Ulster BOCES students win at SkillsUSA Regionals
Eight Ulster BOCES students from four local school districts came in first, second and third place during career-specific competitions at a virtual SkillsUSA regional competition that took place March 22 to 25. The students are now qualified to compete at the virtual Area 4 SkillsUSA State Competition scheduled for April 21 to 23. The students excelled in the categories of Internetworking, Internet Services, Job Skill Demonstration Year 1, Trade-Related Math, Prepared Speech, Carpenter’s Assistant and Action Skills Basic. Students from Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Westchester Counties took part in the annual event, which is usually held in person somewhere within the region.
Kudos to the following Ulster BOCES students:
First place
• CISCO & Cybersecurity student Collin Biegel, from Saugerties High School, who placed first in the Information Technology Services category.
• Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing student Nicholas Keglovitz, from Wallkill High School, who placed first in the Job Skill Demonstration Year 1 category.
• CISCO & Cybersecurity student Patrick Ruger, from Rondout Valley High School, who placed first in the Internetworking category.
• CISCO & Cybersecurity student Barrington Lewis, from Wallkill High School, who placed first in the Related Technical Math category.
Second place
• Cosmetology student Campbell Curcio, from Kingston High School, who placed second in the Prepared Speech category.
• CISCO & Cybersecurity student Braydon O’Connor, from Rondout Valley High School, who placed second in the Internetworking category.
Third place
• Transitional Occupations Program C student Joshua Santiago, from Rondout Valley High School, who placed third in the Action Skills Basic category.
• Transitional Occupations Program C student Steven Schouten, from Kingston High School, who placed third in the Carpenter’s Assistant Category.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure that the USA has a skilled workforce. With more than 300,000 members, SkillsUSA promotes technical expertise, skills and leadership.
Kingston Reads about race & housing
The next Kingston Reads conversation will take place on Thursday, April 15 at 5 p.m. Kingstonites (folks who live and work in Kingston) are invited to invest some time thinking and reading about the intersection of housing and racism and how we can change the narrative in our community.
Books featured for Kingston Reads conversations are available for purchase at Rough Draft Bar & Books and also at local public libraries.
To register to participate in the conversation or to see the list of resources, visit the Kingston Reads website at https://kingstonreads.org or contact the organizers at contact@kingstonreads.org.
St. Gregory’s Woodstock to hold chili sale on Saturday, April 17
Spring is in the air and the chefs at St. Gregory’s Woodstock have announced the return of its chili event on Saturday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Seven varieties of chili and a seafood bisque will be on sale for take-out in three sizes — half pint, pint and quart. The menu will include several kinds of beef, chicken, turkey and vegetarian chili.
Purchases can be made on the day of the event or advance orders can be called in to 917-763-3938. Cash or checks accepted.
St. Gregory’s is located at 2578 Route 212, just east of the Village of Woodstock.
Celebrate Earth Day in Saugerties
Town of Saugerties supervisor Fred Costello has announced that Saugerties Green and Clean Days will be held on April 17, 18, 24 and 25. All Saugerties residents are invited to celebrate Earth Day by pitching in to clean up roadside litter throughout the town. The signup sheet and orange trash bags with the town logo will be available at the town clerk’s office at Town Hall, located at 4 High Street in Saugerties, at no cost to Green & Clean participants.
Pick a road and sign up your team, or go it alone. Filled orange trash bags with the town logo can be left on the roadsides and will be picked up by the Highway Department on Mondays, April 19 and 26. Become a part of the “greening” of Saugerties and help keep America beautiful.
For further information, contact the supervisor’s office at (845) 246-2800, extension 345.
Clean Sweep returns in New Paltz
Clean Sweep is an annual New Paltz tradition and it will take place this year on Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m. (the rain date is April 25). Participants will sign in at Hasbrouck Park and will be given snacks, water, bags, gloves and a location to clean.
For more information, call Jim at 325-2593, or sign up ahead of time at newpaltz.edu/studentengagement/cleansweep.html.
The New Paltz Youth Program continues its RAD program
The New Paltz Youth Program will be continuing its RAD (Recreation and Academic Development) program until the end of the school year. Even though young people will be going back to school mostly full time on April 26, some students may still be learning remotely, so the Youth Program will continue to be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The program can assist your child will signing into class with their teachers and help them keep up to date with their school assignments, all while integrating some much-needed recreation time with friends and Youth Center staff. Snacks/food/drinks provided and everything, as always, is free, thanks to funding from the Town of New Paltz. For additional information and to sign up, call Jim at 255-5140.
New Paltz announces valedictorian and salutatorian for Class of 2021
New Paltz superintendent of schools Angela Urbina-Medina and New Paltz High School principal Mario Fernandez have announced that this year’s two top scholars are all girl power: Anne Lemek has been named the 2021 valedictorian and Rachel Reinking has been named salutatorian.
Valedictorian Anne Lemek
Anne, the daughter of Sarah Dudley-Lemek and John Lemek of New Paltz, earned a grade point average (GPA) of 100.967, having achieved this feat while handling a challenging academic schedule and pursuing various interests outside of the classroom, including poetry-writing and soccer. She is in the National Honors Society and Math Club as well. In her three years on the varsity soccer team, she earned Scholar Athlete status each year and is also in a dual enrollment Spanish class through SUNY New Paltz and a science research dual enrollment program through SUNY Albany.
Lemek’s interests lie within the sciences, and she plans to major in Biology when she decides where to attend college. Lemek is currently reviewing her options for college. “I have always been interested in learning how and why everything around us works, and science classes are generally good at teaching that,” she said. Her motivation for academic success, Anne explained, is firmly rooted in her desire to do her very best in everything she endeavors.
Lemek said she thought the 2020/21 school year has been easier due to less outside schoolwork, but with all the preparing for college, it balanced everything out, she added, making the school year no easier or harder than it has been in years past. “It’s definitely been a different year; all of my classes are so much smaller, and only physically going into school two days a week is odd,” she said. “I’m probably getting more sleep than I have in the past few years though, so that’s nice.” Lemek added that, though much feels different, she is still enjoying herself.
Salutatorian Rachel Reinking
Rachel, the daughter of Jeffrey Reinking and Samantha Irvine of New Paltz, achieved her salutatorian status by achieving a GPA of 100.788. A member of the National Honor Society, Reinking is also a National Merit Scholarship Commended student. She takes classes in modern dance and ballet and works as a dancer and choreographer in the Barefoot Dance Company. She is also a member of the Elting Memorial Library Youth Advisory Group.
Reinking has a wide range of interests and enjoys studying almost every subject. “To me, having a great teacher is equally as important as an interesting curriculum, and my favorite classes have been taught by the teachers who have made the most impact on me,” she said. Reinking is planning to attend college next year; however, she is not ready to commit to either a school or a major. She enjoys reading, dancing and baking.
Reinking is grateful to her parents, who she says have helped her achieve her goals by supporting her whenever she felt unmotivated or discouraged.
Principal Fernandez expressed his pride over the fact that both of the top scholars this year are female. “New Paltz High School strives to provide programming led by extraordinary teachers aimed at opening doors to fields of study typically reserved for one sector of our society,” he said. “With the increased number of women entering into the fields of science and the magnitude of their contributions in the sciences, New Paltz High School celebrates the achievements of our female scholars, their work in the sciences and the potential for our students, regardless of gender, color or background to pursue their life goals.”
Saugerties Conservative Party endorses candidates
The Town of Saugerties Conservative Party has endorsed the following individuals: Gregory Roque for Ulster County legislator, District 1; Al Bruno for Ulster County legislator, District 2; Dean Fabiano for Ulster County legislator, District 3; Raymond C. Mayone for Town of Saugerties highway superintendent; Lisa Stanley for Town of Saugerties town clerk; Mary (“Peg”) Nau for Saugerties Town Board; and Zachery Horton for Saugerties Town Board.
Conversations with Police resume in New Paltz
The New Paltz Police Department will resume its informal “Conversations with the Police” monthly gatherings on April 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Peace Park, located on Plattekill Avenue. According to police chief Robert Lucchesi, the program is intended to bring the public and the Police Department together to discuss issues concerning our community.
For 2021, the get-togethers will be held on the third Wednesday of the month, with times and locations varying to accommodate as many people as possible. For additional information, check the department’s Facebook page or website calendar at www.townofnewpaltz.org/police.
Saugerties Pro Musica presents Adaskin String Trio
Saugerties Pro Musica’s 25th season continues with a fourth concert in the series featuring the Adaskin String Trio on Sunday, April 18 at 3 and 8 p.m. They are known for their “spontaneity, intensity and charm” and for their interpretation of Beethoven’s works.
Saugerties Pro Musica is presenting a series of five free prerecorded concerts airing on LighthouseTV. Access the website at 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.
SUNY Ulster hosts virtual Open House Saturday, May 1
SUNY Ulster will hold its virtual Open House via Zoom on Saturday, May 1 beginning at 9 a.m. After a short presentation and introduction to the college from campus leaders, the program will change emphasis to one-on-one connections with the college representatives who best suit prospective student needs.
Prospective students and their families will register for a one-hour Zoom meeting with a breakout session to hear from members of the faculty showcasing academic programs. Also offered during registration is the opportunity to schedule one-on-one virtual appointments, immediately following the Zoom, with an array of college departments to learn more and have your questions answered.
All registered participants will receive a SUNY Ulster swag bag in the mail.
SUNY Ulster will be returning to campus for Fall 2021 with over 40 percent of classes taking place face-to-face. The remainder of classes will be held online or remotely.
Register for the Open House and one-on-one appointments at sunyulster.edu/openhouse. Questions can be directed to (845) 687-5022 or esc@sunyulster.edu.
Build Your Business series at Gardiner Library: Merritt Minnemeyer
Gardiner Library presents a virtual “Build Your Business” series featuring presentations and question-and-answer session every Wednesday in April from 7 to 8 p.m. In Part Three of the series, “How to Lead Your Business to Success,” Merritt Minnemeyer will lead you through the process of understanding and applying the same leadership principles used by Fortune 500 companies, celebrities and CEOs around the world, so that you can lead yourself and your business into the future you envision. You’ll come away with practical advice and a newfound inspiration that will keep you focused and strong as you build the company of your dreams.
To register for this event, contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Historic Huguenot Street wins $5K Brotherton Foundation grant
Historic Huguenot Street has been awarded $5,000 from the Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation, which will make its virtual field trip experiences free to access for educators. This funding is instrumental in expanding the museum’s reach and accessibility, ensuring that countless students can visit Huguenot Street from their home or classroom.
Along with bringing major disruption to in-person classroom instruction, the pandemic has delivered a severe blow to the extracurricular and off-campus programs and activities to which students look forward every school year, including field trips. Over the past year, school programming coordinator Alyssa Bruno has worked to adapt the museum’s on-site field trip programs into virtual experiences with which students can engage from their home or their classroom. These virtual experiences comprise tours of Historic Huguenot Street’s essential structures, crafts, interactive activities, research projects and countless other enriching activities that replicate the experience of visiting Historic Huguenot Street and taking part in one of its on-site educational programs.
“It is my hope that these programs will be widely utilized by the schools that bring their students to our site to learn with us every year, while also reaching audiences beyond our typical Hudson Valley and tri-state-area audience,” Bruno said. “At the end of the day, the goal of these programs is to provide students with accessible, engaging and enriching educational experiences aimed at teaching them about Historic Huguenot Street’s rich and diverse history with exciting instruction that goes beyond the scope of their daily classroom experience.”
Modeled after the museum’s on-site school programs, “Learning & Leisure in the 18th Century” (grades 3 to 6), “In Her Shoes” (grades 7 to 12) and “One Street, Many Stories” (grades 7 to 12), these virtual field trips replicate the experience of visiting Historic Huguenot Street and learning about the many groups of people who inhabited it and made the New Paltz community what it is today.
Contact Bruno at alyssa@huguenotstreet.org for more information about programs, pricing and registration.
SUNY Ulster presents virtual 15th annual Spring Cultural Diversity Day
SUNY Ulster will hold its 15th annual Spring Diversity Day on Wednesday April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. “Ableism & the Importance of Inclusion in Careers” is open to the public and will be presented via Zoom.
The program will be comprised of a conversation about the importance of inclusion and career opportunities for individuals who have disabilities. Participants include representatives from inclusively.com, Tracy Coddington from The Arc Mid-Hudson and David Doyle from Blackboard Bistro. A question-and-answer period will follow.
Advance registration is required for this event. Zoom information will be e-mailed once the registration form has been submitted, as well as a pre-event survey.
Online trivia night at Elting Library
Teens and adults are invited to an evening of online trivia hosted by the Elting Memorial Library Youth Group on Sunday, April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Volunteers from the group wrote questions and designed a game that includes both individual and team rounds. There will be prizes.
The event is free to all, but participants need to register at https://tinyurl.com/ryh97uhs by noon on Saturday, April 24. Call Elting Library at (845) 255-5030 for more information.
Mark Gruber Gallery celebrates 45 years
The Mark Gruber Gallery celebrates its 45th year in business with “45 Years: A Group Show.” The exhibit runs through May 29. In lieu of an artists’ opening reception, enjoy the show during the gallery’s regular pandemic hours. Masks are required.
According to Mark Gruber, the exhibit features many of the Hudson Valley’s finest local and regional artists, past and present – many of whom have shaped the gallery into what it is today. Alongside the tried-and-true are newcomers: artists whose works change and enhance the gallery’s offerings.
There is always a wide variety of media and styles: oils, pastels, watercolors, photography. Classic Hudson River School sublimity captured in oils by such talents as James Coe and Jane Bloodgood-Abrams vie for the viewer’s attention amid the contemporary lines and light in landscapes by Linda Puiatti and Robert Trondsen. Master watercolorist Staats Fasoldt’s economy of strokes sits in stark contrast to Marlene Wiedenbaum’s attention to detail. Hardie Truesdale’s photographs highlight our majestic, ancient environs, now adding a sleek new twist: photos of local vistas on aluminum. New to the gallery: Jack Neubauer brings his viewers landscapes filled with drama and atmosphere. And the list goes on.
The Mark Gruber Gallery opened its doors on April 1, 1976 in a small upstairs space on Main Street in New Paltz. After several location moves and 45 years later, the gallery is now housed at 13 New Paltz Plaza.
Gallery pandemic hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays and Mondays by chance or appointment. For more information, contact Gruber at (845) 255-1241 or visit markgrubergallery.com.
Ulster BOCES offers beginner striper fishing class
Learn the fundamentals of striped bass fishing from an experienced professional during the Beginner Striper Fishing course being offered by the Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center later this month. This fun, family-friendly course will cover basics such as equipment (rods and reels), baiting and casting techniques and how water and weather conditions can affect your success.
The first class will take place at the Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center, located on Route 9W in Port Ewen, on Thursday, April 22 from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by a few hours of actual shore fishing at Robert Post Park in Kingston on Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bait and tackle will be supplied.
The cost of the class is $79, plus a $20 cash material fee to be paid to the instructor the first night of the class. Learn more or register at www.ulsterboces.org/adult-ed.
Call for art for Olive Free Library summer group show
The Olive Free Library Association will be presenting its annual summer group show, “Eye to Eye,” this year juried by regional artist Tom Sarrantonio. The exhibition will open on Saturday, July 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and will run through September 11. All Hudson Valley artists are invited and all genres of art are considered, but work must be wall-hung. If you are interested in submitting work to be considered for this show, read the submission guidelines:
1. Up to three pieces of original artwork will be considered for inclusion in the show (no reproductions).
2. All artwork should be no more than 24 inches by 24 inches in size, including frame. All works must be wall-hung. Small shelves (to be provided by the artist) for sculptures are acceptable.
3. The library takes a 30 percent commission on all sales (the artist will receive the remaining 70 percent of the sale). All artwork must be for sale.
4. Send three to five jpg or png files of your work to the e-mail address below.
5. Image files should each be named with the artwork’s title only. In the body of the e-mail, please provide details for each of the works, i.e., medium and sizes (height by width).
6. All artwork must be properly wired, ready for hanging. Any work not properly wired will be rejected.
7. Please submit your image files by Monday, June 7.
8. Send your submission to oflartsubmissions@gmail.com.
9. If accepted, you will be contacted directly by e-mail with all necessary forms for you to fill in and submit them with your artwork during intake. Intake day is Monday, July 19.
10. If you want to be added to the Olive Free Library’s e-mail list and find out about its events and other exhibition opportunities, please send an e-mail to director@olivefreelibrary.org.
The Olive Free Library Association is located at 4033 Route 28A in West Shokan. For additional information, call (845) 657-2482 or visit olivefreelibrary.org.
KHS seniors: Apply now for Martin Laforse Memorial Scholarship
The Martin Laforse Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Kingston Library announces the 13th annual scholarship for college-bound Kingston High School seniors. The Martin Laforse Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Kingston Library will present up to two scholarships to graduating Kingston High School seniors who plan to major in liberal arts at a school of higher learning. This scholarship is presented annually to graduating seniors; this year, the fund will be distributing $3,000.
Students wishing to apply may pick up applications at the Kingston High School guidance office. Applications returned later than May 3 cannot be considered.
Students are required to submit an essay, not to exceed 500 words, responding to the question: “How did a reading or library experience have an important impact on your life?” The award is based on the essay’s quality, as well as the student’s academic standing, financial need and letter of recommendation. The recipient is determined by a committee and announced during the scholarship award ceremony at the Kingston High School on June 7.
Fund founder and co-trustee Jennifer O’Donnell, stepdaughter of Dr. Laforse, explains the impact of the fund: “Many talented and deserving college-bound seniors have gone on to pursue diverse careers with the support of this fund. My mother and I are thrilled and humbled by their talent and aspirations.”
“This was our first scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of Ulster County, soon after its founding in 2007. We are so pleased that the fund has grown and continues through the Kingston Library as an example of what community foundations can do: supporting local causes that matter.” added Kevin Quilty, vice president of the Community Foundation of Ulster County.
Donations may be made to the Ulster County Community Foundation, c/o the Martin Laforse Memorial Scholarship Fund, 280 Wall Street, PO Box 3046, Kingston NY 12402-3046.
Virtual Medicare talk at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host another virtual Medicare 101 with Jim Farnham on Saturday, April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Advanced registration is required by contacting Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. Topics covered include how and when to enroll, when you can make changes and the insurance options available to you.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge has new permanent charter
The trustees of John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge (JBWL) have announced that the Woodchuck Lodge site and buildings have received a permanent charter from the New York State Department of Education. It was granted in late 2020. A permanent charter classification significantly improves the organization’s eligibility for public and private funding. Woodchuck Lodge was registered as a National Historic landmark in 1962 because of its intimate connection with naturalist and writer John Burroughs. Woodchuck Lodge is located at 1633 Burroughs Memorial Road in Roxbury.
According to JBWL president Brett Barry, “Woodchuck Lodge had been operating with a provisional charter for many years, but our new permanent charter means we are an official organization recognized by the Department of Education and do not have to apply regularly for the continuation of the provisional charter to operate as a historic site museum.” Barry added, “We present ‘Wild Saturdays’ once a month, with program speakers listed on our website JBWoodchuckLodge.org.”
The current board of trustees has been very busy improving the Woodchuck Lodge site and making it more accessible for hiking and relaxing. There are places to rest and take in the scenery. The apple orchard has been pruned and new grading has been completed around the pond. John Burroughs’ gravesite and monument are a short walk up the road.
From 1910 to 1921, Woodchuck Lodge was the summer home of John Burroughs, America’s most prominent and adored naturalist/essayist. The Lodge was built in the early 1860s by Burroughs’ older brother Curtis on Burroughs’ homestead land, where the naturalist was born and raised. The rustic farmhouse has been in the Burroughs family since its construction, except for the years 1922 to 1947 when Burroughs’ close friends, Henry Ford and his wife Clara, owned it. Ford was a great friend of Burroughs and wanted the site saved with an eye toward the future.
John Burroughs wrote several essays during his summer sojourns from his home at Riverby in Esopus to Woodchuck Lodge in the last years of his life. There he also entertained luminaries such as Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison and, of course, Henry Ford. The group toured across the nation together and were known by the media as the “Vagabonds.”
After Henry Ford’s death, the Ford family sold Woodchuck Lodge back to the Burroughs family. In the 1970s, John E. Lutz, great-grandnephew of John Burroughs, purchased the place from E. Wilson Burroughs. John and his wife Una soon after founded Woodchuck Lodge, Inc. with the mission of promoting Burroughs’ legacy, donating the property to the corporation in 1973. Nephew John served as president of the organization for the next 27 years, developing educational programs, raising funds and overseeing historic preservation work on the house. In 2000, he passed on leadership to the present generation of trustees.
For more information, visit jbwoodchucklodge.org, or find the lodge on Facebook @jbwoodchucklodge.
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, Environmental Conservation Board, 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 P.O. Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561 or e-mail assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.
Wurts Street Bridge construction to begin in fall
The Wurts Street Bridge over the Rondout Creek linking Kingston and Port Ewen, closed since last September with its future in doubt, will be fixed after all, according to a release from the state Department of Transportation.
“The project will completely rehabilitate this unique 100-year-old crossing, while enhancing the structural stability of the bridge and preserving its important place in local history,” a press release says. “We are excited to move ahead with this project and look forward to working with the community in the coming months as this project becomes a reality.”
The release didn’t provide details on the expected cost or the construction timeline. An October release from Assembly Kevin Cahill anticipated that the project will be complete in two years, with that timeline dependent on the success of the rebidding process.
Board of Education candidate nominating petitions due April 19
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 at 1 Eugene Brown Drive in New Paltz.
Completed nominating petitions are due to the district clerk by Monday, April 19 at 5 p.m. Please contact the district clerk with any questions at (845) 256-4020 or email at sermo@newpaltz.k12.ny.us.
Corrections
In last week’s edition of Hudson Valley One, there was a front-page story about “Emotional support beer,” which was brewed at Woodstock Brewing and not Woodstock Brewery, as reported.
Also, it was reported that the New Paltz Village election will take place on Tuesday, May 6. The correct date for the election is Tuesday, May 4.
Our apologies.
Swing into spring
Photos by Dion Ogust
Join the family! 
