Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 122 | January 5, 2024
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We Predict
When a new year unfolds before us, it can seem to hold limitless possibilities and potential. We know as much looking back on the year past, acknowledging the ways in which it may or may not have surprised us. Who among us may have predicted that Twitter would become “X,” that smoke from Canada would blanket the Hudson Valley for days on end, or that a Chinese spy balloon would be shot down over the United States after several days surveilling the length of our country? In retrospect, it is all kinda weird.
I put out a call on Tuesday to readers for their own predictions for 2024, both local and global, and some of you have already written in. Lisa Krug predicted that “More old-style single-focus stores will give way to amorphous “lifestyle” places in many towns/villages.” In addition, Krug anticipated that Pine Plains would become more of a cultural hot spot. Interesting….
So please, if you got 'em, share ‘em. Send your predictions to editor@hvpilot.com and we will collect and share them. Remember, things only seem ridiculous in retrospect, providing they didn’t actually happen.
This week, during the throes of college application season, we visit with College Connect, a local non-profit organization working to assist high school students from families with no college history to navigate both the college application process and all that comes with entry into college.
We hope you are having a great new year thus far, and thank you for all of your engagement and support.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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Local Guidance is Available for First Generation College Applicants and Students
Since 2015, College Connect has paired prospective first-generation college students in Rhinebeck and Red Hook with pro bono coaches and counselors to facilitate student applications and, once accepted, their enrollment and success in college.
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Rhinefolk: Austin and Lana
Austin and Lana, both professional musicians and a relatively new couple, chatted with the Pilot about music, and what they expect in 2024.
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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 events page with local happenings updated continuously.
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It's Up to You New York // In 2023, amid an overall rise in the U.S. population, New York State lost more residents than any other state, at the largest rate among the states, according to U.S. Census data. Just ahead of California, with an estimated overall loss of about 75,000 people, New York State experienced a net loss of 101,984 residents from July 2022 to July 2023, a 0.5% rate of population decline. Even the addition of 74,000 international arrivals to the state and the natural increase of more than 41,000 residents weren’t enough to offset the loss of almost 217,000 New Yorkers who fled the state between mid-2022 to mid-2023. The census also determines how many U.S. congressional seats each state is entitled to. At this rate of population decline, New York could lose three U.S. House seats by 2030. On the other hand, the census indicated that Texas and Florida continued to see the country’s highest population booms, adding more than 473,000 and 365,000 residents, respectively.
Icy Come, Icy Go // While ice yachting on the Hudson – the practice of attaching metal and wood runners to the bottoms of hulled working boats and racing them along the frozen Hudson during the winter months – used to be a common sight along the river in January and February, our unpredictable and significantly warmer winters have left the tradition in the history books. However, according to reporting from Rhinecliff’s The Tattler, the new Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust, helmed by Rhinecliff resident Bob Wills, was recently granted a five-year Provisional Charter by the New York State Board of Regents, and awarded 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The organization endeavors to restore, preserve, and display the historic ice sailing craft from the 1800s that were not only the fastest vehicles on earth, but also were solely powered by the wind. The FDR Presidential Library, which has classic ice boats on display through January 7, will host the group’s Inaugural Benefit Soiree on January 5, from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. A press conference and community event are planned for January 11 at 7 p.m. at Morton Library in Rhinecliff. While the river ice may be gone, some of our neighbors are endeavoring to keep the history of swift sailing on the Hudson very much alive.
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"Jew Too"
New podcast alert! Jew Too is a new Radio Free Rhinecliff production consisting of three Jews sittin' around each week talkin' lots of Jewy and non-Jewy stuff with Jewy and non-Jewy guests. The premiere guest is actor and social media celebrity George Hahn.
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This Week
Is It January 6 Again?
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Friday, January 5th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Opening Reception for “Rhinecliff Train Station: A Celebration”; community artists salute the venerable depot. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, January 6th, 2:00PM
Rally for Democracy, sponsored by Hudson Valley Strong. Meet at intersection of Rte. 9 and East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, January 6th, 1:30PM -3:00PM
Workshop on kakizome, Japanese “first writing” for the new year, expressing hopes and aspirations. FREE. At Arts Mid-Hudson, 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie.
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Tuesday, January 9th, 6:00PM
Rhinecliff Climate Conversation on “Food Forests,” low-maintenance, sustainable systems based on woodlands. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Thursday, January 11th, 7:00PM
Ice Boating on the Hudson – Past and Future, presented by the Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, January 13th, 3:00PM - 5:00PM
(Snow date Sunday, January 14, 2-4PM)
Opening Reception for 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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Saturday, January 13th, 5:30PM
15th Annual Town of Clinton Bonfire Night. Hot cocoa, S’Mores, Fun! Bring your Christmas tree to the Highway Garage by Jan.12. Sponsored by Clinton Rec, East Clinton Volunteer Fire Dept., and East Clinton Auxiliary. At Fran Mark Park, 337 Clinton Hollow Rd., Salt Point.
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Monday, January 15th
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
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Monday, January 15th, 11:00AM - 4PM
FREE tours at Clermont State Historic Site to "celebrate community" in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Check in at Visitor Center for tickets; supported by Friends of Clermont. At the site, 1 Clermont Ave., Germantown.
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Tuesday, January 16th, 6PM
Rhinecliff Community Conversation about local issues and events: parking, weather, whatever. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Friday, January 26th, 6PM
Live Taping of Conversation and Q&A with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Professor of History and Italian Studies at NYU, writer about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy. Produced by Radio Free Rhinecliff and Andy Ostroy. Reservations requested at https://bit.ly/podcastRSVP. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Sunday, January 28th, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Yearning for Peace and Justice, A Teach-In on Israel/Palestine. Panelists include SUNY New Paltz Jewish Chaplain; IDF veteran and Israeli citizen; Jordanian Palestinian artist; and Palestinian filmmaker. Co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, Middle East Crisis Response, Women in Black New Paltz, Veterans for Peace, and NYState Council of Churches. FREE; RSVP at UpstateFilms.org. At Upstate, 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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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 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., Town of Clinton, Mondays-Thursdays, 9AM - 4PM, or at the Church, 2 Fiddlers Bridge Rd., Staatsburg.
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Tuesday, Jan. 9th
Rhinebeck Village Board Meeting
Village Hall
6:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, Jan. 9th
Rhinebeck Central School Board Meeting
BMS Cafeteria
7:00PM
Rhinebeck Central School Board. Agenda not yet available. See RCSD website. At Bulkeley School cafeteria, 45 North Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, Jan. 16th
Rhinebeck Town Planning Board Meeting
Town Hall
6:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Wednesday Jan. 17th
Rhinebeck Town 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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The following items have been posted on the 6 Mulberry St. page of the Rhinebeck Village website, under Committees & Projects/6 Mulberry: the environmental assessment prepared by Partridge Venture Engineering for the developer, dated Dec. 19, 2019; parameters regarding construction noise, traffic, and lighting; a revised site plan; plans and elevations for four one-family homes on the site; draft environmental assessment forms; and Phase 1 Environmental Study.
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The Village of Rhinebeck is seeking applicants for membership on the Tree Commission. See Village website.
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The Town of Rhinebeck is seeking applicants for positions as Town Trustee and members of Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Board, and Board of Assessment Review. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent and resume to townclerk@rhinebeckny.gov.
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Rowing on the Hudson
The images to the left were sent in by archivist Jeff Sciales and are from a scrapbook that belonged to a member of the Harvard class of 1904. They capture the on-and-off the water activities of the rowing crew from that time as they train for a race on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie.
Image courtesy of Fordham University Rowing Archives
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