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Go beyond “red and blue” thinking
Once again, I am writing this letter to beseech you who are reading this letter — to please go beyond “red and blue” thinking. It is definitely time to think outside of Democrat/Republican! Unless you are truly ignorant, you must know by now that both are corrupt and both are owned by corporations. Surely you must be at least a little bit aware of this fact by now!
There are viable candidates, running for president and vice president, who are not well known, due to censorship! They know these candidates are huge threats!
Their names (just in case some of you are not aware of their existence), are RFK, Jr. and Nicole Shanahan. RFK, Jr. chose a vice president — Nicole Shanahan — who has qualities that are worth something! Like RFK, Jr., she is intelligent, lives her life with integrity, knows that the most worthwhile reason for making a ton of money is to help others, has deep compassion, is down to earth, cares about our environment, is an attorney who fights for the people of this country and has a history of winning those battles!.
Both candidates (RFK, Jr. and Nicole Shanahan) are talking about issues that the other two gumba heads won’t even touch. Did you watch the so-called “presidential debates?” If so, did you notice that it was like watching three year olds who focused on calling one another names? Are you aware that RFK, Jr. was intelligent enough to go around the banning of his presence in this debate by appearing online as a third candidate and answering the questions with intelligence and truth?
Please do some real digging into both of the “red and blue” candidates. Take a look at their actions and how they have lived their lives. Make a list. Weight it out! Look deeply into how much actual integrity either of these two “red and blue” men possesses. Do the same for RFK, Jr. and Nicole Shanahan. There is no comparison.
Please do not cast your vote carelessly. This could be the last time we ever vote in this country if we vote for the “red” cult leader, the dictator and the king — which means we all lose! Is this really what you want to contribute to?
Please wake up. You still have some time. At least go to both RJK, Jr.’s YouTube videos and Nicole Shanahan’s YouTube videos and watch them — many of them. Carefully listen and compare to what the “red and blue” men are saying. Take back your power, your mind and engage your heart and start discerning what truth is. It’s difficult as there are layers of deception occurring at this time, but it is possible.
Vote RFK, Jr. and Nicole Shanahan in November!!!!!!!!!!!! Save our democracy (for real) by doing so!
Nicole Nevin
Woodstock
Not ‘conservative’ — fascist
Speaking at the Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, on the evening of July 26, 2024, Trump once again said the quiet part out loud:
“Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians … Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”
This is George Civile and John Butz’s hero, fantasizing about doing away with elections and voting. And if elected, he would do it — with the Supreme Court’s help.
The principle of ‘one citizen, one vote’ has been the norm for males since the early 19th century and for women as well since the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 but there is no requirement in the Constitution, Bill of Rights or subsequent amendments that officers be chosen by popular vote. The Reconstruction and 19th Amendments stipulate that race and sex cannot be grounds for denying one’s right to vote but there is no blackletter requirement that popular elections even take place. No need to deny anyone’s right to vote if there’s no election. Americans have participated in popular elections since the early history of the Republic but that is more custom than law. An unprincipled president such as Trump and the current extreme right-wing Supreme Court majority could revisit this custom, declare it unconstitutional and end popular elections in America forever, with the stroke of the pen.
Matt Frisch
Arkville
Hypocrisy and a false honeymoon
Last week, Tim Scott, Jr. had nice words to say about Biden “passing the torch” to the next generation. And the main stream media expressed the same sentiment but in a much heightened giddy fashion as they quickly praised Biden for his “selfless” act for thinking of the next generation and “saving our democracy” in stepping aside.
Now, we all know this to be grossly untrue as Biden was simply and clearly thrown under the bus by at least 30 of his once faithful Democratic colleagues, primarily led down the stretch by Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries and last but hardly least, Barrack Obama. Not surprisingly, none of them wanted Biden to keep running for reelection. As soon as their successful coup was competed, these colleagues and their pocket buddies in the main stream media IMMEDIATELY started their praises of this wonderfully talented man with innumerable achievements in his career, some even foolishly calling him the greatest president in our history. Then, they all capped it off by beginning to hype the “legacy” he’ll leave behind. That’s true, but it will hardly be a positive legacy. In reality, Biden will undoubtedly come out of the bullpen and relieve Jimmy Carter as the worst president we’ve ever had.
And why did Biden’s party suddenly desert him? It had absolutely nothing to do with his age or even his mental decline. It had everything to do with the polls saying that Biden would clearly lose to Trump in November. The Democrats had a sudden meltdown when this outcome became clear, which would mean the Democrats would lose their power and control over the people they’re supposed to represent fairly.
So, what’s next for the Democrats? They’re going to have to wait for their August convention to choose a much better candidate than hapless Harris. We’re still in the honeymoon phase of her improper coronation with many Democrats going gaga over her, yet some only pretending. Now some Democrats are helplessly trying to redefine who Harris is, frantically trying to rewrite her record and history, weakly explaining her complete 180’s on some key issues, how she’s nothing like Biden, and all with great assistance from her media shams. However, these attempts will be futile since all her permanent records and history are easily on display for ALL voters to see.
At their convention, will enough Democrats grow a spine and nominate one of their much more suitable candidates that they know will stand a much better chance against Trump? I’m assuming the 14,000,000 discarded Democratic Biden primary voters will be optimistically crossing their fingers.
John N. Butz
Modena
So much for uniting people
Excruciating! Trump’s endlessly long, wildly dishonest RNC speech was only unifying right-wing fascist types. When former president Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination, it was with the most dishonest speech of the four-day Republican National Convention, making more than 20 false claims. Many of the false claims are ones Trump has made before, some of them many years ago. The RNC acceptance speech devolved into boring TV…
The speech seemed longer than modern baseball games with the new pitch clock. The most divisive former president (and immoral degenerate) in our country’s history gave the most divisive convention speech since the ones he gave in 2016 and 2020. His disdain for this country and his supporters knows no end. Again, he lied about the 2020 election results. If any other president or politician lied about something of such importance, they’d hammer him, but because he lies constantly, they barely mention it.
You can always tell a Trumpublican But you can’t tell them very much!! By the way, the MAGAt hats these Trumpanzee supporters wear are from China … [and] They need to be reminded that they hate China. That dastardly Xi Jinping is so disruptive to our economy and American manufacturing!
Deep Thoughts by Neil Jarmel: “I often wonder how he’s going to inspire a country with such a monotone voice?” Did you see all those American flags in the background? If only American pride was measured in policies that help the American people, instead of how many flags you can fit in a speech background. American pride is purely materialistic and even cult-like. This ex-president is a serial liar.
AND finally, yes, he “profoundly” accepted the nomination. Why do I think the teleprompter said “proudly”? He said, I will ultimately rely on “instinct.” I think he means “His stink!” We must pushback against this Trumpublican candidate for the presidency who wants to dismantle our democracy while he embraces fascism and a hateful Project 2025 policy doctrine.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Where every bite takes center stage
I dislike dinner theater — I have trouble chewing peas while watching The Merchant of Venice.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Inquiring minds need to know
In his letter “Attention: John and George,” Tom Cherwin wondered why we and other Trump supporters never responded to his previous appeals to explain our support for Donald Trump. And this despite the fact that John and I have written numerous letters doing so. In fact, before the 2020 election, I sent a letter to the New Paltz Times explaining why a “deplorable” would support Trump titled “Trump: 28 promises made and kept.” Tom then made another appeal in which he raised a number of “when did you stop beating your wife” type questions hoping we would take the bait.
However, despite his attempt to present himself as the voice of reason, from his letters I’ve concluded that Tom is an ideologue who, as he stated, “won’t ever be persuaded by Trump voters about their candidate’s worthiness” or, apparently, anything else that doesn’t conform to his ideologically driven views. With this in mind, Tom, here are some questions for you: Do you think Donald Trump is similar to Hitler? If so, please list the examples — while he was in office — of the millions of people he murdered, the concentration camps in which these murders occurred, the countries he invaded and occupied, the world war he provoked and then — after doing this — explain why he was so popular in Israel when he was POTUS. (In responding, asserting that Mr. Trump is a “potential” Hitler is unacceptable since it can be argued that all human beings have the “potential” to be Hitler-like. Indeed, Hitler, himself, in his youth was only “potentially” the monster he later became.) And, Tom, if you’ve never compared Trump to Hitler, have you ever criticized those who do? If I have judged you harshly and you are not an ideologue, are you able to admire people like vice president candidate J.D. Vance who once wondered in a text to his college roommate whether Trump could become “America’s Hitler” but “changed his mind” after observing his actions as POTUS?
And, Tom, since you seemed completely surprised at the level of Biden’s cognitive decline, are you angry that vice president Harris and the legacy press betrayed your trust by keeping this decline hidden: especially since anyone who watched Fox, Newsmax or even Australia’s Sky News knew for nearly four years that Biden could barely function without a teleprompter? And since you raised the issue of abortion, a subject about which my views have been clearly stated many times: Do you believe that a woman should have the right to kill the developing human life within her womb for any and every reason as long as her physician and her God (or the universe) gives her the green light? Since many European countries prohibit abortions after 10-24 weeks, do you think these nations are anti woman? What has Biden, who claimed he would unify the country, done to do so?
Finally, do you believe Biden’s lies and moral failures throughout his life and presidency (and there are many I could cite and discuss) are less significant than those of which you and others accuse Trump or does Joe’s “My word as a Biden” seal the deal for you regarding the truthfulness of his statements and defense of his actions?
George Civile
Gardiner
Navigating my inner battles
As I traverse the shadowed corridors of my mind, where thought and action are estranged companions, I confront the truth that imagination and emotion hold the key to unlocking the barriers erected by the coldness of the digital age. In this journey, metaphors serve as my lanterns, similes as my compass, and allegory as the map that guides me through the intricate landscape of my inner world.
In the crucible of my soul, where light and darkness perform their ageless ballet, I wage silent wars that sculpt the very essence of my being. These conflicts, as numerous as the stars in the night sky, are the unseen forces shaping my life trajectory. They are the struggles that dwell in the quiet spaces between heartbeats, in the breaths taken in solitude.
The garden of my soul, with its verdant plains and shadowed nooks, is a testament to the ongoing battle between growth and decay, light and shadow. It’s a place where the weeds of guilt and regret vie for dominance over the seeds of forgiveness and understanding. This garden demands my constant vigilance, for it is only through the labor of introspection and the precision of self-awareness that I can cultivate a sanctuary where the flowers of empathy and compassion bloom.
As the relentless river of time reshapes the landscape of my convictions, eroding the once-solid banks of my beliefs, I find myself standing at the edge of an abyss, gazing into the depths of my moral complexity. The dichotomies of right and wrong, ally and antagonist, blur into a tapestry of gray, challenging me to acknowledge the fluidity of my morality.
This internal pilgrimage invites introspection and a call to action — a challenge to step beyond the confines of my own experience and embrace the shared humanity that binds us all. It is a journey that seeks not conquest but understanding, not victory but reconciliation. In this quest, I am both the traveler and the terrain, exploring the depths of my heart in search of the bridges connecting me to others.
As I navigate these inner battles, I remember that the path to external peace gets paved with the stones of internal resolution. By acknowledging our shared imperfections, collective struggles, and mutual capacity for growth and healing, we can forge a world marked not by division but by empathy and understanding.
This narrative, woven from the threads of personal reflection and universal insight, invites all who dare to embark on their journey of self-discovery. It is a call to arms, not to wage war against the external world, but to engage in the far more daunting task of confronting and reconciling with the myriad selves that reside within us. In this quest for self-understanding and forgiveness, we find the keys to unlocking the chains that bind our collective spirit, paving the way for a society grounded in compassion, empathy, and, ultimately, reconciliation with the most elusive adversary of all: ourselves.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
Dedication
Talk about being innovative, the currently installed window treatments, pieces of cardboard and paper put up by the town office employees in the new addition to the Comeau building to prevent the glare and heat of the sun was augmented with an umbrella to allow the monitor screen to be seen.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
E — The deconstruction of the administrative state, #3
It was mentioned in a previous letter to the editor, the Supreme Court Decision of 1960, Flemming v. Nestor, the court affirmed the 1954 amendment to the Social Security Act of 1935. This states, ‘Social Security is not a contractual right to one’s benefits they paid into’. Let’s look at the background to this again.
Arthur Flemming, secretary of health, education and welfare, denied Ephram Nestor, an alien being deported, his social security benefits he had accumulated over a number of years. He sued and lost. The Supreme Court ruled that Nestor does not have contractual rights to his benefits. They are not property. Only Congress has the right to regulate, revise and amend Social security. This is important for all persons drawing Social Security and Medicare benefits.
For 89 years, various administrations, Republican and Democratic, maintained these socialistic programs for the benefit and welfare of the American citizenry. The system of checks and balances of the three branches of our government, House of Representatives, Senate and the president, managed to parley and allay any direct attacks upon our benefits. That is, up until now. Why is there such a threat now? Let’s take a look at this.
The three branches of the government, Senate, House of Representatives and the Executive Branch (oval office), have a balancing effect upon our benefits. This means either one party or both parties have refused to go along with any attempt to demolish, amend, revise our benefits. And if both parties did acquiesce in elimination/revising/amending, there was always the executive branch who would not go along with the acquiescence or not accept it in the form of which it was or could be submitted. And nothing happened. The system has worked for 89 years.
But now, the Republican Party is all of one mind due to the party bosses’ control of the party. If the Senate goes Republican and if D. Trump is re-elected once again, then all three branches of the government are Republican or Republican controlled. And with a conservative Supreme Court who overturned Roe v. Wade, 50 years in operation, our benefits for the first time are on the line to be revised/amended/or outright eliminated. “It won’t happen?” “That’s what I said about Roe v. Wade.” “It did happen.”
Don’t forget, D. Trump tried to pass a payroll executive tax Cut (Federal Insurance Contributions Act, FICA), which would eliminate payroll taxes. Without payroll taxes paid by the employer and employee, there would be no money for Social Security, Medicare. (Medicaid mentioned previously, is not FICA funded but a combination of federal and state funding; undoubtedly though any revisions/attacks upon Social Security and Medicare, will also most certainly include Medicaid.)
The NCPSSM (National Committee for the Preservation of Social Security and Medicare), states there is enough money in the general fund to pay full benefits yet until the year 2032, I believe. At that time, Social Security benefits would be cut 20% and most likely reduce even further as time progressed, until eliminated completely.
I believe Medicare funds also go into this general fund and like social security, parceled out accordingly.
I want to bring to the readers’ attention in the next letter, to a very important Supreme Court decision that has much impact for all American citizens, particularly the seniors. Until then.
Robert LaPolt
New Paltz
Beauty and blessing
Since I became a Dominican Sister in 1970, Villa Saint Joseph on Spaulding Lane in Saugerties has been a place of welcome, prayer and joy. The vistas of the Hudson River are majestic and the paths to the banks of the river are well-worn by visitors and neighbors of all ages, often with four-legged companions, who were welcomed by the Sisters. Our door was always open.
When serving as the administrator from 1991-1995, the convent, chapel, retreat center and large kitchen hosted programs for foster homes and group homes, as well as lectures, weddings, funerals and Saint Dominic Day (August 8) celebrations. We were good neighbors to those on Spaulding Lane and all those in Saugerties. In 2015, we finalized a careful, five-year process allocating 149 acres, with miles of trails and benches to Scenic Hudson, where everyone can now enjoy the beauty and blessing of creation for generations. We believe that the land is God’s, and we are caretakers who seek to conserve, restore and share this beauty equitably.
The Hudson River keeps moving forward and so do our lives. Now we are working to provide affordable housing for seniors on our beautiful site in Ulster County. We do not need to be afraid of the future, because our past has been successful. Saugerties is a wonderful place and I hope we can help others experience such a loving and welcoming community of beauty and blessing.
Sister Margo Saich, OP
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Enamored by uptown Kingston
I beg and urge you not to tear down the Pike Canopies in uptown Kingston. I have been living in uptown Kingston 13 years of my life and I happen to love those canopies. They block the rain and offer shade in the summer. Plus they give uptown its charm which is nowhere else. People all over the world are enamored by uptown Kingston and I believe it’s those canopies that give the area it’s aesthetic beauty.
Maria Venidis
Kingston
Color matters for the climate
Blue black. Green black. Slate black. Black black. These are the new house paint colors making rapid inroads in Woodstock and surrounding areas. In just a few years, the change has gone from intriguing (“Well, that’s different”) to commonplace (“Oh, there’s another one”). And it’s not just new homes: even bright historic farmhouses are being heavily darkened.
Some say this color choice is symbolic of the shift from rural traditional to urban chic. Others say that black is the new color of money, coinciding with the extreme jump in housing costs. The median home listing price in Ulster County went up 68 percent from 2020 to 2024.
Whatever the connection, the choice of black paint also reflects a disconnect from the climate reality of rising temperatures. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dark homes absorb 70-90 percent of the sun’s radiant energy. Penn State considers light exterior house colors to be a type of “natural cooling” that saves energy. Research is underway to develop paints that could make homes cooler than outside temperatures — with the starting point being white.
The sure-fire way to address the climate emergency is a rapid shift to clean energy by corporations and governments. Yet individuals can and often do help, for example through what we eat and drive, by flying less, or by installing energy-efficient heat pumps. Maybe one day, light and bright houses will become the norm again — this time as an expression of climate consciousness.
Nadia Steinzor
Willow
Frank talk
The hot dog stands
deep in Central Park
under the banyan trees
the best places
to meditate and munch
on something you can
relish: the Buddhist Special—
One With Everything.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
Ukraine
How can anyone accept Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, begun when he took Crimea during the Obama/Biden administration. Nut job Righties like Tucker Carlson think this is none of our business. My uncle was a CO during WW2; nice guy, but wrong. Hitler and Putin are mobsters, taking what they want. We need to stop them, and all the greedy bastards that will follow them, forever.
Support our cops for the same reason. Bad people live among us.
Cops come to our aid. To deny that bad people don’t need to be stopped is wishful nonsense.
Paul Raymond
New Paltz
George, John and I have “good intentions”
George Civile, “Thank you” for your honest and charming account of the dynamic that comes into play when you and your wife attend social events together, and for your openhearted conviction that others can hold views in opposition to yours for “valid reasons motivated by good intentions.”
And John N. Butz, “Thank you” for answering my HV1 letter to you and George, for admitting your own antipathy to Trump’s “personality and personal life choices” and for sharing your concerns without accusing me of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
However, I do suffer from something resembling TDS. “BDS,” as originally conceived by the conservative commentator and psychiatrist Charles Krauthammer, was defined as “paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency – nay — the very existence of George W. Bush.” Substitute “Trump” for “Bush” (who also caused me a “syndrome”) and “suspicion” for “paranoia,” and Krauthammer’s coinage comes close to describing me (after the deletion, some would argue, of the phrase “otherwise normal people”).
George and John, we share areas of agreement. Like you, John (and likely you, George), I don’t believe transgendered females should be able to compete in girls’ sports, feeling it gives those born and bred as boys a biological advantage and deprives birth-determined girls of a fair shot at achieving their dreams.
Those areas aside, the two of you and I surely get our news from different sources, and I have as much suspicion of yours as you do of mine. But John and George, I believe that if you were to Google the issues raised in John’s letter to me, you would find yourselves awash in widely-accepted-as-objective sources refuting that letter’s facts, figures and conclusions and revealing Civile song parodies to be off-key.
George, I believe that you, John and I have “good intentions.”But I don’t believe Donald Trump does. And after living through years of his cruelty and bluster and stupidity and lies — his “personality,” as John put it — and becoming aware of Project 2025, I’m sorry, but I will never believe there are “valid reasons” for ever returning Donald Trump to office.
Tom Cherwin
Saugerties
Utility poles, sidewalks and networking
I recently visited the next town over, Lloyd aka Highland, to meet with their town supervisor Dave Plavchak. I wanted to learn about their utility pole and sidewalk project. Dave graciously invited me to meet him for lunch.
They applied for and received a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant to bury or relocate some utility poles on two blocks in the heart of their downtown. The supervisor is looking to time this work with the federal highway assistance they secured via the NYS DOT and the Ulster County Transportation Council to repair sections of sidewalks.
After lunch, we walked around on a very hot day so he could show me where the work would be done. Dave has also shared his contacts and any technical details about their project to help, so we may see if New Paltz could pursue something similar.
Additionally, I enjoyed seeing their new downtown pavilion and ballfields project and hearing Dave’s comments about wanting to create these spaces for community and local businesses.
I only know Dave because we’re both regulars at the monthly Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Mayors meetings. Our association meets to share ideas and see how we may work together to hopefully be better elected officials. For the same reason, I also attend several New York Conference of Mayors events annually.
I’m especially appreciative of these groups because discussions always feel apolitical. Members may be passionate about different issues but do not get bogged down in anything partisan.
We chatted about watermain breaks, municipal insurance premiums, local planning board projects, federal and state grant programs, pedestrian safety and sidewalks, burying or relocating utility poles, etc. I have periodically hosted or visited other electeds in our region when we have a small, or no, agenda and found these coffees or meals useful. I recommend doing these as an elected official.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
Ram Dass, Part 2
Ram Dass and his dear friend, Krishna Dass, came to Southern Springs Holistic Learning Center in 2003, I was delighted. We packed the Civic Center with 850 people and the evening was buzzing with excited energy. RD was continuing to slowly recover from the stroke he had. He was in good shape though, vibrant and present, but unfortunately still in his wheelchair, and going slowly. Once we got going though, I began to sit back in my seat, relaxed some and took in the beautiful event that was taking place right in front of me.
The evening seemed like it flew by, with rich stories and teachings from Ram Dass. But with a couple of minutes left, one woman stood up and blurted out, “Baba Ram Dass, please tell us the meaning of life.” Krishna Dass laughed and told RD that he had about a minute to answer. There was some soft chuckling in the audience. Ram Dass was quiet for almost a minute, then slowly spoke these words, “giving the soul what it needs on its path toward God.” There was an amazing silence in the room of 850 people for the next 20 or 30 seconds, when, one by one, people stood up and slowly started applauding. The room was electric, and the love that people had for Ram Dass and for the evening was over the top. That’s how we ended his public Tallahassee evening.
The last time I was in his presence was in a special room after the lecture, where board members of Southern springs and a few select others were hanging out and having some snacks. One board member whispered to me that Ram Dass was in a corner, in his wheelchair, hugging another board member who was also in a wheelchair. That picture embodied everything that Ram Dass stood for. The love, the respect and the reverence for all life. Thank you for everything you brought to our world, Ram Dass!
Ram Dass died on December 22, 2019, at the age of 88 years old. He was a wonderful influence on so many lives, and I feel so blessed to have known Ram Dass, and to have had a special connection with him. I currently have some of his old lectures on my new computer. He lived a unique life and his energy and teachings will go on affecting thousands in good ways. But Ram Dass, the man and spiritual leader, will be missed.
Marty Klein
Sarasota, FL
Plan ahead for the Elting Memorial Library Fair
The 67th Elting Memorial Library Fair in New Paltz will take place this year on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continue on Sunday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with books and toys. Entry to the fair is free. Early-bird book buyers may begin shopping at 8 am. .on Saturday for only $10. On Sunday, most books will be half-priced their already reduced prices.
• Thousands of books in three dozen categories, as well as LPs, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs.
• Lots of children’s books, toys and activities.
• Silent auction and Raffle with prizes from many generous local businesses including a mid-week stay for two at Mohonk Mountain House.
• Food and music all day with a great lineup featuring Jim Bacon, Steve Raleigh, Dennis Rush, The Dandy Lions, Leslie Abdallah and Vickie Russell.
Book donations are accepted only through August 31 on Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Thank you and we will see you at the fair!
Chris Watkins, Chair
Elting Memorial Library Fair
Thank you Saugerties Kiwanis for funding the Mountain View Cemetery project
The Mountain View Cemetery, located on Main Street in the Village of Saugerties, had one of the beautiful cobblestone walls severely damaged when an enormous tree fell through it during a storm. A huge hole was left in the ground, while branches covered gravestones and dismantled a headstone.
The Saugerties Kiwanis have funded the whole project, covering the cost of labor and materials to rebuild the wall. Some of the members have also donated their time cutting down and cleaning out some tall overgrown sumac trees that were taking over that section.
The masons hired rebuilt the wall to perfection, bringing the beauty of the cemetery entrance back to the village.
The history of Saugerties is very precious. Many of our service personnel, forefathers and Veterans of Foreign Wars are laid to rest in the Mountain View Cemetery.
I am extremely grateful and appreciate the funding from the Saugerties Kiwanis, the hard work from their members, the masons for their beautiful work and to the person that donated his time and equipment for removal of the enormous tree.
Cindy Valenchis
Malden
Good luck to us all
The big weekend is only a few days away and gossip around town has it that the Woodstock Community Festival of Awakening will be a success.
Recruiters dropping by the booths at the Mower’s Flea Market are promising huge rewards if we’ll only sign up and pay the fee which varies with the salesperson ($100 to $135, less if we volunteer). Volunteering should reduce our fees.
They tell us to expect 1000 to attend the three-day extravaganza taking place at the Andy Lee Field, the Village Green, the Bearsville Center and the Woodstock Community Center. Other activities are scheduled at the Pearl Moon, the Mothership, the Station Bar and beyond.
Whatever, whoever and wherever, it all sounds like fun. Anyway, I’m sticking with my post at the Mower’s Meadow Saturday Sunday flea market on Saturday, and I’m wishing us all lots of good luck and kindness. I’d feel a lot better about this coming whirlwind of an event if we had enough bathrooms, sidewalks and parking places around town.
Anyway, good luck to everyone.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
22nd annual Gardiner 5K Classic
The weather was picture perfect on July 18 for the Gardiner 5K Classic. Everyone had a wonderful time. We had water stops along the way and our neighbors took out their hoses and cooled down the runners who wanted to get wet. Everyone enjoyed the BBQ after the run and the very popular kids’ fun run. Thanks to the many sponsors, runners/walkers and volunteers who gave of their time parking cars, working the registration desk, giving water to participants running/walking the course, setting up, cleaning up and just being there to help on the day of the race to make the Gardiner 5K Classic held at Majestic Park another successful event. The proceeds from this race will be used to make improvements to the inside of the Gardiner firehouse.
A special thanks goes to the members of the Gardiner 5K Classic Committee: Barbara Clinton, John and Landon Fracasse, Bernadette Koonz, Terri Colucci, Luke Lyons and Donna Lyons for all of the help and advice given to the Gardiner Fire Department in order to make this race such a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without them. Also we would like to thank the many sponsors of the race.
Platinum sponsors: Lombardi’s Restaurant, Wildflower Farms, Rick Hanheide, Primal Rotational Patterns, Atelier Sartorio, New York State Solar Farm, Rycor, Walden Savings Bank, O’Connor& Partners, Ultimate Homes, and Ten Broeck Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing.
Gold sponsors: React Emergency Training, Dawe’s Septic and Repair, Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant, Glacier Point Enterprises, NBT Bank, Ulster Savings Bank, Jim DeMaio-State Farm Insurance, Franz Auto Service, Inc., The Law Offices of Robert F. Rich, Jr. PLLC., New Paltz Karate Academy, Foster and Schmalkuche, P.C., Garvan’s, Affordable Housing Concept, Scott Barclay Trucking, Orange Bank and Trust Company, NYCOMCO, The Rothman Family, Skydive The Ranch, Masseo Landscaping Inc., Jellystone Lazy River Resort, Haight Fire Equipment Supply, Lightning Express Delivery Service, Inc., Main Course, Fabbian, David Kucera, Inc., Kimlin Propane Co. Inc., P.E. Colucci Excavating Inc., Marshall & Sterling Inc., Apuzzo Kitchens, The Disgruntled Chef, Sherwood’s Power Equipment, Inc., P&G’s Restaurant
Silver sponsors: Ronald E. Clum, CPA, Gardiner Brewing Company, LLC, The Inn @ Kettleboro, Hudson Valley Drones, Amthor Welding Service Inc., Kornfeld, Rew, Newman and Simeone, John B. Ingenio, CPA, Summit Fire & Security of Mid-Hudson, Eileen and Stewart Glenn, Freer Therapeutics-Massage-Acupressure, Dedrick’s Pharmacy of New Paltz, Royal King Cleaners, New Paltz Equipment Rental, Tom’s Auto Repair Shop, Fall Fittings, Maggie Mae’s, Wiedenkeller Insurance, Peter A. Rubin Insurance Agency, Meadowscent, Ireland Corners General Store, K & E Beverages,C2G Environmental Consultants, LLC, The Devine Agency Inc., Tantillo’s Farm Market LLC, Nuvance Health, Handmade & More, Inc.
Businesses that either provided the gifts used as prizes for the various winners or gave a donation: James Suto, John and Susan Friedle, Hopewell Fire Apparatus Service Co. Inc., Beek’s Auto, Saturn Software Systems, Inc., Orange Bank and Trust Co., Mavis of Gardiner, Ireland Corners Gas and Convenience Store, Ulster Savings Bank, Renegades, Wallkill View Farms, Café Mio, Pasquale’s, Town Cutters, Uptown Attic, Stewart’s, Beck’s Hardware, Hurd’s Family Farm, Mountain Market, Cuts by Dawn, Shoprite, and Hannaford’s.
The support given to the Gardiner Fire Department, a volunteer organization made up of firefighters and EMT’s, was overwhelming and greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the Gardiner Fire Department, please visit our website at www.GardinerFireAndRescue.org and complete an application. We are always looking for volunteers. Next year’s 23rd annual Gardiner 5K Classic is scheduled for July 17, 2025. See you there.
Donna M. Lyons on behalf of the Gardiner 5K Classic
The magnificent Woodstock Library Fair
I had the great pleasure of manning the gate for a couple of hours at the Woodstock Library Fair this past Saturday.
I still cannot get over the generosity that people showed! So many gave small and large donations. I have to say they were literally throwing cash at me!
It was a cross-section of people, from young families to older locals — from every ethnic and racial background, the cordial and just plain friendly folks that I encountered every other minute restored my faith in humanity. Not to mention the volunteers and library staff. It was truly a testament to why Woodstock and its town library represent the best of us!
Martin Haber
Woodstock
Netanyahu the bad liar
On July 24, 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress for the fourth time (gag!).
In the beginning of his speech he declared about the slaughter/genocide happening in Gaza: It’s a clash between
those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.
Is he kidding he wants Americans to believe that he is interested in the sanctity of life? How can one make such a claim when he is directly or indirectly responsible for the death of more than 180,000 human beings (hareatz.com) of which possibly 50,000 may be children? Does one who cares about the sanctify of life bomb hospitals and destroy a people’s whole health care system? Never mind the targeting of residences of Palestinian doctors with them and their whole families in it. Or how about the dropping of massive “dumb” bombs that destroy whole neighborhoods, injuring and killing everyone in it to get one Hamas leader? Does one who cares about the sanctity of life, withhold much needed medicine, food and water from starving people?
Netanyahu tells Congress these allegations, which are supported by the International Criminal Court, “is utter complete nonsense.” So he wants us all to believe that all the investigations done by the UN Special Rapporteurs and their working groups are all liars and have it all wrong and including all the human rights organizations in the world. Netanyahu, while being responsible for brutally slaughtering human beings, actually has the gall to accuse the ICJ, and by extension all the world’s human rights organizations, of being shameful for reporting Israel’s genocidal actions. What is shameful is that Netanyahu could commit ongoing genocide and then bold face lie to our bought-off-elected-representatives in Congress who shamefully applauded him during his speech.
Netanyahu is obviously a demon dressed in a suit attempting to deceive the American public, but he is not very
good at it. Has the US sunk to a new low by supporting with weapons and bombs, and hosting a platform to
speak for a genocidal war criminal? Actually not, as this country began with the genocide of 100 million Native
Americans, so it is in keeping with its true form and may be the “Red Horse” in the book of Revelation.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Harry’s thank you to the Woodstock Library
I wanna thank the Woodstock Library for awarding me a lovely plaque at this year’s library fair for all I’ve done for (and to) Woodstock. It’s metal, beautifully designed and I’m honored. I also begged them to give Steve a plaque too or he would be insufferable for the next few months and they reluctantly acquiesced. I plan on hanging mine in my trunk. Thank you.
Harry
Woodstock
Join the family! 
