Kingston firefighters hold tree lighting
The Kingston Professional Firefighters held their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Friday evening, November 26 at Academy Green Park in uptown Kingston. Santa and friends arrived by fire truck and greeted children and their families. Santa was available for photos by the lit tree and candy canes were distributed. There was hot chocolate and cookies and raffles for gift cards to local stores. Music and entertainment was provided by Prosound Entertainment.
Winter stroll in Kingston
There was hustle and bustle Saturday afternoon, November 27 at the Kingston Rondout Waterfront Winter Stroll. Encouraging local shopping, live music was provided by the Mac & Cheeze Balkan Powertrio and stores offered holiday cookies, crowns and treats, hot-mulled cider, donuts, hot chocolate, a holiday tree in T.R. Gallo Park with Santa, trolley rides running on the hour and more.
Seven Sentinels trailer now live
The Hudson River Maritime Museum has announced the launch of the trailer and a crowdfunding campaign to complete the new documentary film Seven Sentinels: Lighthouses of the Hudson River.
Of the dozens of lighthouses and lights that once dotted the Hudson River, only seven remain. This iconic American river, at the heart of the rise of New York City and westward expansion into the interior of the continent, was also a transportation superhighway long before automobiles were invented. Throughout it all, the lighthouses kept watch, guarding the safety of the Hudson’s waterborne traffic. But no comprehensive history of these lighthouses exists – until now.
The idea for this film has grown out of decades of Hudson River lighthouse interpretation, including research, exhibits, articles, short films, presentations and the book. Together with filmmaker Jeff Mertz of Moonbow Imaging, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is creating a featurelength documentary film: Seven Sentinels: Lighthouses of the Hudson River. This film will place the lighthouses in historic context, tell the fascinating stories of the buildings themselves and their keepers and outline how these seven have survived to the present day and how to preserve them for generations to come.
The museum and Mertz spent part of 2020 and most of 2021 partnering with lighthouse organizations, historians and historic preservationists to record interviews and get footage of the interior and exterior of all seven of the Hudson River Lighthouses: Hudson-Athens, Saugerties, Rondout, Esopus Meadows, Stony Point, Sleepy Hollow and Jeffrey’s Hook (a/k/a the “Little Red Lighthouse”).
Those interested in learning more about the film, each of the lighthouse organizations and how to donate can visit www.hudsonriverlighthouses.org. Supporters through Indiegogo can receive perqs like DVDs, signed Hudson River Lighthouses books, lighthouse tours, supporters-only film screenings, credits and more.
Fools’ Mass by Dzieci Theatre Troupe at Old Dutch Church in Kingston
Actors playing medieval “village idiots” will take over the Old Dutch Church in Kingston to enact their own Christmas Mass. Theatre Group Dzieci (Polish for “children”) will present its signature creation, Fools’ Mass, on Sunday, December 12 from 5 to 6 p.m.
This absolutely unique theatrical experience has been embraced by theatre-lovers and an array of spiritual communities, spanning a multitude of paths and practices, across the nation. The piece celebrates the sacred, the miracle of life and the enigma of death, with lovely choral singing, comic buffoonery and extraordinary dramatic invention that literally draws the audience into the drama.
A conversation with the actors will follow the performance. Admission is by free-will offering.
The Church is located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston. For additional information, call (845) 338-6759 or e-mail info@olddutchchurch.org.
Hanukkah celebration December 3 in Kingston
A Hanukkah celebration will take place on Friday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Wall and North Front Streets in Kingston. Festivities will include apple cider, latkes, doughnuts, music and a Menorah-lighting.
This event is hosted by Chabad of Ulster County.
Snowflake Festival in Kingston
Uptown Kingston’s annual Snowflake Festival will be held on December 3 at 6 p.m. It all begins when Santa lights the tree at the corner of North Front and Wall Street. Then, the fun continues until 8 p.m. with live music, dancers and more on the Main Stage. The streets will be lit with sparkling snowflakes; the fire-juggler will be back, along with stilt-band musicians, hip-hop jugglers, an ice carver and the local Strawberry Hill Fiddlers. The night wouldn’t be complete without a ride in the horsedrawn carriage. And stop by the Peace Park to make your own s’mores.
Be sure to visit the Senate House grounds with Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting everyone in the barn, and of course the strolling carolers singing your favorite holiday songs. Many Uptown shops will be open handing out holiday treats while you find that perfect gift.
Uptown Kingston art
The holiday launch of the Uptown Artists’ Group Studios and Gallery will happen on December 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. View contemporary art, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments and live music by local musicians.
The gallery is located on the fourth floor at 291 Wall Street in Kingston. For additional information, call (845) 418-6472 or e-mail info@uptownkingston.art.
Join the family! 
