Ulster County home prices jumped 44 percent
The trend of sharply rising home prices in the mid-Hudson Valley, driven by urban residents fleeing the misery of lockdown apartment life, that began nearly a year ago is continuing into the 2021, according to data provided by the Ulster County Board of Realtors.
The average selling price for Ulster County homes jumped 44 percent from January 2020 to 2021, from $270,842 to $390,581. In addition, more homes were sold – 186 in January 2021 versus 112 in January 2020 – and homes for sale spent less time on the market, declining from an average of 90 days in January 2020 to 52 days in January 2021.
The recent increases come as home prices were already on the rise. From 2013 to 2019, the average sale price of a single-family home increased by 17 percent in Ulster County, according to the Ulster County Housing Action Plan, released last week. That plan also emphasized the issue of affordability, noting that incomes in the county had remained stagnant over the last decade for all but the highest earners, and that approximately 13 percent of owners and 30 percent of renters in Ulster County spend more than half of their income on housing costs – an amount that makes them considered “severely cost-burdened.”
Saugerties Democratic Committee has two vacancies in Election District 1
The Saugerties Democratic Committee has two vacancies in Election District 1, which primarily embraces Malden. While it is desirable that applicants reside in the district, it is not a requirement. If you are interested in joining the Committee, you must be an enrolled Democrat who resides in the Town of Saugerties. If you wish to apply, please contact chair Lanny Walter at lanny@lanywalter.com and you will be sent information about the process to apply for membership. If you are interested in knowing more about the Committee’s activities without joining, send Walter your e-mail address and you will be included in the e-mail blast.
Local municipalities to receive Rescue Plan funding
The $1.9 trillion American Plan passed earlier this month includes over $70 million in local government funding for Ulster County.
According to a release from Senator Chuck Schumer’s office, the funds can be used for the following purposes:
• Costs associated with responding to the Covid-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including but not limited to, assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.
• To support workers performing essential work during the Covid-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work.
• To cover revenue losses caused by the Covid-19 public health emergency.
• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
Here is a breakdown of how much each municipality will receive: Ulster County $34.44 million; City of Kingston: $18.66 million; Denning: $60,000; Esopus: $960,000; Gardiner: $610,000; Hardenburgh: $30,000; Hurley: $660,000; Town of Kingston: $100,000; Lloyd: $1.15 million; Marbletown: $600,000; Marlborough: $940,000; New Paltz: $1.54 million; Olive: $470,000; Plattekill: $1.12 million; Rochester: $790,000; Rosendale: $630,000; Saugerties: $2.09 million; Shandaken: $320,000; Shawangunk: $1.52 million; Town of Ulster: $1.38 million; Wawarsing: $1.38 million; Woodstock: $630,000.
Elected officials will be discussing how to go about allocating these funds to local priorities in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned to Hudson Valley One for coverage of those decisions as they are made.
Ulster to open vaccination site at Hudson Valley Mall
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced today that starting Thursday, March 18, the county will move its primary vaccination site from the Kate Walton Field House at Kingston High School to the former Best Buy location at the Hudson Valley Mall. The move will allow for more daily doses to be administered as well as additional parking.
In addition to the larger location at the Hudson Valley Mall, the county will continue to utilize a vaccination location in Ellenville, and is also planning numerous pop-up vaccination sites to assist senior and other underrepresented populations.
Last week, New York State announced that a state-run mass vaccination site will be opening at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in the town of New Paltz. More details, including when it will open and what the hours will be, are expected “in the coming days,” according to a release from the county.
“Our new vaccination center will allow for greater access and accessibility for the residents of Ulster County,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “As county executive, I am committed to continuing to advocate for additional doses and work to ensure that vaccines are distributed in a quick and equitable way. I want to thank Kingston Superintendent Paul Padalino and the entire City of Kingston School District for working with us to set up our primary vaccination site at the Kate Walton Field House. Their partnership allowed for us to vaccinate thousands of our residents in a safe and accessible location.”
Board of Education candidate petition packets now available in New Paltz, Onteora, Saugerties
Potential candidates for the New Paltz Central School District Board of Education may access the 2021 Board of Education candidate petition packet from the district website under Board of Ed Announcements at www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us. Potential candidates may also pick up a petition packet in person from the district clerk at the District Office, located in Lenape Elementary School at 1 Eugene Brown Drive in New Paltz.
Please contact the district clerk with any questions at (845) 256-4020 or e-mail sermo@newpaltz.k12.ny.us.
The Onteora Central School District has also announced that petitions are available to nominate candidates for the Board of Education. Petition forms may be picked up from the district clerk at the Onteora Administrative Offices, located at 4166 Route 28 in Boiceville, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each business day. Petitions are also available on the district website at https://bit.ly/3rA7yLj. Petitions will require at least 25 qualified voter signatures and must be returned to the clerk by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 19, 2021. There are two vacancies for terms of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.
Candidates must have one year residence in the school district at the time of the election. The annual meeting and election will be held on Tuesday, May 18.
Petition forms are available beginning March 18 to nominate candidates for the Saugerties Central School District Board of Education. The forms may be picked up from the Superintendent’s Office in the Hildebrandt Building behind the Junior/Senior High School on Washington Avenue Extension between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each business day. Twenty-five signatures of qualified voters are required; however, it is recommended that candidates get at least 50 signatures, in case some signatures cannot be verified.
To qualify for membership on the School Board, an individual:
• Must be able to read and write.
• Must be a qualified voter of the district – i.e., a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years or older and not a convicted felon or adjudged an incompetent.
• Must be and have been a resident of the district for at least one year prior to the election, but need not be a taxpayer.
• May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding one year.
• May not reside with another member of the same School Board as a member of the same family.
• May not be a current employee of the School Board.
• May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.
The three seats to be filled in the May 18, 2021 election, which are for three-year terms, are currently held by James Mooney, Robert Thomann and R. Michael Maclary. Petitions are due on or before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19, 2021 to the district clerk in the Superintendent’s Office. On Tuesday, April 20, the candidate drawing for ballot position will be held at 11 a.m. All candidates are invited to attend.
Ulster County says schools can reopen
Just two day shy of the one-year anniversary of Ulster County’s schools being ordered closed due to the spread of Covid-19, the Ulster County Health Department said last Thursday that K-12 schools could open for full-time in-person instruction thanks mainly to high rates of teacher vaccination, and lack of spread in local districts during hybrid in-person instruction throughout the fall and winter.
The announcement notes that the decision of whether, how and when to bring back full-time in-person instruction will be made by each district, and that remote-learning will remain available for any student who chooses it.
Local school districts have spent most of the school year in a “hybrid” model, with a portion of students attending in-person instruction for a few days a week. The Health Department noted that thanks to safety protocols, “little evidence of local transmission within the schools was noted.”
The Health Department recommends those same protocols be maintained as in-person instruction ramps up. They include:
• Universal and correct use of masks
• Physical distancing
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
• Testing and contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the Health Department
Additional guidance on reopening is also provided. Some of these points include:
• All relevant stakeholders should be involved in this decision process
• Installation of physical barriers where six feet of social distance isn’t possible, including bathroom sinks
• Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure distancing (including making some areas one-way)
• Close communal use shared spaces such as dining halls and playgrounds with shared playground equipment if possible; otherwise, stagger use and clean between use.
• Turn desks to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other), or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart.
• Create distance between children on school buses (e.g., seat children one child per row, skip rows) when possible.
• As the weather gets warmer, classes should only take mask breaks outdoors and with students more than six feet socially distanced.
The Health Department said yesterday that 95 percent of teachers who requested vaccination had received at least one dose, and by tomorrow, March 13, that number would be 100 percent.
The report also notes why in-person instruction is a desirable goal to pursue:
Research has shown that disruption in children’s schooling is globally detrimental to their learning, social development, emotional growth and well-being because “Schools and school-supported programs are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being and provide our children and adolescents with academic instruction, either in-person or virtually; social and emotional skills; safety; reliable nutrition; physical/occupational/speech therapy; mental health services; health services; and opportunities for physical activity, among other benefits. Beyond supporting the educational development of children and adolescents, schools play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity.” (American Academy of Pediatrics, January 2021)
And:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health-related emergency room visits among pediatric population have increased between March and October of 2020. As compared to 2019, the emergency department visits increased by 24 % for children aged 5-11 and 31% for children 12-17 years of age.
Locally, some districts have already taken steps to increase in-person instruction. Kingston is aiming to offer full-time instruction for elementary students by April 12. The topic has received increased focus at other districts as cases continue to fall as vaccinations rise. Saugerties will present its plans at a community town hall meeting on Thursday, March 18, according to a letter from the superintendent posted to the district website. New Paltz parents questioned school officials at a recent board of education meeting, and that district is inviting feedback on spring reopening possibilities in a survey posted to its website. Rondout Valley is also seeking feedback through a survey. Highland also has been conducting surveys, and stated in an update yesterday that its reopening plan calls for four-day in-person instruction.
Woman dies in jump from Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge
On March 8, the New York State Police, along with the Town of Ulster Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Red Hook Police Department and the Rhinebeck Fire Department, responded to the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge for a report of a suicide at approximately 4:20 p.m.
Investigation discovered that Nicole H. Gill, 53, of Red Hook, jumped from the bridge and was found deceased by responding Fire Department members.
At this time, all evidence is consistent with a suicide.
Lloyd Historical Society still preserving, presenting history
Like most organizations in this pandemic-dominated time, the Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society (TOLHPS) has temporarily ceased its decades-long practice of sponsoring monthly in-person programs featuring speakers who told lively tales of local and regional history.
It was nearly 20 years ago when one newcomer to Highland was overheard calling these programs the best entertainment around. She and her husband had attended their first such program to learn more about the town in which they had chosen to retire. The learning part was illuminating, and the entertainment was a delightful bonus. That combination kept them and many others like them attending the programs faithfully every month. Last year, however, TOLHPS discontinued its monthly speaker programs for the well-being of everyone, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, monthly additions to TOLHPS’ website make available the kind of stories that speakers used to tell (and hopefully will be able to do so again soon). To find these, go to www.tolhps.org and click on Blog. Town historian Joan Kelley has researched and written many of the stories. If you have a historical story to tell, or one you would like someone else to research and write, contact Kelley or TOLHPS trustee Vivian Wadlin at vwadlin@aol.com.
Highland welcomes new business administrator
The Highland Central School District Board of Education appointed Victoria McLaren as its new business administrator at its February 9 meeting. She expects to assume her new position by May 10. McLaren is replacing Lissa Jilek, who has accepted a job closer to her home in a neighboring county.
McLaren is coming to Highland from the Onteora Central School District, where she has served as superintendent of schools since July 2017. She was previously Onteora’s assistant superintendent for business, a post she assumed in November 2004.
Prior to joining Onteora’s team, McLaren worked as the school business manager for the Webutuck Central School District and held various positions at IBM and a local bank.
After 16 years at Onteora, McLaren says she was ready for a change that would allow her more time with her fifth-grade son, who attends school in the Kingston City School District. “Like many people, I have reassessed my personal priorities because of the pandemic. I jumped at the chance to return to my first professional passion, business and finance, and to work with Superintendent Bongiovi, whom I’ve come to know quite well through our mutual attendance at school administrator meetings.”
McLaren is looking forward to tackling new challenges. “I am very excited to begin putting my experience and skills to work at Highland, which is an excellent school district and a wonderful community. My goal will be to help the school district in its ongoing efforts to implement sound fiscal policies while delivering the best education possible to its students.”
McLaren, who graduated from Kingston High School, holds a BS in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta, an MBA from Marist College and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Business Administration from SUNY New Paltz.
A graduate of a leadership academy sponsored by the New York State Association of School Business Officials, McLaren holds a School Business Administrator Permanent Certificate as well as a School District Administrator Permanent Certificate.
In her spare time, McLaren enjoys biking, running and spending time with her son, husband and Jack Russell terrier. She also enjoys horseback riding (she owns three horses) on her family’s property in Ulster Park.
New Paltz Karate Academy holds virtual tournament
The New Paltz Karate Academy held its 19th annual tournament last month and, in the process, many students demonstrated their ability to adapt to and overcome adversity.
The 2021 New Paltz Karate Academy Tournament was held virtually: Students recorded their kata and submitted the videos online. When the judging was done, the dojo held a virtual watch party to announce the winners and to highlight some performances.
The tournament included students from the New Paltz Karate Academy and Traditional Okinawan Karate dojos in Pleasant Valley, East Fishkill, Brooklyn and Kinnelon, New Jersey.
Students competed against other students of similar age and rank. The events were forms, ranging from pinan (starting forms for children and adults) to advanced kata like Sunsu; weapons forms, using traditional Okinawan weapons such as bo (a six-foot staff) and sai (a three-pronged metal weapon); and family forms, which adds the challenge of moving in unison.
The New Paltz Karate Academy is located at 22 North Front Street in New Paltz. If you are interested in learning more about martial arts, call the New Paltz Karate Academy at (845) 255-4523.
Lifespring is accepting new members
Lifespring — the Saugerties adult learning community — is accepting new members for the spring semester. Those who are retired or semi-retired with a passion for learning and socializing with other lifetime learners can find more information at lifespringsaugerties.com.
Lifespring’s goal is to provide diverse learning experiences for all its members, regardless of previous educational background. An all-volunteer organization, Lifespring offers six-week fall and spring semesters on Monday and Wednesday mornings in addition to special events, presentations and other activities during the year. Although Lifespring is affiliated with the Town of Saugerties, membership is open to anyone in the Hudson Valley area.
All classes for this term will be held via Zoom and will begin on Monday, April 5 and run through Wednesday, May 12. Anyone wishing to join Lifespring may register for the spring term. Registration ends on March 24. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no membership fee or fee for classes for the remainder of this academic year ending July 31.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about Lifespring, including how to become a new member and register for classes, visit the website and refer to the spring ’21 catalog of courses or email Lifespring at Lifespringsaug@gmail.com.
Mohonk Preserve hosts film shoot at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead
Mohonk Preserve’s Testimonial Gateway Trailhead was the site of a film shoot on Saturday, March 13. Filming took place around the Testimonial Gateway Tower area. While this was the first film shoot at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead, over the years the Preserve has served as a location for a number film and commercial productions. The Better Angels, Terrence Malick’s feature film about Lincoln’s youth, was shot at the Preserve’s Spring Farm Trailhead in 2012. The Preserve has also been featured in the television series Blindspot, and in commercials for The North Face, Ford, Canon, Mountain Dew and Subaru.
The Preserve can’t currently disclose any details relating to the production.
New Paltz Women’s Golf Association accepting applications for the season
The New Paltz Women’s Golf Association is accepting applications for the 2021 season at the New Paltz Golf Course. There are three leagues of play:
• Monday Night Stableford League, starting June 7. Tee time is 5:15 to 6 p.m. Golfers must register with a partner.
• Wednesday Twilight League, starting May 19. Tee time is 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. This is a competitive league and verified handicaps are required. Limited spots are available. For information and/or application, contact Nancy Gogg at lilysnap1@aol.com.
• Tuesday Morning Recreation League. The first session is May 11 to June 29 and the second session is July 13 to August 24. This league is a fun series of different games of golf each week. No handicap required. For information, contact Pat Sweeting at psweet348@aol.com.
All applications must be received by April 10.
Monterey Pop virtual film discussion at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host a virtual film discussion of the documentary Monterey Pop on Thursday, March 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Holly George-Warren, author of Janis Joplin: Her Life and Music, and Katie Cokinos, leader of the Saugerties Film Society, will lead the discussion on the documentary Monterey Pop as well as the legendary rock concert within the context of the singer/songwriter Janis Joplin, from Port Arthur, Texas. The event is a collaboration among the Saugerties Library, the Saugerties Film Society and the Gardiner Library.
Contact Nicole Lane at nlane@rcls.org to register. For further information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Town of New Paltz seeks volunteers
The Town of New Paltz is looking for volunteers to serve on the Board of Assessment Review, Bike/Ped Committee, Clean Water/Open Space Preservation Commission, Ethics Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Board (one alternate) and the Public Access Committee. Interested parties are asked to submit a letter of interest and résumé to the Town Supervisor’s Office at PO Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561 or e-mail assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.
Hinchey, Ryan call on Cuomo to resign
Two local Democratic elected officials have added their voices to the growing number of state and local elected officials calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign in the wake of sexual harassment allegations from multiple women.
State Senator Michelle Hinchey, 46th District, posted a statement to her website March 10 that reads in part:
One resignation will not change the deeply systemic issues we have in our society. It will not eliminate the pervasive culture of misogyny, toxicity, and fear that we’ve seen perpetuated time and again. But, it is a start.
In light of these allegations, coupled with the deliberate mishandling and withholding of information, I believe it is in the best interest of the people of New York for the Governor to resign.”
Then today, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan released the following statement:
“New Yorkers must have full trust and confidence in our leaders, especially at such a critical point in our pandemic response. Governor Andrew Cuomo has fundamentally broken the public trust — violating and harassing his staff, misleading those he was elected to serve, and repeatedly putting politics ahead of the public good. Governor Cuomo should do the right thing and resign, enabling our state to begin to heal and move forward. I have full confidence in the integrity and steady leadership of Lieutenant Governor Hochul to guide us through this turbulent period.”
So far, most of the calls to resign or for impeachment have been Republicans, including 102nd District Assemblyman Chris Tague and 42nd District State Senator Mike Martucci, who also mention the governor’s manipulation of state data on nursing home deaths during the opening months of the pandemic in addition to the sexual harassment charges.
Another local Democrat, 39th District State Senator James Skoufis, has called for Cuomo’s resignation and said he would vote to convict if an impeachment were brought to the senate.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said today that he authorized the assembly’s Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation.
Cuomo faces allegations from six women, ranging from inappropriate language to groping. He has said he would cooperate with any investigation but has refused calls to step down. State Attorney General Letitia James opened an independent investigation into the claims February 28.
Boys & Girls Club to hold annual pasta fundraiser
The Saugerties Boys and Girls Club will be offering its annual “infamous penne à la vodka chicken parm dinner” on Monday, March 22. Dinner for four people will include chicken, pasta, salad and garlic knots prepared by Mirabella’s Restaurant. Orders must be prepaid by Thursday, March 18. There are order forms online, or call (845) 246-7671.
Comprehensive Plan update in Gardiner
The Gardiner Town Board has made a commitment to update the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan assists and guides all the boards, committees and commissions in their decisionmaking. “The current plan is a solid one and, while we recognize its value, we also realize that an update is long-overdue,” said town supervisor Marybeth Majestic.
A dedicated page has been created on the website www.townofgardiner.org under the “Resources and Links” tab at the top of the page. Currently, this page has the existing 2004 plan, the updates that have taken place since its adoption and numerous historical documents from the 2004 update. “We invite the public to review the current plan and consider how the Town of Gardiner has changed and what new goals and recommendations may be desirable,” said Majestic. “We are looking forward to public participation during this exciting process, so please continue to monitor the website for updates.”
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Supervisor Majestic at supervisor.tog@gmail.com or (845) 255-9675, extension 101.
Severe winds cause power outages and trees to come down
At 12:55 a.m. on March 13, Saugerties police responded to the area of Hommelville Road for reported wires down and trees across roadways in the West Saugerties area of the town. Severe winds also caused a large tree to come down, landing on top of two unoccupied vehicles, causing extensive damage to both vehicles. Central Hudson crews and fire personnel also responded, as several trees that had come down also took out power lines in the area.
Zoom meeting to discuss Ashokan Pumped Storage Project
The Town of Olive will be holding an online Zoom meeting on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed Ashokan Pumped Storage Project. Join this meeting at http://bit.ly/olivehydro to learn more about the permit application now before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a large dam in the Catskill Mountains with a hydro plant located in the Town of Olive. Olive Town Board members will discuss the details of this application and how it could impact the community. In addition, they will discuss the FERC process and how the public can officially respond with comments before the April 12 deadline.
To learn more about the project, visit http://town.olive.ny.us/homepage-news-category/ferc-proposal-for-the-ashokan-pumped-storage-hydro-facility.
Woodstock Library reopens for browsing, additional hours
Beginning on Monday, March 22, the Woodstock Public Library District is resuming full patron access to the library facility. “We will be allowing browsing the collection at a reduced occupancy,” said library director Jessica Kerr. “Plus, library hours have been extended to include 48 hours per week of service. Our staff can’t wait to greet patrons in person. Window service works, but is no substitute for the pleasure of helping patrons one-on-one find just the right book or movie, and we have heard from the community that they can’t wait to browse again.”
Patrons will pick up an occupancy tag when they arrive at the library to limit the number of people in the building at one time. One family at a time will be allowed in the Children’s Room. Appointments for family time can be made for up to a 30-minute visit. Public computer sessions are also limited to 30 minutes.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Overlook Mountain Center hosts Vernal Equinox Lewis Hollow hike
The Overlook Mountain Center (OMC) will conduct a socially distanced hiking event on March 21. Join OMC guide Glenn Kreisberg for an excursion to view the cairns, great cairns and effigy walls found in Lewis Hollow.
The total distance is about two miles on mixed terrain. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water and a snack or lunch. Follow mask and social distance protocols, as required and necessary for an outdoor group gathering.
Meet at 10 a.m. in the Sunflower parking lot in Woodstock, in front of the bank. The event is free, but donations are welcome.
For additional information and to register, call (845) 417-8384 or visit www.overlookmountain.org.
Chamber to hold St. Patrick’s Day breakfast March 17
The Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Peter B. Mathews St. Patrick’s Day breakfast will resume this year on March 17 after being canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19. This year the event will be virtual, livestreamed from the Venue Uptown, on Facebook and YouTube from 9 to 10 a.m., with technical support from Radio Kingston.
Chamber president Ward Todd said the audience will enjoy live music with the T. McCann Band playing everyone’s Irish favorites, plus bagpipers and drummers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as the surprise naming of the Chamber’s Honorary Irishperson of the Year.
For more information, contact the Chamber at (845) 338-5100 or go online at www.ulsterchamber.org.
Saugerties slated to get $1M in Covid relief
Saugerties could receive as much as $2 million of the $124 million that Ulster County is slated to receive in federal Coronavirus funding, Parks, Buildings and Grounds director Greg Chorvas reported at the regular Saugerties Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 4. The grant was announced by 19th Congressional District representative Antonio Delgado. Chorvas said that he had heard the estimate from among some associates, but that supervisor Fred Costello had told him the Town should be receiving at least $1 million.
In contrast to some grant programs, this one allows municipalities a great deal of latitude, Chorvas said. The Town has laid out well over $100,000 on alterations to the Town’s buildings, personal services and equipment, he said. “It also looks like this money will be earmarked for each municipality to spend at their discretion.”
Councilman John Schoonmaker said that the money could be used to make up revenues lost because of the virus, other revenues or, “If there was a project that was put off due to Covid, you could use it for that; it’s pretty wide-open.”
Magnolia Tree Social Club scholarship 2021
This year, the Magnolia Tree Social Club (MTSC) will award one high school senior an award of $1,000 for demonstrated action for social justice. Any Saugerties High School senior who can demonstrate commitment to common humanity and dignity and has worked for the betterment of disenfranchised, less privileged or oppressed groups is invited to apply.
Applications can include documents, photos, audio and/or video. All applicants must complete the first section of the online form (https://forms.gle/hCdQs8wfZChvkrPC6). If you do not have a Google account, which will allow you to upload all items to the form, you can then e-mail the remainder of your submission to magnoliatreesocialclub@gmail.com.
For additional information, e-mail magnoliatreesocialclub@gmail.com.
The deadline for submission is April 15, 2021.
Hudson Valley Farm Hub’s Farmscape Ecology to be shown March 29
The Hudson Valley’s rich heritage of agriculture and biodiversity is threatened by climate change, development and the loss of farms. On March 29, the short film Farmscape Ecology, highlighting the Hudson Valley Farm Hub’s Applied Farmscape Ecology Program, will screen at the ninth annual Film & Discussion Series hosted jointly by the Woodstock Land Conservancy, Woodstock NY Transition and the Woodstock Jewish Congregation. The screening will take place virtually on Zoom from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Join in to learn about biodiversity and agricultural sustainability and how researchers and farmers are working to manage farms effectively for both biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services to crops. Learn about the ecology of the farmscape and the ways you can contribute to this work in your community or in your own backyard. The film will be accompanied by a brief introduction by the Farm Hub’s director, Brooke Pickering-Cole, and followed by a question-and-answer session and discussion with Farm Hub’s Applied Farmscape Ecology Program manager, Anne Bloomfield; Field Crops Production manager Jay Goldmark; and Conrad Vispo of Hawthorne Valley’s Farmscape Ecology Program. The Applied Farmscape Ecology Research Collaborative is jointly coordinated by the Farm Hub and Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology staff, and includes a circle of research collaborators examining the relationship between farming and nature.Farmscape Ecology was produced by Oceans 8 Films as part of environmental filmmaker Jon Bowermaster’s “Hope on the Hudson” series.
Register for this event at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5nwczsMdRqa8tEppTltPZg.
Livestream of Dzieci Theatre’s A Passion March 28
A Passion 2021, a special holiday event by Dzieci Theatre streaming live from Boughton Place in Highland, will take place on Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are available on TicketSpice.
Dzieci Theatre is an international experimental ensemble dedicated to a search for the “sacred” through the medium of theater. Taking The Passion according to St. Matthew as their starting point, Dzieci researched the earliest existing translations of the text, relying heavily on the Aramaic Pashita, incorporated Hebraic song and chant and the ritual elements of Judaism, and set their piece in the shadow of the Warsaw Ghetto. The result is A Passion, a dramatic choral liturgy unbound.
The company has presented A Passion annually since 2014. Last year at this time, Dzieci was just beginning to realize the extent of their shared circumstances – and not theirs alone, but shared by humanity across the country and around the globe. One of the guiding principles in Dzieci’s work has always been to accept the conditions, and so for the past year, their efforts have simply been to try, to seek, to experiment and to continue to work together.
A Passion has always provided the company an opportunity for deeper thought, and they found themselves returning to this vehicle anew. In 2020, the piece was recreated on Zoom. This season, through Boughton Place, Dzieci takes a great leap to stage what will be an intimate version of A Passion, gathering in person to present as a livestream.
Boughton Place announces Residency Award Program
In an effort to create something positive in the wake of the current global pandemic crisis, Boughton Place in Highland has initiated the Boughton Place Residency Award Program, offering its Moreno Stage and adjacent rooms and property for performance artists to work/workshop, brainstorm, rehearse and perhaps retreat together: an opportunity for creation, education, production, collaboration and sabbatical.
This Boughton Place Residency Award is available to performance artists: theater arts, drama, film, improv, spoken word, dance, music and more. For additional information, visit www.boughtonplace.org.
If interested in future Boughton Place Residency Awards, contact boughtonplace@gmail.com.
Saugerties Pro Musica’s 25th season continues with piano/violin duo
Saugerties Pro Musica’s 25th season continues with a third concert in the series featuring violinist Rolf Schulte on Sunday, March 21 at 3 and 8 p.m.
Schulte will be accompanied by pianist James Winn, the piano and composition professor at the University of Nevada since 1997. They will be playing Schumann’s Fantasiestücke op.73, Brahms’ Sonata op. 100 and Beethoven’s Sonata op. 47. Schulte will also share anecdotes about Herman Ash as a musician, mentor and friend.
Saugerties Pro Musica is presenting a series of five free prerecorded concerts airing on Lighthouse TV on (and around) the originally scheduled date and time, which will also be available on YouTube afterwards. To view the concert, visit www.saugertieslighthousetv.com and click on Livestream. Or view them on the new Saugerties Pro Musica YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/channel/UCTn8qcHMdHWc5S-Zh7T0ToQ.
Ulster County students learn from working professionals
Calling all high school students in Ulster County: Here’s your chance to learn about the many career options in our area.
The 2021 Career Conference, co-sponsored by Ulster BOCES, SUNY Ulster and the Ulster Counselors Association, will be held via zoom on Wednesday, April 14, at 10 a.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet local industry professionals, learn valuable skills of employability and get an idea of the day-to-day experiences of those in a career they may be considering. There will be a presentation from local community college, SUNY Ulster, as well as several different breakout sessions where students can hear from a variety of professionals in our area, many of which are current and former instructors at Ulster BOCES. Industries that will be represented include hospitality, sports management, first responders, health care, education, aviation and transportation, just to name a few.
Pre-register by March 26 to secure your spot at https://conta.cc/3v8W97x .
For additional information, contact Katie Flanagan at kflanagan@ulsterboces.org.
SUNY Ulster presents Sharing My Stones virtual event
SUNY Ulster, in conjunction with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) is sponsoring a virtual presentation via Zoom on Tuesday, March 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. by Marianne Angelillo, a national speaker and author of the book Sharing My Stones. Angelillo gives a compelling presentation about her journey to overcome the grief of losing her 17-year-old son in an underage drinking crash. Her hope is to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain of losing a loved one.
Registration is required at https://forms.gle/yeFmP1GdLE9DCd4w6 and a Zoom link will be sent to you. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Linda Farina, MPS, CASAC-G, at farinal@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5192.
Join the family! 
