How to be an aging parent
Over the years I have often written about the relationship between parents and their adult children. In fact, one of my earliest columns, which I wrote back in 1985 when I was 42, is titled “Solving the Parent Problem.” In it I said that while we may describe our own parents as difficult (if not...
The new kids in town
New Paltz Defense Against Fracking is the new environmental kid in town. We are a citizens-initiated group of concerned New Yorkers who are asking the New Paltz Town Council to pass a Community Rights Ordinance (CRO) to prohibit fracking and all related activities. We thank all who could come out to the Feb. 6 informational...
Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at St. Andrew’s Church
The New Paltz clergy will hold its annual Shrove Tuesday community pancake supper on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Paltz. The meal provides a traditional “Fat Tuesday” start to the Lenten season and includes sausage and applesauce, as well as pancakes. The supper is free,...
BREAKING NEWS: New Paltz schools set special vote for Lenape land grab
Lenape Elementary School’s lot could get 22.4 acres larger if the New Paltz Central School District’s plan to buy land is approved by voters during a special election on April 10. The parcel, 301 Route 32 South, also includes a house, which the district hopes to eventually resell to defray the initial $798,000 purchase cost....
Honoring the sources of American culture
Black History Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate the stellar contributions African-Americans have made to American culture — in particular, the art of dance. While researching the history of black dance, I found out how African-American dance first arrived here during the slave trade. Like so many stories from slavery times, it’s an ugly,...
Putting the rumors to rest
Recently, there have been a lot of rumors spreading between Highland and New Paltz that Highland schools are bankrupt and will be consolidating with New Paltz. While it is true that Highland, like most school districts in the state, is facing major fiscal challenges if it tries to meet the 2% property tax cap level,...
Happy Valentine’s Day, Highland senior citizens
The French Club at Highland High School is inviting senior citizens from the Highland Central School District to its Valentine’s Day lunch on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The event, which will be held in the cafeteria at the high school, will begin at 12:30 and end at 1:30 p.m. French club students will serve a lunch...
Answering the call to volunteer
It was one of the colder days during the unusually warm week between Christmas and New Year’s when a handful of volunteers found their way to the Queens Galley in Kingston to help serve dinner. While Kim Prottas, director of Culinary Operations, tended her huge, bubbling pot of jambalaya, she put the new volunteers, who...
Mah-jongg players gather in New Paltz, Gardiner
An otherwise sleepy room in the New Paltz Jewish Community Center bustled with laughter, idle threats, gentle trash talking and a curious clicking akin to the sound of dominos falling over on Monday afternoon. Two tables with four players were rapt, transfixed with the strategy of what to do next with tiles adorned by Chinese...
Teachers
A landmark new research paper underscores that the difference between a strong teacher and a weak teacher lasts a lifetime. Having a good fourth-grade teacher makes a student 1.25 percent more likely to go to college, the research suggests, and 1.25 percent less likely to get pregnant as a teenager. Each of the students will...
Cuomo parks budget earmarks $1 million for trail restoration at Minnewaska
While a governor’s budget under dire fiscal constraints is typically not a time to celebrate, those who administer, work under and/or enjoy the great outdoors and New York State public park system certainly have something to be thankful for. New York State governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget has earmarked approximately $33 million toward repairs, upgrades and...
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Elting Memorial Library
Elting Memorial Library and its teen advisory committee will offer a free Mardi Gras party for the entire community on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. (snow date Sunday, Feb. 12). Arrive in costume — there will be prizes. The event will feature tastings of authentic New Orleans gumbo, jambalaya, moon pies, hurricane drinks, real...