July 2025

Next Town Board Meeting

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9:00am

Access to virtual meetings can be found on the homepage of the Town of Copake website at townofcopake.org

Table of Contents

Supervisor's Desk

Solar Update

Help Wanted

Local EMT Honored

Town and State Park Meeting

Comprehensive Plan

Smartgrowth

Valley View Bridge Closure

Mobile Food Pantry

Pets in the Park

Copake Falls Day

Countywide Conservation Plan

Friends of Taconic State Park

Copake Fire Department

Blood Drive

Household Hazardous Waste

RJHS

Grange Events

Eco Tips

What's Happening at the Library

Farmers Market

Memorial Bricks

Columbia County Mental Health Center

From the Supervisor's Desk

Summer Fun and Safety

With July 4 celebrations behind us, we are well into the summer season. Many of us will enjoy barbecues and picnics, swimming, bicycling, hiking, playing ball, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends. The spectacular beauty of Copake and the surrounding area brings large influxes of visitors who come here for what we Copake residents enjoy year-round.

While participating in summer activities, we may not think about two critically important public safety organizations, but should an emergency arise, we count on them to come to our aid, to always be there when we need them. Now is a particularly appropriate time to offer some words of appreciation for the Clausson Raught Community Rescue Squad and Copake Fire Company Number 1.

On Sunday, June 29, Councilmember Bob Haight and I attended a moving memorial service in Copake Park honoring late EMT Stephen Walsh, a dedicated emergency medical technician with the rescue squad who died in the line of duty on November 16, 2024, suffering cardiac arrest immediately upon returning from a call. He was Columbia County’s first ever EMS line-of-duty death. The National EMS Moving Honors ambulance, honoring the 29 EMS personnel who died in the line of duty in 2024, stopped in Copake for the service as it traveled from California towards Arlington, Virginia. EMS and fire departments from throughout the area attended as well. The rescue squad’s operations director, Peter Doty, presided over the solemn event. He made an important point: squad members who respond to medical emergencies are deeply affected by them; as they aid and comfort members of the public, the responders need comfort as well. So, when you see rescue squad personnel, whether following an emergency call or should you be passing squad headquarters on Mountain View Road, show your appreciation by thanking them for their service. It will mean a lot. 

Copake is served by three different fire districts: Craryville, Hillsdale-Copake, and Copake. All three protect us and our property, but only Copake has a fire company that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

In December of 1925, forty-seven charter members held Fire Company No. 1’s very first meeting. They built their first fire station on Main Street, a small two-story wooden building with a garage for the fire truck and an upstairs meeting room. In 1962, a new fire station was erected at 390 Center Hill Road; in 1978, it was enlarged to hold additional equipment. 

As we all know, Copake Fire Company No. 1’s firefighters and fire police are all volunteers. They don’t just fight fires; they do auto accident extractions, deal with hazardous materials spills and mitigation, perform water marine rescues, wildlife search and rope rescues, and assist the rescue squad as needed with cardiac arrest incidents. This all-volunteer, well-trained group is extraordinary, performing all of these important functions while, in most instances, holding down full-time jobs.

We can show our appreciation by joining them on Saturday, August 9, from 1pm to 5pm, at their 100-Year Anniversary Celebration in Copake Memorial Park. Rain or shine, events will take place under a big tent, in the Copake Park Recreation Building, and throughout the park. There will be an art show, a car show, a bounce house and face-painting for the children, music, food trucks, and even a special guest appearance by Smoky Bear. It should be a lot of fun.

Please come and show your support and appreciation to the volunteers of Copake Fire Company No. 1. I hope to see you there



Richard T. Wolf

Supervisor

Solar Update

On June 27, the NYS Office of Renewable Energy Siting & Electric Transmission (ORES) issued to Hecate Energy a second Notice of Incomplete Application (NOIA) for its Shepherd’s Run proposal to construct a 42-megawatt solar factory on prime farmland and wetlands in Craryville. ORES served this second notice less than one month after receiving Hecate’s voluminous response to the sixty deficiencies listed in ORES’ first NOIA. Not surprisingly, in its haste, ORES failed to address many of the serious concerns and objections that have been raised about Hecate’s Shepherd’s Run proposal.

When Hecate lost the southernmost parcel included its original 60-megawatt proposal, it lost an access road needed to service interior panels and other components. Now it intends to use a narrow farm path, which goes directly over a protected stream and through wetlands to provide service access. This path is too narrow to accommodate large emergency vehicles; fire trucks could not access some areas of the site in case of fire.

Townspeople have been raising concerns for months about the possibility of a facility fire. These are not idle concerns: fires at solar facilities are well-documented, and the greater Roe Jan community is served by volunteer fire companies with limited numbers of firefighters. Furthermore, thousands of solar panels, several inverters and other components would be sited on land adjacent to the Taconic Hills Central School District campus, yet Hecate’s application fails to include a comprehensive evacuation plan for students and staff.  In the second NOIA, the only deficiency ORES identified in Exhibit 6, entitled “Public Health, Safety and Security” is limited to the health of the solar panels, not to that of the students, teachers, and staff. ORES has directed Hecate only to “provide additional discussion regarding the control system(s) available…to ensure that panels are tilted as needed during a flood or potential flood.” 

In the second NOIA, ORES gives short shrift to the State Historic Preservation Office’s (SHPO) determination that the proposed solar factory would “negatively impact” all five of the project’s National Historic Register properties and landscapes. More than a year ago, SHPO recommended to ORES that Hecate meet with local history-based groups, such as the Arcadian Alliance, the Copake Grange, the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, and the Friends of Taconic State Park to develop a mitigation plan to establish preservation projects and funding to offset the utility-scale facility’s “significant visual impacts” on the properties. Hecate has failed to do any of this. Nonetheless, in the current NOIA, ORES requires only that Hecate include the results of any further consultations with SHPO; it fails to address SHPO’s specific recommendation that local groups be included in the development of a mitigation plan. This is yet another example of the state ignoring the concerns of Copake, the so-called “host community."

A recent disturbing development has been reported to ORES by a homeowner whose property is adjacent to land for which Hecate has an option to lease for Shepherd’s Run. Extensive logging has been observed. To quote from the letter filed with ORES, “the scale and location of the clearing strongly suggest that it is being conducted to open sight lines and prepare for solar panel installation… From what is visible, a large swath of forest—10 acres or more—has already been cleared, with activity continuing.” The letter notes that the area being cleared is not mentioned in Hecate’s application. It goes on to ask ORES whether it is aware of this logging activity, and asks it to conduct an investigation to determine whether it is inconsistent with Hecate’s application. If so, “or if it represents unauthorized site disturbance in advance of a permit, we urge ORES to consider suspending further review of the project or denying the permit outright.”

This town board has been consistent is our objections that the proposed site is all wrong, as Shepherd’s Run would be sited on prime agricultural land, would encroach on protected wetlands, and would be on land next to the Taconic Hills School campus. Furthermore, the Taghkanic Creek – the source of Hudson’s drinking water – runs through the site.

Finally, the fact that Hecate needs ORES to override many of Copake’s carefully developed zoning regulations to enable the developer to put its 215-acre eyesore along County Route 7 in the heart of beautiful Craryville farmland is proof-positive that the proposed Shepherd’s Run site is a completely inappropriate location for a utility-scale solar installation.

    

Richard Wolf

Supervisor

Help Wanted

Please take notice that the Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following positions:

Person in charge of Williams Cemetery

Information and job descriptions can be obtained from the Supervisor at (518)329-1234 ext. 1. Letters/resumes may be mailed to Lynn M. DeRocha, Town Clerk, at 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516 or emailed to her at copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org

Local EMT is Honored

On Sunday, June 29 the late Stephen J. Walsh was honored by a National EMS Memorial Service Moving Honors Procession at the Copake Memorial Park. An EMT with the Clausson Raught Community Rescue Squad, Inc., Mr. Walsh died in the line of duty on November 16, 2024.

The National EMS Memorial Service and the Moving Honors recognize and honor EMS and air medical providers from across the nation who die in the line of duty. They stopped in Copake, on the way to Arlington, Virginia, to especially honor Mr. Walsh. At the ceremony the names of 28 other individuals were read aloud. A bell was rung for each, signifying the "last radio call.”



The Procession is on its way to the National EMS Memorial Service in Arlington, VA.

Town and Park Meet to Address Issues

On June 2, the Comprehensive Plan Revision Committee hosted a focus group to hear from residents of Copake Falls. Their comments were very positive, focusing on how much residents love their hamlet and value each other (“We are like a Hallmark card!”) Among other things, they talked about how they appreciated the Ore Pit Swimming Pond and the Taconic State Park. They see the park as an integral part of Copake Falls.

In the course of the evening, there were some concerns expressed about the park. Copake Falls residents wish that they could keep swimming at the Ore Pit until at least Labor Day. In recent years, “No Swimming” signs go up by mid-August. In addition, they regret having to pay for parking in order to swim. (The free parking lot across from the Depot Deli and next to the Rail Trail is often full. Parking at the Taconic State Park is $8 per vehicle.)

With the goal of exploring these issues, Copake Supervisor Richard Wolf met with Park Manager Abigail P. Leo, along with Edgar Masters, Chair of the Taconic Region Commission of NY Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Jeanne Mettler, Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Revision Committee and also a commissioner. The meeting was fruitful. Although the problems were not solved, Ms. Leo did make some positive suggestions, and the park and town opened a dialogue, which will be productive as the months go by.

As for lifeguards, Park Manager Leo explained that she cannot open the Ore Pit without the requisite number of lifeguards, and many employees leave for college in August. She stressed that she is open to hiring more guards. She pointed out that the NYS pay scale for guards is competitive. It is just a matter of finding qualified guards who are available as the summer goes into September. Those interested in serving as lifeguards should see Lifeguard Qualifications and contact Ms. Leo at 518-329-3993.

In regard to parking, there are various options for free parking. https://parks.ny.gov/admission/

The following are passes that are available for entry into the park:

·        Golden Park Program: NYS Residents 62 years or older enter the park for free, Monday through Friday. Weekends and holidays are not included in this program.

·      Access Pass: NYS Residents with disabilities obtain free day use and discounted camping. The Access Pass covers the immediate family/group of the individual pass holder for one vehicle, or rental of a campsite or cabin/cottage.



·     Lifetime Liberty Pass: NYS Residents who are veterans, Gold Star parents, spouses, or children obtain free day use and discounted camping.

Free parking is also available to local library card holders by borrowing a free Empire Pass from the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. The Empire Pass Card is a card which is available for purchase from NYS Parks for $80.00 a year and provides unlimited day use vehicle entry to almost all state parks. The Empire Pass may be borrowed at no charge from the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. See Museum Passes. Those wishing to borrow the pass should call the library at 518-325-4101 to reserve the Empire Pass. The pass can be borrowed for up to three days at a time.

Copake Lake and West Copake Focus Group for the Town of Copake on August 4, 5:30pm - 7pm

Two very well-attended and lively focus group sessions for Copake Falls and Copake Hamlet have been held to discuss their unique charms, potential community and infrastructure enhancements, and visions for the future. In support of Copake's Comprehensive Plan, the third focus group will center on residents and businesses of Copake Lake and West Copake and will take place on Monday, August 4, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at the Copake Town Hall. All residents and businesses in Copake Lake and West Copake are encouraged to attend in order to share their views on any and all aspects of life in this part of Copake.

Copake’s Comprehensive Plan was first adopted in 2011, providing a blueprint and strategic direction for the town. The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee was appointed by the town board to carry out a review and update to that plan and is supported in its efforts by a grant from the NYS Department of State. The goal of the updated plan is to envision what Copake will look like in ten years and to propose strategies to attain that vision. The committee is seeking input in a number of different ways, including:

•        A town-wide survey, currently available online at Comp Plan Survey, which gathers information on the current demographics of the town, as well as residents’ goals and visions for the town’s future.

•        Targeted focus groups, providing a real-time voice for each of the town’s hamlets and for businesses, not-for-profits, healthcare providers, and other members of the Copake community

•        Other public workshops and meetings.

More information regarding this plan and events supporting it may be found via the website Copake Plans and Project Website.

Future focus group sessions will include:

•        Businesses and Employers - September 2, 6-7p

•        Craryville - October 6, 6-7p

•        Not-for-Profits, Churches, Organizations - November 3, 6-7p

•        First Responders and Health Care - December 1, 6-7p



Each session will also be announced via the Copake Connection, the town website and Facebook page, and by e-mail, to the extent that the town has e-mail addresses for the various constituents. For those who cannot attend the sessions in person, a link will be posted on the town website to enable remote access.

Anyone having questions can also reach

out to compplan2026@townofcopake.org.

Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan Update

Thanks to all who attended and participated in the first community workshop for the Copake Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. The first town-wide community workshop was held at Town Hall from 10am-12 noon on Saturday, June 28, 2025 to discuss the Town of Copake's project to develop the new Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan, funded by a recent grant from NYS Department of State.

Over 40 people participated in discussing demographic trends, initial survey responses, and community vision. If you were unable to attend, you may review the presentation from the workshop at Copake Vision and Goals Workshop Presentation.

Your help is needed to envision what Copake will be like ten to fifteen years from now - and to propose a roadmap for how we can get there. The easiest way to have influence on the Comprehensive Plan is to complete a town survey by August 31, 2025. Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CopakeCompPlanSurvey. The survey seeks your opinion on a range of critical planning issues, including smart growth principles, economic development, the growth of Copake's hamlets, housing choice and accessibility, community facilities and recreation, agriculture, open space and the environment, arts and culture, infrastructure, historic preservation, and town government.



 All community members aged 18 and up are encouraged to respond. Please share your thoughts about the future of Copake! We want to hear from everyone - old timers and newcomers, renters and owners, weekenders and full timers – young, old and everybody in between. Taking the survey online using the survey link above helps simplify data entry and analysis of your responses and reduces costs. If you prefer, pick up a paper copy at Town Hall to mail in or drop back at Town Hall.

Pets in the Park this Weekend

Give Fido a good brushing! Give your goat a bath!

The upcoming pet show, sponsored by the Copake Grange and the Copake Veterinary Hospital, is this Saturday, July 19, from 9:00am until noon. All pets – dogs, cats, goats, lizards, gerbils, and what have you! – are invited to participate. (This year, unfortunately, we cannot welcome our feathered friends, due to fears about the avian bird flu. We hope to bring them back next year.)

The event will take place on Copake Falls Day and will be held in Taconic State Park, on Valley View Road near Copake Iron Works. Participants can register on the day of the event from 9:00am until 10:00am. Participants are encouraged to fill out the registration form in advance, which can be found at: Grange Events

The entry fee for each pet is $5. Prizes will be given for five categories: “Best Behaved”, “Cutest”, “Best Voice”, “Biggest Attitude” and “Most Loveable”. Attendees may vote for their favorite; ballots are $1 each or 6 for $5. The event will raise funds for AnimalKind and Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue.

A special feature this year will be a “Canine Good Citizen” presentation by Nora Hayes of Hayes HappyDog Day Care, Boarding and Training in Hillsdale. There will also be a Parade of Pets, led by a local harmonica player.

All dogs must be licensed in order to participate in Pets in the Park, and owners must show proof. This year no birds will be allowed.

 For more information email copakegrangepets@gmail.com

Countywide Conservation Plan Meeting

Join Columbia Land Conservancy for the second town hall to inform the Countywide Conservation Plan on Saturday, July 19, 10am to 12pm at Columbia-Greene Community College.

This in-person meeting will provide the opportunity to learn about the initial findings related to the Countywide Conservation Plan, including early survey results and drafted strategies, actions, and priorities for conserving land in Columbia County. Following this overview, there will be time to give feedback and further shape the plan. Register at Columbialand.org/Events.

Give feedback on your conservation priorities for Columbia County by filling out the survey below! Feedback collected will shape the plan’s development and guidelines when complete.

Take the survey

Prefer to share your favorite places and spaces? Utilize the online mapper to mark areas in Columbia County you’d like to see included in the Plan.

The next public feedback session will take place on July 19. Additional details are coming soon! Contact Sam Calhoun at Sam.Calhoun@ColumbiaLand.org with questions.

Sites to Celebrate: Local History Revisited

The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society (RJHS) is pleased to announce their summer exhibition, "Sites to Celebrate: Local History Revisited,” opening Saturday, July 12, and running through Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Open every Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4pm, the summer exhibition at the historical society will showcase over a dozen historic sites in the Roe Jan area that will be explored through original documents, photographs, objects and artifacts highlighting their significance to our local history. An orientation video will also be available for viewing as part of the exhibit and on the RJHS website.

In addition to regular weekend hours, RJHS will host a series of Sunday visits from July through October to the actual sites, which include the former locations of the Bash Bish Inn, the Copake Lake Icehouse, Mill Success, and restored sites, such as the Copake Little School, the Craryville Depot Complex, Historic Hillsdale, the 1731 Boston Corners Survey Marker, and the Copake Iron Works Historic Site. Advance registration will be required for site visits. A full schedule and registration details will be available on the RJHS website in early July.

Museum admission and site visits are free. Donations appreciated. The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society is located at 8 Miles Road in Copake Falls, N.Y. Phone: (518) 329-0652 and website: roeliffjansenhs.org

Grange Events

July - Sept. Let’s Make Art! Art Classes for Children and Adults. Offered by Liz Fenamore, Kerry Greene and Deborah Macheski. Children’s Classes 3-5pm: July 27- Drawing Techniques, Aug. 10 - Tie-Dying. Adult Classes 3-5pm: Aug. 3 - Drawing Techniques, Aug. 24 - Book-Making, Sept.7 - Marbling Paper. $5 for children, $10 for adults. For more info, contact cleo42002@yahoo.com.

Saturday, July 19, 9am - 12pm. Pets in the Park. Held in conjunction with Copake Falls Day, this is the third Pets in the Park that the Grange has sponsored, and this year the Copake Veterinary Hospital is co-sponsor. Bring your favorite pet (dog, cat, lizard, goat- what have you!*) to mingle and parade around at a beautiful location in the Taconic State Park. Prizes for the cutest, the most vocal, the best tail, etc.  All dogs must be licensed. 35 Valley View Rd., Taconic State Park. $5 registration fee. All proceeds go to benefit AnimalKind and Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue. *This year, no birds! For more info email copakegrangepets@gmail.com.

Friday, Aug. 1, 7-9pm. Open Mic. All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, and more. Bring your instruments; we have a piano. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Every first Friday of the month. Free.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 5-8pm. Ice Cream Social and Square Dance. Our annual event promises to be a rollicking good time, with square dance caller Lance Olds, plenty of ice cream, Aloha Taco food truck, and…..this year, live music! Save the date and stay tuned for more details.

For more information about the Grange and events or to join, go to copakegrange.org. The Copake Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd., Copake, NY 12516. Parking for Grange events is limited - please park at the Municipal Lot on Church St. if the Grange parking area is full.

Eco-tips for Healthy Living

Invasion of the Native Plant Snatchers

·       Beware! If you stand still for more than fifteen minutes while outside, a bittersweet vine may wrap around you!

·       I like garlic and I like mustard, but not the two together.

·       Multiflora rose should grow with a No Trespassing sign.

·       Help Wanted. Experienced animal trainer who teaches deer to eat invasive terrestrial species.

What do these quotes all have in common? They are the deep thoughts/exasperated cries of anyone who’s dealt with pesky terrestrial invasive plants in their garden, lawn, or property. In addition to the above-identified plants, there seems to have been a volcanic eruption of mugwort this season, with these Harry Potteresquely-named (but without any magical properties) plants taking over our lawns, gardens, and even sprouting up in window boxes!

Invasive species are species of plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are non-native and that cause harm to the environment, economy, and human health. They generally are divided into 3 types: 1) terrestrial (like the above plants); 2) aquatic (water chestnut, watermilfoil, etc.); and 3) forest (jumping worm, beech leaf disease, Hemlock woolly Adelgid, etc.)

Rather than thrash about complaining about these vexatious vegetations, let’s start mapping them for NY iMapInvasives’ 10^th Annual Mapping Challenge (https://www.nyimapinvasives.org/challenge). iMapInvasives is an on-line, collaborative GIS-based invasive species database and mapping tool used in several jurisdictions across North America. In New York, iMapInvasives is the official state invasive species database used for 1) reporting invasive species; 2) recording treatment efforts and tracking success ; 3) early detection email alerts, and 4) a variety of other mapping and data analysis actions.

To celebrate its 10^th year, this challenge includes 10 unique data gap species for which community scientists can contribute data. You can submit your invasive species data to iMapInvasives until July 31 to be entered into the challenge, and you may be rewarded, as they are giving out prizes for top contributors and PRISM regions! (NOTE: Copake is part of the Capital Region “PRISM” - New York State is divided into 8 Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) that coordinate invasive species management at the regional level. PRISM efforts include implementing eradication and control efforts, developing early detection and rapid response capacity, coordinating with local partners, recruiting and training volunteers, and delivering education and outreach.” For more about PRISM, see https://www.nyimapinvasives.org/about, and if you want to stay up-to-date on invasive species management in your region, you can join your PRISM listserve here: https://www.nyimapinvasives.org/_files/ugd/a36481_160311222dd44cd092c0db6b6924c1f2.pdf

Here’s a detailed video on how to use the iMapInvasives platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D43SSM0PEQw

Now, let’s all go outside and map as many invasives as we can find, and help contribute to the effective eradication of them!



Cara Boyle, with the help of Copake’s CAC/CSC colleagues

What’s Happening at the Library?

Now through August 31

Summer Reading Challenge. Summer is the perfect time to dive into a good book—and we’re inviting readers of all ages to join the fun! Sign up for our Summer Reading Challenge and track your reading through July & August!

For Kids: Young readers will receive a fun goodie bag when they sign up. Complete the challenge and earn a Stewart’s ice cream scoop card and a gift certificate to the Friends Bookshop!

For Adults: Grown-ups can join the challenge too! Everyone who signs up will be entered into a raffle to win a gift certificate to Oblong Books— summer reading isn't just for kids!

Stop by the Library now to register and pick up your reading log!

Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 p.m.

Read On! Book Club. Join us for the July meeting of Roe Jan’s Read On! Book Club. This month, we are reading James by Percival Everett. The book is available to borrow through the Mid-Hudson Library System, Libby, and Hoopla. Led by Fran and Kate, this fiction book club will meet on the third Wednesday of every month. All are welcome! For more information, email communications@roejanlibrary.org.

Thursday, July 17, 1:00 p.m.

Book Marks! Book Club. Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb. Meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month. For our July meeting, we are reading The Body by Bill Bryson. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby. Email circulation@roejanlibrary.org for more information.

Thursdays, July 17 - August 7, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Art of the Novel: A Graphic Novel Workshop Series. In this 4-session workshop series, taught by local artist Barbara Slate, students will create a six-page piece that introduces the concepts and methods for doing a graphic novel. Students will learn about plot, characters, and presentation of a story—learning how images, as well as text (or instead of text) can be used to tell a story and convey meaning. Over the course of the series, students will complete a 6-page piece.

Barbara Slate has created characters for DC Comics and Marvel. Described as “titanically talented “ by the legendary Stan Lee, Ms. Slate has written over 300 comics. For Marvel, she created, wrote, and drew Yuppies from Hell and Sweet XVI, wrote Barbie Fashion comics and put her own spin on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas. For DC Comics, she created Angel Love, an adult-themed series for tweens and teens, and wrote over one hundred Betty and Veronica stories for Archie Comics. Ms. Slate has been praised as “emphatically of our time” by The New York Times. She teaches in universities, schools, and libraries using her critically acclaimed textbook, You Can Do A Graphic Novel.

This workshop will be geared for teens and adults. Registration required. Limited to 15 participants. Register by emailing director@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518-325-4101.

Friday, July 18, 1:00 p.m.

Literacy Voyage: Outer Space Adventure. Join us for a story and a STEAM activity with Literacy Voyage! This month, we will read There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe. We will discuss and explore letter recognition and new vocabulary. Then, we will create a moon-like surface with baking soda and vinegar, watching it fizz and bubble as they learn about chemical reactions and outer space exploration.

Tuesday, July 22, 11:00 a.m.

All About Butterflies. Meet us at Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center in Ghent and learn about the many butterflies that brighten Mud Creek's Bird and Butterfly garden and Columbia County. We will use nets to try to catch a few! Geared for children and young adults.

Wednesday, July 23, 6:00 p.m.

Reading & Discussion: Sustainability. What does it mean to be sustainable, to live a sustainable life, and to create sustainable communities? We hear the words “green” and “sustainable” wherever we turn, but what does it mean in practice? While there has been renewed attention to sustainability in recent years, as climate change becomes a more imminent threat to our communities, the idea is not new. This reading and discussion series will explore how different authors and communities have understood the meaning of ecological sustainability and how they have tried to put it into practice in the world. Rather than books of doom and gloom, the books selected provide readers with hope, with examples of how individuals can make a difference.

We will read 6 books over the course of 6 months in the spring and summer—meeting the 4th Wednesday evening of each month, March through August. Our book for July will be Another Turn of the Crank by Wendell Berry. The final book to be read in August will be Alan Weisman's Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World.

Registration is limited to 15, and it is the intention that participants will complete the series together, attending all 6 sessions. Books will be provided, some will be available as ebooks or audiobooks. To register, email director@roejanlibrary.org. There are still a few spots available!

Thursday, July 24, 2:30 p.m.

Tea Time at the Library with John Jasmin. Plan to visit the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. to discuss fun and informative topics. Each month’s gathering will have a different theme: listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s your preference!), and sometimes a fun activity. There will also be plenty of time to chat, get to know your neighbors, and wind down. In July, please welcome John Jasmin, local beekeeper and owner of Bash Bish Honey. Come join the discussion and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) and some fresh baked goods on the house.

Friday, July 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Stream Explorers at the Roe Jan Kill. Become a stream explorer! Join Columbia Land Conservancy and the library for a fun, hands-on program at Roeliff Jansen Park. During this guided program, nature enthusiasts of all ages will investigate what is living in the stream. Nets, magnifying glasses, field guides, and other tools will be available to use.

What’s involved: We will be walking less than a quarter of a mile from the parking lot to the stream. The water level will depend on recent weather, but the shore is a shallow, gradual slope.

What to bring: Please bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Shoes and clothing that can get wet are recommended for this program!

What not to bring: Please, no dogs.

Saturday, August 2, 1:00 p.m.

Music Program with Beth Jacobs. We invite children and their caregivers to join music and movement educator Beth Jacobs for a fun-filled afternoon in which children will be introduced to the basics of dance and stretch. We will share rhythm instruments and use library books to find images for dances, which we will accompany by singing rhyming song, rhythm instruments, and maybe some world music.

Wednesday, August 6, 6:00 p.m.

Clean Heat: Heat Pumps. Using oil, propane, gas, or electric resistance to heat and cool your home? Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are a smarter, more efficient option to keep your home comfortable all year long. These all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems are environmentally friendly, extremely efficient, and affordable to operate. Paul Stathis from TRC Advanced Energy will speak on the benefits of heat pumps and the incentives that surround them. Come by to learn more about this exciting, clean way to heat and cool your home!

This program is part of NYSERDA's Experience Clean Heat program.

Wednesday, August 13

Animal Tracks and Traces at the Library. Become a wildlife detective as you search for signs of animal life and learn about the natural history of local animals and habitats. This program will be led by Leanna O'Grady from The Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center.

Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m.

Bridge Club Meetup. Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting started, come connect with others who share your interest in the game. All are welcome—this is a great opportunity to start a regular bridge club!

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Playtime Wednesdays. Parents and caretakers are invited to enjoy the children’s room Wednesday mornings for a weekly playtime! Read stories, play with toys, make a craft, and spend time with other local families.

Wednesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Digital Navigator Office Hours. So many things happen online! If you can’t connect to the internet easily, it can be hard to find a job, housing, pay your bills, schedule appointments, and more. Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley can help you get online at the library or help you use your personal device to get things done. Digital navigators are trusted guides that can help you with your tech questions for free. Our communications manager, Kate, is a newly trained Digital Navigator of the Hudson Valley! Kate holds open office hours on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. for general tech help and digital guidance. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are appreciated. Email communications@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518-325-4101 to reserve a time with Kate.

Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Lego Club. Build, create, and explore with LEGOs! Open to kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade, Bricks provided—just bring your imagination!