^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 204 | October 15, 2024

Little Free Pride Library Opens Outside of Starr Library //

[From left; Michelle Mungos, Debbie Hecht, Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia and Village Mayor Gary Bassett.]

Since LGBTQIA+ themed books make up more than half of all school library books that are challenged or banned, it makes perfect sense that a new Little Free Pride Library would debut at Starr Library in Rhinebeck during Banned Books Week, which falls during the final week of September. On Friday, September 27th, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony just outside Starr’s entrance, and the colorfully decorated library was filled with LGBTQIA+ themed books for kids ranging from 8-18. Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia and Mayor Gary Basset were there in support of this project, and state senator Michelle Hinchey sent a certificate of recognition. 

The Little Free Pride Library may live at Starr, but it was created and will be maintained in collaboration with BeckHook Pride. Michele Mugnos, co-founder and President of BeckHook Pride said, “This Little Free Pride Library has been imagined, designed and crafted with the help of the youth of our own local community.  Their vision was brought to life with the patient guidance of beloved local artist Ali Roland and I am privileged to have worked with them all to bring this design to life.”

Starr Library Director Jaclyn Savolainen told those gathered at the unveiling, “We’ll be refreshing this collection on an ongoing basis with donations from Oblong Books, Megabrain Comics, and the community at large. We review these books and put age-appropriate labels on them, derived from the publishers’ recommendations, before putting them in the LFL.” 

On the importance of this library, Savolainen said, “This little box is not just a collection of books; it’s a lifeline, a safe space where young readers can explore their identities and find the support they need.” 

Clinton Wins the Bronze //

Last week it was announced by Gov. Hochul’s office announced that the Town of Clinton joined its neighbors to the west, Rhinebeck and Red Hook, in receiving certification of Climate Smart Community Bronze status, which is a statewide certification program that supports local efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change. To achieve Climate Smart Community certification, local governments accumulate points for planning and implementing actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve community resilience in the face of worsening impacts of climate change. The Town of Rhinebeck received their Bronze certification in 2023, and the Village of Rhinebeck received theirs in 2020, while the Town Red Hook received their certification back in 2019 (the program offers three certification levels to participating communities; bronze, silver and gold). 

“We’re really elated to be informed by the DEC that 3+ years of hard work by this volunteer community committee has come to fruition,” Clinton CSC Task Force Chair Joe Phelan stated. “However, this is only the first step in making our beautiful rural community more environmentally active and responsive, thus tackling the results of climate change head on and benefitting the daily lives of local residents.” To achieve Bronze certification, Phelan and the other members of Clinton’s CSC Task Force planned, implemented, and recorded a variety of Town-based actions, including the development of an updated natural resources inventory, a stream/road crossing inventory, a municipal energy benchmarking study, and a municipal greenhouse gas inventory, to name a few. Phelan said he hopes to see the Town of Clinton work toward a bronze certification extension and/or a future Silver certification, if they take the necessary efforts and accumulate enough points. The Village of Rhinebeck has been jockeying for silver certification since 2020, when they first achieved their Bronze certification. Let the competition begin. 

This Week

Burger Hill Full Moon Hike!

Tuesday, October 15th, 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.

Friday, October 18th, 5:00PM - 8:00PM

Winnakee Land Trust's Full Moon Hike & Music at Burger Hill. Take in autumn views of the setting sun, and the rising moon. Suggested donation of $10 per person. Register your vehicle here.

Sunday, October 20th, 9:00AM - 11:00AM

The 4th Annual Burger Hill Massive Fall Foliage Field Run in support of Red Hook Responds. Runners, shufflers, waddlers and walkers are all welcome. Hot cider will be provided. $25 per family, $10 per individual. At Rose Hill Farm. Register here.

Tuesday, October 22nd, 6:00PM

In A Hudson Valley Reckoning, Debra Bruno tells the long-ignored story of slavery's history in upstate New York in an absorbing chronicle that uncovers her Dutch ancestors' slave-holding past and leads to a deep connection with the descendants of the enslaved people her family owned. Free at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck. Register here.

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.