Town of Hillsdale Newsletter

We got off lucky. Hurricane Sandy left Columbia County and the Roe Jan area mostly unscathed, thank goodness. We're thinking about all our friends and neighbors who live down-river and beyond.

This is a good time to remind our readers to sign up today for Emergency Alerts. Once you sign up (any phone number will do), you'll receive only the most necessary warnings from County officials about weather, fire, and other essential alerts. Please sign up for this service here.

We also want to remind registered voters to participate in the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 6. Hillsdale residents vote at the firehouse. If you're not in town, get thee to the Board of Elections and vote early. No excuses.

In the meantime, we're wishing you all a wonderful November and December. Stay safe.

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

Vote Thursday, Saturday or Election Day

If you're not in Columbia County on Election Day, there's still a way to make your voice heard. The Columbia County Board of Elections has special voting hours at their Hudson office on Thursday, November 1, and Saturday, November 3. Located at 401 State Street (2 blocks north of Warren Street at the corner of N. 4th Street), the whole process takes 5 minutes. There is no need to apply beforehand. Just show up at one of these times listed here.

New Hillsdale Business Alliance

If you own and operate a business based in Hillsdale, even if you're its only employee and work out of your home, consider joining the Hillsdale Business Alliance. A brochure is underway that will be used to promote your business. Contact town board member Steve Tiger at STiger@taconic.net to learn about the benefits of membership.

A Walk in the Park

Be sure to check out Hillsdale's Roeliff Jansen Park before the snow flies. The refurbished barns are popular for weddings, birthday celebrations, and is also home to Hillsdale's Memorial Day Flea Market. New outdoor exercise equipment is ready-for-use. And the park's new South Trail adds another half mile to existing trails and offers a beautiful spot next to the Roeliff Jansen Kill. Photos here.

"We Care" Packages for the Troops

During the first two weeks of November, the Roeliff Jansen Community Library will collect non-perishable food, toiletries and other items for "We Care" care packages to send to men and women on active duty with the armed forces. More details here.

A Letter from Ann and Andy Baldwin

Ann and Andy Baldwin have been Hillsdale residents for 49 years. As they move on to a new home in a new town, they've thoughtfully shared this note and we're happy to post it here. We wish them well and thank them for the leadership, expertise, and special brand of Baldwin common sense they have always provided our community. Most of all, we'll just miss seeing their friendly faces around town!

Events

Craft Fair to Support Class of 2013

Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 3-4

10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Taconic Hills

The 15th annual Taconic Hills Craft Fair will be held on November 3-4 to benefit the class of 2013. It will be presented at the Taconic Hills Central School campus just off Route 23 in Craryville, NY. Plenty of food and refreshments will be available, courtesy of the Senior Class. Don't miss this fabulous event. More here.

Election Day

Tuesday, November 6

Hillsdale Firehouse

Registered voters in Districts 1 and 2 can vote in person at the Hillsdale Fire House on Tuesday. Alternatively, the Columbia County Board of Elections has special voting hours at their Hudson office on Thursday, November 1, and Saturday, November 3. More here.

Public Hearing on Preliminary 2013 Budget

Tuesday, November 6

7:00 pm

Town Hall

All residents are welcome to attend a public hearing and discuss the proposed Hillsdale budget for 2013.

A History of Undermountain Golf Course

Saturday, November 10

2:00 pm

Roe Jan Historical Society Museum, Copake Falls

Pat and Jack Shakshober, along with Trish MacArthur, will give an overview the historic Undermountain Golf Course in Boston Corners. Please join them at the museum for memories and conversation.

Have a Blast at the Furnace Fest

Sunday, November 11

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

The Iron Works, Copake Falls

Sponsored by Friends of Taconic State Park, this event will celebrate our the new furnace cover project with a special ribbon cutting, live music, surprising raffles, and delicious burgers and dogs. For more information, please visit the Friends website or call 518-329-3251.

Benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Captain Teddy Baird and Family

Sunday, November 11

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Hillsdale Firehouse

Sponsored by Hillsdale Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, this event will benefit Captain Teddy M. Baird and Family. Details here.

A Concert with One Piano and Four Hands

Sunday, November 11

5:00 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

American pianist Steven Beck and Albanian-born pianist Xheni Rroji will appear in a concert. The program will include Mozart's Sonata for Four hands in C Major, Schubert's Variations on an Original Theme, 12 Waltzes and Finale by Marie Jaëll, and six pieces for Piano Duet by Rachmaninoff. More here.

November Town Board Meeting

Tuesday, November 20

7:00 pm

Town Hall

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

Cookies & Baskets & Books

Friday, November 30, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, December 1, 10:00 - 4:00 pm

Sunday, December 2, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

A special sale presented by the Friends of the Roe Jan Community Library. On sale will be a wide variety of homemade holiday cookies and soups, raffle tickets for a dozen gift baskets and a selection of gift-worthy books. Free hot cider for all! For more information, call the library at 518-325-4101.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 1

6:00 pm

Downtown Hillsdale

The Hillsdale Fire Company, the Ladies Auxiliary, and members of the Hillsdale Business Alliance will be joining forces on December 1 to create the most magical Tree Lighting ceremony in recent memory. Local singers will create the sounds of the season while various businesses will contribute to the old-time ambience of the holidays. More here.

A New Winter Walk and Holiday Open House

Sunday, December 9

2:00 - 4:00 pm

Copake Falls

Be sure to visit Copake Falls for its first Winter Walk on Sunday, December 9. Enjoy some art, goodies, lively music, and delicious refreshments all the way from the Taconic Wayside Inn to St. John in the Wilderness. Be sure to stop by the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum for some hot cider and the 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.

Holiday Concert to Support Taconic Hills

Saturday, December 17

1:00 pm

Roe Jan Community Library

The City Winds Trio will perform a holiday concert for children and adults at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. The program will include popular selections from The Nutcracker, as well as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza music. The concert is free of charge. More.

December Town Board Meeting

Tuesday, December 18

7:00 pm

Town Hall

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

Your Event Could Have Been Here

If you're not currently being notified and would like to receive an email reminder, email us at hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com. You will be added to the list of undisclosed recipients. Write "Add Me" in the subject line and join the fun! See paragraph below for more detail.

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.

Best Regards,
Peter Cipkowski, Communications Chair, Town Board

Vivian deGeorges, Editor

The Town of Hillsdale, New York