Frost Valley YMCA opens outdoor and virtual learning center
Acknowledging the many challenges and concerns families have about the school year as well as the high percentage of children in the surrounding rural communities without high-speed internet access, Frost Valley YMCA is embracing an opportunity to serve children in a new way. With over 135 years in youth development, Frost Valley YMCA is equipped to address the many challenges and concerns families have about the school year. Its more-than-5000-acre property allows for social distancing, its professional staff who are experienced in youth development.
Frost Valley has now completed the licensing process that allows for the opening of its new outdoor and virtual learning center, which became available for schoolchildren on October 19.
This new program will offer childcare from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for children in kindergarten through sixth grade (partial week and full week options available), ample space for children to safely conduct their virtual school programs, youth development facilitators who can offer support as needed while children learn from their school teachers, and outdoor, experience-based programs once students’ virtual schoolwork has been completed (activities include nature hikes, visits to Frost Valley’s raptor center, archery, pond exploration and more).
Visit www.frostvalley.org/ovlc to learn more. Families can directly contact Frost Valley by emailing Jessie Emmons at ovlc@frostvalley.org or calling 985-2291, ext. 410.
Road rage arrest
An alleged road rage incident in the Town of Ulster resulted in drug charges for a Woodstock man. The sheriff’s office received a report of the incident on October 13 at 6:50 p.m. alleging Steven Hammerl, 29, displayed a firearm. He was later located in a grocery store parking lot in the City of Kingston.
Deputies found no evidence of firearm possession, but did discover a small quantity of what was believed to be a stimulant and hallucinogen known as Ecstasy.
Hammerl was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was released from custody and issued tickets to appear in Kingston city court at a later date.
— Nick Henderson
Police reform session
The New Paltz Police Reform and Reinvention Committee (NPPRRC) will conduct its first public town hall Zoom meeting on October 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. This listening session is an opportunity for community members to share experiences and ideas with committee members as it works to develop recommendations for improvements and enhance police services. The town hall is open to the general public.
This is the first public session for the committee before it begins meetings with individual stakeholder groups in November where committee members expect to hear concerns, ideas and suggestions on policing.
The 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 interested community members. Afterwards, the committee will draft policy and recommendations that will be released prior to another public comment session, after which it will be presented to the town board.
Rapid Covid test coming
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced last week during his live Facebook briefing that Ulster County is now eligible to receive rapid testing machines and test kits which can deliver results in 15 minutes or less. “Rapid response testing will help slow the spread of Covid-19 by expanding accessibility and improving our turnaround time, allowing us to instantly test key facilities and populations,” Ryan said.
The county submitted its plan to the New York State Department of Health to receive rapid testing machines and testing kits which will increase the county’s testing capacity. Kits will be employed to assist school districts, congregate-care facilities and other identified clusters. These rapid tests will be provided through a drive-through system, and those tested will receive their results before they leave the site.
The state is making Abbott BinaxNOW and Abbott ID NOW test cards and machines and test kits available to local health departments as supply permits. Materials will be provided at no cost so long as testing is open to the public, offered free of charge, and prioritizes vulnerable and at-risk populations that may not currently have equitable access to testing.
Residents can find information about their nearest testing location by visiting https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/covid19-testing/.
Designing students
Who is that masked person? Fashion design and merchandising students in the Ulster Boces program are putting their best faces forward by creating masks with fashion flair.
The students are creating prototypes addressing mask-related issues such as the chafing that is sometimes caused by ear straps.
Instructor Nicole Foti notes that her students want to express themselves with something stylish — yet safe.
Rosendale police car damaged in hit-and-run
Members of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office report a hit and run motor vehicle accident involving a Town of Rosendale Police Car on Route 213 in the Town of Rosendale.
On October 7 at about 9:10 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Route 213 in the Town of Rosendale for a report of a hit and run accident involving a Town of Rosendale Police car. The resulting investigation concluded that Petra Gehrung, 61, of Cottekill, was operating her vehicle eastbound on Route 213, when she crossed over the double yellow line striking a marked Rosendale Police car, disabling the police car and leaving the scene. Gehrung was issued a ticket for leaving the scene of a property damage automobile accident, to appear in the Town of Rosendale Court at a later date.
Deputies were assisted with the investigation by members of the Town of Rosendale Police Department and Town of New Paltz Police Department.
Graveside fun added
This month, Theatre on the Road and the Old Dutch Church in Kingston have been presenting their sixth annual living-history tours on Saturday nights in the cemetery of the church. Guests have been taking a trip across three centuries and meeting seven characters that made Kingston the place to be. All scheduled tours were completely sold out. A fifth tour has been added for Sunday, October 25 at 5 p.m.
The final tour will be limited to 60 people with 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.
NYSSMA selects four New Paltz Students for virtual performance
The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) announces selection of four New Paltz High School students to represent the district as participants and/or alternates for the 2020 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble(s). Three have been selected for the All-State Mixed Chorus: Eliza Behrke as soprano 1, Andrew Geher as bass 2, and Ryan Hovey as tenor 1. Carl Schroer, also a senior, was chosen as an alternate for snare drum.
NYSSMA is assembling the all-state ensembles in a remote format to record a 2020 virtual concert. About 7000 students audition for the eight All-State performing groups, and just under 900 are selected to participate annually. Approximately 100,000 students participate annually in spring adjudication festivals held around New York State.
Huguenot Street tours
Historic Huguenot Street will host a “Night Boos and Brews” tour on Friday, October 23 and October 30 at 8 p.m. Organizers are revamping the tour this year with new local legends, in addition to the classic spooky tales of New Paltz. Meet at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. for a glass of locally made hard cider or craft beer, then take an exterior walking tour to explore the mysterious tales of New Paltz. Each ticket comes with a glass of hard cider or beer and additional drinks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
For additional information, call 255-1889 or email info@huguenotstreet.org.
Historic Huguenot Street is also offering a self-guided Haunted Huguenot Street walking tour. This debut app tour and scavenger hunt will take the place of the theatrical haunted tours that happen on site every October but were cancelled this year due to Covid-19. You can learn more about the walking tour app and how to download it at https://www.huguenotstreet.org/app.
Denizen extends True Love
The Denizen Theatre has announced that the world premiere True Love Will Find You in the End by Neil LaBute has been extended until October 25. The first two weeks of the run sold out before opening night. Eight more performances have been added from Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25. Show times are Thursday through Saturdays at 6 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. Private shows are also available upon request.
For information, visit www.denizentheatre.com.
Ulster Fire reschedules
To avoid a conflict with Election Day,the Ulster Fire District No. 1 regularly scheduled November meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m.
Brunel Sculpture Garden presents “Jordan’s Cross”
Brunel Sculpture Garden in Boiceville is holding the first showcase of new visual work created by current artist in residence Brian Paccione on October 31 and November 1. For the past year, Paccione — in addition to writing and directing his own films — has been carving local Catskills driftwood and downed forest logs to create sculptural work at Brunel Sculpture Garden. Two short films written and directed by Paccione will be screened both evenings. The outdoor socially-distanced event will run both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a 30-minute screening of short films at 6 p.m. on both nights. Select carvings will also be for sale.
The Brunel Sculpture Garden is at 4008 State Route 28 in Boiceville.
Po’town celebration cancelled
The Bardavon has announced that due to the pandemic Poughkeepsie’s annual Celebration of Lights Parade & Fireworks is cancelled this year. Chris Silva, Bardavon executive director and long-time parade organizer, said, “I’m sad about it, but we want to keep people safe so cancelling is the only option. Happily the city and county will still be hanging lights on trees and poles this year, which is great, and I look forward to gathering together again some time in 2021.”
New Paltz leaf pick up
The Village of New Paltz will begin its annual leaf pickup throughout the village on November 2 for a two-week period. The pick up will start on the north side November 2-6 and continue to the south side November 9 through 13.
If bagging leaves, only biodegradable bags will be accepted. Bagged or loose leaves only should be placed at curbside. Biodegradable bags can be purchased from the Village of New Paltz at 25 Plattekill Avenue on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the price of $2 per five pack.
Virtual college admissions
The Gardiner Library will host “College Planning and Financial Aid” with Elizabeth Levine virtually via Zoom on Thursday, November 5 from 5 to 6 p.m. Pre-registration for this free presentation is required by emailing nlane@rcls.org.
The presentation is geared towards any student in high school and their parents. It aims to demystify the daunting college admissions and financial aid process and gain insight to this complex experience. For information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Free online tutoring
Ulster County libraries are offering free access to Tutor.com, which provides on-demand tutoring in a virtual meeting with a vetted professional tutor face to face or via chat for homework help from 2 to 9 p.m. Students can submit drafts of writing and math problems for review and take practice tests for various subjects.
Use your library card to log on.
Early dismissal test
Public schools in Ulster County will release students approximately 15 minutes early on Thursday, November 5. Students will be sent home early on this day as part of an annual drill that tests the evacuation procedures of each district’s Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness Plan. The state has mandated that this drill be conducted annually in all public schools.
Local Ulster County schools ask that parents make appropriate arrangements for the early arrival of their children the afternoon of November 5. Each participating district may provide parents with district specific information regarding the evacuation drill’s impact on bussing and after school activities. All Ulster County public schools are participating in the drill.
Seniors of the Year
Frances Drakert of Ulster Park and Thomas Wadnola of Lake Katrine have been recognized as Seniors of the Year by Ulster County government. This award honors them for their community engagement and recognizes the time and effort they spend volunteering.
“Our senior population makes significant contributions to our Ulster County community and leads our volunteerism,” said County Execurive Pat Ryan. “This unprecedented time has showcased the critical need for volunteers stepping up and serving their neighbors. We are grateful for Frances and Thomas’ extraordinary work, long-standing service, and the positive impact they have had on our county and our local community.”
Drakert was honored for nearly 30 years of service to the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Wadnola, has spent nearly 60 years in service with the Boy Scouts of America, dating back to when he was a Boy Scout himself. Over the last 17 years, Tom has also been active teaching computer literacy classes to individuals fifty and over at SUNY Ulster, where he manages the computers for the Learning Center.
Hunter Mountain film fest
This year’s Hunter Mountain Film Festival will be an online event taking place on October 23 to 25. The festival honors the skill of filmmaking by connecting ambitious independent artist to share, learn, communicate and network The schedule of events is available at www.huntermountainfilmfestival.com.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Karen Lynn Gorney. The Rising Star Award this year goes to Alexei Bondar..
This year’s festival will be co-hosted by Wayne Pyle and Chris Tighe. Watch any film for $10. Presale has already started. For an extra $5, audience members will get an all-access pass to the interviews, panel discussions, music program and announcements.
Bardavon streams Grateful Dead
On Sunday, November 1 at 8 p.m., the Bardavon Presents @You Tube — a free online series “Albums Revisited” — with a 50th anniversary celebration of the release of the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty; curated by Bardavon production manager Stephen LaMarca, with commentary by Bardavon executive director Chris Silva.
The event will feature original performances of these Dead classics created for the Bardavon. Subscribe for free at Bardavon Presents @ You Tube.
New Paltz Turkey Trot November 1-30
The Family of New Paltz Turkey Trot is an annual 5K run and walk event to support Family of New Paltz’s food pantry and crisis services. As we strive for a healthier and safer experience, runners from anywhere can now participate by using the RaceJoy app. This app will allow runners to:
1. Either run the route we would normally use (accessible through the app) or choose their own preferred route.
2. Complete this run on any given day/time during the entire month of November.
3. Persons are able to obtain their own sponsors and collect donations for the race directly through RaceJoy.
Family does not encourage large gatherings and everyone should be sure to follow the appropriate safety guidelines at the time of your run. Please be sure to download the RaceJoy app when you are ready to complete the race.
You can register online or in person at: www.newpaltzturkeytrot.com or 51 North Chestnut Street in New Paltz on Monday-Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For anyone participating locally, shirts will be available from Family of New Paltz, with a pick up date to be determined.
The cost is $25 for persons (13-64 years), $15 for anyone below the age of 13 and over the age of 64. For additional information, call (845) 255-7957/392-3624.
Puppy Up fundraising event at Whitecliff
Love dogs? Bring yours or come on your own to Puppy Up Hudson Valley on Sunday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Whitecliff Vineyard. Puppy Up is a national organization that raises money for canine and human oncology research and awareness. Participants can register in advance at Puppyupwalk.org/Hudsonvalley or at the event, which features a two-mile walk around Whitecliff’s vineyard. The cost is $35.
Vendors will be on hand with food, dog-related items and, of course, wine. Pre-registration is encouraged to help schedule people throughout the outdoor event to promote social distancing and prevent crowding. Can’t make the event? Go to PuppyUpwalk.org/hudsonvalley to pledge a contribution.
Whitecliff Vineyard is located at 331 McKinstry Road in Gardiner.
Potter transmogrifications
The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) will reopen on-site galleries this November and include an exhibition from the Art for Education program at WAAM as a part of Youth Education Space (YES). This YES programming will be a solo exhibition by Talulah Potter titled Transmogrifications. The exhibition, opens Friday, November 13 and continues through February 1, 2021 with WAAM’s new limited hours of Friday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Potter, an Onteora High School senior, was chosen for a solo exhibition by WAAM education director, Beth Humphrey.. For this exhibition, the YES gallery will temporarily take over WAAM’s solo gallery space.
The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum is at 28 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For general information, call 679.2940 or visit woodstockart.org.
Boats and barns at Gruber
The Mark Gruber Gallery presents “Boats and Barns,” a group show, which opens on Saturday, October 24 and runs through November 28. The show is free and open to the public during the gallery’s new normal business hours: Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Private exhibition viewing is available by appointment.
“Boats and Barns” holds a mirror up to the times we live in now. Symbols of stalwart strength and courage to weather any storm or an escape to a serene, pastoral place, these painters’ love of the land and sea demonstrate the disparity between the sublime and the romantic in nature.
For information, call 255-1241 or visit markgrubergallery.com.
“Pooches & Pumpkins” at Stone Ridge Orchard
The first annual “Pooches & Pumpkins,” a socially distanced Halloween farm event for the whole family and their canines, kicks off on Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Stone Ridge Orchard. Attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for the festivities, which will include socially distanced blanket bingo, a magic show, pumpkin painting and a pumpkin patch, pet and kid’s costume contests, pet photos, visit with the ducks and “Balki” the pig.
Visitors can hike up to the 300-year-old oak tree high atop the sprawling 115-acre farm with a view of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills and breathe in the fresh fall air or relax in their ten-foot spaced field pods near the farmhouse.
Food and beverages for sale include wood-fired farm ingredient pizza, plus cider, cider donuts, apples, apple pies and tarts from the adjacent farm market. The local food truck favorite Farmers & Chefs will be offering a farm-fresh menu. Pending availability and weather conditions, apple-picking may still be possible.
Prohibition Distillery will provide hand sanitizer stations, and additional PPE will be available for anyone who needs it. When purchasing tickets online, all attendees must sign the health affidavit to gain admittance into the event to allow contact tracing.
The experience is free for kids under five, $5 for kids six and up, and $10 for adults. The orchard is at 3012 State Route 213 in Stone Ridge. For information, visit stoneridgeorchard.com or call 687-2587.
Where and when to vote early in Ulster County
In New York State, early voting runs for nine days, from October 24 to November 1. Ulster County will hold host voting at five polling places. Unlike on Election Day itself, when voters need to report to a specific polling place in their voting district, during early voting voters can use any polling place.
For those without transportation, UCAT buses pass by most of these locations (all but Lloyd). See ulstercountyny.gov/ucat/bus-schedules for schedules and more info. The locations are:
1. WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Community Center, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498
2. KINGSTON — Midtown Neighborhood Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401
3. NEW PALTZ — New Paltz Community Center, 3 Veterans Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561
4. LLOYD — Highland American Legion, 84 Grand St., Highland, NY 12528
5. WAWARSING — Ellenville Public Library Community Room, 40 Center St., Ellenville, NY 12428
And the hours, which are the same for each polling place, are as follows:
Saturday, October 24: 10 a.m.—3 p.m.; Sunday, October 25: 10 a.m.—3 p.m.; Monday, October 26: 9 a.m.—5 p.m.; Tuesday, October 27: 12 p.m.—8 p.m.; Wednesday, October 28: 9 a.m.—5 p.m.; Thursday, October 29: 12 p.m.—8 p.m.; Friday, October 30: 9 a.m.—5 p.m.; Saturday, October 31: 10 a.m.—3 p.m.; Sunday, November 1: 10 a.m.—3 p.m.
One advantage of early voting vs. using an absentee ballot to avoid the crowds of Election Day is that votes cast during early voting will be counted when the polls close, along with the votes cast that day. Absentee ballot counting begins November 10, one week after Election Day.
Normally we wouldn’t point this out, but with so much attention on the question of whether a decisive victor will be declared on election night, or if the outcome will be in doubt for weeks or months afterward due to the large number of anticipated absentee or mail-in ballots, it seemed relevant.
Learn about New Paltz’s Community Preservation Fund
Learn about New Paltz’s Community Preservation Fund, which will be on your ballot this November as Local Law No. 1 during a Zoom meeting on Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m. Please register for this meeting at VoteYesNew Paltz.org
Get the facts with local volunteers knowledgeable about this proposal. This will be a presentation by Cara Lee, retired conservation manager at the Nature Conservancy and Jon Orfitelli, a local realtor and chair of the Town of New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission. There will be a question-and-answer period at the end of the presentation.
Catskill Center to host Fall Gala virtually
The Catskill Center Fall Gala is going virtual in 2020. The online event will be a celebration of the resilience of Catskill communities and will honor Alf Evers Award recipient.
The Catskill Center’s Fall Gala will be on Saturday, October 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The live event will feature live music, virtual field trips in the Catskill Forest Preserve, special guest speakers and the Alf Evers Award ceremony.
This year’s Alf Evers Award will be presented to Wray Rominger. Wray has owned and operated Purple Mountain Press since 1973. The publishing company located in Fleischmanns has published over 150 titles including dozens that focus on the Catskills.
The evening will include informative presentations by To Be Forever Wild filmmaker David Becker, local small business owners and Catskill Center executive director Jeff Senterman. There will be virtual field trips and live music by singer/songwriter Cosby Gibson.
Participants at the Fall Gala will receive a special treat shipped right to their door (or available for pickup at the Catskills Visitor Center), a gala gift box with custom table décor, an assortment of locally made snacks, a hand-picked collection of gifts that celebrate the beauty and resilience of the Catskills and an original Catskills history zine with materials to create their own mountain stories.
For more information, contact cccd@catskillcenter.org, (845) 586-2611, catskillcenter.org.
Story walk in Gardiner
The Gardiner Library is now showing Moonlight: The Halloween Cat by Cynthia Rylant as its October StoryWalk® display. Read the story while you walk up to the library. For the entire month families can enjoy this interactive story along the sidewalk of the library’s driveway.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
For information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Join the family! 
