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
Downtown Revitalization is on Copake's Mind
Canceled Roe Jan Ramble
Summer Camp
Grant Hermans
Want to Get Involved
Park Commission
Roeliff Jansen Historical Society
Animal Parade
Revived in Wood
Copake History
Grange Events
What's Happening at the Library
Copake Iron Works
Walt's Dairy
Eco-tips
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From the Supervisor’s Desk
Early in September, Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post tweeted an article from the Register Star about the solar debate in Copake. Her tweet included a quote from me: “The existential threat of climate change is real. However, New York State cannot fail rural communities, ignore home rule and erase natural resources and precious farmland with the current rubberstamp renewable energy siting process. Environmental impact should be weighed when looking to save the environment. Both the Town Board and the Columbia County Board of Supervisors have been unanimous in opposing the Hecate project as currently proposed. I am happy to stand with rural towns across the state in challenging these regulations.”
A few moments after the tweet posted I received an email from someone named Doug.
Doug wrote: “Just wanted to commend your fantastic work crafting an epitaph for
humanity's gravestone. ‘The existential threat of climate change is real. However,’ ...really says it all.”
The Town of Copake has said again and again that Copake is not opposed to a solar
installation. It is the magnitude of Shepherd’s Run, as well the siting right in front of
residential areas without any effort at adequate shielding, which makes the project, as
proposed, unpalatable.
In this debate there are two sides. Both acknowledge the threat of climate change. We
are suing NYS because ORES would allow a 245-acre industrial site in Copake without
SEQRA review. The other side says “There’s a war on. We cannot worry about your
viewsheds or local laws or SEQRA or home rule. Everyone has to do their part.”
This country has a long history of extreme measures because “there is a war on.” There was a war on and we thought it was okay to intern the Japanese. There was a war on Communism and we experienced the McCarthy era. There was a war on drugs and we passed the Rockefeller laws and locked up two-bit players for life.
We are suing New York State because NYS did not take the time and care to pass laws
and regulations which would both allow renewable energy but also balance the very real
concerns of rural communities like Copake.
There are two sides to the solar debate and both are correct. And someplace in the
middle, there is a narrow strip of no man’s land where there could be compromise - if
anyone in New York State is willing to have that hard conversation. There could be a
solution if New York State paused long enough to pass legislation and regulations which
would address climate change in a way which does not put the entire burden on small
rural towns who are unlucky enough to host a substation. Every single law and
regulation in NY favors corporate interests. If corporate developers were mandated to
actually work to protect local resources and address community concerns, we might find
a solution. Where is the leader willing to do the hard work?
There is no doubt - the threat of climate change is real. It is urgent. It is not just a
national theat - it is a global threat. The conversation between the two sides has to
begin with acknowledgment and respect. But who will lead the conversation?
Jeanne E. Mettler
Town Supervisor
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Solar Update
Last month we reported that Chicago-based Hecate Energy said it was again reworking its proposal for the project it calls “Shepherd’s Run”, which in its most recent iteration had been a 60-megawatt capacity, 255-acre, industrial-size power plant sited primarily along County Route 7, south of Route 23 in Craryville. We had hoped that the new proposal would address the Town’s two principal objections: (1) the project is too big, and (2) the proposed sites are in exactly the wrong places — mostly adjacent to the county road that leads into the hamlet of Copake and up to Copake Lake. Furthermore, it would place vast arrays of solar panels directly across the street from more than a dozen homes.
Unfortunately Hecate’s latest version fails on both counts: (1) size: the newest proposal is 245 acres, a less-than 4% reduction of 10 acres; and (2) siting: all of the solar panels across from the houses remain exactly where they were, and the southernmost arrays have been moved further north, near Birch Hill Road.
Meanwhile, there have been several developments in the lawsuit brought against New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) — not against Hecate — by Copake, as lead petitioner, together with five other upstate towns and seven non-profit avian interest groups and community grass-roots organizations. In this Article 78 proceeding, petitioners are
seeking to have ORES’ regulations invalidated, to obtain a preliminary injunction preventing ORES from acting on the 94-c siting applications before it or accepting new applications, and to return filed applications back to the Article 10 siting process.
Petitioners are arguing that the ORES regulations should be invalidated for several reasons: failure to comply with SEQRA (the State Environmental Quality Review Act); violations of the Home Rule Provisions of Article 9 of the State Constitution because the regulations don’t set standards for when ORES may override local laws, including Copake’s Zoning Law; and failure
to comply with SAPA (the State Administrative Procedure Act). Among other things, ORES ignored more than 5000 comments to the draft regulations and then passed them without making responsive, substantive changes.
An organization called ACE-NY, the Alliance for Clean Energy — New York, has joined the lawsuit to help ORES argue against our position. This organization consists of environmental groups and energy companies. In fact, Hecate itself is a member of its Business Council. So is Tetra Tech, an energy industry consulting firm that was hired by ORES to write the very
ORES regulations we are challenging. Also, several organizations are seeking permission to file an amicus brief in support of ORES — including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Scenic Hudson. Finally, a court hearing scheduled for yesterday on petitioners’ request for a preliminary injunction, was postponed until September 21st.
We will report on the decision when we receive it.
In their legal papers, neither ACE-NY nor the parties requesting to file an amicus brief, ever even mention Home Rule or the interests and concerns of Copake and the other petitioner-towns. They in effect argue that the petitioners don’t understand the existential threat of climate change and New York’s need to do something about it. Well, we DO get it. We’ve been
saying for many months that we want to work with Hecate to develop a right-sized template for rural town solar projects, and that we will advocate for right-sized projects all around the State, so that New York can meet its ambitious renewable energy goals.
Richard Wolf
Deputy Town Supervisor
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Downtown Revitalization is on Copake's Mind
On Thursday, Sept. 9, the town held an online forum to solicit citizen input for a New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant application. Margaret Irwin, of River Street Planning & Development, presented a power point and brief explanation of the application goals and then opened up discussion as to what Copake could do with 10 million dollars.
The application is a follow-up to the town’s application for a Department of State
grant, submitted in July, to begin implementing the Waterfront & Community
Revitalization Plan. For more information about the waterfront plan, go to
Copake, the proposal makes the NYS Regional Economic Development Council aware
of all of the great things happening in Copake and can maximize awareness of and
support for Copake’s grant requests in the DRI proposal and in the Waterfront and
Community Revitalization Plan.
After an excellent presentation by Ms. Irwin, citizens proposed ideas that included
walking and bike path trail development; putting Copake on the map as a music
destination; creating more recreational facilities such as indoor tennis and ice/hockey
skating; affordable housing for workforce, seniors and young families; better sidewalks
and lighting (both of those are included in the current planning for the redevelopment of
7A in the Copake hamlet); an art museum; community garden and agricultural projects.
This year marks the fifth round of the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative
(DRI). DRI Round 5 will provide 200 million dollars to communities across the 10
Regional Economic Development Council regions to bring new life to their downtowns
through a comprehensive strategic planning process, followed by the implementation of
key projects. As part of DRI Round 5, each REDC region may receive up to two awards
for a total of $20 million awarded per region. REDCs will decide whether to nominate
two $10 million awardees or one $20 million awardee for transformative and catalytic
downtown redevelopment projects upon review of the submitted applications. As is the
case with past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan that
articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identifies a list of signature
projects that have the potential to transform the downtown. DRI funds will then be
awarded for selected projects that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization
and realize the community's vision for the downtown.
The application will be submitted by Sept. 15. Keep your fingers crossed!
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2021 Roe Jan Ramble Canceled
Due to rising COVID-19 infection rates, the 2021 Roe Ran Ramble Bike Tour, previously scheduled for September 18, has been canceled.
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Summer Camp a Huge Success!
In the Spring of 2021, the Town Board had plenty of concerns about whether the Summer Camp program could be run safely and successfully. But as of August 13, the last day of the 2021 season, a jubilant Director Bryan Van Tassel reported that there had been no COVID-19 cases for the entire six weeks of the town-sponsored program. At their August meeting, the Town Board recognized Director Bryan Van Tassel and Assistant Director Hollie Van Tassel for their very hard work and successful camp season.
A total of 75 campers participated in the six-week camp. The camp directors organized the campers into cohorts which met under tents erected around the Copake Memorial Park. Director Bryan Van Tassel stated that campers wore masks when they came inside to the Park Building. He stated, “We are happy to say that these campers enjoyed a summer that was not in front of screens and spent the majority of time outside with their friends.” Camp activities included a “successful talent show that had everything from dancing, to singing, to ghost impersonations.” Bryan VanTassel reported that Zumba with Terry Sullivan was a huge hit, with much of the camp wanting to participate.
At their August meeting, the Town Board credited the success of the camp with the hard work and careful planning of the camp directors. The board thanked the two, who are married to each other and are teachers at Taconic Hills School.
Bryan Van Tassel also reported that the camp raised over $1000 for the Taconic Hills Backpack Program. The money, which will be used to benefit needy Taconic Hill students with food for a weekend, was raised from the camp’s annual “Step-A-Thon,” this year sponsored by Mike Valden of the Church Street Deli and Kent Sammon of KS Fitness.
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Grant Hermans Retires and Recounts Time at Bash Bish Bicycle
Twenty-four years after opening Bash Bish Bicycle in Copake Falls, Grant Hermans will close the doors on October 31 of this year.
The Copake Connection interviewed Grant about his time as a bicycle shop owner.
CC: How did you come to open Bash Bish Bicycle?
GH: When I was about 30 years old, I got into cycling again. My brother bought a bike at the Copake Auction which had old “sew up” tires and needed repair. He couldn’t fix it, so I asked if I could have it, and I fixed it up so I could ride. At another point, my brother and I had found several bicycles that had been dumped. We took them all apart and, between all the parts, put together two or three working bicycles. That was the start of it. In 1996, I enrolled in Columbia Greene and got a business degree. I had to write a business plan for one of my courses, and that became the business plan for the shop. In 1979, with the generosity of Doug Clark, who owned the land and building, I opened the shop.
CC: Did you bicycle much as a kid?
GH: That’s how we got around. The adults had the cars, the kids had bikes. We rode our bikes to and from school. I even rode my bike home for lunchtime, as I didn’t like the school lunches much. We would go all over; as long as we were home for supper, we could ride pretty much anywhere we wanted. It was safe - not quite like it is today.
CC: How has the Rail Trail affected your business?
GH: As the Rail Trail grew, more families and older people started biking. I’ve always had my regular customers, but also, people from all around the world started coming through. I’ve had people from Russia and many other countries come in the shop. I remember when Elinor Mettler got the idea for the Rail Trail. We’d be out clipping bushes along the old rail bed, taking pictures and sending them to the paper and to the politicians to get them to take notice. She’d be proud of what has been accomplished so far.
CC: What have been some challenges you’ve faced?
GH: You have to accept certain parts of running a business, like paying the bills and taking care of the financial side. Also, I don’t much like being on the computer, the internet and doing advertising. Fortunately, I have built up my business by word of mouth and I have a loyal customer base, so I don’t need to do social media and the internet.
CC: What have you most enjoyed and what will you miss?
GH: The customers. Some of my customers got their first bikes here, and later on came in with their kids to get bikes. Most people who ride are nice and care about the environment - they’re good people. Bicycling is a way to help people be outside, to enjoy nature and get exercise. I may not be the best mechanic in the world, but I’ve enjoyed giving good service to my customers.
CC: What advice would you give to anyone opening a bike shop?
GH: Be good to your customers. Be fair. Be honest. Be friendly. Do good work right from the start.
CC: What will you do when you close the shop?
GH: I look forward to hiking, doing more biking, working on the house, taking care of the garden. I’ll travel more; it will be nice to have the summer off and enjoy some summer trips.
CC: Do you have any other thoughts about your time at Bash Bish Bicycle?
GH: Thank you to all my customers and to Doug and Jane (Clark/Peck), and Eric and Valerie (current owners of the land and building).
Grant is hoping that someone will take over the business and keep Bash Bish Bicycle going. We wish him all the best, and we thank him for his friendly, excellent care for us and our bicycles all these years. Grant, see you on the trail!
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Want to Get Involved?
Vacancies on Town Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
The town has one vacancy on the Planning Board and several vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
If you are interested, please send a letter of interest by October 15, 2021 at 4:00pm, to Town Clerk, Lynn Connolly at 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516 or email copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.
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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 History
A Survivor of the Battle of Gettysburg Comes to Copake to Recuperate
The Civil War’s momentous Battle of Gettysburg was probably the war’s turning point. New York State supplied the largest number of soldiers to the Union Army of any of the northern states. Thus the war’s story is very much our story.
Gettysburg involved the largest number of casualties of that entire war. Fought on July 1–3, 1863, it resulted in 46,000- 51,000 casualties of soldiers from both armies. The Hudson Valley sent men from Copake, Austerlitz, Hillsdale, White Plains and many other towns. However, it appears that most of the men in Columbia County served in units that fought elsewhere. Still, at least two men, George Stalker of Copake and Charles Carpenter of Chatham, fought in that battle and were wounded, Carpenter fatally.
Another soldier with Hudson Valley connections who fought in Gettysburg was Massachusetts born Theodore Ayrault Dodge. Dodge was educated in Europe, from which he returned shortly after the war’s outbreak in 1861 to enlist as a private in the New York Volunteer. After participating as an officer in Gettysburg (under General Carl Schurtz), he traveled to Copake to recuperate from serious wounds at a relative’s house. Dodge's story is of local interest because of events that happened during his stay in Copake. He had lost a finger in a previous battle. Now, at age 21 at Gettysburg, he had lost his leg. “If we try to save it, the chances of your surviving will be only one out of ten,” a doctor had told him. Dodge consented to the amputation. Subsequently he went from 165 pounds to a mere 75 pounds as a result not only of the amputation, but also from how the surgery affected his whole system.
On July 28, while in hospital in Pennsylvania, Dodge heard of a train that would be heading
north. Reluctantly a surgeon agreed to let him go. A runaway slave from North Carolina and a
second person, likely another soldier, carried him to the train on a gurney and traveled with him. Dressed in an Army hat and and undress-uniform, Dodge arrived at the home of another aunt in Manhattan, where he stayed for a couple of days. Then, the two men accompanied him on a train of the Harlem Railroad to Copake where he was to recuperate, commandeering one whole seat which ordinarily accommodated three passengers so that it could hold Dodge on his gurney.
The runaway slave stayed with Dodge at the aunt’s house a few miles outside of town, helping and even physically carrying him around for some weeks. Dodge remained in Copake under the care of thirty-five-year-old Dr. H. G. Westlake of Hillsdale until at least October.
One day, likely in September, he coaxed Westlake into agreeing that he was sufficiently healed to resume some normal activity. Soon afterward, he found himself driving an open carriage on a narrow country road, his stump resting on a pillow, with a pretty cousin at his side, the carriage pulled by a steady, strong cob, a short-legged horse.
Halfway to Copake village, Dodge spotted two horses pulling a heavily loaded wagon coming
toward him. He later learned that the wagon belonged to the nearby Ancram paper mill and that
the driver was a Copperhead, a Confederate sympathizer. Dodge theorized afterwards that the
man had seen his Union soldier hat, and that had a role in the collision which occurred between the two vehicles. Afterward too, he realized that it would have been sensible to stop on the side and let the heavier wagon go by.
He remembered feeling angry before the collision that the man didn’t “turn out.” After all, there had barely been enough room for both of them to pass. However, Dodge’s phaeton’s off wheel struck a big rock concealed in the grass on the side of the road, pushing the vehicle a few inches to the left. Thus his near front wheel struck the hub of the heavier vehicle’s hind wheel. Dodge held tight to the reins as his horse plunged forward and the whiffle tree broke. Dodge was then jerked bodily over the dashboard landing on his right shoulder a dozen feet beyond the wreck. Falling limply, Dodge managed not to be hurt. Seeing that his fallen “adversary” had only one leg, the other driver was appalled at his role in causing such an unfortunate situation. Luckily another buggy with some friends came along. After angrily telling the other driver that he needed to be more careful, Dodge was put into it. His cousin, however, in shock, walked back. When he was able to use crutches, Dodge gained weight and was finally fitted with an artificial leg. In November, he accepted a position offered by a family friend, the Provost Marshal General of Western New York, to work in his office in Albany, which he did until the end of the year. For most of the following year, he worked in a newly organized Invalid Corps made up of officers and men who had been wounded. After the Secretary of War sent him a telegram the following year to report to duty in the War Department in Washington DC, he worked there for several years rising to the rank of brevet Lieutenant Colonel. Subsequently Dodge became a prominent military historian, authoring among other books, a twelve volume History of the Art of War.
(Reprinted from the July 5, 2017 edition of the Columbia Paper.)
Howard Blue
Town Historian
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Grange Events
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, except while performing. For more information, contact copakegrange@gmail.com.
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Saturday, Oct 2, 9am-12pm - First Saturday Giving. Our monthly giving drive for those in need. More details to come. Contact Peggy Lewis plewispotok@gmail.com or Rita Jakubowski rlj304@gmail.com.
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Friday, Oct. 22, 7pm - Classic Movie Night: His Gal Friday. A 1940 American screwball comedy-drama-romance, directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Based on the hit play, The Front Page, it tells the story of formerly married newspaper reporters covering on last story together. Grange Classic Film Series organizer, Lenny Barham, will provide commentary and insights about the film prior to the showing. Donations appreciated at the door. Masks and social distancing may be required. For more information go to copakegrange.org.
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Nov. 12-14, 19-21 - Cabaret - Presented by Two of Us Productions. Stay tuned for more details.
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
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Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00-10:30am
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Saturday, September 18, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Pop-Up Story Time at Hillsdale Hamlet Park. Join Tia for a Pop-Up Story Time and art project at the Hillsdale Hamlet Park during Hillsdale's September Jams in the Hamlet, featuring a children's concert with Brady Rymer & Claudia Mussen. We'll be under the big tent!
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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
This virtual program is cosponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson
Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library
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Saturday, September 25, 9:00am - 11:00am
Drive-through Flu Shot Clinic. Registration required through the county health
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Saturday, September 25, 10:00am - 11:00am
Harvesting the Three Sisters Garden. In this children's program, we will return to
the three sisters garden we planted in the late spring! We will explore the
transformations and learn about how Native Americans used the harvest from these
special gardens. We will also decorate a permanent sign for the garden with our own
special artistic touches and make corn husk dolls to take home! Come celebrate a
bountiful harvest and learn more about the local Native American people who taught
European settlers this form of companion planting.
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Sunday, September 26, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Concert in the Park: Donelian-Clark-Schuller Trio. Join us for an outdoor concert at
the Hilltop Barn in Roe Jan Park for a Sunday afternoon concert. Lawn chairs
appreciated.
The Donelian-Clark-Schuller Trio plays a selection of American Songbook standards,
distinctive original compositions and treasured Armenian songs. Armen Donelian
(piano) is a Fulbright Scholar and NEA Jazz Fellow who has performed with Sonny
Rollins and others. He is joined by David Clark (bass), professor at Berklee College of
Music where he teaches bass and jazz, and by George Schuller (drums), a producer
and performer with the late Lee Konitz among others. They have been playing
together for 18 years.
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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Tuesday, September 28
National Voter Registration Day. Register to vote at the library or apply for an absentee ballot during National Voter Registration Day. Make sure your voice is heard on election day!
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Thursday, September 30, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Author Talk: Neil J. Smith, On the Ropes: A Tale of the '60s. A Tale of the '60s. On The Ropes is the story of a young black fighter, Percival Jones, whose bid for the 1968 Olympic Gold is sidetracked by the successive deaths of both Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. and Senator Robert
F. Kennedy, six weeks apart. Neil J. Smith will give a reading from his book. Smith was
born in the Bahamas and raised in NYC, where he says he did not receive an education
until he discovered the library system. He started boxing at the age of 12 and later he
organized for various civil rights groups. Smith studied creative writing, literature,
and poetry at NYU with William Packard, author, editor, professor, and founder of the
prestigious New York Quarterly, where Smith was vice president for 15 years. Smith
now lives with his spouse in Athens, NY.
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Sunday, October 3, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Concert in the Park: Eribeth Chamber Ensemble. Join us for an outdoor concert at
the Hilltop Barn in Roe Jan Park for a Sunday afternoon concert. Lawn chairs
appreciated.
Based in the Capital District, the Eribeth Chamber Players have performed throughout
the Northeast, as well as in Germany. With flexible instrumentation, the group
presents a variety of programs, from string quartet and piano trio concerts to
collaborations with actors and dancers.
This program is made possible with funds 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, and with funds from the Rheinstrom Hill
Community Foundation.
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Saturday, October 9, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Pumpkin Painting. Get ready for Halloween by painting your own pumpkin! This
event is part of the Hillsdale Pumpkin Festival and will be held outdoors. Registration
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Monday, October 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Eleanor Roosevelt. Join us for the first of a series of history programs on FDR,
presented by Jeff Urbin, educator from the Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Library
in Hyde Park.
Eleanor Roosevelt is the US's longest serving first lady, and she was an extraordinary
one. During the Depression, she traveled around the nation and reported her
observations to her husband. She became his "eyes, ears and legs." She was an
advocate for the poor and disadvantaged. After FDR's death, she continued her public
work as a delegate to the United Nations, where she helped secure passage of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On Zoom. Register by emailing library@philmont.org.
This program is cosponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library.
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Thursdays, October 21-November 12, 6:00pm -7:00pm
The Art of the Novel: A Graphic Novel Workshop Series. In this 4-session workshop series, led by cartoonist Barbara Slate, students will learn how to create a graphic novel, learn about the creative process, how to write a character study, focus on the narrative of the story, and create layouts. No experience or drawing skills are necessary to participate. This workshop is free and open to tweens, teens, and adults.
Participants must commit to all 4 sessions. Limited to 20 participants.
To register, call 518-325-4101, email director@roejanlibrary.org, or visit the library. This program 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
Schoharie County by the Greene County Council on the Arts dba CREATE Council for Research to Enrich the Arts, Technology & Education.
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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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