Hillsdale Summer
HILLSDALE NEWSLETTER
August 2014
  Hillsdale Town Seal
Hillsdale's website has a comprehensive overview of departments, office hours, forms, minutes, 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

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
(gardening, pest questions)
Call 518-828-3346


Hawthorne Valley Farm
Join Our Mailing List

 

 

August opens with a bang, and more than a few fiddles. The hugely popular Falcon Ridge Folk Festival on Dodds Farm is back for another music-filled weekend. Greet the happy (and hungry) hoards at the IGA, O's Diner, Village Scoop, Crossroads Food Shop, and every nook and cranny imaginable. All are welcome here.

 

In case you missed it, there was a nice write-up earlier this summer about the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market. And, in case you didn't know it already, the Roeliff Jansen Park is where it's at - every Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm.

 

As usual, lots of events to enjoy in our great little community. We love it here.

Happy August!

 

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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

 

The Town of Hillsdale is seeking resumes for full time machine equipment operators and part time seasonal employees. Please mail your resume to Highway Department, 155 Old Town Road, Hillsdale, NY 12529 or email to [email protected].

SIDEWALK PROJECT

 

Ever since receiving a TEP grant earlier this year, we've all known that sidewalks and curbing wouldn't appear overnight. In fact, nothing is expected to get be completed until 2016 or 2017. Because Route 23 is a State road, the NYS Department of Transportation owns the project and the schedule. That said, once the Board gets the letter to proceed from DOT (expected this month), it can take the next step and select an engineering firm to pave the way.

FARMSCAPE HAS NEW WEBSITE 

 

Check out the "Explore Columbia County Map" and other new resources on Farmscape's new website. It includes a much expanded section on local biodiversity, native plant gardens, and events.

LIFE IS A CABARET

 

Who knew? Sometimes a walk through the hills and dales brings little surprises. Mary Lou Kersten came upon this interesting gravestone in an overgrown cemetery on Texas Hill Road and was good enough to send it to us. Raises questions, doesn't it? Mr. Joe Zelli, it turns out, was an Italian cabaret impresario in Paris, London, and New York. Not only was Mr. Zelli one of the "most popular characters" in Montmartre during the 1920s, his nightclubs in attracted what F. Scott Fitzgerald called the "good-time fancy crowd, myself included," and also helped cement the brilliant career of Josephine Baker. Does anyone know how Joe was lucky enough to end up in Hillsdale? A little bit about his cabaret days here. Say, does anyone also know how Texas Hill Road came to be named?

 

Texas Hill Grave Stone
 

EVENTS 

POP UP Museum at Farmers Market 

 

Saturday, August 2

9 am - 1 pm
Roe Jan Park 


As early as the 1850s, thanks to the Harlem Valley Railroad, a handful of local inns and cottages took in summer boarders from the sweltering city. The local scenery and, later, the Taconic State Park, Copake Lake, Catamount, summer camps, and the Roe Jan Park, would attract visitors to these parts. Sponsored by the Columbia County Historical Society, the "Great Outdoors" POP UP Museum tells that story - and wants to learn how the great outdoors is part of your life and family history. Artifacts welcome, as are memories.

Meet Candidate Sean Eldridge

 

Saturday, August 2

11 am
Roe Jan Library

 

All are welcome to meet Sean Eldridge, Democratic Candidate for Congress on Saturday, August 2, at the library at 11 am. This event is not sponsored by the library but is offered as a public service - a unique opportunity to learn about the candidate first hand and ask questions. If Chris Gibson comes to town during the campaign, we'll let you know here, too.

Composer Dave Hall: Ancram Suite

 

Saturday, August 2

5 pm
Roe Jan Library

 

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is pleased to present composer / poet / singer / songwriter / lyricist / producer Dave Hall on Saturday, August 2 at 5 pm. Among other compositions, Mr. Hall will be premiering his new work, Ancram Suite, a musical impression of the area and it's life. He will be accompanied by the piano/cello duo of Zach Mo and Isabel Fairbanks. More here.

Rail Trail Open Meeting

 

Saturday August 9 

5 - 7 pm
Roe Jan Library

 
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.
 
 More here.

Natural History Outing at Omi 

 

Sunday, August 10

10 am - 1 pm
Omi, Ghent


Join ecologists Conrad and Claudia Vispo of the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program for an informal Participatory Natural History Outing to the Fields Sculpture Park at Art Omi in Ghent. This is not a guided ecology walk, but an impromptu joint exploration of the plants and animals found in the meadows, forests, and at the edge of a swamp in the sculpture park. The event is free, but the number of participants is limited. Please visit Farmscape events.

Historic House Tour 

 

Saturday, August 16

 

The ladies pictured here lived in one of the eight homes featured on this year's house tour. The homes are on one of Hillsdale's most picturesque roads and include the home of the author of "A History of Hillsdale" (1883), three homes that were part of a progressive "women's enclave," the summer refuge of a legendary Russian conductor, and several homes that were converted from 19th-century farm buildings. Sublime gardens and tranquil settings, too. More here.

Copake Falls Day

 

Saturday, August 16

All Day!

 

The folks in Copake Falls are hosting their seventh annual sensational street party. Activities include 5k and 10k cross country treks in the wilderness, fun stuff for kids all day long, garden lectures, garden visits, fancy old cars, a Harlem Valley Railroad exhibit, cool art, cold beer, live jazz, bbq, and campfire music. It's all here.

Friends Tent Book Sale

 

All Weekend
August 22 - 24

Fri, 8 - 4
Sat - Sun, 10 - 4
Roe Jan Library


Drop by the huge outdoor Tent Book Sale at the library over the weekend of the 22nd. Thousands of newly donated books in many categories, featuring children's material, art, baseball, fishing, World War II, cookbooks, music, CD's & DVD's and a 50+ year collection of Playbills, most books $2 or less. The Friends Book Shop will also be open. Hours are Friday 8-4, Saturday and Sunday 10-4, fill a book bag on Sunday for $3.

Corn Fest at Farmers Market

 

Saturday, August 23

9 am - 1 pm
Roe Jan Park 


Peak corn season! The market invites you to w
hip up a dish that features corn in a big way. Or just come and do the taste-test and vote on the best entry. Get your dish to the manager's table by 9 am. Make one standard batch. Cool prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awarded!

Walking the Living Land Outings

 

Saturday, August 23

Roe Jan Park 

 

Nothing like late summer. The Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program is leading a unique series of five late summer outings that will offer a cultural and artistic exploration of different habitats in our landscape.  Each outing will be based at a different natural area, beginning at Hawthorne Valley Farm on Saturday, August 23 and ending at Roeliff Jansen Park on Saturday, September 20.  More here.

Deadline for September-October Newsletter

 

Wednesday, August 27

Midnight 

 

If you have a Roe Jan-area event, get your copy to us by midnight, or better. You can always send it earlier so it gets posted on the town website calendar right away. Brief blurbs and pics are welcome. No PDFs please. Email us at [email protected].

Crafters at Farmers Market

 

Saturday, August 30

9 am - 1 pm
Roe Jan Park 

 

Artisan crafters return to the market. This is their 3rd and last appearance for the season, so be sure not to miss such amazing handmade items as a red cedar arbor or hand-sewn doll clothes!

Natural History Outing 

 

Sunday, September 14

10 am - 1 pm

Greenport Conservation Area


Join Hawthorne Valley Farmscape ecologists for an informal outing in one of Columbia County's most beautiful settings. 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 public conservation area. The meadows will be in full bloom with fall-flowering wildflowers - an opportunity to brush up on your asters and goldenrods. The event is free, but the number of participants is limited. Visit Farmscape events.

Garlic Fest at Farmers Market

 

Saturday, September 20

9 am - 1 pm
Roe Jan Park 


Who doesn't like a little garlic? Pull together a dish that features garlic in a big way and let your friends at the market taste - and vote - on the best entry. Get your dish to the manager's table by 9 am. Make one standard batch. Valuable prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awarded!
Roe Jan Ramble

 

Saturday, September 20

Copake Memorial Park 


The second Annual Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour will be held on Saturday, September 20. Sponsored by the Towns of Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale, funds raised will used for the extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Copake Falls to Hillsdale. Riders who register by August 23 will receive a free Roe Jan Ramble T-shirt. The Bike Tour offers three routes: 10, 25 and 62 miles in distance. Register here.

Apple Fest at Farmers Market

 

Saturday, September 27

9 am - 1 pm
Roe Jan Park 


Local apples will be available for sale directly from Ron Bixby of Little Apple Farm. Come to the market with your apple dish and let the folks at the market taste and vote on the best entry. Get your dish to the manager's table by 9 am. Make one standard batch. Unexpectedly glorious prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awarded!

Pumpkin Festival

 

Saturday, October 11
All Day
All Over Town 

 

Imagine "pumpkin-infused" activities throughout Hillsdale - including food, drink, recreation! 

 

More information will be posted next month. Please contact the business alliance if you'd like to sponsor an event or get involved. 

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. More information will be provided in the next newsletter.
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