HVNY News + Notes (August 28 - September 3, 2023)
On Monday, West Point officials livestreamed the opening of a time capsule that was found inside a monument dedicated to Revolutionary War patriot Thaddeus Koscuiszko. The lead box was discovered after crews were disassembling the base of the monument for repairs. It is believed to be from 1829, and placed by cadets. A high-powered X-ray machine was used to try to look inside the box without opening it, but was unsuccessful because the box is made of lead. “There’s a lot that’s still left for us to uncover. There’s still more work to be done by historians and archeologists to understand what was going on here at the Academy in its early years,” Col. Scully said during the livestream. Watch the unveiling of the time capsule on the West Point YouTube channel. (Spoiler: Don’t get too excited, there was a lot of silt on the bottom of the box, indicating there was water penetration.)
According to forest rangers, a man said he was “being hunted like in Predator” while hiking in the Town of Shandaken last week. On August 21, 2023 at 2:45 a.m., Forest Ranger Martin received a call from Ray Brook Dispatch about an injured subject on Mount Tremper in Ulster County. At 3:10 a.m., Ranger Martin made phone contact with the 36-year-old from Connecticut who claimed he got into an altercation with his hiking companion and believed he was "being hunted like in Predator." The hiker twisted his ankle while escaping. Three more forest rangers responded to the site with a six-wheeler and found the subject at 5:50 a.m., asleep off the trail. Rangers then found the hiking companion, a 31-year-old from Beacon, in the Mount Tremper lean-to. Interviews of both subjects indicated significant drug and alcohol impairment. Both subjects were looked at by Shandaken EMS with no further incident.
‘Turkey shoot’ sign vandalized in Rhinebeck: Police are seeking information after a sign was vandalized at the intersection of Violet Hill Road and Route 9G in Rhinebeck over the weekend. The sign promoting the Neighbor’s Gun Club’s annual Turkey Shoot on September 24 was marred with the words “cowardly murder” in neon orange spray paint.
“For whoever did this, let it be known: we do not shoot live turkeys. We shoot paper targets, and the winner of each event receives a frozen turkey. Many of which go to those who need one for Thanksgiving. That’s why it’s called a turkey shoot,” the gun club explained.
According to witnesses, the person in question vandalized the sign during the day and was seen driving off in a dark blue Porsche convertible. Contact the Village of Rhinebeck Police at (845) 876-8181 with any information.
The Kingston Point Beach and Andretta Pool will close for the season on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Once the pool is closed, there will be no parking at Dietz Stadium as construction continues on the stadium’s $20M renovation.
The Town of Fishkill has voted to impose a moratorium on the development of self-storage facilities in the town. “In recent years, self-storage facility development has exploded in Fishkill … the town has found itself inundated with proposals for facility development and many residents have voiced concerns. The moratorium gives the town a 12-month window to research and examine the town code and potentially consider amending the town zoning code to ensure the proper regulation of self-storage facilities.
The New York State Public Service Commission will hold a virtual conference on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10am to discuss Central Hudson’s proposed gas and electric rate hike requests, charges and regulations. Access the meeting, here.
After being closed for three years, Sprout Creek Farm announced it will be re-opening under the new ownership of Gopal Farm, a no-kill farm and organization headquartered in New Paltz. “Gopal Farm is going to be the model for an ethical A2 no-kill dairy- and farm-based wellness, educational and artistic retreat center,” the new owners said of their plans for the 200-acre farm that skirts along the 24.8-mile-long Sprout Creek. The farm’s first community event will take place in the fall, details TBA.
Interested in picking up the popular sport Pickleball? The Dutchess County Parks department and the Office for the Aging will be offering a free, three-day “Learn to Play Pickleball” lesson series at Quiet Cove Park in Poughkeepsie on September 19, September 26 and October 3, 2023. Equipment will be provided. Classes are open to Dutchess County residents ages 60 and over. Space is extremely limited, reservations are required by calling 845-486-2555.
Teachers are appreciated every Friday this summer at the Wethersfield Estate and Garden, Amenia. Wethersfield Estate & Garden offers free admission to teachers and their immediate families every Friday through August. Set on 1,000 acres, the estate includes a gorgeous formal garden inspired by the villa gardens of the Italian Renaissance. Wethersfield’s network of trails is open for hiking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Click here to learn more.
Get ready to start something new: Never Been in Book Group Book Group will meet on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:30pm at the Clinton Community Library. Everything you ever wanted to know about book clubs but were afraid to ask – now's your chance! This book group is for anyone who is dipping in for the first time. At the first meet-up, there will be talk about what books the group is interested in and how the group will run.
BTW: It’s Labor Day Weekend! Most offices will be closed on Monday, including the HVNY office (but the HVNY Marketplace will still be open and accepting orders). Share your Hudson Valley news, info and events to hello@hvny.info.
