Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 114 | December 1, 2023
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"Rabbit Rabbit"
As a child, an odd superstition was passed down to me – by whom, I don’t exactly recall – that if you greet the dawn of a new month with the short incantation, “rabbit rabbit,” you will be blessed with good luck for the month and, more importantly, you will also be warding off any misfortune that might befall you. So, if you are reading this now, on the morning of December 1st, perhaps it is early enough in the morning for you, too, to take part in such a whimsical superstition.
Luck is always welcome, but it won’t, most likely, pay the bills. So consider this a gentle nudge to lend some support to our fall campaign, which, thanks to many of you, has yielded $11,640 from 183 contributors, with just over $1,000 to go until we reach our target of $13,000. Your support now puts us in a position to secure additional support from the Knight Foundation News Match.
A strong showing on the News Match sends a message to the Knight Foundation that our readers are willing to support locally owned, locally focused independent reporting. We feel confident that we can reach such a goal with your support, and with any luck exceed our goal, giving us a bit of a cushion to do more reporting, extended coverage, and more Pilot innovation in the new year. Thank you!
This week we take a look at the issue of diversity, particularly political diversity in our area, and how many Republicans and Independents feel shut out of the local political discussion. In addition, we ran up and down Burger Hill (three times!) with the Burger Hill Massive Run Club to find out why this group of runners continues to run, rain or shine, three days a week, week after week.
Thanks, as always, for reading us and supporting us.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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Why Republicans and Independents Can’t Land a Win in Northern Dutchess
Asked why his party hasn’t been able to get a single candidate elected to a town or village board position in recent years, Rhinebeck Republican Committee Chair Frank Intervallo said one of the biggest problems is “the grim reaper.” There were certainly other factors at play this past Election Day, besides the mortality of an aging political base, but there’s no doubt that the Rhinebeck and Red Hook GOP got killed at the polls on November 7.
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Running Up That Hill With Burger Hill Massive
Burger Hill, the 76-acre park known for its panoramic views, has been host to an informal, ragtag, running group, calling themselves Burger Hill Massive, since May 2021. The group meets three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) and regularly runs three consecutive ascents up to the 550-foot hilltop summit. It is a workout, to be certain.
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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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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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Shattered Glass // You may have noticed the yellow caution tape, stop signs, and prominent vertical cracks in the display window at your friendly neighborhood comic bookstore Megabrain at 15 E. Market Street. One passerby wondered aloud whether it was vandalism, but the truth of the matter is not so dramatic; it is more a story of pressure over time. “Yeah, it cracked like a breakfast egg,” Megabrain co-owner Jean Michel told the Pilot. As it turns out, the landlord had recently replaced the existing sidewalk with new concrete. The stress of the demolition and the pressure of the new concrete installation, according to Michel, caused multiple stress fractures in the plate glass window over time. Michel had put up signs and a makeshift barrier to keep people from tapping on the glass and inviting a larger level of destruction. So the good news is that no mischief or foul play was involved, and the glass is set to be replaced today (Friday) just in time for Sinterklaas festivities.
Chronic Crisis Averted // After three months of stalled progress, and numerous other obstacles, the New York State cannabis board voted this past Monday to approve a settlement that would resolve two lawsuits and end a freeze on recreational dispensary openings across New York. The Cannabis Control Board voted unanimously in favor of the settlement during a brief emergency meeting and the agreement is set to revive the state’s interim licensing program, which provides the initial opportunity to sell cannabis legally directly to people who were convicted of marijuana-related offenses and others directly touched by the war on drugs. After the vote, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the settlement “will allow us to move toward this worthy goal, expanding the number of legal cannabis retailers as we continue our significant efforts to shut down illegal storefronts.” The settlement would allow 436 provisional licensees to open marijuana dispensaries once their applications are approved. At this point, Dutchess County is still without a legal recreational dispensary, but there are plans to open dispensaries in the Poughkeepsie area at the start of the new year.
Bard Sells Off Land Within Weeks of an Acquisition // As we reported back in September, Bard purchased the Unification Theological Seminary property in Barrytown for the hefty sum of $14 million. The 260-acre riverside property is just south of the main Bard College campus and was formerly the American home of Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church. Now comes word that Bard has plans to sell an 82-acre chunk of the property to the Town of Red Hook for development of a waterfront recreational park, according to the Daily Catch. This sale would also allocate several additional parcels for conservation easements for trails and agricultural use, according to the report. Red Hook is planning to partner with conservation organization Scenic Hudson, with each paying 50 percent of the $3 million price tag for three parcels of land within the UTS property. The plan will be put to a public hearing on Dec. 12 at Red Hook Town Hall, with plans for a 2024 closing.
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"The Back Room"
Mark Chiusano covered George Santos as a columnist and editorial writer at New York Newsday. His new book, "The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos," comes out November 28th. Chiusano sits down with Andy to talk about the wild ride that is and was George Santos' political career, which could be over any day now.
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This Week
Sinterklaas Arrives Tomorrow
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Friday, December 1st
Online registration opens for the Family Climbing Club (ages 4 and up) at Ramapo for Children on Saturdays and Sundays in December, January, and February. $30 per class; $25 for groups of four or more. Info at retreats@ramapoforchildren.org or 845-876-8435. At Ramapo, 22 Camp Ramapo Road, Rhinebeck.
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Friday, December 1st, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Opening event for “It’s a Family Affair,” affordable collages for adults & children. Give art, give a collaged gift box. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sinterklaas Festival Day, with Dancing Ants and the spectacular Children’s Starlight Parade at 6PM. Rain or shine. See sinterklaashudsonvalley.com for details, including program booklet and parking info. Throughout downtown Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Town of Clinton Historical Society Holiday Craft and Gift Fair, plus baked goods. NEW LOCATION: Evangelical Free Church of Clinton Corners, 20 Shepherds Way, off Salt Point Turnpike.
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Saturday, December 2nd, Noon - 4:00PM
Vote for the new Rhinebeck Soccer League logo at Sinterklaas. Help the RSL achieve a new look! At the RSL table in front of Le Petit Bistro, 2 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Sunday, December 3rd, 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Pet Photos with Santa. Everyone welcome. FREE, but donations for the annual Pet Food Drive and the RAH Helping Hand Fund will be accepted. Please RSVP at rhinebeck animalhospital.com. At the hospital, 6450 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2:00PM
A Theatrical Reading of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” adapted for four readers. Featuring Russell Austin, Sandy Bartlett, Joe Baer, and Norm Magnusson. Intermission includes concessions and Basket Raffle to benefit Rhinebeck Grange #896. Suggested donation $10 benefits the Grange. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Tuesday, December 5th, 6:30PM
Author’s Talk: Jack Kelly on his new book, “God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man.” A gripping story of audacious feats. Presented by Oblong Books. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Friday, December 8th, 7:00PM
Book Talk: “The Eight: The Lemmon Slave Case and the Fight for Freedom,” by Retired Judge Albert Rosenblatt. About “one of the most momentous civil rights cases in American history.” Presented by the Clinton Historical Society and Clinton Community Library. FREE. Registration requested. At Clinton Community Library, 1215 Centre Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Friday, December 8th, 7:00PM
Multi-holiday Celebration, including short stories, plays and songs. Produced by Richard Rizzo and the Rhinebeck Readers Theatre. Suggested contribution $10 to benefit the library. Reservations recommended, at https://tinyurl.com/yrr35y7s. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, December 9th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Opening reception for “Mystery,” paintings by Elisabeth Allanbrook Barnett. With music by Jasperoo. Show runs through January 1. At Art Gallery 71, 71 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, December 9th, 7:00PM, and Sunday, December 10th at 11:00AM
“Surface Tension,” a 13-minute performance event with installation and soundtrack, created by artist Richard Marr. FREE. RSVP to rmarr912@gmail.com. At Studio OVO, 54 Elizabeth St. (The Chocolate Factory), Red Hook.
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Saturday, December 9th, 5:00PM
Rhinecliff Festival of Lights. Light up the front of your house for all to enjoy, with complimentary cocoa from The Epicurean and a cookie from Kips Tavern. Pick up your luminaria kit (10 candles, bags, and sand) at Morton; $20 donation requested, to benefit Red Hook Responds. Sponsored by Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, December 9th, Friday, December 15th, and Saturday December 16th at 8:00PM
“Holidelic,” “a sensational holiday-funk revue,” presented by GRAMMY-nominated performer and percussionist Everett Bradley. Age 16+. Tickets $45 General Admission. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Sunday December 10th, 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Human Rights Day Expo celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. FREE. Including talks on human rights,animated films, a concert, an expo featuring local organizations, and a focus on Eleanor Roosevelt’s role in the creation and adoption of the UDHR. Details at go.nps.gov/humanrightsexpo. At the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center at the FDR National Historic Site, Hyde Park.
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Sunday December 10th, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Holiday Cookie Swap. Bring three dozen cookies and swap, taste, socialize, and drink hot cocoa. Call 845-876-2903 for details. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Wednesday, December 13th, 6:30PM
Close Up Filmmaker Program: “Another Body,” with editors Rabab Haj Yahya and Isabel Freeman, followed by Speakeasy salon at 8:15. Co-presented by the Woodstock Film Festival. Tickets at Upstate Films, 6415 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Now through April 1 – No parking on Rhinebeck roads from midnight to 8AM. Violators are subject to a fine.
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Now, through Sunday, December 31st
“A Gilded Age Christmas,” lavish holiday decorations at Staatsburgh State Historic Site,” with special evening hours on Dec. 15, 16, 22, and 23. All by reservation only, at www.Bookeo.com/StaatsburghSHS. Adults $10; seniors and students $10; Children 3-12 $2. For more information, see Staatsburgh SHS at parks.ny.gov. At the site, Old Post Rd., Staatsburg.
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New artists’ residencies available through Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Weekend Retreat Residency Program, for artists of all genres “to create, live, and collaborate in the idyllic Hudson Valley countryside.” Weekends in mid-January, mid-February, and mid-March, 2024. See Kaatsbaan.org for more information. At Kaatsbaan, Tivoli.
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Call for volunteers to provide free tax assistance
”Help your neighbors get the (tax) credit they deserve” through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Many volunteer positions available, including tax preparers and technical and administrative support. FREE training. For details, call Linda Eddy at 845-475-7500.
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Mondays, 5:30 - 7PM – Rockin’ Rooks Youth Chess. Students grades K-12 are welcome to join for fun, learning, and tournament competition. If school is closed there is no club meeting. For details see MortonRhinecliff.lib.ny.us. At Morton, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Now though December 30th
“Four Perspectives: Explorations in Photography,” presenting work by Chris Acosta, Lee Courtney, Michael Dimen, and John Verner. At the Montgomery Row Art Exhibition Space, 2nd floor (elevator is available), 6422 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Now through January 28th, 2024
“Silver Linings; Celebrating the Spelman Collection,” a selection of nearly 40 works from the permanent collection of Spelman College, the historically Black liberal arts college for women. AND “Interwoven Histories: Prints by the Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective.” Exhibit of large-scale, colorful prints of the intricate and unique quilt-making designs of the acclaimed Alabama quilters. FREE. At Vassar’s Lehman Loeb Art Center, 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.
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Call for submissions: artworks inspired by the Rhinecliff Train Station, to be exhibited at Morton Library, Rhinecliff, January 2024. Contact Chadkleitsch@gmail.com to submit a piece.
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Friday, December 1st
Last day to fill out the Rhinebeck Village survey on the “Safe Routes to School” issue to “help guide decisions regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety.” Take the survey on the Village website.
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Monday, December 4th
Rhinebeck Town Planning Board
Town Hall
6:00 PM
Agenda is available on Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, December 5th
Special Meeting of Rhinebeck Village Board
Village Hall
5:00 PM
NOTE TIME – Special Meeting of Rhinebeck Village Board of Trustees to consider the Draft Environmental Assessment Form (EAF), Part 2, for the 6 Mulberry St. project. The form is used “to assist in determining the environmental significance or non-significance of actions.” As of Pilot press time, the draft form was not yet available on the Village website.
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Monday, December 11th
Meeting and Public Hearing of Rhinebeck Town Board
Town Hall
6:00 PM
Public hearing is on the proposed amendments to the town code regarding tax exemptions for senior citizens, people with disabilities, firefighters and ambulance workers. The agenda for the regular meeting is not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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UPDATE: There are new items posted on the 6 Mulberry St. page of the Rhinebeck Village website, including parameters regarding construction noise, traffic, and lighting, as well as a revised site plan and plans and elevations for four one-family homes on the site.
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The Town of Rhinebeck is seeking applicants for Town Trustee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Board, and Board of Assessment Review. Applicants should submit a letter of intent and resume to town clerk: townclerk@rhinebeckny.gov.
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"The Katzes"
Mr. Katz and Miss Mouse enjoy snuggling indoors and outdoors in Rhinebeck.
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