VFW Auxiliary kicks off Patriotic Art Scholarship Contest
VFW Auxiliary Post 8645 in New Paltz has announced the kickoff of its annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Students in grades 9 to 12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home-study program in the US or dependents of US military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are eligible. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $33,000.
Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork. Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted. The entry must have been done during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature.
Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to district competition, with district winners advancing to the state competition. The national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. National first-through-eighth-place winners are featured in VFW Auxiliary Magazine and on the VFW Auxiliary website.
Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary Post 8645 by March 31. Interested students, parents and teachers should contact Cindy Dates at (845) 332-0734 for more information. To download an application and see the 2021 winners, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest.
Invasive species screening in Gardiner December 5
The Gardiner Environmental Conservation Commission will host the showing of an educational movie titled Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species on Sunday, December 5 at noon at the Gardiner Town Hall, located at 2340 Route 44/55 in Gardiner, and also online via Zoom. This hourlong documentary is newly produced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation about its work against invasive species in the state. The documentary will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
To find the Zoom link, visit www.townofgardiner.org/announcements. Log on about five minutes before noon.
For additional information, contact Michael Hartner at michael.hartner@gmail.com or (845) 532-7143.
Holiday Makers’ Market in Rosendale December 11
The Circle Creative Collective will offer its fourth Makers’ Market and a lantern-lit, puppet-led procession across the Rosendale Trestle on December 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Willow Kiln Park, behind the public parking of the Rosendale Theatre. Enjoy a day of shopping, community, food (with Tilda’s Kitchen, Seasoned Delicious and Rosendale’s diverse restaurants), hot cider, crafts, live music, the puppets from the Redwing Blackbird Theater and more. Many local artisans will exhibit original work for sale and offer short craft projects as well as hands-on projects throughout the day.
The schedule for the day includes:
11 a.m. Holiday market opens
12 to 3 p.m. Community holiday felting
3 p.m. Holiday market closes
3:30 p.m. Lantern-making begins
4:30 p.m. Luminous lantern and puppet procession begins on the Rosendale Trestle, accompanied by the puppets of Redwing Blackbird Theater and the Rosendale Brass Band. As the journey comes to a close, there will be handmade gifts and sweet treats fort all to enjoy.
For additional information, visit in-circle.org.
New Paltz hosts Holiday Hoopla Parade/Winter Carnival December 11
The New Paltz Office for Community Wellness and the Ulster Prevention Council will hold their second annual Holiday Hoopla Parade and Carnival on Saturday, December 11 from noon to 3 p.m. The parade will kick off at noon from the New Paltz Middle School and proceed to Hasbrouck Park, located at 15 Mohonk Avenue, which will be the site for the Winter Carnival.
The Holiday Hoopla Parade’s purpose is to bring good cheer and lightness, raise the spirits of the community and let the community know they are cared for and not alone. The Winter Carnival will feature food, family fun and festivities for all.
If you would like to be part of the Parade and/or the Winter Carnival, visit https://form.jotform.com/212934654615156. For additional information, e-mail pkawamoto@townofnewpaltz.org or call (845) 256-5014.
Winter Craftmaking Workshop at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a Winter Craftmaking Workshop on Saturday, December 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy creating a folded star and wet-felted lantern using wool roving for the winter holidays. This project can be used as a gift or decorations for windows, tables or trees.
Hot chocolate and homemade cookies will be served. This workshop is intended for ages 10+ and/or ages 10 and under with an adult. Registration is required and space is limited. For registration and information, contact Nicole at nland@rcls.org.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Christmas Fair at Reformed Church of New Paltz
The Reformed Church of New Paltz will host its Christmas Fair on Friday, December 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This safe, socially distanced fundraiser will feature wreaths, topiaries, handmade Christmas ornaments, poinsettias, homemade fritters, Build-a-Pet and more inside the Education Building (across the street from the Church).
The festivities will start on Friday, December 3 with shopping from 5 to 8 p.m., Soup on the Stoop and Carolers at 6 p.m., Twice Blessed will be open from 4 to 7 p.m., and a Big Blue Big Band concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. (in the Church).
On Saturday, December 4, the merriment continues with the AIDS Orphan Education Trust (AOET), Autumn Whimsy and Knit and Nibble. Twice Blessed will have extended hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Santa will be stopping by from noon to 2 p.m. and the Zeus Brewing Company will be providing food/drinks (to purchase) from noon to 2 p.m. That Duo will perform at 2 p.m. in the Church.
COVID-19 precautions for volunteers and customers will be taken at all times; this includes during prep, as well as during the event itself. Social distancing and masks are required at all times.
The Church is located at 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz.
Frozendale at Rosendale Library
The Rosendale Library will host a holiday celebration of Frozendale on Saturday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Friends of the Library have various raffle baskets and there will be handmade quilts and knitwear that were made in Rosendale. At noon there will be a special story hour with holiday stories for the children.
Here is your chance to shop locally. Handmade items created in Rosendale include knitted hats, mittens, scarves and children’s sweaters. There will also be small gift items and cookies. A handmade queen-size quilt will be for sale, made by the Tillson quilting group and donated to the Library.
On sale now are tickets for four raffle baskets: a children’s gift basket, a pet gift basket, a family fun gift basket and a “cuddle up with a good book” gift basket. The winners will be chosen at 3 p.m. on December 4.
All proceeds will help the Library to offer engaging programs and improve the Library facilities. For additional information, call (845) 658-9013 or e-mail info@rosendalelibrary.org.
Pet Photos with Santa in Marbletown
Pet Photos with Santa will be offered on December 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marbletown Animal Hospital at 3056 Route 213 in Stone Ridge. Proceeds will benefit the Saugerties Animal Shelter.
Join the family! 
