Loretta Miller remembers when the first Hudson Valley Rail Trail WinterFest was held in Highland. Organized by local bed-and-breakfast owners Jerry and Geri Luke, attendees back then sat at makeshift tables assembled from plywood and sawhorses. Twenty-two years later, WinterFest is still a pretty casual affair, but now has a permanent home under the sturdy Highland Rotary Pavilion, adjacent to the circa-1915 train caboose on the trail at 101 New Paltz Road.

Accompanied by the emotive Mariachi Sol De Mi Tierra echoing off the walls of the sanctuary, the rose-bedecked image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was carried by solemn parishioners in procession to the altar of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Paltz last Wednesday, December 12, the faithful bearing bouquets of flowers to be left at the base of the icon in tribute.

The Hanukkah festivities held Sunday, December 9 at the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz Community Center officially began with the ceremonial lighting of some two dozen menorahs.

Clip-clop, clip-clop went the steady hooves of the two large black horses pulling the wagon carrying passengers on a festive ride down Historic Huguenot Street last Saturday, December 1 at the annual “A Holiday on Huguenot Street” event that officially launches the season at the history-laden site.