August/September 2010
Town of Hillsdale Newsletter
Hillsdale, New York
Town of Hillsdale 
 
 Hillsdale Website
 
The Hillsdale website 
has a comprehensive list of departments, hours and town meetings.  Go to: 

Hillsdale Directory

 
Town Meetings

 Third Tuesday of the month @ 7:30
 
Planning Board
Second Monday of the month @ 7:30
 
Zoning Board of Appeals
First Tuesday of the month @ 7:30
Committee Meetings

 8/26: Green Solutions Meeting
5:00 pm @ Town Hall

9/12  Hamlet Committee Meeting
  9:00 am @ Town Hall
Town Events
Quick Links
Click on an underlined event for full details.

 
 
 
 
 
Local News
The Columbia Paper

ccSCOOP

Register-Star

The Copake Chronicle

Rural Intelligence

Archived Hillsdale Calendars and Newsletters
Local Calendars
Taconic Hills School District Calendar

CoCotodo.com
Town Historian
Jay Rohrlich
[email protected]
518-325-4956

Volunteer in Hillsdale
You can help, meet people and have fun!

Keep Hillsdale Blooming

Help maintain the flower planters
Contact Lynda Brenner at
[email protected]
or call 325-7364


Roe Jan Community Library
 
Roe Jan Park
Taconic Hills School Aquatic & Fitness Center
Hours for community use during summer vacation
Monday-Friday 3:00-8:00 pm
Saturday                                9:00am-2:00pm
Sunday                                  1:00pm-4:00pm
 
more info 
 
Call 325.0432 for schedule updates
Nearby Natural Areas open to the public 
Roe Jan Park

Harlem Valley Rail Trail
 
 Columbia Land Conservancy Conservation Areas
 
 Bash Bish Falls State Park
 
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls
 
Lake Taghkanic State Park
 
Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Center and Sanctuary, Craryville
 
Mount Washington State Forest, Mt. Washington, MA
 
Mt. Everett State Reservation, Mt. Washington, MA
Local Arts
 
Ghent Playhouse
 
Hudson Opera House
 
Columbia Arts Team
 
Art Omi
 
PS 21, Chatham
 
Time & Space Limited
 
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension
(gardening, pest questions)
828-3346

Hawthorne Valley Farm
Blogs
Farmscape Ecology Program
 
Local Movies

Join Our Mailing List
Heard on Anthony Street:
He:  An outdoor movie in Hillsdale?
She:  Yes, The Lion King on Saturday night!

Details in the "events" section below!  Bring the family and come on down!
Greetings!

August will be a delight to Hillsdalers!  This weekend will be a great start, with the Farmers Market, the Historic House Tour, free Lion King movie screening in the Hamlet Park, and the Library's BBQ, Boogie and Bid event!  And then next weekend, August 7 will be Hillsdale Community Day -- bigger and better than ever -- with fireworks this year!

We hope you enjoy the chance to have fun with your Hillsdale neighbors!

The Town Board:  Art Baer, Town Supervisor, and Carmen Barbato, Peter Cipkowski, Christian Kersten and Augie Sena.

PS Please note that some e-mail servers cut off the end of the calendar and the newsletter.  So if yours does not end with a little note from us, go to the very end and click on "view entire message."
News
Hillsdale Hamlet Historic District

As a bit of background for those planning to attend Saturday's Historic House Tour, the Hillsdale Hamlet Historic District was placed on the State Register of Historic Places in September of 2009, and on the National Register of Historic Places in January of 2010. 

A study of the houses in the district illustrates the history of the hamlet itself and its early settlers,  from the late 1700's to the 1800's, when most of the homes and outbuildings in the district were built.

The hamlet's historic district designation came as a result of the work of the Historic Preservation Committee, which is sponsoring Saturday's Historic House Tour (details in the "events" section below.)

There are many benefits for homeowners in a historic district, including significant tax breaks for many home improvements.
 
To learn more about our landmark designation, our history, Hillsdale's unique architectural diversity and to find a link for more information on tax breaks click here.  The Historic Preservation Committee will also be holding workshops in the coming months on how to take advantage of the tax breaks.
Update: Hillsdale Outdoor Park Explorers
 
The Hillsdale Youth Program began another summer season at our own Roe Jan Park with a record enrollment of 60 children on July 5th, again under the able direction of Sharon Foster. 
 
In addition to popular sun and fun activities, including swimming and field trips, the Hillsdale Outdoor Park Explorers (HOPE) program is introducing campers to the natural world surrounding them, such as a 6-day 4H Club funded program offered last week by the Cornell Cooperative Extension on astronomy.
 
Children 5-8 years old were introduced to constellations, asteroids, the Milky Way, with projects and crafts associated with these phenomena and followed by a field trip to the Planetarium.
 
Campers have also been learning about insects, Monarch butterflies, and benefiting from the expertise of talented volunteers who are introducing them to pottery, creating and monitoring a weather station, hiking in the Park's stream with counselors and a host of other great explorations.
 
We'll update you throughout the summer program.  It's great to be a kid in Hillsdale!
Update: New Library opening moved to the fall
No specific date has been set, but it's looking like late September or early October.  Keep those donations coming and stay tuned! 
Committees
Hamlet Committee and Roe Jan Community Library co-sponsor free outdoor "Lion King" movie screening in the Hamlet Park on July 31
This is a trial run.  If it is well received, they will plan more free movies this summer. 
Events
For more information on town events, use the links at left, under "Town Events Quick Links."
Summer Harvest: The Hillsdale Farmer's Market
 
FarmersMarket.Markristo9:00 am - 12:30 pm, every two weeks, Town Park behind Town Hall. Next market:  July 31
Child friendly

Buy wonderful locally grown salad greens, vegetables, eggs, meat and flowers -- and support local farmers!  Luscious locally made baked goods too. Mingle with your Hillsdale neighbors!  For info call Willa Horton at FarmersMarket.WhiteOak[email protected] or call (518) 325- 7950.
 
See the full summer schedule here

Above, Rachael Stosiek and Willa Horton, representing Markristo Farm, and at right, Fred Laing, proprietor, and helper Fran Sherman of White Oak Farm.  Both are farms in Hillsdale.
Kids! Can! Cook! Hawthorne Valley Summer Youth Program 
9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday-Friday,  The Hawthorne Valley Learning Center, Harlemville
3 two-week sessions:  July 5-16, July 26-August 6, August 16-26.
Child friendly
 
Kids really can cook . . . And cooking opens the door to healthier lifestyles, connecting to the wonder and beauty of nature, learning about nutrition, food and farming, and the traditional crafts that are the natural expression of that connection. Cooking, gardening, animal care, carding, spinning, weaving, clay modeling, and metal working are all part of KIDS! CAN! COOK!  Open to all children between the ages of 8 and 14 years.
 
To learn more click here 
Hillsdale House TourSecond Annual Hillsdale Historic House Tour
July 31, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Tour at least five houses and an historic law office, all on Cold Water Street, where 19 buildings are on the National Historic Register.  Plus, hear about the history of the houses, street and town from long time residents.  On the tour will be some of the oldest buildings in the hamlet.  Tickets $20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour. Click here for more information and to download a ticket form.

The Hillsdale Historic House Tour is being sponsored by the Hillsdale Preservation Committee.  Proceeds will help the committee to continue its work to protect the historic character of the town of Hillsdale.
Move in the ParkMovie in the Park: The Lion King
July 31, 8:30 pm
Child friendly

The weather promises to be fine this Saturday night when the Hamlet Park will be turned into a "Walk-In Theater!"
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and stretch out under the stars to see Disney's The Lion King on the big pop-up screen. There will even be free popcorn. A heroic coming-of-age story, the movie follows the epic adventures of a young lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king of the jungle. Free fun for the whole family thanks to the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee and the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.
BBQ Boogie & BidBBQ, Boogie & Bid at the Park
August 1, 12:00 noon - 3:30 pm
Roe Jan Park
 
The Roe Jan Library's annual BBQ and Silent Auction will be held at the Roe Jan Park again. Visitors will enjoy pulled pork and BBQ chicken and music by a local group, and will be able to bid on unique and interesting items and services at the silent auction. Auction items include original art and sculpture, a four week writer's workshop with a former deputy editor of the New York Times Book Review, tickets to a Disney Broadway show and lots more fun items!
 
Tickets, $20 for adults and $10 for kids. This is a fundraiser for the library building fund. For details click here.
At the Park -- The Element of Water
August 7, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Roe Jan Park
Child friendly
 
Bring a sample of water from home and spend some time in the "kitchen" on Kitchen Chemistry Day.  We'll experiment to reveal what is in the water you drink every day at home, and compare it to household items and water from the Roeliff Jansen Creek.
Community Day Bouncy CastleHillsdale Community Day
August 7, 12:00 noon - 10:00 pm
The Former Roe Jan School, Route 22
Child friendly
 
This Year, Fireworks and More!
Large vendor's area,  children's tent, bounce house,  kid's maze trailer, all day entertainment-including live music, as well as physical comedian Pat Ferri, merchant raffle, and all day food.  This year there will be many new attractions:
 
  • A FIREMAN'S MUSTER starting at 2 PM.
  • The Hillsdale Fire Company will have a BEEF BBQ starting at 5 PM
  • DJ and KARAOKE entertainment at 7pm, and
  • Grand finale, a FIREWORKS DISPLAY at 9:30 pm. 
     
    Tickets for the BEEF BBQ must be purchased in advance by calling 325-4721.  We encourage all vendors to stay and enjoy the evening with us as we expect a big crowd for the evening's events.  more info
  • Library offers grant-writing seminar

    Thursday, August 12
    with Colette Lemmon of the Columbia & Greene Counties Councils on the Arts, 5:45 - 7:45 pm, Roe Jan Library.
    Gardening with Native Plants, On a Budget
    Four-part workshop
    Remaining sessions:  Saturday, August 21, 9:00 am-12 noon
                                   Saturday, September 18, 9:00 am-12 noon
    Creekhouse, 1075 Harlemville Road, on Hawthorne Valley Farm, Harlemville
    Facilitated by Ruth Dufault of Bittersweet Gardens, with Judy Sullivan of Project Native.  Hands-on workshop on soil preparation and planting, using native plants.  To register, email [email protected] or call 672-7994.
    Creatures of the Stream -- at the Park
    Sunday, August 22, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
    Child friendly

    Let's dip a net into the Roeliff Jansen Kill to see what might be hiding under a rock or floating on a leaf traveling down the stream.  We'll collect, sort and identify aquatic insects and have fun learning about their habitat, movement, feeding, breathing and why they are important to us as humans and to the health of ecosystems.
    Build a Primitive Shelter at the Park
    Sunday, September 12, 2:00-3:30 pm
    Child friendly

    Knowing how to construct a shelter can be just for fun, or it  can be a means of protection should you suddenly find yourself faced with a survival situation.  No tools are needed to build a safe  structure that can keep you warm, dry, and protected from the  elements. Participants will learn how to decide on an appropriate location to build a shelter and what materials to collect. A great opportunity for scout troops, home-schooled families, or other youth groups to participate in a team-building project!
    Plan ahead
     
    Hillsdale Farmer's Market

    9 am - 12:30 pm, Town Park behind Town Hall. 
    The 1st & 3rd Saturday of every month through the 1st weekend in October.  There will be an extra market on July 31 to coordinate with the  Hamlet House Tour.  more info

    Saturday, October 2 -- From the Earth, Roe Jan Park Fall Festival

    Around the county and nearby


    Monday, August 2 -- Third Annual Taste of Columbia County Dinner
    4:00 - 8:00 pm, Columbia County Fairgrounds
    Local chefs and farmers pair to create a feast from our local bounty.  The evening will feature delicious seasonal food, local wines and beers, and live entertainment.  Click here for details.
    $75 adults, $25 children.  Advance purchase of tickets is strongly encouraged.

    Saturday, August 14 -- Ancram Community Day


    Saturday, August 14 -- 'Hypertufa Workshop'

    10:00 am - 12 noon, at Cooperative Extension of Columbia County.  Make your own planter with your own form.  For more information and to sign up call 828-3346


    Saturday, August 21 -- Copake Falls Day


    All Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day

    Roe Jan Historical Society exhibit on Farms of the Roe Jan Area
    2:00-4:00 pm, Roe Jan Historical Society Museum in Copake Falls.
    Contact:  Janet Doherty at 329-5751.


    Daily, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm --  Visit Lindenwald

    Martin Van Buren's home is open for tours at the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in Kinderhook.
    Adults, $5.00, 15 and under free

    Hello!
    We want this newsletter to be useful to you, so please tell us what we can do better and tell us about your events!  Contact us at [email protected] by the 15th of the month before your event, or as soon as you know about it.
     
    Sincerely,
    Peter Cipkowski, Communications Chair, Town Board
    Iona Lutey and Christopher Ross, editors

    The Town of Hillsdale