HSW hosts women’s suffrage centennial exhibit
The exhibit “Standing on Their Shoulders: Passing the Women’s Rights Torch to the Present Day” opens on Sunday, September 19 with a presentation by women’s rights activist Marguerite Culp Kearns from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Eames House Museum at the Historical Society of Woodstock (HSW), located at 20 Comeau Drive in Woodstock. The display of early-20th-century photographs and artifacts based on the lives of social justice campaigners Edna Kearns (1882-1934) and Elisabeth Freeman (1876-1942), with interactive videos and music, will run until October 24 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The exhibit is the culmination of the Historical Society’s yearlong women’s rights centennial series, a project made possible by a grant from Humanities New York with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The presentation by Culp Kearns (suffrage descendant, journalist and editor of the Woodstock Times newspaper during the 1970s and 1980s) will highlight how activism in one branch of her family influenced four generations. Kearns has spent a lifetime researching and writing her book from SUNY Press, An Unfinished Revolution: Edna Buckman Kearns and the Struggle for Women’s Rights (2021). The memoir begins when she was ten years old asking grandfather Wilmer about the suffrage campaigns of his past. She describes her years at the Woodstock Times and ends with her carrying a banner in a 2019 women’s rights parade.
An online presentation by Kearns is scheduled for Thursday, October 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event includes the premiere showing of Passing the Torch, a short video that Kearns produced with videographer Barton Friedman, which will be posted later on the HSW’s YouTube channel. To register for this event, contact HSW at historicalsocietyofwoodstockny@gmail.com and write “activism” in the subject line. You will receive a Zoom link by e-mail prior to the event.
Pop-up vax site at Ulster County Fair
Ulster County executive Pat Ryan announced yesterday that those attending the Ulster County Fair will be able to get vaccinated on-site. Through a partnership with New York State, the Ulster County Department of Health is making vaccines available to all fair attendees over the age of 12.
“With the national rise in cases due to the Delta variant, Ulster County is redoubling our efforts to make vaccines accessible,” Ryan said. “Vaccines are safe, effective and will allow us to bring back a sense of normalcy to our community. I encourage all of our residents to get vaccinated.”
The pop-up site at the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz will be open on August 6 and 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., located near the first-aid booth between the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office ORACLE vehicle and dive tank. Second-dose appointments will be scheduled at the first-dose appointment. Appointments are available at vaccinateulster.com, and walk-ins are also welcome.
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for people ages 12+. For anyone under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany and give consent for vaccination. Documentation is not required. Any necessary forms will be available in English and in Spanish, and a Spanish interpreter will also be on-site.
Woodstock Guild of Craftsmen wins Preserve New York Grant
The Woodstock Guild of Craftsmen is one of this year’s Preserve New York (PNY) grantees. Its grant of $5,750 will fund a Building Condition Report for Barzin, one of the cottages on the campus of the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony.
In the winter of 1902, a wealthy Englishman named Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead and his wife Jane began construction of the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony on Mount Guardian, just outside the hamlet of Woodstock. Seven farms, 1,500 acres in all, were purchased for the enterprise. By the time it was completed in 1903, 30 buildings stood, comprising what has been referred to as a “textbook example” of a utopian Arts and Crafts community. The name “Byrdcliffe” is the combination of Ralph and Jane’s middle names.
With a $5,750 Preserve New York grant, the Woodstock Guild will engage architect Stephen Tilly to produce a Building Condition Report for Barzin, one of 25 buildings on the Colony campus. Named for former resident and musician Leo Barzin, the structure as a garage and carriage house, was used as a summer home and is now home to summer resident artists. The building requires both restoration and winterization to make it usable year-round. A Building Condition Report will pave the way for the fundraising needed to make the necessary repairs.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant through the strong partnership of the Preservation League and NYSCA to continue the transition of winterizing Byrdcliffe’s historic arts colony,” said Catherine McNeal, Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Board president. “Architect Stephen Tilly’s building condition report for Barzin is the first crucial step in identifying structural and preservation needs for one of the original circa-1903 cottages.”
Ukuleleans! at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts The Ukuleleans! on Wednesday, August 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. All ages are welcome, from beginner to experienced. Join accomplished ukulele performer Jeff Pfeffer. Learn how to build confidence, possibly to perform in front of audiences.
The Ukuleleans! meet on the second Wednesday of every month. Participants will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing if moved indoors.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Rosendale Café summer exhibit spotlights 4 local artists
The Rosendale Café presents its 2021 summer art show from August 1 through September 30. The exhibit will present the work of four Rosendale artists: Staats Fasoldt, Tom Sarrantonio, Judy Hoyt and Ted Dixon. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The Café is located at 434 Main Street in Rosendale. For additional information, call (845) 658-9048.
Dutch Barn opens as gallery for Saugerties Artists’ Tour
Celebrating its 19th year, the 2021 Saugerties Artists’ Tour hosts 31 artists skilled in at least 14 creative disciplines who will open their studios; five virtual artists will also participate with personal, in-depth videos on the tour’s website. The opening exhibition was held at the Dutch Barn at the Kiersted House on July 23. The barn was crowded and hung with the works of the participating artists. The works included paintings in various media, sculpture, photography, pottery and mixtures of the various art forms.
Tour coordinator Barbara Bravo said that planning for next year will begin shortly after this year’s tour is over, and next year is special; it will be the 20th anniversary of the tour.
Gus Pedersen, whose sculpture at last Saturday’s show consisted of ten blocks of different types of wood, said he will probably have to come up with 20 varieties next year, in honor of the anniversary.
The Dutch Barn will be open as a gallery, displaying the art that is part of this year’s tour, on the following dates/times: Saturday, August 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 8 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The actual tour of open studios takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at artists’ studios throughout the Town of Saugerties. Pick up a map for this free self-guided tour at many Saugerties businesses, including the Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center, 138 Partition Street; Smith Hardware, 227 Main Street; and Town & Country Liquors, 303 Route 212 at CVS Plaza. Or connect online at https://saugertiesarttour.org/ and scroll down to the lower half of the page.
Live open studio artists are: Charley Micherson, photography; Michael Ciccone, abstract sculpture and paintings; Josepha Gutelius, painting; Ulf Loven, abstract and figurative painting; Jennifer Hicks, mixed media, painting and photography; Barbara Bravo, sculptural and clay tiles, collage, pottery; Ellen Perantoni, realistic oil landscape painting; Lucretia Moroni, fabric design and photography; Robert Sherman, handmade furniture from barn wood.; Mikhail Horowitz, collage, linocuts, assemblages; Carol Zaloom, linocut prints; Tara Bach, abstract painting; Marjorie Magid, paintings and prints; Robert Troxell, ceramic sculpture, paintings and etchings; Meredith Morabito, figurative clay sculpture and photography; Ruth Edwy, landscape paintings; Alex Kveton, metal sculptures and collagraph prints; Kay Kenny, night photography; Michael Sullivan Smith, land art; Istar Schwager, collages, paintings, drawings, prints; David Sarlin, street photography; Ben Suga, pottery and ceramic sculpture; Raymond J. Steiner (1933-2019) plein air oil landscapes; Tad Richards, digital painting and fiber arts; Marsha Kaufman-Rubinstein, porcelain pottery; Viorica Stan, paintings, photography and mixed media; Hugh Morris, paintings and prints; Yvette Lewis, abstract paintings; Isaac Abrams, painting; and Ana Bergen, digital photography, mixed media, painting.
Virtual artists are: Lorrie and Michael Wardell, functional pottery and enameled copper; Gustav Pedersen, studio furniture, marquetry, sculptures; David Brown, welded steel sculpture; Iain Machell, drawings; and Kristin Barton, paintings.
The Dutch Barn is located at 119 Main Street (behind the Kiersted House) in Saugerties. For additional information, visit https://saugertiesarttour.org.
— David Gordon
Kingston announces fourth round of 2021 paving
Kingston mayor Steven Noble and the City of Kingston Department of Public Works have announced that the next round of paving in 2021 includes Hunter Street from Wurts to Ravine and McEntee Street from Broadway to West Pierpont.
The Department of Public Works Street will begin milling these areas on or about August 2, weather depending. Paving is scheduled to commence on August 9. Paving is expected to be completed by August 13. There will be intermittent lane changes and detours, which may cause slight delays.
“This has been a very busy and productive construction season for us here in the City of Kingston,” said Mayor Noble. “Just this week, construction for the Broadway Grand Intersection Improvements Project began, and the DOT [Department of Transportation] team is paving Washington Avenue from Hurley Avenue to the bridge over Esopus Creek. We know this may feel like a lot of detour signs, but we’re making great progress in improving the City’s infrastructure for our residents. Thanks as always to the men and women of the Department of Public Works, who work hard to see all of these important projects through.”
More information about paving projects in the City of Kingston can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/paving.
Port Ewen hosts back-to-school backpack giveaway
A back-to-school backpack giveaway is planned for Saturday, August 21 from 11 am. to 2 p.m. at 186-190 Broadway in Port Ewen. Each child will be given a new backpack to fill with school supplies. After they are done “shopping,” children can get a back-to-school haircut, then stop by Mario’s Pizza for a slice of homemade pizza. The community effort aims to support local children as they strive to succeed this new school year.
Organizers need donated book bags, notebooks, pencils, markers, crayons, looseleaf paper, glue sticks, tissues, hand sanitizer et cetera. Items can be dropped off at Mario’s Pizza. Look for donation cans for cash donations, or checks can be mailed to: Esopus Community Foundation, Inc, PO Box 800, Port Ewen NY 12466. Call Laura Petit at (845) 340-1293 for more information or if you are interested in helping.
history of the Saugerties Lighthouse. (Photo by Anna Landewe)
Arm-of-the-Sea’s Tidewater Center opens August 18
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater will open its waterfront performance venue, the Tidewater Center, with five performances of its annual Esopus Creek Puppet Suite August 18 to 22 at 8 p.m. This outdoor event fuses live music with large-scale mask and puppet characters in a celebration of puppetry’s ancient communal roots and its emergence as a vibrant modern artform.
Motifs in this year’s Puppet Suite include a Catskill Forest Rhapsody, Sonata of the Great Flood, Elegy for the Departed and A Reckoning with the Remedies. The performance ensemble includes musicians Eli Winograd, Bill Ylitalo and Aru Apaza, along with veteran puppeteers Kira deCoudres, Anna Hafner, Soyal Smalls, M. J. Smythe and Ryan Smith, plus participants from the community. Marlena Marallo created the lush visual elements and Patrick Wadden directs the action.
The organization is developing the Tidewater Center as a cultural park for arts, aquatic science and local heritage at the site of a 19th-century papermill. This new open-air performance space is situated between towering mill ruins and the tidal Esopus Creek. “We’ve been an itinerant troupe for decades,” notes Wadden. “Now we’re establishing our own ceremonial site right where a mountain stream plunges to meet sea level. It’s a very liminal place, fitting for the ephemeral nature of theater. And, thanks to truckloads of clean quarry material capping the industrial grounds, the site is non-toxic, tick-free and COVID-safe.”
Admission costs $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Tickets are available at the venue entrance each evening and online at Eventbrite. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early and bring lawn seating. Arm-of-the-Sea’s Tidewater Center is located at 61 East Bridge Street in Saugerties. For more information, visit www.armofthesea.org or call (845) 246-7873.
Midtown Kingston parking lots project seeks public input
Kingston mayor Steven Noble has announced that a public engagement survey is now open for the Midtown Parking Lots Improvements Project. With $1.2 million in funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Green Infrastructure Grant Program (GIGP), the City of Kingston will reconstruct three municipal parking lots in Midtown using green stormwater infrastructure. Repairs and upgrades will be made to the parking lots at Broadway and Downs Street (next to Sea Deli), Cornell and Thomas Streets (adjacent to Little Italy) and Broadway and Jansen Avenue (next to Monkey Joe).
Green infrastructure includes bioswales and permeable pavers, which prevent untreated stormwater from entering closed drainage systems, which can lead to erosion and flooding. By integrating green infrastructure into these parking lots and along sidewalks, stormwater is filtered before the water enters rivers and streams. The green infrastructure improvements are designed to help protect and preserve the Rondout Creek and Hudson River while meeting parking needs along the Broadway corridor in Midtown.
“The City of Kingston is a leader in local environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts, and these improvements to municipal parking lots fall in line with our values, while providing vital parking to our community,” said Mayor Noble. “We are working each and every day to make improvements to our City’s infrastructure and making sure the work is done in the most eco-friendly way possible. Protecting the Rondout Creek and the Hudson River will have long-lasting benefits, and we are proud that the City of Kingston is making these incremental changes.”
For more information, and to participate in the survey, visit https://engagekingston.com/midtown-parking-lots. The survey will be open until August 15. The project is expected to be bid in early 2022.
Denizen Theatre to host staged readings of new commissions
In June of 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the Denizen Theatre commissioned two renowned playwrights, Elizabeth Heffron (Bo-Nita) and John Pielmeier (Agnes of God), to write new work exclusively for the Denizen Theatre.
Heffron’s world premiere, Anteroom, will premiere during the third and final staged reading in Denizen Theatre’s outdoor summer reading series on August 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. Anteroom will be performed outdoors in the courtyard at Water Street Market in New Paltz. The staged reading of Anteroom will be directed by Duane Boutté.
Later this fall, Pielmeier’s world premiere Marlowe, Goethe, Faust will be performed indoors at the Denizen Theatre, on Monday, November 8 at 7 p.m. The staged reading of Marlowe, Goethe, Faust will be directed by Margarett Perry.
Both staged readings will be free and open to the public. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. For additional information, visit www.denizentheatre.com.
Saugerties United Methodist Church names new pastor
The Saugerties United Methodist Church, located at 67 Washington Avenue in Saugerties, welcomes the Rev. Dr. Marva Usher-Kerr as its new pastor.
Dr. Usher-Kerr is a longtime member and present elder of the United Methodist Church. During that time, she has been active on every level of the United Methodist Church, from local church Council on Ministries chairperson to assistant annual conference coordinator to General Conference and Jurisdictional delegate (2004, 2008 and 2012).
She has also served in many volunteer groups, both as a layperson and clergy, such as president of the New York Annual Conference of United Methodist Women, officer in Black Methodists for Church Renewal and Black Clergywomen. Some of her work has been to lead workshops for events such as advanced lay speakers, UMW Conference officers training and Schools of Mission (Mission U), as well as being very active in volunteer missions, having taken mission trips to Haiti and several parts of both Africa and South America.
Rev. Usher-Kerr is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook and has attended Auburn and Union Seminaries. She received her Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from the New York Theological Seminary in New York City. She is also a certified evangelist of the United Methodist Church.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail improvements continue
This same time last year, the Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT), along with its partners the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Hudson River Valley Greenway, announced a $1.1 million plan to improve the northern stretch of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, located in the towns of Rosendale and Ulster. Through the end of the summer and into the fall of 2020, these sections of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail underwent massive improvements.
Overgrowth and hazardous trees were removed, positive drainage was reestablished and a new stone-dust surface was applied to the entire 9.5-mile stretch. Road crossings also received appropriate safety treatments with signage and other amenities. As a final step in the project, it is time to go back and “touch up” the new improvements.
Expect construction crews beginning at Cragswood Road in New Paltz north to Rockwell Lane and Route 32 in the City of Kingston, starting on Monday, August 9 through the end of the month. The crews will not be active on the weekends and no closures are expected.
Stewart Airport debuts Florida flights via Frontier Airlines this fall
Low-cost airline Frontier Airlines will begin offering flights to three Florida cities from Stewart International Airport this fall, governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. Cuomo said in a press release that Frontier will schedule flights between Stewart and Orlando International Airport four times per week starting October 25, and between Stewart and Miami International and Tampa International Airport three times each week beginning on November 2. The governor said that the weekly schedule of ten flights each week will provide “attractive low-fare connections for the mid-Hudson region’s growing population.”
This is the first time that Frontier Airlines has serviced Stewart. “We look forward to launching these new routes beginning in October and welcoming New Yorkers on board for some Florida sun and fun,” Frontier Airlines senior director of marketing Scott Fisher said in a prepared statement.
The airline currently serves LaGuardia Airport in New York City and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The addition of Frontier will help restore pre-COVID-19 flight activity at Stewart, which is managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
“Our airports across the state are a key part of our economic development, and these new flights by Frontier Airlines are further proof that New York is open for business and building back better,” Governor Cuomo said. “The additional traffic to and from New York Stewart International Airport will greatly benefit the regional economy, while the flights give travelers from Florida another entry point into our beautiful state and all that it has to offer.”
“Frontier Airlines is the first new airline to join the airport since we launched our new incentive,” said Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. “New York Stewart is a catalyst for growth in the region, and the travel and tourism industry is integral to fueling our economic recovery. We remain committed to building on our strategic plan for the airport and look forward to providing customers more travel options.”
The Port Authority said that it has introduced a number of initiatives to reenergize Stewart, including the new Air Carrier Incentive Program to attract new airlines, and has launched a new marketing campaign to attract passengers as tourism and air travel rebounds. The agency said that its goal is to position Stewart as a low-cost alternative for the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan region. Officials said that they are putting a keen focus on bringing international routes.
The addition of Frontier’s Florida routes comes after Allegiant Air launched service earlier this summer to Savannah, Georgia, adding to the airline’s five nonstop destinations including Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Punta Gorda, Orlando/Sanford and Tampa in Florida.
“Frontier’s arrival to New York Stewart International Airport will benefit not only Orange County, but the entire region,” Orange County executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. “Frontier’s new flight service to Florida will create new opportunities for tourism, business and economic development. I couldn’t be happier for Stewart Airport and its new partner, and we are excited to welcome Frontier to Orange County.”
MAD Celebration of the Arts returns to Kingston August 7-14
The Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD) is presenting its seventh annual MAD Celebration of the Arts (CoA) throughout the week of August 7 to 14. This community event showcases excellence in the arts and highlights the breadth of Kingston’s artistic and cultural diversity. All events are free and open to all ages.
The celebration kicks off on Saturday morning, August 7, with live outdoor performances at Barmann Park (at the corner of South Clinton Avenue and Barmann Avenue) in Kingston, featuring Arm-of-the-Sea Theater (mask and puppet theater), SED (trio with David Gonzalez, Steve Gorn and Evry Mann), René Bailey and the Saints of Swing and ceremonies to bestow this year’s Red Goat Awards and the Todd Samara Art Fund Award.
“We are pleased to host the seventh annual MAD Celebration of the Arts and have once again taken a creative pivot in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ray Curran, vice president of the MAD Board of Directors. “All events are free, and most will be held virtually – with an exciting new addition of an open call of online video content, which will showcase the remarkable work of Kingston artists. Our free classes at the DRAW will be held in person at our studio in Energy Square. We invite everyone to join us this August to celebrate Kingston’s vibrant creative community.”
Throughout the week of August 8 to 12, the DRAW (MAD’s art ed program) will offer free in-person classes taught by local artist/teachers in the DRAW studio at Energy Square. Classes include Intro to Printmaking, Intro to Monoprints, Accordion Book Construction, Costumed Life Drawing, Visual Artist Career Development and Mixed-Media Artmaking for Seniors. All in-person workshops are free, but require preregistration. Sign up at www.drawkingston.org/classes.
The celebration closes on Saturday, August 14 with a DRAW-athon. Based on the renowned 24-hour event started in 2008 by Antenna in New Orleans, the DRAW’s first annual DRAW-athon is a 12-hour drawing extravaganza for all ages. Visitors can come and go throughout this day of drawing, during which all the surfaces in our studio can be drawn on by folks of all ages, abilities, skill levels and interests. Teaching artists and youth leaders will be creating drawing experiences for everyone throughout the day. Come and create comics, zines, Exquisite Corpse collaborative drawings, pet portraits and more. All materials will be provided. The event will be family-friendly all day and turn to an adult-focused event from 7 to 10 p.m.
Throughout the week, MAD will be showcasing original online videos solicited from, and produced by, Kingston and area artists. For more information – or to volunteer, donate or become an official sponsor – contact lisa@madkingston.org or visit www.madkingston.org.
Bard Music Festival spotlighting Nadia Boulanger opens August 6
Opening on Friday, August 6, the 31st Bard Music Festival explores “Nadia Boulanger and Her World.” Over two weekends, 12 themed concert programs examine and contextualize the life and career of Nadia Boulanger. Enriched by a wealth of compositions by Boulanger, her predecessors, her contemporaries and her unparalleled roster of students, Weekend One explores “Music in Paris in the First Half of the 20th Century” (August 6 to 8), and Weekend two addresses “The 20th-Century Legacy of Nadia Boulanger” (August 12 to 15).
In light of recent New York State guidance, these performances will not only be available for livestreaming, but will now all take place before full-capacity audiences in the Frank Gehry-designed Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and other venues on Bard College’s Hudson River campus. The concerts will be supplemented by panel discussions and pre-concert talks, all prerecorded and available online prior to the event.
Tickets are now on sale. The Box Office can be reached by telephone at (845) 758-7900 or by e-mail at boxoffice@bard.edu. Tickets are also available 24/7 on Bard’s website at https://fishercenter.bard.edu.
Ulster County SPCA is at capacity
The Ulster County SPCA in Kingston has announced that the shelter is currently over capacity with animals in every department — cats, dogs and small animals — and that adoptions or foster care are needed to alleviate the overcrowding.
“We desperately need animals to be adopted or moved into foster homes,” the agency’s executive director Gina Carbonari said. “We continue to receive calls daily from our community asking for help, but we are at a point of having to say we cannot help, which potentially can leave an animal at risk. Many of you know me well and also know that I am not one to raise the alarm unless it is absolutely necessary. We are at that point.”
Carbonari said the shelter cannot save lives without help from the community. “And we are not alone,” she said. “Shelters everywhere are bursting at the seams. Please help us help more animals — locally and beyond.”
Anyone interested in adopting or fostering can visit www.ucspca.org, email volunteer@ucspca.org. or call 331-5377, extension 215.
Asbury Shorts USA celebrates 40th anniversary at Urban Cowboy Lodge
Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film exhibition and travel show, will present its 40th anniversary Short Film Concert at Urban Cowboy Lodge “under the stars” on Friday, August 13 (rain date: Saturday, August 14). Attendees will be admitted at 7 p.m. and the first film will blast onto the screen at approximately 7:45 p.m. This outdoor short film screening is strongly recommended for ages 16 and above.
Asbury Shorts USA combines classic short films from the past with current global festival-winners, providing the rare opportunity for audiences to view domestic and international festival favorites on a real cinema screen. The August 13 outdoor showcase, sponsored by Ulster Tourism, will feature a mix of comedy, drama and animated shorts in a fast-paced, eclectic lineup that includes Oscar nominees, “Best of Show” winners from US film festivals and global honorees – all in one sitting.
Urban Cowboy Lodge is located at 37 Alpine Road in Big Indian. General admission tickets cost $20. To reserve, visit www.bpt.me/5160778. For more information, call Urban Cowboy at (845) 254-5026.
August 21 hazardous waste collection event
Safe disposal of your household hazardous waste can be done on Saturday, August 21 by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ulster County Resource Recovery Facility located at 1 Clearwater Road in New Paltz
Please note these guidelines:
• Please wear a mask when interacting with staff. For safety and social distancing, participants must remain in their vehicle at all times.
• Put all items in the trunk of your car. This is the safest way to transport hazardous wastes and will allow staff members to unload your vehicle easily and in a no-contact manner.
• No medications. Medications will no longer be accepted at the household hazardous waste events. For a medication dropoff location, visit https://ucrra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/meds-1.png.
• A quantity limit will be enforced. Each household may bring up to 220 pounds or a 25-gallon equivalent of the accepted items. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. UCRRA staff may make a judgment on the quantity of material each household is allowed to bring.
• Unknown waste. If you have any unknown waste (such as containers without a label and/or you are not sure what chemicals are inside the container), please contact apeo@ucrra.org as soon as possible for guidance and program rules.
To sign up for an appointment, visit https://ucrra.org. For additional information, call (845) 336-0600.
Hope Rocks Festival returns to Saugerties
After a layoff of over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hope Rocks Festival will return to Saugerties on August 14 and 15. “It has been a long time coming and we are very excited to be able to bring this to the community at large, once again,” said founder and executive director Joe Defino.
The festival features live music, food, crafters, art exhibitions and many attractions, as well as presentations and programs designed to assist, support and encourage recovery for people with histories of addiction. “We are not just about raising awareness; it is critical for us to provide the links and connections to any and all who may benefit,” said Defino. “Our Hope Village is the largest collection of service groups and providers for a public event, anywhere.”
Performers appearing this year include 2015 Grammy-winner Mike Farris and NBC’s The Voice finalist Ian Flanigan. Both Flanigan and Farris are members of the Hope Rocks advisory board. Joining them is multi-platinum-selling artist and legendary percussionist Jerry Marotta and his band Annie and the Hedonists, as well as an assortment of bands and musicians from the greater Northeast region.
Among the many speakers and presenters who will be present at the festival are members from various local and national recovery groups and organizations. Hope Rocks advisory board member, YestoKindness founder and TED Talks contributor Tammy Joy Lane from Washington State will be presenting on proactive steps to address suicidal tendencies. Additionally, there will also be a special screening of the film Smacked, followed by a panel discussion about the film, which features the opiate problem in the Catskill region.
“The purpose for the festival and all of Hope Rocks events is to not only get a discussion started and provide access to support, but to tear away the stigma and shame which accompany these issues and often prevent the healing process to begin. Festivals are fun and uplifting, and the Hope Rocks Festival is no different,” said Defino.
The festival began in 2017 and is believed to be the first festival of its kind completely devoted to addressing the epidemic of addiction, depression and social isolation. Since then, the Hope Rocks movement has evolved into programs, activities and events that span the calendar. Despite the shutdown of public events in 2020, Hope Rocks has managed to grow into national and international recognition with its virtual and online events and programming. “We have learned much during these dark days,” Defino said. “It has taught us about the depths of frustration and hardship that many face every day. It has inspired us to move out of our comfort zone and find ways to reach out and let people know they are not alone and provide support in unique ways.”
The festival is free and is supported by various partners, sponsors and donors, both nationally and locally. For more information, visit www.hoperocksny.com or follow @hoperocksevents on Facebook or Instagram.
Public hearing on Saugerties Library budget
The Board of Trustees of the Saugerties Public Library will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2022 budget at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the library at 91 Washington Avenue.
Copies of the proposed budget are available at the library and may be picked up anytime when the library is open.
Elections and budget vote will be held at the library on Thursday, September 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available after August 17.
For more information, call the library at 246-4317.
Fireboat John J. Harvey to visit Kingston waterfront
The Hudson River Maritime Museum will welcome the fireboat John J. Harvey to the museum’s waterfront campus from Friday, August 13 to Monday, August 16. Harvey will be making stops throughout the Hudson Valley as part of her Hudson River trip this summer and will be at the Kingston waterfront offering free public trips and deck tours. People who enjoy a deck tour or trip on the boat will receive half-price admission to the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
Launched in Brooklyn in 1931, the fireboat John J. Harvey was named for FDNY pilot John J. Harvey. Firefighter Harvey was killed in the line of duty fighting a ship fire. Harvey was a historic first: the first fireboat powered by internal combustion engines and the first that could pump and maneuver simultaneously. She was the largest, fastest firefighting machine of her time, capable of pumping 18,000 gallons per minute – roughly the equivalent of 20 terrestrial firetrucks. The innovations of her design influenced all subsequent fireboats.
All trips on John J. Harvey are free. Trips lasting 30 to 45 minutes will venture out onto the Rondout Creek, and each trip can accommodate up to 70 people. Registration is required for trips; details can be found at www.hrmm.org/john-j-harvey. These opportunities are available first-come, first-served. Attendees will be prompted to pay a nominal deposit for registration, which will be refunded after their arrival. Deck tours do not require registration.
People are also invited to travel to and from New York City on the Harvey on August 12 and 16. Visit www.fireboat.org for details. Learn more about the John J. Harvey’s history, mission and programming at www.fireboat.org.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.
In beTWEEN the Stacks Book Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library presents the In beTWEEN the Stacks Book Club on Sunday, August 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. Ages 10 to 12 will discuss Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, share thoughts, play games, work on a do-it-yourself project and enjoy refreshments.
Preregistration is necessary and limited. For more information and registration, contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org.
The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For additional information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Saugerties man is charged with assault after striking victim with car
On Saturday, July 31 at 10:53 a.m., Saugerties Police responded to the area of Clermont Street in the Village of Saugerties for a report of a dispute. James Marrott, 30, of Saugerties, allegedly used his vehicle to strike the victim, causing the victim to sustain serious injury. Marrott then fled the scene. Police officers located Marrott a short time later, taking him into custody. At the time of his arrest, Marrott was found in possession of brass knuckles.
Marrott was arraigned in the Saugerties Justice Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail on bail. He was charged with assault in the 2nd Degree, a felony and Criminal Possession of a weapon in the 4th Degree.
Musical equipment heisted from Colony beer garden shed
Colony Woodstock on Rock City Road is seeking help in the recovery of a drum kit and several items stolen from the sound shed on the night of July 27. The lock was broken sometime Tuesday night on the sound shed where equipment used for the musical acts in the beer garden is stored. The thieves absconded with the Yamaha drum kit used by musicians on the stage. Also stolen were three RCF monitor speakers, a Jands stage lighting console and two iPads.
The Colony had another drum kit and was able to set that up on the outdoor stage.
Owner Neil Howard said he is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the equipment recovery or the identity of the burglary suspects. No security cameras were installed at the time of the burglary but surveillance equipment will be installed soon to prevent future criminal activity.
Contact Colony at (845) 679-7622 or the Woodstock Police Department at (845) 679-2422 with any information.
Takeout chicken BBQ in Saugerties
The Reformed Church of Saugerties will offer a takeout chicken barbecue dinner on Saturday, August 21, with pickup from 3 to 6 p.m. The menu includes chicken, two sides, roll, dessert and beverage. The cost is $13 per person.
Preordering is recommended by calling Barb at (845) 246-5035. Walk-ins are welcome, but a limited quantity will be available. The event will also feature a book sale.
The church is located at 173 Main Street in Saugerties.
Notice for August New Paltz Town Board meetings
The New Paltz Town Board meetings for the dates/times listed below, will be held at the Community Center, 3 Veterans Drive in New Paltz and at the Park County Public Library, 1500 Heart Mountain Street in Cody, Wyoming. The public has the right to attend the meeting at either of the locations on Thursday, August 5, 7 p.m./5 p.m. mountain time and Thursday, August 19, 6:30 p.m./4:30 p.m. mountain time.
Stamptrotters Stamp Club to meet on August 12
The Stamptrotters Stamp Club will hold its business meeting on August 12 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the VFW, 30 Elizabeth Street in Red Hook.
The meeting will include a discussion, Q & A and short business session. All ages and experience levels are welcome
For additional information, call or text (845) 681-9837.
Reformed Church pollinator garden workshop
Have you heard the buzz about town? Pollinator gardens are popping up all around, including at the Community Center and Village Hall.
What is a pollinator and why do we need them? Meet on August 9, 6 p.m., in the parking lot of the Reformed Church on Huguenot Street in New Paltz to learn how you can easily start a pollinator friendly garden in your own yard. This workshop, led by Wallkill Valley Land Trust Pollinator Pathway volunteer Cheryl Alloway, will help you understand the importance of establishing pollinator gardens in our community, how to support those pollinators in our landscapes and how to connect those gardens along the Wallkill Valley Pollinator Pathway. Garden preparation and plant selection will be discussed, followed by a hands-on planting time. Everyone is welcome, no garden is too small and no gardening skill is required. If you’d like to help with the planting, bring garden gloves and a hand trowel.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Cheryl Alloway at (845) 430-0025 or cherylalloway@gmail.com.
To find out more about the Wallkill Valley Pollinator Pathway and how to join, visit https://wallkillvalleylt.org/pp/.
Elting Library presents Music in the Garden August 12-26
The Elting Memorial Library will kick off its 11th annual Music in the Garden free summer concert series on Thursday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m. with the first of three performers, Reggie Harris. Harris will present an inspiring, family-friendly workshop, “This Little Light of Mine: Songs and Stories of Challenge and Change,” at 4:30 p.m. Register through the calendar at the library website to reserve a spot. Harris’ workshop and concert will be followed by folk/jazz artist K. J. Denhert on Thursday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m., and the series will wrap on Thursday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by Annie and the Hedonists.
Guitarist, vocalist, storyteller and educator Reggie Harris is a local performer who uses his talents to engage diverse groups through stories, song and dialogue. He has expert research-based knowledge in the use of music in the historical movements for social change, from the Underground Railroad to the modern Civil Rights movement and beyond. He combines spirituals, roots music and original songs with which he fulfills his mission to educate, entertain and inspire audiences.
“This Little Light of Mine: Songs and Stories of Challenge and Change” will address one of the most inspirational songs in American society, sung by millions of people from the time of Harriet Tubman to the present day. Join Harris in singing and discussing three of the powerful songs of the Underground Railroad that helped to change lives and make history. Participants will use that context to write their own song verses about how we can cultivate freedom and justice in our world.
K. J. Denhert is a Grenadian American urban folk/jazz singer/songwriter. With soulful, smoky vocals, she has won critical acclaim including seven Independent Music Awards and was a Grand Prize finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest! Nearly 25 years ago, she founded her own label, Mother Cyclone Records, and released her debut album. She has cut many albums since and traveled internationally for both gigs and residencies abroad, as well as having maintained a residency at Manhattan’s Prohibition Era (since 1919!) jazz and blues venue, the 55 Bar, for more than 20 years.
Music in the Garden wraps on August 26 with Annie and the Hedonists, performing the songs of great female blues singers of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s: Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and more, as well as Western swing and R & B, with accomplished musicians and a soulful, energetic lead in Annie. The band has played at festivals throughout New York and the Northeast, including the Old Songs Festival and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
The concerts will take place in the courtyard at the library, located at 93 Main Street in New Paltz.
Dutchess County Fair announces entertainment lineup
The Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck has unveiled the 2021 list of performers who will appear at the grandstand August 24-29. All shows are free with paid fair admission. There are no capacity limitations or reserved seating for the free stage. CDC and NYS Covid guidelines will be followed.
The 2021 free lineup includes:
• Jimmie Allen — Tuesday, August 24 at 8 p.m
• Mike Del Guidice (currently on tour with Billy Joel) — Wednesday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Ian Flanigan — Thursday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m.
• Chayce Beckham — Friday, August 27 at 8 p.m.
• Bruce in the USA — Saturday, August 28 at 8 p.m.
• Vocal Trash — Wednesday, August 25 through Saturday, August 28 at 2 p.m.
• Dutchess County Sheriff’s K9 Demonstrations Friday, August 27 and Saturday, August 28 at noon and 4 p.m.
• Antique Tractor Pull — Sunday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m.
• Jordan Stoner(Grandstand Sidebar) Sunday, August 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.
For more information, visit www.dutchessfair.com.
Updated mask protocol for town offices in New Paltz
The Town of New Paltz is following CDC guidelines with respect to mask wearing for vaccinated and unvaccinated people in facilities. On July 27, the CDC added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. On August 3, Ulster County was added to the list of counties with substantial transmission. Until further notice, masks are required to be worn regardless of vaccination status indoors in all town facilities.
Join the family! 
