Town of Hillsdale Newsletter

We hope you're having a good, restful Thanksgiving weekend and looking forward to the Holiday season. If you're just getting back to us from holiday travels, welcome home.

December is a busy time. Let's mark the beginning of the season together by gathering on Saturday, December 3rd, for the tree lighting in old Cullin Park. (In case you didn't know, that's the real name for the little triangle with the Civil War monument). Our local businesses and Firehouse have special activities planned and, if you happen to have some gifts to buy this month, there's no time like the present - and we think Hillsdale is a great place to shop!

Wishing everyone a safe, meaningful and joyful holiday season.

The Town Board: Art Baer, 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

Remembering Lois Decker

We're all deeply saddened and shocked by the awful news about Lois Decker's death and wonder how something like this can happen in our own town - and to someone with such a loving and generous heart. You can read about the ongoing investigation in the papers and there are a lot of questions that have yet to be answered.

We'll always remember Lois Decker for her kindness and be grateful for all the warm meals she served us - and our children - over the years at the old Roe Jan School. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

0.7924528301886793 Historic, Awesome Hillsdale

Be sure to check out the stunning postcard collection of old Hillsdale now posted on the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society website. Thanks to Matthew White for making his personal collection available for scanning so we can all enjoy the magical scenes from yesteryear. We all know that Hillsdale is awesome today but who knew it was so cool back in 1905!

No Stopping Those Gardeners

Despite frigid temperatures, 40 enthusiastic gardeners gathered at Town Hall for a meeting of green thumbs last week. An informative seminar led by Susan Scheck of the Cornell Extension marked the group's first meeting. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 28 - GARDEN DESIGN 101 - featuring Garden Gurus Tom Carty (a professional lanscaper) and Bart Ziegler (who writes a gardening column for the Wall Street Journal.) All levels of gardeners are invited to attend. Stay tuned for more information in future editions of this newsletter.

Taconic Hills School Backpack Program - Your Help is Needed!

In conjunction with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the Taconic Hills School District is participating in the BackPack Program, which helps provide elementary students with food for breakfast and lunch on the weekends.

The program is unique because the items are presented directly and consistently to the children through backpacks distributed weekly at the school. You can read a first-person report about the program by clicking here.

During these hard times, when families' food budgets are stretched to the limit, the need is urgent and your contribution can make a significant difference for the children who participate. Sponsorship of a child for a full school year costs $167. The average cost of the contents of a single backpack is $5.60. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

Checks may be mailed to the Regional Food Bank of NE NY, 965 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. Taconic Hills BackPack Program should be noted on the check memo line.

Local Authors Exhibit: Wallace Bruce at the Roe Jan Library

This exhibit focuses on the life and work of the Hillsdale-born poet Wallace Bruce (1844 - 1914). Now largely forgotten, in his day he was widely celebrated in literary and cultural circles.

A rock on Whipporwill Road marks the spot where, some years before Bruceʼs death in 1914, Mr. Charles Arthur, a Scotsman living in New York and indebted to Bruceʼs contribution to Scotland, conceived a project to have a tablet with the opening lines of Bruceʼs poem "The Rock Where My Mother Played" installed on that very rock on what is now Whipporwill Road in Hillsdale. Bruce attended the ceremony, and Mr. Arthur delivered a speech celebrating Bruceʼs contributions to literature. Read more about Bruce and the exhibit here.

Events

Duck Walk at Copake Lake

Saturday, November 26

Assemble at 9:00 am in the parking area at the corner of Rt.7 and Lakeview Rd.

Susan Scheck will be leading a duck walk at Copake Lake. Walkers will be observing ducks in the lake from that vantage point and then moving around the lake on foot or by car to see more.

You may see as many as 12 different ducks, loons and grebes as well as a good chance for a bald eagle, great blue heron, kingfisher,etc.

It can be cold with stiff winds coming across the lake, so dress accordingly. Also, of course, bring binoculars and scopes.

Be a Christmas Friend - Shop for a Local Family

Monday, November 28, and

Saturday, December 17

For the 20th year, the Christmas Friends of the Roe Jan Christian
Community are planning to distribute Christmas gifts to our many families who are having financial difficulties. Last year, the Christmas Friends helped 193 children in 75 families to have a merrier Christmas with new and wanted gifts.

Our organizational meeting when anonymous requests from families are handed out to shoppers will be November 28th at 7pm at the Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Wrapped and tagged gifts will be delivered by the shoppers to the Church on December 17th from 8 until 10am. Gifts will be picked up by the families from 11 to 1 on the same day! For more information call Charlotte at 518-325-3637

Kids, Explore "Kitchen Science" at the RJL

Thursdays: December 1, 8, 15 & 22

4:00 - 5:30 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

Kids Ages 8 - 12

Child Friendly

How does water turn into ice? What are curds and whey and how do you make them? Those mysteries and much more will be explained and demonstrated by 4-H Volunteer Danielle Camacho in a four-part "Kitchen Science" program for young people Grades 3 to 6 at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. Learn more here.

Christmas Tree Hillsdale's Annual Tree Lighting

Child Friendly &

Shopper Friendly

Saturday, December 3

5:00 pm

At the monument in the Town Square

In conjunction with the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in Cullin Park at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, area businesses will be rolling out the red carpet for shoppers with sales, special events, contests and holiday refreshments, all on the theme "Make your holidays special - shop the Hillsdale Hamlet!"

A 5 p.m. at the Hillsdale Firehouse, two hay wagons will transport children to Cullin Park for the tree-lighting ceremony. Once everyone is assembled, Santa Claus himself will appear to light the giant holiday tree, mingle with the children and pose for pictures. Then it's back to the firehouse for cookies and hot cocoa, and a chance to sit on Santa's lap - kids only, please! - and receive a surprise gift bag, courtesy of the Roe Jan Park Steering Committee and the Town of Hillsdale.

Meanwhile, back in Cullin Park, local businesses will be greeting holiday shoppers with lots of special offers and events. Mark you calendars for December 3rd and check back here for more information. Learn more here

Copake United Methodist Bazaar & Luncheon

Saturday, December 3

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Held at the Church House, next to the CUMC

The Bazaar opens at 10 am and offers the following:

Home made fresh greens: decorated wreaths & table arrangements
Freshly baked goods
Home made fudge - $3.50/pound
jewelry table
New & Nearly New gift table
Variety Table: Christmas sweaters, children's books, pillows etc...

Luncheon offered in the Victorian Dining Room from 11am - 2pm - $12.00. All inclusive - may be purchased a la carte. See the full menu of delicious offerings here. The Bargain Shop (behind the church house) will be open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. New and used adult & children's clothing, shoes, boots, household items, books available at bargain prices!

Flu & Pneumonia Shots at the Roe Jan Library

Wednesday, December 7
10:00 am
Roe Jan Community Library

The Columbia County Department of Health will administer flu shots to individuals 19 years and up on Wednesday, December 7, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.

Pneumonia shots will also be available for those 65 or older. A variety of senior and non-senior insurance plans will be accepted. Click here to read more insurance plans accepted, any costs and who the CDC recommends be vaccinated

Calling All Elves: Copake Memorial Park Christmas Lights Parade

Saturday, December 10
5:30 - 7:30 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

Child Friendly

The Library is calling all young elves (ages 7-13) who would like to ride on our float in the Copake Memorial Park Christmas Lights Parade on December 10. The float is limited to 20 elves. Register at the library and have a parent or guardian sign the permission slip.

Elves will meet at the library on December 10 at 10:30 a.m. to decorate the float. Parents will bring their warmly dressed elves to the Copake Fire House by 5:15 and pick them up at the Copake Town Park immediately after the parade. Teenage elf escorts for the float are also invited.

Friends of Roe Jan Library Cookies and Books Sale

December 9, 10 & 11

Hours are 4-8 on Friday with an Early Bird entry of $10

Saturday and Sunday hours are 10-4.

Hillsdale Fire House

We have been given a wonderful array of non-fiction in good condition. Fiction includes "trade" paperbacks and great bargains on regular paperbacks. Non-fiction is sorted by subject and fiction by the first letter of the author's last name. There will be a table or two of CD's, books on tape and CD, videos and DVDs. All are priced for any budget. The children's table has everything from board books to teen thrillers. Newberry and Caldecott winners have been presorted.

Cookies are a big part of this event. Last year we sold hundreds of pounds of cookies. There will be a great selection again this year and at $6 a pound they are a bargain.

A soup lunch and theme baskets for a donation are also part of the three day event. Contact the library for more information 325-4101 or check the library web site www.roejanlibrary.org.

Roe Jan Historical Society Annual Holiday Open House Historical Society Annual Holiday Open House

Sunday, December 11

2:00 - 4:00 pm
RJ Historical Society Museum
8 Miles Road, Copake Falls

Child Friendly

Please join us on Sunday afternoon, December 11, at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum for our annual Holiday Open House and Gift Sale. As usual, the museum will be decorated to the nines in the spirit of the season. Plus, Santa Claus himself will stop by for a visit and we'll offer some lively music and delicious refreshments. Various elves, including Margaret Roach (signing her marvelous book "and I shall have some peace there," members of the Historical Society and our good friends from the Friends of the Taconic State Park, will be on hand with their historically-themed decorations and other gifts for sale. Ho, ho, ho!

Events at Hawthorne Valley

Cheesemaking Workshop

Sunday, December 11
12:00 - 3:00 PM
at the Learning Center at Hawthorne Valley Farm, Harlemville, NY

Want to learn to make your own Feta and Mozzarella? Come join Hawthorne Valley Farm's cheesemaker, Peter Kindel, for a day of hands on cheesemaking. Learn the science and art of turning fresh milk into fabulous curds. Space is limited, so call or email to reserve your spot at 518-672-7500, x232, or caroline@hawthornevalleyfarm.org.

Book Reading and Conversation

Thursday, December 15
5:00 to 8:00 pm

Conrad Vispo of Hawthorne Valley's Farmscape Ecology Program is working on a book describing aspects of Columbia County's human and natural history and seeks your input! Pizza and conversation from 5 to 7 pm followed by excerpts from "Human Nature: People and the Land in Columbia County, NY" by Conrad Vispo. more info

Winter Explorations in Columbia County

December 17

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Join ecologists Claudia and Conrad Vispo from Hawthorne Valley's Farmscape Ecology Program for a walk at a natural area somewhere in the County to explore its winter ecology and land use history. Destinations will be determined a week before the walk, depending on weather and trail conditions. more info

St John in the Wilderness Bell Tower Bells Ring Out to Support Bell Tower Fund at Church of St. John in the Wilderness

Sunday, December 11
3:30 pm
Church of St. John in the Wilderness
Copake Falls, NY

The Bell Choir from the Congregational Church of Salisbury, CT will present a candlelight concert at Church of St. John in the Wilderness to benefit the Bell Tower Fund. St. John's is raising funds for its $45,000 project to repair the church's historic Bell Tower designed by famed architect Richard Upjohn in 1852. Learn more here.

Ongoing Programs at the Roe Jan Community Library

Local Authors Exhibit: Wallace Bruce, famed poet and orator of his day.

This exhibit focuses on the life and work of the Hillsdale-born poet Wallace Bruce (1844 - 1914). Now largely forgotten, in his day he was widely celebrated in literary and cultural circles. December 1 - 31 during Library hours.

Yoga: Mondays 8:00-9:30am

Conducted by Roberta Roll. Weekly yoga classes are suitable for beginners and more advanced students. $20 per class or $95 for a series of eight classes. A portion of the proceeds helps support Library programs

Friends Meeting: First Tuesdays at 10:00 am

Friends of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library Meeting, Community Room.

Trustees Meeting: Second Tuesdays 7:00 pm

Roeliff Jansen Community Library Trustees Meeting, Community Room.

History of Mysteries Book Group Meeting: Fourth Tuesday, 10:30am

Discussing classic mysteries from all periods of the mystery genre. For information, contact Jeanne Keifer at 518-672-4063

or jeannekiefer@earthlink.net

Dogs Love Books: Second Saturdays - 10am-11am

Join Ms. McCord and her canine companions, Tansy and Toast in the Children's Room on the second Saturday of each month from 10 to 11 am. Ms. McCord will read stories and kids can read to the dogs, too!

Infant / Toddler Time: December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10-10:30 am

Infant/Toddler Time for kids aged 12-24 months with Beth Adams.

Drop-In Craft Story Hour: December 3, 10 and 17

2:00 - 3:00 pm

Children of all ages are welcome to this delightful hour of crafts and stories with seasonal themes lead by Beth Adams.

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