Pathway to the Ballot Box at HHS
Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz will present Pathway to the Ballot Box on weekends from August 21 to September 4, an immersive theater experience that will guide visitors on a journey through more than 300 years of local women’s history. Visitors will come face-to-face with characters inspired by the real women of New Paltz’s past and learn of their challenges, triumphs, fears and accomplishments. Tour dates are Saturdays and Sundays, August 21 and 22, 28 and 29 and September 4 and 5 at 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. and 12, 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.
This immersive theatrical experience is co-produced by ClockJack Productions and supported by a team of diverse writers, who bring authenticity and diversity to the characters being presented. Each character in the production is inspired by a real woman of New Paltz’s past. Audiences will get to see the ten-acre National Historic Landmark District come to life and peek inside some of Huguenot Street’s historic structures, including the Jean Hasbrouck House, the Deyo House and the 1717 Church and burial ground. Featuring a cast of professional performers, Pathway to the Ballot Box will transport guests backward so we all can move forward.
“I really want the audience to have the autonomy of exploring each space and the way each woman fits into them as we attempt to blur lines between the past and the present,” says P. J. Griffith, co-producer of the program and artistic director of ClockJack Productions. “The piece is a call to arms that will hopefully leave the audience with a sense of how far we have come in the name of representation, and how much further we have left to go before we all share a sense of equity in the decisions being made by our own government.”
“Collaborating with a historic institution in my own community to bring the stories of strong, complicated and interesting women into our current dialogue is a privilege that beautifully combines my interests and experience,” said Andrea Varga, an associate professor of Theatre Design at SUNY New Paltz. “This is not a replication of history, but a window into the lived experience of everyday, extraordinary women through artistic interpretation.”
For those who want to extend their experience, a VIP luncheon at 1:15 p.m. will treat visitors to local catering, provided by Valley Home Dining, and the opportunity to have thoughtful, inspiring conversations with a featured guest. Each luncheon will honor and highlight a different guest host, which will include Pathway to the Ballot Box producers, writers, actors, consultants, local historians, women’s rights advocates and more.
The cost is $25; discounted tickets of $20 are available for HHS members, seniors, active military members and veterans; admission for college students, teens and kids is $10; and children under the age of six get in free. Learn more and register at www.huguenotstreet.org/pathway.
‘70s Disco Diva Cabaret
The 90 Miles Theatre Company will present its ‘70s Disco Diva Cabaret on August 28 at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. at Boughton Place, located at 150 Kisor Road in Highland. The groovy cabaret will feature the music of Cher, Olivia Newton-John, Donna Summers, Toni Tennille, Gloria Gaynor, Roberta Flack and ABBA. The show is directed by Philip Corso, Jr., with musical direction by Corso and Bunnie Reichle.
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at www.onthestage.tickets/show/90-miles-theater-company-inc/70s-disco-diva-cabaret-64734/tickets. All current COVID guidelines will be followed.
Maya Gold Foundation’s Heart of Gold Adventures teen trip to Nepal
The Maya Gold Foundation has announced its fourth trip to Nepal for Hudson Valley teens, Heart of Gold Adventures. After seeing the 2020 and 2021 trips canceled due to the pandemic, the Foundation is optimistic that the 2022 trip can take place in a safe manner. In April of 2022, local teens will have the opportunity to join Foundation team leaders and co-founders Elise Gold and Mathew Swerdloff for a two-week trip to Nepal. Joining Gold and Swerdloff will be three or four other adult team leaders.
The purpose of Heart of Gold Adventures is to offer Hudson Valley teens an educational experience that includes cultural awareness and appreciation, service to others and the fun of adventure, so they can be empowered to gain a greater sense of themselves and the world. Participants will develop a passion for exploration and community engagement, and learn skills to enable themselves to put their dreams into action.
Participants will work alongside leaders and youth from the Himalayan Children’s Charities (HCC), a Nepali-based organization that offers support and enrichment for many young people in Nepal. They will work to reduce sexual trafficking in Nepal by partnering with SASANE, a Nepali NGO that supports survivors of human trafficking.
The trip will take place from April 1 to 16 and the cost is $3,750 per person, including airfare, lodging, food, ground transportation, excursions, guide fees and visa fees. Financial assistance is available pending eligibility; teens are encouraged to apply to join the trip regardless of ability to pay. All teens selected will have support for fundraising for the trip.
To learn more and apply, visit www.mayagoldfoundation.org/apply. For additional information, e-mail info@mayagoldfoundation.org.
Highland Central School District unveils new leadership
The Highland Central School District (HCSD) will be heading into the 2021-2022 school year with an “eye to the future” and a dynamic leadership team, which includes several of the district’s well-liked veteran players. Joel Freer, the former principal of Highland Elementary School (HES), will take over as superintendent of schools; Dr. Patrick Boyd, the former director of Pupil Personnel Services, will expand his role and become assistant superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services and Human Resources; and Thomas Bongiovi, the retiring superintendent of schools, has agreed to stay on as an administrative coach/mentor to ensure continuity and success for the district.
“The Board and administration has been very thoughtful and strategic in its approach to building a strong administrative team,” said Board of Education president Thomas Miller. “We have all of the right people in the right places, with Mr. Bongiovi still playing a role to ensure a smooth transition. This succession plan gives everyone a strong foundation for success. It’s exciting.”
Freer, who takes the reins this September, has been in the district since 2004. He first served as an assistant principal at Highland Middle School until becoming principal at HES in 2008. He has an excellent relationship with students, families and teachers, and says he still enjoys seeing and catching up with former students and their parents around the community. “I am honored and humbled that the district feels I have the skill set to take Highland forward,” Freer said of his new appointment.
An additional benefit is that Freer already has a great working relationship with Boyd, as they have collaborated together for many years. “I knew instantly he would be phenomenal in this new role,” Freer said.
Boyd, who first began working in the district as a special education teacher at HES in 2009, was hired by Freer and is also a visible presence around the Highland school community. He currently oversees Special Education Services, the English as a New Language (ENL) program and homeschooling. In 2020, he served as a grantwriter for the district and was responsible for securing funds for two COVID-relief programs – the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund – which helped the district in adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. This included the purchase of items such as more flexible, cleanable classroom furniture and a device for each student for virtual learning, as well as the creation of a committee to address the pandemic’s impact on the social/emotional wellbeing of students.
Boyd says he is looking forward to expanding his role even further, which will include working more with collective bargaining units and “the bigger picture of all the schools in the district.”
The new team says that, although there is always much to tackle, the focus of the HCSD this upcoming school year lies squarely on students. “As we wait for guidance from the state, we are hoping to return to an environment that is as normal as possible. We will be assessing what the gaps in instruction are and getting students back on track and feeling good,” Freer said.
Other continuing initiatives include integrating technology – which includes the likes of Schoology, Zoom and other popular tools of digital learning – and working towards more diversity in both hiring practices and curriculum development.
“We are a small-but-mighty district,” he summed. “And we don’t wait; we are always moving forward. This means putting students first, empowering teachers and administrators and always keeping our eyes on the future.”
Young Adult Write On Magazine workshop at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a “Young Adult Write On Literary Magazine and Zines” workshop on Saturday, August 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. for ages 13+. Build a story and your confidence with writing prompts, exercises that help develop characters, story share and feedback from other teen writers. Special guest author Phoebe North of Starglass and Starbreak will discuss the writing and publishing process. Your story could be published in the next edition of Gardiner Library’s young adult literary magazine Gardiner Ink!
Supplies will be provided. Preregistration is necessary and limited. For registration, contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For additional information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
“Luminists” on view at Mark Gruber Gallery
Luminism, characterized by the effect of light in the landscape, is as contemporary today as it was when it first “came to light.” The summer group show “Luminists” at the Mark Gruber Gallery opened on Saturday, August 7 and runs through September 18. In lieu of an artists’ opening reception during this period of transition out of the pandemic, enjoy the show during the Gallery’s regular hours.
The goal of the Luminist painter is to evoke a quiet spirituality by closely observing nature, particularly the quality of light. Instead of sublimity, the grandeur that enlightens us in a Luminist painting opens the possibilities to know oneself and the divine. Tranquility, transcendental at times, through radiant light and tonal modification, enchants the viewer into communing with contemplative, natural vistas.
Included in this exhibition are such luminaries as Kevin Cook, Gayle Fedigan, Sue Barrasi and Thomas Locker. Atmospheric effects are highlighted by Jane Bloodgood-Abrams, Jack Nubauer and Linda Puiatti. Calm reflective waters are found in paintings by James Coe, James Cramer and Paul Abrams. Contemplative tranquility abounds in works by Marlene Wiedenbaum, Keith Gunderson and Robert Trondsen.
Developed 150 years ago, though not recognized until the 1950s, Hudson River School painters wanted to evoke a quiet spirituality through a close communion with nature, particularly with the way light is rendered; hence, Luminism was enkindled.
The Gallery is located in the New Paltz Plaza. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and by chance or appointment on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, contact Gruber at (845) 255-1241 or visit markgrubergallery.com.
Trombone Shorty, Orleans Avenue August 22, Brit Floyd August 29 at UPAC
Bardavon Presents has announced that, after being closed for 18 months during the pandemic, it will reopen UPAC on Sunday, August 22 at 7 p.m. with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and one week later Brit Floyd on Sunday, August 29 at 8 p.m.
Multi-instrumentalist Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews brings his R & B, rock, rap and funk brass band to UPAC for the very first time. Arrive early and enjoy the Brasskill second line on Broadway starting at 5 p.m. Ticket prices start at $50 (members get $5 off).
The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show: Brit Floyd, World Tour 2021, returns to the stage on Sunday, August 29 at 8 p.m. to perform its brand-new production. It includes highlights from The Wall, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Division Bell, and features a 23-minute “note-for-note” performance of the iconic, era-defining song “Echoes,” written 50 years ago, and from Pink Floyd’s breakthrough 1971 album Meddle. Ticket prices start at $45 (members get $5 off).
The Bardavon and UPAC box offices are open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (845) 473-5288 (Bardavon) or (845) 339-6088 (UPAC); or e-mail boxoffice@bardavon.org. To purchase tickets online 24 hours a day, go to www.ticketmaster.com.
Bardavon Presents has announced that, due to the Delta variant and the recent increase in new COVID cases, all audiences attending shows at Bardavon in Poughkeepsie or UPAC in Kingston must be fully vaccinated and wear masks at all times. Ticketholders must show proof of vaccination and government-issued ID on show days. This policy is in effect now through October 2021, when it will be reassessed based on CDC guidelines. For additional information, contact the Bardavon or UPAC box offices at (845) 473-2072 or (845) 339-6088.
HVFF brings live flamenco back to Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley Flamenco Festival (HVFF) brings live flamenco back to the Hudson Valley with three live events August 14 and 15. The Festival brings together local artists, not-for-profit organizations and businesses for two days of events located in Newburgh, New Paltz and Gardiner. Featured artists include dancers Anna Librada, Elisabet Torras Aguilera, Patricia Muniz, guitarist Andreas Arnold and singers Barbara Martinez and Mario Rincon.
“We’re back,” said Anna Librada, HVFF’s founder and creative director. “After missing last year due to COVID, we are so happy to be working with local artists, businesses and non-profit organizations so that we can bring the community an opportunity to come together and enjoy art and one another in a safe, responsible way.”
Making the events possible are co-producer the Vanaver Caravan, Green at Safe Harbors, Whitecliff Vineyards and Unison Arts.
Flamenco, known as the people’s art, is a collaborative artform originating from southern Spain that features singing, percussion, guitar and improvised dance.
Flamenco for Everyone will be held on Saturday, August 14 at 11:30 a.m., at Green at Safe Harbors in Newburgh. Andreas Arnold will perform on Saturday, August 14 at 6 p.m., at Unison Arts in New Paltz. The Festival’s main performance will be held on Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m. at the Whitecliff Vineyards in Gardiner. Tickets for all events can be purchased at HVFlamencoFestival.com.
Takeout chicken BBQ dinner at LUMC in Highland
The Lloyd United Methodist Church is offering a takeout chicken BBQ dinner on Sunday, August 29 with pick-up times between 4 and 6 p.m. The meals are being prepared by Sal’s Catering of Highland and will consist of 1/2 chicken, with sides of coleslaw and baked beans. Corn bread is included. The cost is $14 per meal.
Tickets must be reserved before August 19. For tickets, call (845)255-6447 or (845) 658-3289.
Cannabis company could bring upwards of 400 jobs to former Schrade Knife site
A proposed cannabis, cultivation, processing, packaging and distribution operation could bring up to 300-400 jobs to an industrial park in Wawarsing that was once home to Schrade Knife Company and Channel Master. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced last Wednesday that Cresco Labs, a vertically integrated cannabis and medical marijuana company, is moving forward with the planning process and has met with local and state officials to begin reviewing designs for the proposed facility.
“This is one of the biggest economic opportunities we have had in Ellenville in decades,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said in a news release. “Cresco will turn a site that once represented the beating heart of this economy back into the economic engine that it can and should be — providing good-paying jobs for local residents and putting Ulster County at the leading edge of the rapidly growing cannabis industry. As we also continue to make real progress to revitalize TechCity, this facility is yet another sign that Ulster County is open for businesses and investing to re-energize our economy.”
One of the fastest-growing cannabis companies in the U.S., Cresco operates 18 production facilities in ten states, Ryan said. If approved for construction, the Ellenville facility would be located on the property of the former Schrade Knife factory which shut down 17 years ago and left behind a vacant building that was torn down in 2015.
Ryan said the redevelopment would involve the construction of a new building dedicated to growing and cultivation along with space for processing, production, packaging, distribution and administrative offices. Officials said the exact size of the building is still to be determined, but they know it would be at least 360,000 square feet and would involve over a $50 million investment by Cresco.
“Local industry once thrived here, with good-paying jobs close to home, the hallmark of companies like Schrade Knife and Channel Master. So, after decades of shuttered doors and empty lots, it is exciting to have an investment of this magnitude formally under consideration — and at this very site,” State Senator Mike Martucci (R,C,I-Hudson Valley and Catskills) said. “This opportunity is much-needed and presents major potential for this rural, economically distressed area to be at the forefront of our state’s burgeoning cannabis industry. I welcome Cresco Labs to Ulster County, and I look forward to working with County Executive Ryan to help them forge strong bonds with the community and see this project through to completion.”
Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Terry Houck said he looks forward to working with Cresco and Ulster County on finalizing these plans and re-establishing a manufacturing base for the region.”
“This project is further evidence that the Ellenville area is poised for a renaissance, as we see signs of substantial investment in housing, tourism and now manufacturing on the horizon,” Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan said.
Ryan said with the legalization of marijuana in New York State, officials are seeking to position Ulster County as a leader in this booming market by being one of the first communities in the state to house a major marijuana distribution facility.
“Ulster County boasts over 400 farms and approximately 58,932 acres of farmland,” Ryan said. “Additionally, the county has several existing companies at the forefront of the emerging cannabis industry who have helped pave the way for the sector’s rapid growth.”
— Brian Hubert
DIY Anime Trading Cards program at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a “Do-It-Yourself Anime Trading Cards” program on Sunday, August 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. for ages 9+. Have you ever thought about creating anime characters or putting a fandom spin on some of your favorite characters? Come create your own sample card deck or trade.
Trading cards, pens and markers will be provided, or bring your own. Preregistration is necessary and limited. To register, contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For additional information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Jazz Pioneers perform August 16 in New Paltz
The Jazz Pioneers will perform on Monday, August 16 (rain date: August 30) at 6:30 p.m. at the Field of Dreams Park, located on Libertyville Road in New Paltz.
The Jazz Pioneers are a 20-piece jazz band that plays traditional sounds from the Big Band era like Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Count Basie, as well as the driving Big Band sounds of Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Gordon Goodwin.
Register for HHS’ virtual historic house tour
Historic Huguenot Street will present the tenth Southern Ulster County Historic House Tour, “Over the Wallkill: The Western Hamlets of New Paltz,” focusing on homes west of the Wallkill in the Town of New Paltz. The virtual tour will be available online beginning September 26; registration is available at bit.ly/2TIaPwE.
This innovative virtual tour explores the legacy of New Paltz’s farming communities west of the Wallkill: the Springtown, Butterville and Libertyville hamlets and the Guilford neighborhood in Gardiner. Situated on the rich alluvial floodplains and sweeping plateaus above, interspersed with wetlands and wooded areas, western New Paltz lies between Rosendale and Gardiner, and the Wallkill River and the Shawangunk Ridge. Settled predominantly by Huguenots in the 18th and 19th centuries, in an area long inhabited by the Munsee Lenni Lenape, an exception was a small Quaker community that emerged around Butterville at the turn of the 19th century.
Featured are ten vernacular and stately homesteads nestled in picturesque locations, overlooking the Wallkill River or on high ridges above with commanding views. These homes include the oldest stone houses still standing, Greek Revival and Italianate frame dwellings, striking Federal and Gothic Revival brick homesteads and a contemporary vision built almost entirely of salvaged wood from Montana. Several are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The tour, presented in video format, was produced by professional videographer and local resident Robert Fagan, featuring aerial-view landscapes and intimate closeups, narrative passages, interviews with homeowners and interior scenes. Music for the film has been contributed by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. Nancy Beard narrates the story. A link to a detailed booklet accompanies the film and provides a history of the area and richly detailed research on the houses.
The tenth in a decade of annual historic house tours in southern Ulster, the virtual tour provides new and stunning perspectives on this area and its treasures. First conceived in 2010 under the auspices of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, the program has evolved over the years into a long-term research project focused on the region’s compelling history and cultural heritage and its natural beauty and rich resources. Stewardship has been a prevailing theme throughout this endeavor, stimulating broader appreciation and engagement in historic preservation and land conservation.
A preview of the film will premiere at Historic Huguenot Street’s sixth annual Fall Harvest Celebration on September 25. This year’s celebration commemorates the stories of the Hudson Valley’s past and the people who keep them alive today. Vals Osborne will be honored for her contributions to historic preservation in Ulster County, inclusive of her leadership of the annual Historic House Tours program. Since 2016, the Fall Harvest Celebration has brought Huguenot descendants, historians, preservation enthusiasts and valued friends of the site to Huguenot Street for an evening of fun and philanthropy. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a cocktail hour, live music and dinner by Main Course Catering.
Tickets are available for an in-person or virtual event experience, which will feature a livestream of the evening and a take-home dinner. To register, visit www.huguenotstreet.org/fall-harvest-celebration.
Saugerties Community Band performs August 22
The Saugerties Community Band will perform its first summer concert on Sunday, August 22 at 5 p.m. (rain or shine) at the Kiersted House, located at 119 Main Street in Saugerties.
Bring a chair. Donations are appreciated.
Lifespring enrolling for 2021-22 academic year
Lifespring, the Saugerties adult learning community, is now enrolling new and returning members for the 2021-22 academic year. Members are retired and semi-retired adults who have a passion for learning and socializing with other lifetime learners. Lifespring’s goal is to provide diverse learning experiences for all its members, regardless of previous educational background. An all-volunteer organization, Lifespring offers six-week fall and spring semesters on Monday and Wednesday mornings, in addition to special events, presentations and other activities during the year.
The deadline to become a Lifespring member for the year is August 30. Fall classes begin on Monday, October 4 and run through Wednesday, November 10. The fee for a yearlong membership is $50. All classes for the fall term will be conducted on Zoom.
Although Lifespring is affiliated with the Town of Saugerties, membership is open to anyone in the Hudson Valley area. If you have questions or would like to learn more about Lifespring, including how to become a member and register for classes, visit www.lifespringsaugerties.com and refer to the Fall ’21 catalog of courses. If you have specific questions, e-mail lifespring.saug@gmail.com or call (845) 246-2800, extension 452.
Woodstock Film Festival returns in-person this fall
The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) has announced that it will return to using indoor venues in Woodstock, Kingston and Saugerties for its upcoming 22nd anniversary, slated for September 30 to October 3. Based on the current state of CDC guidelines, the Festival will require proof of full vaccination in order to enter indoor venues. Additionally, face masks are required, other than when eating or drinking.
WFF will also be holding sneak-peek screenings of Sean Penn’s Flag Day on August 15 and Connie Hochman’s In Balanchine’s Classroom on September 11, ahead of its annual fall Film Festival.
Tom Quinn, CEO and founder of the groundbreaking film distribution company NEON, will be the recipient of the Woodstock Film Festival’s 2021 Honorary Trailblazer Award. The news comes at the heels of a period of restructuring for WFF, which added seven new members to its Board of Directors this year.
The upcoming fall Film Festival will be the first time WFF has used sit-in movie theaters in over a year, after adopting a hybrid drive-in and online model for its 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to in-person screenings and events, the 2021 Festival will also include an online program of shorts, featurelength films and livestreamed panels that can be watched from home. Passes for both programs are now available for purchase.
The official poster for the 22nd annual Woodstock Film Festival was created by former WFF employee McKenna Wood. A graphic designer and artist based out of Highland, Wood started as an intern in WFF’s Operations Department while completing her undergraduate studies at SUNY New Paltz. After graduating in May of 2020, she joined the Woodstock Film Festival team as the Volunteer & Hospitality coordinator for the Festival’s 21st anniversary.
“The natural beauty of the Hudson Valley has inspired artists for generations,” said Wood. “I wanted to communicate through this poster the layers of connective tissue that link the region’s scenic landscapes to the people who use them as a basis for their own creative work.”
“2020 was a challenging year that pushed us to think outside the box and create innovative new programming while exploring new platforms to host our events,” said Woodstock Film Festival co-founder and executive director Meira Blaustein. “I look forward to welcoming back filmmakers and audiences to a full-blown Film Festival that is stronger than ever.”
For additional information, visit www.woodstockfilmfestival.org.
SUNY New Paltz tightens mask policy for fall semester
On July 31, Hudson Valley One published an article headlined, “Masks optional for vaxxed students at SUNY New Paltz this fall,” with a caveat toward the end noting, “These updated protocols are subject to change as COVID-19-related conditions evolve.” And change they did, almost immediately, reflecting the rapid flux in the state of transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus. As of presstime, in response to worsening COVID statistics countywide, masks will now be required inside campus facilities for all students arriving for the fall semester, vaccinated or not.
“On August 3, Ulster County’s transmission rate rose into the CDC’s ‘substantial’ category, meaning the CDC’s indoor masking recommendation now applies in New Paltz,” says an update to college guidelines released on August 6. “Following the CDC guidance, SUNY New Paltz is exercising its discretion to restore the on-campus indoor mask requirement for everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, effective immediately and into the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester. As conditions evolve, we may make further changes this fall.”
Per the newest guidelines, “Students who live on campus do not need to wear masks in their rooms or suites, though they should wear masks in other shared areas of their residence halls.” Protocols for enforcing compliance with the policy, both for students and for staff, are currently being developed.
To view the full updated policy statement, visit https://sites.newpaltz.edu/news/2021/07/overview-of-fall-2021-covid-19-policies.
— Frances Marion Platt
Freer Food Truck Friday
Freer Food Truck Friday will take place on August 13 at 4 p.m. at Freer Park, located at 104 Canal Street in Port Ewen. The event will feature food from Off the Hook, Lemon Up, Crazy Baker, Chrissie’s, JD Dawg, Woodstock Eats, Frankie’s Fries and Pura Vida Kettle Corn. Music will be provided by Wasted.
There is additional parking at the Esopus Library; no through traffic at the Riverview condos.
Discover odonates at Burroughs Sanctuary
Discover damsels and dragons: “The Odonates of the Sanctuary Pond” at the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary on Saturday, 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, 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.
Port Ewen hosts back-to-school backpack giveaway
A back-to-school backpack giveaway is planned for Saturday, August 21 from 11 am. to 2 p.m. at 186-190 Broadway in Port Ewen. Each child will be given a new backpack to fill with school supplies. After they are done “shopping,” children can get a back-to-school haircut, then stop by Mario’s Pizza for a slice of homemade pizza. The community effort aims to support local children as they strive to succeed this new school year.
Organizers need donated book bags, notebooks, pencils, markers, crayons, looseleaf paper, glue sticks, tissues, hand sanitizer et cetera. Items can be dropped off at Mario’s Pizza. Look for donation cans for cash donations, or checks can be mailed to: Esopus Community Foundation, Inc., PO Box 800, Port Ewen NY 12466. Call Laura Petit at (845) 340-1293 for more information or if you are interested in helping.
August 21 hazardous waste collection event
Safe disposal of your household hazardous waste can be done on Saturday, August 21 by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ulster County Resource Recovery Facility located at 1 Clearwater Road in New Paltz
Please note these guidelines:
• Please wear a mask when interacting with staff. For safety and social distancing, participants must remain in their vehicle at all times.
• Put all items in the trunk of your car. This is the safest way to transport hazardous wastes and will allow staff members to unload your vehicle easily and in a no-contact manner.
• No medications. Medications will no longer be accepted at the household hazardous waste events. For a medication dropoff location, visit https://ucrra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/meds-1.png.
• A quantity limit will be enforced. Each household may bring up to 220 pounds or a 25-gallon equivalent of the accepted items. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. UCRRA staff may make a judgment on the quantity of material each household is allowed to bring.
• Unknown waste. If you have any unknown waste (such as containers without a label and/or you are not sure what chemicals are inside the container), please contact apeo@ucrra.org as soon as possible for guidance and program rules.
To sign up for an appointment, visit https://ucrra.org. For additional information, call (845) 336-0600.
Takeout chicken BBQ in Saugerties
The Reformed Church of Saugerties will offer a takeout chicken barbecue dinner on Saturday, August 21, with pickup from 3 to 6 p.m. The menu includes chicken, two sides, roll, dessert and beverage. The cost is $13 per person.
Preordering is recommended by calling Barb at (845) 246-5035. Walk-ins are welcome, but a limited quantity will be available. The event will also feature a book sale.
The church is located at 173 Main Street in Saugerties.
Notice for August New Paltz Town Board meetings
The New Paltz Town Board meetings for the dates/times listed below, will be held at the Community Center, 3 Veterans Drive in New Paltz and at the Park County Public Library, 1500 Heart Mountain Street in Cody, Wyoming. The public has the right to attend the meeting at either of the locations on Thursday, August 5, 7 p.m./5 p.m. mountain time and Thursday, August 19, 6:30 p.m./4:30 p.m. mountain time.
Arm-of-the-Sea’s Tidewater Center opens August 18
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater will open its waterfront performance venue, the Tidewater Center, with five performances of its annual Esopus Creek Puppet Suite August 18 to 22 at 8 p.m. This outdoor event fuses live music with large-scale mask and puppet characters in a celebration of puppetry’s ancient communal roots and its emergence as a vibrant modern artform.
Motifs in this year’s Puppet Suite include a Catskill Forest Rhapsody, Sonata of the Great Flood, Elegy for the Departed and A Reckoning with the Remedies. The performance ensemble includes musicians Eli Winograd, Bill Ylitalo and Aru Apaza, along with veteran puppeteers Kira deCoudres, Anna Hafner, Soyal Smalls, M. J. Smythe and Ryan Smith, plus participants from the community. Marlena Marallo created the lush visual elements and Patrick Wadden directs the action.
The organization is developing the Tidewater Center as a cultural park for arts, aquatic science and local heritage at the site of a 19th-century papermill. This new open-air performance space is situated between towering mill ruins and the tidal Esopus Creek. “We’ve been an itinerant troupe for decades,” notes Wadden. “Now we’re establishing our own ceremonial site right where a mountain stream plunges to meet sea level. It’s a very liminal place, fitting for the ephemeral nature of theater. And, thanks to truckloads of clean quarry material capping the industrial grounds, the site is non-toxic, tick-free and COVID-safe.”
Admission costs $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Tickets are available at the venue entrance each evening and online at Eventbrite. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early and bring lawn seating. Arm-of-the-Sea’s Tidewater Center is located at 61 East Bridge Street in Saugerties. For more information, visit www.armofthesea.org or call (845) 246-7873.
Saugerties Artists’ Tour August 14-15
Celebrating its 19th year, the 2021 Saugerties Artists’ Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at artists’ studios throughout the Town of Saugerties. The event hosts 31 artists skilled in at least 14 creative disciplines who will open their studios; five virtual artists will also participate with personal, in-depth videos on the tour’s website.
Pick up a map for this free self-guided tour at many Saugerties businesses, including the Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center, 138 Partition Street; Smith Hardware, 227 Main Street; and Town & Country Liquors, 303 Route 212 at CVS Plaza. Or connect online at https://saugertiesarttour.org/.
Absentee ballots available
Requests for absentee ballots for the annual Saugerties Public Library budget vote and trustee election will be available at the library beginning on August 17. Residents requesting a ballot will have to sign an affidavit attesting that they will not be available to vote in person at the library at 91 Washington Avenue on Thursday, September 2 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Residents must be registered to vote in the Town of Saugerties in order to cast an absentee ballot or to vote in person.
Two five-year terms and one one-year term are up for election. Candidates running for election are Paul Van Benschoten and Deena Rae Turner.
Voters will also be asked to approve a 2022 library operating budget of $690,510 of which $617,796 shall be raised by taxation. The 2022 budget proposal calls for a tax levy decrease, which comes out to a savings of 1.5 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the library.
For more information, contact director Jennifer Russell at director@saugertiespubliclibrary.org.
Bike repair clinic August 18 in Kingston
Bike Friendly Kingston and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will be hosting their next free bicycle repair clinic on Wednesday, August 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Y parking lot on Pine Grove Avenue in Kingston.
A bell is required by New York State law, and if you ride after dark, you need a set of front and rear lights. If you’re under 14 years of age, a helmet is required while riding. You can get bells, lights and bike helmets at the clinic.
No advance registration is required. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Be sure to bring your bike and wear a mask or other face covering if you are not vaccinated.
In case of bad weather, the rain date is Thursday, August 19.
For more information, contact YMCA Bicycle Program Manager Tom Polk at (845) 338-3810, extension 102 or email tpolk@ymcaulster.org.
Repair café at gardiner library
The Gardiner Library hosts Repair Café on Sunday, August 22 from 1-4 p.m. Repair Café is a free event where community members bring beloved but broken items and fix them together with volunteer repair coaches. Broken items include small appliances, lamps, frames, chairs and more. This month’s repair coaches areas of expertise include jewelry repair, photo restoration, woodworking and mechanical/electrical work.
For more information about Repair Café, visit www.repaircafehv.org. Gardiner Repair Café meets at 133 Farmer’s Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Community yard sale in Woodstock
A community yard sale for the Woodstock Ladies Auxiliary will take place on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, at American Legion Post 1026, located at 10 Sgt. Richard Quinn Drive in Woodstock.
Tables are still available for $25.
Call Amy Panza at (845) 750-4520, (845) 679-8401 or email amy.panza1983@gmail.com Tables going fast! Call to reserve one today!
Join the family! 
