Billed as an “appreciation walk and ride” for the American flag, hundreds converged on New Paltz yesterday bedecked with Old Glory. They were met by perhaps two score of protesters, resulting in a thunderous shouting match across Main Street for several minutes.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 20-21: This Rhinebeck festival features live demonstrations of shearing and spinning, master classes and expert talks, the Northeast Angora Goat Show, kid-friendly activities such as llama parades, sheepdog demos and Mad Science shows, and of course, vendors of wool, tools and supplies for the hobbyist.
Saturday, Oct. 20: You can join in a special feeding of the turkeys’ (and pigs’) favorite treats, decorate a pumpkin for Halloween, shop a vegan marketplace, do yoga outdoors, learn new recipes and try free samples at food demos. Best-selling author Gene Stone (The How Not to Die Cookbook) will be the guest speaker.
Joey Garcia decided to organize this event because he has a love and appreciation for the American flag and his country. “To me it represents many things — freedom, compassion, strength and pride to name a few,” said the organizer. “But lately, our flag has been under attack.”
“It’s important to preserve history,” said Theresa Reynolds, chair of the recently formed Woodstock Cemetery Task Force. “By tending people’s graves, it’s giving them some love.”
In just a few weeks’ time, the annual New Paltz Halloween parade will transform this community into a destination for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. However, an aspect of that tradition which is very important to the youngest participants — full-size Hershey’s bars, handed out to every child who looks to be under 13 years of age — may not be able to continue, and organizers are looking to community members for help.
Friday, October 12: Participate in a sunset magick ritual bonfire garden party and vegetarian potluck at Shivastan to celebrate and discuss renowned/reviled British-born archmage Aleister Crowley, who spent 40 days in the summer of 1918 camping out on Esopus Island in the Hudson River.
Vendors of handmade clothing, knitwear, beaded jewelry, macramé, soaps, jams, honey, flavored oils, pickles, pottery, wooden ornaments, carved and painted gourd birdhouses, Ugandan crafts and more had their booths arrayed along Huguenot Street. At long tables in the rear of the church parking lot, fairgoers bought hot dogs, burgers, chili and coffee to enjoy while listening and dancing to the bands that played all afternoon on two stages. The musical lineup — all local — included the Woodstock Brass Quintet, Jennifer Anne Country, Jordan Stoner, Cherished Memories Doo-Wop, Wind & Stone, Club Swing, Red Neckromancer, New Paltz Rock and Blue Plate Special.
The Wallkill River Watershed Alliance held its second annual Wallkill River Festival last Saturday at the Open Space Institute’s new River-to-Ridge trailhead on Springtown Road in New Paltz.
Kristy Bishop was diagnosed with colon cancer just a month ago. Her art students turned diehard friends have orchestrated fundraising efforts for her chemotherapy treatment.
The business of media is changing, but local, on-the-ground, fact-checked journalism is needed now more than ever.
