Annual Art Walk returns to Kingston in September
The sixth annual Art Walk Kingston will be held on September 18 and 19 from noon to 5 p.m. both days, free and self-guided. Over the course of two days, visitors and local residents are invited to explore three distinct areas of Kingston and immerse themselves in a range of art and creative events. Paintings, photographs, textiles, drawings and sculptures are just some of the media that will be on display at artist studios and galleries across the city.
Art Walk Kingston provides a printed and online map where visitors can see a thumbnail image and plan their visit throughout Kingston. Visiting an artist’s studio is a transcendent experience, allowing a glimpse of seeing where the artwork is made and meet the artist in their world. This year’s Art Walk Kingston anticipates over 100 artists opening their studios and exhibiting in galleries.
Along with the artist studios on private properties, many studios are located in industrial buildings throughout Kingston. In the Midtown area, visitors can see MAD (the Midtown Arts District) and the DRAW, featuring an exhibit of arts instructors. Continuing on in Midtown, stop by the Shirt Factory, a four-story repurposed factory building filled with artist studios. Don’t miss the Kingston Ceramics Studio, a working studio founded by Alexis Feldheim, featuring her work and the work of her students.
Further along Cornell Street, the Cornell Creative Arts Center exhibits Kingston artists and a display of O+ mural artists in its grand multipurpose art space. Peek around the corner of the building and see the recent O+ mural project. A short walk down Cornell Street, you will arrive at the Lace Mill, a repurposed Industrial Age living/working space for artists. The Lace Mill gallery will feature 15 exhibiting artists who reside in the building. The Fuller Building features “Capture the Moment,” a Black Lives Matter photo exhibit on the ground floor. Aaron Rezny’s photography studio exhibits “Gameshow,” a recent series of photographs on nostalgic toys and games.
In the Rondout area, visit the new West Strand Gallery featuring regional artists, and Artport, located in the historic Cornell Steamboat Building along the Rondout Creek. The Arts Society of Kingston will host the Kingston Annual exhibit in collaboration with MAD, curated by Andrew Lyght.
Visit artwalkkingston.com for a complete list of artists and locations.
Spectrum Services honors retiring co-founder
Jamey Wolff, Spectrum Services co-founder and program director, will be retiring after 45 years of committed service to Hudson Valley children with autism. In 1976, Wolff started the Children’s Annex with Susan Buckler, beginning with two children in a church in Woodstock. Rebranded as the Center for Spectrum Services in 2009, the program has grown into a regionally known and respected organization with over 150 staff and a budget of over $10 million, providing services to thousands of Hudson Valley children with autism and their families since its inception.
Wolff has been appointed to a number of New York State Department of Education task forces and committees over the years and, most recently, the New York State commissioner of education’s Advisory Panel for Special Education. Under her leadership, the Center for Spectrum Services has been awarded a State Effective Practices Grant and a National Association of Special Education Teachers’ School of Excellence Award and has collaborated with SUNY New Paltz to develop coursework for graduate students in instructing students with autism spectrum disorders.
Wolff was set to retire a year-and-a-half ago; however, just as she was prepared to step down, the COVID pandemic took hold and, around the country, businesses and schools closed. Wolff stayed on to help see the school through the pandemic. “It’s no surprise to those who know Jamey, and certainly not to me, that she’d place her retirement plans on hold,” says co-founder Susan Buckler, “and return full-time to work, making sure Spectrum Services made it through what would certainly be our most challenging days.”
Filling Wolff’s place will be Charlotte Mennona, who joins the organization with over 22 years of progressive experience and accomplishments in Special Education as a teacher and administrator. Mennona’s passion for supporting children with special needs and their families was first sparked when she spent time as an intern at Spectrum Services in the fall of 1998 to fulfill an undergraduate course requirement.
To honor Wolff’s life work and celebrate her professionalism, inspiration, leadership and dedication, she will be honored at Spectrum Services’ upcoming Sapphire Celebration, which will also celebrate the organization’s 45th year of providing premier services to regional children with autism. The event is planned for Saturday, November 6 at the Wiltwyck Country Club in Kingston. More information about the celebration can be found at the Spectrum Services website.
Peg’s Reading Circle Book Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts Peg’s Reading Circle Book Club on Wednesday, September 1 at 3 p.m. Join the Gardiner Library’s first director, Peg Lotvin, on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss books chosen by the group. September’s book pick is Blue Lighting by Anne Cleeves. October’s book pick is The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson.
The club meets outdoors, weather permitting. Masks are required if the meeting is moved indoors.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For additional information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Outdoor installation, artist talk at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts artist Bel Falleiros for “Rooted: Art + Land” as part of Upstate Art Weekend featuring America (un)Known, curated by Beth Tully in partnership with the Cronin Art Gallery. On Saturday, August 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. join artist Bel Falleiros as she shares the words of writers, popular knowledge and storytellers. These words, joined with publicly submitted phrases, have been fired into clay bricks, which the artist uses to build a new monument, a living history that is ever outward-reaching, embracing and uplifting.
For more information about this series of thought-provoking art installations that span 15 miles of the historic Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, linking Rosendale, New Paltz and Gardiner in a collaborative effort to spark conversation around land stewardship and demonstrate the power of art to connect communities, visit www.wsworkshop.org/rooted-art-land.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Fine arts at Old Dutch
The Uptown Fine Arts Music Series begins with the Great American Songbook on Saturday, September 4 at noon at the Old Dutch Church at 272 Wall Street in Kingston.
The performers include Ulster County residents Moeisha McGill and Lori Wilner, vocalists, and Daryl Kojak, a Broadway pianist, as well as two additional singers, Fred Redd and Morgan Mastrangelo. The performance will include works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin and Natalie Cole. This program is free, but donations are always appreciated.
Since several of the performers are from the New York City area, donations are suggested to help offset their travel expenses et cetera. Paid to the church, donations are tax-deductible; please designate them for the concert. Organizers are trying to raising $2,000 for this concert. To donate, go to olddutchchurch.org PayPal, Harwood Management Group, Inc. PayPal or Jim Harwood Venmo.
The Uptown Fine Arts Music Series continues as follows: September 11, Pauline Mancuso, flute and bass flute, Peter Mancuso, piano; September 18, Gilbert Plantinga, guitar; September 25, opera favorites presented by Harwood Management; October 2, Bethany & Friends, piano, vocals; October 9, O Positive weekend, no recital; October 16, Bethany Pietroniro, organ; October 23, Adelaide Roberts’ students, piano; October 30, Jay Shulman, cello, Carol Anderson, piano. A midday break of musical performances will feature area artists in a variety of musical programs.
Old Dutch Church is located on Main Street, between Fair and Wall Streets in Uptown Kingston. The church is handicapped-accessible.
Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts
NYS DEC licensed wildlife rehabilitator Missy Runyan and NYS DEC Region 3 Wildlife Division biologist Jonathan Russell will conduct a special Town of Woodstock and Woodstock Land Conservancy educational program focused on human and bear interactions, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, August 28 at the Comeau Property, 45 Comeau Drive, Woodstock. Runyan and Russell will discuss how humans cohabitate with bears, and advise how to protect both yourself and the bears. “Unfortunately our area has a high rate of…conflicts created from intentional bear feeding and car vs. bear accidents,” says the news release regarding the program. “As nature lovers and members of a larger community it becomes everyone’s responsibility to educate themselves on best practices to protect the wildlife and neighbors.” Missy Runyan is multiple-license Rehabilitator and the founder of Friends of the Furry and Feathered Wildlife Center, a non-profit dedicated to helping injured and orphaned New York State wildlife. Jonathan Russell is a biologist and black bear expert with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 3 Wildlife Division.
The program will be located on the summer stage lawn near the Town’s offices. Tick repellent, sunscreen, camp chairs or a blanket to sit on are recommended. This event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
Please RSVP to ellier.wlc@gmail.com for this event. In case of steady rain or thunderstorms, this event will be canceled. For weather-related updates, check the Woodstock Land Conservancy or Town of Woodstock Facebook pages.
Senior Citizen Club to meet September 8
The Senior Citizen Club of New Paltz/Gardiner invites other seniors to its meeting on Wednesday, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the VFW social hall on Route 208 in New Paltz. The guest speaker will be historian Charles Ford, who will talk about Winston Churchill. Arrive a little earlier to get more information about future programs and trips for the fall. For additional information, contact Kathy Rivera at (646) 361-5190.
Benefit raffle of Ian Flanigan autographed Taylor guitar
The First Congregational Church in Saugerties is sponsoring a benefit raffle of a Taylor acoustic guitar, autographed by the well-known local singer/songwriter Ian Flanigan. Earlier this year, Flanigan was a celebrated finalist on NBC’s The Voice and most recently performed at the Hope Rocks Festival in Saugerties.
Tickets cost $5 each or five tickets for $20. They are available at the First Congregational Church at 333 Main Street in Saugerties on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and immediately following worship services on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets are also available during normal business hours (Monday through Friday) at Glasco Abstract in the Governor Clinton Building at 1 Albany Avenue in Kingston.
For additional information, visit www.1stchurch12477.org or contact a church representative through e-mail at churchcongregational@gmail.com. The drawing will be held during Saugerties’ annual Holiday in the Village event on Sunday, December 5.
Great Give Back 2021 at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will be participating in the Ulster County Food Fight! The Great Give Back 2021 from Wednesday, September 1 through October 17. As part of New York State’s “Great Give Back,” Ulster County libraries are “competing” to see who can get the most donations. All donations to the Gardiner Library will be given to the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Gardiner.
Non-perishable donations can be dropped off at the Gardiner Library, located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Annual book sale at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library will host its annual book sale on Saturday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Browse a large collection of hardcovers, paperback and classics, DVDs, music, audiobooks, kids’ books and more.
Live music will be performed throughout both days. Get a free book if you apply for a new library card in celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month or if you bring in a non-perishable food item to donate to the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Gardiner as part of New York’s Great Give Back. Items are priced to sell.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Dutchess County Fair August 24-29
The Dutchess County Fair returned to the fairgrounds on U.S. Route 9 in Rhinebeck on Tuesday, August 24 and will run through Sunday, August 29. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Last year’s fair was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fairgoer favorites including the midway, fun fair food, animals and free entertainment will all be part of the 2021 fair.
Tickets are $12 and $30 for all-day ride wristbands. Children 11 and under are free. All tickets must be purchased online or at self-serve kiosks that will be set up near the entrances. Grandstand performances will be included in the admission price.
Grandstand performances include Jimmie Allen on Tuesday, Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot on Wednesday, The Voice’s Ian Flanigan on Thursday, American Idol’s Chayce Beckham on Friday and Bruce in the USA (Springsteen tribute band) on Saturday. All performances will begin at 8 p.m.
For additional information, visit https://www.dutchessfair.com/.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail construction update
Starting August 24, large machinery will be on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in New Paltz from Water Street Market north to Mulberry Street. Expect temporary closures. If there are construction signs blocking the rail trail, do not proceed or move the signage.
Rail trail users may encounter short-term trail closures on some weekdays from now into the fall to accommodate construction; no trail closures will occur on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
New York State is again partnering with the Open Space Institute and the town and village of New Paltz to improve an additional 3.5-mile section of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, a key link in the Empire State Trail in Ulster County.
This new project is expected to improve overall public access to the rail trail; establishing additional safety and experience advancements for residents and visitors; and reinforce the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail’s inclusion as part of the Empire State Trail.
The rail trail segment for this work runs from Cragswood Road in the Town of New Paltz, south through the village to the Empire State Trail trailhead at Sojourner Truth Park.
Hooly on the Hudson September 5
The City of Kingston and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1, Ulster County have announced that the 20th annual Hooley on the Hudson Irish festival will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 5 at the T. R. Gallo Memorial Park on the Rondout Creek. Four main venues will feature live music, step dancing, storytelling and traditional music for all ages. The event will also feature a storytelling tent (for the little ones) and numerous food and craft vendors.
Entertainment includes the T. McCann Band, UC AOH Pipes & Drums, the Celtic Heels School of Irish Dance, Andy Cooney and His Band, Dereck Warfield & the Young Wolfetones, the Canny Brothers, Jimmy Walsh, the Little Creek Band, Kitty Kelly & Catskill Fever, the Farrell School of Irish Dance, Susan & Gerard Band and McGroovin’.
Parking venues for the Hooley on the Hudson will be the Kingston Plaza, the Cornell Street public lot and Kingston Point. Free shuttle buses will be provided to the Hooley site.
The waterfront park lies just downhill from Abeel Street in Kingston. For more info, call (845) 338-6622 or (845) 246-7195, e-mail events@ulsteraoh.com or visit www.ulsteraoh.com.
Maya Gold Foundation offers funding through THRIVE Grants
The Maya Gold Foundation has announced the availability of funding through the THRIVE: Grants for Youth Programs initiative. The application deadline for the current funding cycle is September 21.
The Maya Gold Foundation has funded more than 20 programs for teens in previous funding cycles, and local youth have benefited from music lessons, empowerment groups, art programs, wilderness activities, reading programs and theatre games. Since its inception, they have awarded more than $30,000 to local organizations, directly impacting over 500 local youth and community members. THRIVE Grants are available to support existing programs and fund individuals who want to develop new programs for teens in New Paltz and the surrounding area. The Foundation welcomes requests for funding throughout the year. A committee reviews applications quarterly, and for this cycle applications must be submitted by September 21.
For more information and to apply online, please go to mayagoldfoundation.org/apply or email info@mayagoldfoundation.org.
Building the Ashokan Reservoir
A new book chronicles the story of how the Ashokan Reservoir came to be the engineering wonder that provides 500 million gallons of water to New York City residents every day.
Building the Ashokan Reservoir by Frank Almquist details the work of engineers and workers who created the reservoir mostly by hand more than 100 years ago in a feat that neared the magnitude of the Panama Canal. Almquist includes material from his collection of real-photo postcards and other collected material, with support of local collectors, libraries, and historical societies. He aims to provide a better understanding of how the reservoir was built.
The foreword is by Olivebridge painter and printmaker Kate McLoughlin, whose family goes back 12 generations.
Building the Ashokan Reservoir is published by Arcadia Publishing, which specializes in books of local history and interest. It is available in paperback for $23.99. See www.arcadiapublishing.com for more information.
— Nick Henderson
New Paltz Schools hire CIA grad as new food services director
The New Paltz Central School District (NPCSD) has hired Sheila Moran, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, as its new food services director. Moran, a resident of Clermont, will be responsible for serving school meals to the district’s 2,138 students. Moran comes to New Paltz from the Webutuck School District, where she worked as a food services director for nine years. Previously, Moran worked for hotels, hospitals and resorts. She said that she has always enjoyed the fact that the culinary field offers job opportunities across the country. During her career, she has worked and lived in New Hampshire, Wyoming, Idaho and New Jersey (where she grew up).
She will oversee all aspects of the Food Service Department, administering the school meal program in accordance with local, state and federal policies. To that end, she will procure food, plan menus and train staff, while implementing high standards for safety, sanitation and meal quality.
Food service is a fast-paced industry, Moran noted, adding that it demands grit, determination and the willingness to work hard. Moran feels that she possesses these qualities. “My core purpose is to have well-nourished students, prepared to succeed,” she said. “I want every student to have access to nutritious meals at school, ensuring optimal health and well-being.” Access to free school meals through a US Department of Agriculture initiative has been extended for the 2021-22 school year, she says, enabling all students to eat breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Moran, who is looking to provide leadership to support the nutrition and wellness of both students and staff, considers herself to be approachable, a good listener and fair. “I want to collaborate with teachers, parents and other health professionals to meet the needs of the entire district,” she said. Moran added that she would also like to work with area farmers and local businesses to “showcase” their foods.
In her former job, Moran worked with students in a cooking club, teaching them how to prepare farm-fresh ingredients into meals. During her “Cooking with Chef Sheila” series, Moran taught club members basic cooking skills and culinary mathematics. Before the pandemic hit, Moran was about to start a lunchtime class where she would have taught students how to create buttercream roses and flowers using a piping bag.
Outside of work, Moran enjoys golfing, swimming, walking her dog, Glacier, and spending time with family and friends. Prior to the pandemic, Moran also used to Irish step dance every week.
“We are so pleased to have a professional of [Moran’s] caliber join our team,” said New Paltz School District superintendent of schools Angela Urbina-Medina. “Her background experience of working with students directly and her determination to make every meal as nutritious and inviting as possible, while operating a tight fiscal budget, are just a few of the reasons we are looking forward to working with her.”
Free back to school hair cuts at People’s Place
People’s Place is hosting its free back to school haircut program “Styles N Smiles” on Wednesday September 1 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at 17 St. James Street parking lot in Kingston.
Any Ulster County student between the ages of 3–20 can utilize this program. This event is in conjunction with their Back-to-School Smart Starts Program (August 30–September 3) which provides school supplies to students whose families are facing financial challenges.
Janice Avery, a licensed professional cosmetologists and owner of Mirror Mirror Hair Salon, is once again coordinating the Styles N Smiles event at People’s Place. Joining Avery to lend their talents and skills are Brian Pfremmer of Silver Sparrow Salon, DeAnna Temple of Unisex Palace and Abbi Martinez, also of Mirror Mirror Hair Salon.
“We want all students to begin their school year with a feeling of confidence and positive self-esteem,” said Christine Hein, Executive Director of People’s Place. “We know from a multitude of studies that something as simple as a great haircut can help achieve this goal. We are extremely grateful to Janice and her fellow professional cosmetologists and barbers for volunteering to provide this service at People’s Place.
“This is such a rewarding experience to be able to provide this service to those who can’t really afford a professional haircut,” said Avery.
Guidelines to receive a free haircut: Participants must be between the ages of 3–20, participants must wear a face mask, social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed, no ID is required for this program, first come, first serve.
For more information about this program or any of the 23 programs offered at People’s Place, visit www.peoplesplace.org or www.facebook.com/PeoplesPlaceKingston.
Highland drug bust
A trio of Dutchess County residents were arrested on felony drug charges on Monday, August 16 in connection with drug sales in Highland and Poughkeepsie after a joint investigation into narcotics sales in those towns by the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team and the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.
Ulster County sheriff’s deputies said in a news release that authorities allegedly observed drug transactions occurring at local businesses in Highland on Monday and found James M. Soricelli, Jr., 42, of Poughkeepsie, to be in possession of approximately 20 grams of cocaine. Police arrested Soricelli and charged him with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.
Police said that shortly afterwards, they arrested Nicholas C. Pagano, 37, of Hyde Park, and Nicole R. Jablonka, 35, of Poughkeepsie, after they were also observed allegedly engaging in drug transactions. Pagano and Jablonka were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, both felonies.
Pagano and Jablonka were released with an appearance ticket for Lloyd Town Court, while Soricelli was arraigned in the Town of Lloyd Court and sent to the Ulster County Jail without bail due to prior felony convictions.
– Brian Hubert
Master Gardener plant sale September 11 at SUNY Ulster
The annual Master Gardener Plant Sale will take place on September 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Xeriscape Garden at SUNY Ulster, located at 491 Cottekill Road in Stone Ridge. The sale will offer an array of plants from the Xeriscape Garden plus perennials, shrubs, trees and houseplants grown by the master gardeners.
Proceeds benefit the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Master Gardener program. Cash or checks will be accepted at the sale, which will be held rain or shine.
For additional information, go to tinyurl.com/2021MGplantsale or contact master gardener coordinator Dona Crawford at (845)340-3990, extension 335, or e-mail dm282@cornell.edu. Free guided tours of the Xeriscape Garden are also available by request for your group or organization. To schedule a tour, call the Master Gardener Hotline at (845) 340-3478.
New Paltz man jailed after failing to register as sex offender
A New Paltz man was jailed without bail after police say he failed to register as a sex offender.
The Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team said on Thursday, August 19 that Jonathan N. Bonner, 53, of New Paltz was taken into custody at a New Paltz hotel on July 20, and was charged with two counts of failure to register as a sex offender, both felonies, after an investigation into violations of the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act.
Bonner was arraigned in New Paltz Town Court and was sent to the Ulster County Jail without bail.
– Brian Hubert
Book signing: Our Woodland Treasures by Miriam Sanders
The Historical Society of Woodstock (HSW) invites the public to a special presentation by Woodstock author Miriam Sanders as she reads from and discusses her new book, Our Woodland Treasures: Peaceful, Startling, Rambunctious & Amazing Animal & Plants. Sanders will appear at HSW at 20 Comeau Drive in Woodstock on August 28 at 4 p.m.
Drawn from essays that Sanders began publishing in The Woodstock Journal in 1995, Miriam’s nature columns became a remarkable success with many readers who, upon purchasing the paper, first turned to her columns. For the next eight years, her essays appeared in every issue, and, within the newly published work, readers can once again enjoy 80 of those essays in all their glory.
As distinguished poet, writer and historian Peter Lamborn Wilson has offered, “Back in the Dark Ages when I lived in the Lower East Side, I used to go to the Gem Spa on Eighth Street every week to pick up Ed and Miriam Sanders’ Woodstock newspaper, then take it to Tompkins Square and sit under a tree and read Miriam’s nature column and dream that I was in the country with her birds and deer. Now at last her charming essays return – and I live in the Hudson Valley. Hurrah!”
This special appearance is free to the public and will be held outdoors in the Society’s Alf Evers Park. Ed Sanders will offer an introduction to the talk. In case of rain, the event will take place on Sunday, August 29 at 4 p.m.
For further information about the Historical Society of Woodstock, visit www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or visit on Facebook at Historical Woodstock.
Join the family! 
