^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 193 | September 6, 2024

Burger Hill’s Season of Vandalism //

Drayton Grant Park at Burger Hill (more commonly known as just “Burger Hill”) has experienced a rough summer season, but not because of inclement weather or the bobolinks not returning. Sadly, the picturesque 76-acre hilltop park has been the object of vandalism. Uri Perrin, senior director of external affairs at Winnakee Land Trust, which owns and maintains the park, told the Pilot that last Friday she received a report via email from a visitor who claimed to have seen two young people draw the “N-word” in chalk, followed by “ha ha ha.” In addition, according to Perrin, earlier in the summer the three memorial stones at the top of Burger Hill were defaced with spray paint (the writing was illegible) and the bluebird houses, which provide nesting as Burger Hill works with the Waterman Bird Club to help reverse bluebird species decline in the region, were tampered with when someone stuck large sticks into the one opening of the bird houses, preventing the mama birds from getting to their eggs and baby birds. In addition, people have been leaving bagged dog feces in piles, rather than carting them out and disposing of them (the park is not equipped for garbage removal). 

“This is the first time anything like [the vandalism] has happened,” Perrin said, and added, “We don’t know if these incidents are connected, and are wondering if we need to consider installing cameras to monitor activity or getting trail stewards to walk the property.” The park is currently open dawn to dusk, but Perrin said the gate is often left open after hours, but she said she didn’t think such vandalism and neglect were happening then. “For the most part, everyone has been incredible stewards of the land,” Perrin said. “Legions of volunteers cleaning up, mowing paths, ridding the property of the invasive species and we are so appreciative of the community who has come together to look after this piece of property.” 

Winnakee encourages people to volunteer to help maintain the park, and they are hosting a “work day” at Burger Hill on November 9th, for which locals are encouraged to sign up.

Planning Board Meeting Erupts With Accusations //

Planning Board member Jeff Christensen lost his composure during a public hearing at the Rhinebeck Village Planning Board on Tuesday about the long discussed and debated 6 Mulberry Street housing (Father Brogan Center) project, when he interrupted attorney Victoria Polidoro in the middle of her statement in support of her client, the project’s developer. Christensen told Polidoro, “Let me say it again, let me interrupt you because you’re being rude!” Christensen’s remark momentarily sucked all the air out of the room in what is usually a fairly respectful and routine meeting.

The issue under discussion was the lot size of one of the four separate 1-3-family homes to be built on the site, and whether trees could be planted to provide a significant buffer between lots, as well as for the surrounding neighborhood. Christensen was advocating for wider buffer zones and smaller lots, and Polidoro accused Christensen of “reducing for the sake of reducing….” since her client didn’t see the necessity of reducing the lot size to provide room for more screening. 

Christensen countered that he felt Polidoro wasn’t representing the community’s expressed desire for smaller lots and cited work done on the recent Village Comprehensive Plan. “You said the people in the community want larger lots, well I don’t know what meetings you were at, but people have been asking for smaller lot sizes for more affordable housing,” Christensen said, adding, “the claim that people want larger lots is a specious statement.”

The meeting, which ran upwards of 3+ hours, continued on to discuss some of the more minute, as well as conspicuous aspects of the proposed project, including the alabaster color of the building in a digital rendering, which board member John Clarke said he was “seriously opposed to”; he said the brick color of the existing building should be maintained. 

Despite the hours put in, the board did not settle on a decision about the lots’ sizes, and Polidoro said she, along with Dutchess Sheperd LLC and the project engineer, Brian Hildenbrand, would take into account what was discussed during the course of the evening and draft another proposal to address the concerns raised. The next meeting on the topic will occur on September 17th. 

This Week

What Does the Constitution Mean to You?

Friday, September 6th, 10:00AM - Noon (rain date September 9th)

Guided Walking Tour of Public Art in Poughkeepsie, led by noted artist and muralist Franc Palaia. Includes New Deal and contemporary murals, 9/11 and Vietnam monuments, and more. Adults $20; seniors and students $15; not suitable for children under 13. Advanced registration required; call 845-505-3123 or email francpalaia1@gmail.com. Meet at the Cunneen Hackett Theater, 12 Vassar St., Poughkeepsie.

Friday, September 6th, through Sunday, September 15th

“What the Constitution Means to Me,” a memoir-play and exploration of what it means to be an American, by Heidi Schreck. Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 3. Tickets via requested donation: adults $15; students $10, at rhinebecktheatresociety.org. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Saturday, September 7th, 9:00AM - 4:00PM (Rain date September 8.)

Flea Market at Rhinebeck Masonic Lodge, 6472 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.

Saturday, September 7th, 2:00PM

Closing lecture about “Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence,” a new form of bead art developed by a community of women in South Africa. Talk by Bev Gibson, curator and co-founder of the collective. The display of four beaded costumes will run through September 8. At The Loeb Art Center, Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie.

Thursday, September 12th, 6:00PM

“Belle Da Costa Greene: Black Female Excellence Surmounting the Limit of Early 20th c. America,” a presentation by Pamela Malcolm, historic site manager of the Staatsburgh State Historic Site. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Thursday, September 12th, 6:30PM - 8:00PM

Fiction Workshop with Liliana Kahan. Bring paper and pen! Register at starrlibrary.org. At the library, 76 West Market St., Rhinebeck

Saturday, September 14th, 7:00PM

A Reading & Conversation with Francine Prose about her new book, 1974; A Personal History. $15. Tickets and details at Kaatsbaan.org. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, 120 Broadway, Tivoli.

Monday, September 16th, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Rockin’ Rooks Youth Chess Club Returns. Grades K-12 are welcome. To sign up your child, for more info, or to volunteer contact D. Suris at 845-416-3287 or email racersplace@hotmail.com. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Monday, September 15th, Midnight

Deadline for submissions to Dorsky Museum Show curated by noted Rhinebeck artist ransome. The show, “Movement,” will feature works on the theme “the decision to relocate,” by artists in the Hudson Valley who work in all media. Details at dorskymuseum.submittable.com.

Tuesday, September 17th, 11:00AM - 6:00PM

National Voter Registration Day, with registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and other information. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Tuesday, September 17th, Noon

Bill McKibben on Why This Election is the Most Important of this Geologic Era. In Person. FREE. At Upstate Films, Rhinebeck.

Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00PM

Jenny Offill, Samantha Hunt, and Gary Shteyngart celebrate “Rebecca: A Tribute to Rebecca Godfrey,” “the woman who helped make the Guggenheim name synonymous with art and genius.” Registration requested. At Oblong Books, Rhinebeck.

Saturday, September 21st, 4:00PM - 7:00PM (rain date Sept. 22)

Annual Chili Cook-off, with field games and pie-baking contest (fruit pies, please), sponsored by Rhinecliff Volunteer Fire Company. At Firemen’s Field on Valley Rd., next to the Old Schoolhouse Condos, Rhinecliff.

Starr Library is looking for volunteers: to help move books in the children’s section (Sept. 7, 8, and 9); to help plan the Mad Hatter’s Ball (meetings Sept. 11 and 14); and for Board of Trustees (apply by Sept. 29). See Starrlibrary.org for details.

Morton Library is calling for fiber art – for an exhibit to open October 11. Deadline for submissions is October 4. Contact librarian Sandy Bartlett at sandy@mortonrhinecliff.org if interested.

The pond is now open for swimming at Fran Mark Park, 11AM-6PM. At the park, 337 Clinton Hollow Rd., Town of Clinton.

October 15 is the deadline for submissions to the First Annual Photography Contest sponsored by the Friends of Rhinebeck Cemetery. Two categories: adult and under 18. Send digital entries to FRCPHOTOS12572@gmail.com. Details at friends of rhinebeck cemetery.org.

Now through August 2025: “Redefining the Family: The Livingstons and the Institution of Slavery in Early America,” a new exhibit recognizing the Black descendants of the Livingston family. FREE; no tickets required. At the Visitors Center (open Thursday-Sunday, 10:30-4:30), Clermont State Historic Site, Rte. 9G, Germantown.

Rhinebeck Rotary is looking for host families, three to four months each starting December, for a 16-year-old Turkish exchange student who will attend Rhinebeck High School. One family has already committed to host the student from the start of the school year to early December. If interested, contact michaelfrazier@earthlink.net.

Now through December 1st

“Carrie Weems: Remember to Dream,” an exhibit of the “seldom displayed and lesser-known works” of the distinguished photographer that “demonstrate the evolution of her pioneering, politically engaged practice.” At the Hessel Museum of Art, Bard College.