About 150 people attended a wedding and reception in the Roeliff Jansen Park on a recent Saturday evening. The Hilltop Barn, beautiful as it is, was nonetheless transformed into an even more spectacular setting for the party. If you're looking to tie the knot, or know someone who is and needs a picture-perfect rural setting, email the park folks at roejanpark@gmail.com.

We love seeing the the old buildings in our community recognized and given new purpose. Now home to the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, the former Methodist Episcopal Church in Copake Falls was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Many of us remember when it was abandoned for decades. Read about the building's history and architectural significance on the the Historical Society's website.

Hillsdale, as you may know, has an emergency evacuation plan that is county-approved and is designed to take affect if there is, heaven forbid, a catastrophe. As part of the plan, names and addresses of folks who may need special evacuation assistance are listed. No one should ever feel like they're alone. If you want to make sure someone looks in on you, or if you know someone who should be visited, please contact Town Clerk Ruth Dodds by phone or email.

The streets of Hillsdale soon will be lined with flags to celebrate the Fourth of July. The 30 flags were purchased by the Hamlet Committee using funds from the donated goods table at the annual Flea Market. Plans also include installing the flags for Flag Day and Memorial Day each year.

The Committee plans to purchase more flags in the coming years and is starting a Flag Fund.  If you would like to donate, please contact Mike Dvorchak at HillsdaleHamletComm@gmail.com.

Thanks to the Hamlet Committee, Joe LaPorta of the VFW and Jeffrey Paige for installing the brackets on the poles, and the town Highway Department for putting up and taking down the flags.