SUNY New Paltz president announces 2022 retirement, after 12 years of leadership
SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian has announced his intention to retire at the end of June 2022, after a 45-year career in higher education and 12 years as president. Christian was appointed as the College’s eighth president in 2011 after serving as interim president in 2010-11, and provost and vice president for academic affairs at New Paltz in 2009-2010.
During the remainder of his tenure, Christian’s focus will be to position SUNY New Paltz for continuing success in a dramatically changing higher education world and to set the stage for the next president’s entry and success. Work will include ongoing planning for a post-pandemic future, additional progress on diversity and inclusion and anti-racist initiatives and guiding campus leaders through the presidential transition.
During the 2021-22 academic year, a search will be conducted for Christian’s replacement consistent with the SUNY-wide Presidential Search Guidelines.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as president of SUNY New Paltz and to have had such a long and rewarding tenure in this role,” said Christian. “I am pleased and proud of the collective accomplishments of this community during the last eleven years and look forward to what we can achieve in the coming year. Amid budget challenges and more recently a worldwide pandemic that tested all our abilities and stamina, this community and each individual student and employee, has persevered and excelled through it all. The quintessential SUNY New Paltz community spirit I have come to respect and cherish has been especially apparent this past year. I wish for my successor the same warmth and acceptance that Sandy and I received from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters of this top-tier public university.”
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, “One of my first campus visits after being appointed as chancellor was to see President Don Christian. I have always admired his thoughtful, inclusive and calm leadership no matter the situation. It is his collaborative nature that may be most valued over the years. Don does not work in a silo — he is present, always listening and always questioning if the best laid out plans hold up in practice. His coming retirement will leave a giant hole in the SUNY family.”
Ulster County to host outdoor event series at Enterprise West
Ulster County executive Pat Ryan announced last week that Ulster County will host an outdoor summer event series on the grounds of Enterprise West, the former IBM campus, thanks to a collaboration with the newly established arts organization BLUEprint. The group is a collective of local artists, musicians and designers who have run concert venues, operated design studios and built art and music studios, and have previously established successful festivals in the Hudson Valley, including the O+ Festival. BLUEprint co-directors are Kingston residents Molly Sterrs, Kyle McDonough, Joe Concra, Micah Blumenthal, Jared Ashdown and Eliza Edge.
“Ulster County has a diverse pool of talented artists and musicians, and I am so excited that they are bringing their creativity to bear to help lead the rebirth and renewal of the former IBM site,” said county executive Pat Ryan. “The arts aren’t a luxury; they are for everyone. I’m thrilled to see the grounds of Enterprise West come alive this summer with community-driven programming that will benefit all of our residents.”
The BLUEprint summer series will be located on the former IBM parking lot and fields at 101 Enterprise Drive in the Town of Ulster, and specific programming details will be announced at an upcoming date. Planned events include outdoor concerts, as well as an outdoor movie series. Interested community organizations can apply to host an event by visiting www.blueprinthv.com and filling out an application form. Last summer, the current BLUEprint location hosted thousands of Ulster County residents for free summer movies and also welcomed hundreds to the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice, which will return this year for an expanded series August 27 to 29.
“BLUEprint’s adaptive reuse of the former IBM for community benefit is a significant step forward in transforming the West Campus,” said Town of Ulster supervisor James Quigley. “I look forward to this positive utilization.”
“BLUEprint is about mapping the future without knowing the result – it is a living map,” said BLUEprint team member Saidee Sonnenberg. “BLUEprint seeks to be a destination that champions the creativity of makers and artists who are the backbone of Ulster County. We are an inclusive, people-first organization that respects the diverse landscape of our community and welcomes all event proposals for the Enterprise West campus.”
Enterprise West is comprised of two parcels on over 80 acres of land and a 400,000-square-foot office building that was last used in 2015 as a tax processing center by Bank of America. The property ownership was recently transferred to the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance, a move proposed by the county executive and approved unanimously by the Ulster County Legislature.
In March 2021, Ulster County announced that more than 20 proposals were received for the redevelopment of all or part of Enterprise West, including five to purchase some or all of the site, 11 to rent or lease some or all of the site and 12 to provide services to assist the county in redeveloping the site. Proposals ranged from a satellite college campus, arts and maker space and agricultural manufacturing facilities.
An Enterprise West Advisory Committee, which includes Sarah Haley, Tim Weidemann, Brian Cahill, Zac Kleinhandler, Jim Quigley, Laura Hartman and Yvonne Wynkoop, is currently evaluating the proposals for the campus.
Tree dedication for Carol Roper
A gathering and tree dedication to celebrate the life of Carol Roper will be held on Sunday, June 6 at 3 p.m., in front of the Community Center at 3 Veteran’s Drive in New Paltz. In addition to a term as New Paltz Town Supervisor and serving on the Town Board, Roper also served her community as chair and member of the New Paltz Town Planning Board, as president and trustee of the Elting Memorial Library, as president of the town Recreation Commission, as member of the Ulster County Planning Board, as member of the New Paltz Community Partnership, as board member of the Poné Ensemble for Contemporary Music, as secretary of the Lifelong Learning Institute, and as trustee of the New Paltz Rural Cemetery. Carol’s community activities also included volunteering for the Library Fair, the Taste of New Paltz, the Halloween parade, New Paltz Eve, Clean Sweep and many other events.
All are invited to attend. CDC guidelines for outdoor gatherings will be followed.
Memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Dan Guenther
A Memorial Gathering to celebrate the life of Dan Guenther will be held on Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz. Friends and family of Dan and Ann Guenther are invited to celebrate Dan’s life and carry on his legacy of building community.
Remembrance addresses will begin at 12 and 2 p.m. Bring your own water, a chair or blanket. Face masks are required.
Participants are invited to contribute to a Memory Wall. Bring a printed photo or a written story of a favorite moment with Dan to share. If you cannot attend the gathering, but would like to share one of your memories, email Laura Wyeth at L.wyeth@protonmail.com.
Saugerties crowns Mum Queen during baseball game
Coordinating the crowning of the Mum Queen and her court during the Mum Bowl typically begins months in advance, with plans rarely deviating from what has become a longstanding tradition – that is, until this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic preventing football from being played, it was starting to look like the crowning wasn’t going to happen either. But organizers were resolute about maintaining this tradition and decided to reimagine the event. A mum series-like crowning was held during the varsity boys’ baseball game on Saturday, May 15.
Organizer Maureen Rothe said, “I think most people were worried that this would be another moment stolen by the pandemic. But instead, it encouraged a spirit of innovation.”
Memorial Day service in Saugerties May 30
Saugerties American Legion Post 72 will conduct a Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 30, 6 p.m., on the Post grounds adjacent to Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. The Saugerties Community Band will play several selections throughout the service.
Pop-tastic day at Phillies Bridge Farm
Trailer Swift will be performing at Phillies Bridge Farm on Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m. Hudson Valley’s premiere Taylor Swift cover band is a loving celebration of the music of one of the world’s most prolific pop artists. Join James, Ethan, MK, Chris and Jay as they interpret songs from across Taylor Swift’s entire 15+-year career with their own special New Paltz flavor.
Gates open at 1 p.m. and Trailer Swift begins at 2 p.m. This event is outdoors and masks are required, unless at your table or blanket with your pod. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds go directly to the musicians and support Phillies Bridge Farm’s Food Justice and education programs.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://philliesbridge.org/events. Phillies Bridge Farm is located at 45 Phillies Bridge Road in New Paltz. For additional information, call (845) 256–9108.
Ride for Mental Health 2021
The Ride for Mental Health is back in person this year on June 19 and 20 in New Paltz. The charity bike ride has two goals: to end the stigma associated with mental illness and to raise critically needed funds for education, research and treatment of mental illness.
In the first four years of the event, the ride has raised roughly $600,000 for McLean Hospital, the nation’s number-one-rated psychiatric hospital and an affiliate of the Harvard Medical School. Mac Dorris, the Ride’s founder and CEO, is hopeful that 2021 will eclipse the success of 2019, when the event drew 425 riders. There is still time to register as a volunteer or rider by going to www.rideformentalhealth.org.
Mushroom kit sale in New Paltz
Want to learn how to grow gourmet edible mushrooms right in your own home while also supporting community mushroom education? Now you can. Mushroom Shed, a community project dedicated to mushroom education for all ages based in New Paltz, is launching a mushroom kit sale. The kits include everything you need to grow oyster mushrooms on spent coffee grounds and corrugated cardboard including a simple how-to video. Pricing will be on a sliding scale and every kit purchased will provide another for someone in the community.
Last month kits were donated to The Poughkeepsie Farm Project Green Interns Program. The online shop mushroomshed.us will open on May 28 and close June 12. Pickup will be in person on June 26 at the Mushroom Shed in New Paltz, adjacent to the Reformed Church of New Paltz Education Building and Community Garden. It is located off Broadhead Street, between Deyo Hall and Dressel Field. Use the GPS address 6 Broadhead.
For additional information, email communitymushroomshed@gmail.com.
Spring Stroll in Kingston
The Kingston Spring Stroll will take place Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31 from 4 to 7 p.m. Explore the rich heritage of Kingston, from dozens of historic sites and museums to bustling shops and restaurants in all three of the city’s business districts: Downtown’s quaint Rondout waterfront, Midtown’s busy Broadway thoroughfare and Uptown’s historic Stockade neighborhood. Dine alfresco with your friends and family. Stroll through the sidewalk sales of one-of-a-kind shops and local artists. Bike, ride, walk, hike and stroll and support local businesses.
Businesses throughout the City of Kingston are encouraged to participate by hosting sidewalk sales, outdoor dining and/or cultural events during any part of the Memorial Day weekend. No official signup is required, but email kingstonspringstroll@gmail.com to request a flier to display in your window to let the community know if you’re planning something special for the weekend. More information can be found at kuba.network/springstroll and kuba.network/media-share.
The Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair is back and celebrating its 40th anniversary
Since its inception in 1982, the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair has bookended the summer season in the Hudson Valley. But it has been nearly two years since juried artists and makers from the Hudson Valley and beyond gathered underneath the Shawangunk Ridge in New Paltz to share their creations with the public. After 76 shows (and one unexpected pandemic), the fair returns this Memorial Day weekend. Hours are Saturday, and Sunday, May 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Monday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Voted #2 Contemporary Craft Show nationwide by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the festival features around 150 carefully curated exhibitors, most of whom have been absent from the show scene since 2019. The many shuttered months granted these makers unprecedented studio time to hone new skills, experiment with new techniques and imagine new themes.
The holiday weekend will be replete with handcrafted goods in over ten media categories. Visitors will discover uncommon, standout finds for the home, body and beyond – from wearable art like statement jewelry and hand-sewn totes to home staples like wall art and hand-thrown porcelain table settings to large-scale garden sculptures and fountains, Adirondack chairs and everything in between.
Also featured will be ongoing craft demonstrations, a variety of small-batch artisanal and eat-on-site foods and local wine, brews and spirits. Live entertainment rounds out this broad celebration of handmade. And the youngest fairgoers (and their parents) will appreciate a complimentary drop-off supervised crafts tent, brimming with a wide range of both expected and unlikely materials.
Due to the mass-vaccination center at the Ulster County Fairgrounds, the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair Spring Show will temporarily move across the street to the Field of Dreams Park. Longtime visitors needn’t worry about a venue change, as directions to the fair are unchanged, and parking continues to take place on the Fairgrounds lot. While the festival’s entrance is just a short walk from the parking area, those visitors requiring additional assistance can hop on an open-air trolley (handicapped parking will also be available on-site).
This market will follow all guidelines set forth by the New York State Department of Health for low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment, including mandatory masks and social distancing.
Presale tickets are encouraged but not required. For additional information, visit www.quailhollow.com.
Historical Society of Woodstock presents Glenn Kreisberg
“Native American Stone Structures of the Catskill Mountains as Ceremonial Stone Landscapes” is the topic of a free Zoom presentation on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m., offered by the Historical Society of Woodstock in its series of local history discussions. Glenn Kreisberg, the author of Spirits in Stone; the Secrets of Megalithic America, Decoding the Ancient Stone Landscapes of the Northeast, will share his knowledge of these astounding phenomena.
To register, email historicalsocietyofwoodstockny@gmail.com and write “Glenn Kreisberg” in the subject line. You will be sent a Zoom link prior to the event.
For more information, visit www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or email historicalsocietyofwoodstockny@gmail.com.
Land preservation in Town of Gardiner
The Gardiner Open Space Commission is kicking off a community information campaign as part of its new land conservation initiative. The first program via Zoom on June 7 at 7 p.m. will discuss the properties already preserved in Gardiner and the Town’s Open Space Plan. The second program via Zoom on June 21 at 7 p.m. discusses the Wallkill Valley Land Trust’s important role in preserving land in Gardiner and the application process for interested landowners wanting to preserve their land permanently with the guidance of the Commission. Between the two programs, Gardiner residents will learn the importance of preserving land in the town, the priority areas needing protection, the tools used to preserve land and the costs and benefits of preserving land by donation of conservation easements.
The Zoom links for each program can be found at www.townofgardiner.org/open-space-commission. Questions can be directed to the Commission at gardineropenspace@gmail.com.
High Falls woman dies in head-on collision on 209
Detectives from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office report a fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 209 in Stone Ridge.
On Tuesday, May 18 at about 8 a.m. on Route 209 (Main Street) in the Town of Marbletown, deputies responded to the report of a two-car motor vehicle accident. The preliminary investigation conducted by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police determined that Annamarie Reda, 45, of High Falls, was traveling north on Route 209 in a 2016 Ford Fusion when her vehicle was struck head-on by a 2019 Chevrolet utility truck. The utility truck was traveling south on Route 209 when the 52-year-old male operator appeared to have suffered a medical event, causing the truck to steer into the oncoming lane.
Reda suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and passenger of the utility truck were transported to the Health Alliance Hospital-Broadway Campus with minor injuries. At this time there appears to be no criminality involved with this accident and the investigation remains open.
Detectives were assisted by the New York State Police, New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, the Stone Ridge Fire Department and Mobile Life Support Services.
Firearms exchanged for gift cards
Mayor Steve Noble has announced that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office, in collaboration with the Kingston Police Department (KPD), will host an in-person gun buyback event on Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center in Kingston.
For the event on June 5, gift cards will be provided in the amounts of $25 for non-working or antique firearms, $75 for rifles and shotguns, $150 for handguns and $250 for assault weapons.
Anyone wishing to bring a firearm to the event is asked to make sure it is unloaded and transport the weapon securely in your trunk. This initiative is open to anyone in the City of Kingston, excluding licensed gun dealers and active or retired law enforcement officers, who are not eligible to participate. This is an amnesty program and no questions will be asked.
Launched on March 26, the Kingston Police Department’s own Groceries for Guns program has been hugely successful to date. KPD has collected 20 pellet guns, 26 handguns, 22 rifles, 11 shotguns and one musket in exchange for Hannaford gift cards.
“We are extremely proud of the Groceries for Guns initiative, which has removed 80 guns from our community and has potentially saved lives,” said Mayor Noble. “This is one of the many proactive programs that the Kingston Police Department has initiated in recent weeks and is part of ongoing efforts to stop gun violence in our community. I commend their work, and look forward to working with the Attorney General’s Office to get more firearms off the streets at this event.”
“We appreciate the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office in combating gun violence in our community,” said Kingston Police chief Egidio Tinti. “We know the impact that these kinds of programs can have in crime reduction and we welcome the support of our state’s highest law enforcement agency.”
Plant sale at Saugerties’ Trinity Church
Trinity Church, located on Route 9W in Saugerties, will be holding a plant sale on Saturday, June 5 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Stop by to check out the variety of plants from local gardens ready to be planted in your gardens.
The sale will be held outdoors, and masks are required while on church premises.
Participate in a Worry Doll Project/Proyecto Muñecas Quitapenas
The Reher Center for Immigrant Cultural and History is seeking artists and the general public to participate in the Worry Dolls Project/Proyecto Muñecas Quitapenas as part of the ninth annual Kingston Multicultural Festival, which will take place over three weekends, June 13, 20 and 27, at T. R. Gallo Park in Kingston, alongside the Kingston Waterfront Farmers’ Market.
Worry is an emotion we all have all experienced this past year, regardless of our culture or identity. This spring, let’s come together to turn our worries into art as we celebrate immigrant culture.
Worry dolls (also called trouble dolls – in Spanish, muñecas quitapenas) are small handmade dolls that originate from Guatemala. According to legend, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, placing them under their pillow when they go to bed at night. By the next morning, all sorrows are said to have been taken away by the worry doll and they can move forward refreshed. Traditionally, worry dolls are handmade of wire, wood, wool and colorful textile leftovers. The dolls are then dressed in traditional Mayan style. The size of the doll can vary between one-half inch and two inches.
This spring, the Reher Center, in partnership with the Cornell Creative Arts Center, worked with cultural consultant Andrea Del Cid and educator Karen Pillsworth to bring the tradition of the Worry Dolls to over 700 students at Kingston’s JFK and George Washington Schools. Students heard the story of the worry dolls and received kits to make their own worry dolls out of a popsicle stick or a pipecleaner, yarn and scraps of fabric. Hear the story and learn more at www.kingstonmulticulturalfestival.org/worry-dolls.
To raise funds to bring this project into more classes in the fall, the Reher Center is inviting artists to participate by creating and contributing their own worry dolls to the festival. Artist doll guidelines: Dolls can be up to 12 inches in height. For smaller dolls made more in the traditional manner, artists can produce multiples to be sold as a group. Artists can also choose a specific personal worry as inspiration. The deadline and dropoff is Saturday, June 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Reher Center Gallery (entrance on Spring Street behind 101 Broadway) in Kingston.
Contact Nancy Donskoj if you wish to participate at nancy@rehercenter.org or visit www.kingstonmultculturalfestival.org/worry-dolls to learn more and to fill out the online submission form.
Lighthouse TV23 to feature new series in June
Lighthouse TV23 has announced a new series called Storytime. The half-hour children’s show will feature stories, rhymes and songs to promote early literacy. The series will begin in June and be shown on Saturdays at 1 and 7 p.m.
Maya Gold Foundation seeks Hudson Valley teens for annual $500 community service award
In support of its mission to empower local youth, the Maya Gold Foundation awards two Hudson Valley teens a $500 community service award each year. Teens can apply for the scholarships online (www.mayagoldfoundation.org/apply) to support their community service efforts, provided their work is aligned to the mission of the Foundation: to empower youth to access their inner wisdom and realize their dreams.
This award is designed for Hudson Valley freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are committed to participate in a community service project or service initiative in the Hudson Valley or in Nepal. Examples of previous awards include the following initiatives: Book Donation Project, volunteering for Girls on the Run, offering musical programs for children with unique needs and service to Family of New Paltz.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with deadlines of December 15 and June 15. To apply, the student must complete the online application form. Up to two awards will be given each year to qualifying individuals, with awards announced on January 15 and July 15.
The community service award application link is https://bit.ly/mgfcsa. For more information, visit www.mayagoldfoundation.org.
Todd Samara Art Fund Award now accepting artists’ proposals
The third annual Todd Samara Art Fund Award is now accepting proposals from artists in all genres of art practice, including visual arts, music, performance and literary arts. Applicants must reside or work in the City of Kingston. The award of $1,200 was designed for proposals from emerging and established contemporary artists, art educators and/or curators for a project to take place in the City of Kingston, but, given the hardship inflicted on the creative community by the pandemic, the financial need of artists of merit will also be considered in deciding the winner. The amount of funding is flexible, and multiple awards may be considered.
Applicants are asked to send a short description of their project or describe a need related to their art practice they deem worthy of funding, along with a one-page CV and up to eight images or links to videos. In judging creative work of merit, factors that will be considered by the committee include originality of conception, quality of execution and/or craft, professionalism of presentation and visibility and/or engagement with the community, particularly as it pertains to underserved communities and the education of underresourced youth.
Given the reliance on remote communication options during the pandemic, works or a project that can be shared digitally in innovative ways will also be a consideration. Proposals should be submitted to samaraproject@madkingston.org by July 15. The award will be announced at the Celebration of the Arts, the annual event sponsored by Kingston’s Midtown Arts District, on August 7.
The Todd Samara Art Fund Award was created by the family and friends of Todd Samara in 2018 to preserve his legacy as an artist. For over 30 years, Samara lived and painted in Kingston’s Rondout neighborhood, translating its hilly streets, tight rows of 19th-century gable-roofed houses, bridges and panoramic river views into poetic visions characterized by simplified, textured forms and rich, glowing color. In 2017 Samara was diagnosed with dementia and placed in long-term care. In deciding how to deal with the hundreds of paintings and drawings Todd left behind, the Samara family arranged for an auction to be held to raise funds that would then be used to benefit other artists in Kingston.
Mohonk Preserve hosts annual Healthy Ulster Pass program
Mohonk Preserve is inviting neighbors to visit the Preserve and receive a free six-week pass during the Healthy Ulster Pass program beginning Wednesday, June 2 through Sunday, June 6.
Visitors with proof of Ulster County residency may obtain their passes at the Preserve’s Testimonial Gateway Trailhead on Route 299 in New Paltz or the Spring Farm Trailhead off Mohonk Road in High Falls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Wednesday, June 2 to Sunday, June 6. One adult must sign up in person for a maximum of four passes per household. The passes will be valid until Sunday, July 11. Passes are limited and available while supplies last. To check on availability, visit www.mohonkpreserve.org/alerts.html.
Children 12 and under are always free with an accompanying adult passholder and do not require a separate pass. All Healthy Ulster passholders must sign their pass prior to visiting and should be prepared to present ID when accessing Mohonk Preserve. When accessing the Preserve, Healthy Ulster passholders must obtain a wristband from one of the trailheads for each visit. All visitors must adhere to Mohonk Preserve’s COVID-19 visitation guidelines, including mask-wearing and social distancing.
This marks the 11th year the Preserve has offered its Healthy Ulster Pass program. The Preserve has distributed over 38,000 free one-month passes to Ulster County residents during the organization’s annual Healthy Ulster events.
For membership information, visit www.mohonkpreserve.org/join.
NY Renaissance Faire to reopen August 21
The New York Renaissance Faire’s gates will reopen on Saturday, August 21 and continue each Saturday and Sunday through October 3.
Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask. Other details regarding safety precautions may be found at https://renfair.com/ny/faqs.
If you bought tickets for the 2020 season and have not yet contacted fair organizers, e-mail newyork@renfair.com with your confirmation number so tickets can be transferred. 2021 season tickets are on sale now at ShowClix at https://renfair.com/ny/tickets. Follow the New York Renaissance Faire on Facebook for updates.
Great Hudson River Revival full performer lineup announced
The Great Hudson River Revival (a/k/a Clearwater Festival) has announced its full performer lineup for the June 19 streaming event at www.clearwaterfestival.org.The online fundraising event will continue the organization’s decades-long tradition and community gathering normally held annually every June at Croton Point Park. The Great Hudson River Revival will be streamed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on June 19 on www.clearwaterfestival.org as well as Clearwater’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
The event will feature musical performers, storytellers and activists, including John McCutcheon, Tom Chapin, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Scott Ainslie, Rick Nestler, Matt Cartsonis, Betty and the Baby Boomers, Hubby Jenkins, Thomasina Winslow, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Emma’s Revolution, Holly Near, R. J. Storm and the Old School Bluegrass Band, Mel & Vinnie, Reggie Harris, Tom Paxton, Diana Jones, the Trouble Sisters, Magpie, Rik Palieri and more. A full performer list and bios are available at www.clearwaterfestival.org/performers. All performances will be accompanied by ASL interpreters.
While the Great Hudson River Revival is free to attend, Clearwater encourages viewers to donate if they are able. Donations can be made at http://bit.ly/thegreathudsonriverrevival21. Audience members may also support the festival by becoming a patron fish donor; donations made before June 1 come with incentives based on donor level, such as access to a private sail with some of the festival musicians the Friday before the festival. Contact Ann Mellor at ann@clearwater.org for more details.
Hydrant flushing to continue in Saugerties
The Village of Saugerties water department, in conjunction with the town water department, will begin to flush hydrants and blow-offs. This may result in discolored water. The work will continue throughout the weeks starting June 7 through June 11, with most of the work being done during evening hours. The village will be flow testing on June 15 as part of an ongoing program to keep property insurance rating classifications up-to-date.
If you have questions or concerns, depending on your provider, please call the town at 246-8671 or the village at 246-8958.
Coming up at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck opens up the summer season outdoors with two distinct plays all about love and language.
Opening on June 3, Centerstage Productions brings William Shakespeare’s As You Like It to life. Following the tradition of a romantic comedy, this tale of love at first sight and mistaken identities is some of Shakespeare’s best, and certainly brings forth one of Shakespeare’s best-written female characters: Rosalind. With a cast of 23 and directed by Joe Eriole, this pastoral comedy is sure to delight all audiences out on the great lawn.
As You Like It features performances by Andrew Austin, Alli Behnken, Mary Benjamin, Maggie Bogan, Terrence Boyer, Michael Britt, Maurice Chinnery, Mark Colvson, Elizabeth Crew, Ellie DeMan, Molly Feibel, Laura Ruth Hennessy, Steavie Hergenrader-Reed, Kyla Kelly, Maia LaSalvia, Caitlyn Letteri, Jeremy Ratel, Laurel Riley-Brown, Matthew Ryan, Lauren Silverman, Denis Silvestri, Zack Steenbergen and Wendy Urban-Mead.
Presented in alternating performances with As You Like It, the Center will present Julia Cho’s modern fable The Language Archive. We meet George, a man consumed with preserving dying languages. Closer to home, though, language is failing him. He doesn’t know what to say to his wife, Mary, to keep her from leaving him, and he doesn’t recognize the deep feelings that his assistant, Emma, has for him.
With a small cast of seven and directed by Christine Crawfis, this tale and the gaping hole between what is said and what is left unsaid is sure to charm audiences of all ages. The Language Archive features performances by Ann Citron, Kit Colbourn, Rick Meyer, Molly P. Myers, Janet Nurre, Bruce Pileggi and Douglas Woolley.
Performances of both As You Like It and The Language Archive are being presented outdoors from June 3 through 20, Thursday through Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and can be ordered by visiting www.centerforperformingarts.org. Please note the dates of both shows, as they are playing at alternating performances.
The Center is located at 661 Route 308, three miles east of the village center in Rhinebeck.
4-H tree plantingat New Paltz’s Field of Dreams
4-H youth have volunteered to plant trees at areas needing vegetation in Ulster County. On Wednesday, May 12, 4-H members Logan Woolsey, Paige Badner, Emilie Locus, Michael Bishop, Isabel Harcourt-Ramon and their club leaders planted white spruce trees at the Field of Dreams in New Paltz.
The trees were provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation nursery in Saratoga. Two more groups of 4-H youth will plant at two locations in Accord.
Community sailing program opens at Maritime Museum Sailing School
The Sailing School at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston is expanding sailing opportunities through a community sailing program that will launch on June 1. This new initiative is modeled after community sailing programs across the US that work to promote, expand and support public sailing education and experiences.
The new program enables members of the public to purchase a seasonal community sailing membership, giving them access to reserve and sail boats owned by the museum’s Sailing School. Boats that are available include the museum’s keelboats or the catboat Tidbit. Participants are required to have US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification or its equivalent, and sessions must include at least two registered participants. Membership in the museum’s Community Sailing Program costs $1,200 to $1,350 for the four-month season.
Community sailing programs enable people to enjoy recreational sailing without having to own a boat. Ownership of a 25-foot keelboat can cost an average of $3,000 per year; expenses include routine maintenance as well as winter storage, summer dock rental and insurance. The program will give more people the opportunity to take a boat out on the water.
Members who will be skippers (captains) are required to pass an on-water sailing test examining their ability to sail safely on all points of sail in a variety of conditions, to leave and approach the dock safely, work with crew and other elements of sailing. People who are interested in learning more about the museum’s Community Sailing Program can visit www.hrmm.org/adult-sailing.
In addition to the community sailing program, the Sailing School at the Hudson River Maritime Museum offers a variety of sailing classes for youth and adults, as well as special events for sailors of all levels. A summary and calendar of classes can be found on the museum website. Adult classes can be found at www.hrmm.org/adult-sailing. Youth classes can be found at www.hrmm.org/youth-sailing-program. For more information, people can contact Jody Sterling, Sailing Program manager, at jsterling@hrmm.org or (845) 338-0071.
Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.
Bee City garden planting at Village Hall
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.
Walk to Fight Hunger at Dutchess Fairgrounds
The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley announced that its annual Walk to Fight Hunger will take place this year on Saturday, June 19 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. This year’s Walk to Fight Hunger is taking place at a new location to ensure social distancing.
Supporters are encouraged to come and bring a team to walk and help to end hunger. Funds raised will be used for food bank programs that distribute food in six counties throughout the Hudson Valley. Interested individuals can give a financial gift, organize a team or fundraise online.
Visit https://events.handbid.com/fundraisers/walk-to-fight-hunger or call (845) 534-5344 to learn more.
Family of Woodstock gets Kingston contract for tiny homes project
Mayor Steve Noble has announced that the City of Kingston has formally awarded Family of Woodstock to facilitate the construction and management of a pilot tiny-home community.
On March 4, the City of Kingston issued an RFP for qualified independent firms to provide construction, case management and property management services for a tiny-home project. The proposal review committee voted to award the contract to Family of Woodstock, which has been serving the community with crisis intervention and support since 1970. This pilot program will launch with $200,000 in allotted funds from the Anti-Displacement Learning Network (ADLN) grant to build homes for families who are facing eviction or are at high risk of displacement from the Midtown neighborhood, and is modeled after the A Tiny Home for Good project in Syracuse.
Designated for single-parent households, the proposal includes three 400-to-700-square-foot two-bedroom homes with a kitchen and bathroom. Family of Woodstock, working with Gen Z Homes, will oversee construction of the community as well as case management services for future residents. Family of Woodstock is working to identify potential locations on a parcel or parcels of city-owned land in the Midtown area.
“We are thrilled to partner with Family of Woodstock to make a tiny-home community a reality. These three homes will have a huge impact on three families almost immediately,” said Mayor Noble. “We also acknowledge that the need for affordable housing is great among all populations. The ADLN project team is actively working on another proposal targeting single adults at high risk of displacement. The tiny-home project is just one piece of my ambitious, multifaceted housing agenda for Kingston, which also includes permitting accessory dwelling units, drafting and implementing a form-based code and pilot projects like this one.”
“Family is excited to work with the City to test the tiny-homes model as a vehicle for helping single-head-of-household families develop the employment skills and address other critical needs to become self-sufficient after two years of supported living,” said Family of Woodstock executive director Michael Berg.
“I’m very excited that, together with the Anti-Displacement Learning Network and Family of Woodstock, we are advancing a pilot project that will provide safe, comfortable and permanent homes for single-parent households facing considerable hardship,” said City of Kingston director of Housing Initiatives Kevin Corté. “No child in Kingston should have to grow up in subpar housing, and no parent should have to make the choice between affordability and safe and healthy living conditions. Providing alternative housing options for low-income families at high risk of displacement is incredibly important in the effort to stabilize our community in the face of a severe housing crisis.”
More information can be found at: https://engagekingston.com/anti-displacement-strategies.
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.
Future-proof your business Zoom event
Sustainable Hudson Valley (SHV) ’s next climate conversation takes place on Friday, May 28 at noon, titled: “Future-proof Your Business: Lessons Learned in a Generation of Sustainable Business Practice.” As businesses of all sizes make commitments to carbon neutrality, biodiversity and science-based targets, how can small-to-medium-sized companies be a part of this movement in ways that help them grow market share, manage risk and retain employees? What tools and frameworks can help?
Panelists include Nels Leader, Bread Alone; Dani Glaser, Green Business Partnership; and Perry Goldschein, sustainability consultant and SHV board member. The moderator is Michael Sheridan, associate professor at SUNY New Paltz.
For more information and to register for this free Zoom event, visit https://sustainhv.org/calendar/month-highlights.
Virtual permaculture plant sale
Join garden columnist Lee Reich, virtually, for his annual permaculture plant sale. Because of Covid, plants will be ordered online, with scheduled pickup dates at Lee’s farmden. Offered will be rare, easy-to-grow fruiting and ornamental plants, such as hardy kiwifruits, white alpine strawberries and nutrient- and flavor-packed blackcurrants.
Availability is limited for all plants. To see the list of plants offered and order, pay and schedule a pickup, go to https://leesannualplantsale.squarespace.com.
The Cronin Gallery debuts new look, new exhibit
Shortly after the new year, CronArtUSA shuttered the windows of its gallery and shop at the Water Street Market in New Paltz to begin a top-to-bottom renovation. The result, revealed at a soft reopening in March, was a total transformation. The sleek design, industrial concrete floors and gleaming white walls are offset by minimalist white and acrylic fixtures. CronArtUSA has created an open and inviting space with an urban vibe that plays off the bucolic Hudson Valley backdrop of mountains and farmland. Ryan Smith, a recent visitor, describes the overall feeling as “calming, energizing, inspiring.”
“Selections 2019-2021,” currently on exhibit at the Cronin Gallery, are works created by Ryan Cronin at his Thread Artist Residency in Senegal, Africa in September 2019, thanks to the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, along with works created during the shutdown in New York in 2020.
Anchored in the belief that art should be in and of the world we live in and accessible to all, the shop features an extensive line of apparel, home goods and gifts with designs driven by the original imagery of Cronin, as well as museum-quality prints in various sizes. Open daily from noon to 6 p.m., the Cronin Gallery Shop is located at 10 Main Street in New Paltz in the Water Street Market. CronArtUSA also maintains an online store at www.cronartusa.com.
Moriello Pool reopening information
Moriello Pool in New Paltz is scheduled to open to the public on weekends beginning with the three-day Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31. The pool will open to the public daily beginning Saturday, June 26. As of this time, most of the same Covid-19 reopening safety plan requirements and procedures will be followed as last year until new updated guidance and procedures are received and implemented. As per CDC guidelines, masks will be required for anyone not fully vaccinated and social distancing will also be required. Covid-19 related requirements and guidelines will be posted at the pool entrance and updated as requirements and procedures change going forward.
Public swim hours will be from 12 to 7 p.m. weekends only from May 29 through June 20; 12 to 7:30 p.m. from June 26 through August 15; and 12 to 7 p.m. August 16 through September 6.
Membership rates for the season are: Residents of the Town of New Paltz — family $200 (for up to five family members residing in a single-family home). Each additional family member in the same household is $40 additional; single — $ 85; senior — $60.
To purchase a resident membership, proof of New Paltz residency is required: A valid driver’s license showing a town or village of New Paltz physical address, property tax receipt, posted mail within the last 30 days showing name and physical address of applicant, utility bill, lease agreement or insurance card. A check is also accepted if name and physical address are pre-printed on the check. Telephone numbers and other information related to each membership will also be required when purchasing a membership. Post office boxes are not accepted as proof of residency.
Non-New Paltz residents can purchase a family or single membership. However, daily admission will not be available to non-residents. Only residents of the town or village New Paltz are eligible to pay the daily rate.
Non-New Paltz resident membership rates: Family — $300 (for up to five family members residing in a single-family home). Each additional family member in the same household is $40 additional); single — $ 125.
Daily Admission rates for New Paltz residents: Residents — 12 & under, $6; over 12, $8; senior, $6; after 5 p.m., $5.
New Paltz residents must also provide proof that they reside in the town or village of New Paltz in order to qualify for the appropriate daily resident rate.
If swim lessons are able to be held this year, classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings as in past years. Information, including registration dates and times, will be available at Moriello Pool ASAP. Tentatively the first of three, two-week sessions will begin June 29.
“Aquoga” (combining water aerobics and yoga) will be offered Monday and Friday mornings again this summer. Classes are currently scheduled to begin Friday, June 28. More information will be available at Moriello Pool.
“Stitched Together” opens June 3 at Reher Center
The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History invites the public to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition, “Stitched Together,” on June 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard and front window of its building at 101 Broadway in Kingston.
Timed ticketing in 20-minute slots will be required in order to help maintain social distancing. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Find the Eventbrite registration link at www.rehercenter.org/events.
Inspired by a 1918 Kingston Daily Freeman article listing the names of shirt-factory employees and a historic photo of women working at F. Jacobson and Sons Shirt Factory, students used historical research, writing and sewing skills to help understand, imagine and retell the life stories of nine historical girls and women. The exhibit will feature reproduction blouses, skirts and other garments, as well as posters showing the student research and creativity that went into the final products. This includes census research, creative writing and sketches.
Students from Kingston Catholic, Rhinebeck High and Ulster BOCES worked on this project throughout the school year, with the assistance of the Ulster County archivist Taylor Bruck and Maria Cabrera of Maria Cabrera Alterations & Tailoring. Students from the Pop-Up Gallery Group, the workforce development program of the Department of Regional Art Workers, will install the front windows display.
This collaborative exhibit uplifts the stories of immigrant and working women in our community, past and present. The opening event celebrates the accomplishments of students who developed the content for this exhibit during this most challenging of years.
This exhibit leads the way to a larger exhibition that will tell a fuller story of the workers in Kingston’s garment industry past and present. That show, “Sewing in Kingston,” will open at the Reher Center’s refurbished gallery in fall 2021.
For additional information, visit www.rehercenter.org.
Join the family! 
