Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 39 | March 10, 2023
| |
Our Town, and County
What do we need to know in order to feel that we’re part of a community? Is it a “sense of place,” a concept I think was addressed by California poet Gary Snyder, who wrote so beautifully about both natural beauty and its disappearance?
I came to the Hudson Valley 17 years ago from California, and across that time and space there’s been a lot to learn. But it’s not just existential; the Hudson River may unite us topographically but the practical differences are also significant. Living in Pine Plains or Poughkeepsie is just a completely different experience from living in Rhinebeck.
Does living in the same county unite us? What do we actually know about our county? As a means of learning more about the place we live in, we reached out of our Rhinebeck bubble this week to speak with Brennan Kearney, our County Legislator, about issues impacting all of us in Dutchess. In addition, in this issue we discuss the health implications of our biannual burden of setting the clocks forward and backward (reminder: one hour forward this Sunday!) and how such little changes can have major repercussions.
As always, we appreciate your engagement, encouragement and support. Small journalistic enterprises like ours don’t last long without such things. Thank you.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
| |
An Interview with Dutchess County Legislator Brennan Kearney
On Wednesday, March 8th, HV Pilot Editor Eric Steinman conducted an interview with County Legislator for Clinton and Rhinebeck Brennan Kearney, over video conference as a continuation of our series of interviews with local public officials. The vast majority of the questions were submitted by HV Pilot readers and we spoke about everything from federal government funding of county projects to the challenges that face Dutchess County in the coming decade.
| |
Local Knowledge: How Our Health Falls Back When We Spring Forward
As we approach Daylight Saving Time (DST) on March 12th, many of us easily recognize the annoyance of not only of resetting all our clocks, but also of losing an hour of sleep as we spring ahead. We trade this lost hour of sleep for an extra hour of daylight in the evening, but at what cost?
| |
Kingston Rent Reduction on Ice
Last year, a group of Kingston residents, through a grassroots effort, were able to succeed in having local government enact an unprecedented housing regulation, using a decades-old “housing emergency” law to order a 15% rent reduction across 1,200 of Kingston’s older apartments as part of the Emergency Tenant Act. This was the first time any American city had rolled back rents in this manner. New York City has enacted rent freezes and caps, but no city in the state has enacted a reduction.
| |
Globe Trotting // The famed Globe Theatre in London, originally constructed in 1599 and home to thousands of plays and performances, including the premiere of “Hamlet,” is believed to have burnt down in 1613 during a performance of Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII” when a misfired prop cannon caused the thatch roof to catch fire. The Globe today in London is the third incarnation of the theater.
But you don’t have to travel so far to see a Globe. You can visit the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center, where for the last sixteen years a 75% approximation of the original Globe Theatre takes over the stage each spring. The Rhinebeck version is built with 2X4s, 1X3s, plywood, lauan plywood, shaped wood for railings and reinforced cardboard tubes for columns, says Lou Trapani, Artistic and Managing Director of the Center. The design elements also incorporate bright painting and reliefs. Trapani feels this tradition of erecting the Globe locally is very important, because he wants the Center to stand for something other than musicals and comedies and the occasional heavy drama. “I wanted to perform the works of Shakespeare on a set that was approximate to the one he wrote his plays for.”
The local Globe will open to the public on Thursday, March 16th, with the contemporary satire “The Play’s the Thing,” as part of the Sam Scripps Shakespeare Festival, and will continue in March with Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and in April with “Bernhardt/Hamlet,” by widely produced contemporary playwright Theresa Rebeck.
Hawks Land // After a tremendous season, the Rhinebeck Boys Varsity Basketball team the Hawks were defeated 65-47 by Haldane on Wednesday night at O'Neill High School in Highland Falls. The loss effectively ended the season for Rhinebeck. Alex Kemnitzer scored 24 points, and Rocco Romeo and Aidan Prezzano each scored six points. Rhinebeck was long considered an underdog but wound up rising well above the description this season by winning its first section title since 2001.
Murder Sentencing // As we reported earlier this year, Rhinebeck resident William Dicke was convicted of 2nd degree murder for fatally injuring his then-girlfriend, Danielle DiSteffano, in January of 2022, with his vehicle and then leaving her on her kitchen floor to die. He was sentenced this past Tuesday to 25-years-to-life in state prison. Dicke maintains his innocence and his attorneys claim they intend to appeal his conviction.
| |
LOCAL EVENTS!
The HV Pilot continues to grow and serve the community. Check out our new events page with local happenings updated continuously.
| |
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 1400 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.
| |
Have Ideas for the HV Pilot?
If you have suggestions for the HV Pilot, as far as coverage or stories, or even criticism, or maybe you might be interested in being a contributor, please contact editor@hvpilot.com
| |
We Love, and Need, Your Support
We are a more robust and effective independent news source because of your support. You make it possible for us to reach our goals: not just more and better reporting, but a stronger local community. We can’t do it without you.
Many of you have shown your support in the past few months and we sincerely thank you, but publishing is an ongoing endeavor and requires ongoing financial support.
Local news for local good.
| | | |
"Correct me if I'm Norm"
Norm Magnusson sits down this week with Starr Library Director Jaclyn Savolainen to talk about her past working for the ACLU and the NYC Parks Department, as well as the future of libraries, including Starr.
| |
Now through March 13th
The Rhinebeck Town Board is accepting comments on proposed designs for the Skate Park at Thompson-Mazzarella Park. See Town website for details.
| |
Now through March 21st
Now through March 21: Register for the Women’s Sailing Conference at the Hudson River Maritime Museum to be held March 24-25. This year’s theme is “A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats,” focusing on participants who have not traditionally been able to learn to sail. Tuition is $60-85; online attendance $50. Co-sponsored by the Museum and the Kingston Sailing Club. Information and registration at https://www.hrmm.org/riverport-womens-sailing-conference-html or call 845-338-0071.
| |
Now through March 30th
Registration for Kindergarten at Chancellor Livingston Elementary School. Will your child be five years old by December 1, 2023 and does s/he/they reside in the Rhinebeck Central School District? Call MaryAnn Torres at 845-871-5500, ext. 6560 or email registration@rhinebeckcsd.org for information about the registration process, paperwork, and screening.
| |
Now through April 1: the Village of Rhinebeck is accepting applications for a Zoning Board of Appeals position to serve a term of five years. Submit resume to Village Clerk Martina McClinton, mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov. For details about the responsibilities and time commitment see the Village website.
| |
Now through April 1: the Village of Rhinebeck is accepting applications for membership on its Tree Commission. If you care about the Village’s “urban forest,” send a letter of interest and/or a resume to Village Clerk Martina McClinton, mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov. For details, see the Village website.
| |
Now through April 14th
The Red Hook Rotary is accepting applications for three $1,000 scholarships for legal residents of the Red Hook, Pine Plains, or Germantown central school districts. Students must be planning to attend an accredited four-year or community college, vocational school or trade certificate program. Applications are available at the Guidance Offices of student’s high school. For more information, contact Linda Greenblatt at 845-758-8361 or lindag32949@gmail.com.
| |
Summer Day Camp Registration now open! Ramapo Day Camp is now accepting applications for its traditional summer day program for kids ages 5-15, including arts and crafts, performing arts, chess, swimming, hiking and more. Biweekly sessions run June 26 – August 25, Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30, with early drop-off and late-stay options. www.ramapoforchildren.org/daycamp, daycamp@ramapoforchildren.org, 845-876-8435.
| |
Help amphibians cross the road this Spring! Register to help save amphibians when they migrate to lay eggs in spring vernal pools. Winnakee Land Trust, in cooperation with Climate Smart Rhinebeck and the Saw Kill Watershed Community, is promoting the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s program. To register and receive updates for Rhinebeck, Red Hook, or other nearby locations, visit Winnakee.org.
| |
Friday, March 10th, 7:30PM
Catskill Ballet Theatre presents “Alice in Wonderland.” For information and tickets, Ulster Performing Arts Center, upac.org, 845-339-6088. At UPAC, 601 Broadway, Kingston.
| |
Saturday, March 11th, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a policy, planning, advocacy and research organization, hosts a community input meeting for a Community Needs Assessment for the Town and Village of Rhinebeck. See PatternforProgress.org or call 845-565-4900 for information. At Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.
| |
Sunday, March 12th, 2:00AM
Daylight Savings begins. Turn clocks FORWARD one hour.
| |
Sunday, March 12th, 1:00PM
Family Films of the ‘80s, concludes with “My Neighbor Totoro.” Free. Co-presented by The Kiwanis Club of Saugerties and J.MAK Hospitality. For a full list of films see upstatefilms.org. At Starr Cinema / Upstate Films), 6415 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
| |
Tuesday, March 14th, 1:00PM
An exploration of services available for veterans, including speakers, questions from the audience, and information about resources. Co-sponsored by the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services, Office for the Aging, and Mental Health Subcommittee, as well as Mental Health America of Dutchess County and Rhinebeck at Home. At The Pavilion at Brookmeade, 34 Brookmeade Dr., Rhinebeck.
| |
Thursday, March 16th through Sunday, March 26th
“The Play’s the Thing,” by Ferenc Molnar, adapted by P.G. Wodehouse. Satire, comedy, high drama, and the folly of playwriting and the actor process. Tickets $25. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM; Sundays at 3PM. For tickets go to centerforperformingarts.org. At the Center, 661 NY-308, Rhinebeck.
| |
Friday, March 24th - Sunday, March 26th
| |
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.
| |
Monday, March 13th
Rhinebeck Town Board Meeting
Rhinebeck Town Hall
6:00PM
Agenda includes continued public hearing of proposed Zoning Code amendments to permit Community Solar. For more information, see Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
| | | |
Tuesday, March 14th
Rhinebeck Town Historic and Archaeological Preservation Committee
On Zoom
4:00PM
Meeting of Rhinebeck Town Historic and Archaeological Preservation Committee (HAPAC). Agenda not yet available. See Town website.
| | | |
Tuesday, March 14th
Special Meeting of Rhinebeck Village Board
Rhinebeck Village Hall
4:30PM
CHANGE OF DATE AND TIME. Special meeting of Rhinebeck Village Board to discuss the Village budget. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
| | | |
Tuesday, March 14th
Public Hearing
Rhinebeck Village Hall
6:00PM
Public hearing regarding removal of parking restriction at Terrapin on Livingston St., and Board of Trustees meeting. Agenda not yet available; see Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
| | | |
Tuesday, March 14th
Rhinebeck Central School District Board Meeting
RHS Library
7:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See RCSD website. At RHS library, 45 North Park Ave., Rhinebeck.
| | | |
Tuesday, March 21st
Rhinebeck Village Election
Rhinebeck Village Hall
Noon - 9PM
Election of Village Mayor and two Trustees. Three candidates are running unopposed. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
| | | |
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.
| | | | |
|
"Rye"
Rye lives in the Village of Rhinebeck. She loves to romp in the snow but doesn't consider that a substitute for her normal walk.
| | | | |
