Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 64 | June 9, 2023
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The Fire This Time
This week in Rhinebeck, it occurred to me that it was time to start wearing a mask again, so I went looking for my meager stockpile of N95 masks, now in a utility drawer along with batteries and hand sanitizer. I did this because, according to a sensor installed at Starr Library, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Rhinebeck on Wednesday afternoon was above 200, which is color coded for purple, which equates to “very unhealthy.” This was a result of ongoing forest fires in Quebec, which have delivered a noxious plume of smoke that has blanketed much of New England and the East Coast for the last few days in a sometimes gray, sometimes orange flannel embrace.
It felt like a remarkable and dreadful moment (not unlike recent fires in California and the western United States), that was an entry point to a truly weird period in our collective history.
Canada, where roughly 10% of the planet’s forests reside, has endured a very dry spring. Some say such a catastrophic fire event is caused by poor forest management, while others blame human negligence, and of course climate change. While it is difficult to link each wildfire to the climate crisis, it stands to reason that shifts in the climate are making weather conditions like heat and drought that lead to wildfires more likely. This what Stephen J. Pyne has dubbed the “Pyrocene,” an age defined by a pandemic of fires across the globe.
Regardless of what your individual read on this notable week might be, it is apparent from the literal air we breathe that nothing on this planet exists in isolation, as if we hadn’t learned that lesson in the last few years.
At the risk of making an abrupt pivot: We are still moving forward with our readers’ survey, where we ask for a few minutes of feedback from you, our most trusted cheerleaders and critics. Please take the time to let us know your thoughts on what we have accomplished and where we should go from here. We really appreciate it.
Thanks again for all that you do for us and this community. Please stay safe and breathe easy, if you can.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
[Photo composite courtesy of Norm Magnusson]
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Renewable Energy is Growing In the Mid-Hudson Region
12 Towns are Joining Forces on Energy. But, No, That Doesn’t Mean the End of Central Hudson
If you live in one of 12 select towns or villages across the mid-Hudson region, including the Town of Rhinebeck, you may have received a mailer telling you you’re about to switch energy providers starting next month. It doesn’t mean breaking free from Central Hudson, but has the potential to be a game changer.
[This article was produced in partnership with the Times Union]
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We have launched our first ever readers' survey to get a better idea of what you want and need in a local publication. Please take the survey and let us know how we could better connect with your interests. It is easy and will only take 6 minutes!
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Fallen Fruit // You may want to temper your summer fruit expectations, as the winter and spring weather did a number on local fruit growers; local produce like cherries, peaches, apricots, plums and strawberries will be in short supply, if available at all. Due to a wet spring, a late frost, and an unusually dry May (and June) the crops of several fruit growers, including some local vintners growing wine grapes, have been compromised by nature.
Talea Taylor of Montgomery Place Orchard in Red Hook said they are facing a very “challenging season so far,” and added, “it will be a light fruit year, with no peaches, apricots, plums or cherries.” Rose Hill Farm, also in Red Hook and known for their cider, said there was significant damage done to their strawberry fields and blueberry bushes, leaving the prospective summer crop significantly diminished, with pick-your-own options later in the season remaining in question. Fix Brothers in Hudson, known for their abundant cherry crop, stated earlier this week in an Instagram post that the bees were not able to successfully pollinate their sweet cherries, leaving the crop fruitless, and sour cherries as the only productive cherry crop they can offer. And Grieg Farm, known for their robust pick-your-own business, stated earlier this month that there simply were not enough strawberries to open the fields to the public. All of this likely means higher prices on what local farmers were able to grow and a great deal of non-Hudson Valley fruit imported from out of state this summer.
Rotary Reward // The Rhinebeck Rotary Club received considerable support this week to fund some significant efforts in the near future. First, they received a $9,500 district grant to help fund the work of the Interact Club (the local youth offshoot of Rotary), including their continuing efforts to bring small-scale building projects to Costa Rica (this past February, a group of local high school students and their adult chaperons traveled to Costa Rica for seven days to help build a school). This district grant is nearly double what the project had received in the past.
Even larger, Rhinebeck Rotary received a $100,000 grant toward urban environmental restoration in the Hudson Valley to work directly with Greater Newburgh Rotary Club, as well as other volunteers, to address the following issues: community behaviors to protect the environment; social justice work to help protect the environment; and increased community involvement to support natural resource management. While this grant has been awarded to Rhinebeck Rotary, the funds and efforts will be used solely to address environmental and social justice issues in the city of Newburgh, says Rhinebeck Rotary Treasurer Louis Turpin. “We see this as a first step in what we hope will be many environmental restoration projects in and throughout the Hudson Valley,” he added.
Panda Offspring // Back in December, we reported on PANDA (Public Access Northern Dutchess Area) and its efforts to restore and upgrade service, which failed, due to a faulty server, in the Spring of 2022, leaving a major gap in public access television in our area.
Now comes an update that PANDA has secured funding from Spectrum and the Town of Red Hook and approval from the State’s Public Service Commission for a new 10-year franchise agreement with Spectrum, the cable channel that hosts PANDA on Channel 23. Spectrum will be providing $54,600 to the struggling media non-profit, which will enable it to return to a regular broadcasting schedule, and will support capital improvements, including major equipment upgrades and a proposed new smart tv interface for users, video on demand, and live-streaming broadcasts of meetings and events. Eric Riback, Panda’s board chair, told the Pilot that they had already upgraded the website and were about to purchase both hardware and software for the station. He said, “While there was no sense of timeline for getting it all installed,” Panda employees were “working as fast as they can.” Stay tuned.
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LOCAL EVENTS!
The HV Pilot continues to grow and serve the community. Check out our new events page with local happenings updated continuously.
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Are You a Writer?
The HV Pilot needs writers to cover local news, local business, local real estate issues, and all things local and interesting to our thriving community.
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"The Back Room"
Andy Ostroy sits down with actress and Emmy nominee J. Smith-Cameron, who just finished off a four-season run as Gerri Kellman on the HBO series Succession.
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Thank You for Signing Up
The response to our twice-weekly newsletter has been overwhelming and the engagement is beyond encouraging. We are proud to announce that we have crossed the 1600 newsletter subscriber mark! We encourage you to spread the word and tell your friends, family, neighbors and strangers alike to sign up here to expand our reach. The more people we have reading and engaging, the more of an active community we are.
Local news for local good.
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What Do You Think of the Pilot?
We have launched our first ever readers' survey to get a better idea of what you want and need in a local publication. Please take the survey and let us know how we could better connect with your interests. It is easy and will only take 6 minutes!
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This Week
Ethel is Coming!
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Friday, June 9th, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Free Balkan Concert with Max’s New Hat. RSVP at bfgahydepark.org. At the Beatrix Farrand Garden on the FDR Historic Site, Hyde Park.
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Friday, June 9th, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Opening reception of “Self-Evident,” exhibit of paintings by Rhinebeck artist Thomas Cale. At CO, 6571 Springbrook Ave. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Friday, June 9th, 7:30PM
Rev-It-Up: Tales of a Truck Stop Chaplain; “Stories from the crossroads of saints and serial killers,” with author Sherry Blackman. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Friday, June 9th, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
CultureConnect Spring Fundraiser: Baila Conmigo! Ages 21+, DJ Uncle Rudy, guest set by El Michels Affair, cash bar, food truck. Tickets $75 (and up with additional donation). At Hudson Hollow Barn, 182 Schultz Hill Rd., Staatsburg.
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Saturday, June 10th, 2:00PM
Author’s talk with Jane Delury and Amy Parrella, Bard’s Director of Horticulture and Arboretum, about Delury’s new novel, Hedge, which takes place at modern-day Montgomery Place; followed by mansion walk-throughs with docents. Register at arboretum@bard.edu. At the Montgomery Place Visitor Center, River Rd., Bard College.
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Saturday, June 10th, 7:00PM
Acclaimed string quartet Ethel joins Grammy-nominated violinist and composer Curtis J. Stewart for an evening of the best in contemporary and classical music. Info and tickets at kaatsbaan.org. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Saturday, June 10th, 8:00PM
The Isidore String Quartet plays Mendelssohn, Billy Childs, and Dinuk Wijeratne. Presented by the Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle. Tickets $40; students $5. At Olin Hall, Bard College.
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Sunday, June 11th, 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Rhinebeck-Red Hook First Annual Pride Celebration, with food, resources, crafts, clothing swap, games, music, Trans Closet of the Hudson Valley, dancing. Free. Hosted by The Episcopal Church of the Messiah, 6436 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Sunday, June 11th, 3:00PM - 5:00PM
“Achieving Medicare for All in New York State,” talk with Q&A by Dr. Oliver Fein, MD, Professor Emeritus, Cornell Weill Medical School. Sponsored by the Rhinebeck Democrats Club. At Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Sunday, June 11th, 4:00PM
The new Community Chorus in Concert, including folk harmonies from Corsica, Croatia, and Ukraine, as well as a few in English. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Thursday, June 15th, 4:00PM
“Flex Your Memory to Master Names and Faces,” with Brent Sverdloff. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5T59ZN92. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Friday, June 16th, 8:00PM
Richard’s Rhinecliff Acoustic Show, featuring The Moonlighters. Donations suggested. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Saturday June 17th, 10:30AM
Tommy Zurhellen talks about his memoir, “The Low Road: Walking the Walk for Veterans,” about his walk across America to raise awareness about veteran suicide and homelessness. At Clinton Community Library, 1215 Centre Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Saturday June 24th, 4:00PM - 7:00PM
“Mid-Century Modern in the Landscape,” annual benefit, including Innisfree Garden tour at 4PM followed by lecture by honoree Lynden B. Miller, public garden designer and esteemed horticulturist. Details at innisfree.org. At the garden, 362 Tyrrel Rd., Millbrook.
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Saturday June 24th, 6:30PM
Author talk by Lorrie Moore about her new novel, “I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home. Free, but registration is required. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2:00PM
Mikhail Baryshnikov at 75: A Day of Music and Celebration. WILL HE ATTEND? Featuring Laurie Anderson, Diana Krall, Regina Spektor, Kaoru Watanabe, and Mark Morris, among others. Go to kaatsbaan.org for tickets and more information. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Now through Sunday, June 18th
Kaatsbaan Spring Festival. Art, music, dance, cooking, nature walk, and more. See kaatsbaan.org for details. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Now through June 25 – Exhibition of works of Rhinebeck artist Audrey Francis, featuring her bird-centric paintings and drawings. At LabSpace Art, 2642 Rte. 23, Hillsdale, NY (45 minutes from Rhinebeck). You can also see an ever-changing selection of Francis’ smaller works at the Little Gallery box she has placed on the front lawn of her house on Chestnut St. between Beech and Parsonage in Rhinebeck.
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Now through August 20 – “Apocalypse Sky,” works by artists whose lives were transformed by the HIV/AIDS crisis during the 1980s and 1990s, including Keith Haring, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, and others. Vassar.edu/theloeb. At Vassar’s Lehman Loeb Gallery, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie.
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Town of Clinton Food Drive, to restock the food pantry at Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church. Drop off canned goods and non-perishables at the Town of Clinton Clerk’s office, 1215 Centre Rd., Rhinebeck, Mondays-Thursdays, 9AM - 4PM, or at the Church, 2 Fiddlers Bridge Rd., Staatsburg. | |
Call for submissions: artworks inspired by the Rhinecliff Train Station, to be exhibited at Morton Library, Rhinecliff, later in 2023. Contact Chadkleitsch@gmail.com to submit a piece.
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Need support with substance abuse? Alcoholics Anonymous of Northeast New York sponsors several regular face-to-face and virtual meetings in our area – including in Rhinebeck and Red Hook – at various times of the day. For more information https://nenyaa.org/meetings.
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Monday, June 11th
Rhinebeck Town Board
Rhinebeck Town Hall
6:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck Village Public Hearing
Rhinebeck Village Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Village Public Hearing of Expansion of the Historic District Overlay; and Board of Trustees meeting. For Historic District materials and Board meeting agenda when available, see Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck Town Conservation Advisory Board/ Waterfront Advisory
Rhinebeck Town Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Town Conservation Advisory Board/Waterfront Advisory Committee (CAB/WAC). Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck CSD Board of Education Meeting
Rhinebeck High School Library
7:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See RCSD website. At Rhinebeck High School, 45 North Park Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 15th
Rhinebeck Zoning Board of Appeals
Rhinebeck Village Hall
7:00PM
Rhinebeck Village Zoning Board of Appeals. Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Volunteers Needed!
TOWN OF RHINEBECK IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS to join various town committees. For a list of town committees and an application form, see Town website.
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"Alfy"
Alfy is a 13-year-old cockapoo who moved to Rhinebeck two years ago. You don’t often see her around the Village, as she thinks she is a sled dog and pulls on her human owner’s bad shoulder.
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