It was a beautiful day for the Roe Jan Area Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27. The parade, which honors fallen war heroes, began at the top of Anthony Street and proceeded down Route 23. The route then took the parade up Route 22 to the Hillsdale Fire House, where there was a ceremony and speeches to commemorate this special occasion.
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NYSERDA Video Will Feature Hillsdale
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Hillsdale is one of a few New York State communities that will be recognized in an upcoming NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) video series for our focus on building a more sustainable community. Here's the NYSERDA
film crew outside Hillsdale's Town Garage on May 8.
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Safe at Home Committee Hears from Seniors and Caregivers
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O
n May 19, the Safe at Home Committee, which is designed to help local seniors understand local services so they can reside safely at home, hosted a meet and greet at Town Hall. Over 40 residents attended and shared their needs and concerns.
The meeting was held from 10:00-11:30am and opened with greetings from Peter Cipkowski, Hillsdale Town Supervisor. He affirmed the commitment of the Town Board to support the Safe at Home Committee, which wants to develop programs and services for this vital cohort of our community.
Town Hall was set up with five tables with approximately eight participants each to encourage social interaction and sharing. After discussion among the participants, the leader at each table reported on the key issues and needs discussed: socialization opportunities, transportation availability, in-home health aides, home maintenance, and a buddy system.
The Committee's goal is to develop a community of volunteers and services to meet these community needs. The Committee will keep Hillsdale residents updated. L
ook for an announcement about the Fall Senior Workshop.
Do You Know?
Every month the Safe at Home Committee will feature a
Do You Know to highlight an existing County Resource. For June: Do you know the Columbia County Office for the Aging provides free legal assistance? This service offers legal advice, representation, and consultation on most civil cases. An attorney is available weekly and appointments are required for their office in Hudson. Please call 518-828-4258 for more information.
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New Historic Cemetery Signage/Historic Hillsdale Committee
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With the assistance of members of the Hillsdale Highway Department (photo below), the cemetery task force installed a sign in the Old Community Cemetery on Old Town Road. Though this is a small and easy-to-miss burial ground west of Route 22, research shows that it's probably the oldest in Hillsdale.
The sign is the first of several planned to mark Hillsdale's historic burial grounds. A sign for
Pill Hill Cemetery will be installed later this summer, followed by Krum Cemetery later this fall.
The signs are paid for by funds raised by the Hillsdale Historic House Tour. This Tour is coordinated by a Task Force of the Historic Hillsdale Committee, which is looking for new volunteers to keep this wonderful Committee engaged.
If you are interested in joining the Historic Hillsdale Committee, please contact Peter Cipkowski, Hillsdale Town Supervisor, at [email protected].
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County Natural Resource Inventory Now Available!
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The County Environmental Management Council, under New York State law, is charged with creating a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). The NRI's purpose is to inform planning for the future in ways that support the County's natural assets and the benefits they provide.
The NRI summarizes and analyzes existing data about the physical, biological, and cultural aspects of the natural environment that shape Columbia County's landscape. It identifies lands supporting community resilience in a changing climate and resources that are sensitive to changes in land use.
The NRI is complete with a series of maps available through this webpage.
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Historian's Blog: Don't Have a Cow
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From the Hillsdale Historians' Blog: Over the years, a number of celebrities have lived in or visited Hillsdale. Some were not famous when they lived here but achieved celeb status elsewhere. But Hillsdale was always "home". A case in point was Hudson River School painter John Bunyan Bristol, who was born in Hillsdale but achieved prominence in New York City. Even after he achieved worldwide recognition, he still spent summers at the Mt. Washington House.
Some believe that one of Hillsdale's celebrities was Elsie the Cow, the famous mascot and logo of the Borden Milk Company. We're sorry to report that the real Elsie the Cow never made her way to Hillsdale, but that doesn't mean there isn't some Elsie history here in town.
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Farmers Market Open for Season
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The Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market has launched the 2019 season and will run through Halloween on Saturdays from 9 am - 1 pm. You'll find the best locally grown products in a beautiful Columbia County setting - the
covered barn at the
Roeliff Jansen Park
(9140 Route 22, across from the Roe Jan Community Library).
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5K in Park Benefits Taconic Hills Scholars: June 2
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On Sunday, June 2 at 10 am, the annual
Dollars for Scholars 5K gets underway at the Roeliff Jansen Park. The run raises funds for local scholars at the Taconic Hills Central School District.
You may pre-register for $20 or register for $25 on the day of the event.
Contact Joe Raco at (518) 929-9960 if you would like to volunteer or need more information.
Runners, walkers, teams, and cheerleaders welcome! Don't want to walk or run? Come and watch or volunteer your time for a great cause!
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There's Still Time to Buy Library Gala Tickets!
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The 2019 Roeliff Jansen Community Library Gala will be held on Saturday, June 8 from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Roeliff Jansen Park.
A highlight of the evening will be a tribute to
Charlotte Shutts.
Charlotte has been a valued library volunteer for 15 years since she retired as manager of the Copake Key Bank. She has served as Secretary of the Friends of the Roeliff Jansen Library, then Treasurer, and finally President for seven years. She can still be found at the Library circulation desk every Friday morning.
Charlotte was a founder in 1990 of Christmas Friends, a program that operates out of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church. She remains a moving force behind the program, which provides gifts to over 70 disadvantaged families with kids. And, in her spare time, she is involved with several other philanthropic activities in the area.
The Gala, or "Party in the Park," is a great kick-off to the summer season. As always, there will be delicious food from local chefs and restaurants to enjoy with tasty wines, and great music. The Auction Committee is already on the hunt for unique items for the silent auction, and they promise some real blockbusters for the live auction.
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Open House at BridleWood on June 16
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Martin and Christa Stosiek will host an open house on Sunday, June 16 to share their passions, both for organic farming and horses. The event will take place from 12-4 at BridleWood, 35 Sir William Farm Road in Hillsdale.
All are invited to explore the farm, meet their horses, and get to know their instructors, Molly and Taylor, who train and teach horseback riding to all ages and levels. Refreshments and pony rides will be offered, so bring your little ones!
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Thanks for reading our newsletter.
If you want to promote your upcoming event on the Hillsdale calendar, share an old photo, or write an article or two, I'd love to hear from you!
Peter Cipkowski, Town Supervisor and Town Crier
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