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
Supervisor's Report
Census Data 2020
Funds to Replace Septic Systems
Taghkanic Creek Plan Volunteers
Park Commission
Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
Music in the Park Schedule
Copake Falls Day
Abe Ovadia Trio
Winds in the Wilderness
Copake Outdoors
Roe Jan Ramble
Copake History
Grange Events
What's Happening at the Library
Copake Iron Works
Work Pays
Walt's Dairy
K.I.S.S.
American Red Cross
Eco-tips
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From the Supervisor’s Desk
Copake Owes a Lot to Our Firefighters
At a Special Board meeting on July 20, Deputy Supervisor Richard Wolf introduced a resolution honoring the members of the Copake Fire Department #1 and the Craryville Fire Department. The resolution, which passed unanimously, particularly mentioned the fact that the departments had pumped out dozens of basements between July 16 and July 18, due to all the rain. The resolution mentioned further that these first responders are “unsalaried volunteers - and work tirelessly and selflessly to keep all of Copake’s residents safe.”
I suspect that many, especially new residents to the area, do not stop to consider that our local fire departments are totally volunteer. Their service to this community is selfless, courageous, and critical to the health and wellbeing of our town.
In addition to saying thank you, I also want to say congratulations to former Chief and now Assistant Chief of the Copake Fire Department, Randi Shadic. In July, Assistant Chief Shadic was honored by the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association (CCVFA) and received their prestigious CCVFA Firefighter Lifetime Achievement Award. To engage with Assistant Fire Chief Shadic is to be immediately impressed by the expertise, professionalism and humility of this good man. We are proud and thankful that he is one of ours. Thank you and congratulations to Assistant Chief Randi Shadic. An article from the Columbia Paper giving further information about the award and recipient, can be read, here.
I urge all who live here in Copake to support our fire departments through donations. And for those who are able, consider volunteering with these courageous community-minded individuals.
Jeanne E. Mettler
Town Supervisor
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Census Data is Released: Columbia County Loses Population
On August 12 the US Census released the results of the 2020 Census. The Columbia County 2020 population is 61,570, a loss of 1,526 persons, or 2.4% since Census 2010.
The Town of Greenport experienced the largest gain, adding 308 people. The City of Hudson showed the greatest decline in population, with a loss of 819 people
(12.2%).
Copake is showing a 2020 population of 3,346 compared to 3615 people in 2010. This
is a loss of 269 people or a loss of 7.4%. Ancram's population decreased 8.5%% and
Hillsdale decreased 5.0%
Further details are in the data included below.
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Get Funds to Replace Your Septic System
New York State has a program that can help you replace your septic system. This program is funded by NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation. Its mission is to help fund the replacement of septic systems which are located within 250 feet of the targeted body of water (in Copake: Copake Lake or Robinson Pond) to reduce nutrients entering the water body. The following criteria must be met:
• Septic system must be within 250 of the water body.
• Septic System conditions warrant repair, upgrade or replacement.
• You must submit a complete application to the Columbia County Department of Health
(CCDOH).
• CCDOH will schedule a site visit.
• An engineer design may be required based on work to be completed.
• Once approved, your contractor may conduct the work.
• Once work is completed, a detailed bill must be submitted to CCDOH.
• Reimbursement for project will be based on all eligible expenditures.
• Columbia County will reimburse 50% of eligible expenses up to $10,000.00.
• Funds are only available through December 2026, or until grant funds are exhausted.
For more information, contact Columbia County Department of Health at 518-828-3358.
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Volunteers Focus on a Plan for the Upper Taghkanic Creek
In December 2020, the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) created a committee to focus on creating a plan for the lands and waters that drain to the Upper Taghkanic Creek. The Upper Taghkanic Creek watershed includes portions of the stream furthest from the Hudson River and encompasses large areas of the towns of Copake, Hillsdale and Taghkanic, and a small area of Claverack.
Today, the lands in the watershed of the Upper Taghkanic Creek are largely forested, which is highly important to both water quality and quantity in local streams, as well as for clean and plentiful groundwater. Because forests and streams are so important for people and wildlife, the CLC initiated this effort to bring together stakeholders from all the watershed communities to plan for the future of these resources. Volunteers from these communities serve on the committee, including Copake residents Mary Ann Carrick and Tom Feeney.
“Forests are essential for protecting our water,” says Beth Mills, Director of Conservation Programs. “We are grateful to the volunteers and their communities for helping plan for a future where Columbia County has clean and plentiful drinking water, and our beautiful, forested landscapes are intact.” Forests in this area are vital to wildlife in the broader region because of their large extent and the low density of roads and developed areas. Some of the forests in the area have been identified as part of a forested corridor – a relatively broad area of connected forests extending from the Appalachians to New England. This corridor, if maintained, will allow plants and animals, over the course of many years, to find favorable habitats in the context of the changing climate.
The goal is to create a plan that can be used by residents, landowners, and local decision makers to protect natural areas, including forests, streams, and wetlands. To learn more, visit the Upper Taghkanic Creek page at www.clctrust.org. This project is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
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Park Commission Seeks Volunteers
The Park Commission is seeking volunteers to participate and assist with the planning of events throughout the year.
The commission meets on the second Monday of the month, and as needed. Exciting things are being planned for 2021!
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The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum
Summer 2021 Exhibition is open!
The Revived in Wood: Greek and Gothic Revival Churches of the Roe
Jan Region exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays 2-4 pm from July to
October 2021 (Open 10 to 4pm on Saturday, July 21 for Copake Falls
Day)
Inspired by Arthur Baker’s seminal book of photographs, WOODEN CHURCHES:
Columbia County Legacy, the Revived in Wood exhibit explores many aspects of
the Greek and Gothic architectural styles as seen in 17 wooden church buildings
remaining in the five towns of the Roe Jan area: Ancram, Copake, Gallatin, Hillsdale
and Taghkanic.
The exhibit also features photographs, artworks, models, objects, antique tools and
photography equipment, vintage postcards, original documents, memorabilia,
and architectural plans dating from the 19th century. On view in the historic RJHS
Museum building (formerly the Old Copake Falls Church) in Copake Falls, N.Y. until
October 2021. An exhibition catalogue and guide to the churches is also available
for purchase.
The Roe Jan Historical Society has produced a 7-minute video featuring highlights of
exhibit narrated by RJHS President, Lesley Doyel. Use the link below to access this
lively introduction to the “Revived in Wood” exhibition.
The Roeliff Jansen Historical Society Museum - 8 Miles Road, Copake Falls, NY
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Copake Outdoors Goes Biking
Copake Outdoors, the recently formed group dedicated to having fun hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming in and around Copake, has decided to go bicycling for its next two outings.
On Sept. 18, the Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour will take place; starting at Copake Memorial Park, there will be various bike routes traversing the towns of Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale. Copake Outdoors will join either the ten-mile ride or one of the other more ambitious rides - each rider is free to choose. For more information about the routes and to register, go to www.roejanramble.org.
The following month, on Oct. 3 at 9:30am, the group will meet at the parking lot on Undermountain Rd. in Ancram to bike the new portion of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Undermountain Rd. south toward Millerton. It’s a gorgeous trail with some wide open views of the water. If you don’t have a bicycle, you can rent one at Bash Bish Bicycle in Copake Falls, or borrow one from a friend! Speaking of friends, feel free to invite them to come along.
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Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour Returns This Fall
The Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour is coming back to Copake this year on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
This will be the 9th year for the popular non-competitive ride that follows six different routes through Copake and neighboring Ancram and Hillsdale. The routes range from the easy and mostly flat family-friendly 10-mile ride, all the way up to the challenging 100km/62.1-mile ride for experienced cyclists. The Ramble is free to ride, and donations will be raised to support the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Join in on the fun. Register to ride by going to www.roejanramble.org.
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Copake History
The Roe Jan’s Summer 2021 Museum Exhibit: Revived in Wood: Greek and Gothic Revival Churches of the Roe Jan Region*
For a number of years, the Roe Jan Historical Society has put on exhibits in the society's museum in Copake Falls. This summer's exhibit is “Revived in Wood: Greek and Gothic Revival Churches of the Roe Jan Region.” Unlike Europe where so many churches are made of stone, the U.S. has a much higher percentage of wooden churches.
The Roe Jan Museum's exhibit explores many aspects of the Greek and Gothic styles
seen in 17 wooden church buildings in our area. Space does not allow for a discussion
here of even just some of those churches. So, I will focus on just one - Copake Falls'
Church of St. John in the Wilderness. This church, a Gothic Revival one, was built in
1851. Its architect was Richard Upjohn, who designed New York City's famous Trinity
Church on Wall Street. Gothic Revival draws features from the original Gothic style,
including decorative patterns, finials, lancet windows, and hood moulds. Finials are
elements marking the top or end of some object, often formed to be a decorative
feature. Lancet windows are high and narrow with an acutely pointed head. And hood
moulds are external moulded projections from a wall over an opening to throw off
rainwater.
St. John's has been a vital part of Copake Falls and the surrounding region for more
than 150 years and has shared their ups and downs. Some early church members were
farmers; other members were involved in the mining and smelting of the iron ore
deposits, whose remains lie just west of the church. Thus, the church’s early history
parallels that of the Copake Iron Works, which Lemuel Pomeroy of Pittsfield,
Massachusetts established in 1846.
Both Pomeroy and his business associate, Isaac C. Chesbrough, were Episcopalians.
At first, in 1849 and 1850, Episcopal services were held only occasionally, in the
community’s tiny local schoolhouse. Histories of the parish tell of periods when rectors
stayed for only a year at a time. In the 1870s, the Copake Iron Works closed and both
church and community fell on hard times. Without a permanent rector at St. John's,
priests from other parishes preached. At one time when the church was empty, Methodist services were conducted there.
The Methodist "interlude" is a fascinating story. A legendary pillar of the church, Mrs.
Fanny Pomeroy Chesbrough Peck, I.C. Chesbrough’s daughter, managed to locate the
church property’s long lost deed. This convinced the Bishop to re-establish the church
as a legal entity in the diocese. However, before that happened, Mrs. Peck gathered a
few of the remaining Episcopalians, locked herself and them into the church and the
Methodists out.
St. John's reverted to mission status for many years. It was even closed between 1925
and 1943. In the summer of the latter year, the Rev. Allen W. Brown, Rector of Christ
Church, Hudson, found a key in his desk drawer marked "St. John defunct parish."
Investigating, he found the church occupied by raccoons and squirrels. Rev. Brown and
his wife had the church cleaned out, and it opened again as an Episcopal mission
during the summers of 1944 and 1945. Regular Sunday services began again in April
1946, and they have been held there ever since. On January 1, 1949, under the
leadership of Fr. Bliss, the church became a family parish church once again. Long
known as "the church of candles," it underwent various renovations as the years went
by. Perhaps the most important of these, in 1968, provided electric lighting and central
heat.
The Roe Jan area’s other churches also have interesting stories and fascinating
architectural features. Many of those stories can be found on the Copake History
Facebook page – and be sure to visit the museum exhibit to learn about those other
churches’ architecture – and some more stories too.
Quiz:
1. Which marks the top or end of some object, often formed to be a
decorative feature.
a. finials b. lancet windows c. hood moulds d. storm windows
e. buttresses
2. Which are high and narrow windows with an acutely pointed head.
a. finials b. stained glass windows c. lancet windows d. hood moulds
e. storm windows
3. Which are external moulded projections from a wall over an opening to
throw off rainwater.
a. finials b. movie projections c. hood moulds d. storm windows
e. cheese moulds
* The exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. from July through
October at 8 Miles Rd., Copake Falls, NY. The museum is opposite the historic Taconic
Wayside Inn.
Howard Blue
Town Historian
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Grange Events
Aug. 4 - Aug. 28 - Community Leadership Program for Teens.
The program is designed for middle school and high school students interested in taking a major role in projects designed to serve the Roe Jan community. From start to finish, the students will be involved with designing, planning, implementing and evaluating their assigned project. This program is more than a summer activity; it is an opportunity for young people to grow. For more information and to apply, go to copakegrange.org/events. You can also contact Janet Mackin at copakegrange@gmail.com or call 917-270-5989.
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Friday, Sept. 3, 7-9pm - Open Mic Night. LIVE and IN-PERSON, open mic is back and it’s great! The first Friday of every month. All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, etc. We have a piano if you need it. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Free - donations gratefully accepted. Masks are required, except while performing. For more information, contact copakegrange@gmail.com.
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Saturday, Sept. 11, 9am - 12 noon - Pick-up Litter Day.
The Grange is sponsoring another day of beautification for Copake! This time we will add a special focus on the bicycle routes for the upcoming Roe Jan Ramble (Sept. 18). However, feel free to pick up trash along your own road or any other roads and streets that need a pick up! If you would like to pick up for the bike routes, meet at the Grange at 9am. We will provide trash bags. Bring your own gloves and sturdy shoes. You may drop off your collection anytime during the day at the dumpster at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd.
Refreshments will be offered at the Grange from 11am to noon.
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Saturday, Sept. 11, 2:30 - 6:30pm - Trash and Treasures & Summer Barbecue.
Like a good BBQ? The Copake Grange will be serving delicious chicken and pulled pork dinners prepared by the legendary Ken Preusser. Vegetarian? No problem. We have the best Eggplant Parmigiana in Columbia County. Uncomfortable being indoors? You can pick up your meals and take them home or sit at socially distanced tables on the lawn. Or, you can go over to the Copake Memorial Park, where they will have a short ceremony to commemorate 9/11, followed by a band at 5pm. To make the day even better, there will be an outdoor Trash and Treasures Bazaar. Bazaar starts at 2:30pm, BBQ starts at 4:30pm - a great way to top off the summer! Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by going to https://www.friendsofcopakegrange.org/
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Friday, Oct. 1, 7-9pm - Open Mic Night.
LIVE and IN-PERSON, open mic is back and it’s great! The first Friday of every month. All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, etc. We have a piano if you need it. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Free - donations gratefully accepted. Masks are required,
To learn more about the Grange and to see all our programs, go to copakegrange.org.
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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 in-person in the library and also 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
*There will be no class on August 26 or September 2.
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Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00-10:30am
*There will be no class on Aug. 23, 26, 30 and Sept. 2.
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Saturdays, 10:00am-12:00pm
Farm Market Kids. Story time has moved to the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market for the summer! Join Tia for stories and fun art and science projects every weekend through Labor Day.
*There will be no Farm Market Kids on August 21. See Copake Falls Day below.
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Saturday, August 21, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Pop-up StoryTime at Copake Falls Day. Tia, the library's Children’s & Youth Services Associate, will be sharing stories and related activities for kids at Copake Falls Day. Copake Falls Day is a celebration of the historic hamlet of Copake Falls, held annually on the third Saturday in August.
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Saturday, August 28, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Defensive Driving Workshop. This NYS DMV-approved defensive driving class can help drivers reduce their insurance premiums and take points off their driving record, in addition to teaching good driving practices. This workshop is limited to 40 participants. Registration costs are $35/person prepaid or $40/person at the door. Please see http://www.roejanlibrary.org/adult-programs/ for more details and the registration form.
Instructors Victor Bujanow and Deborah Harpine are certified by the Empire Safety
Council.
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Sunday, August 29, 3:00pm
Concert in the Park: Noah Palmer and Friends. Cellist Andre Laurent O’Neil and violinist Mitsuko Suzuki join pianist Noah Palmer for an afternoon of classical and folk music from around the world. Featuring solos, duos, and trios, the eclectic program has a little something for everyone.
The concert will be at the Hilltop Barn, Roe Jan Park. Lawn chairs appreciated.
This concert is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant
program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered in Columbia
County by Greene County Council on the Arts dba CREATE Council for Resources to
Enrich the Arts, Technology & Education.
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Monday, September 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Age Awesome: 12 Tips for a Healthier You. Join health coach Anita Greenwald in this virtual program to learn how to “age awesome.” Anita will provide tips on having more energy, better immunity, achieving weight loss, and living a healthier lifestyle. Anita is a registered yoga teacher 200 (RYT with Yoga Alliance) and an IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition ®) Health Coach. She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness. To register and receive the Zoom login information email director@roejanlibrary.org.
This virtual program is co-sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson
Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library.
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Eco Tips for Healthy Living on a Healthy Planet
Here's a riddle for you - what can you feel but not see or touch? It surrounds us and sustains us. Invisible but powerful. Air - a vital natural resource filling the atmosphere and essential in our daily lives. In the hustle and bustle of the world around us, it is important that we take time to care for our air.
Ozone (O3) Awareness - Ground level ozone pollution (the bad type of O3), can negatively affect human, animal, and environmental health. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as motor vehicle exhaust, evaporation of household solvents, evaporation of gasoline, and more.
You can help improve our air quality with a few simple habit changes to reduce your contributions to air pollution.
• Carpool or use public or other transportation to help reduce emissions in our air. Choose clean transportation - electric vehicles, bicycles, walking - options when possible.
• Reduce electricity and fuel use. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. This small action will reduce power generation and thus, power plant pollution.
• Mow your lawn less - not only does it help our air by reducing the amount of emissions that are produced from gas-powered equipment, but lawns also absorb carbon, helping our climate change efforts.
• Use manual or electric equipment for lawn and garden work.If you choose to use gaspowered - use a funnel when refueling your equipment to reduce spills and smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Minimize the use of VOC products. Select lotions or pump sunscreens and bug repellents instead of aerosol sprays. Make your own natural bug repellent. Use low-VOC paints and stains for home projects.
Did you know?
• A mature tree can absorb up to 50 pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in one year. Plant trees and shrubs to absorb carbon dioxide, and flowers in your garden to enjoy the cleaner air with your family.
• Foliage cover in cities and around buildings decreases energy use with its cooling abilities and reduces particulate pollution.
• Not all ozone is "bad." Ozone can be harmful at the ground level. But it is beneficial in the upper level of the stratosphere (the ozone layer) as it protects us from UV (ultraviolet) light.
If unhealthy ozone conditions occur, DEC issued alerts are available on the toll-free Ozone Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
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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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