Town of Hillsdale Newsletter

The time has come to mark the Grand Opening of Hillsdale's NEW Town Hall. And that's just the beginning. On Saturday, October 15, let's also celebrate the opening of a NEW satellite station for the Columbia County Sheriff and Hillsdale's brand NEW General Store!

The dedication starts at the old Town Hall at 11:00 am. From there, we'll walk up to the General Store and conclude up the street at the new Town Hall by 12:00 noon. Please join us - and bring the kids - this will be fun (a few surprises are in the works). Click here for details.

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's NEW Town Hall

A referendum in August 2009 led to the town's purchase of the historic library building. After a year-long renovation, this landmark opened its doors on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, and began its new life as the seat of town government. By the way, the project was completed reasonably close to budget expectations (a bonus in an unpredictable economy) thanks in part to the leadership of architect Joseph Iuviene and town board member Augie Sena. Further plans are underway to restore the building's impressive exterior and bring some style to the adjacent grounds.

DEDICATION CEREMONY: Please join us for a dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 15th between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon. We'll gather by the old Town Hall and walk up to the new Town Hall. Click here for details about the dedication ceremony and other events in town on the 15th!

Hillsdale General Store to Open October 15^th

After more than a year of careful renovation, the Hillsdale General Store will finally open its doors. Formerly Hillsdale Electronics, the building has undergone preservation efforts, which includes a new foundation, two restored porches and historically correct windows all put back in their original locations.

David Ruede and Matthew White, co-owners of the building partnered with local craftsmen to bring this architectural gem back to its circa 1855 charm.

On October 15^th, Matthew will be opening a store within the restored interior. The sun-lit space will be filled with house wares, gifts, seasonal items, furnishings, antiques and even an old-fashioned candy counter. Many items have been created specifically for the Hillsdale General Store, which means they are not available anywhere else in the world.

"I wanted to create a shopping experience that offers a broad range of useful and beautiful items at various prices, so anyone can find something they love", said Matthew White. "Hillsdale is a very special place, and I hope my shop will reflect that."

(In the next few months a new restaurant called the CrossRoads Food Shop will open within this building. Great coffee plus breakfast, lunch and dinner is coming soon!)

Events

Roe Jan Park Fall Festival A Party in the Park for the Whole Family

Saturday, October 1

Roeliff Jansen Park

Noon to 4:00 pm

There'll be a "party in the park for the whole family" this Saturday, October 1 from noon to 4 pm. The Harvest Family Festival in the Roeliff Jansen Park will feature kid's games in the Pumpkin Whoop-la Patch, three different Fran Martino Nature Fun programs at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00, hay rides, face painting, a Meadow Muffin raffle and more. Plus, the Roe Jan Library's annual pulled pork and chicken BBQ will be served from noon to 3 pm. Other local groups will offer drinks and snacks. Music will be provided by the Marty Jimmons Trio, Hillsdale Hillbillies, and Christina Dellea. Read about the full line-up of events here...

FarmersMarket.WhiteOak Hillsdale Farmers Market

Saturday, October 1

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

Child Friendly

This upcoming Saturday, October 1st is our last farm market of the season. We would like to thank all of our patrons for your support in making this year another success. We look forward to seeing you again in June of 2012. Have a great winter!

--- From all of us at the Hillsdale Farmer's Market

Elinor's Walk to Support the Library

Saturday, October 1

10:00 am to Noon

Get your exercise, enjoy the fall views and do some good by participating in Elinor's Walk to Support the Library this Saturday, October 1. There is no need to have signed up ahead of time.

Come to the start at Eastern States Well Drillers any time from 10 am to noon with your pledge or donation of at least $25 and you'll get an Elinor's Walk t-shirt. The more you raise the more incentives you can earn and the more you'll help the Roeliff Jansen Library. Most of the 5K (3.1 mile) route is on the walking trails of the Roe Jan Park and the finish line is at the Harvest Family Festival. learn more here...

BBQ at the Roe Jan Park BBQ, Boogie & Bid in the Park

Saturday, October 1
Noon to 3:00 pm

Library to BBQ & Boogie at the Park Again

Roeliff Jansen Park BBQ & Boogie at the Park, a Roeliff Jansen Community Library annual event, returns to the Roeliff Jansen Park on Saturday, October 1st from noon to 3:00 with barbecue by Kenny Preusser and toe-tapping music by The Marty Jimmons Trio.

The BBQ will be served from noon till 3:00 pm. On the menu is pulled pork and barbecued chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, roasted vegetables and local corn on the cob. Dessert will be brownies, made by great cooks who are library supporters, and Stewart's ice cream. Lots of seating will be available in the shade of the shed barn but attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the lawn and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park. more info...

Build a Bat House

Saturday, October 8
10:00 am
Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

Want to get rid of those pesky mosquitoes? Learn how to build a bat house and where to hang it to attract bat residents. Bats love to eat mosquitoes and if they live in your bat house they are protected from white nose syndrome. Hang a bat house in your backyard and you'll help them and you.

1.0988372093023255 Learn about the Copake to Hillsdale Rail Trail Project

Saturday Oct. 15

3:30 p.m.

Join us at the new Roeliff Jansen Library (one mile south of the Hillsdale traffic light on Route 22).

Learn details and ask questions about the project from the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, state officials, the Columbia Land Conservancy and the local residents who have formed the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance.

As it did in Millerton, extending the rail trail from Copake Falls to Hillsdale will attract new businesses and visitors to our communities. We already have won a $121,000 state grant to pay for construction-ready drawings, and are more than halfway toward our goal of raising the required $40,000 in matching funds.

To sign-up for the Rail Trail newsletter, read more news or learn how you can support the effort, visit the website: www.railtrailextension.com

Lineup of fall children's programs at the

Roeliff Jansen Community Library

New, fun programs for children are starting up soon in the Deborah Stewart Memorial Children's Library at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. A brochure is available at the library, online at www.roejanlirary.org, or call 518-325 4101 for details.

- All About Indians is a costume making and reading program for Kids ages 3 - 5. The program comprises storytelling, crafts, dances, a pow wow and ends with a potlatch party! All About Indians is offered from 10-11am on Wednesdays. Fall session: September 21st through October 26th.

- Toddler Time for twos and threes, designed especially for this age group, this program consists of stories, finger plays, rhymes, poetry, flannel board stories, stretches and more! Toddler Time is offered Thursdays at 10:30 am. Fall Session: September 21st through December 10th.

- Monster Tales every Saturday beginning October 1st, for kids ages 5-8, we will read monster folktales from around the world and make masks plus other theme related activities! From2:00-3:30.

- Pumpkin Hunt: Oct 22nd at 10:30, find the pumpkins hidden in the library and outside near our big window in the children's space! Prizes and treats will be offered.

- Drop-in Craft, Saturdays from 11:00-12:00! Each week a new craft will be offered focusing on recycled materials and Collage. We will have the materials ready for your child to complete a great craft for (any age child.)

Upcoming Events at Hawthorne Valley

Workshop: Understanding Your Soil

Sunday, October 2
1:00 - 3:00 pm

Healthy soils are the foundation for developing sustainable farms. Conrad Vispo of the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program will moderate a program including the planned participation of Cornell University soil health specialist, Bob Schindelbeck; farmers Jean Paul Courtens of Roxbury Farm and Hugh Williams of Threshold Farm; and Cornell graduate student Emily Reiss. More info here.

17th Annual Fall Festival

Sunday, October 9

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

A day of family fun. Activities for all ages. Hay rides, slides, jumps, and mazes, puppet shows, workshops, music, farm-fresh foods, and more! Free admission. Rain or shine. For more information visit: www.hvfallfest.org or call 518-672-5808.

Plan Ahead

All About White Tail Deer
Saturday November 5
2:00 pm
Roeliff Jansen Park

Child Friendly

Nature Fun with Fran Martino. Learn all about racks, runs, beds scrapes and ruts.

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 hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com by the 15th of the month before your event, or as soon as you know about it.

Sincerely,
Peter Cipkowski, Communications Chair, Town Board
Christopher Ross, editor

The Town of Hillsdale