Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 107 | November 7, 2023
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This Week
It feels trite to say “yet another start to a busy week,” since when is it not a busy week? But of course today is Election Day (and if you haven’t studied up, here is a link to our Voter’s Guide) with all of the excitement and nail biting that brings, and then in just a few days we have our celebration/fundraiser for the HV Pilot at CO! Very busy!
This celebration caps off over a year of work in keeping the Pilot airborne. We are deeply grateful for all of the support and positive response we have received from so many of you around this anniversary celebration. It is with mixed feelings that we tell you that due to the size of the venue we have reached capacity and are sold out! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets, and a special thank you to all those who made a contribution above the ticket price. Even if you are not able to attend, you can still bid on the online auction items – the auction will open for bidding tomorrow or Thursday, with a special preview.
All those dollars will help us "refill the tank," as we prepare to launch our second year of work, in 2024.
And we hope you will continue to support us with an annual or monthly contribution to the Pilot.
Thanks very much for everything. We look forward to seeing many of you on Friday evening.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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A Local Legislative Contest: Kearney (D) vs. Michael (R, C)
One of our local races is for District 11 County Legislator, covering Rhinebeck and Clinton. This person will be one of 25 Dutchess County legislators; currently the Republicans hold an 18-7 majority over the Democrats. Brennan Kearney (D) has been the District 11 County Legislator since 2019 and is running for reelection. She is being challenged by Dean Michael (R, C), who is a Trustee on the Clinton Town Board. We sat down with both candidates to get a sense of what their ideas were for the positon and the county.
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“Cool Things” and “Fun” Abound at the Rhinebeck Discovery Festival
A precarious building made from dot candy and toothpicks stood tall last Saturday in a classroom at the Rhinebeck Discovery Festival, which was organized by the Rhinebeck Science Foundation.
This annual event promotes STEAM-based learning and brings in local educators, as well as professionals in their respective fields, to do hands-on demonstrations of technology and other experiments, with 32 presenters this year.
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Our Off-Cycle Election Day Nov. 7: Here’s What You Need to Know [UPDATED]
Early voting is available now through November 5th and Tuesday, November 7th, is Election Day. This is what is considered an “off-year” or “off-cycle” election, which means there are no presidential or congressional elections. Such elections, which involve local and state races and issues, have in the past been marked by exceedingly low voter turn-out.
The outcomes of local elections arguably have a more direct impact on our day-to-day lives than the outcomes of federal elections. Therefore, we have put together a guide to this year's vote, with info about amendments, candidates, and county-wide races.
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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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Stealthy // Last Thursday afternoon, area residents heard a roar and looked skyward to see a black-winged shape carving a path across the sky. Many assumed it was a B-2 bomber, and they were correct. The 509th Bomb Wing and the Missouri Air National Guard 131st Bomb Wing flew the B-2 Spirit (popularly known as the Stealth Bomber) up from West Point to tour the Hudson Valley on an ideal autumn afternoon. This vestige from the Cold War was designed to fly low and penetrate anti-aircraft defenses. They were outfitted to carry 2400 lbs. of nuclear weapons, and were widely used in the first Gulf War in the ‘90s. The flyover, according to reporting from the Daily Freeman, was part of a training mission held as part of Spirit Week. It was no wonder that residents up and down the Valley concerned about two active wars in Israel and Ukraine might have been a bit unsettled by a $2 billion piece of hardware doing a flyby on what was otherwise a bucolic fall afternoon.
How Do You Like Them Apples? // While the Pilot reported on the less than ideal fruit growing summer we had this past season, and the fact that many stone fruits and berry crops were negatively affected by late frosts and unpredictable weather this past spring, it does seem that orchards in the immediate area were spared the worst during spring and summer. However, after nearly six successive weekends of rain during what is thought of as peak pick-your-own apple season for the area, some orchards are scrambling to make up for lost revenue, and more than one publication is telling the story.
Last week, the New York Times ran a story with the headline “The Apple Picking Apocalypse of Upstate New York,” which is about as subtle as calling something “The New Hamptons.” And just yesterday, the Albany Times Union ran a similar piece, telling the story of a few orchards, some of which lost nearly 80% of their apple crop to bad weather events, and how the season of apple tourism never quite grew. The Pilot reached out to a number of local orchards and U-Pick operations. Some have not yet responded, but Talea Taylor from Montgomery Orchards, which grows a wide variety of pears and apples up in Annandale-on-Hudson, reports that they have done fairly well this season, all things considered. She told us that her father used to say, "There is no tomorrow in the fruit business," and added that “farmers' two most-used words are "Next Year'' because even though the best thing we do is complain, we are still the most optimistic people because we always have hope that next year will be better.”
Vassar Gets a Vote // After years of voter suppression in area districts, this year, thanks to the determined efforts of a group of students and professors at Vassar College, there will be on-campus voting. As first reported in Chronogram/River News Room, and after a battle that took more than a year, Vassar College was granted a polling site for today’s election. This provides one centralized location for all registered students to vote on campus. Previously, students were directed to multiple polling sites based on where they lived on campus, which more often than not led to confusion and voter apathy. This was just the latest in many fights in New York and across the country over whether college students can obtain accessible representation at their college locations. Read the whole story here.
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"Pilgrim's Progress"
Camaro West is a filmmaker, producer, and the Co-Executive Director of Peace is Loud, a non-profit that harnesses the power of storytelling by women, trans, and non-binary change makers through film. Host Kitty Pilgrim speaks with Camaro about the power of storytelling through film, and how her mission affords women the chance to be heard on their own terms.
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This Week
Election Day Today, Nov. 7
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Tuesday, November 7th - ELECTION DAY. | |
Thursday, November 9th, 4:00 - 5:15PM
“The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History,” a conversation with award-winning scholar Dr. Ned Blackhawk about his recent book; moderated by Dr. Christian Crouch of Bard College. ON ZOOM. Register at StarrLibrary.org. Sponsored by Starr, Bard LLI, Bard’s Center for Indigenous Studies, and Oblong Books.
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Thursday, November 9th, 5:30 - 6:30PM
Gender Adventurers: fun and conversation with a group of youth and their families who honor the full spectrum of gender identity. FREE and open to “youth and their adults.” A collaboration of Morton Library and Beckhook Pride. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Monday, November 13th, 6:00PM
Sip & Style Coat Drive: Bring a coat ready to donate and learn how to blow-dry your own hair. Email xanaduhair@gmail.com to reserve your spot. At Xanadu Hair Studio, 6423 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Montgomery Row), off the rear parking lot.
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Thursday, November 16th, 6:30PM
Training in preparedness, response, and recovery from any type of disaster. FREE. Presented by the NYS Citizen Preparedness Corps. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Friday, November 17th, and Saturday, November 18th
“Myth Adventures: Five Greek Classics,” presented by the Rhinebeck High School Drama Club. Tickets $8 Students or Seniors; $10 Adult; $15 live-streaming. At the auditorium at the High School, 45 North Park Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, November 18th, 10:00AM - 7:00PM, and Sunday, November 19th, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
The Group Holiday Sale, “a gem of a craft show,” featuring 17 artisans, including blown glass, textiles, pottery, and more. At the Delamater Conference Center, steps from the Market St. intersection, enter off Rte. 9, Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, November 18th, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Journal Workshop with prize-winning poet Anique Taylor. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, November 18th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Opening reception for “Four Perspectives: Explorations in Photography,” presenting work by Chris Acosta, Lee Courtney, Michael Dimen, and John Verner. Exhibit runs through Dec. 30. At the Montgomery Row Art Exhibition Space, 2nd floor (elevator is available), 6422 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Thanksgiving meal delivered FREE to any member of the community who requests it. If you are interested in having a meal delivered, or in donating food or money, or can help with delivery, contact the Rhinebeck Lions Club at 845-853-0069 or thanksgiving.rbklion@gmail.com.
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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 November 12th
Exhibit of works by Rhinebeck artist Ransome, whose paintings, drawings, and sculptures focus on images that center on his African-American lineage. AND “Behind the Veil,” a “critical examination of subjugation in America,” featuring works by a variety of local artists, including Dan Goldman and Norm Magnusson. At WAAM, Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, 28 Tinker St., Woodstock.
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Wednesdays through November 22nd, 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Salsa Lessons are back by popular demand! Class limited to
30 people. $75 for the full series; $15 for drop-ins.
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Now through November 26th, “Indian Theater: Native Performance, Art, and Self-Determination since 1969,” a show of over 100 works by Native American, First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and Alaska Native artists. See details at ccs.bard.edu. At Hessel Museum, Bard College.
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Now through December 1st
Town of Clinton Toys for Tots. Drop off new unwrapped toys for children of all ages at Town Supervisor’s Office, 1215 Centre St., 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, later in 2023. Contact Chadkleitsch@gmail.com to submit a piece.
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Tuesday, November 7th
Rhinebeck Village Planning Board
Village Hall
7:00 PM
Agenda includes review of Amended Site Plan for 8-10 Chestnut St. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Thursday, November 9th
Rhinebeck Village Comprehensive Plan Committee
Village Hall
6:00 PM
Meeting CANCELED. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Friday, Nov. 10
Veterans’ Day observed; Rhinebeck Village Hall and Town Hall closed.
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Monday, November 13th
Rhinebeck Town Board Meeting
Town Hall
6:00 PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck
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Tuesday, November 14th
Rhinebeck Village Board Meeting
Village Hall
6:00 PM
Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck
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Tuesday, November 14th
Rhinebeck School Board Meeting
BMS Cafeteria
7:00 PM
Agenda not yet available. See RCSD website. At Bulkeley Middle School cafeteria – NOTE NEW LOCATION, 45 North Park Rd., 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 and hours and a design development presentation, which includes a revised site plan, as well as plans and elevations for four one-family homes on the site.
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The Town of Rhinebeck is seeking members of various Town committees and councils. See Town website for details and application form.
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"Emma"
Emma the cat (not a natural born pumpkin) is a British Shorthair who lives in Ulster County and is a big fan of Halloween.
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