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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
Copake Honors Eugene Meenagh
Memorial for Larry Proper
Public Meeting Short Term Rentals
Property Tax Exemptions
EV Charging Stations
Town Job Opening
Town Boards Have Openings
Solar Panels
Help Make the Hamlet of Copake Festive
Office of the Aging
Bargain Shop
Holiday Cheer
Winter Walk
Holiday Light Parade
Grange Events
Copake History
What's Happening at the Library
COVID Tests
Memorial Bricks
K.I.S.S.
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From the Supervisor's Desk
It’s in the Bag!
No worries, this is not a story about the recent elections. It is a story about local government.
In September, the Columbia County Department of Solid Waste came to the Public Works Committee proposing a resolution to eliminate the use of $1 tags at county transfer stations. With the elimination of the $1 tag, the cheapest tag would be $3, which could be used for a bag up to 30 gallons. I spoke against and voted against the resolution, but it passed and went to the full Columbia County Board of Supervisors.
It is true that Columbia County has been losing money on solid waste. For one thing, disposing of recycling and garbage is expensive and has become more so. In recent months the shortfall had increased, and the “hemorrhaging” was attributed to the people who toss garbage in the chute without any tags, or toss in large bags with only a $1 tag. Department head Jolene Race reported that she had verified this; she and her staff had pawed through garbage, finding many bags without tags or with the wrong tag.
At the October Board of Supervisors meeting, I spoke against the resolution again. I argued that eliminating the $1 would only penalize the small households (many of whom are seniors) who had been obeying the rules. Getting rid of the $1 bag would not address the real problem - the people cheating the system. In a roll call vote, some supervisors joined me but the resolution passed.
As of this month, however, I can report that the Solid Waste Department has reversed their policy. At the Public Works Committee meeting on October 25, Ms. Race reported that the department would buy 7-gallon bags to be sold for $1.00. A resolution in favor of that passed in committee and was adopted by the full board on November 9.
If you still have $1 tags, you can use them while they last. Those tags are for bags up to 13 gallons. Starting in the near future, 7-gallon bags will be available for $1.00. This is a smaller bag than was allowed with the $1 tag. On the other hand, it saves residents the cost of plastic bags purchased at the supermarket.
Jeanne E. Mettler
Supervisor
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Solar Update
We find ourselves waiting for the next shoes to drop.
First, we expect that Hecate Energy Columbia County will soon be filing its third siting application submission to the NYS Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES). Second, together with our co-petitioners, we are awaiting a response from New York State to our appeal in the pending lawsuit in which we are challenging the process that resulted in the regulations under which ORES operates, and the substance of the regulations themselves. The state requested an extension of time to respond, and we now anticipate that our appeal will be argued sometime in early 2023 before a panel of judges from the Appellate Division, Third Department in Albany.
Interestingly, one of the areas ORES pointed to as lacking meaningful information has to do with Hecate’s claimed desire to be a “community partner” with the town. In response to the first Notice of Incomplete Application, Hecate claimed it had made significant changes to its initial siting application as a result of recommendations from the ad hoc Working Group. In response, ORES has told Hecate to “specifically identify and reference the Working Group’s recommendations” that it has incorporated into its application.
Hecate’s response should reveal to ORES what we already know: Hecate has added the “low-hanging fruit” to its application, such as agreeing to use wildlife-friendly fencing, rather than chain-link (a request initially made by the town board). What Hecate has been unwilling to include in its application are Working Group proposed changes that would make real differences in the Shepherd’s Run proposal and its impact on nearby homeowners, but which would require Hecate to invest more money in the project: (1) creation of a 300-acre community accessible green space that would protect view sheds, provide effective screening of much of the utility-scale facility from nearby homes, even as it offers nature walks and bicycling trails to Copake residents and visitors; and, (2) Hecate remains unwilling to provide financial compensation to homeowners whose properties would be most directly and adversely affected by Shepherd’s Run.
In August, the Copake Town Board voted unanimously to approve the Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan, which, among other things, calls for measures to protect clean water. Last month, the board passed a resolution calling on ORES to continue to deem Hecate’s application incomplete unless and until Hecate provides evidence that the construction and operation of Shepherd’s Run “will not negatively impact the Taghkanic Creek Watershed or water quality”…in Columbia County. Underscoring the importance of this issue, Supervisor Mettler sent a similar draft resolution to the City of Hudson, to Hillsdale, Taghkanic and Claverack, and to the County Board of Supervisors for their consideration and, we hope, for adoption.
How ORES is handling this issue provides an example of why we are challenging the ORES regulations. On October 25, Copake’s solar attorney sent a letter to ORES presenting information “essential to ORES’ review” of Hecate’s siting application. The letter provided ORES with a copy of the Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan (Plan), which was created by the Columbia Land Conservancy, working with community volunteers. The Plan contains important information about the Taghkanic Creek and watershed areas within the proposed site of Shepherd’s Run, and our attorney, Ben Wisniewski pointed to elements of the siting application for which the Plan’s information is very relevant and should evaluated by ORES. However, ORES has failed to post the letter (and the Plan) as a “filed document,” which would make it part of the case record that ORES must review. It hasn’t even filed it with the public comments on the state’s Shepherd’s Run webpage. Publicly, at least, the letter and the Plan seem to have disappeared.
As our attorney wrote to ORES, “Copake understands that ORES regulations do not provide for Copake’s formal participation in the application scoping and completeness phase of an ORES proceeding…But Copake is also barred from challenging the sufficiency of an application after ORES deems it complete…Taken together, [this] means there is no formal process by which local government can force ORES to account for shortcomings in the scope of an application, or submit evidence of impacts that have not been identified by an applicant or ORES prior to ORES’ issuance of a draft siting permit.” Mr. Wisnewski concluded, “Continued exclusion of local input during the application scoping and completeness phase of ORES proceedings is not in the public interest, and is likely to result in adverse impacts to local communities.” In other words, by design, ORES’ regulations, written by an industry consultant which has Hecate as a client, prevent Copake from having any input whatsoever into the early, crucial phases of ORES’ consideration of Hecate’s siting application. This is one of the critical reasons why Copake and other upstate, rural towns and public-interest non-profits are asking the Court to declare invalid the regulations promulgation process and the regs themselves.
This is also why, at the November town board meeting, the board passed a Resolution supporting Senate Bill S9546, which would repeal 94-c of the Executive Law, eliminate ORES and its regulations, and return the siting process to Public Service Law Article 10’s Siting Board. The latter, unlike ORES, would be required to make express findings regarding the environmental impacts of Shepherd’s Run. In addition, Siting Board process, unlike ORES, would allow Copake to oppose Hecate’s planned waivers of Copake’s zoning provisions at an adjudicated hearing.
We continue to believe that Shepherd’s Run is too big and poorly sited for our small, rural town. To be clear, the town board is not negotiating with Hecate, nor have we authorized anyone to do so on the board’s behalf. In fact, we have not been contacted by anyone from Hecate in months.
Richard Wolf
Deputy Supervisor
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Copake Honors Eugene Meenagh - 100-year-old Veteran
At the November board meeting, which was held on the eve of Veterans Day, the Copake Town Board honored Corporal Eugene F. Meenagh for his long life of patriotism and community involvement, and named Veterans Day 2022 as Eugene F. Meenagh Day in the Town of Copake.
Mr. Meenagh turned 100 years old on October 4, 2022. Members of Cub Scout Pack
2130 and Boy Scout Troop 752 attended the ceremony and led the Pledge of
Allegiance. Commander Robert Weingaertner and numerous members of the Cadby
Shutts VFW Post 7552 attended the ceremony. Command Sergeant Major Gary
Flaherty, who is Director of the Columbia County Veterans Services Agency, escorted
Mr. Meenagh to the front of the room to receive the proclamation.
Eugene Meenagh served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and returned home to
attend Fordham University on the GI Bill. He earned a BS in chemistry and then joined
the New York Police Department, where he served for 38 years and rose to the rank of
Detective Lieutenant.
Upon retirement from NYPD, Mr. Meenagh lived full-time in Copake and served two
terms as Copake Town Justice in the 1990s.
Mr. Meenagh was honored earlier this year by the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, as
part of their WWI exhibit “From the Home Front to the Front Lines.”
A copy of the town board’s Proclamation can be read here.
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Memorial Planned to Honor Larry Proper
The Copake Town Board has announced a special Town Board meeting to be held Saturday, November 26 at 10:00am for the purpose of honoring the late Lawrence O. Proper.
Lawrence “Larry” Proper was a beloved and long time Town of Copake employee. He served as the Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent and was deeply involved in the community. Larry died November 29, 2021.
The meeting will be followed by refreshments and the public is invited to attend.
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Public Invited to Share Views on Short Term Rentals
There will be a public town meeting at the Copake Town Hall on Saturday, December 3 at 10am, for the purpose of sharing thoughts and views on short-term rentals in Copake.
The Copake Town Board has been informed that at least 140 properties in Copake are advertised on various websites as being available for short-term rental (up to 30 days).
At its July meeting, the town board appointed five people to an ad hoc “Short Term Rental (STR) Working Group” and directed them to make recommendations as to what, if anything, the town board should do to regulate STRs in Copake.
The STR Working Group has met with Copake’s land use attorney Ken Dow and reviewed relevant provisions of the current zoning code. It has interviewed representatives of several firms that provide STR monitoring, compliance and enforcement services to municipalities.
The Working Group has reached out to other towns to learn what they are doing to address
the growing number of STRs in their communities.
As it continues to gather information, the Working Group wishes to hear Copakeans’ views
and opinions. Do you offer your home or some portion of it for short-term rental? Does your neighbor do so? Should Copake regulate STRs? Why, or why not? If you believe Copake should regulate STRs, how?
If you cannot attend in person, you may attend remotely. A link will also be posted on the
town website at townofcopake.org. You also can share your views with the Working
Group by sending an email to the Town Clerk, Lynn Connolly at:
subject line. Comments must include your name and Copake address to be considered.
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Property Tax Exemptions are Available for Many
With a number of Columbia County veterans, seniors, and those with disabilities seemingly unaware of or otherwise not taking advantage of property tax exemptions available to them, the county has created an information page on its website.
Seniors, veterans, those with disabilities, Gold Star parents, and agricultural property owners may be eligible for property, as well as school tax exemptions, depending on income, age and living situation. To read more, click here.
Exemption applications are due by March 1, 2023. More information and applications are available on the columbia county Real Property Tax Service Agency website at columbiacountyny.com/realproperty.html.
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Town Seeks Proposals for EV Charging Station
The Town of Copake has issued an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the installation and maintenance of an electric vehicle dual charging station.
Detailed information may be found here or by contacting the town clerk’s office at the email address below.
All proposals must be received by Lynn Connolly, Town Clerk, Town of Copake, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake, NY 12516 no later than 12:00pm on December 1, 2022.
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Town Has Job Opening
Code Enforcement/Building Department Assistant (Clerk Typist)
The hours are flexible - the town will work with your schedule. Five to seven hours to start.
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Town Boards Have Openings
If you would like to get more involved with town government and town matters, Copake has many openings for you.
There are currently openings on the Ethics Board, Park Commission, and Zoning Board.
Information and job descriptions can be obtained from the Supervisor at (518)329-1234 ext. 1. Letters of interest and resumes should be mailed by October 17, 2022 to 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516 Attention: Lynn Connolly, Town Clerk or email copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.
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Marking a Decade of Solar Power in Copake Town Buildings
As discussed by Dan Haas in his article on Copake’s Climate Smart Task Force in the January 2022 issue of the Copake Connection, in 2009 the Town Board passed a resolution stating its intent to become a Climate Smart Community,
a New York State initiative to help towns to adapt to climate change.
Some steps toward this goal have already been taken, such as the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of Copake Town Hall and the Park Building.
The Town Board’s efforts in obtaining these rooftop solar panels began in 2009 under the co-leadership of Councilwoman Linda Gabaccia and Councilman Daniel Tompkins. Initially, cost estimates for solar panels on the roofs of three Copake town buildings were obtained – Town Hall, the Park Building, and the Highway Department – but it was ultimately decided not to pursue panels for the Highway Department at that time. Simultaneously, information was gathered about a New York State program for obtaining financial support for such efforts from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Applications to NYSERDA were successful for both buildings. The Town Board’s minutes of its March 15, 2011 meeting summarizes the financial components of the solar panel projects. The Town Hall system was originally budgeted at $158,300, with grant funds awarded amounting to $123,000, leaving the town with an additional outlay of $35,100. The Park Building’s solar system was originally budgeted at $152,423, with $140,000 in grant funds awarded, leaving a gap of $12,423. Since the original awards, Hudson Valley Clean Energy, the company that did the solar panel installations, was able to reduce the cost to the Town of Copake by $17,000. The minutes of that meeting state that it was likely that the town would have to make an initial outlay of $29,000 to complete the two projects.
The minutes also indicated that once the solar panels were operational, there would be annual electricity bill savings; in the case of the Town Hall, savings would be $5,000 -- $6,000, and for the Park Building, only slightly less. The minutes stated that it would be possible to have a viewing area set up within the park so that people could see the savings generated by the panels. An educational viewing area has not yet been set up, but the photovoltaic system meters can be seen in operation on the west wall of the courtroom inside the Town Hall and on the outside of the Park Building on the southeast wall behind a fence.
For the past decade, the Town Hall has had 104 photovoltaic modules (3 rows of 22 modules and 2 rows of 19 modules) on its roof, with an annual expected energy output of 27,516 kwh. For the same 10-year period, the Park Building has had 110 photovoltaic modules (5 rows of 22 modules) on its roof, with an annual expected energy output of 26,408 kwh. Both energy output estimates are per specifications of the modules’ manufacturer, Schüco. In 2022, the Town of Copake can take pride in the generation of more than a half million kwh of electricity over the past decade, courtesy of the sun, solar power technologies, $263,000 of NYSERDA grants, and the foresight and initiative of the Copake Town Board!
The Copake Climate Smart Communities Task Force, (established by Town of Copake Board Resolution # 18 on May 12, 2022), has produced, among other initiatives, informational signage for the Town Hall and the Park Building pertaining to the solar panels installed on the roofs of these buildings. Currently, summaries of Copake’s climate challenges, as well as habitat and water resources, are found on the webpage of the Conservation Advisory Committee.
-- Copake Climate Smart Communities Task Force: Dan Haas (Coordinator), Marcia Becker, Brian Boom, Mary Ann Carrick, Jeffrey Judd (Councilperson and liaison to the Town Board), Edgar Masters (Chair, Conservation Advisory Committee), and Ned Schneier
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County Office for the Aging Institutes Exciting New Plan
Columbia County Office for the Aging Administrator Kevin McDonald and his team are expressing excitement over a recently instituted not-for-profit pilot program designed to help county seniors remain in their homes.
Known as EverHome Columbia, Inc., the program’s goal is to demonstrate how a combination of in-home services and technology can be used to support the opportunity for Columbia County residents to safely age in place.
Although currently in its pilot stage, in the first six months or so EverHome has already made an impact on the lives of the handful or so enrolled individuals and their loved ones. The pilot will last 18 months and serve approximately 400 families. For those interested, contact the county Office for the Aging at 518-828-4258.
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Bargain Shop Opens its Doors Again
After being closed for two and a half years because of the pandemic, the Community United Methodist Church Bargain Shop is open once again. Shop hours are every Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
The shop accepts donations of clothes and serviceable household goods, and the public may leave donations at any time during the week. (The door to the outer vestibule of the shop is always open).
The shop has a revolving staff of volunteers. Pictured here are Ruth Bennett, Pastor Karin Squires and Nancy Shadic.
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Holiday Cheer Delivered to Shut-ins
Copake Community Service, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, will distribute gifts of cheer for the upcoming Christmas holiday via the annual Cheer Program.
This gift of joy is available to Copake area residents who are homebound and unable to get out to partake in community festivities. The committee will place its order soon, so anyone who knows of an individual who would appreciate this gift should contact Phyllis Shadic at 518-329-2893 by November 22.
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Grange Events
Saturday, Nov. 19, 3:30pm - Movie and Pizza Night! Join us for the classic movie, “On the Waterfront,” a 1954 American crime drama film, directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando and features Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, and Eva Marie Saint in her film debut. The musical score was composed by Leonard Bernstein. Stay after the movie for dinner - pizza, salad and dessert. Movie admission is by donation. Dinner (ordered at the door) is $10.
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Friday, Dec. 2, 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. Or just come to relax, have fun and be inspired. We have a piano. For more information, contact copakegrange@gmail.com.
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Saturday, Dec. 3, 3-5:00pm - Open House. Come on down to the Grange for some holiday cheer. We’ll have hot chocolate, cider, and other festive treats, as well as music including songs and carols for the season, by House Band. Craft activities for young and old will be on hand. We will also be accepting donations of cereals, grains, canned goods and other non-perishable items for the food pantry.
The Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd.
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Copake History
More on Copake's Pride in Our Historic Buildings
Communities often express their pride by paying attention to their historic structures. So, this month, I'd like to ask certain readers to express your pride in your own home. Do you have a historic home in Copake? For example, was it built before 1916? If so, please send me four things:
- the year it was built (or approximate one if you're not sure) - your address - your name (if I list your home publicly, I will omit your name if you prefer) - a photo of your house
I'd like to compile a list of the town's oldest homes. Send the information to me at the email address below.
While I'm on the subject, last month's issue of the Copake Connection listed structures in the town that are included on the National Register. I thank Dale Peterson for observing that I had left off one structure. So, here's the complete list of the Town of Copake's six structures on the National Register:
1. Church of St John in the Wilderness, Copake Falls. (It's listed twice, once for its own merit, and again as a contributing part of the Copake Iron Works Historic District.)
2. Copake Falls Methodist Episcopal Church. Now the RJHS museum.
3. Copake Grange Hall
4. Copake Iron Works Historic District
5. Copake Memorial Clock
6. Copake United Methodist Church and Copake Cemetery
7. Sweet Homestead
Photo: St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls, is one of the town's biggest sources of architectural pride. Built in the Gothic Revival style, and designed by Richard Upjohn, it was consecrated on June 29, 1852. Upjohn, who also designed New York City's famed Trinity Church, was one of America's most noted architects.
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What’s Happening at the Library?
On Display: 2nd Annual Mini Art Exhibition
The 2nd Annual Mini Art Exhibition is back, featuring Roe Jan Library patrons! The exhibition will be on display now through the end of November, after which you can pick up your piece for your own collection. (We are still accepting late submissions.) Come see everyone’s mini masterpiece!
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Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Circle Time with Tia. Preschoolers and their families are invited to join Tia in a circle for stories, fun activities, laughs, and more!
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Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Homeschool Wednesdays. Tia, the Library’s Children’s & Youth Services Associate, will be sharing stories and activities for homeschooled kids in the Children’s Room every Wednesday. We will have special guests from Vine Gate Lavender Farm, the Audubon Society, Greater Hudson Promise, and Possibilities Farm.
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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 information, please visit our website at www.roejanlibrary.org/adult-programs/.
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Thursday Afternoons.
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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Thursdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m
Homework Help. Need a quiet place to get your homework done? Having trouble with an assignment? K-12 homework help is available at the library for English and Spanish speakers. Se habla español. Volunteer tutors are welcome to apply. Questions? Visit the library or call for more information.
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Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
English-Language Tutoring by Appointment. Free English-language tutoring will be available between 6:00 and 7:30pm by appointment on Thursday evenings. This tutoring program is intended primarily for adults. Instruction will be one-on-one or in small groups with Yvonne Acevedo and will be geared toward everyday conversational needs. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and up. Please e-mail director@roejanlibrary.org or call 518-325-4101 to schedule an appointment.
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Saturdays,10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Storytime with Tia. Tia, the Library’s Children’s & Youth Services Associate, will share stories and related activities for kids in the Children's Room every Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!
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Saturdays through December 10, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Monday, November 14 & 21, 4:00 p.m.
Joy and Gratitude, A to Z Workshop. Join us for the last two sessions of our gratitude workshop presented by Dr. Claudia Ricci. Everywhere we turn, we are told to count our blessings and to embrace gratitude. After all, the books and magazine stories tell us gratitude is a direct route to joy. Moreover, it makes us healthier, mentally and physically. But how do we begin to count our blessings? And more importantly, how do we make gratitude part of our everyday activities?
This workshop is designed to show you one way you can make gratitude part of your day, from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. It starts with a tiny journal. Each morning, participants will devote one page of their journal to a letter of the alphabet, beginning with A, and ask themselves, “What words that begin with this letter bring me joy and happiness? What things make me feel grateful?" If you stick to the routine for several days running, it can turn into a morning (or evening or any time of day) ritual. There is a snowball effect: the more you focus on gratitude, the more you find yourself thinking about the things that make you thankful and bring you joy.
Claudia Ricci, PhD, formerly was a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and a prize-winning reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, where one of her projects was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She has published three novels, one of which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her new novel, Pearly Everlasting, is due out this fall.
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Thursday, November 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Trivia Night at Roe Jan Brewing Co. The election may be over, but politics is a constant. Join us for our third trivia night at the Roe Jan Brewing Company--this time with the theme of Corrupt Politicians!
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November 24 & 25
Closed for Thanksgiving.
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Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m.
Winter Tales Puppet Show. Come enjoy a performance by Caravan Puppets at the library. The group will be performing, "Winter Tales!". All over the world, people light the long winter nights with celebration and stories. “Winter Tales” features secular international folk tales to mark winter celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali, and Eid al-Fitr. Since 1991, Caravan Puppets has performed at thousands of schools, museums, libraries and major festivals throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. All ages welcome.
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Wednesday, December 7, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Hot Topics in Healthy Aging – Clearing up Common Questions: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Sleep but Were Too Tired to Ask. The fourth in a series of interactive lectures by Dr. Paul Spector designed especially for seniors but of interest to all. In this lecture we will go over a new understanding of the function of sleep and methods to improve sleep problems.
Paul Spector earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. After years of clinical experience Dr. Spector formed Pantheon and Meaningful Fitness (personalized health organizations designed to assist individuals in attaining their highest level of function). Over the past 15 years his focus has been on preventive health, behavioral change, motivation, aging, meaningful goal-setting and how to apply scientific advances to maximize both physical and psychological peak fitness.
This program will be presented in person and online. For login information, email director@roejanlibrary.org. This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
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December 9 & 10, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friends Cookies, Soup, and Book Sale. Stop by the Library for the Friends of Roe Jan Library’s annual fundraiser! Inquire at the Library to be a volunteer cookie baker.
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Monday, December 12, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
History Webinar: Lindenwald’s Amazing Historically Accurate Wallpaper. Lindenwald, Martin Van Buren’s historic home, is awash in amazing historically accurate wallpaper. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Museum Specialist Mike Wasko will provide a look at how the park reproduced wallpaper using historical evidence, the reproduction of the wallpaper, and the result of the rooms being returned to original state.
Mike Wasko has been the Museum Specialist for Martin Van Buren NHS since 2009. He has worked as a museum tech and an interpretive tour guide. Mike has a Bachelor's Degree in History from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and a Master's Degree in Public History from SUNY Albany. Originally from Northeastern PA, he currently lives in East Greenbush.
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Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Roe Jan Writers Series: David Nasaw & Dinitia Smith. Taghkanic residents David Nasaw and Dinitia Smith will read from and discuss their most recent works.
David Nasaw's The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons from World War to Cold War is the story of the refugees left behind in Germany at war's end: Jews who had survived the Holocaust, Eastern European forced and slave laborers deported against their will to Germany, and collaborators and war criminals who had fled their homelands in advance of the Red Army. We too easily and wrongly assume that once the war was over, the nations of the world, including the United States, opened their hearts and their doors to the Holocaust survivors, but it was far easier for former Nazi collaborators and war criminals, now self-proclaimed anti-Soviet, anti-Communists, to resettle outside Germany in the immediate postwar period than it was for the Jewish survivors.
David Nasaw is the Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Professor of History Emeritus at the CUNY Graduate Center and a past president of the Society of American Historians. He received his Ph.D. degree in history from Columbia University. The Last Million was published in 2020 and named a best book of the year by National Public Radio and History Today.
Dinitia Smith is the award-winning author of five novels, most recently, The Prince, a contemporary retelling of Henry James’s novel The Golden Bowl, which was published in April. Her novel, The Illusionist, about a young transgendered man, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Her short stories have been published in numerous journals. For eleven years, she was also a reporter for the New York Times where she wrote about the literary world and ideas and intellectual trends. She is also an Emmy Award-winning film maker, and her drama, Passing Quietly Through, was chosen for the New York Film Festival and has been shown at the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.
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Expiration Dates on some COVID Test Kits are Extended
The Copake Town Clerk’s office has been distributing “At-Home” COVID test kits throughout the spring.
At this point, the town still has a limited number of tests available to citizens, but the expiration dates on some of the boxes have passed.
We have been advised by Director of Emergency Management David Harrison that the
expiration dates have been extended by the FDA and that up-to-date information is
available from the FDA website. To check to see if the expiration of a test kit has been
The list of test kits and relevant information is at the bottom of the page.
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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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