Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 150 | April 9, 2024
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This Week
In today’s newsletter:
- The Eclipse Through the (Protected) Eyes of Middle School Students
- Landsman Kill Stocking Contest – A Community Tradition
- Earthquakes in NY Aren’t All That Unexpected
- Town Board Hears Concerns About the Proposed Short-Term Rental Law
- The Cannabis Roller Coaster Feels a Major Bump
- Actress Kristen Stewart to Teach at Vassar
- And More
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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Town Board Hears from the Public on Short-Term Rental Proposal
Last night, the town heard from residents during a public hearing of a proposed law to change the status of short-term rentals (STRs) from illegal to permitted under certain circumstances. Nine people commented on the proposal: most of them expressed some desire to have STRs in the Town of Rhinebeck; several people expressed concern about the negative impact of STRs on affordable housing; a few people took issue with some of the strict stipulations in the proposed law, particularly around the necessity of having owners in occupancy on the site of the rental property and the requirement that the property be their primary residence.
Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said that the public comment period would be held open through May 13th, when there will be another public hearing on the proposal. She encouraged residents to send their comments to the Town Clerk. However, Spinzia made it clear that the town is working on changing the status of STRs from illegal to permissible. She used this analogy: “Just like you can’t clear-cut your trees and sell them as lumber, you can’t have an STR in Rhinebeck. We want to allow them under limited circumstances.”
Short-term rentals (STRs) are illegal in the Town of Rhinebeck, but that hasn’t stopped 80-90 of them from currently operating, according to Spinzia.
First Affordable Housing Forum Draws a Large Crowd
Speaking of affordable housing: on Sunday, more than 80 people, in a packed Parish Hall at the Church of the Messiah, participated in the first of four conversations about the need for affordable housing in Rhinebeck, “How Do We House Rhinebeck? The Past, Present, and Future of Our Community.” Adam Bosch of Pattern for Progress described the myriad of issues that impact the lack of affordable housing options in Rhinebeck.
The Pilot will be following up next week on the progress of this series.
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As Exciting as Christmas in April: Teaching the Eclipse to Sixth Graders at Bulkeley Middle School
Bulkeley Middle School science teacher Ashley Wilsey had a challenge on her hands this yesterday morning; she had three periods of six graders, a supply of tennis balls, cups and flashlights, and limited time before dismissal to teach her students about the celestial science of the eclipse that was headed their way.
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Trout Fishing in Rhinebeck: How a Folksy Tradition has Endured for 66 Years
The Landsman Kill Stocking Contest opened this week, giving young people, ages 3-13, the opportunity to catch a trout locally and join in on a storied Rhinebeck tradition.
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New Jersey Rocked Our World //
On Friday, April 5th, shortly after 10:30am, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake, centered in Lebanon, New Jersey, shook the state, as well as much of the northeast, including the Hudson Valley and much of New England. No major damage was reported, nor any injuries. An earthquake of that magnitude may seem like a relative novelty in our area, but earthquakes are not all that rare here, or even in New York State. The last significant one happened as recently as May of last year (2.2 magnitude).
Last week’s apparently rogue quake raised tensions and stoked all manner of conspiracy theories in the lead-up to the near total eclipse yesterday. Such quakes, while not as monumental as those in more geologically active areas of the world (Japan, California, Italy, etc.) are somewhat commonplace here in NYS, especially in upstate and western New York. There was a fairly major quake, of 5.2 magnitude, in 1884, in Brooklyn.
Star Power at Vassar College in LGBTQ+ Studies //
Actress, and sometime activist, Kristen Stewart, famous for her recurring role in the “Twilight” film series, is one of the newest adjunct faculty at Vassar College, it was announced recently. Stewart, who became a gay icon over the last decade, will be a visiting lecturer in the fall for a new special course, WFQS 232: “Where Have You Been Loca?: Investigating Queer Visibility and Transgression in the Post-Twilight Age.”
In an exclusive voice memo sent to reporters from The Miscellany News, a student-run newspaper at Vassar, Stewart explained the potential description for the class. “I want to give students the opportunity to understand what it means to be queer in the modern digital age. What does it mean when a photo of you at a Hooters goes viral for a decade after it is taken? Does Susan Sontag say something about that?”
More Cannabis Delays //
The rollout of legal cannabis in New York State has been a “disaster,” according to many, including Governor Kathy Hochul. While there has been some recent movement to try and ameliorate three years of bureaucratic quagmire, a ruling last Friday by state Supreme Court Justice Kevin R. Bryant appeared to derail all of the state’s cannabis regulations. Justice Bryant issued an order on April 5th striking down New York’s existing cannabis regulations as the result of a suit filed last year by a Seattle company that provides third-party marketing for marijuana businesses. The suit challenged the constitutionality of the state’s ban on that type of advertising, according to the Albany Times Union. Bryant said the eight sections of the state’s current cannabis regulations “governing the adult-use cannabis market are hereby declared unlawful and void as arbitrary and capricious.”
While the ruling is not expected to bring existing cannabis retail operations to a screeching halt, it is yet another obstacle preventing the growth of an industry that promised to bring millions of dollars in sales in legal cannabis to the state, while a flourishing illicit cannabis market continues to prosper.
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Looking Backward
Do you happen to have old or archival photos of places, people or events in the area from over the years? We are putting out a call to the community for scans of photos from over the last 100 or so years to help us look back at the people and times that made this community what it is. Please contact editor@hvpilot.com.
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"Class From the Past"
A new podcast hosted by CLS Elementary School teacher Scott Stiverson follows the local teacher as he reaches out to students he has taught over the many years of his career and highlights their life experiences after leaving his class.
Stiverson speaks with high school senior Delilah Tumolo about facing social challenges in middle school and building strong bonds in high school and her experiences with family support, soccer, and music.
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This Week
Can Market Forces be Tamed?
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Friday, April 12th, 6:00PM
LIVE taping of “The Back Room” with Andy Ostroy; a chat with TV film, and theater producer Jonathan Burkhart. Presented by Radiofreerhinecliff.org. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, April 13th, 11:00AM
“Tales of the Titanic,” at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site, home of Titanic ticket holders Ogden and Ruth Mills. Tour tickets $12, seniors $10, children 12 and under free. Reservations required. At the Staatsburgh SHS.
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Sunday, April 14th, 1:00PM
“The Dressing Room Diaries,” with Hilarie Burton Morgan, a fundraiser for the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Tickets $200; VIP tickets $250. Details at centerforperformingarts.showare.com. At the Center, 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck.
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Sunday, April 14th, 4pm
“Environmental, Zoning, and Market Forces: Concerns and Opportunities,” with Steve Rosenberg, former Senior Vice President, Scenic Hudson; Deirdre Burns, Chair, Rhinebeck Village Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee on Housing; and Jonathan Mensch, Chair, Rhinebeck Town Workforce Housing Committee. The second in a series of four Sunday meetings through April 28 on “How Do We House Rhinebeck? The Past, Present, and Future of Our Community – A Series of Conversations about Affordable Housing.” Free potluck dinner at 5:30. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, in collaboration with Starr Library and other members of the community. Registration requested but not required. For details, including topics and speakers, see starrlibrary.org or www.Rhinebeck-Episcopal.org. At the Parish Hall, Episcopal Church of the Messiah, 6436 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Wednesday, April 17th, 7:30PM
“Music Alive! Dynamic Women,” featuring student and faculty musicians performing recent works by women faculty composers. Curated by Joan Tower. FREE. At Bito Conservatory Building, Bard College.
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Thursday, April 18th, 7:00PM
“Slavery, Segregation & Staatsburgh,” new research on the transition from Black presence during the early 19th c. to total absence during the Gilded Age. ON ZOOM. FREE. Registration required. Presented by staff at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site.
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Friday, April 19th, 8:00PM
“Women are Doing it for Themselves," with women singers/songwriters – presented by Richard’s Rhinecliff Acoustic Show and featuring Lisa Dudley, Lynda Sales, Joann Chamberlain, and Bjanette & Danele. Donations suggested. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, April 20th, 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Blood Drive sponsored by East Clinton Fire District. Give blood and receive a $10 e-card to a merchant of your choice. Schedule to donate at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code ECFD. New donors are needed. At 9 Firehouse Lane, Clinton Corners.
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Wednesday, April 24th, 10:00AM
“Think Outside the Window Box.” Master Gardener Donna Croshier gives a presentation about adding surprise in your garden. Sponsored by the Rhinebeck Garden Club. Visitors welcome. At Rhinebeck Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Thursday, April 25th, 12:30PM
“The Native History of the Catskills,” a Lunch & Learn presentation by Justin Wexler of Wild Hudson Valley. At the Clinton Community Library, 1215 Centre Rd., Town of Clinton.
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Friday, April 26th, 8:00PM
“Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen.” Tickets $44-$90. At UPAC, 601 Broadway, Kingston.
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Saturday, April 27th, Noon - 3:00PM
Earth Day Celebration, including hands-on gardening and crafts, Village compost update, electric alternatives to leaf and snow blowers, nature walks and a birds-of-prey demo! FREE. Co-sponsored by Rhinebeck Village’s Climate Smart Rhinebeck Task Force, local nonprofit Dirty Gaia, and the Town of Rhinebeck. Detailed schedule at climatesmartrhinebeck.org and click on Events.
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May 15th is the deadline for high school or college students to apply for two scholarships awarded by the Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market: the $2,000 John Honey Scholarship for agricultural and environmental sustainability and the $1,000 Jeff Scales Scholarship for community advocacy. For more information, rfmscholarships@gmail.com.
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Register now for the Sunday, May 19, 12K Walk-Bike-Run 2024 fundraising event for Camp Rising Sun, an international, full-scholarship leadership program for teens ages 14-16. Registration fee $25/person or $10 for youth under 18. Sponsored by the Louis August Jonas Foundation; for details, go to lajf.org/wbr2024 or call 845-266-4561. The event starts at the camp’s Red Hook campus, 150 Oriole Mills Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Are you interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide at Blithewood, the historic house and Beaux Arts garden on the Bard College campus? Bard will provide training. Contact Amy Parrella at horticulture@bard.edu.
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Now through April 27th
“All the Things We Could Have Been,” art works by K.P. Devlin. Upstairs at Montgomery Row Art Space, 6423 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Now through April 30th
Works by Polly M. Law and William W. Underhill. Masks are requested when inside the galleries. At Shahinian Upstairs Galleries, 22 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Now through April 30th
“But Today is Different,” a collaborative art and poetry show by Mimi Graminski and Sarah Stern. At Starr Library, 68 West Market St., and The Little Gallery, 59 Chestnut St., Rhinebeck.
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Now through June 2nd
“Making a Life in Photography: Rollie McKenna,” the first survey of the prolific career of an American photographer. Co-curated by Rhinebeck’s own Mary-Kay Lombino, Deputy Director and Emily Hargroves Fisher ‘57 and Richard B. Fisher Curator at the Art Center. The show is accompanied by an extensive catalog and runs through June 2. At Vassar’s Lehman Loeb Art Center, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie.
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Tuesday, April 9th
Rhinebeck Town Historic and Archaeological Preservation Advisory Committee
On Zoom
4:00PM
Agenda includes updates on Annual Historic Preservation Award and on Handbook for Property Owners and Town Administrators. See Town website.
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Tuesday, April 9th
Rhinebeck Village Public Hearing
Rhinebeck Village Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Village public hearing on proposed budget and continuation of public hearing on 6 Mulberry St. project; regular meeting agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, April 9th
Rhinebeck Central School District Board of Education
Bulkeley School Cafeteria
7:00PM
Agenda includes public hearing on use of Repair/Maintenance Reserve for wall padding and grandstands; and discussion of the proposed budget. See RCSD website. At Bulkeley School cafeteria, 45 North Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Monday, April 15th
Rhinebeck Town Planning Board
Town Hall
6:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, April 16th
Rhinebeck Village Planning Board
Village Hall
7:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Wednesday, April 17th
Town of Rhinebeck Zoning Board of Appeals
Town Hall
7:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Beginning Monday, April 1 – Rhinebeck Village brush and yard waste removal pickup. See Village website for guidelines and detailed schedule.
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Town of Rhinebeck is seeking applicants for positions on the Planning Board, Conservation Advisory Board, and Board of Assessment Review. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent and resume to townclerk@rhinebeckny.gov. Applications are also available on the Town website.
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The following items have recently been posted on the 6 Mulberry St. page of the Rhinebeck Village website, under Committees & Projects/6 Mulberry: Neighbors’ letter regarding the proposed rezoning and Village attorney’s revised draft of the Bulkeley Schoolhouse Overlay District (BSO). A variety of materials, regarding the environmental assessment and the proposed rezoning, are also posted on the page.
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The Mean Streets of Rhinebeck
Looking east on Market Street in Rhinebeck circa the early 1980s.
Image courtesy of Poughkeepsie Public Library Archive
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