Town of Hillsdale Newsletter

Happy 4th of July! Now that the summer is in full swing, there's lots to keep up with and lots to do in Hillsdale and the Roe Jan area. For starters, the Summer Youth Program gets underway this week under the direction of Joseph Raco. You'll be getting a full report from our new editor, Megan Hanselman, in our next e-newsletter. The Town Board wishes Joe, his camp counsellors, the kids - and all of you - a happy, successful, fun and learning-filled summer!

The Town Board: Art Baer, Town Supervisor, and Carmen Barbato, Peter Cipkowski, Augie Sena and Jill Sims-Elster.

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 Highway Dept Joins the Union

A resolution to accept the Highway Department's request to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was unanimously passed at the June 21 Town Board meeting. Though the pros and cons are debatable, the bottom line for the Town is that we'll have to negotiate a contract through the union. You can read the story in the Register Star.

Interior of New Town Hall Nears Completion

An open house on Saturday, June 18, drew curious Hillsdalers - all of
whom marvelled at the beauty and spaciousness of the renovated
library. The Town Board expects to move in around Labor Day and
will announce the official date at the July Town Board meeting. We're
almost certain that our September meeting will be held on the new
premises. Pretty exciting.

Events

FarmersMarket.WhiteOak Hillsdale Farmers Market

Saturday, July 2

9:00 am - 12:00. In the Hillsdale Hamlet Park behind Town Hall.

Child Friendly

Come out and enjoy this weekend's farmers market and get all your fixin's for a July 4th picnic or barbeque! As always great music, great produce and great community

On July 16th the market's special guest will be Sundog Solar - they will be there to talk to you about Solar electric and solar hot water systems. Make our planet more green!

We will also have an extra market July 30th. Hope to see you there! You can get more information here.

Civil War Poster Roe Jan Historical Society Summer Exhibit

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Roeliff Jansen Historical Society

8 Miles Road, Copake Falls

The exhibit will run from July 2nd through October 9th every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm - 4pm or by appointment.

This summer's exhibit commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and will feature the uniform worn by Capt. John B. Collin of Hillsdale, N.Y. who served in the 91st New York Volunteers.

Trace with us the 91st through their campaigns from New York to Louisiana to Virginia. Get to know the men who volunteered from our communities to preserve "A More Perfect Union". Explore not only the life of the soldier-citizen but also the lives of those on the homefront in the Roe Jan Valley during the early 1860's. More info here.

Firefly Hike

Saturday, July 9, 2011

8:30 pm

Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

Did you know that fireflies communicate with different flash patterns? And that some female fireflies are cannibalistic? Join this hike through the trails and fields of the Roe Jan Park to search for and learn about these illuminant insects and other nocturnal critters. Bring a net and a ventilated container and create temporary "lanterns" for our hike. A limited number of nets and containers will be provided.

Upcoming Events at Hawthorne Valley

Hands-on Workshop in Home Cheesemaking

Saturday, July 9

Hawthorne Valley Farm Learning Center

1:00 to 4:00 pm
$40 per person

Sure you can put it on your cereal, but what else? Come join Peter Kindel, the Hawthorne Valley Farm cheese maker, for a discussion of the importance of non-pasteurized dairy products to learn how to make fresh cheeses and yogurt from raw milk. From milk to curd, you'll learn the steps to producing your own beautiful, homemade batch of cheese, followed by a tasting of the cheeses and products we make in class. Class size is limited, so please book in advance by email caroline@hawthornevalleyfarm.org, or phone (518-672-7500, x232).

Preserving Fruit

Saturday, July 9

Hawthorne Valley Farm Learning Center

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

$40 per per person

Not sure what do with the bounty of summer and fall produce that surrounds you? Learning to preserve fruits and vegetables and to prepare pasta and pasta sauces from scratch. Designed for the beginning cook, as well as for the experienced chef. Join for an individual class or for the full series. $40 per workshop.

Making your own preserves is surprisingly easy and can help you to enjoy the summer bounty late into the winter months. Learn safe and delicious ways to preserve fruit, including a discussion of techniques and equipment. Sample jam made in class and take home recipes for future preserving adventures.To register: caroline@hawthornevalleyfarm.org 518-672-7500 x 232

Hillsdale Fire Company

Hillsdale Fire Company Open House

Sunday, July 10, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Hillsdale Firehouse

Route 22, 1/2 mile north of the light in Hillsdale

The Hillsdale Fire Company and the Hillsdale Ladies Auxiliary are hosting an Open House, July 10, 2011 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Come join them as they put on equipment demos, water demos and more. There will be a 50/50 Raffle and light refreshments served. Also available will be rental and catering information as well as membership options. Visit the Hillsdale Firehouse and discover for yourself why Hillsdale is the "Best Location in the Nation!"

Children's Programs at the Roe Jan Library

Child Friendly

Animal Antics

Ages 3-5

Tuesday mornings 10:30 - 11:30

July 12 - August 16

Let's all oink, moo and quack at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library! We'll enjoy silly songs, creature crafts, mystery sounds, and critter tales

One World Many Stories

Grades K-3

10:00 - 11:00

July 8, 11, 13, 15, 18 and 22

Stories & Crafts

Animate Your World

Ages 8 - 12

Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30

July 14 - August 18

Learn how to animate in this hands-on workshop for kids! Participants will learn stop-motion animation techniques using clay, paper, and/or found objects while working collaboratively on a short animated video. Funding provided by the Lego Children's Fund.

Animation Night: Finding Nemo

(2003, Rated G, 100 min)

6:00 - 7:40 pm

Thursday, July 28th

When Nemo, a little clown fish, goes missing, his paranoid father must leave the safety of home to find Nemo. This computer-animated film is a comedy-adventure about finding a very small fish in a very large ocean. Funding provided by the Lego Children's Fund.

Battle of the Books

People going into Grades 6-9 in Fall 2011 are welcome

Kick-off Meeting Thursday, July 14

Meetings continue every Thursday through September 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Battle of the Books is a trivia contest for young people with questions based on specific books that all participants read. Local Battles take place this summer at the Roe-Jan Library. Regional Battle takes place at Hudson High School on September 10, 2011. Registration is mandatory and space is limited. Call 518-325-4101 to register or for more information.

4th Annual Upstate Idol Original Music Competition

Thursday, July 14, 7:30 pm

Mount Washington House, Hillsdale

Columbia Arts Team (CAT) will present the 4th annual edition of its regional music competition, Upstate Idol, on Thursday, July 14 at Mount Washington House Banquet Room in Hillsdale, NY at 7:30pm. The show is open to the public of all ages who get to vote for their favorite music acts.

The winner of the music contest will receive a day in the Clubhouse recording studio in Rhinebeck NY, with a pro producer. Other valuable prizes will be given to the second and third place winners. For more information click here.

Sand Building Contest

Saturday, July 16, 9:00 am

Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

The ocean is far away but the park has sand! Bring your shovels, pails and creativity to build a sand castle or sculpture in the sand of the volleyball court at the park. Lots of prizes. Fun for kids and families.

Full Moon Walk

Saturday, July 16, 8:00 pm

Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

Take an evening stroll on the park's trails and experience the park in a whole new light. Caroline Stewart will lead a walk through the trails of the park in the light of the full moon. Fran Martino will be along to answer nature questions.

The Columbia County Players: Introduction to Indian Music

Introduction to Indian Music Workshop

Thursday, July 14, 6:00 pm

Roeliff Jansen Library, Hillsdale

On Thursday, July 14th at 6 PM, Daisy Paradis and Naren Budhakar from the Columbia Chamber Players will offer a one-hour Introduction to Indian Music at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. he workshop is free. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, July 13th.

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a discounted admission to the concert on July 16th. To register, please call 413-548-9645.

Concert

Saturday, July 16, 7:30 pm

North Hillsdale United Methodist Church

The Columbia Chamber Players Present "East Meets West," a concert of (mostly) Indian music and Liszt & Schumann. Daisy Paradis, sitar; Naren Budhakar, tabla; Akal Dev Sharonne, flute; Will Hayes, violoncello.

Admission $15. Free to music students under 18. Reservations call 413-548-9645.

Art Tour 2011

Art Tour 2011: Roe Jan Artists' Studio Tour

Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17

11:00 am - 4:00 pm each day

Friday July 15, 5 to 7 pm

"Meet the Artists" reception

Sponsored by the Roe Jan Library

Fifteen artists in Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale - photographers, painters, ceramicists, furniture makers - will open their studios to the public from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17 during Art Tour 2011, sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.

The weekend tour of studios will be preceded by a "Meet the Artists" reception and art sale at the Library on Friday, July 15 from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets for the tour and reception are priced at $30. Tickets are available at the Library, and from Library trustees. Proceeds from the sale of art work will be shared between the artists and the Library.

For more information and to view full article visit: http://hillsdaleny.com/2011/07/roe-jan-area-artists-studio-tour/

Geocaching

Saturday July 23, 2:00 pm

Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

Learn how to go geocaching, a fun new family oriented way of treasure hunting Bring a GPS capable phone or a handheld GPS device if you have one. Two will be available for those without them. Hunt for four treasures hidden in the park. Once you learn how to do it you can hunt for some of the over 1 million geocache treasures hidden worldwide. It's a great way to explore nature and be lead to places you wouldn't otherwise see.

Plan Ahead

Hillsdale Farmers Market Days Announced

In the Hamlet Park

July 2,16,30

August 6,20

Sep 3,17

Oct 1

Hillsdale Community Day will be held on Saturday, August 6th.

Hillsdale Historic House Tour Showcases Farming Area
Saturday August 13, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

This summer the visitors to the Hillsdale Historic House Tour will tour five 19th century houses in a farming area of town that range from a simple farm house to an Italianate Victorian and an elegant Federal period house. Though they have been modernized and is some cases expanded the "old bones" are clearly visible in all. Two of the houses have small old barns that have been restored by Michael Carr, a local timber frame restorer, who will be on hand to talk about the barns and the restoration process. Neighboring the houses is an historic cemetery with graves dating back as far as the late 18th century, including one for a veteran of the Revolutionary War. This year's house tour will include a tasty box lunch picnic. More information is available here.

Elinor's Walk to Support the Library

Sunday, August 28, 10:30 am to 1:00 pm