Archive Page
A compilation of previous community news and events

Join us in sampling different chocolates from around the world as
we learn about chocolate from the tree to the confection.

Chef Budd is a graduate and former professor of The Culinary
Institute of America and has been named one of the
"Ten best pastry chefs in America" 

Agenda  
6:30 - 7:00 Desserts and Coffee reception
7:00 - 7:20 Video presentation origins of cocoa
7:20 - 8:00 Chocolate Lecture - today’s trends
8:00 - 9:00 Chocolate tasting (9 varieties)
9:00 - 9:30 announce tasting winners, Q and A.

Friday, March 5th, 2010
6:30—9:30pm
$26 per adult
$16 for students & senior citizens
Taste Budd’s Café
40 West Market Street, Red Hook

Register online at www.TasteBudds.com

Seating is limited to 50 people. 
Please register in advance to reserve your spot.

For more information contact Angela May at ajmay@frontiernet.net
(Proceeds to support the Red Hook PTSA)

FEBRUARY NATURE NOTES

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is February 12-15. The Count is a joint project between the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A person can participate in the GBBC by simply counting the birds in the yard and reporting the counts on line at: www.birdsource.org/gbbc

The website has GBBC participation instructions as well as other interesting bird information.

The submitted counts will enable scientists to collect data and interpret patterns in bird populations. It is also a good educational opportunity for a family to connect to a scientific study.

February is National Bird Feeding Month

February 13, 2010---New Moon February 28, 2010 ---Full Moon

Breeding season continues for Great Horned, Barred, Screech and Saw Whet Owls.Listen for the mating call of Black-capped Chickadees.

Red-winged male Blackbirds begin to return. Females arrive later (March).Cardinals and Tufted Titmice begin to sing as days lengthen.

Beginning February into March, Coyotes and eastern Gray Squirrels begin to breed.

Skunk Cabbage will be the first blooming flower of the year. Witch Hazel can also   bloom this month.

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

Milan, New York

February 2010

VALENTINE’S DAY

We will have a Valentine’s Day celebration on Tuesday, February 16th.  It will be a scaled down version of our usual parties, as we had our Holiday party on January 12th, and will have a St Patrick’s Day party on Tuesday, March 16th.  We are asking members to bring a finger food or hors d’oeuvre.  We will supply a Valentine’s cake and drinks.  If you would like to bring your lunch also, that is up to you.  We still need to know how many will attend.  Please remember to call and leave a message (845-758-5133 ext 57) if you will be attending.  Thank you for your cooperation and don’t forget to think RED!!!

ST PATRICK’S DAY

We will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, March 16th.  As we did last year, the club will purchase the corned beef, potatoes, cabbage and carrots.  We will need members to cook the ingredients in crock pots.  If you have a crock pot and would be interested in helping out, please call the senior office at 845 758 5133 ext 57 and leave a message.  Or better yet, stop in on Tuesdays for lunch at 11:30 AM.  Members are welcome to bring an hors d’oeuvre or dessert to the party.  If you do, please let us know what you will bring.  It would be nice to get some new people involved in club activities, party planning and preparation.  If you can VOLUNTEER to help keep the club alive.  Again, please let us know if you will be attending or are willing to help.  Think GREEN!!!!

READ MORE

Safety and Security for the Home Owner

A community forum sponsored by the Rowe Methodist Church, Sunday afternoon, February 21 from 2-4pm at the Milan Town Hall on Rt. 199.  A special focus for seniors and those who live alone, featuring representatives from the State Troopers and Fire Department with a question and answer portion - coffee and snacks to follow.  All welcome.

Red Hook Public Library Board of Trustees to Meet

The Red Hook Public Library Board of Trustees will meet to discuss library business at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 18. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, call the Red Hook Public Library, 845-758-3241. The library is located at 7444 S. Broadway in Red Hook and on the Web at http://redhook.lib.ny.us/.

Red Hook High School student Michael Hague won first prize for his painting "Physical Sound" at the Columbia Green College juried Art Show on January 27, 2010

ON THESE COLD, COLD DAYS,

DON’T FORGET YOUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

By Evelyn Bartin, January, 2010

It’s mid-January, and though the holidays have already come and gone, winter is still upon us and will be so for many more weeks to come.  And unfortunately, as the snow continues to fall and the temps continue to drop (and the economy continues in recession), many of our neighbors are in need of a good meal and a warm coat.

But you can help!  Here are some ways and locations you can donate.

READ MORE

~~BLUEBIRDS~~

By Frank Margiotta
January 2010

The Eastern Bluebird is New York’s state bird. Around the turn of the century, this beautiful and musical bird’s population began to decline due mainly to the following reasons:

1.  Habitat Loss -- Over the years, land clearing for development and agriculture has taken a toll on forest, meadow, wetland and other natural habitats. The ideal bluebird habitat is an open field, pasture, meadow, park and even a large lawn with nearby trees for nesting, protective cover and perching. The perching is part of the behavior that enables bluebirds to observe the open short grass habitats for insects, their main summer food. Many bluebirds migrate but some remain here all year dependent on many kinds of wild berries for their winter food supply. The supply of berries has also decreased over the years and there is intense competition from other bird species for the same food supplies.

2.  Reduction in Nesting Sites -- Bluebirds utilize the natural cavities of trees for nesting. Removal of old and dead trees as well as the reduction of forest habitat has diminished the availability of suitable nesting sites which results in population decline.

3.  Competition For Nesting Sites -- There are two introduced and very aggressive birds (English Sparrows and European Starlings) that are also cavity nesters. They often drive away the more timid bluebirds. In addition, there are other bird species that compete for cavity nest sites such as Chickadees, Great-crested Flycatchers, Titmice, Woodpeckers and Tree Swallows.

READ MORE

THE RED HOOK PTSA

By Judi Gelardi, January, 2010

The Red Hook PTSA (Parents Teachers Students Association) was formed many years ago.  Its main purpose is to bring parents, teachers and students together working toward common goals.

However, the Red Hook PTSA is more than a meeting group:  the organization spearheads several fundraising efforts that make mini-grants available to teachers who qualify.  One of the recipients is Mrs. Mary Pat Budd, the head of the Who Cares? Club.  This is a group of environmentally friendly Red Hook Middle School students whose mission is to teach others to re-use and re-cycle by showing how easy this effort can be.

READ MORE  

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

MILAN, NEW YORK

January  2010

HOLIDAY PARTY

The holiday party that we had to postpone from Tuesday, December 15th is still on for the 12th of January.  The club will be depending on members for the main course this year along with the finger foods and desert.  So far, we have lasagna, chicken surprise, corn casserole, tossed salad, potato salad, spinach dip in bread, taco dip, cheese & crackers, candy, rice pudding, five other desserts, including sour cream coffee cake and death by chocolate.  We will have punch, mulled cider, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  We will also celebrate our January birthdays at this party.  We will still have our grab bag for those interested.   Gifts should cost about $ 5.00, men bring a gift for a man and women for a woman.  Please advise us if you will be coming.  We really need to know how many will be attending and what you would like to bring.  Come join in the fun.  It is a great way to beat the January blahs.  Hope to see you. If you are going to attend please contact Mary Ellen at - 845-758-5133 ext 57 - Thank You.

READ MORE

RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE

Here are just a few web sites you can visit to make donations
to help the victims of Haiti’s recent devastating earthquake:

www.redcross.org

www.unicef.org

www.habitat.org/Haiti-Earthquake

www.clintonbushhaitifund.org

Or you can Google “Haiti relief” and find several others.

REPORT ON THE REGULAR MILAN TOWN BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 11, 2010

Call to Order:
The Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm.

Public Comment:
One resident commented on the generally improved state of the Town’s official web site, but made a strong request for more current and detailed updates and information, particularly as regards the site’s Calendar of Events. The Board responded by acknowledging the request.

Acceptance of Minutes:
The following minutes were accepted by the Board: Public Hearing of 12/14/09; Regular Meeting of 12/14/09; Special Meeting of 12/18/09; Year End Meeting of 12/28/09; Re-organization Meeting of 1/1/10.

Correspondence:
No correspondence was read and/or recorded in the official minutes.

Monthly Financial Report:
Motion made: To accept the Monthly Financial Report.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

READ MORE

New Sewer System for Red Hook

January 21, 2010

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus is working to advance the development of a new sewer district in the Village and Town of Red Hook. This sewer district will provide sewer services to properties with frontage along Broadway (Route 9) and Market Street (Route 199), the commercial corridor of the Village and Town of Red Hook. The next step in the project is to set a Public Hearing on the establishment of Part County Sewer District No. 6 in the Village of Red Hook by the Dutchess County Legislature, at the request of Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority. 

READ MORE

Towns and cities cut spending, raise taxes to balance budgets

John Davis
Poughkeepsie Journal

January 11, 2010

Of the 20 towns and two cities in Dutchess County, 17 cut spending in their 2010 budgets, compared to the previous year. Despite the cuts, 12 of those municipalities raised tax rates for 2010.
In the 22 Dutchess County municipalities, 16 raised their tax levies, the total amount to be collected in property taxes, and 16 raised tax rates. Dover and North East held their tax rates to the 2009 levels, while Beekman, Clinton, Rhinebeck and Stanford cut the town tax rates, according to Poughkeepsie Journal research.

READ MORE

RHINEBECK’S COMP PLAN PASSES

January 2010

History was made at the December 29, 2009, Town Board meeting.  After seven years of discussions, public hearings, community input, expert consultancy and an amazing amount of volunteer and professional dedication, The Town of Rhinebeck’s Comprehensive Plan has passed.  

Adoption and enactment of the Plan took seven resolutions, including three local laws, and it happened at the very last Town Board meeting of 2009, providing a sense of closure to the year and to this visionary project.  Town Supervisor Tom Traudt presented the plan's consultants, represented by Attorney Warren Replansky and Planner Ted Fink, with plaques commemorating the Town's gratitude for their hard work.  Sally Mazzarella, as Chair of the Comp Plan Committee, also received a plaque and recognition for her dedication, commitment and vision in bringing the Plan to fruition.  

READ MORE

RHINEBECK’S COMP PLAN PASSES

January 2010

History was made at the December 29, 2009, Town Board meeting.  After seven years of discussions, public hearings, community input, expert consultancy and an amazing amount of volunteer and professional dedication, The Town of Rhinebeck’s Comprehensive Plan has passed.  

Adoption and enactment of the Plan took seven resolutions, including three local laws, and it happened at the very last Town Board meeting of 2009, providing a sense of closure to the year and to this visionary project.  Town Supervisor Tom Traudt presented the plan's consultants, represented by Attorney Warren Replansky and Planner Ted Fink, with plaques commemorating the Town's gratitude for their hard work.  Sally Mazzarella, as Chair of the Comp Plan Committee, also received a plaque and recognition for her dedication, commitment and vision in bringing the Plan to fruition.  

READ MORE

Rhinebeck Chamber Music Society

Church of the Messiah
Montgomery Street/Rte 9
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Concerts for the 2010 Season

Sunday, January 10 @ 4 PM
TESSERA QUARTET

Sunday, February 7,@4
ARIEL QUARTET

Sunday, March 7 @4
YING QUARTET

Pre concert talk @3:30
Post concert reception with the artists

www.rhinebeckmusic.org

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

MILAN, NEW YORK

December 2009

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Rose Berek
Carolyn DiMauro
Jerry Gold
Carol Hess
Anthony Putorti

☺  A big Happy Birthday to all the above and enjoy your day .   If you see any of the above wish them a Happy Birthday or come to our birthday celebration on the 15th of  December.   ☺

~~~~~~~~~~

NEWS TIPS

Anyone with information or news for the news letter please contact Mary Ellen Herlihy or Frank Christensen at the Town Hall - 845 758 5133 ext 57.

~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER

Dues of $5 are due 1 January 2010.  Contact Mike to make payment.

FIRE/RESCUE BREAKFAST

The Rescue Squad will have its breakfast on the 20th this month. It will be held at the Town Hall between 8 and 11 AM.   Get involved in the Christmas spirit and support the people that do so much to assist us in our time of need.  Come out and have a good Breakfast and meet some of your neighbors and friends and support the squad.  Hope to see you all on the 20th.

READ MORE

$29.6M Dutchess BOCES bond defeated

Rasheed Oluwa

Poughkeepsie Journal

December 3, 2009

Dutchess County BOCES officials will likely discuss their next course of action after Tuesday's failed bond referendum vote during next week's school board meeting.

Tuesday's $29.65 million bond vote failed 5,176 to 4,200, according to officials from the county Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The bond would have funded the construction of a building on the Salt Point campus in the Town of Hyde Park along with other renovations.  READ MORE

WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON:  THE LONGEST BRIDGE IN THE WORLD

November 2009

In 1889, what we now know as the Walkway, was opened as a railroad bridge and was rightfully acclaimed a feat of engineering--the longest bridge in the world.  For almost a hundred years the bridge served local and national needs, including moving troops and supplies during both world wars.  In 1974 the bridge was destroyed by fire and remained suspended lifeless over the Hudson for thirty-five years.  This year, the bridge was re-opened as a pedestrian walkway and it once again enjoys the engineering spotlight it deserves--it is now the longest walkway in the world.  Click on the link below and enjoy a short documentary on the Walkway's history, from its conception pre-Civil War to its 2009 re-birth.

See the documentary Video for more...

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

MILAN, NEW YORK
November  2009

ELECTION DAY

BAKE SALE

We will be holding a bake sale on  election day which is on 3rd of November this year.  Please remember to bring in some baked items.  The more members that bring something in the better we will do.  Also we are still looking for some more people to help on election day to sell the items.  Our bake sales are usually very successful and we are looking forward to another one.  The proceeds will go to the local food pantries.  As usual any help from our members is greatly appreciated

READ WHOLE ARTICLE

The Answer is: 350

By Larry Steel, October, 2009

And the question is:  The total number of calories in a buttered English muffin?  Derek Jeter’s batting average last year?  The number of pot holes on Route 199?  If you were on Jeopardy, any one of those questions might or might not fit the answer of 350.  But for the purposes of this article, 350 suggests a much more meaningful question:  How many parts per million of carbon emissions in the atmosphere have scientists determined to be the acceptable upper limit for our planet to survive?

The sad truth is, however, that we are currently at 390 parts per million.  So while most of us are way too busy to think about our carbon footprint, the earth is continuing to choke.  Top scientists, not just in the U.S. but around the world, agree that the effect of carbon dioxide on climate is no longer theory; it is now measured scientific fact.  However, in the U.S. approximately 30-40% of Americans, either because of individual ideology or a misunderstanding of the science, still don’t believe that climate change is any more a problem today than it was a hundred years ago.  Because of their religious convictions, there are also large numbers of people around the world who don’t believe we can (or should!) do anything about it.

READ MORE

VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOV 24TH – “YES” OR “NO”

FOR THE PROPOSED $39.4MILLION

RED HOOK HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT

The Red Hook Central School District is proposing a capital building project long under discussion – an expanded high school facility that will contain, most prominently, a new auditorium, stated by Paul Finch, Red Hook Superintendent of Schools, as one that will provide “adequate performance space for our high school students.”  The project will also contain a renovated gymnasium, renovated locker room space, enhanced lab space for science classes, and additional office space for teacher-student meetings.

READ MORE

Second Letter to the Community from Red Hook Central School District

Veterans Day

In Memory of Frank Tanzosch

By Bill May

November 2009

READ MORE

On the 6th of October 2009 Ursula Plock was awarded the "New York State Court Clerk of the Year" by the Court Clerks Association.

Left to right - President Maryann Baake NYSAMCC, Ursula, Hon Frank Christensen, Town of Milan (Ursula's Judge), Hon Barbara Seelbach, Town of Clinton for DCMA, Peter Gerstenzang, Esq. Emcee.

You can learn more about the Walkway Over the Hudson at www.walkway.org

Milan Fire Rescue Responds

Accidents happen even on our relatively lightly traveled roads. This one took place on Turkey Hill Road on Thursday morning, October 15th. Through a long, cold morning, Milan volunteer controlled the scene, attended to the injured, and stood by in case of further mishap.

READ MORE

Garlic, Garlic, Everywhere

September 2009

by Al Sativum

For the Milan gardener, it’s one of the easiest and most reliable crops to grow, and one of the most satisfying. Homegrown garlic is a revelation and well worth the effort.

I talked to Ethel, who with her husband Tom runs a small-scale organic farm in Milan and this year grew 16,000 heads of the pungent plant. She offers some helpful advice for garlic neophytes.

Ethel and Tom's garlic emporium in Milan

READ MORE

THE MILAN RESCUE SQUAD: ANSWERING EMERGENCY CALLS FOR OVER THIRTY-THREE YEARS Part 2:  Where the Rescue Squad Is Now— An Interview with Peggy VanBuskirk, Milan Rescue Squad’s Current Captain By Evelyn Bartin, August, 2009  My earlier posted “Part 1” interview with Milan Rescue Squad’s first captain and one of its founding fathers, Bob Haack, was certainly an eye-opener.  In short, I learned that it was no less than a Herculean effort to get the operation up and running back in 1976. . . one that was fueled by a high-octane mix of need, passion and community spirit.  So, readers, I ask you to fast-forward to the Milan Rescue Squad of 2009 and imagine—with twenty-first century training demands, and current-day legal and financial considerations—how much continued hard work, money and devotion it takes to keep things running today.   Lest you think our little town’s emergency medical service is anything short of state-of-the-art, a conversation with Peggy VanBuskirk, Milan Rescue Squad’s current captain, will immediately disabuse you of that notion.  In my interview with Peggy, I was apprised of the following facts:  the Squad’s 2009 roster lists 24 active members—18 first responders, nearly all of whom are New York State Certified EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), and 6 auxiliary members, who do not give “hands on” medical care but help in many other ways; regular attendance at Squad meetings and drills (held twice a month) is required for continued active status; the Squad’s chief piece of equipment is a fully-outfitted ambulance, purchased in 2006 for $119,000.  In other words, things have come a long way since the days of that 1965 Caddy!... READ MORE

Peggy VanBuskirk Captain Milan Rescue Squad

NEW LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR MILAN TOWN HALL AND RECREATION CENTER   By Frank Margiotta, August 2009   By now you have probably noticed the new look of the landscape around Town Hall and the Rec Park. The Town Board decided to not do the usual frequent and costly mowing of the many acres of lawn around town-owned property. Instead, they developed a natural landscape plan—free of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides—that has financial and biological advantages. The meadow grasses and seeds they produce begin a series of interwoven food chains (food webs) that attract diverse insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. As a result, the unmowed areas have transitioned into meadow grasses with wildflowers and have created an ecosystem with a great biodiversity of plants and animals.

Bob Haack

THE MILAN RESCUE SQUAD ANSWERING EMERGENCY CALLS FOR OVER THIRTY-THREE YEARS Part 1:  How It All Started—An Interview with Bob Haack, Milan Rescue Squad’s First Captain In May of 1975, fueled by their impatience with the time it took for response from squads in surrounding areas, the Milan Fire Department (established in January of 1947) sponsored a first aid course.  The event was met with such enthusiasm that, in their December, 1st, 1975 meeting, the Milan Fire Department voted to formally accept a proposal to establish a rescue squad in their fire district. READ MORE

Milan Flags for Walkway Over the Hudson Celebration Artist Liz St. Leger will hold a workshop to create flags representing the Town of Milan for the parade celebrating the opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson on Thursday, July 23, starting at 10 a.m. at Milan Town Hall. Participants will create 25 flags representing Milan; the flags will be strung together in groups of five to form five rows. The flags will be carried by members of the Milan community at the opening of the walkway on October 3. The Walkway is the former railroad bridge over the Hudson between Poughkeepsie and Highland, which is being reconstructed as a pedestrian/bike path connecting to rail trails at both ends. All 56 cities, towns, and villages in Dutchess and Ulster counties will be creating flags and marching with them. Each flag made at the workshop will be collaged and cut cloth on a surface that is about 15 inches square. The designs will be emblems representing aspects of the town. For example, one flag might represent a bouquet of violets, one flag might be a representation of the Ro-Jan, one flag might represent wildlife seen in Milan. There are many interpretations! For more information, call Liz St. Leger at (914) 456-6700. You can learn more about the Walkway Over the Hudson at www.walkway.org.

"Food at the Fork"

MILAN WELCOMES A NEW RESTAURANT IN TOWN: Another FORK IN THE ROAD—A Finer Diner By Evelyn Bartin, July, 2009 Situated on Route 199, just a mile or so west of the Taconic State Parkway, the spot has always had a rap of being “a bad (even cursed) location.”   But Another FORK IN THE ROAD is proving location be damned, success is made by the person behind the effort.  And that person is Natalie (“Figgy”) DiBenedetto, owner and chef of Milan’s new “finer diner. READ MORE

	Garden Abundance It’s August, and we hope everyone’s garden is bursting with cukes, tomatoes, zucchini and the like.  As we watch the fruits of our labors ripen, this is also a good time to remind ourselves that there are many people in our community who do not have enough food, much less good food.   Please consider sharing your garden’s abundance MORE INFO

Work Progressing on Dutchess Rail Trail
The Dutchess Rail Trail is a 12 mile multi-use linear county “park” that will run through the middle of the County. Take a look at the progress HERE

Uncommon Thief
For those of you old enough to remember the cartoon Yogi Bear we were reminded recently that there are a few similarities between the well known Jellystone Park and Milan...Bears and picnic baskets!!!
TAKE A LOOK

Exploring Streams, a watershed awareness event, July 19 READ MORE

A letter to Milan from Peggy Van Buskirk, Captain of the Milan Rescue Squad May 2009...READ MORE

Policy on speeding tickets gets 2nd look
A state police policy barring troopers from plea bargaining with motorists over speeding tickets will soon be
debated in a state appellate court, thanks to a recent ruling by a town justice in Dutchess County. Clinton Town Justice Barbara Seelbach last month dismissed a speeding ticket issued by a trooper to a motorist with a clean driving record, ruling the state police policy prohibiting the trooper from considering a lesser charge was unfair.
Poughkeepsie Journal May 18...READ MORE