Hillsdale Newsletter
June 2013
  Hillsdale Town Seal
Hillsdale's website has a comprehensive list of departments, office hours, and a full listing of local events.
Town Meetings
 

Third Tuesday of the month @ 7:00

  

Planning Board
Second Monday of the month @ 7:30

Zoning Board of Appeals
First Tuesday of the month @ 7:30

Local Services


Check out the list of useful links and businesses on the services page here.

Local News
The Columbia Paper

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Register-Star

Archived Hillsdale Newsletters

Local Calendars
Taconic Hills School District Calendar

CoCotodo.com
Transfer Station
Wednesday:
7:30 am - 12 noon
Saturday:
7:30 am - 4:00pm
65 Holm Road
(518) 325-3844   
Volunteer

 


Roe Jan Community Library

Roe Jan Park

Taconic Hills School Aquatic & Fitness Center
Hours for community use

 

Monday-Friday 
6:00-7:20 am
5:30-8:30 pm 
Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00pm
Sunday 2:00 pm - 5:00pm

 
Call 325-0432 for holiday hours and schedule updates
Local Nature
Roe Jan Park

Harlem Valley Rail Trail
 
 Columbia Land Conservancy Conservation Areas
 
 Bash Bish Falls State Park
 
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls
 
Lake Taghkanic State Park
 
Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Center and Sanctuary, Craryville
 
Mount Washington State Forest, Mt. Washington, MA
 
Mt. Everett State Reservation, Mt. Washington, MA
Local Arts
Ghent Playhouse
Hudson Opera House
Columbia Arts Team
Art Omi
PS 21, Chatham
Time & Space Limited
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Local Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension
(gardening, pest questions)
828-3346


Hawthorne Valley Farm 
Local Blogs
Farmscape Ecology Program
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Greetings! 

 

Saturday, June 1, is opening day for Hillsdale's Farmers Market in the Roe Jan Park. Not only are the surroundings beautiful and the prices right, it's always dry and comfortable under the shelter of the great old shed. This summer's market will be open each and every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, rain or shine. It runs through October 12. 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful summer! 

 

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 

TOWN AUDIT UNDER WAY  

 

In accordance with appropriate accounting practice, the Town Board authorized Bonadio Group, CPAs, an Albany-based independent accounting firm, to conduct a comprehensive audit of Hillsdale's financial statements and internal controls for the year 2012. We look forward to their presentation of results and recommendations at the July 16 Town Board meeting. All are welcome to attend.

LOCAL LAWS POSTED

 

Hillsdale's Comprehensive Plan was groundbreaking when it was done a number of years ago. Since then, local laws have amended some of the items in the Plan and improved its effectiveness. You can go to our Town website under the Local Laws link and see all the latest information regarding such things as Zoning and Land Use, Parking Prohibitions, Logging Permit Requirements and other items.

TAX BENEFITS IN HISTORIC DISTRICT

 

The Historic Hillsdale Committee has published a brochure to promote the benefits available to owners who rehabilitate their residential and/or income-producing buildings inside the historic district. A handful of property owners have already taken advantage of this valuable tax credit. Download the informational brochure here. 

EVENTS 

Hillsdale Farmers Market Opening Day 

 

Saturday, June 1

9 am - 1 pm

Roe Jan Park

 

Farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, small gifts and gardening items are always available. The market is open every Saturday in the Roe Jan Park from 9 am to 1 pm, rain or shine. It runs through October 12. More here.

Baroque Harpsichord Comes to RJL

 

Sunday, June 2

5 pm

Roe Jan Library

 

The Library's Adventures in Music Series presents a concert of Baroque and Renaissance music.  Renowned harpsichordist Mariken Palmboom will perform selections from Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Michelangelo Rossi, Fran�ois Couperin Le Grand, and Johann Sebastian Bach. More here.

Free Personal Fitness Training in Roe Jan Park

 

Saturday, June 8
9 am - noon

Roe Jan Park

 

As everyone in Columbia County has discovered, the Roe Jan Park has some awesome outdoor fitness equipment. On Saturday, June 8, a skillful personal trainer will be available to demonstrate proper use of the equipment and help you plan a personal program. Please feel free to make an appointment by emailing [email protected] or just get off your butt and get to the park. No experience needed.

Create Clay Necklaces

 

Saturday, June 8

1 pm

Children and Adults

 

Local potter Liz Rudey will be available to help children and adults make magic with clay to craft necklaces. Park staff will fire your creations so they can actually be worn and passed on for generations!

A Walk on the Wild Side

 

Saturday, June 8
1 pm
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls

 

Botanist and Northeast wildflower authority Robert Naczi of the New York Botanical Garden will lead a wildflower walk in Taconic State Park, Copake Falls.  Please register in advance.  Email [email protected] or call 518-966-2730.

Roe Jan Library at 100 Gala

 

Saturday, June 8

5 - 7:30 pm

Camp Pontiac, West Copake

 

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library's 2013 celebrates 100 years with cabaret singer Laurel Mass�, founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, and instrumental jazz music by the Mike Schiffer trio. More here.
Backyard Biodynamics: Designing Your Herb Garden

Sunday, June 9

9 am - 4 pm

Hawthorne Valley Farm

 

There's always room for herbs! Learn to design and plant culinary and medicinal herb gardens with Katherine Whiteside, author of The Way We Garden Now. Explore various techniques, and join in planting a Spiral Garden. More here.

Banjo Roots and Branches at RJL

 

Sunday, June 9
5 pm
Roeliff Jansen Community Library

 

Steve Reilly will talk about the history of the banjo, which has its roots in West Africa before it traveled to the southern United States with the African slaves. The banjo now has a wide array of styles and is played in a multitude of contexts from concert halls to clubs to front porches. More here.

Love Where We Garden

 

Saturday, June 15
12:30 - 4 pm
Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum, Copake Falls

 

Support the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society with a visit to the Museum's boutique and a tour of lovely nearby gardens. Garden aprons, tea cozies, tea-pots and tea towels will be on sale. The garden tour begins at the Museum at 1 pm. More here.

June Town Board Meeting

 

Tuesday, June 18

7:00 pm

Town Hall

 

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

The Ants of the Northeast: To Know Them is to Love Them

Thursday, June 20
7-8:30 pm
Hawthorne Valley Farm, Creekhouse

 

A presentation and book signing by Aaron Ellison, lead author of the newly published Field Guide to the Ants of New England and Senior Research Fellow in Ecology at the Harvard Forest. There is also an opportunity to join the Farmscape Ecology Program for a day in the field with Aaron to look for ants and their habitats. More here.

Ecology Walk: Who Lives in Our Meadows?

 

Saturday, June 22

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Hawthorne Valley Farm 

All ages/Free

 

Join ecologists from the Farmscape Ecology Program for a leisurely walk through some of the meadows on the farm to explore the plants, insects, and birds that live in the pastures and hayfields. More here.

Say Cheese: Take Home Mozzarella

 

Hawthorne Valley Farm
Saturday, June 22
Noon to 3 pm

 

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, and take home your own handmade fresh mozzarella. More here.

St John in the Wilderness Bell Tower A Talk about a Richard Upjohn Masterpiece

 

Saturday, June 22
3 pm
Roeliff Jansen Community Library

 

The Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls is one of the great gems of American architecture and is an outstanding example of Richard Upjohn's Carpenter Gothic Style. Built in 1852, the church is an active Episcopal parish and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More here.

Copake Community Weekend

 

Friday, June 28, 6-10 pm

Saturday, June 29, 6-10 pm
Sunday, June 30, 1-10 pm

Copake, NY

 

A little bit more here.

Summer Herbs Workshop: Healing Balms

 

Saturday, June 29
10 am to 3 pm
Hawthorne Valley Farm

 

The summer heat brings with it the things that "bug" us most! We'll discuss natural ways in which we can work with plants to calm the calamities of common stings, bites, burns and rashes (including poison ivy). Includes materials and a simple organic vegetarian lunch. More here.

Tai Chi Class for Beginners in the Park

 

Saturday, June 29

10 am
All ages

 

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its remarkable health benefits. A resident practitioner will lead a class for beginners at 10 am on Saturday, June 29. Meet at the hilltop barn.

COMING IN JULY / AUGUST 
Ecology Walk: Who Lives in Our Streams and Ponds?

Saturday, July 20
Saturday, August 17
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Hawthorne Valley Farm

All ages/Free

 

Join ecologists from the Farmscape Ecology Program for an activity for the entire family. Get your hands and feet wet and get to know some of the fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects who live in the waters of the farm. No registration necessary. More here.

Roe Jan Library Benefit Golf Tournament

 

Sunday August 18
Undermountain Golf Course, Copake

 

Enjoy a round of golf, win prizes and eat delicious food at the sixth annual Roeliff Jansen Community Library Golf Tournament. Two-person teams will play in a dual shotgun, 18-hole scramble, with prizes for men's, women's and mixed teams. For more information, contact Undermountain Golf Course at (518) 329-4444.

Post Your Upcoming Event Here

 

With more than 550 subscribers, the Hillsdale Newsletter is a great place to promote your upcoming event. Email us the details.

The goal of this newsletter, issued by Hillsdale's Town Board, is to provide a summary of all the cool things that are happening in these parts. Email suggestions or questions: [email protected]. 

Best Regards,
Peter Cipkowski, Communications Chair, Town Board
Vivian deGeorges, Editor
The Town of Hillsdale, New York
www.hillsdaleny.com