Hillsdale Community Day is August 6th

You'll want to stop by the old Roe Jan School on August 6 to take advantage of all the food and festivities planned.  From noon to 9:30 pm this year's celebration is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

There will be lots of great events, delicious food and over 70 vendors. Don't miss the Hillsdale Fire Company BBQ at 5:00 and the fireworks display at dark! 

There's too much going on to post all of it here --  Read the full lineup of all the great activities and offerings here.

Marriage Equality in Hillsdale

Speaking of celebrating, Sunday, July 25 was a ground-breaking and historic day in New York State. In Hillsdale, Town Clerk Julie Kane greeted John Boone and Chris Lockwood to issue Hillsdale's first marriage license to a same-sex couple. Coincidentally, Chris and John had long-planned and held a 25th anniversary celebration the day before with some 150 family members and friends. The Town Board congratulates John and Chris and looks forward to more weddings!

The Teamsters and the Highway Department: Update

As reported last month, a resolution to accept the Highway Department's request to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was approved by the Town Board. A special meeting of the Board was held on July 8th to discuss protocol and a particular incident at the town garage. Minutes of the town meeting can be found here  as well as coverage in a local paper here.  

Roe Jan Stream Plantings Get a Routine Physical 

If you've wondered what all those white tubes and plantings are along the Roe Jan stream in the Park, wonder no more.  Jennifer Nechamen from the Hudson River Estuary Program, NYS Department of Environmental Conservatation, placed a visit to the park to check on the health of the plantings and provides a full explanation and check-up.  Click here to read her report.

Hunting Licenses Available August 15 

Town Clerk Julie Kane wants everyone to know that she will be available at Town Hall from 8 am to 5 pm on Monday, August 15, to issue hunting licenses. She's offering FREE coffee to early visitors. What, no donuts? See you there!

Hillsdale Farmers Market

Next Market Day: Saturday, July 30

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

Child Friendly

We are halfway through the summer but now is the time for great produce. Fresh tomatoes and corn, along with  basil, carrots, chard, cucumbers, garlic, kale, onions, peppers, squash and much more.

White Oak Farm will have new this week:  Apricot and black current jam. We are hoping their sweet corn is ready.  If not this week we know it will be soon!

New Leaf Farm will be bringing basil, carrots, chard, cucumbers,  garlic, kale, onions, peppers, squash, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes & flower bouquets and sun flowers.

Berkshire Mountain Bakery will be featuring Cinnamon Apple Cakes. Moist and fresh, they get their apples from Samascott Orchard in Kinderhook, NY.  Stop by their tent and treat yourself.  Jessica will give you a sample!

And a new vendor has joined the Market: Michele's Goods will have a booth featuring delicious baked goods. 

In August our featured guest will be Michael Chesloff (Catering to Your Taste) as the Guest Chef on Saturday, August 20th.  Michael will be bringing his "full rig" and promises some tasty tidbits for all to try.
All the guest chefs demonstrate innovative ways to cook and serve your homegrown produce or the produce you buy at the Farmers Market. 

Hope to see you at the Market!  A full list of vendors as well as future market dates is available here. 

Skulls & Bones

Nature Fun with Fran Martino. An animal's skull can reveal much about how that animal survived in its natural habitat. Was it a predator or prey? Did it rely on eyesight and hearing or on its sense of smell? We'll handle and examine animal skulls and bones to learn the characteristics of the animals and how they lived. Meet at the kiosk.

Roe Jan Historical Society Summer Exhibit

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.  An interesting article in the Roe Jan Historical Society's newsletter is available here.

Hillsdale Historic House Tour

Wendy Neefus: Photographing in Nature

Professional photographer Wendy Neefus is an avid outdoorsman with extensive experience photographing nature. On a walk through the park he'll talk about how to get the best photographs of nature. Bring your camera! Meet at the kiosk. 

Incredible Insects

Tuesday August 16
1:00 pm
Roeliff Jansen Park 

Child Friendly

Learn about insect characteristics and their life cycles by observing them in their natural habitat. Using real scientific methods we will check pitfall traps, use field sweep nets, and learn how to do a beat sample to see who is living in the park and what they are up to. Join us as we explore the fields and forests at Roe Jan Park and get an up-close look at a diverse array of insects. 

Poetry Workshop at the Roe Jan Library with Therese Broderick

Whether you're an accomplished poet, just beginning to write poetry, or simply interested in the topic, you're sure to learn something useful and interesting at the poetry workshop sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Library on Saturday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Therese L. Broderick, from Albany, NY, will lead the workshop, entitled The Surprise of Poetry: Nifty Tips for Drafting, Revising, and Reading Aloud.  Read more here.

Agility Training & Demo for Dogs at the Roe Jan Park 

Watch an agility demonstration by an experienced trainer who will then teach you and your dog how to navigate the tunnel, plank, jumps and weaving poles. Dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes are welcome! Bring water, lots of small very good treats such as cheese or what ever your dog really likes and your dog's favorite toy. A flat buckle collar only - no choke chains please.

Magnificent Monarch Butterflies

Wednesday August 24
2:00 pm
Roeliff Jansen Park 

Child Friendly

Every fall, Columbia County monarchs fly south to spend the winter at roosting sites in Mexico. Monarchs are the only butterflies to make such a long, two-way migration, flying up to 2,000 miles in the fall to reach their winter destination. The Columbia Land Conservancy participates in a monarch tagging program that helps researchers gather data to answers questions about this migration. Following a talk about the monarch's lifecycle and migration from here to Mexico, we'll look in the park for eggs, larvae and adults. The event will be held rain or shine.

Open Mic Night at the Roe Jan Library

Elinor's Walk to Support the Library

BBQ, Boogie & Bid in the Park

Plan Ahead

Hillsdale Farmers Market Days Announced

In the Hamlet Park

July 2,16,30

August 6,20

Sep 3,17

Oct 1

Saturday, September 10

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Camp Pontiac, West Copake

A performance by "Broadway's Golden Couple", singers Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley will be a highlight of the Roe Jan Library's second annual Gala, which will honor Weir Stewart. Celebrity emcee Alan Chartok. Enjoy food from over 25 local chefs. Mike Fallon will conduct a live auction of unique items, activities and services. Tickets available at the library or online at www.roejanlibrary.org as of 8/8.

Around the County & Nearby