2021 American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Girl
This year’s Poppy Girl for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #72 in Saugerties is Harleigh Rider, an eight-year-old student at Marbletown Elementary School. Harleigh is the daughter of Christopher and Krista Rider and the granddaughter of Rose Rider and Warren and Laura Whittaker. Warren is the commander of the Post 72 American Legion and served in the US Navy during 1968 to 1970.
Harleigh likes to roller-skate, swim and draw pictures. She will present a wreath during the Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 30 at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post #72, located on John Street.
Rock Junket Woodstock music walking tour
A Rock Junket Woodstock/Bearsville Theatre walking tour is being offered on Saturdays at 2 p.m. This two-and-a-half-hour tour takes guests inside the revitalized, renovated Bearsville Theatre, then continues with a walking tour of the Town of Woodstock, discussing and taking in sites associated with Bob Dylan, the Band, Todd Rundgren, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin and more.
Begin your tour at the Bearsville Center complex and breathe Woodstock music history where it all began. Tour the grounds with exclusive access to the renovated Bearsville Theatre and the former Todd Rundgren Utopia video studios, then a short drive to Woodstock to follow in the footsteps of those who came before, seeing the stars, venues and album-cover locations that turned Woodstock into a Generation. Guests provide their own transportation from the Bearsville Center to Woodstock.
To book a tour, call (888) 291-4341. To book a private tour, call Rock Junket at (646) 515-7874.
Mohonk Preserve presents backyard birds talk
The Gardiner Library hosts a virtual backyard birds of the Hudson Valley event presented by Mohonk Preserve on Saturday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org to register.
Learn a few tips and tricks to identifying our feathered friends visiting the backyard and neighborhood feeders. Learn how to use apps for your smartphone to help identify birds and contribute to citizen science from home. As our global and local climate changes, contributing to citizen science becomes more important to help scientists track shifting bird populations and migration patterns. Learn the best way to attract birds to your yard and when you should take down your feeders for the season.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Ulster Covid update: Cases plummet, walk-in vaccine clinics open
The number of active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County fell by 40 percent in a single day, dropping from 1083 on Sunday, April 25 to 646 on Monday, April 26. The active cases are now the lowest they’ve been since before Thanksgiving 2020.
Large jumps and drops are generally the result of data being reported in batches. (The county executive’s office describes the change reported Monday as “clearing out a backlog.”) In any case, the newest number is the most accurate. As was the case last year, the virus appears to be waning as warm weather returns.
The other factor is, of course, vaccines. As of Monday afternoon, April 26, 51.1 percent of county residents (91,288) had received at least one dose, and 36.9 percent (65,937) had received a full series. For the first time, supply is eclipsing demand. This week, in an effort to make getting vaccinated more convenient, the county announced walk-in vaccine clinics at various locations, including New Paltz and Rosendale on Monday and Tuesday, April 26-27, and:
• Wednesday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord
• Thursday, April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gardiner Town Hall, 2340 Route 44/55, Gardiner
In addition, appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome at the main county distribution site at the Hudson Valley Mall on Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 3. To guarantee a spot for this location or the locations mentioned above, visit covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/vaccine-resource-center/.
Appointments can also be made through a number of local pharmacies and for the state-run site at the Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz. For a list of local pharmacies, visit covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/get-vaccinated. To set up an appointment for the state-run site, visit am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.
Need transportation? County buses will offer free rides to vaccination centers on its fixed routes. It will also accommodate those over the age of 60 and those with disabilities with curb-to-curb transportation. All rides must be reserved in advance by calling (845) 334-8120 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at least one day before your vaccination, and on the Friday before a Monday appointment.
Mayfest Essential Farmers’ & Makers’ Market May 8-9
The Mayfest Essential Farmers’ and Makers’ Market will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 from noon to 5 p.m. The event brings a curated selection of the Hudson Valley’s finest producers – farms, distilleries, breweries, wineries, restaurants, artists, artisans and more – to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and west approach to the Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park. More than 80 vendors will exhibit their wares for tasting or purchase, allowing participants to support several local agribusinesses in one location.
Mayfest features not only farm-fresh products, food from local restaurants and beer, wine and spirits samples in a designated tasting area, but also art installations, locally made goods, a special area for children’s activities and more. All proceeds from Mayfest benefit the Friends of the Walkway and Hudson Valley Rail Trail, who have partnered to present this farmers’ market.
Tasting tickets are available for $25 and include full access to wine, beer, spirits and cider samples from more than 20 area purveyors. Walkway members, veterans, active-duty military and senior citizens (65+) receive discounted admission. General admission to Mayfest (excluding the tasting area) is free.
There will be a complimentary shuttle running on a continuous loop from the Hannaford Plaza parking lot in Highland (near Tractor Supply) to Mayfest. Access to the shuttle is free.
For more information, tickets and a list of participants, visit www.walkway.org/mayfest.
Annual plant sale in Saugerties
The Saugerties Reformed Church will hold its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hanging plants, herbs, vegetables and small planters provided by Cedar Ridge Nursery will be for sale. Vendor tables will also be featured.
Masks and social distancing are required. The church is located at 173 Main Street in Saugerties. For additional information, call (845) 246-2867.
Moriello Park Playground closed for maintenance through May 28
The Moriello Park Playground on Mulberry Street in New Paltz is currently closed for reseeding and will reopen on Memorial Day weekend, along with the pool.
Old Dutch Church hosts Uptown Fine Arts Music Series
The historic Old Dutch Church, located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston, has announced its spring 2021 Uptown Fine Arts Music Series lineup, starting May 15 at 12 noon on Saturdays – both in-person and after-the-fact on the Old Dutch Church Facebook page @OldDutchChurch.
“We are delighted to be an integral part of Uptown Kingston’s Saturday scene, including the Kingston Farmers’ Market,” says Reverend Dr. Renée House, pastor of the Old Dutch Church.
The first concert of the new season, on Saturday, May 15, features Lisa Dudley performing foot-stomping inspirational songs with a bluegrass beat. “Lisa Dudley is blessed with a heart for music,” Pastor House adds. “She has a calling to write and sing hauntingly beautiful, socially relevant and positive songs.”
Additional musical performances by area artists include Andrea and Robert Shaut, piano and saxophone, on May 22; Drew Youmans and Bethany Pietroniro, violin and piano, on May 29; Terry Earles, organ, on June 5; Hailey McAvoy and Bethany Pietroniro, voice and piano, on June 12; and Russel Oliver, organ, on June 19.
This concert series is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires COVID precautions of face masks and social distancing.
For more information, call (845) 338-6759, visit the website at www.olddutchchurch.org, e-mail info@olddutchchurch.org or like Facebook @OldDutchChurch.
Keep the river clean
Volunteers are needed for Riverkeeper’s tenth annual day of service for the Hudson River and its tributaries on Saturday, May 1. There will be over 125 cleanups taking place from Brooklyn to Albany! I Paddle New York is hosting two events: Experienced paddlers with their equipment in the Saugerties area should meet at Tina Chorvas Park at 9 a.m. to clean the lower Esopus and Saugerties Bay by kayak/canoe/boat. Clean on foot with Patrick and Anna at the Saugerties Lighthouse at 9 a.m. to do the shoreline there.
Families and kids welcome. You must pre-register. To register, call Gail Porter at 532-7797.
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, Clean Water Open Space Preservation Commission, Environmental Conservation Board, Ethics Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Board (one alternate) and the Public Access Committee. Interested parties are asked to submit a letter of interest and résumé to the Town Supervisor’s Office at P.O. Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561 or e-mail assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.
What do chefs make on their days off?
Lighthouse TV23, the public access station serving the residents of Saugerties, will present Chef’s Day Off, starting on Friday, May 7 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. This six-part Friday series will explore what chefs make on their day off.
Farm-fresh stand in Saugerties
A farm-fresh stand will be located in Saugerties on the fourth Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. This is a drive-through event at the Saugerties Senior Center, located at 207 Market Street in Saugerties.
Annual Charlotte Cunneen-Hackett lecture on Hudson River Valley history
The Hudson River Valley Institute (HRVI) at Marist College will hold its annual Charlotte Cunneen-Hackett lecture on Thursday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in a virtual presentation. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Dr. Peter Betjemann, director of the School of Writing, Literature and Film at Oregon State University, will deliver the lecture, “The Unrestful Valley: Literary Painting and Violence in Antebellum New York.” In this presentation, Betjemann will explore racial violence and the history of enslavement in early 19th-century literature and literary paintings set in the Hudson River Valley. The lecture, derived from Betjemann’s book-in-progress on race and narrative painting, will analyze several short stories by Washington Irving and poetry by William Cullen Bryant alongside paintings by John Quidor, Thomas Cole, Asher Durand and other 19th-century artists.
Betjemann has been widely published on issues of literature, craft and design. His scholarly work has appeared in Word and Image, American Literary Realism and The Journal of Design History.
“We think that examining all aspects of history is crucial,” said HRVI executive director James M. Johnson. “In our work to study and to interpret the history of the region, we look to art and literature to help inform us on social interactions and relationships. Dr. Betjemann’s work will shine a light on life in the Hudson River Valley of the 1800s and how it impacted the art produced here.”
This event is online only. To register, visit: http://maristconnect.marist.edu/s/1516/GID2/17/interior.aspx?sid=1516&gid=2&pgid=2548&cid=5046&ecid=5046&crid=0&calpgid=393&calcid=1250.
Bee City garden planting May 29
The New Paltz Bee City Project, in collaboration with Future Fruits, will host a public planting session for Village Hall on Saturday May 29 from 12 to 2 p.m., with May 30 as a rain date. This session is an opportunity to help transform the front of Village Hall into a vibrant community space: Organizers plan to grow pollinator friendly plants and wild edibles in hopes that this project will not only improve the aesthetic of Village Hall, but also the environment around it, creating something for everyone to enjoy.
The event will be outdoors, so be sure to bring work clothes and shovels. If you are interested in participating, e-mail npbeecity@villageofnewpaltz.org.
Young adult literary magazine Gardiner Ink!
The Gardiner Library has announced that the first issue of its young adult literary magazine, Gardiner Ink! is now available, after a year in the making. A group of creative young adults who love to write and were ready to share their work with the world stepped up to bring something new and positive to their community.
Gardiner Ink! is available to check out from the library and can be read online at www.gardinerlibrary.org/gardinerinkmagazine.asp. Copies are available to purchase for $5. Anyone interested in joining the library’s creative writing group, Write On! may contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org.
Susie Reizod Foundation receives grants for children impacted by COVID-19
In the fall of 2020, Macy’s awarded a $3,000 grant to the Susie Reizod Foundation for new backpacks and shoes for economically disadvantaged children of families impacted by COVID-19 in the mid-Hudson Valley. The Susie Reizod Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide new shoes to children in need. Since April 2002, it has served children in need all over the US and countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Macy’s grant award to the Susie Reizod Foundation received the support of Macy’s in Poughkeepsie.
In January 2021, the Susie Reizod Foundation received a $3,000 grant from KeyBank Foundation for new backpacks and shoes for children from low-income families impacted by COVID-19 in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties.
Recently, Key Private Bank’s Klock Kingston Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Susie Reizod Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase and distribute new backpacks and new shoes to school-aged children in need in Kingston. According to Cynthia Dozier, president of the Susie Reizod Foundation, KeyBank Foundation has been a generous partner since 2007. “Since 2010, the Klock Kingston Foundation of Key Private Bank has also been a continuous supporter of our mission,” said Dozier.
For information about ways to help, contact The Susie Reizod Foundation, PO Box 816, New Paltz NY 12561, call (845) 255-9708, e-mail cdreizod@aol.com or visit www.thesusiereizodfoundation.org
Opus 40 launches 2021 season of COVID-safe live entertainment
Opus 40, Inc., and its executive director Caroline Crumpacker have announced the launch of a new season, marked by all-new events and the return of the National Historic Register site’s most popular engagements.
Opus 40 is a world-famous sculpture park and museum in Saugerties, created by pioneering artist, quarryman and Bard College professor Harvey Fite in 1978.
This season, Opus 40 will feature live music and theater from the Vanaver Caravan, Bindlestiff Cirkus, American Symphony Orchestra, Wind of Anatolia, Hot Jazz Jumpers and Spanglish Fly, as well as monthly outdoor film screenings with Upstate Films, the Sunset Sessions Friday concerts with Radio Woodstock and gallery shows with the Saugerties Arts Studio Tour, Melora Kuhn and Laura Battle. Opus 40 will also play host to a kickoff event celebrating an inaugural week of events from Ulster County Arts Collaborative Events.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer a season of live performance at Opus 40 once again, after this long year of quarantine,” said Crumpacker. “This summer we have community partners who bring wonderful new experiences to our site, and we all so look forward to welcoming our guests to celebrate and dance and enjoy nature together.”
Opus 40 is now open for spring visits from Friday through Sunday, and will expand its hours and commence its season of live events with the annual Community Day, free for locals, on May 15. All events and visits have attendance caps and COVID-19 protocols in place. To learn more about Opus 40, visit https://opus40.org.
Kingston recycling awareness campaign addresses pizza boxes
Kingston mayor Steven Noble has announced that the City of Kingston, in collaboration with the Climate Smart Kingston Commission and in recognition of Earth Day, has launched a recycling awareness campaign.
In Kingston, pizza boxes are one of the top three paper recycling contaminants because they often contain grease and food particles. Even if the cardboard doesn’t appear to have grease stains, all pizza boxes should be disposed of in the garbage tote. The better to educate the community, the City of Kingston has partnered with several restaurants citywide, including Pie for the People, Vincenzo’s, 440 Pizza, Broadway Pizza, Savona’s Plaza Pizza, Savona’s Trattoria, King’s Pizza Restaurant, Tony’s Pizzeria and Kingston Bread + Bar, who will include a sticker on their pizza boxes with recycling information.
“We know it may be counterintuitive to place cardboard in the garbage, so we are informing the public by going straight to the pizza box itself,” said Mayor Noble. “In fact, one pizza box can contaminate an entire truckload of paper recycling, so it’s important the community be aware that these boxes are a non-recyclable material. Additionally, most frozen pizza cartons are wax-coated and should also be placed in the garbage.”
“It was a pleasure to work on this community outreach education campaign,” said Climate Smart Kingston Commissioner Melissa Iachetta. “The pizza-box stickers are just the start of creating a dialogue, debunking misconceptions and correcting ‘wishcycling’ in our city. I encourage everyone to support the businesses that are participating; we are truly grateful for their help, time and commitment to this issue.”
Climate Smart Kingston has also been working on an Earth Day Pledge Campaign, where residents can pledge to one (or more) of five Earth-saving efforts: to use less electricity, go meatless once a week, start composting, stop wishcycling and/or reduce water usage.
More recycling information, best practices and frequently asked questions can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/recycle.
New Paltz Town Crier: Murder on Main
The release of the latest work from Carol Freeman, The New Paltz Town Crier: Murder on Main, is now available from Amazon Books.
A hate crime and a murder in New Paltz, an artsy college town? What a shocker! The Water Street Market is the epicenter of this riotous adventure as Ellen and Charlie Green once again become embroiled in the investigations. These 73-year-old sleuths are as outrageous as ever. Their antics will take the reader on jaw-dropping twists and turns.
Author Carol Freeman and her collaborator/husband Bill currently reside in Montgomery and enjoy being members of the Water Street Market family as dealers at the Antique Barn. Carol worked as a school psychologist for 26 years. She is the author of the acclaimed Cape Coral Series and the Northeast Mysteries Series.
Freeman’s cozy mysteries are available at www.amazon.com. Author-signed copies are available at carolbrianfreeman@gmail.com. The Northeast Mysteries Series is available at the Antique Barn at the Water Street Market in New Paltz. Freeman will be available for meet-the-author book-signings and sales at the Water Street Market on dates to be announced.
Mother’s Day orchid sale fundraiser at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will hold a Mothers’ Day orchid sale with proceeds benefiting the library. The locally grown orchids from Taida Orchids in Pine Bush cost $25 each. Each gift includes a double-stemmed Phalaenopsis orchid, planted in a clay pot and placed in a cellophane bag with a ribbon. Choose from two colors (while supplies last): light green/yellow or rich pink.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Spring plant sale in New Paltz
The New Paltz Garden Club will hold its spring plant sale on Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 222 Main Street in New Paltz (the rain date is May 16). Annuals, perennials, shrubs, hostas, seeds, houseplants, vegetables, herbs and more will be on sale.
For additional information, visit www.newpaltzgardenclub.org.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market for season May 3
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market will open its 2021 season on Monday, May 3 and will run weekly through October 25 on Monday afternoons from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the pavilion at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie.
2021 marks the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market’s fifth year of operations. The market offers a wide range of farm-fresh greens and vegetables, fruit, herbs, apples, cider, baked goods, eggs, poultry, vegetable plant starts, prepared food and more. Returning vendors include: Maynard Farms (fruits and vegetables), Lasher Meadows (eggs and poultry), J & J Farms (vegetables), the Educated Chef (sourdough breads), Queen City Cakes (bundt cakes and cookies), Dutchess Outreach’s Mobile Market (fruits and vegetables), Spice Beast (protein-enhanced spice blends) and Chef Stef (prepared food).
This season’s market will feature several new vendors, including Crazy Box Bakery food truck (baked goods), The Chocolate Studio (Vegan/gluten-free desserts and ice cream), Diana Mae Flowers (herbs and cut flowers), Greens in a Basket (organic microgreens), Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery (small-batch handcrafted spirits) and Three Kats Treasures (handmade wooden bowls, spoons and cutting boards).
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market is expanding its partnership with the Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, an incubator kitchen at the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory that provides production space to culinary start-up businesses. Through the Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, several new businesses will be rotating through the market to expand their customer base, including Anna’s Cucina (Italian cuisine), Sweets for Sami (cookies and baking mixes), Todd Hill Kitchen (Mexican-style sauces and salsas), Lamissa Events (globally inspired cuisine), Monster Pickles, Faithful Cakes, Reconnect Foods (global recipes made with local ingredients) and VetZero Heroes Making Heroes (sandwiches).
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market operates in accordance with New York State guidelines for safe operation of farmers’ markets. Protective face coverings are required of all patrons and vendors. Market patrons should expect to abide by social distancing measures, including a separate entrance and exit to the pavilion, marked setback lines at each vendor station, directional signage and marked spacing to ensure distancing in the queueing of lines. Patrons are asked to understand that handling of food products is limited and must be done by vendors.
HITS Summer Series FEI CSI4 upgrade approved
The HITS Saugerties Summer Series, July 21 through August 8, has been officially upgraded to FEI CSI4 for all three weeks of competition. The FEI schedule will run Thursday through Saturday each week, allowing FEI horses to also compete in National classes on Wednesday and Sunday.
The HITS Saugerties Spring Series, May 26 through June 12, will feature FEI CSI2 competition, and the HITS Saugerties Fall Series will offer FEI CSI2 competition, September 1 through 5, and FEI CSI5 competition at the HITS Championship, September 8 through 12.
Throughout the spring and summer, HITS-on-the-Hudson offers eight weeks of FEI competition and over $3 million in prize money. All eight weeks of HITS Saugerties are USEF- and FEI-rated, with a number of special classes and championships including two UHJA International Hunter Derbies, the USHJA Team Hunter Challenge, USHJA Jumper Team/Platinum Jumper Championship, USHJA $6,000 National Derby Regional Championship – North, World Championship Hunter Rider Week and more.
For additional information, visit www.hitsshows.com.
Pathways Academy student uses language skills to help community
Juan Neri-Ramos isn’t quite sure he is making a big difference in his community, but he most certainly is. Every Sunday, he provides the vital service of language translation to customers of the Helping Hands Food Pantry at Saint James United Methodist Church in Kingston. “I get so much out of volunteering that sometimes I think I am getting more out of it than the people we serve,” he says.
But Neri-Ramos’s fluency in Spanish is crucial to the work of the church. At the pantry, he helps people fill out the basic information requested by an intake form so they can receive much-needed food and hygiene items. He also assists with determining their dietary needs, providing help on phone calls and handing out food. Occasionally, he has even been called upon to help settle disputes.
Neri-Ramos, who is from the Kingston City School District, is a third-year student attending the Hudson Valley Pathways Academy at Ulster BOCES. He is studying network administration and is also enrolled in the Cisco/Cyber Security program at the Career & Technical Center.
Neri-Ramos remembers seeing his teacher, Dr. Kathy Landers, organizing food drives for local families at Thanksgiving and seeing how her volunteering efforts pointed to a very real need in our communities. “I could see the importance of helping each other,” he says. “Dr. Landers strengthened my conviction to get out there and volunteer.”
Things really came together when Neri-Ramos took a walk in his neighborhood and discovered Saint James Church, where the Helping Hands Pantry that Dr. Landers volunteers at is held every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. He decided to walk in and “check it out,” and the rest, as they say, is history. He has been volunteering there ever since.
What makes Neri-Ramos such a great language translator is that he learned the skill at an early age. Growing up speaking Spanish at home and English at school, he remembers helping his mother with everyday tasks that required translation skills. “Everything from doctors’ forms to paperwork and e-mails from school could be difficult,” he says, “so I would break it down into Spanish for her.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it presented an even more difficult situation for the pantry. Having to move the whole operation outside due to pandemic restrictions, this summer, church volunteers worked tirelessly in extreme heat as more people than ever were requesting assistance. “There was a lot of running back and forth between the crowds outside and the supply area inside the church. It was a little crazy,” he remembers.
With Neri-Ramos and only one other translator, Saint James was now helping not only people affected by the harsh economics of the pandemic, but also many people whose native languages were unfamiliar to both translators. In addition, since many of the items that are donated to the food pantry are traditional American foods, recipients sometimes needed explanations of how to use them.
“It can be like playing a game of Pictionary,” Neri-Ramos laughs. “Using gestures and drawing pictures is sometimes the only way to get an idea across.”
But even with these obstacles and distractions going on, Neri-Ramos says he still benefited. “With all of this activity going on, I really was forced to learn to focus,” he explains. “I came away with valuable skills like organization and patience. And more confidence.”
Retired men meet May 4
Retired men of the New Paltz community invite retired men everywhere to the monthly breakfast meeting of Monday, May 3 at 8 a.m., at the New Paltz Plaza Diner.
Anita Jean Mcmonigle, former president of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts, has led a dance school in the Hudson Valley for 55 years and has worked with theater groups, public schools and senior citizens. She will be talking about her many dance-related experiences.
For additional information, contact Rob Greene at rasjgreene@earthlink.net or (845) 256-9003.
Kingston Clean Sweep returns Saturday, May 1
The 12th annual Kingston Clean Sweep will take place on Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteer groups and individuals will be picking up litter along the Kingston Corridor from Uptown to Downtown Kingston.
The following groups have committed to the event: Kingston Area Library, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston Rotary, Kingston Lions, Ulster Savings Bank, Young Ulster Professionals, Volunteer Firemen’s Museum, Junior League of Kingston, Radio Kingston, RUPCO, YMCA, Kingston Boys & Girls Club, Kingston Waterfront Business Association, The Children’s Home, Lowe Plumbing and Heating, Kingston Thunder Premier Soccer Team, Kingston Kiwanis, Kingston Uptown Business Association, Kingston Catholic School, City Hall, Friends of Historic Kingston and Ulster Garden Club.
If you are interested in helping out, there will be three locations with supplies (bags, gloves) at Friends of Historic Kingston, located at the corner of Wall and Main Streets; the Kingston Area Library on Franklin Street; and the Hudson River Maritime Museum on the Rondout. Be sure to bring rakes, brooms et cetera.
For more information, contact Anna Brett at abrett1@verizon.net.
Gardiner Library senior walking club
The Gardiner Library holds a weekly walking club for seniors on Thursdays at 11 a.m., weather permitting. Those interested can meet in the upper parking lot at the library. It is the perfect way to get some fresh air, enjoy the beauty of spring and meet new people, all while getting some exercise. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org for more information.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Circle of Friends offers help with advance care directives
“Peace of Mind for Life” is a program for New York residents, designed to engage you in conversations about end-of-life care choices. In highlighting the importance of making choices before circumstances necessitate taking action, Circle of Friends for the Dying (CFD) will offer practical guidance to anyone toward filling out a healthcare proxy and a living will. These advance directives protect your personal healthcare choices in the case of an unexpected event or critical illness that may compromise your ability to speak or verbalize your wishes.
Attend a free “Peace of Mind for Life” gathering on Zoom on Friday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. For additional information about the May 30 event, register and download the free New York State Advance Directive forms at www.cfdhv.org or call (845) 802-0970 and leave your mailing address to have the forms mailed to you.
Promoting habitat at home & nearby
The Shawangunk/Wallkill Native Plant Network is offering free consultations to residents of New Paltz and adjacent towns interested in supporting richer ecological habitat in residential or other landscapes. This could include strategies for lawn reduction; best practices for tending fields, forests and other wild areas; ways of promoting wildlife diversity; advice for new or replacement planting; managing tick risk and invasive species; and help identifying existing plants.
For additional information, e-mail swnativeplantnetwork@gmail.com.
Ulster Savings awards $1K to WAAM
The Woodstock Artist Association & Museum (WAAM) has been awarded $1,000 from Ulster Savings Bank to support its art education programs for 2021. The COVID pandemic has resulted in a reduction of public funding for arts education programs in schools. WAAM has been offering supplemental arts education programming to students through its partnerships with local school districts.
“Our Art for Education programs, which encompass a range of offerings for school groups, families, youth and college-aged artists, closely align with the bank’s goal of serving the local community,” said Nicole Goldberg, executive director of WAAM. “Art education is integral to our mission and has been a driving force of our programming since the WAAM’s establishment over 100 years ago.” The program is run by Beth Humphrey, education curator, since 2007.
For more information about the Woodstock Artist Association & Museum, visit www.woodstockart.org. Tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations located in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties may be eligible for grants from the bank. To learn more, visit www.ulstersavings.com.
YMCA, Bike-Friendly Kingston host bike repair clinics in May
May is National Bike Month. Bike-Friendly Kingston and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will be hosting free bicycle repair clinics on Wednesdays, May 5 and 19. These clinics are supported by Basch and Keegan, LLP and O’Connor and Partners, PLLC. Bring your bike to the Y parking lot on Pine Grove Avenue in Kingston between 3 and 5 p.m. In case of bad weather, the rain dates are Thursdays, May 6 and 20.
A bell is required by New York State law, and if you ride after dark, you need a set of front and rear lights. If you’re under 14 years of age, a helmet is required while riding. You can get bells, lights and bike helmets at the clinic.
No advance registration is required. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Be sure to bring your bike and wear a mask or other face covering when you come.
For more information, contact YMCA bicycle educator Tom Polk at (845) 338-3810, extension 102, or e-mail tpolk@ymcaulster.org.
St. Mary/St. Joseph Altar-Rosary Society installs new officers
St. Mary/St. Joseph Altar-Rosary Society in Saugerties installed new officers recently during its first meeting since the Covid pandemic: Elaine Ciesielski, secretary; Jean Johnson, treasurer; Luci Stagich, vice president; Cathie Weredyk, president; and Deacon Don Trees, moderator.
The society welcomes all ladies of the congregation. Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the parish hall. The Altar-Rosary Society assists with many church functions such as Sunday coffee and special parish dinners.
New Paltz preservation-themed art show moving online
The popular art exhibit featuring local and area artists’ depictions of historic architecture and iconic landscapes, sponsored by the Village of New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Elting Memorial Library for the past five years, is moving to an online platform due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Submissions will be shared on the Village Historic Preservation Commission’s and Elting Memorial Library’s Facebook pages and later uploaded to the Village HPC’s digital archives.
Images can be e-mailed to kamilla.nagy@gmail.com, along with the name and contact information of the artist, title, medium and size of each artwork. Artists may submit up to three pieces in each of these categories: painting, drawing/mixed media, photography. The deadline for submissions is May 30.
For more information, please contact exhibit coordinator Kamilla Nagy at the above e-mail address or go to www.facebook.com/historicpreservationartcontest.
Build Your Business series at Gardiner Library: Jennifer Thayer
The Gardiner Library presents a virtual “build your business” series featuring presentations and a question-and-answer session. Part One of the series: “Make Your Public Speaking Impactful,” presented by Jennifer Thayer, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. Learn how to use storytelling, mechanics and anxiety hacks to become a better public speaker.
Thayer works from the premise that all speaking is public speaking and discusses the use of storytelling as a presentation anchor. She’ll also cover basics like voice preparation, better slide creation and hacks for performance anxiety.
To register for this event, contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Vacancy on the Town of Saugerties Zoning Board of Appeals
The Town of Saugerties is accepting applications to fill a vacant position immediately on the Town of Saugerties Zoning Board of Appeals (Town Board appointed). In strict accordance with the Town’s Zoning Law, the ZBA hears and decides any question brought before it involving the interpretation of the zoning law, hears and decides appeals from any decisions or determinations of the zoning enforcement officer (building inspector) and judiciously grants variances to provisions of the zoning law. The ZBA meets on the first Monday of every month, 7 p.m., at the Senior Center on Market Street. The position has a term that expires on 12-31-22. Saugerties residents are invited to submit letters of interest, including resumes and pertinent experience. All applicants will be considered. Deadline for letters of interest is May 14, 2021 and can be sent to the supervisor’s office, 4 High Street, Saugerties, NY 12477 or via e-mail to twood@saugertiesny.gov.
Local church in Kingston is selling its edifice
The Christian Science Society, formerly known as the First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 161 Fair Street in Kingston, is selling its edifice seeking a new, more easily accessible place for its reading room and services.
In 1885, Christian Science had its early beginnings in Kingston. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by author Mary Baker Eddy had been published in 1875, only ten years before. There were no Christian Science churches formally established at the time. In 1914, after outgrowing many sanctuaries in homes and rented spaces, the congregation purchased the property and built the edifice at 161 Fair Street. Many healings, including physical, financial and emotional difficulties, have been shared throughout the years by their members. The church is offering free books, each containing hundreds of articles and testimonies by individuals who explain how they have proven the efficacy of this healing practice. Call (845) 338-5123 for more information or visit their edifice on Saturday, May 1 between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. to select the books. All are welcome.
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