“Works in Wire” by Alison Eriksen opens at HSW
While it has been more than a year, the Historical Society of Woodstock (HSW) will open its doors and welcome friends and neighbors back with a remarkable exhibit starting May 8. Titled “Works in Wire: A Retrospective,” the exhibit will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. It runs through May 30 and features the work of sculptor Alison Eriksen (1964-2019).
Although Eriksen established her reputation as a sculptor in Portland, Oregon, she was a child of Woodstock. Married to Robert Eriksen, she was the daughter of HSW’s longtime board member and friend, Jean White. Descended from a Woodstock family whose history dates back to the 18th century, her frequent visits to Woodstock were spent in art galleries, seeking out the latest acquisitions at Twine’s Catskill Book Shop and striking up lifelong friendships with townspeople. Alison spent her final months near reminders of her family’s Woodstock roots, including The Red Barn Antiques, once owned by her great-aunt Louise Bolton, and the one-time boarding house The Homestead, operated by her great-grandmother, Sarah MacDaniel Cashdollar.
Eriksen worked three-dimensionally, first creating figures in clay and transitioning to wire. She once stated, “I became interested in the interior line which shaped the moving form. Steel wire, strong and flexible, enabled me to create volumetric figures through which the animating lines were visible without the density of clay.” Her clay sculpture is included in the exhibit.
The public is invited to experience Eriksen’s work at the Historical Society of Woodstock at 20 Comeau Drive on weekends through May 30. Admission is free. Please note that Covid protocols will be in strict effect, including social distancing and limited occupancy; masks will be required.
For more information on the Historical Society of Woodstock, visit www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org, call (845) 679-2556 or e-mail Olivia Twine at otwine12@gmail.com.
Spring Market in Highland
The Town of Lloyd Events Committee will hold its Spring Market on Saturday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, on Main Street and Vineyard Avenue in the hamlet of Highland.
The event will feature local businesses, music by Two-by-Two Zoo, American Idol’s Laila Mach, Look a Truck, many kids’ activities, food trucks and endors.
May conversation with New Paltz police
The next “Conversations with the Police” will take place on Wednesday, May 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz.
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 more information, visit the department’s Facebook page or visit www.townofnewpaltz.org/police.
Saugerties plans Fourth of July celebration
The Saugerties Fire Department is moving forward with a celebration to honor the Fourth of July holiday. The department is receiving parade and festival guidance and will be following all Covid-19 safety precautions.
Anyone wishing to participate in this year’s parade is asked to e-mail scampbell@villageofsaugerties.org for an application.
Memorial Day service in Saugerties May 30
Saugerties American Legion Post 72 will conduct a Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 30, 6 p.m., on the Post grounds adjacent to Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. The Saugerties Community Band will play several selections throughout the service.
Garrison Art Center welcomes new programs chief Catherine Graham
The Garrison Art Center welcomes Catherine Graham as its new events, office and programs manager. Graham will be taking over duties from Dolores Strebel, who will be transitioning out of her associate director role at the Art Center over the next several months.
This position unites Graham’s interests in arts administration, office and data management, as well as arts advocacy. Graham has 15 years of experience working in numerous aspects of the public and private art sectors, including running her own organization, which delivered art education to businesses, schools and not-for-profits. She is a New York State-certified art educator with a Masters in Art Education.
As a practicing artist, Graham has exhibited her artwork in the New York area. She enjoys yoga and meditation, travel and photography, museums, playing with her daughters and of course, all things art.
Saugerties principal loses bet; banished to school roof
Riddle: Why was the school principal banished to the school roof?
Answer: Because she bet her students that they couldn’t do 1,000 math lessons in three weeks!
Mt. Marion Elementary School principal Carole Kelder says that she wanted to challenge her students to “up their game” in math. So, she bet them that they couldn’t complete 1,000 math lessons in three weeks. To give her students a strong incentive, she explained that if she lost the bet, she would be sequestered on the rooftop on April 23, where she would have to complete math problems created by each student.
Kelder was nervous because the weather forecast for the chosen day called for strong winds and warm temperatures, and she knew that her students would want to make her sweat with super-hard math problems. She is happy to announce that her students not only reached the goal, but crushed it by completing 1,131 math lessons.
Rosendale Library’s phased reopening
As of May 1, the Rosendale Library opened its doors to people wanting to browse the collections in person and those wishing to use the computers. Mask-wearing at all times is required while inside the building. The library is continuing to provide curbside service and encourages people to use curbside for picking up and returning books, as well as for fax, copy and print services. The library looks forward to offering indoor in-person programs again soon.
Susie Reizod Foundation receives grants for children impacted by COVID-19
In the fall of 2020, Macy’s awarded a $3,000 grant to the Susie Reizod Foundation for new backpacks and shoes for economically disadvantaged children of families impacted by COVID-19 in the mid-Hudson Valley. The Susie Reizod Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide new shoes to children in need. Since April 2002, it has served children in need all over the US and countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Macy’s grant award to the Susie Reizod Foundation received the support of Macy’s in Poughkeepsie.
In January 2021, the Susie Reizod Foundation received a $3,000 grant from KeyBank Foundation for new backpacks and shoes for children from low-income families impacted by COVID-19 in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties.
Recently, Key Private Bank’s Klock Kingston Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Susie Reizod Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase and distribute new backpacks and new shoes to school-aged children in need in Kingston. According to Cynthia Dozier, president of the Susie Reizod Foundation, KeyBank Foundation has been a generous partner since 2007. “Since 2010, the Klock Kingston Foundation of Key Private Bank has also been a continuous supporter of our mission,” said Dozier.
For information about ways to help, contact the Susie Reizod Foundation, PO Box 816, New Paltz NY 12561, call (845) 255-9708, e-mail cdreizocl aol.com or visit www.thesusicreizodlöundation.org.
SUNY Ulster holds 57th commencement May 15
SUNY Ulster is offering several commencement options for graduating students.
A prerecorded virtual commencement will be available for graduating students and guests on May 15 at 9 a.m. that can be viewed from any remote location on the college’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. After commencement, the video will be available for viewing on the commencement webpage and on SUNY Ulster’s YouTube channel.
SUNY Ulster will also host a drive-through diploma ceremony on the Stone Ridge Campus on May 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 70 graduating students who preregistered to attend. Social distancing and other health safety protocols outlined by the CDC will be followed.
Graduates can also choose to participate in a safe diploma delivery option in which President Alan Roberts will visit their home after the drive-through ceremony and will continue deliveries over the following days. All social distancing and safety protocols will be observed.
SUNY Ulster’s Class of 2021 consists of 406 students. Of this group, 354 will receive Associate degrees and 91 will receive certificates. The youngest graduate is 16 and the oldest is 64.
Debut single from The Voice finalist Ian Flanigan releases May 14
Ian Flanigan of Saugerties is set to release “Grow Up,” his first new music since his epic run on NBC’s show The Voice. The track, featuring guest vocals from his coach and mentor, Blake Shelton, is set to be released on May 14 on Reviver Records.
Flanigan auditioned for The Voice armed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a voice that emanates from deep within, and he caught the eyes and ears of modern music’s biggest names. Millions of television viewers watched as Flanigan progressed through round after round and week after week, dazzling the show’s celebrity coaches, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, Usher and Kelly Clarkson among them.
On the production side, “Grow Up” benefits from the experience and wisdom of Grammy-winning producer Craig Alvin (Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Will Hoge). The song was recorded at Addiction Studios in Nashville and was written by Jon Nite, Chase McGill and Jessie Jo Dillon. Shelton’s guest vocal was recorded at Starstruck Studios in Nashville.
Mohonk Mountain House appoints Kristie Prantil marketing director
The Mohonk Mountain House has appointed Kristie Prantil as director of marketing. In her new role, Prantil will oversee marketing strategies and drive revenue objectives for the historic resort.
“As Mohonk has emerged from a challenging pandemic year with renewed enthusiasm, we feel very fortunate to have Kristie leading our marketing efforts,” said Barbara Stirewalt, vice president and general manager of Mohonk Mountain House. “Not only does Kristie have a breadth of experience in hospitality marketing, she has a unique talent in refining digital marketing strategy to enable us to reach the right audiences. Mohonk has a 152-year legacy of providing a spectacular setting for the renewal of mind, body and spirit, and we’re confident that Kristie will continue sharing the Mohonk Mountain House mission with the world.”
Prantil joins Mohonk with over a decade of experience in hospitality marketing. Her leadership expertise was evidenced by her key strategic marketing roles with notable properties including Horseshoe Bay Resort in Central Texas, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Marriott and the historic Greenbrier Resort.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Mohonk during a critical juncture, when people are feeling increasingly optimistic about the state of travel,” said Prantil. “Mohonk is one of America’s most storied and iconic resorts, and I cannot wait to introduce even more guests to Mohonk with creative campaigns that ignite a desire for exploration and rejuvenation.”
Prantil graduated from Lehigh University and received her MBA from Georgetown University with a focus in marketing.
Bee City garden planting at Village Hall
The New Paltz Bee City Project, in collaboration with Future Fruits, will host a public planting session for Village Hall on Saturday May 29 from 12 to 2 p.m., with May 30 as a rain date. This session is an opportunity to help transform the front of Village Hall into a vibrant community space: Organizers plan to grow pollinator friendly plants and wild edibles in hopes that this project will not only improve the aesthetic of Village Hall, but also the environment around it, creating something for everyone to enjoy.
The event will be outdoors, so be sure to bring work clothes and shovels. If you are interested in participating, e-mail npbeecity@villageofnewpaltz.org.
Vanderbilt Garden Association Memorial Day plant sale
The Frederick W. Vanderbilt Garden Association will hold its Memorial Day weekend plant sale on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 29 to 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on the lawn next to the Visitor Center parking lot at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site on Route 9 in Hyde Park. Hundreds of plants will be on sale, including a variety of perennial plant divisions from the Vanderbilt Formal Gardens.
This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the not-for-profit association, which must raise all the funds to rehabilitate, plant and maintain the Vanderbilt formal gardens.
For further information, e-mail info@vanderbiltgarden.org, visit www.vanderbiltgarden.org or call (845) 229-6432.
Katsbaan Reformed Church in Saugerties to hold yard and bake sale
The Katsbaan Ladies Aid of the historic Katsbaan Reformed Church is holding its first in-person yard and bake sale since the pandemic on Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church hall, located at 1801 Old Kings Highway in Saugerties. The event will be held rain or shine.
Household items, toys, jewelry, books and homemade baked goods will be on sale.
Masks and social distancing will be required, and seven guests at a time will be allowed inside the hall.
Call for art for summer group show at Olive Free Library
The Olive Free Library Association will be presenting its annual summer group show this year, juried by well-known 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 aged 16 and over are invited to submit work and all genres of art will be considered, but work must be wall-hung. Image files must be submitted by Monday, June 7. Submission guidelines can be found at www.olivefreelibrary.org/call-for-art.
FirstCare Medical Center earns NUCCA accreditation
FirstCare Medical Center in Highland has been awarded accreditation through the National Urgent Care Center Accreditation (NUCCA). NUCCA has developed a program of survey and accreditation specially designed for urgent-care centers. A Level III accreditation is the highest level that can be achieved by a facility that uses physician assistants and nurse practitioners in addition to physicians.
Rabies clinic in New Paltz
The Town of New Paltz dog control officer and the town clerk’s office will offer a rabies clinic for dogs and cats on Wednesday, May 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Town Highway Garage located at 52 Clearwater Road in New Paltz. Customers are asked to stand six feet apart, and masks must be worn.
Vaccinations for rabies, distemper and heartworm will start at $10 each and will be administered by Dr. Laurie Stein, the traveling veterinarian. Heartworm medication is also available. Rabies certificates will be presented at the completion of the vaccination. These certificates are essential for licensing dogs where they reside, as required by New York State law.
Dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers. Payment is by cash or check only. For additional information, call (845) 255-0100, extension 1.
Mindfulness/self-esteem retreat for teens July 10-18 in Woodstock
While this past year has been hard on all of us, it hit our youth particularly hard. “Most of the teens I have been speaking with this year, as well as many of their parents, express feeling trapped – often lost in social media, gaming or other addictions and experiencing unusually high levels of anxiety and/or depression, including a lack of friendships and with that, possible identity confusion and increasing social anxiety,” says Cia Ricco, a family counselor who ran a not-for-profit for the benefit of teens for many years called Visions and Dreams for Creative Learning. “One might think that with things opening up again we are out of the woods, but that is not yet the case.”
Ricco is offering a safe way for a small group of teens (maximum ten) to come together this July for a nine-day retreat at a mountain location in Woodstock. In addition to daily check-ins with meditation, mindfulness, yoga and in-depth sharing, participants will participate in various classes as suit their interest: cooking, seeing in nature, art, drumming, writing, performing et cetera. There will be opportunities for sports and day trips, including swimming holes, tubing on the Esopus, horseback riding, a visit to Opus 40 and a concert or drum circle. The retreat will also offer evening fire circles with sharing and performances and some inspirational videos for movie nights. Journaling and discussions on topics of interest to the group may include social justice, environmental/climate change issues, social media, addictions and compulsions, self-esteem issues, boundaries, being comfortable in your body, sexuality, mind/body health, family and relationship dynamics, anxiety and depression, coping with stress and fears and more.
“A variety of skilled local staff and teachers will join us to make this experience delightfully diverse,” explained Ricco.
To register for the camp, visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/julyteencamp. For additional information, e-mail ciaricco@gmail.
Mill Brook Preserve hosts Earth Day event at Duzine School
The Mill Brook Preserve, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to management of the 134-acre nature preserve and trails system in New Paltz, provided a spotted salamander study with the second-grade classes at Duzine Elementary School. Originally scheduled to take place on April 22, Earth Day, this program celebrates the animal life in Duzine’s backyard and highlights how children can be caretakers of the natural world. Naturalist and Mill Brook Preserve executive director Julie Seyfert-Lillis showed students about the delicate salamander eggs from the vernal pools directly behind the school in the preserve. Parent volunteers assisted in a read-aloud about salamanders and environmental stewardship.
The Mill Brook Preserve is dedicated to bringing free quality environmental education to local schools through programs such as this one and through events open to the public like the recent “Treasure Trails,” in which over 50 children searched for painted rocks along the trails. Guided tours are available to school groups by contacting Seyfert-Lillis at info@millbrookpreserve.org. The land is jointly owned by the Village and Town of New Paltz. The trails are open to the public for free, with entrances at Sunset Ridge Road, North Manheim Boulevard and George Danskin Way. Trail maps are posted at entrances. Please practice social distancing and keep pets leashed. Additional information can be found at https://millbrookpreserve.org.
Virtual Teen Advisory Board meets at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library invites teens between the ages of 13 and 18 to join the Teen Advisory Board at the Gardiner Library. The next meeting takes place virtually via Zoom on Sunday, May 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. Those interested in attending can contact Carolyn Thorenz at cthorenz@rcls.org for the meeting link. Attendees will discuss summer programs and volunteer opportunities.
Earn community service hours by helping to facilitate programming through July and August. In-person and virtual opportunities are available. For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
On Track for a Healthy Back at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host a virtual class series with Anneliese Mordhorst titled On Track for a Healthy Back on Mondays, May 17 and May 25 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Each class costs $8. Preregister by 3 p.m. on the day of the class by contacting Nicole Lane at nlane@rcls.org. Take one or both classes to experience different techniques, with some overlap. All registrants will receive a recording of the classes.
This two-part series is focused on reducing back pain and maintaining mobility for all ages and abilities. Both classes will include gentle exercises, movement strategies, tips and inspiration. This compilation of exercises can be done as a daily routine in support of maintaining an agile, healthy back. By weaving the current science with embodiment techniques, these classes will give a whole-body approach to healthy movement and mobility.
Contact Mordhorst at hello@anneliesemordhorst.com with any questions prior to class.
Maritime Museum offers solar-powered boat tours
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is offering themed boat tours of the Hudson River and Rondout Creek beginning Memorial Day weekend. The public is invited for cruises to the Rondout Lighthouse, as well as trips focusing on topics such as the Hudson River region’s industrial waterfront, birdwatching and local shipwreck sites. Most programming is educational and leisure cruises are available as well. Tours take place on board Solaris, a 100 percent solar-powered tour boat built at the museum’s Wooden Boat School. Solaris is also available for private charter, and all proceeds from tours and charters benefit the museum.
Returning in 2021 are trips enabling people to see local lighthouses, learn industrial waterfront history, see the sunset out on the Hudson River and also experience lantern cruises later in the fall. New for this season is a shipwrecks tour, live music experiences, twilight trips and a Happy Hour cruise. Special guest appearances will expand the museum’s tour topics this season to include indigenous and Native heritage, birdwatching, local ecology and climate change, as well as the opportunity to dive deeper into subjects such as shipwrecks and the D & H Canal.
Tours depart from the docks at the museum and typically run for one to two hours. The museum continues to take precautions to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers by monitoring and implementing CDC recommendations throughout the season. Visit www.hrmm.org to learn about measures in place to ensure safety during programming and throughout campus.
A calendar of themes and dates for the museum’s boat tours can be found online at www.hrmm.org/all-boat-tours. People who have questions are encouraged to call the museum at (845) 338-0071.
New community policing initiatives in Kingston
The City of Kingston will begin deploying several proactive police/community engagement initiatives starting this month. The initiatives include walking or bicycle patrols, attending community meetings and events, field information gathering, traffic details and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Details will be conducted on an overtime basis under the supervision of a police sergeant with officers who elect to participate.
Each of the five participating sergeants will be given up to six hours of overtime per week to deploy at least two officers in one of the new operations. The sergeants will choose the timing of their deployment that best fits the initiative. Each sergeant will be reviewing any reports submitted by the officers and will provide a written summary of their operation to the deputy chief every two weeks and will provide monthly reports at Police Commission meetings. Any relevant data obtained from these reports will be sent to the crime analyst for compilation and analysis.
The focus will be community trust-building and information-gathering; however, if officers come across criminal activity, they may address it appropriately.
“We hope these initiatives will demonstrate our commitment to trust-building with true community policing endeavors, while also empowering our officers to take community engagement into their own hands with this grassroots approach,” said mayor Steve Noble. “This is a model that has not yet been seen in our area. We are proud to lead the way by introducing these new initiatives to garnering community trust while giving our officers autonomy over the public engagement process.”
“We see this as a positive community policing initiative and anticipate it will be a highly effective response to the recent increase in gun violence,” said chief Egidio Tinti. “A report from the New York Attorney General’s Office expressed concern over the law enforcement partnership conducted last year, and we have heard that loud and clear from our community as well. We know we need to approach police/community interaction differently, and we hope these positive initiatives will be a step in the right direction.”
Slow Stitching Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a Slow Stitching Club again beginning on Thursday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The club will meet weekly on Thursdays. Enjoy hand-sewing as a form of meditation, relaxation and socialization. Bring a portable hand-sewing project and enjoy some “me time” while artfully stitching a favorite project. Hand-quilting, embroidery, crewel, linen, ribbon, even crochet!
Due to Covid-19, registration is required by e-mailing Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org. For further information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Spring plant sale in New Paltz
The New Paltz Garden Club will hold its spring plant sale on Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 222 Main Street in New Paltz (the rain date is May 16). Annuals, perennials, shrubs, hostas, seeds, houseplants, vegetables, herbs and more will be on sale.
For additional information, visit www.newpaltzgardenclub.org.
Kenco pollinator garden planting
Be a part of welcoming pollinators and people to the Catskills by sharing plants from your garden on May 15 and 16 from 3:30 p.m. until done on the grassy knoll in front of Kenco Outfitters on Route 28 in Kingston. Drop off a plant, labeled with its name and your name, or help at planting time, when butterfly cookies and garden tea will be served.
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.
Old Dutch Church hosts Uptown Fine Arts Music Series
The historic Old Dutch Church, located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston, has announced its spring 2021 Uptown Fine Arts Music Series lineup, starting May 15 at 12 noon on Saturdays – both in-person and after-the-fact on the Old Dutch Church Facebook page @OldDutchChurch.
“We are delighted to be an integral part of Uptown Kingston’s Saturday scene, including the Kingston Farmers’ Market,” says Reverend Dr. Renée House, pastor of the Old Dutch Church.
The first concert of the new season, on Saturday, May 15, features Lisa Dudley performing foot-stomping inspirational songs with a bluegrass beat. “Lisa Dudley is blessed with a heart for music,” Pastor House adds. “She has a calling to write and sing hauntingly beautiful, socially relevant and positive songs.”
Additional musical performances by area artists include Andrea and Robert Shaut, piano and saxophone, on May 22; Drew Youmans and Bethany Pietroniro, violin and piano, on May 29; Terry Earles, organ, on June 5; Hailey McAvoy and Bethany Pietroniro, voice and piano, on June 12; and Russel Oliver, organ, on June 19.
This concert series is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires COVID precautions of face masks and social distancing.
For more information, call (845) 338-6759, visit the website at www.olddutchchurch.org, e-mail info@olddutchchurch.org or like Facebook @OldDutchChurch.
Road closure in Saugerties
Pavilion Street, in the Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex in Saugerties, will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Bob Moser Drive north to Court Drive on both Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16 to accommodate the Mystik Bazaar Spring Festival.
Corrections
In last week’s news brief about what the Woodstock Library plans to do next, the amount of the bond was incorrect. The bond was for $5.8 million, not $2.5 million.
Also, in the article about the gravestone renovation work being done at the Woodstock Cemetery, the person doing the work is Joe Ferrannini. His name was spelled incorrectly in last week’s issue.
Our apologies.
Join the family! 
