Summer festival at Opus 40 launches arts collaboration
The newly formed initiative Ulster County Arts Collaborative Events (ACE) has announced its kickoff for collaborative programming with a free summer festival. The outdoor event with arts activities and performances is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Opus 40 in Saugerties.
Established by a group of regional arts not-for-profits to salute the vibrant cultural offerings of Ulster County, ACE will introduce a series of family-friendly community events in the Hudson Valley. These events will create opportunities for people of all ages and families to sample the splendor of the arts and music offered in Ulster County.
Nine regional organizations are scheduled to participate in the ACE kickoff event, including Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK), the Center for Photography at Woodstock, Opus 40, Rock Academy, Unison Arts, Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM), the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild and the Woodstock School of Art.
Participating organizations will present unique, interactive art activities or performances illustrating the “personality” of their organization. In addition, information from all of the associations will be available at each booth, so visitors can personally get to know the community arts organizations that populate the Hudson Valley.
Registration for the event begins on June 21 via the Opus 40/ACE website. This event will have two separate two-hour sessions available for registration to maximize participation and maintain Covid safety measures. Repeat activities and performances will be held during each session. Preregistration for the event is free and required. The two sessions will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Food services will be provided by Papa’s Best Batch.
For tickets, visit https://opus40.org/ulster-county-arts-collaborative-events-week-kick-off-happening.
Saugerties Library trustee petitions available
Candidate petitions for the position of Saugerties Library trustee are available at the Saugerties Public Library beginning Thursday, July 1. The library is located at 91 Washington Avenue.
Two five-year terms are up for election on September 2, 2021. These seats are currently held by Bernard Carroll and Elizabeth Stegmayer.
Anyone who is a resident of the Town of Saugerties is eligible to run. Petitions must be signed by at least 25 Town of Saugerties residents who are registered to vote in the town. Petitions must be returned to the library by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4 in order to be on the September ballot.
Library trustees attend at least one board meeting a month and serve on one or more committees. The role of a library trustee is to set policy for operation of the public library and to oversee the fiscal health of the organization.
Residents who would like more information about serving on the Board of Trustees can contact the Library Director, Jennifer Russell at 246-4317 or by email at director@saugertiespubliclibrary.org.
City of Kingston lifts Covid state of emergency
Mayor Steven T. Noble has announced that the city’s State of Emergency was lifted on Sunday, June 20.
In consultation with the State Health Department and CDC guidelines, beginning on Monday, June 21:
• City offices will be open during regular hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Health screenings for employees and visitors will no longer be required.
• Unvaccinated individuals will still be required to wear a mask in city buildings.
• Sanitizer and extra masks will be made available near building entrances.
• Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals.
• Drop boxes will remain outside City Hall and other buildings, and online transactions are available for the public’s convenience.
Board and commission meetings will continue to be held via Zoom until the new hybrid A/V set-up is in place or until Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order related to public meetings is lifted.
“We are currently working on developing a hybrid meeting system that will allow board and commission meetings to be held in person while being recorded and live-streamed virtually,” said Noble. “We expect that in-person meetings will begin to take place in the weeks ahead as our new equipment arrives and is installed. We want the public to continue to have the same access to City meetings so that the community can stay connected as we transition out of Covid life. The number of active COVID cases in Ulster County and the City of Kingston have declined to the lowest rates since the beginning of the pandemic and our County is now over 70 percent vaccinated. As I’ve said before, I am extremely proud and grateful of my staff’s response to the Covid-19 crisis but I am happy we are now returning to a sense of normalcy.”
As of now, COVID-related restrictions for events have been lifted, except for indoor events with more than 5,000 attendees. The city of Kingston has created a webpage for guidance related to local events: https://kingston-ny.gov/specialevents. For questions related to special events, contact the Mayor’s office at rverspoor@kingston-ny.gov or (845) 334-3902.
The City of Kingston has been in a State of Emergency due to the Coronavirus pandemic since March 13.
Hudson Valley Brassroots Festival announces July 24 lineup
The third annual Hudson Valley Brassroots Festival of brass-band music will take place on July 24 from 2 to 10 p.m. at Seed Song Farm, located at 206 Esopus Avenue in Kingston. This year’s festival will feature the music of six brass bands from across the East Coast whose influences range from traditional second-line music to Ghanaian drumming to ‘70s disco/punk. This year’s bands feature a wide range of repertoire inspired by musical traditions in West Africa, Eastern Europe, New Orleans and more.
“We hoped and hoped and hoped we would be able to make a festival happen in 2021, and we are thrilled that we can; we are, and it is now just around the corner,” said executive producer Francesca Hoffman. “While there are still so many considerations when putting on events in our post-pandemic world, our goal is and has always been to bring joy to our community, and that is what we’ve decided to focus on and do. We truly can’t wait to dance out all our pent-up energy from this last year with you on July 24.”
This year’s festival will feature vendors such as the Green Palate and Nancy’s Ice Cream, as well as portrait photography by Kristopher Johnson.
Part of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the 200+ acre Seed Song Farm in Kingston and its affordable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, educational outreach, summer farm camp and free programs for the community.
The festival will feature six brass bands from up and down the East Coast, dancing in the open air, locally sourced food and drink, farm tours and an evening bonfire. The lineup includes the Funkrust Brass Band from Brooklyn, Hot Hand Band from Brooklyn, Kotoko Brass from Boston, Novi Hitovi from New York City, Ocean Avenue Stompers from Asbury Park, New Jersey and What Cheer? from Providence, Rhode Island.
For ticketing and the final lineup, please visit www.brassrootsfestival.com.
Maritime Museum hosts 1903 Raceabout Sloop Eleanor
The Hudson River Maritime Museum will host two programs with the 1903 Raceabout Sloop Eleanor this summer. On Wednesday, June 30 at 7 p.m., Hudson River Historic Boat Restoration & Sailing Society president Chris Hoppe will give a virtual lecture, “A History and the Restoration of the Raceabout Sloop Eleanor,” as part of the Follow the River Lecture Series, sponsored by Rondout Savings Bank.
This virtual lecture will cover the story of Eleanor’s construction, life afloat and restoration. Built in 1903 at City Island, New York for racing on the Long Island Sound, the historic raceabout sloop Eleanor was designed by naval architect Clinton H. Crane. Her sleek and low-riding hull design allows her to come about in less than her own length. After nearly a decade of painstaking restoration work, Eleanor was launched from her warehouse in Hudson back into the Hudson River in June of 2020. Owned, restored and operated by the Hudson River Historic Boat Restoration and Sailing Society Inc., Eleanor is sailing again.
Tickets for this virtual lecture, held via Zoom, cost $5 for the general public and are free for Hudson River Maritime Museum members. Those interested in attending can view upcoming lectures and register at www.hrmm.org/lecture-series.
Then, on Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11, the sloop Eleanor will be at the Hudson River Maritime Museum docks. Members of the general public are invited to visit the sloop and learn more about the Hudson River Historic Boat Restoration & Sailing Society. This program is free and open to the public, but donations to support the ongoing maintenance of the Eleanor are encouraged. Eleanor can be visited by the public on Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 11 from 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts to open Pavilion restriction-free
After 643 days without music on the Pavilion stage, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the not-for-profit cultural center located at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, announced last week that its 2021 Pavilion concert season will operate at full capacity with no social distancing required. This follows the rescindment of most coronavirus restrictions statewide as New York hits a 70 percent vaccination rate.
Guests will no longer be required to present proof of vaccination when purchasing tickets or arriving at the concert venue. Masks will be required for those who are unvaccinated and optional for vaccinated patrons, per CDC recommendations and state regulations.
The Center, a not-for-profit cultural center located at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, will open on July 20 with a performance by Chicago. The lineup includes shows by Dead & Company, James Taylor and Jackson Browne and Chris Stapleton.
“One long year ago, I made a video to let you know we would be canceling the 2020 Pavilion season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eric Frances, CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. “Today, I’m thrilled to announce that Bethel Woods will be reopening. We’ve weathered this storm, and now it is time to come together again.”
For a full list of events, programs and to learn more, visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org.
Parker Brothers Drum Extravaganza at Bearsville Theater July 3
Widely regarded as one of America’s premier drum families, the Parker Brothers bring their syncopated world-class drum show to the historic stage at Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater on July 3 as Lizzie Vann presents the Parker Brothers live in concert at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and are available at www.bearsvilletheater.com.
The Parker Brothers Extravaganza features five drummers and very special guest musicians performing their signature brand of hard-grooving, danceable, soulful and heartfelt music. The brothers have played with a huge array of music superstars through their storied careers. Chris Parker was the first when he was asked to join Paul Butterfield’s Better Days; then Eric Parker joined the Fabulous Rhinestones and Nicholas Parker teamed with Orleans before Tony finally joined the Mary Travers Band.
Additional artists coming to the main stage at the Bearsville Theater in July are as follows: Scott Petito & Friends play Let It Be, Mighty Mystic Reggae, The Sweet Clementines with special guest Tracy Bonham and Gratefully Yours. A mix of Americana, bluegrass, folk and jazz continues in the Lounge with Bearsville’s Americana Barbecue on Saturdays and Jazz Brunch on Sundays through Labor Day, featuring a Bluegrass Celebration with Abby, Fran and Brian Hollander and the Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective, Peter Einhorn, Ultra Faux Ensemble, the Chestnut Hill Gang, Elliot Spero, Dorraine Scofield & J. B. Hunt, the Bunkhouse Boys, Chris Milletari, the Mapletones, the Bluegrass Wranglers, Ken McGloin and Jim Curtain, Dan Zlotnick and Blue Plate Special.
Coming to the Bearsville Theater in August are the Masters of the Telecasters, Reelin’ in the Years, Belew, Mastellotto & Friends and NRBQ.
Body of missing man found in Hudson River
The body of Andy Neiman, whose May 21 disappearance sparked a region-wide search by local officials, family, friends, and volunteers, was found Thursday, June 17 on the shore of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie. The Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity based on dental records provided by his family on Friday afternoon. No official cause of death has been determined yet.
Neiman, 48, was last seen leaving the MidHudson Hospital in Poughkeepsie on May 21. He suffered from recurring bouts of mental illness in recent months and had come to the Hudson Valley seeking help from his sister Emily Asher Abramson who lives in High Falls. He had been checked into the hospital earlier that Friday but left after waiting 14 hours for a room.
As the weeks went by, friends and strangers alike have been moved by the anguish of the Neiman family. They’ve searched, prayed, raised money, brought the family meals. “Andy has been blanketed in so much love while we were looking for him, with so many saying his name and posting flyers,” said Simon Abramson, Andy’s brother-in-law. “We hope that helped ease his passage.”
Andrew Michael Neiman was born 48 years ago in St. Louis, one of three siblings. He graduated from Wesleyan University, got an MFA from the University of Connecticut., and made his career in theater as an actor, performing musicals and dramas. He was a director, screenwriter and an adaptor of William Shakespeare. He seemed to have a special love for the Bard, both as a performer and as a theater educator.
After university, he lived in New York, where he sometimes co-wrote plays with his younger brother David, and in Chicago, before returning to St. Louis. He and his wife, Louise Edwards, were raising eight-year-old Elyiah. He is also survived by his mother Lainie Neiman and her partner Richard Goldberg of St. Louis; his father Bennett, Bennett’s wife Sandi and Andy’s half-sister Elizabeth and her fiancé Zachary Robbins, who live in Austin; and David’s fiancé, Amanda Lavin.
Andy’s family plans a foundation to support theater students, a tribute to his passion for the stage. When Emily posted Andy’s fate on Facebook, she added a photo (pictured above), explaining, “Here is Andy starring in perhaps my favorite role he ever played: Siddhartha. [A spiritual seeker who chose to spend his life by an inspirational river.] I think there could be no photo more fitting to capture the life long suffering my biggest brother contended with and the arrival at an enlightened release of his pain. May your soul rest easy, Andy.”
A memorial service for Andy Neiman will be live-streamed on Friday, June 24 at 11 a.m. CDT. Visit the Facebook page for further info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/helpandy/announcements.
— Susan Farkas
Kingston Point Beach open; Andretta Pool & new splash pad opening delayed
Kingston Point Beach officially opened on Wednesday, June 16. Lifeguards will be on duty at Kingston Point Beach from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. However, due to a shortage of lifeguards across the Hudson Valley, the beach hours may fluctuate. Visit the Kingston Parks and Recreation Facebook page for daily updates.
The Andretta Pool and new splash pad opening have been postponed from the original date of June 19. Construction work at the Andretta Pool and the installation of a new splash pad amenity have been delayed due to weather, material shortages related to Covid and other unexpected impediments. The pool is now tentatively expected to open to the public on Wednesday, June 30, if construction stays on the current schedule without further delays.
“The contractors are working diligently to finish this project and help us open the pool to the public as quickly as possible,” said mayor Steve Noble. “We are looking forward to unveiling the freshly renovated pool, and we know everyone is excited about the new splash pad, so we’ve extended the pool hours and made it free for everyone to enjoy this summer.”
“The Parks and Recreation Department is looking forward to construction being finalized so we can begin our pool season and celebrate the Grand Opening of the newly constructed splash pad. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience as the contractors put the finishing touches on this project,” said Lynsey Timbrouck, director of recreation.
Admittance to the Andretta Pool will be free of charge this summer; hours will be Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. For the health and safety of all, on Mondays and Tuesdays the pool will be reserved for Kingston Parks & Recreation summer camps and closed to the public.
Due to Covid-19 and the risk of spread, the pool facility was not able to open in 2020. However, with Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding, renovations to the poolhouse and pool continued throughout the summer and were completed in the fall. Work included installation of a new roof and masonry repairs, as well as pool lining restoration and installation of a new pump and filtration system.
Pollinators to light up Mid-Hudson Bridge
Ulster County master gardener Cecily Frazier made a request of the New York State Bridge Authority to use the lights on the Mid-Hudson Bridge to commemorate National Pollinator week. So, from June 21 to 27, the Mid-Hudson Bridge between Poughkeepsie and Highland will be draped in 27,000 orange and yellow lights in honor of pollinators and all that they do for us and the plants that rely on them.
Pollinators play a vital role in our lives. They provide one-third of all the foods we eat, including the really important ones like chocolate, vanilla and coffee – not to mention apples, blueberries and even the silage that cows need to provide milk. To learn more about pollinators, visit www.pollinator.org.
Rehabilitation of historic Vanderbilt Pavilion underway
Rehabilitation of the historic Pavilion at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is underway. Through this project, the National Park Service will address the maintenance backlog of this 125-year-old facility that today serves as the park’s visitor center.
Over its 125-year history, the Pavilion has endured many cycles of maintenance and repair. Most recently, a 2015 project addressed the roof, chimneys and skylight. The current project will restore the Captain’s Walk roof balustrade, replace missing shutters, repair columns, doors and windows and address damaged or missing areas of pebble-dash stucco siding. The wood trim will receive a fresh coat of paint and the pebble dash will receive a protective, breathable limewash coating.
The Pavilion was built in 1895 to serve as a sporting lodge and guesthouse. The Vanderbilts, intent on residing at Hyde Park while the mansion was under construction, required that the Pavilion be erected quickly. The task was completed in a remarkable 66 days, facilitated in part by cost-effective solutions inspired by the temporary architecture of the international World’s Fairs.
The Pavilion Visitor Center will remain open with limited access during construction. For more information on the park’s operating hours and things to do, visit www.nps.gov/vama.
Outdoor storytimes at Gardiner Library
Gardiner Library outdoor storytime starts soon. Toddlers will meet on Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. from July 6 through August 10. Preschoolers will meet on Thursdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. from July 8 through August 12. Registration is required and limited. A registration link will be posted on www.gardinerlibrary.org one week prior to each session. Programs are presented weather permitting, and masks are required until seated.
The library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Saugerties Schools Retired Employees’ Association announces awards
The Saugerties Schools Retired Employees’ Association (SSREA) will be giving scholarship awards to some outstanding students who are graduating in June of 2021. This year, two of the awards were announced at the Saugerties High School awards night. Through all the challenges of the past year, the students have persevered and met their academic goals and have made plans for their future education.
One award of $600 will be given to Justine Lenz, who will begin studying Veterinary Medicine at Hudson Valley Community College. The other recipient from Saugerties High School is Neve O’Neal, who will be studying Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Chayce Buono will also receive an award of $600 established for a grandchild of a member of the SSREA. Buono will be studying Psychology at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
The SSREA is open to any retired employee of the Saugerties Central School District. The group has raised funds for school and community groups and is dedicated to honoring teachers, former district employees and students.
Denizen Theatre announces outdoor summer readings at Water Street Market courtyard
The Denizen Theatre has announced its summer reading series: a trio of outdoor performances in the courtyard at the Water Street Market in New Paltz. All readings in the series will be free and open to the public. The summer reading series marks the first time live performers will return to the Denizen Theatre since the pandemic began 15 months ago. The series aims to provide a platform to elevate new voices and emerging artists in the community.
Kicking off the series in July is a regional premiere by Jonathan Caren (The Recommendation, The Sinner S.3 & S.4). Caren’s comedy, Need to Know, will be performed on Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., with an optional rain date on Sunday, July 18. Need to Know, details a young couple’s use of the Internet to uncover everything they think they know about their new neighbor – until they realize that the apartment walls are thin and he might be able to hear everything.
Next on the lineup is a dramedy written by James McLindon (Distant Music, Salvation). McLindon’s play, Dead and Buried, will be performed on Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., with an optional rain date on Sunday, August 8. Set in a small New England town at Halloween, Dead and Buried tells the story of a young woman who seeks work at the local graveyard while searching for her missing mother.
The final play of the series will be announced in the coming weeks. The series finale will be performed on Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28 at 7 p.m., with an optional rain date on Sunday, August 29.
Founder and producing artistic director Harry Lipstein states: “We are committed to sharing these stories and are honored to continue to produce professional live theater for the Hudson Valley community.”
The Denizen Theatre will be seeking feedback from attendees about the plays being read in order to get input for future productions.
A finite number of seats will be available for each reading, so reserve ASAP at www.denizentheatre.com.
Walk-A-Mile in My Shoes: 56-mile walk by veterans
The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration (HVNCVR) Peer Support Program is going on another walk. Led by the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (Vet2Vet Program), the group is inviting the community to join virtually and walk at their own pace beginning Thursday, July 1 to support the individuals who will physically walk to raise awareness.
Rain or shine, the group will begin their walk on Sunday, August 29 from Tech City in Kingston at 11 a.m. and conclude on Monday, August 30 at the New York State Capitol in Albany at approximately 10 a.m. The group will navigate through 12 towns and cities paralleling the Hudson River, totaling approximately 56 miles. The goal is to walk 22 hours continuously without sleep from Kingston to Albany to represent the mental and physical challenges our military experiences. The challenges encountered during the walk will be faced with strength, unity and determination. The Walk’s conclusion demonstrates what service members are willing to endure for one another.
The mission of this trip is twofold: first, to raise public awareness regarding the struggles veterans face after they are discharged from the Armed Forces: PTSD resulting from sexual trauma or combat-related guilt experienced while in the military; suicidal ideation, substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness and/or joblessness and estrangement from family and friends. Second, to help the HVNCVR raise funding to support the development of programs, including the HVNCVR Kayak Program, Warrior Writers, Financial Readiness Class and the HVNCVR Vet2Vet Program.
To learn more about the HVNCVR Vet2Vet of Ulster County Program, visit https://hvcvr.org or www.facebook.com/vet2vetofulstercounty.
Local acupuncture practice celebrates five years
Golden Light Acupuncture, a holistic family practice in New Paltz, is honoring its five-year anniversary with a celebration on June 26 that will include an art installation featuring youth artists contributing to the theme “Health and Healing.”
Co-founders Marika & Michael LaFemina opened Golden Light in 2016 and have since grown the practice in New Paltz to include a team of five clinicians who serve hundreds of local community members every year.
“It’s deeply nourishing to live and work in New Paltz, support the health of our community and to work with inspiring colleagues in the broader healthcare profession,” said Dr. Michael LaFemina, D.Ac., co-founder of Golden Light. “We look forward to deepening our roots here and continuing to offer holistic healthcare for years to come.”
Golden Light Acupuncture specializes in pain management, pediatrics and reproductive health and is welcoming new patients.
The anniversary party is June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at their office at 26 North Front Street in New Paltz. Details about the practice are available online at https://goldenlightacupunctureny.com.
Rockin’ day at Phillies Bridge Farm
The Miles Brothers Band will be performing at Phillies Bridge Farm on Sunday, June 27. Hudson Valley’s own Miles Brothers Band is nothing short of a rich North American gumbo steeped in roots ‘n’ blues, rap, classic rock and reggae à la Tosh and Marley, with a dash of Hendrix to boot – and Ray Charles to bring ‘em home with a smile and a warm heart. There are plenty of originals, too, making this band one that spans 50 years of collective music – and that means a li’l sumpin’ for everyone to enjoy.
Gates open at 1 p.m. The Miles Brothers Band will perform at 2 p.m. This event takes place outdoors, and masks are required unless at your table or blanket with your pod. In the event of rain, it will be held in the open-air barn.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds go directly to the musicians and support Phillies Bridge Farm’s food justice and education programs. Tickets can be purchased online at https://philliesbridge.org/events.
Maritime Museum recognizes Wooden Boat School volunteer Mike Sadowy
This month the Hudson River Maritime Museum recognized longtime volunteer Mike Sadowy, 89. Sadowy is a member of the team at the museum’s Wooden Boat School, as well as a founding member of the site when it began offering classes in 2015. He was also an integral part of launching the museum’s traditional rowing classes, offering people an opportunity to experience this sport, which plays an important part in the history of our region’s working waterfronts.
On Thursday, June 3, staff and fellow volunteers celebrated with Sadowy during a potluck lunch at the Wooden Boat School. Many volunteers had not seen each other in over a year due to COVID. After lunch, Sadowy and the team were able to relaunch the John Magnus into the Rondout Creek for an afternoon row. At the volunteer party, Sadowy recounted the story of building the John Magnus in the early 1990s. The project came to life thanks to New York City-based not-for-profit Floating the Apple, which promotes open-water rowing and racing throughout the Northeast. The Whitehall boat style is known for balance and speed, its design being perfected since its origins in 1600s England.
The boat was constructed within a storefront in Times Square. After removing a window in order to extricate the newly built vessel from the building, the team paraded the boat down 42nd Street to celebrate its completion and draw attention to the art of traditional boatbuilding. In the 1990s, Sadowy was a member of the Magnus crew who sailed and rowed the boat upriver from New York City to Albany. The boat has lived at the museum for a number of years, and received a fresh coat of paint by volunteers during a fleet-maintenance session in April.
Sadowy was part of the launch of the museum’s YouthBoat program, which connects youth students with skilled shipwrights and craftspeople to learn the traditional boatbuilding process. YouthBoat offers a daytime program for Ulster BOCES students, as well as afterschool sessions for students at Hudson Valley high schools. Participants put STEM skills to work as they follow vessel-building plans and familiarize themselves with industry tools and materials. Once a boat is completed, students move their vessel to the Rondout Creek for a row. Observers have found the program to be a model for experiential learning.
In the past year, Sadowy has turned his attention to cataloguing the school’s library, which offers a wealth of knowledge that few have seen. The collection can be found online at www.librarything.com/catalog/rwbs. Sadowy’s dedication to the project helps readers reach hundreds of hard-to-find and out-of-print publications on a wide range of maritime and boatbuilding topics, including boat construction, toolmaking and canvas-working.
The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.
Bearsville Theater presents Vinyl Meltdown DJ Dance Party
After a long 18-month hiatus, the Bearsville Theater and Woodstock Music Shop have announced the return of the Hudson Valley’s Vinyl Meltdown DJ Dance Party on June 25 at 7 p.m. This gathering of the region’s top musicians and deejays celebrates vinyl with a massive four-turntable setup and spectacular light show.
Vinyl Meltdown features four record-lovers going head-to-head, playing off one another for a night of genre-smashing tunes filled with fun, creativity and spontaneity. Marco Benevento, Leon Michels, Brian Parillo and Jeff Harrigfeld will light up the night in grand style.
Event tickets cost $10 and are available at the theater on the night of the show or at https://bearsvilletheater.com.
Discover odonates at Burroughs Sanctuary
Discover damsels and dragons: The Odonates of the Sanctuary Pond at John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary on Saturday, July 10 and August 14.
This time of year, the pond is alive with activity just above the surface. From the flitting gleam of a bluet’s wing to a speeding darner relentlessly hunting prey, summer at Sanctuary Pond is alive with diverse, colorful and intriguing insects: the Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies).
On Saturday, July 10 and August 14, join local aquatic ecologist/nature photographer Frank Beres to explore this fascinating group of insects. Learn about the natural history of one of the most ancient lineages and pick up tips to discover, identify and photograph a diverse variety of striking and colorful species. Participants will also explore the edges of the pond for more biodiversity, including summer residents such as butterflies, aquatic insects, painted turtles and snapping turtles. Afterwards, take a tour of John Burroughs’ Slabsides cabin, open from noon to 4 p.m.
Space is limited. Register at info@johnburroughsassociation.org for the meeting time and place.
Blue Mountain Church yard sale June 26
The Blue Mountain Reformed Church will hold a yard sale on Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church, located at 10 Blue Mountain Church Road in Saugerties.
Saugerties Dems to elect new officers
The offices of secretary and treasurer of the Saugerties Democratic Committee have been vacated by the individuals now holding those positions. The election of two new officers will take place at the June 27 meeting of the committee.
To be elected, one has to be an enrolled Democrat residing in the Town of Saugerties, but it is not necessary to be a member of the committee. An officer nominated must be approved by a majority of the voting members of the committee present and eligible to vote. The persons elected will complete the term of the resigning officers, which is September 2022. To be considered a candidate, a person must be nominated and seconded by voting members of the committee. If you are interested in being considered for these positions, please contact the committee chair at lanny@lannywalter.com.
Ulster BOCES celebrates Class of 2021’s top three students
The Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center recognized 442 Ulster County students who completed their trades’ technical endorsement requirements during 23 live Senior Tribute Ceremonies held on June 15 via Zoom. Friends and family are invited to view the celebratory industry-related commencement ceremonies via YouTube Premier. Links to access the tribute recordings will be posted at www.ulsterboces.org.
The sendoffs featured business-related keynote speakers and included words from the valedictorian, salutatorian and Principal’s Award recipient, as well as school administrators who inspired the students to leave school ready to embark on life’s exciting new adventures.
Alaina Cupo, a Cosmetology student from the Highland Central School District, is the valedictorian of the Career & Technical Center’s Class of 2021. Cupo is president of the National Technical Honor Society and has also served as secretary and treasurer of the Ulster BOCES chapter of SkillsUSA. She recently participated in the SkillsUSA State Cosmetology competition, where she came in third place.
Outside of academics, Cupo is very busy participating in many clubs, athletics and the performing arts. She is a member of the girls’ varsity soccer team, Interact Club, Tri-M Honor Society, Yearbook and PERIOD, a youth-driven organization that distributes feminine hygiene products to those in need. She has played percussion in a school band since Grade 4 and has performed in multiple school productions and at a local acting studio.
Highland High School principal Bill Zimmer had high praise for Cupo. “Everyone at Highland High School is extremely proud of Alaina’s accomplishments. Not only is she dedicated to her academics, but she also is involved with so many other school activities,” he says. “Moreover, Alaina Cupo is a really nice person. She is the epitome of a well-rounded student. We wish her well with all her future goals!”
The 2021 salutatorian is Arianna Moore, from the New Paltz Central School District. Moore has earned top honors by excelling in the Graphics Visual Arts program. Moore has been drawing for as long as she can remember and says that honing her graphic arts skills during this most unusual year allowed her to focus on the good in people and to look forward to the next chapter in her life.
“I wish to thank my teachers here at Ulster BOCES, especially Mrs. Lord, who was able to see my passion for my work and not only encouraged me to give my best work, but has also allowed me many opportunities to showcase that work within the BOCES community,” Moore explains.
Moore is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. During her freshman year, she received a student recognition award. She has also been awarded the College Scholars Scholarship from SUNY Ulster for being in the top ten percent of her class. Moore has been invited to apply to the Honors program at the college, where she plans to earn an Associate degree in Fine Arts before pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts.
Along with a busy academic life, Moore participates in many activities at New Paltz High School, including choir and band. At the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) music festival, she performed with the NPHS choir. Moore has received a Silver Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition for one of her art pieces, as well as multiple Honorable Mentions. She takes Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art, and as a member of the Yearbook Club, she even designed this year’s yearbook cover for New Paltz.
Principal’s Award recipient Ashley Thacker, also from the New Paltz Central School District, has spent her junior and senior year in the Cisco & Cybersecurity program where she maintains an A average in her curriculum and is already earning college credits at SUNY Ulster. Thacker is the 2020/21 SkillsUSA president, a member of the National Technical Honor Society and worked with school administration to ensure that students were getting the most out of the hybrid learning experience. Thacker managed all of this while maintaining her homeschool and career and technical classwork. Thacker says it was hard work, but worth it. “I was excited to build my résumé by earning multiple technical certificates and certifications and many college credits.”
As an “intern technician” at Ulster BOCES, Thacker plays a critical role in solving technical problems for staff and students. She is the president of the Career & Technical Center’s chapter of SkillsUSA and treasurer of the National Technical Honor Society. In her role as a SkillsUSA officer, Thacker has led many efforts that demonstrate caring for the community, including volunteering at the Happy to Help Food Pantry in Kingston.
In addition, she participates in BMX bike racing and is an umpire for Town of New Paltz Minor League softball games. She graduates with four computer certifications – PC Pro, Linux Pro, Security Pro and Networking Pro – and has already been hired for a summer internship at the New York State Bridge Authority. In the fall, she plans to attend Norwich University and study Cybersecurity.
Principal Amy Storenski hopes that students will remember all that they have navigated and overcome and use those accomplishments to become the best versions of themselves, both personally and professionally. “We have had to be innovative in ways we didn’t even know existed,” she said. “We came together as one BOCES: students, teachers and administrators united, creating new possibilities that were never considered before.”
To learn more about the Ulster BOCES Career Technical Center, visit www.ulsterboces.org.
Takeout ham dinner June 26 at Shady Methodist Church
A takeout ham and strawberry dessert dinner will be available on Saturday, June 26 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Shady Methodist Church.
The cost is $14 for adults and $7 for children. No reservations are required. The church is located on Church Road — Route 212, five miles west of Woodstock.
Everett Erichsen to direct Department of Emergency Services
Ulster County executive Pat Ryan has announced that Everett Erichsen has been appointed as the new director of the Department of Emergency Services. Erichsen, who has served as acting director since March, has worked as the Ulster County deputy director and fire coordinator for the Department of Emergency Services since 2017.
“Everett Erichsen will be a tremendous asset to the County as director of our Emergency Services Department,” Ryan said. “Throughout the pandemic, Everett has stepped up and demonstrated true leadership at a critical moment for our community. I am confident that his years of public service with the County and his work as a volunteer firefighter make him the right person to lead this department and serve and protect the 180,000 residents of Ulster County.”
In addition to his role with Ulster County, Erichsen works as a volunteer firefighter with the Highland Fire Department and as a part-time police officer in the Town of Marlborough. Erichsen previously worked for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and served as the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Ulster County Fire Chiefs’ Association. Erichsen’s appointment is subject to the approval of the Ulster County Legislature.
“I thank County Executive Ryan for his support and appointment to the position of director of Emergency Services for Ulster County,” Erichsen said. “For many years, I have had the distinct honor to work alongside our County’s great fire, police and EMS personnel. I now look forward to supporting them in this new role and ensuring that we continue to provide the residents and visitors in Ulster County with rapid access to a response system that is professional, compassionate and highly capable.”
Join the family! 
