HVNY News + Notes (2/15/24)
New Paltz to celebrate 20th anniversary of same-sex marriages – On February 27, 2004, Village of New Paltz Mayor performed the first same-sex marriage ceremony in the Peace Park.
February 27 marks the 20th anniversary of Village of New Paltz Mayor Emeritus Jason West’s 2004 heroic act of civil disobedience that changed the world forever, when he performed the first same-sex marriages for LGBTQ+ couples in Peace Park. To celebrate this history, on Sunday, February 25, the New Paltz Pride Coalition is hosting a “Love is Love” Drag Brunch Fundraiser to honor Mayor Emeritus Jason West, celebrate the couples who participated “in that historic act of civil disobedience,” and feature drag performances curated by Veela Peculiar. All proceeds from the brunch will support the New Paltz Pride Coalition’s mission to open the New Paltz Pride Center. newpaltzpridecoalition.org
Closings due to Presidents: Monday, February 19 is Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday.
Utility poles to cross the street for trail upgrades – During the week of February 19, Central Hudson will begin site work on the east side of Route 9D, just north of the Breakneck tunnel in the Town of Fishkill, to relocate utility poles from the west side of Route 9D. The utility relocation project will eliminate utility poles and wires from the view of the river in this section of the Route 9D Scenic Byway in coordination with upgrades to the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail project. Work is expected to be completed by June, according to the Town of Fishkill. Route 9D will remain open, but the site work could cause some minor periodic traffic delays, as well as short-term closures at the Breakneck and Wilkinson Memorial trailheads and associated trail parking area. The relocation of utilities in the area of the Breakneck Connector trailhead will :make way for new improvements, including restrooms, improved parking, the bridge across Metro-North railroad tracks, enhanced crosswalks, and wayfinding signage.” This construction will be followed by the New York State Department of Transportation’s planned improvements to the Breakneck tunnel during the summer, then construction of the Breakneck Connector & Bridge beginning in the fall. 2,080 shrubs, 430 trees, and thousands of additional native plants will replace trees that will be removed “to foster more early successional forest, dense shrub, and grassland habitat, which will better serve native wildlife.”
Free pancakes for residents ages 60 and up – The Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s Pancakes in the Park returns to Bowdoin Park on March 21. Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. Registration opens Friday, February 23; call 845-486-2555 to register.
If you missed last Tuesday’s Partners for Climate Action’s Morning Coffee webinar, "The Climate Science Behind Our Storms," here is a link to the session recording + a list of resources from presenter, Anton Seimon, and webinar attendees.
The Mohonk Mountain House announced a new attraction opening this spring: The Mohonk Via Ferrata, the first Via Ferrata in the Shawangunk Mountains that offers “a blend of rock climbing, cable traverses, and aerial staircases.” Seasonally available to overnight guests of Mohonk Mountain House. mohonk.com/recreation/via-ferrata/
Illegal dumpsite shut down in Dutchess County – A landlord in the Village of Wappingers Falls was allowing one of his properties to be used as a dump site for construction and demolition left over from a renovation project instead of properly disposing of the waste. DEC officials were called to investigate the situation as the property “borders and slopes precariously toward Wappingers Creek.” The landlord was charged with operating a solid waste management facility without a permit and ordered to clean up the mess. The charge carries potential fines of $1,500 to $15,000 per day or imprisonment.
UPDATE: ArfBeacon is currently sorting through applications to adopt Champ, the 4-month-old Aussie mix that was featured during this year’s PuppyBowl. Apply to meet Champ, or find a winning buddy of your own at https://arfbeacon.org/adopt
Still happening:
Application Open for 2024 Music in the Parks performers: Applications are now open for performers for The City of Kingston’s 2024 Music in the Parks series. Music in the Parks is the City of Kingston’s free, family-oriented concert series held at various Kingston park locations on Saturday evenings during the summer. Selected ensembles will receive an honorarium. Due to a large number of Kingston-based artists interested in performing, an application process has been established. The deadline for submissions is February 29, 2024. The 2024 Music in the Parks performer applications can be found at https://www.kingston-ny.gov/musicintheparks The Music in the Parks 2024 Selection Panel will be conducting reviews in early March. Selected performers will be notified by mid-March. All applicants will receive a response once selections are completed. Applicants not selected will be kept and considered in the event of an opening.
