Greetings from Copake
Copake Connection is an online newsletter brought to you by the Town of Copake. This newsletter will publicize community events throughout the Town of Copake and will be published once a month, on the 15th of the month. The editor is Roberta Roll. All submissions should be sent to roberta.roll@gmail.com no later than the 10th of the month. The newsletter will be distributed to anyone who wishes to subscribe. Simply click the mailing list icon below.
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Table of Contents
From The Supervisor's Desk
Solar Update
Learning from the Pandemic: Hybrid Public Meetings
Attention All Caregivers
Copake Seeks Administrative Assistant
Copake Ethics Board Vacancy
Copake Economic Development Advisory Committee Vacancy
Copake Rapid Care
Short Term Rentals
Sweer Homestead
County Hazardous Waste Day
2022 Copake Summer Park
Copake History
Grange Events
Copake Outdoors
Roeliff Jansen Community Library Gala Event
What's Happening at the Library
Eco Tips for Healthy Living
Memorial Day Barbecue
K.I.S.S.
Covid Tests and Masks
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From The Supervisor's Desk
Power to the People
I read an article the other day saying that one of the biggest problems facing the country right now is a “sense of powerlessness.” The story was referring to the challenge of inflation, but it could have been referring to any of a number of issues in the news. I thought of that article this week when I received a call from Columbia County Department of Public Works Commissioner Ray Jurkowski.
Years ago, the county promised to replace the Valley View bridge in Copake Falls. The late Dean Knox, then Columbia County Engineer, assured residents that the bridge would be replaced in two phases so that one lane of the bridge would always remain open through construction. The price tag for the project when Dean was in charge was $1.15 million. By the time Ray Jurkowski came on board in January 2022, the projected cost had ballooned to $2.2 million. To his credit, Commissioner Jurkowski was looking for the most economical way to proceed. His consultants had told him that by closing the bridge down completely - not leaving one lane open during construction - the county could save two to three months in construction time - and $300,000.
Commissioner Jurkowski scheduled a virtual meeting on April 21 in order to hear the views of interested parties. Over 20 stakeholders attended, including residents from Copake Falls, Copake Fire Department Deputy Chief Randi Shadic and Taconic State Park Superintendent Chris Rickard. The overwhelming opinion voiced was that closure of the bridge would pose serious public safety risks. At a subsequent meeting of the County Public Works Committee, I made clear that the county should find a way to rebuild the bridge in two phases. This was not a question of inconvenience, there were significant safety issues.
In a call from Commissioner Jurkowski this week, he advised me that the county would not close the bridge. He said he had heard the concerns of residents and he had found a way to fund the project in two phases. Commissioner Jurkowski confirmed this with an email, which I can share with interested parties.
Copake and the Roe Jan area is a good place to live, not just because it is beautiful, but because in a community like this you do not need to feel powerless. Whatever lurks on the national and world stage, in Copake if you see a need and speak up, you can make a difference.
Thank you to all who attended the April 21 meeting and who wrote to the county. Your civic engagement made a difference.
Jeanne E. Mettler
Supervisor
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Solar Update
On May 9, the State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) informed Hecate Energy that its permit application for Shepherd’s Run, a 60-megawatt, 228-acre “inside-the-fence” utility-scale solar plant in Craryville, was “incomplete.” This Notice of Incomplete Application was accompanied by a 20-page list of additional information Hecate must submit for ORES’ review before it determines whether the Shepherd’s Run application can be deemed “complete.”
This development followed a May 2 notification to ORES by the Working Group, an ad hoc local coalition of both supporters and opponents of Hecate’s proposal, as well as public interest groups (Columbia Land Conservancy and Scenic Hudson), landscape architects, and people from Cornell University, that Hecate’s application was missing lots of important, required information. Hecate responded two days later by submitting 84 additional items to ORES for filing with the Shepherd’s Run application. ORES will review the latest materials it received from Hecate last week, and Hecate will need some time to provide the additional information ORES is now demanding.
This slowing of the siting permit approval process is “good news” to all who are working to promote a careful and comprehensive review of the solar plant proposal. It remains the Copake Town Board’s position that the facility, as proposed, is too large for Copake and poorly sited. The Working Group has worked very hard to develop a series of smart, forward-thinking recommendations to improve the Shepherd’s Run proposal. It remains all our hope that, as we work together to achieve NYS’s climate goals, Hecate collaborates with Copake and the Working Group to protect our local environment, community character and affected homeowners — the “win-win” that we all seek.
Richard Wolf
Deputy Supervisor
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Learning from the Pandemic: Hybrid Public Meetings
At the May 11 meeting of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, the board passed a law which will allow them to continue to conduct hybrid public meetings.
The Governor’s State of Emergency is expected to end June 8, 2022, which means that public bodies, such as the Board of Supervisors, will no longer have the option of meeting virtually. During the legislative session this spring, however, the NYS Legislature passed an amendment to the Open Meetings Law. As a result, the county board or any public body is able to allow members to participate virtually under what that body defines as “extraordinary circumstances.” For example, if a supervisor is ill, or has an unexpected circumstance which precludes attending in person, the supervisor can participate remotely. Anyone participating remotely will not be counted in terms of the quorum, but they will be allowed to vote. A quorum must be established in order for voting to proceed.
At the May Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jeanne Mettler stated that she agreed with this expanded use of videoconferencing, saying, “It is one of the good things which have come out of the pandemic. We have learned new ways to participate.” Ms. Mettler recommended that the town board consider a similar law in the months to come.
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Attention All Caregivers
Are you caring for a loved one? Would you like to learn tools to help you balance your life and assist in meeting the challenges you may face?
The Columbia County Office for the Aging will be offering Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a FREE 6-week, 90 minutes per class, educational program for family and friends who are caring for individuals with chronic conditions. The class will be held on Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:00pm, beginning April 28th through June 2nd. To make it convenient for caregivers, the program will be online and will focus on providing caregivers with skills and confidence to better care for themselves while caring for others. Self-care tools to reduce personal stress, assist caregivers in dealing with difficult feelings and making tough caregiver decisions will be taught. Caregivers will also learn how to communicate their needs to family members and healthcare providers as well as how to communicate more effectively in challenging situations. Class participants will also receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook, which was developed specifically for the class. Space is limited so please call the OFA office at 518-828-4258 today to register.
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Copake Seeks Administrative Assistant
Copake is still seeking applicants to fill the newly created position of Administrative Assistant to the Supervisor.
This part-time position would replace the current position of bookkeeper. The responsibilities of the position would include bookkeeping, assisting with human resources matters, maintaining personnel files, administration and oversight of health insurance for retirees, assistance with and oversight of the budget, assistance with grant applications and administration of grants, and compliance with the NYS retirement system.
The administrative assistant will be eligible to participate in the NYS Retirement System. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Since this is a brand new position, the hours are somewhat flexible, but availability on Mondays and Thursdays is required.
A job description for the new position can be found here. Anyone wishing more information should contact Supervisor Mettler at 518-329-1234 Ext 1 or by emailing her at CopakeSupervisor@townofcopake.org. Letters of interest and resumes should be mailed to Town Clerk Lynn Connolly at Copake Town Hall, 230 Mountainview Road, Copake NY 12516, or emailed to copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.
All letters of interest and supporting documents must be received by noon on Thursday, June 8, 2022.
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Copake Ethics Board Vacancy
Please take notice the Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following position:
Member needed for the Copake Ethics Board
All letters of interest and supporting documents must be received by noon on Thursday, June 8, 2022.
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Copake Economic Development Advisory Committee seeking New Member
Please take notice the Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following position:
Member needed for the Copake Economic Development Advisory Committee
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Copake Rapid Care – Days and Hours to Increase
For many months, Copake Rapid Care has been open only on the weekends, but the town has learned that starting June 1, the facility will be open four days a week - Friday through Monday, 9am to 4pm.
At the Copake Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jeanne Mettler reported that she had spoken with Jay Cahalan, President and CEO of Columbia Memorial Health, and expressed residents’ wish that the facility would resume more extended hours.
Copake Rapid Care opened in 2016, the culmination of a three-year process that began when the Copake Hamlet Revitalization Task Force approached Columbia Memorial to advocate for the location of the facility in the hamlet of Copake. Since then, it has served thousands of area residents with walk-in rapid care, as well as primary care.
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Town Appoints Committee to Wrestle with Short Term Rentals
Over the past months, the Copake Town Board has received correspondence both in support of and in opposition to short term rentals.
Councilperson Stosh Gansowski, Supervisor Jeanne Mettler and Code Enforcement Officer Erin Reis met earlier this year to discuss the issues raised by short term rentals. They had a virtual meeting with Granicus, a company which monitors short term rentals and learned that Copake has well over 100 houses being advertised for rent.
In view of the complexity of the issue, the town board has decided that an ad hoc committee should be appointed to study the issue and make recommendations to the town. It would be expected that the group would look at the town’s current laws and practices and also survey the laws of other towns. For a fee, Granicus offers programs which can report all the active rentals.
Anyone interested in serving on the committee should mail or deliver a letter of interest to Town Clerk Lynn Connolly at Copake Town Hall, 230 Mountainview Road, Copake NY 12516. Letters may also be emailed to copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org. All letters of interest must be received by noon on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
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Town Board Supports Nomination of Sweet Homestead to National and State Registers for Historic Places
At the May Copake Town Board meeting, the board was unanimous in supporting the nomination of the Sweet Homestead in Copake to the National and State Historic Registers. The homestead, which was recently purchased by Blue Sky Properties, LLC is located at 614 Center Hill Road.
The town recently received a letter from the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation inviting comment regarding the nomination of the Sweet Homestead to the National and State Registers of Historic Places. In support of the nomination, the board heard from Catherine Mikic, who is a principal of Blue Sky Properties.
The mid-19th century homestead features a ca.1845 Greek Revival farmhouse, functionally related outbuildings, historic yards, scenic vistas and working farmland. More details regarding the restoration project can be found at https://www.sweethomesteadcopake.com/
Ms. Mikic is co-chair of the Town of Copake Historic Preservation Committee.
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County Hazardous Waste Day Overcrowded, Second Event Planned
The Columbia County Hazardous Waste Day, conducted May 7, was overwhelmed with participants. Traffic was backed up, people were stuck in long lines, and some finally returned home with the paint cans still in the trunk.
To address the obvious need, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, at their May meeting, passed a special motion approving a second hazardous waste day to be held on Sunday, June 5.
Some supervisors blamed the unanticipated crowd on the fact that for the first time this year, the county accepted liquid paint. Others said it was due to the fact that very active climate smart groups across the county had done such a good job of publicizing the event. Still others said it was the aftermath of the pandemic, with so many houses being bought and sold and cleaned out.
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Copake History
Some Early Childhood Memories of Copake
Memories of early childhood have a strong shelf life and an innocence to them. I recently interviewed Susan Cosman Splane from her home in Florida. Her father, Bill Cosman, was the Methodist Church's minister for four or five years in the early 1950s, before he was transferred to another town west of the Hudson River.
Susan lived in the parsonage, of course. She had a strong and pleasant memory of Vana Stang who was about a year older than herself. Similarly, she was fond of Jill Peck, who lived across the street and had a pony, and of Lorinda Ackley, with whom she played at the Ackley's farm up the road from the Little School.
Not surprisingly, Susan has some vivid memories about the Little School on Empire Road. It had not been clear to me until I spoke to her that the teachers taught several classes in the same large room at the same time. When a teacher was doing a lesson with one class, she had the children in the other classes do silent reading (and they did not talk!). Sometimes when the teacher was doing a lesson with a different class, Susan tuned in and picked up some extra learning.
Susan also remembered that in school the children were frequently fed tomato soup and . . . . (before she said the words, I knew she was going to say) grilled cheese sandwiches.
Living on a minister's salary meant a tight family budget, so the Cosmans depended greatly on their garden behind the parsonage. They bought meat at Fred Link's Community Locker, but not from Melius' meat market, which was more expensive. Otherwise, they did not do much food shopping. But one time, in Hedges store, Susan grabbed some loose peas and put them in her pocket. Mom caught her and quickly let her know that a minister's daughter did not do such things! Susan's mother did get permission for Susan to pick some of the blackberries from the bushes in front of the post office. Those berries wound up in the pies that Mrs. Cosman baked.
Most of us also recall some frightening things that happened when we were kids. One memorable day, the parsonage furnace malfunctioned and spewed carbon dioxide into the house, rendering Susan unconscious. Fortunately, Rev. Cosman summoned enough strength to phone one of his parishioners, who rushed over to save the family.
Susan remembered that some children got sick from unpasteurized milk from one of the farms in town. She also told me of the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl who lived near the Grange. She didn't know the details, but apparently the girl was taking some trash out to the back where an unguarded fire may have been burning. Somehow the girl's clothing caught fire and she died.
The Cosman family's departure from Copake occurred inconveniently just a couple of months before the school year ended in the spring. That was a common experience for Methodist ministers and their families.
by Howard Blue
Photos courtesy of Susan: Susan’s kindergarten class in 1953.
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Grange Events
Saturday, May 28, 9am-1pm - Plant Sale. Welcome spring at the Grange’s famous plant sale. Perennials, annuals, herbs, ground covers, shrubs, flower pots, tools and gardening books. To contribute plants, contact copakegrangeplantsale@gmail.com, and deliver the day before (May 27), between 10am and 1pm.
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Friday, June 3, 7-9pm - Open Mic Night. LIVE and IN-PERSON! Live open mic is on and it’s great! Come on down to the Grange and join us with your instruments, songs, poems, stories, skits, etc. We have a piano. Masks are suggested except when performing. For more information, contact copakegrange@gmail.com.
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Sunday, June 12, 11am-2pm - Cupcake Celebration. One day every year, the Copake Grange becomes the “Cupcake Grange.” Don’t miss this event where talented bakers enter their best dozen in the Cupcake Celebration, and attendees have the opportunity to buy and eat the ones that look best to them. There are many awards - the Ultimate Copake Cupcake, the Prettiest Cupcake, the Kraziest Kids' Kupcake, and more - everyone is a winner! For details contact Janet Mackin at mackinjanet@gmail.com or call 917-270-5989.
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Saturday, June 18, 1-4pm - Fly Fishing with Bill. Join local fly fishing expert Bill Newcomb. If you are new to fly fishing or are already a pro, you’re sure to learn something new as he gives us a demonstration of fly tying; a history of fly fishing, area history and fishing area streams; and some dos and don'ts. Then, enjoy a fly casting demonstration with audience participation. As Bill says “I’ve been at this for over 50 years. New discoveries are happening every day.” This event is FREE and recommended for ages 10 through adult. Reservations (email copakegrange@gmail.com) are not required but recommended. Rods aren’t necessary, but you may bring your own.
The Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd.
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Copake Outdoors
Copake Outdoors, the local group dedicated to having fun hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming in and around Copake, will have its next outing on Sunday, June 5.
The group had a wonderful hike up Stissing Mountain on May 1, which culminated in
some spectacular views from the top of the fire tower. On June 5, the group will
take a longer excursion over in the Catskills to Kaaterskill Falls, with an optional additional hike along the Escarpment Trail. The hike to the falls is about 1.5 miles from the parking area and is fairly easy. You can also opt to take the steep, and at times rocky, trail down to the lower part of the falls, keeping in mind that you have to climb back up! Either way, you will be rewarded with the spectacular sight of the 260-foot waterfall. We will spend 1-2 hours here.
For those who want to make a full day excursion, we can then proceed to the North/South Lake Campground to take the Escarpment Trail to Artist Rock and Sunset Rock. This is a 1.8 mile challenging hike with some rocky areas and will take about 1 hour. The view from Artist and Sunset Rocks is quite beautiful and well worth the trip.
The drive over to Kaaterskill Falls is approximately 1 hour. An early start is planned in order to beat the crowds. Meet in the parking lot at the Copake Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd. at 8:00am. It is important that you feel secure in your hiking skills for this trip. Bring plenty of water - at least one liter for the falls, more for the all-day option. Bring lunch, snacks, first aid supplies, hiking poles if you need them, bug repellent, a hat, and wear sturdy shoes. It will be a fun day, especially if you are prepared!
Please RSVP, and if you would like to be on the mailing list, please contact
For more information go to:
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Roe Jan Library Gala Returns on June 25, at New Location
After being on hiatus for two years due to the pandemic, the Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s Gala returns this year from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, June 25, in a new location, the Catamount Lodge at Catamount Mountain Resort, 78 Catamount Road in Hillsdale.
“To welcome back our loyal supporters and the many new fans of the library, we’ve planned a Gala that combines new elements with favorites from previous galas,” said Pat Placona, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees. “We are all excited to be able to party in person again.”
Food trucks will serve a selection of wood-fired pizzas, Korean-style tacos, savory rice balls, gelato and espresso. Attendees will enjoy wine and local craft beer, and those so inclined can dance to live music from local favorites - the Bash Bish Bluegrass Band, all to help ensure that the library can continue providing materials and services to the Roe Jan community. The gala raises a substantial portion of the library’s annual operating budget each year.
Gala committee members are soliciting unique and interesting items and services for the popular live and silent auctions that are part of the gala. Among the items to be auctioned this year are a $1,000 gift certificate from Express, the popular clothing store for women and men, along with a virtual wardrobe consultation with their Senior VP of Merchandising; a haircut by celebrity stylist Tommy Bucket; a half day of fly fishing on the Housatonic with fly-fishing expert Brian Green; NY Mets baseball tickets; a Catamount season pass; and gift certificates from local restaurants.
Added to the gala celebration this year is an online auction, which will go live on June 1 and close on June 30 and is open to everyone, not just those attending the gala. The online auction can be accessed through the library’s web site, roejanlibrary.org.
Gala tickets may be purchased for $125 online at roejanlibrary.org, or by check or cash at the library. Host tickets are available for $275. Hosts will be listed in the gala program.
Roeliff Jansen Community Library Business Partners Herrington Fuels and Bank of Greene County are sponsors of the 2022 gala.
Photo: Committee members planning “Gala 2022” for the Roeliff Jansen Community Library - Chris Atkins, Marilyn Gross, Steve Futrell and Pat Placona.
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What’s Happening at the Library?
Thursdays, 9:00-10:00am
Senior Balance and Strength Class. Dr. Paul Spector is leading his popular Balance and Strength Class on Zoom. These classes introduce exercises that improve postural stability, core strength, spatial body awareness,
sensory integration, agility and coordination. For more details, including login
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Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00-10:30am
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Satudays, 10:30am
Storytime With Tia. Tia, the library's Children's & Youth Services Asscociate, will be sharing stories and related activities for kids in the Children's Room every Saturday starting at 10:30am. Check our Facebook page for weekly themes. We hope to see you there!
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Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1:30pm
Homeschool Wednesdays. Homeschooled children and their families are welcome to join us in our Children's Room for Homeschool Wednesday. We will read a book and work on a different activity every week.
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Thursday Afternoons, 12 - 8pm
Lego Club. Join us every Thursday for an afternoon filled with Legos and fun in our Children’s Room. Check with us on social media for our weekly themes!
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By Appointment.
Digital Navigators. Digital navigators are trained guides who work in libraries to assist anyone in need with using a device, securing free or low-cost internet service, and much more. It's free to utilize the services of The Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s digital navigators. To make an appointment with a navigator call 518-325-4101 or email outreach@roejanlibrary.org.
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Monday, May 16, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Implementing the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Earth Day 2022 underscored the urgency of dealing with the global climate crisis. New York State has already passed bold legislation to address the problem through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. On January 1, 2022, the 60-member body charged with laying out the steps needed to implement the act published its detailed roadmap for public comment.
This informational program on the proposed implementation plan features an expert on the subject, former NYS State Senator Jen Metzger, who was an active member of the Senate's working group that created the CLCPA. Senator Metzger, a resident of Rosendale, NY, is currently senior advisor to New Yorkers for Clean Power and policy advisor to Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley. Additional input will be provided by Peter Savio, of Schoharie, NY. Through his 19 years as a NYSERDA program manager, Mr. Savio has extensive experience developing clean energy solutions for commercial and institutional entities large and small and has worked closely with the state agencies that will have primary responsibility for implementing the CLCPA.
This program, part of our Library of Local series, is sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association and the Columbia County chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Join on Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84389585350.
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Saturday, May 21, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Teen and Youth Job Fair. Looking for a summer job or internship? Stop by the Library's Teen and Youth Job Fair and interview with area businesses who are hiring this summer--from camps and state parks to restaurants, retail, and more!
Rain or shine. Light refreshments. Bring your resume!
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Sunday, May 22, 3:00 p.m.
Film screening: Mission: Joy--Finding Happiness in Troubled Times.
The Roeliff Jansen Community Library will be screening Mission: Joy– Finding Happiness in Troubled Times on Sunday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. Join us to view this deeply moving and laugh-out-loud funny documentary in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share science-backed wisdom of how to live with joy in troubled times.
Inspired by New York Times bestseller The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, the film showcases the exchange between these two Nobel Peace Prize winners that led to that book. Consisting largely of never-before-seen footage shot over five days at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Dharamsala, the film invites viewers to join these luminaries behind the scenes as they recount stories from their lives, each having lived through periods of incredible difficulty and strife. With genuine affection, mutual respect, and a healthy dose of teasing, these unlikely friends impart lessons gleaned from lived experience, ancient traditions, and the latest cutting-edge science regarding how to live with joy in the face of all of life’s challenges from the extraordinary to the mundane.
This screening will be followed by a conversation facilitated by Jane Feldman, an award-winning photojournalist who had the privilege of working with and photographing these to men. Her photographs of these remarkable men will be on display at the Library.
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Tuesday, May 24, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Columbia-Greene Workforce NY. Columbia-Greene Workforce and One Stop Career Center has resources to help connect people looking for work with employers looking to hire. These resources include workshops for resume writing, how to use social media, interview preparation, transferable skills, goal setting, and completing job applications. They also have financial assistance for training programs for in-demand occupations such as healthcare, hospitality, truck driving, and trade jobs (carpentry, automotive repair).
Stop by the Library and speak with representatives of Columbia-Greene Workforce and learn more!
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Saturday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friends of the Library Book Store OPEN. Lower Level of the Library. Masks required.
For updates, follow our Instagram @roejanfriendsbookshop or @roejanlibrary.
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Sunday, June 12, 3:00 p.m.
Concert: Eagle Jazz Band. Join us for an afternoon with the Eagle Jazz Band, a big band jazz group from Berkshire County. The Eagles Stage Band was founded in 2000 , playing swing, ballads and other big band era favorites. The 20-piece Eagles Stage Band regularly performs locally at various events with a repertoire that includes a wide variety of dance and jazz tunes, maintaining its primary focus on music from the big band era. Since 2018, the band has been led by Dr. James Stakenas, who played in the Don Bastarache Big Band for ten years before moving to the Berkshires.
This concert will be at the Hilltop Barn, Roe Jan Park, across the street from the Library. Lawn chairs appreciated.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered in Columbia County by the Greene County Council on the Arts dba CREATE Council for the Arts.
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Eco Tips for Healthy Living
Let Your Lawn Go Natural
Lawns come in many shapes and sizes, but lawn care routines often focus on eliminating so-called “weeds” and creating a “perfect” look. In fact, when we create
monoculture lawns - one or two types of grass - we waste time, money and energy and contribute to environmental degradation. Every year, about 3 million tons of synthetic
lawn fertilizers and 70 million pounds of pesticides and herbicides are used on lawns.
Approximately 40-60% of this ends up in lakes, rivers and groundwater, poisoning
fish and other aquatic creatures, not to mention the water we drink. These chemicals
are also released into the air we breathe and are one of the top sources of climate change.
Maybe it’s time to go natural! A natural lawn is one that is maintained without synthetic
fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. It is one that contains a variety of native grasses, herbs and wildflowers. Native grasses and plants can withstand extreme temperatures, which are more frequent now, due to climate change. Eliminating the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides allows beneficial microbes and earthworms to live and do their job of creating more organic matter, which feeds and aerates your lawn and retains moisture. If you let your grass grow a bit taller (around 3 inches) the roots can grow deeper, giving the grass more access to water.
Here are some beneficial plants that will thrive in your lawn if you let them.
*Violets and red clover attract butterflies and bees
*Bugleweed attracts ladybugs
*Pennyroyal attracts hoverflies
*Thyme draws parasitic wasps
Pollinators are essential for producing our food and for the reproduction process of many plants. Predators and parasitic wasps help get rid of damaging insects.
Many insects become food for toads, spiders and birds.
So, try letting your lawn go natural this summer and enjoy the wildlife and the dandelions (the greens are tasty and have lots of minerals)!
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COVID Tests and Masks
Available at the Town Clerk's Office
COVID tests and masks are available at the Town Clerk’s Office or walk-up window, as follows: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday's 9:00 a.m. to noon.
To learn details about the availability of masks and tests, check the town website and also the Copake Facebook page. Or you may call the Town Clerk's office at 518-329-1234 Ext 2.
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If you wish to submit an article or notice regarding a community event taking place in the Town of Copake to the Copake Connection, please e-mail: thecopakeconnection@gmail.com. All submissions should be received by us by noon on the 10th of the month.
For more and current information on Meetings in Copake and events throughout the Roe Jan area, go to the Copake Website.
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Contact
Copake Town Hall
230 Mountain View Road
Copake, NY 518-329-1234
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