Those of us who live here in 12529 and adjacent ZIP codes agree on one thing: we live in a remarkable place. There are many reasons why - the people, the history, the natural beauty, and the place itself.

According to rankings issued last week by Business First, Hillsdale has been identified as one of the most "affluent" communities in Upstate New York.

Business First based its rankings on 12 indicators of wealth and earning power. All raw data came from the five-year version of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2012 American Community Survey, the latest source of official statistics at the local level. (Dutchess and other down-state counties are not included. Also, villages are not included in the standings because they're subdivisions of towns.)

Bottom line, Chatham is listed as 10th, Hillsdale 12th, Austerlitz 18th, Clermont 45th, Gallatin 50th, Copake 68th , and Ancram 96th in the rankings of all 861 cities and towns in the 48 upstate counties.

Columbia County obviously has a strong second-home market, thanks to its geographic proximity to New York City. A few other factors that may explain Hillsdale's particularly high ranking: resurgence of the Hamlet, thanks to a second-to-none sewer; two well-traveled roads intersect here; Historic Landmark designation; lively and attractive citizens; awesome newsletter.

By the way, Hillsdale is also ranked high among towns whose residents have advanced degrees. So you're affluent and smart. Everyone knows how good looking you are in 12529.

There's a summary of local towns in the Register Star here or check out the Hillsdale and Columbia County details and draw your own conclusions. Here's a link that will get you to the whole data base of rankings.

Happy Summer!

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.

HEADLINES

TAKE NOTICE

Prior to the regular Town Board meeting on July 15, there will be a Public Hearing to discuss a Town Law that will increase the number of members on the Board of Assessment Review from 3 to 5 members. The Public Hearing will begin at 6:45 pm. All are encouraged to attend.

TOWN HALL CELEBRATED

In case you missed it, there was an article in the Register Star last week about the very nice event at Town Hall marking its restoration and the creation of an adjacent park. Thank you to all the folks who donated to the restoration of one of the most beautiful civic buildings in our region. Lex Lalli, Chair of the Historic Hillsdale Committee, said at the event: "Hillsdale is a poster child for historic preservation as a tool of economic revitalization of a small town."

ACCEPTING SNAP

The Farmers Market is pleased to announce that many of its vendors now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP), also known as food stamps. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. More here.

IS A ROAD A ROAD?

According to the Register Star, a budget issue that called into question what the Hillsdale Highway Department is responsible for during May's Town Board meeting continued during Tuesday's board meeting with the issue remaining unresolved. Read the article and draw your own conclusions.

BUSINESS ALLIANCE

The Business Alliance is compiling the contact information for all of the businesses in Hillsdale for listing on our new, FREE Website directory. Feel free to contact them to make sure your business is listed, to get more info on the directory, or to find out about the many ways to get involved in upcoming projects. Here's their web page.

RJHS SUMMER EXHIBIT: RAILROADS

The summer exhibit opens July 5 at 2 pm at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society museum and celebrates the history of our local railroads, particularly the Harlem Division of the New York Central that swept through our community from 1853 through 1974. The exhibit includes the extensive collection of David Saums, formerly of Hillsdale, and many donations from local residents. The exhibit is open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm through September 28. Here's their website.

SIGNS ARE UP

Thank you, highway men, for installing the new speed limits on our local roads.Thank you, drivers, for slowing down and smelling the honeysuckle. The list:

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

FARMLAND PROTECTION PROJECT

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is inviting proposals "for financial assistance to implement certain farmland protection implementation activities described in or otherwise consistent with agricultural and farmland protection plans that have been adopted by counties or municipalities." If you want to know more, download the RFP here.

EVENTS

Independent's Day Shop-Hop Celebration

Saturday July 5
11 am- 4 pm
Downtown Hillsdale

A group of independent businesses in Hillsdale are presenting a combined special event featuring: art, design, and home decor. The public is invited to discover why Hillsdale is becoming a design destination. All the participating merchants are located within an easy stroll of each other in the heart of the historic Hamlet. Some of the highlights planned for this indoor-outdoor party event are listed here.

Guided Hike to Sunset Rock

Saturday, July 5

1 pm

Meet at the Bash Bish lower parking lot in Taconic State Park to join a guided hike to Sunset Rock. This is a rugged walk for enthusiastic hikers.Energetic kids are welcome! Information at 329-3993.

Natural History Outing

Sunday, July 6

10 am-1 pm
Swyer Preserve, Stuyvesant

This is not a guided ecology walk, but an impromptu joint exploration of the plants and animals found along the boardwalk leading through the unique habitat of a freshwater tidal swamp. The event is free, but the number of participants is limited. Please contact Claudia at 518-672-7994 or by email for more information and to register to reserve your space.

The Berkshire Hillsmen at RJCL

Sunday, July 6

4 pm
Roeliff Jansen Community Library

The acclaimed a cappella singing group, The Berkshire Hillsmen, sing in the barbershop quartet style. The Hillsmen will regale the audience with their sure-to-please favorites. This concert is offered free to the public. Donations at the door are appreciated.

Steam Meets Iron

Wednesday, July 9

Noon

Copake Iron Works

The Litchfield (CT) Steam Automobile Club will stop for lunch at the Copake Iron Works on Wednesday, July 9, during the Club's week-long tour of the Berkshires and Hudson Valley. Approximately 40 antique steam automobiles dating from 1910 to 1919 will be on display beginning approximately at noon (hard to say with old cars!). Spectators are most enthusiastically welcome. The Copake Iron Works is at 33 Valley View Road, Copake Falls.For more information contact Friends of Taconic State Park, 966-2730.

Citizen Science Along the Appalachian Trail

Thursday, July 10

5:30-6:30 pm
Mason Library, Great Barrington

Learn more about Phenology Monitoring along the oldest mountain chain in New England and begin tracking seasonal changes on the A.T. Presentation will begin inside and move outside to make observations on The River Walk. Presented by Silvia Cassano of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Call (413) 528-8002 or email scassano@appalachiantrail.org for more information.

Safe Sitter Class for Kids Offered at RJCL

Saturday July 12

8 am to 4 pm

Roeliff Jansen Community Library

Columbia Memorial Hospital is holding a special class for boys and girls between the ages of 11 to 14 on how to handle emergencies when caring for young children. The goal of a Safe Sitter class is to reduce the number of accidental and preventable deaths among children being cared for by babysitters. Thousands of young adolescents across the country have been trained by the Safe Sitter program to handle life-threatening emergencies. The kids will learn basic lifesaving techniques, safety precautions to prevent accidents, how and when to summon for help, and tips on basic child care. More.

Whole Earth Gardening Workshop

Saturday, July 12

9 am - 1 pm
Camphill Village, Fountain Hall

Camphill Village is pleased to invite you to a workshop with acclaimed gardener and blogger Margaret Roach; Ken Greene, a founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Library; and the Master Gardeners of Camphill Village. Tickets are $25 and include the workshop, guided tours of the Camphill gardens and lunch in the Village Caf�. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis as space is limited. To order tickets or for more details, click here.

Country Fair, Auction, BBQ

Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13
Church of St. John in the Wilderness, Copake Falls

It's an old-time tradition in Copake Falls. Preview auction items at 10 am on Saturday and bidding starts at 11 sharp. Come early and find the hidden gems. Be sure to stop by the snack bar, get some plant bargains at the garden table and let the kids enjoy finger painting and other games. Can't make the Fair? See you on Sunday afternoon at 1 pm for our annual barbecue. Enjoy your lunch at the picnic tables or pick up a great meal to take home.

Self-Published Book Fair

Sunday, July 13

Noon to 4 pm
Claverack Free Library

A book fair with be hosted by the Claverack Free Library (Routes 9H and 23B) on Sunday, July 13, from noon to 4 pm. Authors from all over Columbia County will be reading from and selling copies of their books under a tent on the library lawn. There will be variety of works from children's books to adult fiction and memoirs. Self-published authors can reserve a space by calling the library at 851-7120.

Appalachian Trail Family Day Hike

Sunday, July 13

10 am - 2 pm

Calling young explorers! For a special kid-friendly hike geared at helping families enjoy hiking the Appalachian Trail. Our 2-mile hike (round-trip) through Ice Gulch to the Tom Leonard Shelter will take us into one of Berkshire County's most interesting trail sections. Kids will be able to explore a thru-hiker shelter, eat their lunch with an awesome view, and play games that help develop good trail skills. Parents will learn great tips for successful family trail days. Registration is required. Group size is limited. To register, email: info@gbtrails.org.

Public Hearing and Town Board Meeting

Tuesday, July 15
7 pm
Hillsdale Town Hall

Prior to the regular Town Board meeting there will be a public hearing to discuss a Town Law to increase the number of members on the Board of Assessment Review from 3 to 5 members. The Hearing will begin at 6:45 pm followed by the Town Board meeting. All are welcome to attend. Agendas and minutes are always posted a few days in advance here.

National Moth Week

Saturday, July 19

Sunday, July 20

Thursday, July 24

Insect lovers of all ages are invited to celebrate National Moth Week with Friends of Taconic State Park and Margaret Roach's A Way to Garden. All the details.

Natural History Outing

Sunday, July 27

9 am - noon
Keep Conservation Preserve, Germantown

This is not a guided ecology walk, but an impromptu joint exploration of the plants and animals found in the meadows and forests of this beautiful preserve. The event is free, but the number of participants is limited. Please contact Claudia at 518-672-7994 or by email for more information and to register to reserve your space.

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

Starts Friday, August 1

Ends Sunday, August 3

This is one fun-filled music festival that brings lots of happy people to town. Fingers crossed for great weather. Details.

Help Build the Rail Trail

Saturday August 9

5 - 7 pm
Roe Jan Community Library

Hillsdale and Copake residents, along with other supporters, will gather to launch a community drive for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail extension. The State has agreed to fund half the cost of paving the trail from Anthony Street in Hillsdale to Black Grocery Road, near Route 22. Foundations and other major donors also have kicked in. Now the community is being asked to pitch in. Come join members of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and others at the Roe Jan Community Library to hear about making a paved trail from Hillsdale to Copake Falls a reality. Refreshments will be served.

Historic House Tour

Saturday, August 16

This summer's tour includes homes of a founding family, a women's enclave and other historic homes on a rural Hillsdale road. Though they range from simple to elegant, all have retained many if not most of their period details. Sublime gardens and tranquil settings, too. More here.

Copake Falls Day

Saturday, August 16

The nice folks down the road are hosting their seventh annual street party. Activities include 5k and 10k cross country trek in the wilderness, fun stuff for kids all day long, garden lectures, garden visits, fancy old cars, Harlem Valley railroading , cool art, cold beer, jazz, barbeque, and campfire music. It's all here.

LATER ON

Pumpkin Festival

Saturday, October 11

Pumpkin-infused activities throughout the entire Town. If you are a potential business sponsor or just a regular pumpkin-eater who is interested in offering an activity and getting listed on our "pumpkin map", let's talk. Please email HillsdaleBusinessAlliance@gmail.com.

Housing Fair

Saturday, October 18

The Hillsdale Housing Committee is planning a Housing Fair for Saturday, October 18. The Fair will provide information to the community about a wide range of housing matters for homeowners, landlords, and tenants. There will be three panels with experts on programs and benefits as well as exhibitors and program representatives available for consultation. Further information will be provided at a later date.

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 hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com .

Peter Cipkowski, Editor

Vivian deGeorges, Editor

The Town of Hillsdale, New York

www.hillsdaleny.com