^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 200 | October 1, 2024

The Village Tackles "30 by 30" //

Earlier this year, Rhinebeck’s Climate Smart Task Force, after scouring the U.S. Census data and U.S. Department of Energy data, published a greenhouse gas inventory of the Village of Rhinebeck which showed that the village generated more than 27,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and equivalents in 2021. The village government has made various efforts to curb such emissions, including plans to install heat pumps at various municipal buildings, and generally “drawing down” greenhouse gas usage. But what was revealed last week at the “Step by Step” event at the Starr Library, was that while the village government has taken great pains to curb greenhouse gas usage, village government operations only account for approximately 600 metric tons of this, or just 2%. The rest—26,400 metric tons—is on local residents and businesses. 

The few dozen people who attended this Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week event learned that there remained a lot of encouragement and action from village officials to get the village to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by the year 2030, hence the “30 by 30” moniker. Village Trustee and Climate Smart Task Force Liason, Vanessa Bertozzi, told attendees that if 30% of roughly 1,200 households in the village took action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which amounts to about 60 households per year for the next six years, then the village could reach their one-third emissions cut. Bertozzi shared data which showed that transportation was, by far, the single largest contributor to emissions in the village, and shared that three sectors accounted for nearly 90 percent of all greenhouse gasses, with transportation coming in at 43.9 percent, residential heating and cooling pulling at 23 percent, and commercial heating and cooling at 15.9 percent. Bertozzi told the Pilot that she thinks the village’s goals are achievable, with residents curbing food waste through composting, more walking and carpooling, use of electric vehicles, and the implementation of super efficient heat pumps for both heating and cooling. According to her, the village building department told Bertozzi that there were 34 permits for heat pumps in 2023, so she senses that residents are already on the right track. To get involved in this effort, you can email Bertozzi with any questions or comments on the “30 by 30” program.

How Do You LIke Them Apples? //

It is now technically, as well as visibly, autumn in the Hudson Valley, which means many things, but most notably it is apple season. In years past, because of late frosts, inclement  weather, as well as pests, the region’s historically lauded and prized apple crop has suffered and waned, leaving diminished variety and quality and up to a 70% crop loss with some growers. But not this year. New York State is the second-largest producer of apples in the United States (just behind Washington State) and it generates about $2 billion in gross domestic product to the state’s economy, according to the Albany Times Union, and this year is projected to be a banner year for apples in the Hudson Valley, as well as the state, with an estimated 31 million bushels expected to be harvested before the season is done, according to the New York Apple Association. 

Locally, Montgomery Place Orchards, with their well-trafficked farmstand on Route 9G, is experiencing the wealth of the growing season. “The apple crop is BIG and keeping us really busy,” Talea Taylor, co-owner of Montgomery Place Orchards recently wrote in an email to the Pilot. Taylor, who runs the farm and farmstand with her husband, Doug, said they are having a lot of “fun” with the few dozen varieties they are growing this year and said “the nice cool nights make for better color and better tasting apples and we sure have a lot of apples this year.”

This Week

Winnakee is 35!

Thursday, October 3rd, 4:00PM - 6:30PM

Reception (4:00) and Exhibition Opening and Conversation (5:30-6:30) for Reproductive: Health, Fertility, Agency – an exhibit that explores the psychological, physical, and emotional realities of women and people assigned female at birth. At Vassar College, Loeb Art Gallery, Poughkeepsie.

Thursday, October 3rd, 11:00AM - 4:00PM (self-guided barn tour) and 4-6PM (reception)

Winnakee Land Trust 35th Anniversary Celebration. Tour historic barns and working farms and view irreplaceable landscapes and then celebrate with farm fresh food and local beer, wine, and cider. Tickets $75; ages 10-18 $20; children under 10 free. Register for tour at Holly Bush Farm, 122 Violet Hill Rd., Rhinebeck; reception at Old Adriance Farm, Staatsburg.

Saturday, October 5th, 12:15PM - 6:00PM

Women Ascending, featuring a listening party with artist Laurie Anderson of her first album in 6 years, a screening of the film Mountain Queen, followed by a conversation with Lucy Walker and Lhakpa Sherpa. Tickets suggested donation $100. At Upstate Films Orpheum in Saugerties.

Saturday, October 5th, 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Musical Celebration and Benefit for the Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle’s 75th Anniversary Season, featuring a performance by Bard Conservatory musicians curated by HVCMC Advisory Director Joan Tower. Tickets $85; with donation $160. At a beautiful local farm (address provided with ticket purchase).

Wednesday, October 9th, 6:00PM

Local Author in Conversation: Alex Hannaford talks about his new book, “Lost in Austin: The Evolution of an American City,” with Starr Library’s Michelle Montalbano. Registration requested. Presented in partnership with the library. At Oblong Books, Rhinebeck.

Thursday, October 10th, 5:00PM

7th Annual Bartender Wars, presented by the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce. Presenting “mixology artistry, delectable appetizers, and exciting prizes.” Tickets $50; bring your ID. Advance purchase only; no walk-ins. Proceeds support the Chamber’s activities. At Terrapin Restaurant, Rhinebeck.

Friday, October 11th, 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Morton Celebration of Fiber Arts opening reception; creations by local artisans/artists. Exhibition runs through October 31. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Saturday, October 12th, 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Lutheran Church Tag Sale, rain or shine, “tons of fabulous merchandise,” to benefit the church. 31 Livingston St., Rhinebeck.

Saturday, October 12, 10:00AM-Noon

Second Saturdays Fall Trail Maintenance, Winnakee Nature Preserve. Help cut back brush, clear downed branches, etc. Bring water and bug spray and wear long pants. Gloves and tools are provided. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Meet at the Preserve parking lot, at the dead end of North Terwilliger Road Ext.; turn left at the T at the end of Terwilliger Rd, a short distance off Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

Soup sales are back! One Thursday a month: Oct. 17, Nov. 14, and Dec. 19. $10 per quart, take-out only. To receive the monthly soup choices and preorder online, email JoBaer2@gmail.com. Sponsored by Rhinebeck Grange. Pickup at Rhinecliff Firehouse, corner Shatzell Ave. and Orchard Dr. – side door on Orchard Dr. –  from 11AM-12:30PM, and NEW at Morton Library from 4:30-6:30PM, Rhinecliff.

Mondays, 5:30-7PM

Rockin’ Rooks Youth Chess Club. 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, Rhinecliff.

Third Thursdays of the month, 7:30 - 10:00PM

Hand Crafts for Night Owls. All knitters, crocheters, quilters, weavers, and more are invited to work on a project of their choice. “Bring your friends, bring a project (or don’t), bring a snack/drink.” At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

The Town of Clinton is looking for Hometown Heroes, honoring those who served in the military. Details at townofclinton.com or email heroes@townofclinton.com. Application includes a $250 fee for the banner to be put up in the town.

Starr Library is looking for volunteers 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.

Volunteer drivers needed by FeedHV, the Hudson Valley’s food rescue and harvesting network, providing food to neighbors in need and mitigating the impacts of food waste. The volunteer crew transports food donations to recipient agencies on their own schedule; must be age 18 and over with reliable transportation and auto insurance. For more info, visit feedhv.org; to volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/feedhvvolunteer.

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.