HILLSDALE NEWSLETTER
June 2014
  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

ccSCOOP

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
Join Our Mailing List

 

 

We're crazy about the month of June around here. Our gardens surprise us, the Farmers Market appears, we shed our winter layers, and things really start to heat up.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the first ever "Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market" in the Roe Jan Park. What a great idea that was - let's get out and support our local farmers and artisans. Saturday, May 31 is opening day. And try to get join us at Town Hall on Saturday, June 21, for the little party to mark its completion. 

 

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 SPEED LIMITS APPROVED

 

The Town Board has been pushing for lower speed limits on many roads for more than a few years. This requires a long, drawn-out application process and on-site inspections by state officials from the Department of Transportation. We finally received approval for the following roads and new signs will soon appear.

  • Collins Street: 35 mph between Route 23 and Route 22
  • Collins.Extension: 35 mph between Route 22 and Collins
  • Craryville Road: 35 mph between Route 23 and West End 
  • Dawson Road: 35 mph between County 21 and LaBranche
  • Holm Road: 35 mph between Collins and Mitchell
  • Overlook Road: 30 mph between Mitchell Street and Route 71
  • West End Road: 35 mph between Route 23 and Harlemville Road
  • Rockledge Road: 30 mph between West End Road and its terminus
  • Rodman Road: 35 mph between West End Road and Doe Hill
  • Whippoorwill Road: 35 mph between Route 22 and Wolf Hill

CROP ROTATION IN ROE JAN PARK

 

Crop rotation will be underway all day on Tuesday, June 3, requiring that the park be closed for the day. The dairy farmer who leases the fields needs to transition them from alfalfa to switch grass and sorghum for a one-year rotational crop. Alfalfa only has a lifespan of 5-6 years before needing to be rotated out for a year with another crop. Next spring, the alfalfa will be replanted for its next 5-year cycle.

 

The coexistence of active farming and community recreation is a defining and unique characteristic of the RJP. The park's trails weave through cultivated fields as well as through woods and alongside wetlands. Hiking, fishing, dog-walking, working out, playing volleyball, buying local, getting married - these are just a few of the ways our extended community makes use of the RJP.

MUSICIANS AND SPONSORS WANTED

 

Music makes almost any event better! So this season, the farmers market would like to have music as often as possible. If you are an acoustic musician or band, please get in touch with Roberta Roll at [email protected]. We are seeking corporate sponsors for the weekly music, so please contact Roberta to get the details on the promotional opportunities we offer, as well. To stay on top of all market news, write to [email protected]  and request to be added to our newsletter list.

INCLUDE YOUR BUSINESS

 

The Hillsdale Business Alliance is busy building its free, online business directory. To request to be added (or just to check whether we have you listed), please contact us at [email protected]. We're also looking for businesses who want to get involved with us - whether a little, or a lot - so please get in touch. We need your input and your talents.

EVENTS 

 

Opening Day!  

 

Saturday, May 31
9 am - 1 pm
Roeliff Jansen Park 

 

It's back and is bigger and better than ever. Ample parking, picnic tables, and a covered roof are some of the amenities that make the Roe Jan Park's "Harvest Barn" a comfortable location for the market. Read all about it here.

Fifth Annual Library Celebration

 

Saturday, May 31
5 - 7:30 pm 
Camp Pontiac, West Copake 

 

"It's a Party! Come Celebrate!" is the theme for the annual Roeliff Jansen Community Library fundraising event. This year's party will be a Celebration of the Library, of the beginning of summer, of good friends and good food! More on the library website.

Ecology Walk at Beebe State Forest

 

Sunday, June 1

10 am - noon
Austerlitz 

 

A Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program that includes a fantastic climb up Beebe Hill for a stunning, 360-degree panoramic view from the top of Columbia County's only fire tower. More here.

Books & Blooms

 

Thursday-Friday, June 6 - 7, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, June 8, 1 - 4 pm
Roe Jan Library 


Books & Blooms is the spring event at the Friends Book Shop of the Roe Jan Library. Featured will be books on fishing and gardening, as well as plants grown by local gardeners - all on sale at bargain prices, most $2-$4. This month's sale starts on Friday, June 6. Books & Blooms.

County Hazardous Waste Day  

 

Saturday, June 7
8 am - noon

Route 23B in Greenport 

 

Here's where you can find the right folks to deal with this stuff the right way. Guidelines here.

Spring Wildflowers Talk and Garden Open Day

 

Saturday, June 7
11 am, St. John in the Wilderness

10 am - 4 pm, Open Day and Plant Sale

 

Acclaimed naturalist and author Carol Gracie will present "Spring Wildflowers: A Closer Look" - an event in support of the busy Friends of Taconic State Park. Buy your tickets here. While you're in Copake Falls, don't miss out on an opportunity to support another Garden Conservancy Open Day and visit Margaret Roach's remarkable garden up the hill. More details on her blog, including info about a Broken Arrow Nursery plant sale.

Columbia County Chapter: Citizen's Climate Lobby Meeting

 

Saturday, June 7

12:45 pm
Chatham Real Food Market Co-op Community Room

 

We are a new local chapter of a national non-partisan grass roots effort dedicated to building political will for Congress to take meaningful action for a sustainable climate. On June 7 we will listen to an expert on how to effectively communicate about climate change and lots more. More here.

Path Through History at Copake Iron Works

 

Sunday, June 8
1 pm
Copake Iron Works


Jim Mackin will lead an illuminating tour of the Copake Iron Works Historic District in Copake Falls as part of New York State's "
Path Through History Weekends."  The Copake Iron Works was established in 1845 along the Bash Bish Brook at the base of the Taconic Ridge. More.

Ecology Walk in Taconic State Park

 

Sunday, June 15
10 am - noon
Taconic State Park

 

Another Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program that includes a leisurely walk along the Taconic Ridge Trail to Sunset Rock, one of the most beautiful lookout points in the Taconic Park. More.

Roe Jan Historical Society Annual Meeting

 

Friday, June 20
6 pm
Swiss Hutte 

 

David Saums will give a presentation about the Harlem Division of the New York Central Railroad at the annual meeting, open to members and wannabe members. David brings a wealth of information and memorabilia. By the way, the summer exhibit at the museum in Copake Falls will celebrate the history of our railroads. Please contact the society if you have photographs, artifacts, and other resources you would like to loan to this exhibit. More here.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Copake Iron Works


Saturday, June 21

1 pm
Roe Jan Library

 

History enthusiasts have another opportunity to learn about the Copake Iron Works when Jim Mackin presents "everything you always wanted to know about the Copake Iron Works but were afraid to ask." Afraid?

Town Hall Celebration

 

Saturday, June 21
4 pm
Hillsdale Town Hall

 

Join us for the celebration of the restoration of Hillsdale Town Hall and completion of Town Hall Park. Thanks to donors and supporters. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Town Board Meeting

 

Tuesday, June 24
7 pm
Hillsdale Town Hall

 

The Town Board is mixing it up this month and will meet on Tuesday, June 24, at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. Agendas and minutes are always posted on the town website.

Hold the Date: Hillsdale Historic House Tour

 

Saturday, August 16

11 - 3 pm

Locations to be announced

 

This year the Hillsdale Historic House Tour will visit two homes which were owned by one of the founding families of Hillsdale as well as at least five other historic houses on the same road (including one that was occupied by these two gals, pictured, for more than 50 years). Visitors will also enjoy a history exhibit at the recently restored Hillsdale Town Hall and a brief talk by the town historian. Box lunch included.

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. With more than 650 subscribers, the Hillsdale Newsletter is a great place to promote your upcoming event. Email details, suggestions or questions to [email protected]. 

Peter Cipkowski, Editor
Vivian deGeorges, Editor
The Town of Hillsdale, New York
www.hillsdaleny.com