^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 201 | October 4, 2024

Flooding in the Village //

With reports of the ongoing devastation in North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene one week ago, flooding and the destruction that comes with such storms, or just heavy rains, is at the top of people’s minds, even here in the Hudson Valley and Rhinebeck. This past spring we covered the persistent flooding in Rhinecliff, and there has been wide reporting on flooding just to the north of us in Red Hook. In the Village of Rhinebeck, the Mayor and Village Board are trying to get ahead of such storms and saturation by addressing various problem locations. 

The state is working on a replacement of the Route 9 bridge over the Landsman Kill (expected to be completed in 2026), which will widen the existing channel beneath the current bridge to accommodate nearly double the amount of water flow. And just recently, the village has announced that it is prioritizing upgrading the existing infrastructure at various locations around the hamlet to prevent dangerous flooding, or inundation that might lead to property damage. “Engineering firm Tighe & Bond will conduct an inventory of the size and condition of all existing drainage,” Mayor Gary Bassett wrote in an email to the public this week. “[That] will yield a base map for analysis, prioritizing and design as we move forward. Once we identify problem areas, we may need to conduct further analysis through hydrologic and hydraulic modeling,” Bassett added.  

One of the first areas the village wants to tackle is the crossroads of Chestnut Street and Starr Drive on the eastern edge of the village. This residential area has been relatively hard hit by flooding and often becomes a pool of standing water after a significant storm. Bassett said that Tighe & Bond will study this area through engineering surveys, engaging with the community, and conducting an in-depth analysis with potential plans and costs for remediation, with the hope of obtaining grants for infrastructure improvements. While the projected cost of such a project is not yet known, village leaders know it will not be cheap. During a Village Board meeting last month board members discussed the surveys and hoped-for improvements. Village Trustee Lydia Slaby made the point that costs like these unfortunately would likely just become part of our new climate reality. “This community doesn’t have a problem spending $500,000 on the Fire Department,” Slaby said. “So we need to get the community comfortable with spending money like this on things like this,” referring to the tab associated with infrastructure improvements. The Village of Tivoli just received a $200,000 community development block grant from Dutchess County to complete a drainage improvement project already in the works, so as sure as the water will flow, hopefully the money will as well.

Two HV Artists Are Awarded MacArthur Genius Status //

No one has ever successfully convinced anyone to get into the arts, as a career at least, for the money. There is a reason the term “starving artist” exists. However each and every October threatens to change such fates for a handful of artists with the generous no-strings-attached gift of $800,000 from the MacArthur Foundation, and this year’s fellows include two Hudson Valley artists. 

Justin Vivian Bond (they/them) has long been a fixture on the international cabaret scene and has been referred to as a “​​tornado of art and activism." Bond has decades of experience on stage and screen and has had a continuing presence as both a performer and MC, at Bard’s Spiegeltent each summer for the past decade. According to The New York Times, Bond wasn't aware that they were in consideration for the award, noting, “I didn’t really expect it would ever happen to me, because I’m primarily a cabaret singer and I’d never seen anybody who was a cabaret singer win that before.” Bond currently lives in the Hudson Valley and has been performing in the area for years. 

The other local winner is New Paltz resident Johnny Gandelsman, who is a violinist and producer and, according to the text of the grant press release, reimagines “... classical works and [nurtures] the creation of new music across styles and genres.” As a founding member of the string quartet, Brooklyn Rider, and a former member of the Silkroad Ensemble, Gandelsman has worked closely with such luminaries as Béla Fleck, Martin Hayes, Kayhan Kalhor, and Yo-Yo Ma, to name a few. 

And while it didn’t happen with this group of MacArthur Fellows, it bears repeating that artist and experimental composer, as well as Dutchess County resident, Raven Chacon received the prestigious award last year and was profiled by the Pilot.

This Week

Winnakee is 35!

Friday, October 4th,

Shop, Sip Stroll.

You can make it a late night in the Village of Rhinebeck, as many participating retailers and businesses stay open relatively late (8pm) for an after dark shopping experience.

Saturday, October 5th, 9:00AM - 1:30PM

An autumn farmers market on the farm at the Bear Creek Farmers Market with apples, squash and baked goods from Balthazar Bakery. At Bear Creek Farms, 108 Hunns Lake Rd, Bangall.

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.

Tuesday, October 15, 6:30PM

Women’s Hotel with Daniel Lavery in Conversation with Alexis Coe. Lavery talks about his debut novel about the residents of a women’s hotel in 1960s New York City. Sponosored by Starr Library but held at the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff.

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.

Through February 2nd, 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.