Mohonk Preserve offers free month pass to Ulster residents
Mohonk Preserve is offering a one-month pass during the Healthy Ulster Pass program from July 30 through August 2. Visitors with proof of Ulster County residency may obtain passes at the new Testimonial Gateway trailhead on Route 299 in New Paltz, or at the Spring Farm trailhead off Mohonk Road in High Falls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Passes are limited and available while supplies last. To check on availability, visit www.mohonkpreserve.org/alerts.html.
One individual per household must pick up passes in person (maximum of four passes per household). Children twelve and under are always free with an accompanying adult passholder, and do not need separate passes. All visitors must adhere to Mohonk Preserve’s Covid 19 visitation guidelines, including mask-wearing and social distancing. Healthy Ulster passholders must obtain a wristband from one of our trailheads for each visit.
This is the tenth year of the Ulster Pass program. The Preserve has distributed over 33,000 free one-month passes to Ulster County residents. For membership information, visit www.mohonkpreserve.org/join.
Gun drawn on officers
Rosendale police officers were dispatched to a residence in Tillson on Sunday, July 26 at approximately 12:21 a.m. for a subject overdosing on medications. The officers were met with a combative male, who attempted to refuse them entry. A physical altercation occurred.
According to the police, during the course of the altercation, the father of the combative male appeared from another room with a handgun, which he pointed at the officers. Initially, he refused commands to drop the weapon, but was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. The combative male was also taken into custody.
The subject who was suffering an overdose was treated at the scene and was transported by Mobile Life Support Service to Health Alliance, Kingston Campus.
The combative male and his father were both charged and arraigned to reappear in town court at a later date. The Rosendale Police Department was assisted on the scene by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Mobile Life Support Services, Tillson Fire Department and Ulster County Child Protective Services.
Community drive-in fireworks August 4
While there won’t be a county fair this year at the fairgrounds in New Paltz, there will be county fair fireworks on August 4. Town supervisor Neil Bettez announced last week that with the assistance of police officers and members of the town’s youth program, residents are invited to drive to the fairgrounds that evening, where the gates will be opened at 7:30 p.m. and the show is scheduled to begin an hour later. Social distance guidelines are to be complied with during the festivities.
Bettez confirmed later that this is not the successor to the taxpayer-funded fireworks that usually fall near — but never on — the fourth of July. With mounting budget challenges, the supervisor made it clear in 2019 that the only way to afford fireworks is if local people volunteer to secure donations to pay for it. There were no fireworks this year, and it’s unclear how the pandemic might impact fundraising efforts for next year.
New Paltz rental law
Village of New Paltz trustees are still thinking about how to regulate short-term rentals. As discussed at their July 22 meeting, the thinking now includes not only listing them all in the rental registry to ensure annual inspection, but to limit the number based on the zone. In purely residential zones, they may be further constrained to only properties in which the owner lives. Trustees are still reviewing local laws on the books in other municipalities for ideas.
Artists on the Street: A Plein Air Event in New Paltz
Artists on the Street: A Plein Air Event will take place Saturday, August 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s Historical Huguenot Society’s street event will feature a dozen local artists: Kevin Cook, Carolyn Edlund, Staats Fasoldt, Mira Fink, Emeline Hastings, Chris O’Neal, Mitchell Saler, Vaune Sherin, Joseph Sundwall, Fran Sutherland and Marlene Weidenbaum.
This is one of the first HHS public events since the March 2020 closure. Visitors can expect to see these artists painting live, treat themselves to plant-based tropical Italian comfort food from the Baba Food Truck, register to vote with volunteers from the League of Women Voters, get HHS staff updates on the museum’s phased re-opening, and pre-register for other upcoming events.
Visitors walking the grounds will be asked to wear proper face coverings and practice appropriate social distancing of at least six feet. Hand sanitizer pumps will be available throughout the site. Visitors are also encouraged to leave their information with HHS for the purpose of contact tracing and may do so in various locations throughout the event.
Search #AOTS2020 on your social-media platforms to see each participating artist’s final works. Registration is free, but limited. To register, visit https://www.huguenotstreet.org/calendar-of-events/2020/8/1/artists-on-the-street-a-plein-airevent.
Hooley on Hudson cancelled
The 19th annual Hooley on the Hudson Irish festival, will not take place as scheduled for September 6, due to Covid-19 safety concerns. Members of the Ulster County Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) made the announcement last Friday after weighing all the options.
AOH vice president Bill Kearney said that with all the uncertainty and concerns about the safety of vendors, sponsors and the public, members agreed it was best to put the festival off until next year. “We want to thank the City of Kingston, our vendors, sponsors and ever-faithful Irish community — past, present and future — for sticking with us through thick and thin,” Kearney said. “We look forward to the 2021 St. Patrick’s parade, and we will be ready for the best 2021 Hooley.”
Virtual events at the Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host two family art workshops with Jill Obrig via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Open to children of all ages, register by August 3 and receive the Zoom link by emailing Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. On Tuesday join art teacher Jill Obrig and create a torn tissue landscape inspired by the story The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton and well- known Hudson River artists.
On Thursday, engage in a different material and make a bean mosaic after viewing the works of artist, John J Audubon. Then listen to the funny book Are You My Mother? by PD Eastman. The Library will provide a take-home bag of art supplies to pick up at the library on August 8 and 9.
The Gardiner Library will host a virtual teddy bear tea party via Zoom on Friday, August 7 at 11 a.m. Children up to seven years old are invited to gather their teddy bears, favorite drinks, treats and dress up for this virtual event. Miss Amy will lead the fun with teddy bear stories, songs and a simple craft with stuffed animal friends. E-mail Amy at alaber@rcls.org to register and receive the Zoom link.
For more summer programming, visit the calendar/events page at GardinerLibraryorg or the Gardiner Library Facebook page.
Twice Blessed will reopen
Twice Blessed Thrift Boutique, a non-profit store “where gently worn and slightly used items get a second chance,” will be reopening on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
Twice Blessed is located at 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. August 1 will feature the store’s first basket sale of the summer season.
Saugerties artist unveils new Main Street mural
Multi-media artist Kelli Bickman has created a new mural on the side of the Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street in Saugerties to replace the one that was damaged during a windstorm. The mural installed on July 21 is completely different from the original. The village name, Saugerties, is painted in large type across the top. Inside, a starry sky stretches over a yellow leaf above a blue sky with the words “Strong Together” at the bottom.
Bickman said she enjoyed working with students, who did much of the finishing work on the mural. The actual painting was done on six wooden panels in Bickman’s studio inside the Odd Fellows Hall. Workers from the village and the town performed the final installation of the panels on the side of the building using a 62-foot boom lift.
Mayor William Murphy said the daily work started at about 7 a.m. and was completed by 9 a.m. to minimize the disruption to traffic along the street. “Kelli came to me a few months ago and asked if the village wanted a replacement for the mural that was damaged,” Murphy said.
The theme, “Stronger Together,” was Murphy’s suggestion, Bickman said.
Bickman’s other murals on Saugerties walls include the complete restoration of the mural on the side of the Reis Insurance Group’s building and a mural on the wall of the M&T Bank on Main Street, which was painted by Bickman and youngsters from the Saugerties Boys & Girls Club.
— David Gordon
Rochester pandemic barbecue
The Rochester Reformed Church will hold its annual chicken barbecue, “pandemic style,” on Saturday, August 29 with take-out only from 4 to 6 p.m. The menu features BBQ chicken, homemade potato salad, local corn and dessert.
The cost is $14 for adults. Tickets must purchase in advance by August 23. Please call Debbie at 443-1386 or Christine at 914-388-2778.
The church offers outside worship on Sundays at 11 a.m. and is located at Route 209 in Accord. Masks and social distancing are required.
Mohonk Consultations award
Mohonk Consultations has announced that its 2020 Distinguished Achievement Award celebrates the commitment and achievements of the Rondout Valley High School Human Rights Club and its faculty advisor, teacher Diana Zuckerman. This group has participated in Mohonk Consultations events for years — most recently in its programs on farmworkers and peacebuilding.
Zuckerman has taught Spanish at the levels of kindergarten through high school since September 1998. She currently teaches Spanish at Rondout Valley High School, as well as serving as coordinator of Amnesty International’s Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter and as commissioner of the Ulster County Human Rights Commission. Several years ago, students at Rondout Valley approached her about doing social justice work and together they formed the club.
“The youth in our Human Rights Club give me hope for a better future for all,” said Zuckerman. “They always impress me with their powerful and passionate voices. I feel proud and honored to work with them.”
Radio Woodstock celebrates 40th anniversary with a weekend of live recordings
Celebrating 40 years in independent broadcasting, Radio Woodstock (100.1 WDST) will commemorate the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969 with a salute to the live concert experience: “The Greatest Festival of All Time.”
Radio Woodstock asked station supporters to submit their favorite concerts to include in the weekend’s line-up. Radio Woodstock will crank up the volume to the sounds of such memorable live show sets as: Jimi Hendrix Monterey 1967, Rolling Stones at the Garden 1969, The Allman Brothers at The Fillmore 1970, Bob Marley London 1975, U2 at Red Rocks 1983, Nirvana in NYC 1994 and Brandi Carlile 2012 Seattle.
“The Greatest Festival of All Time,” goes live on Friday, August 16 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, August 18 at 7 p.m. Tune in to 100.1 or listen online at radiowoodstock.com.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2020, we decided to put together The Greatest Festival Ever,” said Radio Woodstock’s director of programming Greg Gattine. “A one-of-a-kind virtual live experience from our vast archive. Although we won’t be able to celebrate together, we can remember the times we stood shoulder to shoulder at some of the greatest concerts of all time and relive that experience for a few days in the middle of August in upstate New York.”
Kingston annual exhibition
An annual fine-arts exhibition and competition will be held for the first time this September. Regional in scope, Kingston Annual 2020 will be hosted jointly by the Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD) and Arts Society of Kingston (ASK).
Works will be exhibited at the ASK galleries at 97 Broadway in Kingston and will simultaneously be shown in an online gallery. Both galleries will open on September 5 as part of Kingston’s First Saturday hoopla and remain up through the weekend of September 26/27 (Art Walk Kingston). If the ASK galleries are open to the public, onsite opening and closing receptions will be scheduled for September 5 and 26. The online gallery will be active for one year and then archived for subsequent viewing.
“The show, which will be curated by Kingston’s Distinguished Artist awardee Julie Hedrick, will undoubtedly be the first public art show since the pandemic,” predicts Anne Bailey, co-founder of Bailey Pottery and president of the MAD board. “It will allow us to showcase the outstanding talent here in Kingston, alongside other artists from the [mid-Hudson] region.” Kingston, according to Hedrick, “is now the epicenter of the arts in action.”
The deadline for artists to submit work is July 31, and prizes will be awarded for first- ($500), second- ($250) and third-place ($150) entries. For information about Kingston Annual 2020, including eligibility, application and submission guidelines for artists, e-mail kingstonannual@gmail.com or visit http://kingstonannual.art.
Engineering hub honored
SUNY New Paltz’s Engineering Innovation Hub has been certified Gold by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the internationally recognized symbol of sustainable construction and facilities management, which evaluates buildings on metrics like energy and water usage, waste diversion, construction practices and human health factors.
“SUNY New Paltz is always striving to reduce our carbon footprint and to find state-of-the-art approaches to sustainability on campus,” said John Shupe, assistant vice president of facilities management. “We are thrilled that this is our fifth LEED Gold building on campus. I’d like to commend our team for all their work in achieving this milestone.”
The Engineering Innovation Hub, home of the College’s 3D design and printing program, was completed in 2019. New York-based Urbahn Architects designed the building to meet LEED sustainability certification requirements. Construction was led by general contractor PC Construction of Poughkeepsie.
This is the fifth building on the New Paltz campus to earn LEED Gold certification, following the Wooster Hall, Minnewaska Hall, Ashokan Hall and Shawangunk Hall renovations. Old Main and Ridgeview Hall are certified with LEED Silver ratings.
Ulster County announces movie nights
Ulster County executive Pat Ryan announced last week during his Facebook live briefing that Ulster County will host a summer movie series for eight weeks, beginning July 31 and concluding September 26. The Ulster County Movie Nights will be presented free of charge to Ulster County residents and is made possible by generous donations from nine community organizations, as well as a partnership with the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Radio Kingston.
Ulster County Movie Nights will be located at the Tech City parking lot at 300 Enterprise Drive in the Town of Ulster. The lot will open at 8:30 p.m. and the movies will begin at 9 p.m. Movies will be projected on a screen at the site, and sound will be broadcast on FM radio with the assistance of Radio Kingston.
To abide by social-distancing precautions, all attendees will be required to stay near their vehicles, and no alcohol will be allowed on the site.
Films are subject to weather and attendance is limited to a maximum of 200 cars. Visit http://ucmovienights.com for required pre-registration and additional information.
The schedule is as follows: Friday, July 31: Star Wars, Episode VII: The Last Jedi; Saturday, August 1: Star Wars, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker; Friday August 7, 2020: Mamma Mia!; Saturday, August 8: Toy Story 4; Friday, August 14: The Lion King; Saturday, August 15: Frozen II; Friday August 21: Playing with Fire; Saturday August 22: Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs and Shaw; Friday, September 4: Godzilla: King of the Monsters; Saturday, September 5: Aladdin; Saturday, September 12, (Double Feature): Back to the Future, Hidden Figures; Saturday, September 19: Downton Abbey; Saturday, September 26, (double feature) A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood, Little Women.
Kingston meters to resume this week and new parking app
The City of Kingston resumed paid meter parking on Monday, July 27. The municipal parking lots will remain free of charge until Columbus Day. Due to the Covid testing area on Grand Street, meters have been suspended.
According to Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, with the Mid-Hudson Region now in Phase Four of the New York State re-opening plan, many restaurants and retail stores are opening to the public, and the need for instituting short-term parking has returned.
“We have heard from local businesses who are reopening requesting to reinstate metered parking across the City,” said Mayor Noble. “In order to do everything we can to support these local businesses, we are bringing back the parking meters and keeping the parking lots free of charge. We hope this will encourage residents and visitors to enjoy shopping and dining, while not leaving their vehicle long-term, which hinders business access for others.”
“In Uptown, the businesses who are re-opening are grateful that the metered parking is returning,” said Elenie Loizou, Kingston Uptown Business Association president. “We think this is a great way to allow visitors and locals to do their shopping and dining, and for those needing longer-term parking to use the lots.”
All parking meters were bagged and all fees were suspended on Monday, March 16 in response to COVID-19, in order to help slow the spread of the virus. Comptroller John Tuey estimates that the City of Kingston has lost approximately $375,000 in income from meter fees and parking violations.
The Whoosh mobile parking app will be changing to the Flowbird App on August 1.
Simply download the Flowbird App, use your same log-in and your information will be updated within in the new app.
Grand re-tooling of Seed Song Farm Store this Saturday
The public is invited to the grand re-tooling of the Seed Song Farm Store on Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2 from noon to 4 p.m. at 160 Esopus Avenue in Kingston. Besides the chemical-free sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflowers and other fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers that the farm has sold since 2016, a variety of organic/local foods such as cherries, peaches, plums, organic and pastured eggs, grains, beans, honey, maple syrup, sauerkraut and more will now be available to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Seed Song Farm is also still accepting registrations for its weekly CSA vegetable pickup program. The store is structured to allow socially distant shopping and curbside pickup is available. The Farm Store will also be open from 8 to 9 p.m. on both evenings, with farm-fresh refreshments available to the participants of the tenth annual Bon-Odori Festival for Peace — Commemorating Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 75 Years Later, a Week of Unity.”
In addition to the Farm Store, Seed Song Center is still accepting registrations for its youth summer camp. Spots are open weekly through Labor Day weekend. Camp follows CDC and NYS guidelines regarding COVID-19. Scholarships are available for low-income families and discounts for multiple-child or multiple-week registration.
For more information, please visit SeedSongFarm.org, email info@SeedSongFarm.org or leave a message at (845) 383-1528.
Veterans suicide awareness
State senator Jen Metzger held a press conference last Friday with local leaders and veteran advocates outside the American Legion Post 151 in Wallkill to announce designation of September 22 as “Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day,” an annual statewide observance. The number 22 is the average number of veterans lost to suicide in the U.S. each day, based on a statistic from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“An annual observance will help elevate public consciousness of veteran suicides, honor those we’ve lost and break down the stigma that prevents veterans from seeking help,” said Metzger.
Drive-thru Safari at the Ulster County Fairgrounds
The Ulster County 4-H Program will hold a Drive-thru Safari on August 1 (rain date August 2) from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ulster County Fairgrounds on Libertyville Road in New Paltz. Animals include an array goats, rabbits, poultry and more. Those attending are asked to stay in their cars.
4H members will be serving their famous milkshakes.
Admission is free, milkshakes are $4 (cash only). All proceeds from milkshake sales benefit the Ulster County 4-H Program.
For additional infomation, visit ulster@cornell.edu.
Ashokan Rail Trail bike hike planned for August 7
The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) will be hosting a “bike hike” along the Ashokan Rail Trail on August 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This new program is open to anyone but is designed for youth and families. Participants must be at least eight years old (youth under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Cornell Cooperative Extension educators will lead a bike ride along the trail to learn about the Ashokan Watershed and its world-famous water quality. Participants will also spend time learning about plants and animals along the trail and will stop to study how Butternut Creek crosses the trail and empties into the reservoir. Due to NYS physical distancing guidelines, the ride will be limited to ten individuals. All participants must agree to follow public health policies outlined for the event.
This event, which is free of charge, is open to residents of the Ashokan Watershed. Generally, the Ashokan Watershed overlaps the towns of Shandaken, Olive, Woodstock and Hurley in Ulster County, and Lexington and Hunter in Greene County.
Meet at the Boiceville Rail Trail parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The Boiceville trailhead is located at 5080 Route 28A in Boiceville. The trailhead entrance is off Route 28A approximately 16.5 miles west of the NYS Thruway Exit 19. Cold Brook Road is directly across Route 28A from this entrance.
The group will spend approximately three hours on the trail and will ride about six miles round-trip at a leisurely pace. Participants will need to bring their own bike and wear a helmet while riding. The wearing of face masks is mandatory when stopped for education or conversation. It is also recommended that each rider bring plenty of water and a snack. For more information about the bike hike, call the AWSMP office at (845) 688-3047 or email Matt Savatgy at mjs593@cornell.edu
To register for this event, visit: https://tinyurl.com/AshokanBikeHike. For questions about registration, email Linda Gonnella at lg457@cornell.edu.
Visit the Ashokan Watershed Weekend website for more information ashokanstreams.org/conferences-training/ashokan-watershed-weekend/. Sign up for event announcements at http://eepurl.com/24xCL.
USB promotes Jo Dunn
Ulster Savings Bank has promoted Jo Dunn of Stone Ridge to operations manager at its headquarters at 180 Schwenk Drive in Kingston.
Dunn previously served as loan operations supervisor. In her new role, she will oversee the bank’s loan operations department.
She is active in the Rondout Valley Food Pantry and Christmas Wishes Ulster County’s Adopt-A-Child program, as well as a volunteer at various bank charity events. Dunn joined Ulster Savings Bank in 2003.
Join the family! 
