Learn more about Project Regeneration during Earth Week tour

Lizzie Vann, the UK entrepreneur who led the revitalization of the iconic Bearsville Theater and Utopia Studios complex in 2019, is now selling the Bearsville Center and reinvesting the proceeds directly into her next venture, Project Regeneration, “using the outcome of one regenerative project to fund the next and keeping both capital and commitment firmly rooted in Woodstock.”

The 15-acre Bearsville Center campus was listed in January 2026 for $7.9 million. Vann purchased the site in September 2019 for $2.5 million.

Vann’s Project Regeneration aims to convert six “beloved, but redundant older” buildings in Woodstock, including the former Woodstock Library and Lasher Funeral Home on Tinker Street, into 100-percent green affordable housing units, co-working spaces, and space for health care practitioners. (The funeral home closed in 2022, and the library moved to Dixon Avenue).

Plans also include expanding the Forever Green area at the former library into a new park with “natural ponds, permaculture orchards, old-tree celebration spaces, and a natural play area for children.”

In 2009, Vann helped restore several “run-down” buildings in the Historic Green Village in Anna Maria, Florida, including an old schoolhouse, to create apartments, a mixed-use retail space with a beloved bakery and educational center, all powered by renewable energy. The project became one the of the first LEED platinum-certified net-zero-energy developments in the United States. 

“This project is about protecting what makes the town special while ensuring it continues to work for the folks who call it home,” Vann said, adding that the Project Regeneration “offers a rare chance to follow a real-world experiment in regenerative, community-involved design, one that’s grounded in history but fully oriented toward the future.”

Learn more during a special site visit to Project Regeneration on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 1pm as part of Earth Week Woodstock. The event will feature a Q+A with the team followed by a 30-minute walking tour of the buildings and grounds. 

A resolution to cap the sales tax Dutchess County collects on rising gas prices passed unanimously in Budget Committee of the Dutchess County Legislature last week. The Dutchess County Legislature will now vote on the measure during the April 13 board meeting. If approved, the resolution is expected to take effect June 1, 2026, pending approval from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

“Families across Dutchess County are already feeling the strain of rising fuel costs,” Legislator Anna Shah (D-Town of Poughkeepsie) said in a statement. “Although we did not create this situation, we can take a step to relieve some pain at the pump. This measure is responsible, sustainable, and ensures we are not passing burdens created from the Middle East war off the backs of our constituents. Even modest savings at the pump make a real difference, and it is our responsibility to provide relief where we can.”

The Hudson River Museum, located in Yonkers, now offers free general admission to Westchester County high school students on the weekends. A valid ID is required.

“Young art lovers can experience our art exhibitions, a variety of hands-on workshops, and more – all at no cost, because we believe that art should be accessible to all.”

Resistance: They Fought Back
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6pm
Cost of admission: Free with RSVP required
Henry A. Wallace Center, FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park
Interviews with historians, Holocaust survivors and their families reveal the largely unknown stories of Jewish resistance fighters who engaged in armed uprisings against the Nazis. Presented by the FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County. Register

The Diverse Abilities Job Fair
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Westchester County Center
The event is designed to connect individuals of all abilities with inclusive employers that are committed to diversity in the work place. Website

Utility Clinic
Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 4-7pm
Dutchess BOCES, 5 Boces Road, Poughkeepsie
State Assemblymember Didi Barrett, the Public Utility Law Project and other partners will be at the clinic to help customers ensure they’re getting any assistance for which they qualify. Bring a utility bill and copy of public assistance benefit award letters, if applicable. info@utilityproject.org or 877-669-2572.

Drawing at Dennings
April 16, 2026 from 6-8pm
Cost of admission: $35
Denning's Point Distillery, 10 N Chestnut Street, Beacon
Join Garrison Art Center for a figure drawing night at Denning’s Point Distillery! Enjoy two hours of relaxed, creative fun with two live models. Whether you're an experienced artist or looking to try something new, this event is all about creativity, connection, and having a good time. Sip on handcrafted cocktails (available for purchase) as you sketch, mingle, and unwind. Bring your favorite drawing supplies—though we’ll have some basics on hand just in case. Doors open at 5:30pm for setup, and the event will begin promptly at 6pm —please arrive on time, as doors will close at the start of the session. Come ready for a fun, art-filled evening! Website

A Spring Book Fair for Grown-Ups
Friday, April 17, 2026 from 4 to 7pm
Cost of admission: $10
Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
Explore tables of books, find stickers, grab a drink from Rose Hill’s taproom and more. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. Tickets

Hunter Education Course
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 8:30am to 4pm
Taghkanic Community Forest
Hosted by the Columbia Land Conservancy with the Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Register

Birding Walk at Staatsburgh
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 9am
Cost of admission: Free
Staatsburgh State Historic Site, 75 Mills Mansion Dr., Road # 1, Staatsburg
Staatsburgh State Historic Site and the surrounding Mills-Norrie State Park possess a great variety of environments in close proximity, an ideal environment for birding. Experienced birders will enjoy a walk through several interesting environments, inexperienced birders will find encouragement and a helping hand, and newbies will be able to discuss equipment, apps, and techniques. We will also be on the lookout for the many wildflowers that bloom in the park. Volunteer walk leader David Lund has been birding Mills-Norrie State Park daily for over 35 years. Reservations required: Website

Hudson Valley History Reading Festival
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 3pm
Cost of admission: Free with RSVP required
Wallace Center, FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park
In four sessions, authors of recently-published books on Hudson Valley history will talk about their recent works followed by book signings in the Wallace Center. Featured authors include Joseph E. Diamond, Moira Fitzgibbons, Anthony P. Musso, and Libbie Werlau. Hosted by The FDR Library and the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. Also streaming live on the FDR Library’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Register

Community Yard Sale
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 4pm
Cost of admission: free
Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston

Kingston Independent Comic Expo
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 6pm
The Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, and St. James Methodist Church 35 Pearl Street, Kingston
Cost of admission: $10
Calling all fans of comic book artists, writers, indie publishing, graphic artists, illustrators, small press producers, zine makers, self-publishers, game designers & more! KICx is back for its third year with over 70 exhibitors in TWO venues. Website

Dutchess County Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 1pm
Cost of admission: Free
Vassar Farm Lane Poughkeepsie
Family-friendly event with hands-on projects including nature journaling and seed ball creation, demonstrations on recycling and composting, information on energy conservation, wildlife and pollinator protection, guided nature walks, and more. Website

2nd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Continues April 18-19, 2026 from 11am to 5pm
Cost of admission: Free
Dassai Blue Sake Brewery, Hyde Park
Enjoy premium sake and sake cocktails, live performances including Taiko drumming, and a vibrant outdoor market featuring local artisans. Savor delicious food like freshly prepared sushi and more from popular vendors. Website

Dragon FUNd's Sing-Along Brunch at Barton Orchards
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11am
Cost of admission: $45
63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, New York 12570, United States
A high-octane, lyric-belting fundraiser where the mimosas are cold, the food is hot, and the singing is loud. Grab your friends and clear your throat, this isn't a sit-down brunch, it’s a "stand-up-and-sing" experience. From the first pour to the final encore, we’re raising funds one anthem at a time. This is a 21+ event only. Cash Bar. For every ticket sold, over 50-percent of the proceeds will go directly to Dragon FUNd’s, a volunteer-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting social connection for Dover, NY’s middle and high school students. Website

Earth Day at the Wineries: April 18-19 Annual Wine Tasting Event. Think. Drink. Spring.
Saturday, April 18, 2026 and Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 11am to 5pm
Cost of admission: $25
Multiple locations along the Shawangunk Wine Trail
Celebrate Earth Day 2026 by exploring the valley’s finest local wines Choose from two self-guided tasting itineraries and explore the trail at your leisure on the date of your choice: Itinerary #1: Robibero Winery (New Paltz), Whitecliff Vineyard (Gardiner), Magnanini Farm Winery (Wallkill), Benmarl Winery (Marlboro), Quartz Rock Vineyard (Marlboro); Itinerary #2: Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyards (Pine Bush), City Winery Hudson Valley (Montgomery), Applewood Winery (Warwick), Clearview Vineyard (Warwick), Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery (Warwick). Note: Tickets are online only; sales end Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10pm. All attendees must be 21 and over. Website

Artist Talk with Oona (Bruno) Licamele
Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 3 to 4pm
Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, 28 Tinker Street, Woodstock
Artist Oona (Bruno) Licamele will discuss the works on view in Ruptured Symbiosis, an immersive sculptural installation rooted in the artist's experience with the evolving relationship between body and self. Website

Doug Varone and Dancers present Stripped
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 7pm
Cost of admission: Pay what you wish ($10-$20 suggested donation)
Hudson Opera House, Hudson
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Doug Varone & Dancers (DOVA) will perform excerpts and complete works from its repertory with no costumes and no lights, in an up-close informal evening that includes a preview of a new dance by Doug Varone set to Radiohead’s landmark 2007 album, In Rainbows. Website

Invasive Species Identification Walk
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 9 to 10:30am
Saw Kill Trails, Red Hook
A guided woods walk focused on hands-on identification of invasive plant species. Winnakee’s naturalists, Jen Adams and Garrett Chisholm, will point out key identification features and share insight into how invasive species establish, spread, and outcompete native vegetation. They will also discuss the most effective times of year to remove different invasive species and offer practical guidance on prioritizing treatment strategies for the greatest impact. Website

Sleep, Dinner, and War: Behind the Scenes at Springwood
Sunday, April 19 and April 26, 2026 at 1:30pm
Cost of admission: $15
Step beyond the standard house tour and join a park ranger for an intimate, behind-the-scenes experience at Springwood. This special program offers rare access to rooms not typically open to visitors, along with deeper exploration of topics not covered on the standard house tour. Reservations required: Website

Threshold by Candlelight
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7pm
Cost of admission: Free with registration required
Tempo, 29 Wurts Street, Kingston
Presented by Greater Mysteries & the Mid-Hudson Valley Threshold Choir, this candlelit, compline-inspired offering invites participants to gather in the dark to collectively tend grief and receive comfort through song. Rooted in the tradition of night prayer, the evening acknowledges the loneliness and vulnerability that can linger at the threshold between winter and spring. Songs from the Threshold Choir’s non-denominational repertoire will be offered as a gentle act of care — not performance — providing a sonic container for listening, rest, and reflection in the reverberant church space at Tempo in Kingston. This offering creates an opportunity for community healing through shared presence and loving attention, while also offering an introduction to the work of the Mid-Hudson Threshold Choir and the service it provides to individuals and communities in times of transformation. Participation is free. Registration requested so we can prepare the space accordingly. This offering is part of the Lesser Mysteries spring cycle within the Greater Mysteries project — an ongoing seasonal exploration of the sacred cycles of life, death, and rebirth through the timeless arts of music, myth, and ritual. Website

• It’s official: New Paltz observers at Mohonk Mountain House report that tulips are budding!

• Early blooms are appearing on Taiwan cherry blossoms, and magnolias and lilacs are budding, at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers.

• Many magnolias are in full bloom at Lasdon Public Gardens & Veterans Memorial in Katonah. Magnolia stellata are in full bloom, saucer magnolias are breaking bud, and later magnolias are pushing but have no color yet. There are also some early blooms appearing on cherry blossoms and tulips, and lilacs are budding. Additionally, early Korean azaleas and Cornell pink azaleas are in full bloom, as are many daffodils and early blooming shrubs.

• At the Orange County Arboretum in Campbell Hall, early blooms are appearing on cherry blossoms, while magnolias, lilacs, and tulips are budding. Triumph tulips are 6” above ground, however buds not yet formed. Also, on-site crown imperial is approximately 12” with tight buds.

• At Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, expected to open on April 19, tulips are budding and should begin blooming within the next two weeks.

Finally, SPRING! Capture it + submit your (1) best photo of spring in the Hudson Valley from this year to photos@hvny.info. Original photographs only. Please limit filters/retouching, and include your full name + location, if it’s a public place.