HILLSDALE NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2015



The goal of this newsletter, issued by the Town of Hillsdale, is to share a bit of news and the long list of the many things that are happening in the Roe Jan community. Take, for example, a stroll this time of year in the Roe Jan Park. You're likely to stumble into a little Christmas card-in the-making, like the scenes above and below by JenniWaka Photography. Happy Holidays!


ADOPT A FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS
Lady of Hope Church in Copake Falls will distribute Christmas Baskets to those in need in the Roe Jan community this holiday.  This year, 170 families will be the recipients of food baskets. Community members can "Adopt-a-Family" by choosing to donate a small, medium, large or extra-large basket (box) of canned items and a turkey or ham for Christmas dinner. Distribution will take place on Saturday morning, December 19, at Our Lady of Hope Church. Baskets may be dropped off at the church on Friday, December 18 between the hours of 4:30 and 6 pm.  Details here.
A TIME FOR GIVING
The Roe Jan Food Pantry and a crowd of volunteers packed 170 Thanksgiving boxes at the Hillsdale Firehouse on Saturday, November 21. A team of generous souls from around the Roe Jan community - Vernetta Moore, Lois Edelman, Terri Traver, Betty White, Linda Miller, and Laurel Clapp - led the annual event. But their work isn't limited to Thanksgiving

Year-round support is offered and "Christmas Friends" and "Adopt-a-Family" planning is underway. Here's how you can help.
SIDEWALK PROJECT UPDATE
On November 9, Supervisor Baer, Councilman Sena, and Supervisor-Elect Cipkowski met with DOT and GPI officials to discuss sidewalk-related drainage issues. DOT will replace all of the drainage frames with new frames and curb boxes. The biggest news that emerged from the meeting is that pedestrian signals will need to be installed at the sidewalk's intersection with Route 22. Read meeting minutes.

Also confirmed - no right-of-way issues are anticipated due to the fact that the section of Route 23 that ran through Hillsdale was part of the 1799 Columbia Turnpike. The turnpike, created by the NYS Assembly, mandated a 50-foot wide road.

The verdict on the historic street lighting grant is expected in early December. If awarded, a press release will appear on the town website. Visit the sidewalk FAQs
OUR FAVORITE BOOKSTORE
It was so nice to see Rodgers Book Barn, our favorite bookstore, written up in Rural Intelligence last month. Maureen, along with her remarkable 40 year-old business, provides a one-of-a-kind experience for book lovers - something that is increasingly rare and precious. 

Hats off to Rodgers Book Barn.
 
TREE LIGHTING AND WALKABOUT
On Saturday, December 5, folks will gather at the Hillsdale Firehouse at 4:30 for the hayride over to the village square. Santa is expected to appear to light the tree.

Prior to the tree lighting, three enterprising small businesses in Hillsdale are collaborating on a creative holiday shopping event on Saturday, December 5th. The Walkabout begins at 3 pm and finishes at 5 pm. Adagio Spa, Trudy's Beauty Shop and Mirror Mirror Clothing Shop have planned a "Walkabout" designed to introduce customers to their services, offer sales specials, and allow shoppers to get started on their shopping list.

Read more about the walkabout.

SANTA AT ROELIFF JANSEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
  

Roe Jan Historical Society Annual Holiday Open House
Santa will be visiting the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum in Copake Falls on Sunday, December 6, and will be available for photographs from about 1 to 3. In fact, Copake Falls is hosting its third annual Winter Walk all afternoon on Saturday. A variety of events around the historic hamlet including hot dogs at the Iron Works, gift vendors at the Taconic Wayside Inn, and wreathes and greens (among other things) will be for sale at the RJHS museum. 

Santa is expected to preside at the museum from about 1 to 3. Bring your kids - and a camera!

More about the Winter Walk.
UPSTATER
We were delighted to see this story about Hillsdale and the wonderful sites and businesses in our community. Written by a newcomer who has fallen in love with our town, it includes this line about our town: "It's not Hudson and it doesn't have a 'Little Apple' scene going on. It's not as cool as or chic as Great Barrington and it doesn't need to be. It has more in common with Millerton, but doesn't seem to be trying quite as hard to be hip. It's Hillsdale... and it has its very own magical vibe set against a truly stunning backdrop, standout gorgeous even in a region known for natural beauty." Click here for the entire article.
ANNUAL ELECTION FOR FIRE DISTRICT
 

On December 8, between 6 and 9 pm at the Hillsdale Firehouse, the annual election of the Hillsdale- Copake Fire District will take place. If you're a resident of the Hillsdale Fire District and registered to vote with the Columbia Board of Elections, you're entitled to vote for two fire commissioners and to weigh in on whether or not the Fire Department is authorized to purchase a new pumper tanker truck. Details about the election.
RAIL TRAIL UPDATE
It looks like the rail trail extension from Black Grocery Road in Copake to Anthony Street in Hillsdale is back on track. Bids are expected to go out in early 2016 for a construction and paving process that will get underway in spring and last a month or so. A kiosk already stands in the eastern side of Herrington's parking lot and rail trail visitors will be encouraged to park near there. 

One caveat in the plan is the complicated Route 22 crossing - there are no immediate plans to link the Orphan Farm stretch from Copake Falls to the Black Grocery stretch, not for a few years at least. The funding that was previously thought to exist is being absorbed by an emergency Park's project downstate. Go figure. But we're excited about this next phase of development - another reason to lure visitors to Hillsdale. And in 2016 volunteers may clear the rail bed from Hillsdale toward Taconic Hills Central School in Craryville. Chatham or bust!

Some readers will remember the old railroad bridge that crossed Route 22 at Black Grocery, shown below. As this picture shows, dated December 1975 (40 years ago!), this stretch of road was - and remains - a little tricky. Sadly, the bridge is no longer around to help rail trail pedestrians cross Route 22 safely. But we're sure the Rail Trail folks will think of something. 


HISTORIC HARLEMVILLE
Martin Ping, Executive Director of The Hawthorne Valley Association, guided members of the Historic Hillsdale committee and friends through the hamlet of Harlemville early last month. The committee is looking for ways to shine a light on Harlemville's rich inventory of historic buildings. It was also opportunity to experience Hawthorne Valley's commitment to preserving and maintaining a sustainable agricultural enterprise which fosters economic growth and maintains our community's rural character.
NEW DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM
More than 1,500 high school students in three Columbia County schools (including Taconic Hills) will be engaged in the Shattering the Myths program-a new peer-to-peer interactive drug prevention program. Organized by the Mentor Foundation USA in partnership with The National Institute on Drug Abuse and with support from the Rip Van Winkle Foundation, the program is designed to dispel the myths surrounding drug abuse and provide youth a platform to speak against drugs. Read press release.
TOWN HALL SIDEWALK COMPLETED
The gentlemen pictured here, Gary Garafalo and Al Christiana, won the bid to put in a new sidewalk at Town Hall, replacing the temporary one that was installed a few years ago. They completed their work before Thanksgiving - and it looks terrific.

Some of us are hoping to see a flag pole installed at Town Hall early in the new year.


CEDC CONTROVERSY SUBSIDES
For those of you following the CEDC controversy, here are two recent articles in the Columbia Paper which summarize where things now stand. Under the leadership of CEDC's new Board Chair Tony Jones and interim Executive Director Mike Tucker, CEDC has made progress over the past 6 months in revising its bylaws and restructuring its board. The progress made by CEDC has effectively reestablished public trust and the confidence of the County Board of Supervisors.  Article one and article two.

Thanks for reading this newsletter - we enjoy pulling it together each month. If you want to promote your upcoming event or have a story or photo to share, please email us. Photos and jpgs are welcome. No pdfs, please.

 

Peter Cipkowski and Vivian deGeorges, Editors


The Town of Hillsdale