Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 65 | June 13, 2023
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So They Say...
I recently came upon a two-minute YouTube clip of Bertrand Russell, the analytic philosopher and devoted pacifist. In the black and white clip, from 1959, he is asked “one last question” by an off-screen interviewer about what wisdom he thinks would be worth telling future generations. Russell responds methodically and calmly by breaking his response into two answers: one “intellectual” and one “moral.” His intellectual response was urging people to always and “solely” look at the facts and not allow one’s biases to sway one’s opinion. His moral response was simple: “Love is wise, hatred is foolish.”
I thought about this advice this past Sunday when Rhinebeck hosted its first ever annual Pride event at the Church of the Messiah, which was a joint venture between Rhinebeck and Red Hook. The event was kicked off with a gathering in the church with song and speeches and culminated in a community fair. Several hundred community members gathered under the sun, greeting one another with smiles of good humor and friendship. It was moving, and affirming, and underscored the idea that choosing to show love and compassion is hardly a zero sum game, and that the giving of such love and support can be regenerative. As a member of this community, I am glad to see we are choosing wisdom over foolishness.
On another note: we have closed out our first-ever readers’ survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer our questions and in many cases to add some very helpful comments. We are still making our way through the nearly 200 responses, but at a quick glance, the survey revealed that an equal number of you are Town residents and Village residents and many of you want more local political coverage and news about health care and mental health care. We will be providing a more extensive summary of the results in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Thanks,
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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Renewable Energy is Growing In the Mid-Hudson Region
12 Towns are Joining Forces on Energy. But, No, That Doesn’t Mean the End of Central Hudson
If you live in one of 12 select towns or villages across the mid-Hudson region, including the Town of Rhinebeck, you may have received a mailer telling you you’re about to switch energy providers starting next month. It doesn’t mean breaking free from Central Hudson, but has the potential to be a game changer.
[This article was produced in partnership with the Times Union]
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Are You a Writer?
The HV Pilot needs writers to cover local news, local business, local real estate issues, and all things local and interesting to our thriving community.
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House is History // Last week, the Village Planning Board held a public hearing and then voted unanimously to grant approval for the demolition of a relatively small home at 42 Mulberry Street in the village. While this may seem to be a minor story, it sends a bit of ripple in light of the recent conversations and pending changes to the Village Historic Overlay District, which will be the subject of a public hearing today (6/13) and therefore has not yet been approved. If approved, that proposal, which would expand the district and would amend the criteria for such structures to be considered “historic,” would include Mulberry St. within the Village Historic District Overlay. The property in question has been in the Stickle family for many years and is now owned by Richard and Donna Stickle, and Erin Graham-Smith, functioning as a Trustee, who voluntarily submitted plans for the proposed replacement, which is “inspired by late Victorian architecture,” according to their representative, Seth Stickle. The proposal for replacement is still under review by the Planning Board.
Planning Board Chair David Miller stressed that the board “does not grant a demolition application lightly.” In explaining his vote in favor of demolition, Planning Board member John Clarke said that he was initially opposed to the demolition. He also noted that there are several similar “Cape Cod-type” houses on Mulberry which were built for workers in the Village’s historic violet industry. That provides “cultural significance,” he said, which is one of the criteria that must be reviewed in assessing a demolition application. But he noted that because the proposed replacement has the same footprint as the current house, and because of the “family history,” he decided to vote in favor of demolition. He added that the decision “does not create a precedent” because “each building is different.”
Three Men and a Felony // Summer is nearly upon us, which means that all manner of visitors are taking advantage of what Rhinebeck has to offer. Earlier this month, three individuals did that, in a felonious sort of way. As reported in the Daily Freeman, three arrests occurred on or around Sunday, June 4th, when the suspects (all young men from Connecticut, ages 19-21) were involved in a spate of burglaries, and attempted burglaries, throughout Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties. The three arrests followed the triggering of an early morning burglar alarm at a business in the village of Rhinebeck on June 4 (the business has yet to be identified). Two of the suspects were apprehended in Ulster County, and a third allegedly fled in a vehicle into Dutchess County and was apprehended and taken into custody by state police. The three were ultimately turned over to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau for further investigation. According to the police, they have been linked to multiple burglaries and attempted break-ins, as well as petty theft, throughout the area.
This series of felonies follows another set of unfortunate criminal events from March when certain teens from the Nutmeg State were involved in a series of automotive thefts in Rhinebeck and the area, resulting in a fatality on Route 9, just south of the village of Rhinebeck. There is nothing linking the above burglaries with the rash of automotive thefts earlier in the year, but it does sort of make you wonder about Connecticut teens.
Sinter-Ant // Winter may be months away, but the creators of Sinterklaas, Rhinebeck’s annual winter pageant, are hard at work planning this December’s event. Each year organizers select an “honored animal” to represent the seasonal event. In the past we have had the turtle, the bee, and, last year, the porcupine. This year we have the ubiquitous, but always industrious, ant as the “honored animal” of Sinterklaas. Fun facts: there are over 12,000 ant species on the planet, they can be found on every continent (except, ironically, Antarctica, and a few other islands) and are the longest living insects, with one species living up to 30 years. No word yet as to whether Rhinebeck’s own Paul Rudd might participate in the festivities; he is, after all, Antman.
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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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"GynoCURIOUS"
Dr. Amy Novatt sits down with fellow Radio Free Rhinecliff Podcaster Allison Chawla to dive into part 2 of their in-depth conversation about perimenopause (the first episode can be accessed here).
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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 1600 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.
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This Week
Tech Help is on the Way!
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Thursday, June 15th, 4:00PM
“Flex Your Memory to Master Names and Faces,” with Brent Sverdloff. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5T59ZN92. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Thursday, June 15th, 4:00PM -7:00PM
League of Women Voters Annual Meeting. At Starr Library Community Room, Rhinebeck.
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Friday, June 16th, 8:00PM
Richard’s Rhinecliff Acoustic Show, featuring The Moonlighters. Donations suggested. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Saturday June 17th, 10:30AM
Tommy Zurhellen talks about his memoir, “The Low Road: Walking the Walk for Veterans,” about his walk across America to raise awareness about veteran suicide and homelessness. At Clinton Community Library, 1215 Centre Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Saturday June 17th, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Teen Tech Support; one-on-one technology instruction with tech-savvy teens. Bring your portable devices. At Starr Library, Rhinebeck.
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Saturday June 17th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM
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Monday June 19th
Juneteenth, a day to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved peoples in America. Rhinebeck and Dutchess County have a rich history associated with the African-American community. For details, see CultureConnectRbk.org.
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Monday June 19th, 1:30PM - 7:30PM
“A Pint for a Pint.” New York Blood Center conducts a blood drive at Foster’s Coach House Tavern. All donors will receive a coupon for a free pint at Foster’s effective June 20. Bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo. Sign up at nybc.org. The restaurant is closed on June 19 for the event. At Foster’s, 6411 Montgomery St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Saturday June 24th, 4:00PM - 7:00PM
“Mid-Century Modern in the Landscape,” annual benefit, including Innisfree Garden tour at 4PM followed by lecture by honoree Lynden B. Miller, public garden designer and esteemed horticulturist. Details at innisfree.org. At the garden, 362 Tyrrel Rd., Millbrook.
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Saturday June 24th, 6:30PM
Author talk by Lorrie Moore about her new novel, “I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home. Free, but registration is required. At Morton Library, Rhinecliff.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2:00PM
Mikhail Baryshnikov at 75: A Day of Music and Celebration. Featuring Laurie Anderson, Diana Krall, Regina Spektor, Kaoru Watanabe, and Mark Morris, among others, including Baryshnikov himself. Go to kaatsbaan.org for tickets and more information. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Now through Sunday, June 18th
Kaatsbaan Spring Festival. Art, music, dance, cooking, nature walk, and more. See kaatsbaan.org for details. At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli.
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Now through June 25 – Exhibition of works of Rhinebeck artist Audrey Francis, featuring her bird-centric paintings and drawings. At LabSpace Art, 2642 Rte. 23, Hillsdale, NY (45 minutes from Rhinebeck). You can also see an ever-changing selection of Francis’ smaller works at the Little Gallery box she has placed on the front lawn of her house on Chestnut St. between Beech and Parsonage in Rhinebeck.
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Now through August 20 – “Apocalypse Sky,” works by artists whose lives were transformed by the HIV/AIDS crisis during the 1980s and 1990s, including Keith Haring, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, and others. Vassar.edu/theloeb. At Vassar’s Lehman Loeb Gallery, 124 Raymond Ave., 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 [email protected] to submit a piece.
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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.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck Village Public Hearing
Rhinebeck Village Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Village Public Hearing of Expansion of the Historic District Overlay; and Board of Trustees meeting. For Historic District materials and Board meeting agenda when available, see Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck Town Conservation Advisory Board/ Waterfront Advisory
Rhinebeck Town Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Town Conservation Advisory Board/Waterfront Advisory Committee (CAB/WAC). Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 13th
Rhinebeck CSD Board of Education Meeting
Rhinebeck High School Library
7:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See RCSD website. At Rhinebeck High School, 45 North Park Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 15th
Rhinebeck Zoning Board of Appeals
Rhinebeck Village Hall
7:00PM
Rhinebeck Village Zoning Board of Appeals. Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 20th
Rhinebeck Town Planning Board
Rhinebeck Town Hall
6:00PM
Agenda not yet available. See Town website. At Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, June 20th
Rhinebeck Village Planning Board
Rhinebeck Village Hall
7:00PM
Tuesday, June 20, 7PM – Rhinebeck Village Planning Board. Agenda not yet available. See Village website. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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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.
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"Alfy"
Alfy is a 13-year-old cockapoo who moved to Rhinebeck two years ago. You don’t often see her around the Village, as she thinks she is a sled dog and pulls on her human owner’s bad shoulder.
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