Family of Woodstock Thanksgiving feast
For more than 40 years, Family of Woodstock has hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire community at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center. This year will be a little different. To make sure everyone has a special holiday meal while keeping socially distanced and ensuring physical and emotional safety for everyone, Family of Woodstock will be providing turkeys with all the fixins’ for people in the greater Woodstock area, including Woodstock, Bearsville, Shady, Lake Hill, Willow, Mount Tremper, Shokan and Boiceville.
If you would like to sign up for a Thanksgiving food basket with Family of Woodstock, call 679-2485. Ellenville area residents can sign up for Thanksgiving baskets by contacting Family of Ellenville at 647-2443. Pick-up dates are November 23-25. Call to schedule appointments between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residents must wear masks and bring your own bags.
New Paltz area residents can sign up for Thanksgiving baskets by contacting Family of New Paltz at 255-7957.
If you are outside these areas, please check out these other local resources for Thanksgiving dinners: Peoples Place, https://www.peoplesplaceucorg/programs/; Rondout Valley Food Pantry, http://www.rvfoodpantry.org/index.php/programs; Salvation Army, https://ny.salvationarmy.org/kingston/; Community Action, http://uccac.org/; St. Francis De Sales Church in Phoenicia, https://stfrancisdesalesphoenicia.com/; or Phoenicia Food Pantry, https://www.shandaken-ny.com/services/shandaken-food-pantry/
Family of Woodstock will hold its annual Kingston adolescent services Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday, November 24, 6 p.m., outside at the Old Dutch Church at 272 Wall Street in Kingston. The dinner is take-out only. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. For information, contact Courtney at 331-7080, extension 164.
New Paltz Turkey Trot is virtual
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 through November 30 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.
Community window painting in New Paltz
The New Paltz Office for Community Wellness has announced that it will be holding a second community window painting project within the Village of New Paltz on Saturday, December 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be open to students, families and individual community members.
Registration is required by 9 p.m. on Friday, November 20. To enter the registration lottery, visit https://bit.ly/2IDCatL. All selected participants will receive a confirmation email the following morning (Saturday, November 21) and be required to attend an in-person meeting on Sunday, November 22 at 11 a.m., location will be included in the email received.
Historic Huguenot Street finishes restoration on the Jean Hasbrouck House roof
After more than five years of planning and consultation, timber frame restoration, shingle installation, and more, Historic Huguenot Street has finished restoration of the roof on the Jean Hasbrouck House.
The Jean Hasbrouck House (ca. 1721) is a specific and rare example of traditional Dutch 18th-century architecture. The house’s high-pitched gable roof spans twice the depth of other stone houses from the period and is one of a kind in the United States. The house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1967 and serves as the flagship house of seven historic house museums comprising Historic Huguenot Street’s 10-acre National Historic Landmark District.
Phase one of the project to restore the original 18th-century roof framing of the Jean Hasbrouck House (ca. 1721) began in June 2018. Phase one focused on the repair of damaged rafter feet on both the west and east slopes of the house, as well as frame connections on the interior in the 18th-century timber-roof frame. The timber-frame roof structure was repaired by seasoned professionals using historically appropriate materials and methods.
Phase one was informed by two-dimensional and three-dimensional structural analysis provided by Derek Trelsted of Robert Silman Associates Structural Engineers completed in 2017. As a result, timber-frame experts Rudy Christian and Laura Saeger of Christian and Son, Inc., and Ian Stewart of New Netherland Timber Framing were brought in to ensure an historically appropriate and structurally sound solution to issues in the nearly 300-year-old roof framing. Their work began with a site visit in July 2017, during which they removed the lower two feet of roofing material to closely examine the rafter feet. This examination revealed rot where the feet of roughly half of the rafters meet the top plates on the west slope of the roof. Similar deterioration was noted on rafters on the east slope and, in particular, problems at the distinctive entry shed roof.
The final phase of the Jean Hasbrouck House roof restoration was completed in September 2020. Skilled craftsman working for Salem Preservation, Inc. carefully removed the old wood shingles, piece by piece, in an effort to preserve the 18th-century sheathing underneath. Before the all new Alaskan yellow cedar shakes were installed, new skip sheathing was added on top of the original sheathing. In this way, the new skip sheathing is hidden from view in the impressive two-story garret of the house, while additional air flow to the roof layers will extend the life of the new shakes. The Alaskan yellow cedar shakes were hand-picked for installation by the roofing time team based on integrity of the material and thickness, further ensuring that the roof will last for many decades. New copper flashing was added around the brick chimneys to complete the project.
According to executive director Liselle LaFrance, the completion of the roof restoration on the Jean Hasbrouck House was only possible because of the dedication of the HHS board and staff, restoration consultants and hundreds of supporters, including individuals, foundations and government agencies. “Now preserved for decades to come we are leaving a lasting legacy of which we should all be proud,” said LaFrance. “Thank you to everyone who played a role — large or small.”
Thruway tollbooths go cashless
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last week cashless tolling went live on the New York State Thruway’s ticketed system during the overnight hours of Friday, November 13 into Saturday, November 14. The conversion took place simultaneously at 58 tolling locations across the Thruway’s 450-mile ticketed system.
For vehicles with E-ZPass tags, there will be no change. Vehicles without E-ZPass tags will have their license plate image captured and a toll bill mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. Non-E-ZPass customers have a number of options to pay including by mail, over the phone, online and via the TollsNY app. Customers who call **826 from most mobile devices will receive a text message with a link to the Tolls by Mail website and information on how to pay their toll bill.
The change marks the end of in-person toll collecting on the Thruway. Around 200 full-time and 900 part-time workers will be laid off as a result of the changeover.
Absentee ballots available for Saugerties capital project vote
Absentee ballots (for qualified voters) for the December 15, 2020 Saugerties Central School District’s capital project vote are available in the superintendent’s office. For additional information or directions to the superintendent’s office or elementary schools, please call 247-6550, extension 9003.
Saugerties Lions Club’s annual holiday fundraiser
The Saugerties Lions Club’s annual November auction, one of its main fundraisers, is cancelled this year due to Covid-19. “That said, programs still have to be funded and needs still have to be met,” said Fran Andreassen. The club serves the local community through various projects and donations that benefit individuals, charities and local benevolent organizations. The club’s goal for 2020 is to raise $20,000.
If you would like to make a donation, please send as check to the Saugerties Lions Club, P.O. Box 32, Saugerties.“While Covid has changed how we live, it has not changed who we are and what we do,” said Andreassen. “We are Lions. We serve.”
Christmas Fair Market at the Reformed Church of New Paltz
The Reformed Church of New Paltz will host its Christmas Fair Market at the Reformed Church on Huguenot Street in New Paltz on Saturday, December 5 from noon to 6 p.m. This safe, socially distanced fundraiser will feature wreaths, topiaries, handmade Christmas ornaments, vendors, homemade fritters, Santa Claus — outside in the education building parking lot, as well as inside (limited number of people at a time).
The following vendors have already committed: AIDS Orphan Education Trust (A.O.E.T.), Autumn Whimsy, King Leo Design, Knit and Nibble, Lularoe, Rada Club, Sherri’s Heirloom Soaps, Twice Blessed, Ulster County SPCA and more.
Covid-19 precautions for volunteers and customers will be taken at all times. Social distancing and masks are required.
The church is located at 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz.
Saugerties Boys & Girls Club annual poinsettia fundraiser
The 30th annual poinsettia fundraiser is underway at the Saugerties Boys & Girls Club. This fundraiser has become a tradition throughout the Saugerties area. Plants are $11, and can be picked up at the club at 45 Partition Street on Thursday, December 3.
The club is offering free delivery with the an order of five or more plants. To order, call the club office at 246-7671.
New show on Lighthouse TV23 in Saugerties
Lighthouse TV23 in Saugerties has announced another new series, Peak Moment, starting in December 2020. It will be shown on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and rerun at 7 p.m.
Cornell donates to food pantries
The Hudson Valley Research Laboratory (HVRL), a Cornell University center for tree fruit research in Highland, donated 47,000 pounds of apples and pears, more than 23 tons, to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and Ulster Corps this fall. The contribution has helped support the 40,000 people in need of food assistance in the greater Hudson Valley region, according to a release.
HVRL produces 20 varieties of pears and apples commonly grown by commercial and organic orchards in New York state. Its 21-acre orchard conducts horticultural, insect and disease management research.“2020 has been a tough year for families everywhere given the pandemic and its economic impacts, so donating our fruit is a perfect way to give back,” said Peter Jentsch, superintendent of HVRL. “As Cornell employees, we feel an inherent call to help others not only through our research but also through acts of kindness.”
Their efforts stocked the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and Ulster Corps with Bartlett and Bosc pears, as well as apple varieties including Zestar, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, EverCrisp, Crimson Crisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Goldrush and RubyFrost, which was developed at Cornell.
“It’s been our privilege to serve those in need alongside generous members of the community who came out to help us harvest this year,” Jentsch said. “We are passionate about keeping these efforts going in years to come.”
First Choice Business Brokers office to open in New Paltz and Kingston
First Choice Business Brokers has announced the opening of First Choice Business Brokers in New Paltz (with satellite office in Kingston) to service the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1994, First Choice Business Brokers Inc. has listed over $8 billion in businesses for sale. New broker/owner Gil R. Tatarsky, a CPA, has been involved in brokering business deals for the past 20 years. The New Paltz office and Kingston satellite office, which opened on November 1, will help small business owners to sell their businesses throughout the Hudson Valley.
The new office will be located at 122 Main Street Suite 828 in New Paltz. For information, contact 400-2420 or gil@fcbb.com.
Assemblymember Cahill honors area readers in virtual ceremony
The tradition of recognizing students for participating in an annual summer reading and exercise challenge sponsored by Assemblymember Kevin Cahill is under way for the 2020 season. The assemblymember and his staff conducted a virtual awards ceremony via the Zoom platform familiar to many children as their substitute classroom. Each child was singled out for recognition and awarded a certificate of their completion.
This week, students were treated to a home-delivered goody bag or prizes and certificates donated by area organizations and businesses. In the coming days, they will receive a custom personalized photo of their award from the ceremony. The ceremony featured words of encouragement from Cahill. Entertainment provided by Brad Shur of Paper Heart Puppets.
“Like everyone else this year, my office had to get creative to provide our young readers with an event worthy of their achievement. Though we could not fill a room with laughter or celebrate in person, our virtual program was certainly memorable for everyone,” Cahill said.
Items this year were donated by Mohonk Preserve, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Woodstock Chimes, Stewarts Shops, Target, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Barnes & Noble, Adams Fairacre Farm, Central Hudson, the Little Gym and Bop to Tottom. Other donors include Kingston Stockade, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Agriculture and Markets, the Bridge Authority, Ulster County Department of Environment, SUNY New Paltz, Bard College, Catskill Center and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County.
“My staff has been traveling around from Shandaken and New Paltz to points east in Dutchess County making sure that every reader is fully recognized for their accomplishment,” said Cahill. “Throughout this process of distributing the program to these final deliveries, we have heard an outpouring of appreciation from parents and participants alike for keeping this program running during this challenging time. Though we cannot know what the future holds, we hope that we can meet in person for our celebration next year.”
Black Dome publishes Ledge Lake Leaf Labyrinth
Nora Scarlett, a serious studio photographer whose portfolio includes work as a photo spotter for the great Irving Penn — not to mention major advertising agency assignments on campaigns for such high-ticket clients as American Express, the Gap, Reebok, Kodak, IBM, Hershey’s and Seagram’s — has been based in New Paltz since 1998, now retired and living in a house in the woods bordering the Mohonk Preserve. While on a hike on the Shawangunk Ridge, she writes, “I was captivated by a tree that appeared to be kissing a boulder.” That was the inspiration for Scarlett’s first serious departure from studio work: a series of large-format photos that she called “Trunks of the Gunks,” first exhibited at the Unison Arts Center gallery in April 2012.
The expanded collection was published in book form by Catskill-based publisher Black Dome Press in 2016. In 2018, a portfolio of Scarlett’s images was featured in Pulitzer Prizewinning historian Carleton Mabee’s book Saving the Shawangunks, which spawned a new collection of images. Titled Ledge Lake Leaf Labyrinth: An Uncommon Portrait of the Shawangunk Mountains, the follow-up volume of photographs was released last month by Black Dome.
“Scarlett presents us with many of the better-known natural features of the ‘Gunks,’ as the range is affectionately known, including its famous sky lakes and its world-renowned rock-climbing cliffs. But she also focuses on the remote and wild backcountry: the little-known waterfalls in the Mine Hole Hollow, the serene beauty of Rock Pond, the quiet woods near the Saunderskill stream,” writes Robert K. Anderberg, senior vice president and general counsel for the Open Space Institute, in his foreword to Ledge Lake Leaf Labyrinth. “For casual and serious wanderers of the Shawangunk Ridge alike, this book is an essential and enjoyable addition to the lexicon.”
Printed in hardcover format, Ledge Lake Leaf Labyrinth includes 188 full-color photographs on 168 pages. It’s available for $35 from local booksellers or can be ordered directly from Black Dome at (518) 577-5238 or https://shop.blackdomepress.com. To view more samples of Nora Scarlett’s work, visit www.norascarlett.com.
– Frances Marion Platt
Farm to food pantry
A farm-to-food pantry apple gleaning will be held this Wednesday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Milton (register for details). Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Please wear a mask or face covering and sturdy shoes.
There is a limit of 15 volunteers and a health assessment that must be completed before arrival. Please register by emailing volunteers@fowinc.org or calling/texting 481-0331.
WSA Instructors Exhibition
The Woodstock School of Art 2020 Instructors Exhibition is currently on display in the Lockwood Gallery in Kingston through December 6. Participating artists include: Eric Angeloch, Bruce Bundock, Peter Clapper, Enne M. Currie, Melanie Delgado, ES Desanna, Donald Elder, Staats Fasold, Joan Ffolliott, Mary Anna Goetz, Tor Gudmundsen, Keith Gundersen, Wendy Hollender, Claire Lambe, Polly Law, Lisa Mackie, Kate Mcgloughlin, Wayne Montecalvo, Patty Mooney, Jenny Nelson, Ron Netsky, Karen O’Neil, Robert Ohnigian, Richard Pantell, Meredith Rosié, Christie Scheele, Richard Segalman, John A. Varriano, Karen Whitman, Marlene Wiedenbaum, Lois Woolley and Hongnian Hang.
The gallery at 747 Route 28 in Kingston is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 532-4936 or email info@TheLockwoodGallery.com.
Join the family! 
