Around the county and nearby
An assortment of the wonderful things going on around the county..

Roe Jan Historical Society, "Old Fashioned General Stores," RJHS Museum on Miles Road off Rte. 344 in Copake Falls.
Features photographs and memorabilia from the old Dodd's General Store in North Hillsdale as well as the old general stores in Ancram, Ancramdale, Copake, Gallatin, Hillsdale, and Taghkanic.
The public is encouraged and welcome to visit the exhibit.
Open Saturdays and Sundays, 2-4, until September 6.

Olana on the Move Backpacks, 12-4pm, Olana. Child-friendly.

Borrow a backpack to explore the Olana landscape! Backpacks can be signed out at the Wagon House Education Center and contain trail maps and self-guided activities to enrich family visits. Take your sketches home, or donate them to our ongoing public exhibit! Please be prepared to leave a driver's license or other photo ID until backpack is returned. Free.  Click here for more info

Thursday-Sundays, 12-4 through August

Friday Swing Dances -- every Friday through Labor Day
Instruction at 7:00 pm. Live music 7:30 pm. PS21- Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, Chatham.
Individual admission: $10 / $8 members, includes
snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments. For more information, go to
PS 21.

Sunday, August 2, Alan Devoe Bird Club Walk, Mill Creek,
8:00am, Mill Creek.
There is a small parking area along route 9J just north of the trailhead for the Mill Creek board walk.  Click here for more info.

Sunday, August 2, Ancram Preservation Group's Working Landscapes Tour,
9:00 am-4:30 pm, Ancram 
Tour of eight unusual properties, either working farms or properties preserving that aesthetic.  Some properties can only be seen at limited hours.  For more info go to.  Tickets and maps available at Ancram Town Hall from 9:00 am, 1416 County Route 7, Ancram.  Tour: $50 each or $135 per car, and includes lunch at Thornhurst and wine-and-cheese at Roundfield.  Cash or check only.  For more information: 518-398-6435.

Sunday, August 2, Hudson Valley Choral Society
3:00 pm, PS 21, Chatham.
Fourth Annual Paul Grunberg Memorial Bach Concert
Gretchen Rueckheim, Director, with chamber ensemble
Includes cantata Es Ist Ein Kind Geboren
www.bhsinging.info/cdata/hudsonv.html or PS 21.

Monday, August 3, Taste of Columbia County Bounty, 5-9pm, Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham.  Enjoy locally grown produce prepared by our county's top chef's.  20 local restaurants, 30 local farms, local beer and wine.  For info

Friday, August 7, Copake Lake Discovery
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Copake Lake  Child-friendly
Sponsored by Copake Lake Conservation Society
Ages:  School Age Children
Discover the fascinating creatures that live in and around the waters of Copake Lake.  We'll look for waterstriders, whirligig beetles and other aquatic insects, and learn how these creatures move, breathe and find food in the lake.  Participants will wade in the water to collect these creatures to examine and release.  To register, please contact Jenny Brinker at 518.392.5252 x 210, or by email at jenny@clctrust.org by Thursday, August 6th.

Wednesday, August 12, An Evening of Gaelic Chant & Story
7:00 pm, St. Bridget's Church, Rt. 22,  Copake Falls.
The Gaelic word "Fonn" simultaneously means "land", "song" and "state of being."  These sacred chants, many of which are centuries-old, are a major part of the Céile Dé tradition, an ancient contemplative spiritual path of Ireland and the highlands of Scotland. Call 518-325-5546 or email harp@taconic.net for information.  Come early and enjoy the the Universal Prayer Garden and labyrith.

Sunday, August 16, Concert, Bruce Molsky
3:00 pm, PS 21, Chatham.
Guitar, fiddle, and banjo.
While most identified with traditional American old-time music, Molsky's influences range from the Appalachian soul of Tommy Jarrell to Delta blues; from the haunting modal strains of Irish music to the rhythmically nimble music of Eastern Europe. Contact PS 21 or go to
www.brucemolsky.com