Friday night show: No supporters of town’s eminent domain plan speak during four hour public hearing
Over 500 people packed the auditorium at Red Hook High School on Friday night for a public hearing on the town board’s proposal to take over the Red Hook Boat Club by eminent domain and convert it into a public waterfront park.
More than 90 people signed up to comment during the public hearing, though not one speaker expressed their support for the town’s plan during the nearly four hour meeting.
The town’s proposal consists of opening the site to provide public waterfront recreational facilities including a boat launch, boat slips, clubhouse, picnic area and related facilities based off of the town’s 1993 comprehensive plan.
“Have you changed since 1993?” One speaker, Sarah Imboden of Tivoli, asked the board. “I’ve changed, and so has the world around me.”
While there were five other sites considered – at the end of Broadway in the Village of Tivoli, North Tivoli Bay, South Tivoli Bay, Heron Point and Astor Point – the Red Hook Boat Club, according to town officials is “the only site in Red Hook with the potential for providing direct access to the Hudson River for an active recreational asset for the Town residents. Of the areas where deep water is available close to the shore, only the Barrytown area has direct access to the shoreline because of the railroad line.”
Residents, boat club members and supporters, commodores of regional clubs, and others who “don’t have a boat in this fight,” as local farmer Norman Greig noted, questioned the town’s transparency to communicate with boat club operators and the community, the lack of traffic impact studies, the potential burden on taxpayers, and using its power to seize private property.
“I get the mail,” Bonnie Day, secretary for the boat club, told the board. “And I’ve gotten no mail about a public-private partnership [between the boat club and the town]. I did get a certified letter about this public hearing though…”
A group of neighbors from the Hamlet of Barrytown, where the boat club is located, coordinated a multi-part message to the board, as well as T-shirts and keychains saying “Protect the Historic Hamlet of Barrytown.”
The youngest speaker of the evening told the board about the first time she caught a catfish alongside her family at the club. “Please don’t take the boat club,” she added. “I’m 11 years old and even I know stealing things is wrong.”
Throughout the evening, speakers noted the dangers of the site, including the narrow, winding road heading down to the waterfront, the deep drop off of the shoreline, and the turbidity of the waters on the east side of the Hudson River. Several boaters commented that they launched in Germantown or Rhinecliff because the tides were safer, and those launch sites were easier to navigate than the tight turnaround at the end of Dock Road. Kids at the boat club have to wear life vests close to the water’s edge, one club member said, and one local volunteer firefighter asked the board if they were going to get a boat in order to perform water rescues, “because right now, we just use rubber rafts.”
At the end of the hearing, a member of the crowd asked the board if there was anyone who has voiced their support in favor of the town’s proposal.
The town-hired eminent domain attorney responded that they could FOIL – file a Freedom of Information Law request – to obtain that information.
The Town of Red Hook planning board will review the proposal during a meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86511309862
Public comments will be accepted until 4pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025: townclerk@redhook.org
Advertisement:
Bursting with delightful colors and bright illustrations, Local Baby: Hudson Valley engages babies’ attention and encourages families to explore what makes their region so great.
Cross the Bear Mountain Bridge, get spooked in Sleepy Hollow, see art at Storm King, pick apples, go sledding, and so much more! Explore the beautiful Hudson Valley with this joyfully grabbable and wonderfully local board book that is sure to bring generations together. Author: Nancy Ellwood + Author and Illustrator: Scott Leta
This granola is for the fruit lover in the house. A delicious combination of dried blueberries, cranberries and tart cherries accompanied by non-GMO whole grain oats, organic oat bran, organic flaxseed meal, raw sunflower seeds, raw pepitas, raw almonds, raw walnuts all mixed with a little bit of unsweetened fresh pressed apple juice & pure organic maple syrup to give this granola a slight crunch and flavor. Low in sugar and fat - enjoy :)
SHIPPING’S INCLUDED! All items in the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers, for free.
To enjoy all that New York state roadways have to offer, jump in the car and drive to sweeping lake or ocean views, lush vineyard landscapes, or breathtaking mountain vistas. Featuring more than 1,900 miles of scenic routes and byways, this indispensable highway companion maps out unforgettable trips for exploring New York’s natural beauty. Scenic Driving New York features thirty separate drives through the Empire State with delicious ice cream stops and fun side trips along the way. Buckle up and begin your next journey!
Publisher: Globe Pequot
ISBN13: 9781493058228
Binding: Paperback / softback
Page Count: 384 Pages
Pub Date: Apr 1, 2021
Shipping’s included in all prices on the HVNY Marketplace
In 1870, the New York Herald proclaimed that Ulster County was New York's Ulcer County due to its lawlessness and crime. The columnist supported his claim by citing that in only six months, it has been the scene of no less than four cold blooded and brutal murders, six suicides and four elopements. Hannah Markle--the bane of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union--ran a Kingston saloon where murder and violence were served alongside the whiskey. John Babbitt confessed on his deathbed to murdering Emma Brooks, and Willie Brown--reputed member of the Eastman Gang--accidentally shot his best friend. The infamous Big Bad Bill, the Gardiner Desperado, lashed out more than once and killed in a drunken rage. Discover the mayhem and murder that these and others wreaked on one of New York State's original counties.
About the author
A.J. Schenkman is a historian, educator, and author. He specializes in uncovering the “hidden” human stories of American history, particularly within the Hudson Valley. His storytelling approach to history, which he calls “History Made Seamless,” uses personal narratives over dry dates and battles. His body of work includes Wicked Ulster County and Murder and Mayhem in Ulster County, as well as broader historical investigations such as Patriots and Spies in Revolutionary New York and his 2025 release, Hispanic Americans in the Civil War. In addition to his adult non-fiction books, he has also authored a children’s book, Franklin’s Trees, which explores FDR’s passion for conservation.
Ships directly from the publisher. Shipping’s included in all prices on the HVNY Marketplace
Publication Date: November 3, 2026
The Hudson Valley is more than just scenic vistas — it is the birthplace of American history. Go beyond the traditional guidebook to counties nestled along the east and west banks of the majestic Hudson River. From Native American settlements and Dutch colonial roots to the rise of the English, history unfolds at every turn in the river. Discover Newburgh, where Washington had his longest headquarters of the Revolution. Explore the quaint town of Kingston, home of the state’s first capital. Learn how the pivotal Battle of Saratoga turned the tide of the American Revolution. Admire the artistic heritage of Frederic Church’s Olana, the vast Gilded Age estates, and the nation’s first presidential library in Hyde Park. Join local historian A.J. Schenkman as he traces the forgotten histories and vibrant heritage of one of America’s most historic regions.
About the author
A.J. Schenkman is a historian, educator, and author. He specializes in uncovering the “hidden” human stories of American history, particularly within the Hudson Valley. His storytelling approach to history, which he calls “History Made Seamless,” uses personal narratives over dry dates and battles. His body of work includes Wicked Ulster County and Murder and Mayhem in Ulster County, as well as broader historical investigations such as Patriots and Spies in Revolutionary New York and his 2025 release, Hispanic Americans in the Civil War. In addition to his adult non-fiction books, he has also authored a children’s book, Franklin’s Trees, which explores FDR’s passion for conservation.
Ships directly from the publisher. Shipping’s included in all prices on the HVNY Marketplace
Prince Nyle of Wisteria, newly 17, is set to sail the Floral Sea with Captain Oxford, his father’s lead commander. Nyle’s heart longs for adventure, but it also longs for Adelaide, his childhood best friend. However, like in any classic fairytale, Nyle’s father has forbidden him from marrying a commoner. Unbeknownst to the feuding father-son pair, Captain Oxford is plotting with King Oleander of Chrysanthemum to seize control and rule the Flower Alliance. As Oxford’s plot is revealed, Nyle, Adelaide, and a misfit band of heroes work together to stop Oxford and restore peace. In part two, King Oleander’s son, Henbane, finds a piece of a treasure map that will lead to answers surrounding his mother’s death. Theo, a pacifist from Poppy (the island of war), and Emma, a healer from Amaranth, get caught in the treasure hunt. King Alastair of Poppy seeks the lost treasure for himself. With the democracy of the Flower Alliance once again at risk, Theo and Emma team up with familiar friends to find the treasure.
Paperbacks & hardcovers are printed on demand. Paperbacks are $26, and Hardcovers are $32.
Every summer, Erica Margot and her family head to Maine for a month. This summer is different — not only is it the summer before her senior year, but her twin brother’s best friend, Cameron, is tagging along. And he’s kind of hot. But she doesn’t have time for romance, does she? Can she be a strong, independent woman in STEM but also desperately want a boyfriend? While checking off annual family traditions, Erica Margot tries to grapple with who she is — and how to put it into a college application essay — along with her growing feelings for Cameron. As a straight-A student, she’s constantly afraid of coming across as high-maintenance and arrogant instead of determined, and she’s scared Cameron will think he’s holding her back. Despite her sorta-kinda-high-maintenance-ness, Erica Margot’s family vacation is full of silliness, inside jokes, and an absurd amount of ice cream. And maybe that’s exactly what she needs to figure out what life is all about, and to find her place in between the stars.
Paperbacks are printed on demand.
One mountain, three victims. Strangers and old friends spend the night on Mount Macabre, but not all of them make it home. The local Sheriff navigates difficult personalities, decodes lies, and unravels secrets on the haunted summit she knows all too well. How long will it take, and how many lives will be ruined in the process?
Paperbacks & hardcovers are printed on demand.
The truth is out there, hidden in remote, tucked-away corners of the Hudson River Valley…Are you ready to uncover it?
In Hauntings of the Hudson River Valley, author Vin Dacquino strives to discover the true story behind three enigmatic folk legends: Sybil Ludington, Chief Daniel Nimham, and George Denny. Each was the central figure in a dramatic series of events; each became enshrined in local lore for their actions; each has had their true story obscured; and each may have left behind a spiritual residue. Follow Dacquino as he interviews local experts, explores areas where hauntings may have occurred--such as Carmel's legendary Smalley's Inn – and digs deep into historical archives to open new windows into the lives and possible afterlives of these three mysterious characters.
Pages: 128
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Imprint: The History Press
Publication Date: 15th November 2007
Format: Paperback
Shipping’s included in all prices on the HVNY Marketplace
Handmade oyster shell trinket dishes. Not food safe but perfect for jewelry or other trinkets! One of each, as pictured. Price includes shipping.
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
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
All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.
"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.”
All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.
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.”
All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.
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.
All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.
Acrylic, tape, yarn on stretched canvas 30x30inches, 2024 - Original artwork. Ships directly from the artist.
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.
All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers, for free.
A print of the winning shot from the 2022 HVNY Summer Photo Contest by Amy Mott. 12" x16" lustre finish. Prints made to order.
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
This item ships directly from its maker.
Shipping is included in all prices.
Add an event to the HVNY calendar at hvny.info/share-your-event