HVNY News + Notes (3/18/24)
Early Voting for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election will take place between Saturday, March 23, 2024, and Saturday, March 30, 2024. There will be no Early Voting on Sunday, March 31, 2024 due to Easter. For the Presidential Primary, Early Voting poll sites will now be open for at least 9 hours on each of the 8 days. More info: https://elections.ny.gov/ways-vote
Last shot of Winter – Spring is here! And so is the deadline to enter the HVNY 2023-24 Winter Photo Contest! Submit your (1 and only one) best photograph from winter around the Hudson Valley to photos@hvny.info. Details on finalists and voting to come!
Lane reductions are scheduled to take place on Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 this week through April 30 for bridge painting, weather permitting:
One lane will close in each direction along Interstate 84 between Exit 44 (State Route 52) in the Town of East Fishkill and Exit 46 (U.S. Route 9) in the Town of Fishkill, between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays
Two lanes will close in each direction along Interstate 684 between Exit 1 (Interstate 287) in the Town of Harrison and Exit 3 (State Route 22) in the Town of North Castle, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday nights through Friday nights
Between Exit 1 (Interstate 287) in the Town of Harrison and Exit 3 (State Route 22) in the Town of North Castle, one lane will close northbound from 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and one lane will close southbound from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and one lane will close in each direction on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.
One lane will close in each direction 24/7 along State Route 120, between American Lane and Gateway Lane, in the Town of Harrison
Sheriff’s office warns of increasing scams: The latest scam involves the perpetrators asking victims to participate in a United States Postal Service (USPS) survey. “The perpetrators mail the victims a fake, but official-looking letter from the USPS, which informs them that they’ve been chosen help provide better service by participating in the survey. The letter goes on to say that in order to do this they will need to cash a bank check that comes with the letter, then proceeds to give them step-by-step instructions on what to do with the money. At this time the Sheriff’s Office has one report of someone receiving this letter, and that person recognized it as a scam before cashing the check or giving any money. If anyone receives a letter like the one accompanying this release they are urged to not follow any of the instructions and contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 845-486-3820. If anyone thinks they may have been the victim of a scam they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3800 or via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE or dcsotips@gmail.com, dutchessny.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Sheriffs-Office-warns-of-increasing-scams.htm
Fix a Leak Week is March 18 - 24, 2024. The NYS DEC encourages residents to improve your home's water efficiency by finding and fixing leaks. The average household leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, and 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Visit DEC's Save Energy and Water webpage for more tips on how to save water at home
Backstage access with actress Hilarie Burton Morgan in Rhinebeck – Actress and New York Times best-selling author Hilarie Burton Morgan will be dishing backstage during a special fundraiser for local theater group, The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. On April 14 at 1pm, guests will get exclusive backstage access at The Center and “step into the dressing room for a one-on-one meet and greet with Hilarie” with selfies encouraged. After the backstage tour, Hilarie will take the stage to lead a Q&A session “about the impacts and importance of theatre.” Autographed posters, complementary cider and special cameos will also be part of the fundraiser. https://centerforperformingarts.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=530
Nominations are open for the 2024 Kingston Distinguished Artist Award – Established in 2018 through a partnership with Mayor Noble and the Kingston Arts Commission, the Distinguished Artist Award is a biennial recognition of creative excellence, artistic accomplishments, and community involvement. Nominees for the Distinguished Artist Awards must be a resident of Kingston for a minimum of two years. Nominations can be creatives from any artistic discipline including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, theater, film, and music. The awardee will be chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the art form, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally, nationally, or internationally. Nomination forms are available at www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists and are due by 4:30pm on Friday, March 22, 2024. The awardee will be recognized at an award ceremony and reception held at City Hall on May 23, 2024, and hold the distinction for two years.
Dutchess County seeks members for Human Rights commission – The Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights is seeking candidates for membership on the Commission to fill vacancies as terms expire. Individuals who are dedicated to the cause of human rights and seek to ensure Dutchess County is an inclusive and respectful community for all are encouraged to apply. The Commission seeks candidates who represent the full diversity of the County, including geographical diversity. Applications are available online at dutchessny.gov/humanrights. Application deadline is March 31, 2024.
Small Monument Competition in Kingston – The City of Kingston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gather proposed concepts for a monument or sculpture design, which would be fabricated and permanently installed in Post Office Park. Applicants must provide concepts that pay homage to the memory of the lost post office that once stood on the site and was torn down during urban renewal in 1970. Built between 1904-1908, the post office was a notable limestone and granite structure with a rounded façade and Classical and Beaux Arts design elements. Post Office Park’s design/construction plans include two 3 feet by 3 feet round cement pedestals for the support of artwork. The City requests proposals from interested individuals, companies, or partners, including but not limited to sculptors, architects, fabricators and other types of designers and manufacturers, to create and build a small monument for permanent placement on one of the pedestals. Artwork for the second pedestal will be selected in a separate future program. Applicants may identify which pedestal is more suitable for their design. The full RFP outlining the details and requirements is located here. The competition deadline is Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The winning design is expected to be announced in June. Funding for the Post Office Park Small Monument Competition comes from the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Details at engagekingston.com/post-office-park-small-monument-competition.
Applications are now open for the 5th Upstate Art Weekend, taking place July 18-21, 2024. Deadline to apply is March 27, 2024. https://www.upstateartweekend.org/apply
Volunteers wanted for the Clermont State Historic Site Harvest History Teaching Garden: From March through November, help with starting seeds, planting, mulching, weeding, and harvesting. Hours may vary from twice per month to more than once per week, depending on the volunteer’s schedule. Volunteers who work at least 40 hours in a year will receive a complimentary one-year family membership, two free tickets to annual benefit and more perks. friendsofclermont.org/volunteer
Want a garden but don’t have the space? Rent a plot of Hudson Valley farmland as your garden this year! Grieg Farm in Red Hook has plots available for the 2024 season; each plot is 20-by-20 feet with water access available. The community garden season at Greig Farm runs April 1 through December 1. Cost is $60. https://www.greigfarm.com/community-garden (Note: The garden space is located in an open field and is not fenced; if you have issues with deer or small mammals, you may fence your plot.)
Have news or info you want to share with the neighbors? Send it to hello@hvny.info. Deadline to be considered for this newsletter is 5pm Sundays (but earlier the better!)
