^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 196 | September 17, 2024

The Discovery of Two Bullets Prompts Concern and Action at Red Hook Middle School //

An 8th grader “accidentally” brought two bullets to the Linden Avenue Middle School in Red Hook last Thursday, September 12th, prompting school officials to institute a “hold in place” drill for nearly an hour. The school’s resource officer and the Red Hook Police Department responded to the scene and the student who brought the bullets was identified within seven minutes, according to Red Hook Central School District Public Information Officer Mike Benischek. After securing the scene and bringing the suspected 8th grader in for questioning, school officials assured students and parents alike that “no students or staff were in danger due to this discovery.” Allegedly, the student who brought the two bullets onto school property said they were “accidentally” brought in because the student had been hunting the day before. 

However, some concern had been raised about this student (who was not identified due to the fact that he is a minor) in the past, according to reporting in the Albany Times Union. Three sources interviewed by the TU said the student also brought a BB gun onto a school bus and into the elementary school when he was in 5th grade. The student has also previously threatened violence against at least one fellow student, according to another source who had knowledge of that incident. Benischek attempted to assure concerned parents and students and said in an email to the community that the district follows its code of conduct at all times and “takes this incident seriously.”

A Lunar Trifecta Tonight //

While many of us have been pointing our gaze skyward in the early morning hours to catch a fleeting glimpse of the northern lights (aka aurora borealis), with varying results, tonight’s celestial event promises to be something really special, or at least something that happens once a decade. Yes, tonight is a full moon, which is a monthly occurrence, but tonight’s Harvest Moon will also be a blood moon and partial lunar eclipse. 

Tonight’s full moon is considered a “super moon,” as its orbit will be closest to the earth, therefore appearing much larger than usual, and it will place the moon directly between the earth and the sun, creating a partial lunar eclipse. Tonight will be a partial eclipse, with only the upper portion of the moon plunged into the darkest part of the earth's shadow, known as the umbra. The best viewing in the Hudson Valley will occur around 10:45pm, which doesn’t make for an unreasonably late night. And unlike a solar eclipse, which does require eye protection to view safely, you can view this lunar eclipse with the naked eye, or by using a telescope or binoculars. If you do elect to use such instruments, depending on the visibility it will likely be a good opportunity for views of contrast on craters and other features on the lunar surface. 

The next time such a lunar event will happen will be in October of 2033. 

This Week

Register to Vote!

Tuesday, September 17th, 11:00AM - 6:00PM

National Voter Registration Day, with registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and other information. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Tuesday, September 17th, Noon

Bill McKibben on Why This Election is the Most Important of this Geologic Era. In Person. FREE. At Upstate Films, Rhinebeck.

Wednesday, September 18th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Celebrate Ferncliff Forest’s 60th Anniversary with food, drink, and live entertainment. Sponsored by the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce. RSVP requested. Tickets free for Chamber members; $15 for others. At the forest, 68 Mount Rutsen Rd., Rhinebeck.

Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00PM

Jenny Offill, Samantha Hunt, and Gary Shteyngart celebrate “Rebecca: A Tribute to Rebecca Godfrey,” “the woman who helped make the Guggenheim name synonymous with art and genius.” Registration requested. At Oblong Books, Rhinebeck.

Thurday, September 19th, 6:00PM

Noted Local Author Dinaw Mengestu talks about his new novel, “Someone Like Us.” FREE. Registration requested. At Oblong Books, 6422 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.

Thursday, September 19th, 7:30PM - 10:00PM

Hand Crafts for Night Owls. All knitters, crocheters, quilters, weavers, and more are invited to work on a project of their choice. Meetings will continue every third Thursday of the month. “Bring your friends, bring a project (or don’t), bring a snack/drink.” At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Friday, September 20th, 8:00PM - 10:00PM

Richard’s Acoustic Show with Dan Driscoll, Fire Dean, Cheryl and Kurt, Andy Jones, and Gary Kromirs. Donation suggested. More info at 845-876-7007. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Saturday, September 21st, 12:00PM - 7:00PM

Porchfest 2024 with music (12-5:15), a parade (5:30), and Finale (6-7). “Dance and sing in the streets,” mostly Livingston and Chestnut. Details at rbkporchfest.com. Village of Rhinebeck.

Saturday, September 21st, 4:00PM - 7:00PM (rain date Sept. 22)

Annual Chili Cook-off, with field games and pie-baking contest (fruit pies, please), sponsored by Rhinecliff Volunteer Fire Company. At Firemen’s Field on Valley Rd., next to the Old Schoolhouse Condos, Rhinecliff.

Saturday, September 21st, 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Bard Chamber Music Trio, part of the Roger Phillips Concert Series. FREE. In the main reading room at Starr Library, Rhinebeck.

Sunday, September 22nd, 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Step by Step: A Workshop for getting involved in the Rhinebeck Village Community-Wide Climate Action Plan 2030. RSVP. At Starr Library, Downstairs Community Room.

Tuesday, September 24th, 5:00PM

“Making Law,” local author talk with Richard Cahn, who discusses his memoir, including six dramatic Constitutional law cases. Register at Starrlibrary.org. At the library, Rhinebeck.

Wednesday, September 25th, 10:00AM

Rhinebeck Garden Club Cyanotype Workshop led by photographer Yoram Gelman. “A process of creating art. ”FREE. For details call Hannah, 914-263-5298. At Rhinebeck Village Hall.

Thursday, September 26th, 6:30PM

Local Book Launch: Franz Nicolay talks with Joe Hagan about Nicolay’s new book, “Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music.” FREE. Registration requested. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.

Friday, September 27th, 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Little Free Pride Library Opening & Tie-Dye Party, celebrating the new LFL and Banned Books Week. Bring your own t-shirt. Register at starrlibrary.org. At the library, Rhinebeck.

Friday, September 27th, 7:00PM

“A New Wave in Agriculture in the Hudson River Valley,” a talk by Pieter Estersohn based on his book, “Back to the Land.” Sponsored by the Rhinebeck Historical Society. At Starr Library Local History Room (enter at the rear of the building).

Saturday, September 28th, 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Annual Plant and Bake Sale, Rhinebeck Garden Club. Proceeds benefit the club’s good works. At Rhinebeck Reformed Church, 6368 Rte. 9, corner South St., Rhinebeck.

Saturday, September 28th, 5:00PM - 6:30PM

Flamenco Music and Dance Performance by Hudson Valley Flamenco Festival artists. FREE. At the Beatrix Farrand Garden at the FDR National Historic Site, Hyde Park.

Saturday, September 28th, 5:00PM and 7:00PM sit-down; 6:00PM take-out

Annual Surf and Turf Dinner, Clinton Volunteer Fire Dept. $22 regular; $32 super size. Reservations required – call 845-266-5485. At the East Clinton Firehouse, 9 Firehouse Lane, Clinton Corners.

Saturday, September 28th, 7:00PM

Hudson Valley Gospel Festival, featuring the Hudson Valley Gospel Festival Choir and the Hudson Lily of the Valley Praise Dance Team. Presale Tickets $20 adults; $15 students, seniors, and veterans; at the door $25 and $20. Children under five are free. At First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 269 Mill St., Poughkeepsie.

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.

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.