December 2024

Next Town Board Meeting

Thursday, January 9, 2025

7:00pm

Access to virtual meetings can be found on the homepage of the Town of Copake website at townofcopake.org

Table of Contents

From the Supervisor's Desk

Solar Update

Help Wanted

Grange Events

What's Happening at the Library

Memorial Bricks

Columbia County Health Center

From the Supervisor's Desk            

The holiday season is a time to reflect and celebrate and for giving thanks. As I approach the end of my first year as Copake’s supervisor, I have a lot to give thanks for.

To my colleagues on the town board: thank you for your willingness to serve, and to serve collaboratively. These days, it’s often hard to ignore partisan politics, but this board, very diverse politically – if not by gender – has managed to operate with singular focus, doing what’s best for Copake. Some of us say we all belong to the Copake Party. So, my sincerest thanks and gratitude to Stosh Gansowski, Bob Haight, Jeffrey Judd and Will Morningstar.

To our superb town clerk and tax collector, Lynn DeRocha: thank you for doing everything you do so well, and for always knowing when I’m about to do something wrong and correcting me – in fact, thank you for always knowing everything, or if you don’t, knowing how to find the answer. Lynn is often the “public face” of Copake; she is always considerate in her dealings with the public, as is her deputy clerk, Liana Jensen. Simply put, Lynn is an incredible asset to the town. 

Thanks to our tough, hardworking code enforcement officer, Erin Reis, who without complaint has taken on the added responsibilities of monitoring compliance with and enforcing Copake’s new short-term rental law, and to our skilled and knowledgeable assessor, Lynn Hotaling, whose patience in addressing my many questions is much appreciated.

Thanks to Lesley Doyel, for accepting my request that she add "town historian” to her already full plate of responsibilities as president of the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society.

Thanks to everyone who works at Town Hall: to jack-of-all-trades Bob Callahan, who pretends that his default answer to everything is “no!”, but is extremely helpful and really good at all of his jobs – and an artist to boot!; to Lisa DiConti, Linda Senk, Lorraine Strohmeier, and Kellie Nardin, who keep Copake’s offices running smoothly and support the volunteers who staff important town committees; and to our bookkeeper, Gwen Menshenfriend, who makes sure that payrolls are accurate, that bills are paid on time, and who, as confidential assistant to the supervisor, gets saddled with many tasks that I foist upon her, handling them efficiently and with a smile.   

Special thanks to Bill Gregory, Columbia County’s best highway superintendent, whose planning skills ensure that Copake’s roads are well maintained and that his equipment inventory needs are addressed according to a well thought-out repair and replacement schedule that the town can afford. And of course, many thanks to Jeremy Holdridge and Bill’s entire highway staff, who are well-trained and skilled. To cite one example of their much appreciated efforts: their exceptional work clearing the land and then quickly constructing the walkway from the Church Street municipal parking lot to Empire Road – across from Grange Hall – will benefit Copake and the Grange for years to come.

A big thank you to Roberta Roll, who keeps everyone informed about goings-on in and around Copake through the Copake Connection. This is a huge task and is much appreciated by its many regular readers.     

Thanks to the many, many volunteers who serve on town committees, and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make our bicentennial celebrations so successful. I’ve thanked you all throughout the year. Know that you have my gratitude and that of my board colleagues.

And especially during the holidays, thanks to one of Copake’s grande dames, Vana Hotaling, and her co-volunteers, who deliver poinsettias and good cheer to area residents who are homebound.   

My final thank-you’s are both heartfelt and a lead-in to an important and brief reminder: thanks to those Copakeans who worked so hard to bring Rapid Care back to Copake, especially Jeanne Mettler, Roberta Roll and Tom Goldsworthy. A few words about Rapid Care. First, the obvious: we are very fortunate to have Rapid Care back in Copake. The staff is courteous, attentive, and very professional. They treat both urgent matters, including insect bites, sprains, bad colds and fevers, as well as more chronic issues, such as rashes, sore limbs, ear aches, and persistent coughs. However, if you confront what may be a life threatening situation, such as chest pains, do not go to Rapid Care. Instead, call the Copake Community Rescue Squad or go to a hospital emergency room. Copake Rapid Care is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am until 7pm. Rapid Care accepts insurance. Of special note to weekenders and visitors with a non-life-threatening medical condition, there is no need to wait until you return to your “full-time” home to seek medical care. See the highly-qualified medical professionals at Copake Rapid Care. They are very good.

Finally, the holiday season is also a time for giving. For people who are able to do so, keep in mind several local organizations that rely upon donations to help them provide the important services they offer. This is not a solicitation; it is not an endorsement. It is merely a reminder of the good works that these folks do: the Roeliff Jansen Food Pantry; the first responder organizations – the Copake Rescue Squad and the three fire companies that service our town: Copake, Craryville, and Hillsdale; the Copake Grange; and the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.

Happy Holidays to all! Best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy, safe and productive 2025!

Richard Wolf

Town Supervisor

Solar Update

The New York State Court of Appeals has rejected arguments that regulations promulgated by the State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting are substantively and procedurally flawed. This brings to an unfortunate end the litigation in which Copake was the lead plaintiff, together with other towns and several non-profits. No expenses were incurred by Copake in this litigation. 

As to the status of the proposed Shepherd’s Run solar factory, it’s been seven months and counting since Hecate Energy announced its intention to file a new application to construct a 42-megawatt facility on more than 200 acres of prime farmland in Craryville. Rumor has it that Hecate intends to file a new application before the end of the year, although they haven’t told us about their plans.

Richard T. Wolf

Town Supervisor

Help Wanted

The Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following position:



Board of Assessment Review Member

Letters/resumes may be sent to: Town Clerk, 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516, or emailed to: copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.

Grange Events

Dec. 15 and Jan. 26, 4:00-5:30pm. Jammin’ at the Grange. Come on down to the Grange with your instruments and have a great time jamming with your musician friends and neighbors. Free.

Friday, Jan. 3 and Feb. 7, 7:00-9:00pm. Open Mic Night. All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, and more. Bring your instruments; we have a piano. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Free.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 7-9pm. Dance Party. Banish the winter blues and come inside where the music is happening! Great music, refreshments, dance to your heart’s content. Submit your favorite dance tunes with the words “love” and “dance” in them to tinyurl.com/JanuaryDance. Suggested donation $5.

Sunday, Jan. 19, 3:30pm. Movie and Soup Night. Our Classic Film Series continues. In conjunction with Martin Luther King Day, we will show "Mississippi Burning." This film, based on true events, is a fictionalized version of the FBI's search for the killers of three civil rights workers in the South in 1964. It stars Gene Hackman, Willam Dafoe and Frances McDormand and was directed by Alan Parker. It won an Academy Award for best cinematography. Stay afterward for good conversation and delicious soup, salad, bread and dessert. Movie by donation. Supper $10.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:00-7:00pm. Chili Cook-Off. Hot fun on a winter night! Spice up your evening with chili of all kinds. Sample them, vote on your favorite chili and see who wins the prizes. Eat in or take-out. Details on our website copake.org/events.

For more information about the Grange and events or to join, go to copakegrange.org. The Copake Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd., Copake, NY 12516. Parking for Grange events is limited - please park at the Municipal Lot on Church St. if the Grange parking area is full.

What’s Happening at the Library?

On Display Now at the Library

"Clair de Lune" - Traditional Ink on Paper Drawings by Edwing Gomez Flores. Artist's Statement: Black because it creates depth, contrast, and blends absence with presence. White because it enhances visibility, transition, and gives a sense of hope. Red because it emphasizes energy, passion, and yearns for attention. Gold because it embraces wisdom, good fortune, and is viewed as absolute.

Edwing Gomez Flores was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and currently resides in upstate New York. Having no formal education in the visual arts, this sub-discipline has and continues to bring Edwing fulfillment through its concepts and processes to express emotion, point of view, and critical thinking. Many of his creations reflect fond memories, dreams, and stories shared by others. When words become meaningless, it is through the visual arts that Edwing can showcase his perception of the world.

Now through December 31.

Annual Winter Book Giveaway. The time has come! December is here! That means all young patrons and parents who visit the library during the holiday season are invited to take a free winter-themed children's book to keep! All books have been selected by our library staff. Stop in soon before our collection runs out!

New Library Hours in 2025! We’re excited to announce that starting January 2025, we’ll be piloting new library hours—thanks to the valuable feedback we received in our 2023 Community Survey! We’re now open on Sundays and adding an extra evening on Wednesdays, making it more convenient for working individuals and families to visit the library. Here are our updated hours, effective the first week of January:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Wednesday: 10 AM – 8 PM (NEW Evening Hours!)

Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM

Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM

Sunday: 12 PM – 4 PM (NEW!)

We’re excited to welcome you during these new hours and deeply appreciate your input in helping us better serve our community. See you at the library!

Friday & Saturday, December 13 - 14, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friends of Roe Jan Library’s Annual Soup, Books, & Bale Sale. Come to support the library and enjoy delicious treats and hearty soups prepared by library patrons. The Friends Bookshop will be open with books and puzzles in excellent condition for holiday gift-giving. There will also be a special $1.00 sale of children’s books. The sale will take place in the Library’s Community Room. The Friends Bookshop is located in the lower level of the Library.

Saturday, December 21, 1:00 p.m.

Cookbook Club. Cookbook Club meets the third Saturday of the month, now meeting from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., led by local volunteers Monique Rinere & Rita Jakubowski. Members select a recipe, prepare the dish, and bring it to the next meeting, where they discuss the cookbook and enjoy a shared meal. Don’t forget to bring copies of your recipe to share with fellow food enthusiasts! For Saturday December 21, the theme will be “Holiday” and everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish to share for whatever holiday they celebrate. Everyone is welcome—more members mean more delicious dishes! For more information, please contact Rita at rlj304@gmail.com.

Monday, December 23, 12:00 p.m.

Film Screening: Frozen (2013). Kick off the school winter break with some frosty fun at the library! Join us for a free screening of Disney’s Frozen (2013). Sing along with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and friends as they journey through snow-covered Arendelle in a story of love, courage, and sisterhood. Perfect for kids and families! Snacks and refreshments will be provided by the library. No registration is required—come in, warm up, and let it go!

Tuesday & Wednesday, December 24 & 25

Library Closed.

Thursday, December 26, 2:30 p.m.

Tea Time at the Library. Plan to visit the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. to discuss fun and informative topics. Each month’s gathering will have a different theme; listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s your preference!), and sometimes a fun activity. There will also be plenty of time to chat, get to know your neighbors, and wind down.



For our December meeting, we will be joined by local yoga teacher, Franny Alexander, for a discussion entitled, “Drink, Sleep, Love: A Simple Strategy to Manage Chronic Pain.” Come join in and enjoy a cup of Harney's Tea (or coffee) and some fresh baked goods on the house.

Thursday, December 26, 5:00 p.m.

Film Screening: Little Women (2019). Looking for something fun to do during the school winter break? Join us for a cozy afternoon at the library as we screen the beloved 2019 adaptation of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig. Settle in with friends and family for this heartwarming tale of the March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery during and after the Civil War. Rated PG, this film is perfect for teens and adults alike. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by the library. No registration is required—just drop in and enjoy! We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Library Closed.

Wednesday, December 11, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Adventure Wednesday. For homeschool groups and daytime learners! Adventure Wednesdays promise to bring a sense of excitement and discovery as embark on monthly field trips around the area. In December, we will meet up at Camphill Village in Copake, NY for a special tour! For more information, email director@roejanlibrary.org.

Monday, January 6, 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

Keeping Columbia County History Alive. Join Ghent Town Historian Gregg Berninger for this Zoom program to learn about the William G. Pomeroy Foundation's support of historic preservation and education in Columbia County. Special guests include Germantown Historian Tom Shannon, Hendrick Hudson Chapter DAR Regent Virginia Martin, Edgar Masters and Deb Cohen of the Copake Iron Works, and Austerlitz Town Historian Emeritus Tom Moreland. Come along to learn about the people and places of our county's past and how they live on thanks to the Pomeroy Foundation. This program is sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com to register.

Monday, January 13, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Healthcare Navigator Appointments. A Navigator from the Healthcare Consortium will be available the second Monday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Navigators can assist individuals and families in Columbia and Greene Counties with shopping for, comparing, and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan, through the New York State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace. Navigators can also assist with applying for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Navigator services are free of charge. You can make an appointment by calling (518) 822-9600.

Wednesday, January 15, 6:00 p.m.

New Fiction Book Club. Calling all fiction lovers! Roeliff Jansen Community Library is launching a brand-new book club! The club will meet every third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. At our first meeting, we’ll discuss North Woods by Daniel Mason, a hauntingly beautiful novel that weaves together stories spanning centuries, all centered on one Western Massachusetts house. Whether you’ve read the book or just want to learn more, come join the conversation! The book club will be led by Kate, our communications manager, and Fran, our outreach associate. No registration is required, and all are welcome! Help us brainstorm a name for the club at the first meeting—we’d love your input! North Woods is available to borrow through the Mid-Hudson Library System, Hoopla, and Libby.

Thursday, January 16, 1:00 p.m.

Book Marks! Book Club. Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month. For our January meeting we are reading The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System, Libby, and Hoopla. Email circulation@roejanlibrary.org for more information.

Monday, January 27, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Zoom Around the World Book Club. Join our online book club, sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association! This club will meet via Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month to read and discuss books by international authors. The fourth book up for discussion will be Japanese writer Yoko Ogawa’s Mina’s Matchbox. To join, email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com.

Wednesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Digital Navigator Office Hours. So many things happen online! If you can’t connect to the internet easily, it can be hard to find a job, housing, pay your bills, schedule appointments, and more. Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley can help you get online at the library or help you use your personal device to get things done. Digital navigators are trusted guides that can help you with your tech questions for free. Our communications manager, Kate, is a newly trained Digital Navigator of the Hudson Valley! Kate holds open office hours on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. for general tech help and digital guidance. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are appreciated. Email communications@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518-325-4101 to reserve a time with Kate.