Highland Elementary welcomes new assistant principal
Highland Elementary School (HES) has welcomed a new assistant principal. Tulani Samuel, who officially began on September 1, replaces Matthew Darling, who has become the building’s new principal.
Samuel, a Wappingers Falls resident, brings decades of experience to her new role. After working in daycares for several years, she transitioned to New York City (NYC) public schools, teaching students in kindergarten through grade 3. Before long, she began taking on more leadership roles, working as a school-based new teacher mentor, principal’s apprentice and adjunct professor. Most recently, she served as the assistant principal for all five sites of NYC’s Rose Hill Pre-K Center.
When reflecting on what drew her to apply for the position in Highland, Samuel – who recently moved to the Hudson Valley – said that she was looking to lend her experience and expertise in early childhood education to a larger school community that serves students in K-5. “I also wanted to expand my influence as a school building leader to help the children and families in Highland,” she said.
Getting to know students, staff and community members is among Samuel’s top priorities. “I am looking forward to forming new relationships with colleagues, getting to know students and building a rapport with parents,” she said.
Samuel also expects to face some challenges in the upcoming school year, the biggest being the ongoing pandemic. “My role will be to help alleviate parents’ worries surrounding COVID,” she said. “We will pull together as a school community to follow health and safety guidelines and prioritize the well-being of our students and staff.”
Applestock is back in New Paltz
Applestock will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reformed Church on 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. This socially distanced fundraiser will feature music by OFFBeat, Me and My Ex, Two for the Road and That Duo, vendors, pies, apple fritters, food, face painting, New Paltz’s Got Talent (a talent show featuring the children and teens of the community) and more! Food will be available to purchase for lunch and afternoon snacking.
Apple, Dutch apple and pumpkin pies will be for sale for $15 each. They can be pre-ordered at https://bit.ly/ApplestockPies2021. If you prefer to order your pies by phone, please call Cheryl at (845) 430-0025. The deadline for ordering pies is Tuesday, September 21. Pies will be available for purchase on the day of the event, but there will be limited stock, so be sure to order your pies in advance. Apple fritters will also be available for purchase on the day of the event (no pre-orders).
Precautions for COVID-19 will be taken at all times during preparation/sales, for volunteers and customers. For updated policies, please be sure to visit https://bit.ly/Applestock2021.
Pie orders will be confirmed via email or phone. Pre-ordered pies will be picked up at the Education Building (brick building across the street from the church). Give your name and order to the volunteer and they will deliver the pies to your car.
Fundraiser honoring David Dukler in Gardiner
The Gardiner Democratic Committee will hold a fundraiser to honor retiring Gardiner Town Board member David Dukler on Sunday, September 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pavilion in Gardiner’s Majestic Park. The event will be a fun-filled afternoon with food, lawn games and a live auction with interesting and valuable items, including a weeklong stay for up to eight people at the Orlando Marriott resort.
Admission costs $25 for adults (18 and older), $5 for kids (13 to 17) and free for kids 12 and under. Reservations are a must, which can be made by going to http://gardinerdemocrats.com/fundraiser.
The event will feature local and countywide candidates for election in November, as well as county executive Pat Ryan and the Ulster County Democratic Committee’s Democracy Tent with information on a variety of progressive causes, as well as fun activities like “kid voting.” You don’t need to attend the fundraiser to take advantage of the Democracy Tent.
Michelle Hinchey announces September mobile office hours
State senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) will host mobile office hours across the 46th Senate District during the month of September, continuing her goal to bring state government resources directly to the communities she serves.
“As your state senator, I want to be a resource for everyone living in the 46th, but with a district spanning nearly 2,000 square miles, I know it may be difficult for some to travel to my office to receive the help they need. My team and I are committed to making sure that everyone, no matter where they live, has easier access to the help we provide, so we’re taking our services on the road,” said Senator Hinchey. “Starting this month at libraries and Town Halls across our five counties, residents can meet one-on-one with my constituent services team if they need assistance with a problem or to share their perspective on issues facing our district. We’re working to bring state government to you, and I encourage community members to take advantage of this opportunity and visit one of our upcoming mobile office hours this September.”
Locally, Senator Hinchey’s staff will be available for mobile office hours on Tuesday, September 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Lloyd Town Hall, located at 2 Church Street in Highland.
Young Adult Book Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library presents a Young Adult Book Club on Saturday, September 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for ages 13+. Come celebrate Banned Books Month by reading and discussing Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Join other teens for a lively discussion, maskmaking and snacks. Play Danger the Game: The Storytelling Party Card Game of Bizarre Dangers and Rescues.
For more information and registration, contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org. The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. Call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
The Would in Highland closes after 28 years
Last week, The Would in Highland announced via social media that it has officially closed its doors. The post read: “We are grateful for the many catered parties, weddings and special events that we have catered. To our regulars, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the kind words and support through the years. We could not have succeeded these 28 years without Fred Korman, our amazing talented chef who has been with us for 22 years; Tomasz Andruczyk, our fabulous server who came to us 15 years ago; and of course, Allie Fuller, who came to us as a shy back waiter and excelled as a server in a short period of time. We love you and thank you.
“Thanks for the memories.”
Slow Jam at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a Slow Jam on Sunday, September 19 from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. All musicians and acoustic instruments are welcome. The Slow Jam allows those new to playing an acoustic instrument to practice with some friendly local musicians. Musicians gather to play old-time, folksongs, bluegrass, Western and other homespun-type songs. Participants play at a slower pace, so everyone is given the chance to learn the songs. There is no audience and no pressure.
The Slow Jam takes place on the third Sunday of every month and meets outdoors, weather permitting. If it is moved inside, masks are required.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
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, Environmental Conservation Board, Ethics Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Police Commission and Public Access Committee. Interested parties may submit a letter of interest and résumé to the supervisor’s office at PO Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561 or e-mail assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.
Repair Cafe Returns to New Paltz Saturday, September 18
Repair Café returns to New Paltz after an 18-month forced hiatus on Saturday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New Paltz United Methodist Church. Bring a broken but beloved item to be fixed by experts who are also your neighbors. Skilled volunteers from the community will provide free repairs of household items: mechanical, electrical or electronic, wooden items and jewelry. Experts in both machine-sewing and hand-sewing will mend clothing and textiles. Bring laptops, tablets or smart phones. There will also be a welder on hand for metal repairs and a pro at photo restoration.
This will be an outdoor event with a rain date of September 25. The church is located at 1 Grove Street in New Paltz.
Town of Gardiner mulls legal marijuana businesses
In March 2021, the State of New York passed a law to legalize all use of cannabis and its products. While most of this law falls under the jurisdiction of the State through a state-appointed Cannabis Control Board, there are two elements of the law over which the Town Board of Gardiner can make a decision and invite all residents to contribute their opinions on what they would like to see happen in Gardiner.
The Town Board must vote by December 2021 on a decision whether to opt in or opt out for the creation of dispensary location(s) in Gardiner, as well as cannabis lounge(s). The Town Board can decide to allow both kinds of venues, or just one, or neither. Once the choice is made, the State Cannabis Control Board will be in charge of approving applications for these venues.
If Gardiner opts in on these venues, the Town will share in the tax revenues created by the State MRT Law. If Gardiner opts out, the Town will not share in the State benefits. If Gardiner chooses to opt out of either type of venue, a public hearing will be scheduled before the end of 2021.
“We recognize the cultural paradigm shift that is occurring around the use of cannabis,” said Gardiner Town supervisor Marybeth Majestic in a press release. “Whereas it was once considered dangerous, modern research has proven many health benefits of cannabis. We know that people may have strong opinions in both directions. We have created a survey for public feedback and a designated e-mail address for residents to share their opinions with the Town Board.” A link to the survey is here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/P62WCBP. E-mail your comments to cannabis.tog@gmail.com.
“We thank you in advance for taking the time to consider this matter and for any suggestions and guidance you choose to share,” Majestic added.
For additional information, visit wwwtownofgardiner.org/cannabis.
Join the family! 
