linda Lover is running to fill a seat to be vacated by trustee Selma Kaplan, who did not seek re-election. Jeff Collins, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, is running for his first elected term. Both terms are for five years.
Voting is from noon to 9 p.m. in the library, 5 Library Lane in Woodstock, and is open to all registered Woodstock voters. Absentee ballots are available in the library.
On November 3, voters will decide on $5.8 million in bonding for the construction of a 12,500-square-foot library building to replace the existing structure. The bond referendum will be on the same ballot as the presidency and other national races.
Early voting for the general election starts October 24 at the Woodstock Community Center, and regular voting November 3 will be at the usual polling places. For absentee ballots, contact the county board of elections on Kingston at 334-5470.
“Evolving artist” at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library is currently hosting an exhibit by artist Izzy Cubito entitled Real~Unreal: Artwork of an Evolving Artist showcased in the community room through October 29. Meet the artist and see his painting demonstration on October 3 at 2 p.m. Cubito is an American artist creating in oil, acrylics and mixed-media. He describes himself as constantly emerging with passions in art, music and craftsmanship. This years’ portfolio of paintings encompasses different locations and subjects using oil as the primary medium.
The work showcases Cubito’s forays in portraiture including a dalliance into self-portraiture. In this portfolio Cubito shadows the works of Brian Rutenberg, Karen Massingill, Kate Woods, Ben Lustenhouwer and famous Italian painter Amadeo Modigliani among so many influences.
The works will be on display in the library exhibit space, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike. For information, call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Promoting educational opportunities
The Continuing Education Committee from PEO, Chapter A, met recently to present a grant of $1800 to Orange County Community College undergraduate student Celia-Ann Dye of Walden. PEO promotes educational opportunities for women from around the world. The society offers scholarships and grants to women at several levels of education from college freshmen through advanced degrees, as well as loans.
Dye, a student at Orange County Community College, is also working as a medical assistant at an orthopedic practice. For information, visit www.peointernational.org.
Lend a wheel
The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will offer bike repair clinics on Tuesday, September 22 (rain date September 23) and Wednesday, October 6 (rain date October 7). Both will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the YMCA, located at 507 Broadway in Kingston. The clinics are free, but donations will be accepted.
No advance registration is required, but please wear a mask.
Join the family! 
