Town of Hillsdale Newsletter

Watch your step the next few weeks as you come into Town Hall. An excavation project is underway and will take a few weeks. The expected result: a new sitting area that includes some handsome landscaping. Read more about the new mini-park here.

We also want to remind registered voters to participate in the upcoming primary election on Thursday, September 13. If you're not in town, submit an absentee ballot. It's pretty painless - and it counts. More details below or check out the Board of Elections website.

In the meantime, we're wishing you all a wonderful Labor Day weekend and beautiful fall. Where did the summer go?

The Hillsdale Town Board: Art Baer, Peter Cipkowski, Augie Sena, Jill Sims-Elster and Steve Tiger

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

New Mini-Park Next to Town Hall

The Hamlet Committee has now raised enough to start the excavation for a new town park (located on the east side of the Town Hall). The work will include the installation of a crushed stone surface which will be usable, benches for relaxation or outdoor lunches and a beautiful stone centerpiece which was donated to the Town. More here.

Calling All Used Books!

Coming soon! The Friends of the Roe Jan Library are opening a used book store at the Roe Jan Library. When, you ask? Which days will it be open? What are the hours? What's it called? Watch for more information in the coming days. In the meantime, they are accepting donations on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-4. Drive to the right on the gravel road to the first door on the LOWER level.

Vote on September 13 and November 6

Voters have two opportunities to take a stand this fall. The primary election is on Thursday, September 13. The general election is Tuesday, November 6. If you think you'll be out of town, why waste your vote? Let your voice be heard. More information about absentee ballots, deadlines, and other details here.

Events

4 More Farmers Markets!

Saturday, September 1, 15, and 29
Saturday, October 6

9:00 am - noon
Hamlet Park

The next Hillsdale Farmers Markets are scheduled for three Saturdays in September and one in October. Join us from 9 am till noon at the town park. More here.

Zoning Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 4

Town Hall

7:30 pm

All welcome. Minutes from the July meeting are here.

September Town Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 18

7:00 pm

Town Hall

All welcome. Agendas for past meetings here; corresponding minutes and videos are here.

Let's Build Trail from Copake to Hillsdale Kickoff

Saturday, September 22

3:00 pm at Orphan Farm Trail Head

4:00 - 6:30 pm at the Pond Restaurant

Learn more about the effort to extend the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Copake Falls to Hillsdale and help contribute to the effort. Guided tours will be held at the site of a new trail head at Orphan Farm meadow from 3-4 pm. The free tour will take place on Orphan Farm Road in Copake.

A fundraiser and silent auction follows at the Pond Restaurant from 4-6:30. More information here.

John Cowper Powys Lecture and Exhibit

Saturday, September 22

6:00 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

Commemorating the life and work of John Cowper Powys, a novelist and naturalist who lived in Hillsdale from 1930-34, a lecture will be given in the library at 6:00 pm on September 22 by Professor Nicholas Birns. Powys' writings about his life in Hillsdale (and the beauty of the area, which he considered his "Arcadia") have inspired many. In fact, there are Powys Societies throughout the United States, France, England and Sweden. More here.

A History of Roe Jan

Sunday, September 23

2:00 pm

Roe Jan Historical Society Museum, Copake Falls

Peter Cipkowski will give an overview the old Roe Jan School including its formation from dozens of tiny, rural school districts, its construction at the height of the Great Depression, and the story of the many educators and students who passed through its doors (based on dozens of interviews). More here.

A Program of French Songs at the RJL

Sunday, September 23

5:00 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

Join us for a program of beautiful French songs, sung by soprano Amanda Boyd with piano accompaniment by Michael Clement. Indulge in the utterly romantic words and tones, melded by 19th century French poets and composers. More here.

Pumpkin Festival

Saturday, October 13

Downtown Hillsdale

The center of the hamlet of Hillsdale will be alive with activity on October 13, celebrating the first annual Hillsdale Pumpkin Festival. Presented by the newly-formed Hillsdale Business Alliance, this will be a free celebration. Local businesses will have special prizes and promotions. Enjoy live music, goodies and fun for all. Highlights here.

October Town Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 16

7:00 pm

Town Hall

All welcome. Agendas for past meetings here; corresponding minutes and videos are here.

Fall Fiction Fire Sale

Friday, October 19: 10-5

Saturday, October 20: 10-4

Sunday, October 21: 10-3

Roe Jan Community Library

On October 19, 20 and 21, the Friends of the Roe Jan Library will be having a Fall Fiction Fire Sale of hardcover fiction books. Sunday is "fill a bag" for $3.00. The sale will include some paperbacks and trade paperback books. For more information, contact the Library at 325-4101.

Historic Hillsdale Hootenanny

Saturday, October 20

2:00 - 4:00 pm
Hillsdale Fire House

Historic Hillsdale, the historic preservation organization, invites you to join us for an autumn Hoedown Hootenanny featuring the Berkshire Ramblers led by Joe Browdy and Alan Chartok. Fred Laing and his band, Chris Dellea, Ann Banks and others will join the Ramblers to create an afternoon of romping and stomping, singing and dancing, refreshments and special treats. It's all to benefit the restoration of Hillsdale's historic Town Hall, which needs significant repairs to the roof, parapets, windows, and entrance. More details here.

Dear Subscriber: The goal of this newsletter, issued by Hillsdale's Town Board, is to provide a brief summary of all the cool things that are happening in our community. If you have an event taking place in Hillsdale or in an adjacent Roe Jan community, contact us as soon as you know about it. Provide as much detail as possible. Your event will be posted on the Town Website Calendar and in the monthly newsletter. Contact us at hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Peter Cipkowski, Communications Chair, Town Board

The Town of Hillsdale, New York