Mitten crab found in Hudson River
A mitten crab was found in the Hudson River for the first time in two years.
Earlier in November researchers were setting nets at the mouth of the Enderkill at Norrie Point State Park in Staatsburg in hopes of catching eels. They only caught one small eel, but also caught “one unusual creature,” according to the report from the Hudson River Almanac.
Researchers believe the mitten crab spawned in saltwater last January and spent the summer and fall in the freshwater part of the estuary. The crab was not released back into the Hudson.
The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has been an invasive species in Europe for decades. Mitten crabs are burrowing crabs that are are much larger than our native mud crabs.
The impact of the mitten crab on East Coast estuaries is still unknown, and anyone who comes across a mitten crab in New York State is urged to notify Cathy McGlynn, NYSDEC Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator (518-408-0436, catherine.mcglynn@dec.ny.gov). Do not release them live. If you take photos, make certain that you take both dorsal and ventral views so we can determine its sex.
Driving helps older adults – persons 65 and older – stay mobile and independent. However, as we age, declines in vision and cognition (ability to reason and remember), and physical changes might affect driving. Certain medical problems such as heart disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and limited hearing and vision place older adults at an increased risk of car crashes. Additionally, medicines, both prescription and over the counter, such as those used for sleep, mood, pain, and/or allergies among others might affect driving safety.
Older drivers are also at an increased risk of being injured or killed in a crash due to increasing frailty and underlying health problems.
In New York State, “the DMV can require an evaluation of a driver whose skills and abilities are in doubt. The DMV will examine reliably reported information to determine if a driver needs to be re- evaluated.” A physician, police officer, or someone who knows or has observed the driver can contact DMV if they believe a driving re-evaluation is needed.
Get the facts:
One in 6 drivers in the United States are 65 years or older.
Older adult drivers are more than twice as likely to report having a medical problem that makes it difficult to travel as compared with drivers ages 24‒64.
Four in five older adults take one or more medications daily. Physical changes that occur with age can change the way the body reacts to medicines, causing more side effects and affecting the ability to concentrate and drive safely.
Here are some steps that older adults can take to stay safe on the road:
Discuss any medical issues with your doctor to determine if they might affect your driving.
Discuss stopping or changing your medications with your pharmacist or doctor if you experience any side effects that could interfere with safe driving such as blurry vision, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, fatigue, and/or loss of consciousness.
Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Wear glasses and corrective lenses as directed.
Plan your route before you drive.
Consider potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend, using public transit, or car ride services.
Leave more space between you and the car in front of you.
Start braking early when you need to stop.
Avoid heavy traffic areas or rush-hour driving when you can.
If you must drive on a fast-moving highway, drive in the right-hand lane. Traffic moves more slowly there, giving you more time to make safe driving decisions.
Is It Time to Give Up Driving?
We all age differently. For this reason, there is no way to set one age when everyone should stop driving. So, how do you know if you should stop? To help decide, ask yourself:
Do other drivers often honk at me?
Have I had some accidents, even if they were only "fender benders"?
Do I get lost, even on roads I know?
Do cars or people walking seem to appear out of nowhere?
Do I get distracted while driving?
Have family, friends, or my doctor said they're worried about my driving?
Am I driving less these days because I'm not as sure about my driving as I used to be?
Do I have trouble staying in my lane?
Do I have trouble moving my foot between the gas and the brake pedals, or do I sometimes confuse the two?
Have I been pulled over by a police officer about my driving?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be time to talk with your doctor about driving or have a driving assessment.
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging tips:
When in doubt, don’t go out. Dutchess County winters can be tough on any driver, whether they’re 28 or 82. Plan your travel for when conditions are best.
Drive like a townie. By that, we mean that you should have a good working knowledge of less-crowded alternatives to major roads in your area.
Use assistive devices. Back-up cameras are now standard equipment on new cars, but even if you’re not looking for a new car there are aftermarket cameras that can be installed on older cars. Other devices that can help: Swiveling auto seat cushions; Vehicle grab bars that can help you get up from a car that’s low to the ground, or down from a truck or SUV that’s higher up; Panoramic rearview mirrors and blind spot mirrors; Grip assistance devices for steering wheels.
For more information, contact the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, 845-486-2555, www.dutchessny.gov/aging
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/features/older-driver-safety/index.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/older-drivers
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Aging/Docs/Aging-News-December-5-2022.pdf
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For 141 years, Hudson River State Hospital was home to tens of thousands of individuals suffering from mental illness.
Famous architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux drafted the main building in 1869. The facility grew from a 208-acre parcel in 1871 with seven patients to 752 acres with five dozen separate buildings containing nearly 6,000 patients in 1954. The main building was constructed on a Kirkbride plan, a treating philosophy centered around an ornate building of equal proportions staffed by employees who integrated dignity and compassion into health care. Famous architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux drafted the main building in 1869. The landscape was penned by Frederick Law Olmsted, perhaps best known for the design of New York City's Central Park. Ships for free directly from Arcadia Publishing.
The history of New York is inseparable from the history of sailing on the Hudson River. Beginning with Henry Hudson in 1609 the Dutch and English extended their empires into the Hudson Valley and extracted its bounty via sail.
Control of the Hudson River was a lynchpin for American victory in the Revolutionary War and New York City's 19th-century rise to global prominence was powered by the sailing vessels on its waterways. Upriver, sloops and schooners delivered goods from the nation's interior and international whaling businesses operated from Hudson and Poughkeepsie and Kingston and Newburgh became noted shipbuilding centers. Yacht racing and ice yachting emerged as popular sports among wealthy families like the Astors and Roosevelts. Sailing clubs preserved these traditions into the 20th century. Since the 1960s, activists including Pete Seeger have used sailboats to galvanize a movement to revive the river ecosystem. Today, the river is home to new generations of sailors continuing these traditions into a fifth century.
Steve Schwartz has sailed and captained numerous sailing and motor vessels on the Hudson River since the 1970s. He and James Malchow are both captains on the Hudson River ferry sloop Woody Guthrie. Images in this book, collected from local libraries, historical societies, the New York State Archives, Library of Congress, and private collections, capture the people, places, and ships that have made the Hudson River an important sailing center for over four centuries.
Shipping’s included in all prices on the HVNY Marketplace
This shirt features Allison Walker’s "Two Waters Meeting" piece, depicting two ocean tides coming together. “It is a piece about two lives, or two big ideas, coming together. I like wearing this over my heart and lungs, it feels like fresh breath & an open heart!”
Available as a Festival Crop, a Classic Tee or Lightweight Crewneck Sweatshirt
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"Walking on Water" is a recurring theme of Allison Walker’s, depicting the “walking-on-a-tidal-wave nature of spiritual journeys. The deep blue and bright gold represent a journey with range.”
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Design by Peekskill resident Evan Rosen
50% of all proceeds will be donated to The Lenape Center
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Lightweight
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included
• Blank product components in the US sourced from Japan and the US
• Blank product components in the EU sourced from Japan and Latvia
This item is made-to-order. All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.
11x14 inches, matted, unframed, fine art Giclee print. “I try to escape to the beautiful beaches in the New York area. Here’s a scene from a visit to Montauk.”
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One-of-a-kind, cut-and-layered art paper for a three-dimensional effect, unframed, ~20x16." The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse and its backdrop as interpreted from Mills State Park.
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Unframed original watercolor. Please note: This item is available for pick-up only. The artist will contact the buyer after purchase to arrange pick-up.
Highland Farm Smoked Venison Snack Sticks are the perfect, farm-fresh protein snack. They are individually wrapped, and easy to pop in your purse or lunchbox.
Includes 30 individually wrapped sticks: 6 - Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Hot Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Cracked Pepper Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Teriyaki Venison Snack Sticks, 6 Venison and Cheddar Snack Sticks
Highland Farm Venison Doggie Treats are a farm-made dried venison meat treat guaranteed to delight your pup! Filled with lots of wholesome venison meat and organs and no junk! Store the jerky strips in the fridge or freezer (since there are no preservatives except for a pinch of salt) and just cut or rip off a piece for your very good pup!
This item is only available for pick-up directly from Highland Farm in Germantown. Pick-up details will be emailed when order is complete.
The Beast Box is a collection of some of Highland Farm’s most popular cuts. It makes a great gift for the game meat lover in your life!
The Beast Box includes:
Bison Ribeye - 2 x 12oz steaks
Elk Loin Roast - 1 x 12oz portion
Venison Steak - 2 x 12oz steaks
Wild Boar Ribs - 2 pounds
Elk and Bison Bratwurst - 1 pound
This item is only available for pick-up directly from Highland Farm in Germantown. Pick-up details will be emailed when order is complete.
A limited edition of three of Highland Farm's most popular sweet and savory summer sausages, and a branded logo cutting board. A perfect host/hostess gift for the holidays!
Sausage Flavors: Venison Summer Sausage, Venison and Cheddar Summer Sausage, Elk Burgundy Cheddar Summer Sausage.
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A print of the winning shot from the 2022 HVNY Summer Photo Contest by Amy Mott. 12" x16" lustre finish. Prints made to order.
Updated for 2026! Wildsam Field Guides: Hudson Valley and Catskills leads travelers along the mighty Hudson River, into colorful forests and through mystical mountains with guidance from trusted locals and experts.
Stories from prize-winning writers, past and present
A detailed road trip plan and profiles of 10 idyllic towns
Interviews with artists, preservationists, brewers and hardware store owners
Delightful miscellany from the archives, selective recommendations about authentic Catskills experiences and a deep dive into the world of art history and antique collecting.
Shipping included in price. 128 pages, printed in the USA. 4x6.5” - Back pocket size
Fresh, multi-colored chicken eggs from a flock hatched and raised by hand here in the Hudson Valley. Available for pick-up only from Salt Point, NY; Address will be sent to customer after order.
Quantity available updated daily!
Handmade oyster shell trinket dishes. Not food safe but perfect for jewelry or other trinkets! One of each, as pictured. Price includes shipping.
Enjoy summer in the Hudson Valley all yearlong with a print of Croton Point Park from our 2025 HVNY Summer Photo Contest winner, Matthew Daly. Prints made to order.
For every almost maybe
the ½ loves
the right hearts but the wrong time
the lonely nights
the rainy days
may these pages restore hope in your eyes
and peace in your heart
today, tomorrow and all the days to come
A book of poetry that explores topics such as coping with various emotions, navigating relationships, love, loss, cultivating self-compassion, and more. It highlights the journey of self-exploration, through vulnerability, mindfulness, uncertainty, and a lot of the messy things many of us relate to but often avoid talking about.
Ships directly from the author.
Order a full or drilled-out Emu Egg from a lovingly handraised flock here in the Hudson Valley and impress those Easter guests!
Each egg is approximately 6” in height. The empty eggs are drilled out on either end. Ships directly from the flock in Dutchess County. Shipping costs are included in price.
Full emu eggs for culinary use are available for contact-less pick-up only from the farmstand in Salt Point, NY. Limited availability (through March). Customers will receive pick-up instructions after order confirmation. Email us for more information.
For fans of Alison Espach and Claire Lombardo, a poignant and thought-provoking debut novel about the fraught bond between mothers and teen daughters, the ripple effects of a tragic event in a small town, and the search for meaning after loss.
What if the only way forward is to let go of everything you know?
Kate’s life in the Hudson Valley seems picture-perfect: a thriving career as a realtor-slash-momfluencer, a devoted husband, and a strong bond with her brilliant teenage daughter, Indie. But when Indie’s best friend dies suddenly, their idyllic small-town haven begins to crumble. Kate and Ethan lose their footing, and Indie, alone in her grief, falls down an internet rabbit hole of nihilism and existential despair.
As Indie searches for meaning in a world that feels random and cruel, Kate struggles to reconcile her carefully curated online persona with the raw, unyielding grief tearing her family apart. When long-buried family secrets rise to the surface, she is forced to confront unsettling truths that challenge everything she thought she knew—about marriage, motherhood, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Told in the dual voices of a mother and daughter grappling with loss, No One You Know is filled with poignant observations on parenthood, best friendship, class and political divides, infidelity in a small town—and the bitter truth that death can touch everything we love.
Release date: January 20, 2026. Shipping is included in all prices.
Each piece is uniquely handcrafted, featuring four hand-rolled polymer clay beads in a coordinated black and gold colorway. No two necklaces are the same – gold foil accents create one-of-a-kind swirls and shimmer in every bead.
These lightweight statement necklaces are designed to be both stylish and versatile, perfect for dressing up casual outfits or adding a touch of glam to evening wear.
Beads measure approx. 1/2" each
Strung on a 30" elastic gold-tone cord – adjustable to your perfect length
Comes in a black organza gift bag – ready to gift or keep
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Shipping is included in all prices.
One-of-a-kind botanical art made using real dried flowers: Daisy, yarrow, Queen Anne’s lace, hyacinth & seasonal blooms.
Handcrafted baroque-style frame – made from poured, painted, and sealed resin.
Size: 4" wide x 3.125" high
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Shipping is included in all prices.
Support Hudson Valley artists and makers on the HVNY Marketplace – with a gift card!
Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at the HVNY Marketplace checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total. This gift card never expires.
Pack a picnic in a HVNY Jumbo Tote! 100% heavy cotton canvas tote with bottom gusset screen printed by Mass Artisan in Hopewell Junction
Limited supply! Shipping’s included!
All items ship for free directly from their makers – HVNY merch ships from our headquarters in Dutchess County.
This is the story of five towns located in New York s Hudson River Valley that met their demise as quickly as they were established. From the icehouses of Rockland Lake to the Ashokan Reservoir towns to the brick quarries of Roseton, only traces of these once vibrant settlements can now be found. Camp Shanks, one of World War II s most significant military compounds, was erected in 1942 but was quickly abandoned at the war s end. Last Stop USA, as it was known, played host to over one million soldiers and welcomed patriotic visitors like Frank Sinatra and Shirley Temple. In this collection of images, local authors Wesley and Barbara Gottlock revive the spirits of these bygone communities and celebrate a lost way of life." (162 pages)
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For hundreds of years throughout the world amusement parks have appealed to "the kid in all of us." Starting in the 1870's, a bourgeoning population along the Hudson River Valley and in New York City created a need for recreational outlets. With the valley's natural beauty, its access to waterfront cities, and its proximity to the nation's largest metropolis, entrepreneurs were quick to respond.The mass appeal of large parks such as Coney Island and Palisades Amusement Park has been documented thoroughly. The authors highlight some of the lesser known amusement parks, now largely forgotten, that entertained millions into the 20th century. (188 pages)
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The “Sockette,” sculptures are all made from socks! These contemporary soft sculpture characters are elaborate versions of the traditional sock doll. “The Sockettes” are sophisticated creatures, both human and animal. Each unique sculpture is hand-made with intricate features and a diverse selection of patterns, textures and materials, the combination of which assist in producing a creature that comes to life with its own distinctive personality and individual story.
Each Sockette takes 98-99 hours to create!
Size of each Sockette:
“Dolly’ is 24.5”Hx17”Wx 5”D
“Myrna” is 23.5”Hx15”Wx5”
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Shipping is included in all prices.
This snazzy set of coasters will be the talk of your next cocktail party. A wholly Earth-conscious gift, these four different species of owls have been hand-silkscreened on to upcycled scrap leather, and water treated for longevity.
4” round, set of 4 pieces, gift boxed
Genuine leather
Waterproof treatment for performance and longevity
Handmade in New York
Limited edition
Price includes shipping, and item ships directly from its maker.
Escape, in your head at least, to the riverside with this 100% chino cotton twill low-profile hat with adjustable strap and antique buckle. Made to order. Shipping’s free.