17th– & 18th-century music at Historic Huguenot Street
Historic Huguenot Street presents the chamber ensemble Hudson Valley Baroque in a concert featuring music of Elizabeth Jaquet de la Guerre (1665-1729), Antonio Vivaldi (1768-1741), Jean-Baptiste Loeillet (1680-1730), Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) and Jacques-Martin Hotteterre (1674-1763) on Sunday, October 3 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the 1717 Crispell Memorial French Church, located at 60 Huguenot Street in New Paltz.
The ensemble members are Joël Evans (oboe, SUNY New Paltz Music Department faculty); Gregory Bynum (recorder, SUNY New Paltz School of Education faculty); Susan Seligman (cello, SUNY New Paltz Music Department faculty); and Ruthanne Schempf (harpsichord, SUNY New Paltz Music Department Faculty).
General admission costs $8; discounted admission is $5 for HHS members, seniors, active military members and veterans. Children under age 6 attend free. Fifteen free tickets are being reserved for SUNY New Paltz students. These tickets are available through online registration and are first-come, first-served. Students who reserve these tickets must be prepared to show their student ID when they arrive for the program.
Questions related to the program, site accessibility and current COVID-19 health and safety guidelines should be directed to Kara Augustine, director of Public Programming, at kara@huguenotstreet.org. Learn more and register at www.huguenotstreet.org/calendar-of-events/hudson-valley-baroque.
National Drive Electric Week in New Paltz
National Drive Electric Week — September 25 through October 3 this year — is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. To learn from owners who have gone electric, an in-person outdoor event will be held on Saturday, October 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at the New Paltz Community Center at 3 Veterans Drive.
There will be an informal motorcade through New Paltz beginning near the Plaza Diner at 11 a.m. All EV owners are welcome and encouraged to join the drive to the Community Center. There will be a variety of electric vehicles on display where you will be able to talk to owners, ask questions and compare vehicle options. This event is locally sponsored by New Paltz Climate Smart. For additional information, email newpaltzclimatesmart@gmail.com.
Climate chaos making you mad?
If climate chaos is making you mad, meet Extinction Rebellion members to learn about what you can do to turn your anger into action on Sunday, October 3, 1 p.m. in the gazebo at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz. Snacks will be provided; bring your own utensils and cups. For additional information, call (845) 616-4538.
New Paltz Police Station relocation complete
Town police have once again moved to a new headquarters, and since this one is in a Town building, it’s likely not to happen again anytime soon. Their new digs are at 59 North Putt Corners Road. The justice center will also be the site of the Town courts in the near future.
New Paltz vigil for women’s reproductive rights October 2
New Paltz will be joining the nationwide mobilization to support women’s reproductive freedom on Saturday, October 2 at 12:45 p.m. in front of the Elting Memorial Library at 93 Main Street. The vigil is being organized by New Paltz Women in Black, a group that has been standing for peace and justice every Saturday in that location for 20 years.
The local action is being done in solidarity with the Women’s March and 110 other organizations who are planning a massive march in Washington, DC and rallies in 600 cities in all 50 states. Women are taking to the streets to send a clear and unified message to lawmakers and the Supreme Court that women will not stand for an attack on their reproductive rights.
The Women’s March in DC was announced on September 2, the same day that Texas’s restrictive abortion legislation went into effect. It bans abortions after six weeks, before most women know they are pregnant, and it offers bounties to citizens who turn women in for seeking or having an abortion after six weeks. It allows anyone, anywhere to sue anyone connected with an abortion. There is no exception to this abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
The Supreme Court will reconvene October 4 and will be deliberating a case that could overthrow Roe v. Wade: the law of the land for almost 50 years. A recent poll (Marquette University Law School) showed that only 20 percent of Americans are in favor of overturning Roe.
“We’ve come too far to turn the clock back more than 50 years, when women died in back-alley abortions,” said Barbara Upton of Women in Black. “It’s frightening to see how fast our rights are being eroded. A Texas legislator recently introduced a bill that would give women the death penalty for having an abortion. We need safe and affordable reproductive healthcare and to leave those decisions to the woman.”
There will be banners and some signs available, but people are welcome to make their own signs. The New Paltz vigil for women’s reproductive rights will be peaceful and welcoming, with an emphasis on safety. People are asked to wear masks and socially distance.
For more information and to sign up for the event, go to https://womensmarch.com (https://act.womensmarch.com/event/oct-2-2021-march/2433?source=website&akid=).
Halloween/Harvest window painting in New Paltz
The second annual Halloween/Harvest window painting will take place on Saturday, October 23 (rain date: Sunday, October 24) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown New Paltz. The Town of New Paltz’s Office for Community Wellness is sponsoring the project for youth in grades 5 to 12, as well as adults and families. Anyone interested in participating is invited to register by going to http://bit.ly/3eekym4.
All window designs will be created in advance and in alignment with this year’s themes: Halloween or Harvest. Due to the limited number of supplies and windows, all registrations received will be entered into a drawing to determine this year’s window painting artists and teams.
For additional information, contact Phoenix at (845) 256-5014 or pkawamoto@townofnewpaltz.org.
Nyquist Foundation accepting applications
The Thomas and Corinne Nyquist Foundation is now accepting applications from not-for-profit organizations in the Bainville, Culbertson and Froid, Montana communities and in New Paltz.
Grants are given annually to eligible 503 (c) private or governmental not-for-profit organizations in these communities and only in these communities for small projects, events or items to be purchased that will benefit the community as a whole. The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting projects where a small amount of money may make the difference between success or failure, with most grants ranging from $500 to $1,000. With rare exception, the maximum award made by the Foundation is $2,000.
The foundation does not support projects on a multiyear basis, but will consider applications for new needs from organizations that have been supported previously. The Nyquist Foundation typically funds about $10,000 a year divided between New Paltz and northeast Roosevelt County, Montana. Normally, between a third and half of all applications received are funded.
The deadline is November 15 of this year for all applications and supporting documentation. Notification of Foundation decisions will take place in early January of 2021, with actual monetary awards sent out in February or March. Applicants who are funded are required to give proof to the Foundation of when and how funds are expended.
Information about the Foundation, including funding criteria and past awards, is available at the website www.nyquistfdtn.org. Applications can be sent electronically from that site or printed and mailed, and should be accompanied by information about the not-for-profit organization that is applying and detailed information on how the money is to be spent. Questions may be addressed to nyquist.foundation@gmail.com.
This will be the 18th year that the Nyquist Foundation has awarded grants in New Paltz and Roosevelt County.
Postcards of old New Paltz & Gardiner
The Gardiner Library will be presenting “Postcards of Old New Paltz and Gardiner,” a display of historical postcards from the early 1900s, opening on October 1 and continuing through November. The postcards come from the personal collection of Mark Rosen, who has been collecting cards of New Paltz and surrounding towns for 25 years. His postcards have been shared on local Facebook pages and will be part of Ulster Savings Bank’s 2022 calendar.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike and is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon until 8 p.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Moments Challenge
Join the Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT) on a photo scavenger hunt challenge along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail as part of the nationwide Trail Moments 21-day trail challenge. Independently walk, bike, run, ride a horse or travel in some other fashion (no motorized vehicles – Class 1 e-bikes only) to the Upstate Art Weekend installations or other viewpoints (https://mcusercontent.com/4f72cf57fd014cc0807e6c499/_compresseds/ff325c24-0f89-3a3c-14a8-5621023efd0e.jpg). Once there, you must snap a selfie and tag WVLT @wallkillvalleylandtrust and use the hashtag #WVTrailMoments on Facebook or Instagram to submit your photos to the competition.
The donation/registration fee is $25 per person. To register, visit https://wallkillvalleylt.org/wv-trail-moments-challenge.
Those who complete the challenge or participate creatively will be recognized at the Wallkill Valley Trail Moments Celebration on October 2 from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Coppersea Distillery, located at 239 Springtown Road in New Paltz. The event will feature live music, a raffle and distillery tours.
Fifteen percent of proceeds from Coppersea tastings, cocktails and bottle purchases will support the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. All participants will receive a WVLT swag bag, which includes a WVLT-imprinted sport neck gaiter and other goodies and can be picked up at the event (or by other arrangement).
Elting Library Fair returns October 2-3
The Elting Memorial Library Fair will take place on October 2 and 3 and will feature live music, kids’ activities, food booths, plants and toys, in addition to a massive book sale with thousands of volumes to choose from and a fabulous raffle.
This year’s Library Fair is dedicated to the memory of two longtime Board presidents who played crucial roles in the institution’s growth: Carol Roper and Sally Rhoads, both of whom died in 2020. It will follow the usual schedule of a full day of activities on Saturday, October 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the book sale alone continuing on Sunday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but early birds who can’t bear to wait to get their hands on that special collectible volume can pay $10 for the privilege of entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
More than 100 prizes, including an overnight stay at Mohonk Mountain House, will be given away in this year’s raffle. Food choices will include former Board member Richard Heyl de Ortiz’s famous sausage-and-pepper plates, as well as burgers, hot dogs and ice cream donated by Stewart’s. Wallkill View Farm will be donating pumpkins for kids to paint. And then there’s the live music lineup for Saturday: Vickie Russell will perform at 8 a.m., James Bacon at 9, Kurt Henry at 10, Wind and Stone at 11, Flamingo Jeff Pfeffer at noon, the Edukated Fleas at 1 p.m., New Paltz School of Rock at 2 and the Resisterhood Choir at 3.
The Library is located at 93 Main Street in New Paltz.
In beTWEEN the Stacks Book Club at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library presents the In beTWEEN the Stacks Book Club on Sunday, October 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. In celebration of Banned Books Month, ages 10 to 12 are invited to come discuss George by Alex Gino. Share thoughts, play games, work on a do-it-yourself empowerment poster 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. Call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
College admissions/financial workshop at Gardiner Library
Gardiner Library hosts a virtual College Admissions and Financial Aid Information Session with Elizabeth Levine on Tuesday, October 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. Topics include: the college search, the application process, the college essay, SAT vs. the ACT, how college choices will affect your bottom line, college sticker prices and what they really mean. See a real-life example of a family’s financial aid picture and how this affects their decisions and final choice.
Elizabeth Levine owns Signature College Counseling in Central Valley. Contact Nicole at nicole@rcls.org to register and receive the Zoom link. The Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Pet blessing at Christ the King Church October 2
Christ the King Church in New Paltz is hosting at pet blessing on Saturday, October 2 at 10 a.m. Thirty pets have already been preregistered, including horses, rabbits and multiple dogs and cats.
The event is scheduled to take place outside on the lawn in front of the property at 2 Eugene L. Brown Drive in New Paltz. For additional information, visit https://bit.ly/ctkpetblessing2021.
Blessing of the Animals at St. Andrew’s Church, New Paltz
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, located at 163 Main Street in New Paltz, will hold its annual St. Francis Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 3 at noon. This is a community event to be held outside on the front lawn on the church (inside in the event of rain). All are invited to bring their pets, either leashed or in a carrier, for blessing by the reverend Allison Moore.
The Church celebrates the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi, who is often associated with care for animals, although his primary concern was care for poor and vulnerable people. The blessing of pets in his name has a long history in the Church. This is a joyful service of thanksgiving for the role our pets play in our lives, and all are invited to attend.
Services take place at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Masks are required.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Main Street and North Oakwood Terrace in the Village of New Paltz.
For more information about the Blessing of the Animals or about St. Andrew’s, please call the church office at (845) 255-5098 or e-mail standrewnp@hvi.net.
Fall Resnick Lecture Series begins October 6
The SUNY New Paltz Foundation and the Louis and Mildred Resnick Institute for the Study of Modern Jewish Life will present the fall 2021 lecture series “The New (?) American Anti-Semitism” on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. via WebEx. Links will be sent three days before presentations. The director is Gerald Sorin.
The schedule is as follows: October 6 – Alexandra Stern, Anti-Semitism and the Far Right in America; October 13 – Hank Greenspan, The Guts of Anti-Semitism: A Psychologist’s Perspective; October 20 – Eli Gottlieb, Armies of the Night: Anti-Semitism on Campus and Beyond; October 27 – Jonathan Rosen, Here’s the Good News: Fighting Anti-Semitism Will Save America’s Soul; November 3 – Rena Blumenthal, Thoughts on Anti-Semitism after a Year of Pandemic TV-Watching.
Walktoberfest returns to Walkway October 2-3
The Walktoberfest Essential Farmers’ and Makers’ Market will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Walkway over the Hudson’s Ulster Welcome Center Plaza and Hudson Valley Rail Trail at 87 Haviland Road in Highland. The event will feature a sample of what the Hudson Valley has to offer, including food and drink for purchase; wine, beer and spirits sampling; farm products; artisan goods; children’s activities and more.
All vendors are distanced throughout a wide, open area. Tickets are limited to avoid crowding. $25 tasting tickets are on sale now.
Walktoberfest brings a curated selection of the Hudson Valley’s finest producers – farms, distilleries, breweries, wineries, restaurants, artists, artisans and more – to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and west approach to the Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park.
For complete information, tickets and a list of participants, visit https://walkway.org/walktoberfest.
“We’re tremendously pleased to host another great Walktoberfest with the Hudson Valley Rail Trail on the west approach to Walkway over the Hudson,” said Elizabeth Waldstein, executive director of Friends of the Walkway. “This is an opportunity to showcase the bounty of the Hudson Valley, in partnership with HVRT, Town of Lloyd, New York State Parks Ulster County, Department of Ag and our generous sponsors, volunteers and vendors.”
All proceeds from Walktoberfest benefit the Friends of the Walkway and Hudson Valley Rail Trail, who have partnered to present this farmers’ market.
All attendees are required to wear a face covering except when sampling. Tickets are limited to discourage large gatherings of people, and entry for walk-up admission may be delayed if Walktoberfest reaches capacity. Traffic flow will be controlled where necessary. All seating areas and the children’s activity area are set up for social distancing. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout the space.
“Two of a Kind” at Mark Gruber Gallery
The “Two of a Kind” showing at the Mark Gruber Gallery in New Paltz features Marlene Wiedenbaum and James Coe. The exhibition runs through November 20.
These two nationally and internationally known painters, although painting in very different styles and media, seem to be “cut from the same cloth.” Both Wiedenbaum and Coe feel a deep love of nature. Both are very active in artistic and environmental communities – promoting green space, protecting wildlife habitats and empowering the artistic experience for themselves and others.
Although these two “peas in a pod” greatly reflect each other’s accomplishments, they differ significantly in style and media preference. Wiedenbaum paints in soft pastels on sanded paper. Precisely observant and a passionate realist, she looks keenly at her environment to reflect the world in which she lives. She demonstrates a sharp understanding of shapes and forms as they manifest themselves in the natural world. She is dedicated to the preservation of the landscape.
Coe is like-minded; however, he is an insightful oil painter with a passion for birds. His fresh, vigorous brushwork, developed through plein air painting, captures the fleeting light and dynamic conditions of the landscape. He evokes the poetic quality of the landscape – a place characterized by the birds he sees or hears while immersed in the moment.
The Mark Gruber Gallery is located in the New Paltz Plaza. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays and Mondays by chance or appointment. For additional information, call (845) 255-1241 or visit markgrubergallery.com.
Rabies clinic in New Paltz October 13
The Town of New Paltz Dog Control officer and the Town Clerk’s Office will hold a rabies clinic for dogs and cats on Wednesday, October 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Town Highway Garage, located at 52 Clearwater Road in New Paltz. Customers must stand six feet apart and masks must be worn.
Vaccinations for rabies, distemper and heartworm will start at $10 each and will be administered by Dr. Laurie Stein, the traveling veterinarian. Heartworm medication is also available. Rabies certificates will be presented at the completion of the vaccination. These certificates are essential for licensing dogs where they reside, as required by New York State law.
Dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers. Payment is by cash or check only. For additional information, call (845) 255-0100, extension 1.
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, Environmental Conservation Board, Ethics Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Police Commission and Public Access Committee. Interested parties may submit a letter of interest and résumé to the supervisor’s office at PO Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561 or e-mail assistant@townofnewpaltz.org.
A Changing World: Interactive Climate Theatre at Rail Trail Café
For the fourth time since 2015, Hudson River Playback Theatre (HRPT) joins the global initiative Climate Change Theatre Action (CCTA) in support of this year’s UN climate conference in Glasgow. As well as enacting stories told by audience members, A Changing World features two short plays on the climate crisis commissioned for CCTA: Apology, My by Keith Barker and Caity-Shea Violette’s Bedtime Story for My (Future) Daughter.
A Changing World takes place on Saturday October 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rail Trail Café at 310 River Road Extension in Tillson. The Rail Trail Café, right next to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail at Stone Mountain Farm off Springtown Road, serves food and drinks.
The New Paltz Climate Action Coalition and Rail Trail Café are HRPT’s community partners for this event. Admission is free and all are welcome. For COVID safety, unvaccinated audience members are asked to wear a mask.
This outdoor show will be postponed to October 9 in case of rain. If in doubt, please check on Facebook (Hudson River Playback Theatre or Rail Trail Café).
Hydrant flushing in New Paltz
Hydrants and water lines in the Village and Town of New Paltz will be flushed beginning Thursday, September 30 at 10 p.m. This may cause a discoloration of the water servicing your home. To resolve this problem, let your water run until it is clear.
Highland BOE considers future capital project
The Highland Central School District Board of Education has begun discussing the possibility of holding a spring capital project vote. The potential project is part of the Board’s multiyear strategic approach to leveraging retiring debt to update aged facilities and infrastructure without causing tax spikes.
“The District has been working with its architects, CS Arch, to identify building priorities and with municipal finance experts from Bernard P. Donegan, Inc. to identify the most opportune times and spending levels,” says superintendent of schools Joel Freer. “The goal is to complete work with little or no impact on the tax levy.”
By early October, the Board anticipates CS Arch will complete the District’s mandated five-year Building Conditions Survey, which provides a comprehensive analysis of building needs. According to Freer, the Building Conditions Survey will identify areas of infrastructure need throughout the District and will be used as a road map to make decisions about the best use of retiring debt levels. Administration and support services staff have had initial discussions, and once the necessary data from the architects and financial advisors are complete, the community will be engaged in helping to refine the ultimate scope of the work.
“We are only in the initial stages of planning. The first step is hearing from our financial consultants and architects, and then we will begin to discuss next steps,” explained Freer. “The community can expect to have opportunities for input once the necessary research is complete.”
New Paltz/Gardiner seniors to meet October 13
The New Paltz/Gardiner Senior Club will welcome local author Janet Schlift on Wednesday, October 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the VFW social hall on Route 208 in New Paltz. Schlift is to speak about her life and her book What Ever Happened to My White Picket Fence and My Brain Injury from My Massive Brain Tumor?
Schlift has discussed her book at many local senior clubs and groups in the Hudson Valley area. Visit the club to enjoy the presentation, meet old friends, make new friends and find out what is happening. For additional information, call Kathy Rivera at (646) 361-5160.
Retired Men to meet October 4
The Retired Men of the New Paltz Community invite retired men everywhere to the monthly breakfast meeting of Monday, October 4 at 8 a.m. at the New Paltz Plaza Diner. Alex Holt, director of Modern Workplace at Avanade Consulting, will talk about what’s happening in the world of cybersecurity and how you can best protect yourself from becoming a victim.
For additional information, contact Ed Rogers at rogersezed@gmail.com or (845) 255-7420.
Benefit for Wreaths across America, New Paltz
A paint-and-sip will he held on October 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at VFW Post 8645, located at 101 Route 208 in New Paltz, to benefit Wreaths Across America, New Paltz. Paint on wood a happy little snowman with lights for the winter season. The cost is $45 per person, which includes one free beverage. Refreshments will be served.
Reservations are required by October 3. To reserve your spot, call Cindy Dates at (845) 332-0734 or Kathy Mironchik at (845) 658-8028.
Join the family! 
