Sunday night, Winston Farm was not a happy place (photo by Shannon Linnane)

When one makes mistakes in the undertaking of a grand endeavor, and the criticism comes, one can either dismiss the critics as ingrates for missing all that went well or humble one’s self before the complainants, make no excuses and promise to do better next time. The organizers of the Hudson Project music festival, held July 11–13 at Winston Farm, are opting for the latter, to redemptive effect.

Though the main problem — a lightning storm that cancelled the highly anticipated third night  — was out of the festival’s control, other issues were not.  There were complaints about rude and clueless staff, disorganized evacuation leading to thefts from campsites, refusals of food, water and medical help on Sunday–Monday, bribes sought for tows out of mud where cars never should have been parked, excessive security and nonsensical rules.

First came the announcement the refunds would be issued: 1/3 for three-day pass holders, 1/2 for Saturday–Sunday attendees, full refund for Sunday-only ticket holders. Parking fees were also refunded.

Subsequent official responses came, as so many do now, on social media; in this case, in the form of extended missives on Facebook that gave the impression festival organizers were sincerely bummed that their big party wasn’t the best-time-ever. Coming after several days of rancor from aggrieved attendees, who were portraying the weekend as a “police-state” and “money grab,” the messages  did much to ameliorate bad word-of-mouth — especially important for establishing a new festival.

“…Morale has been low, and not just for the fans, but also for all of us who worked so hard to create the inaugural Hudson Project,” reads a July 17 post. “After more than a full year of pouring our hearts and souls into creating an event that was built around the core of a positive fan experience, we know we fell short in some aspects.”

It references inappropriate behavior by staff, and “issues concerning entrance and exiting of the festival site, venue and campgrounds will be addressed,” a reference to security checkpoints. A number of female attendees said the searches were invasive. Others found the need to empty out all water bottles and camelbacks unnecessary (alcohol would destroy the interior of a camelback so no one uses them to sneak it in), as well as the ban on open cigarette packs. Many attendees said the sheer number of security and police made them feel like criminals.

Dan D’Aloisio wrote on the Facebook page, “Had a blaaaast, just wish security wasn’t such a kick in the shins,” to which the festival replied: “Dan you’re right, will be different next time.”

The post continues: “In the coming months, we will work to alleviate some of the issues we all faced, so that we may build upon the foundation created this weekend. From the beginning, we wanted to create and evolve an event with input from you — the ones who took a chance and came out to be a part of this special first weekend. Our ultimate goal is an ever-evolving festival designed as a three-day utopian retreat from the ‘real world’ centered on a cutting edge lineup, world-class food and art. This goal has not changed, and will not change.”

It asks attendees to fill out a survey on the festival with requests for suggestions on how it could be run better. It closes by co-opting the Twitter hashtag created when the festival was washed out, #MudsonProject. “We have a feeling you will never forget it… we know we won’t.”

The effectiveness of the festival’s mea culpa was summed up by attendee Adam Kroner. “It had its ups and downs but continuing to humble yourself and admit the mistakes made restores my faith in The Hudson Project,” he wrote.

Audience members on the grass area near the beach

Storyteller Janet Carter

David Knott and Ze’ev Willy Neumann unveil a statue of a water chestnut.

Photos by David Gordon

In what has become an end-of-summer tradition, artist Ze’ev Willy Neumann held his fourth annual beach party on Saturday, Aug. 23, with entertainers performing within the huge frame he constructed overlooking the Esopus beach.

The stage, built into the frame for the occasion, was surrounded on the sides and back with a series of slender decorated wooden poles. This year, a new sculpture has been added near the red frame: a huge replica of a water chestnut seed pod, the invasive plant that clogs the creek and Hudson River.

Neumann has included a talk on the dangers of water chestnuts in each of his presentations, and his sculpture includes a built-in wastebasket for collecting any chestnuts on the beaches.

Though they are usually contrasted with the water chestnuts found in Americanized Chinese food, this type of water chestnut can also be eaten. Laura Phillips, who was among the group at the unveiling of the statue, said she had found several recipes online for the noxious variety of chestnuts (look for “water caltrop” recipes). Neumann suggested rather than expend a great amount of effort to eradicate the plant, it could be cultivated for export.

Following his presentation on the water chestnuts, Neumann moved over to the frame, where the program featured music, poetry and storytelling until about 9 p.m. Among the highlights, poet and actor Dean Schambach; musicians David Wood and George Dengler; singer-songwriters Ernie Mortuzans and Jeanne Weiss; storyteller Janet Carter; violinist Akiko Kamigawara and Wood with singers David Knutt and Kyle Yerry.

Carter told the story of her participation in anti-war vigils in Saugerties and the reaction of passers-by, both positive and negative. Schambach recited Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “Gunga Din.” Akiko’s brilliant renditions of classical violin solos wowed the audience, and Mortuzans and Weiss had the whole audience singing along for their finale performance of “Ripple.”

Following the party, Neumann thanked the mayor and Village Board for their help in making the event possible.

The second annual Saugerties Boys and Girls Club Bike Run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Cantine Field. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Kickstands up at noon sharp. Cost is $30 per rider, $15 per passenger. The two-hour ride goes through the Catskills with a refreshment stop before coming back to Cantine Field. Cost includes food, beverage and t-shirt. Bagels and coffee before ride. Rain or shine. Event followed by 3 p.m. performance by the Paul Luke Band.

On Thursday, September 11, a 9/11 memorial service will be held at the memorial monuments at Cantine Field (Market Street entrance).

The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.

Come to the library on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. for a free presentation on how to prepare for natural and manmade disasters and how to respond and recover from them. Developed by the office of Gov. Cuomo to create a resilient and prepared New York. Register at the main desk or call (845) 246-4317.

World leaders are coming to New York City for a UN summit on the climate crisis and Ulster County residents are gearing up to fill buses to participate in a large climate march on Sunday, September 21. To reserve a seat on the bus making pick-ups in Woodstock, Saugerties and Kingston, visit www.pcmmhv.eventbrite.com. Tickets cost $24 round trip ($20 low income). For more information, call (845) 443-0880 or e-mail anna@permacyclist.com. For general information on the march, visit www.peoplesclimatemarch.org.

(Photo by David Gordon)

Saugerties Performing Arts Factory (SPAF) at 169 Ulster Ave. will host the Shine On Saugerties gala and auction on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. The evening begins with food and wine and live music by Todd Boyle until the auction of the painted model lighthouses created by local artists begins at 6:30 p.m. with auctioneer Barry Cherwin. All proceeds from sales benefit the nonprofit Saugerties Finger Fund that provides financial relief to struggling residents. Tickets cost $25 and are available at Town & Country Liquors, Sawyer Motors and online at www.DiscoverSaugerties.com.

Bidders look over the lighthouses

Gus Pedersen with his lighthouse “Space Odyssey”

Chamber of Commerce Co-Chairs Mark Smith and Peggy Schwartz

A piece donated by Alexander Kveton drew $3,750

John Doyle performed

Lillian Johnson’s “The Beatles 50th Anniversary” was raffled

Photos by David Gordon

The 35 lighthouses that graced Saugerties streets this summer, plus one that was on loan to Catskill, were auctioned on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Saugerties Performing Arts Factory. The sale raises money for the Chamber of Commerce and Finger Emergency Fund, each of which receives one third of the proceeds. The artist who created the work receives the remaining third.

The Chamber has been raising money with art auctions since 2009, said Chamber President Mark Smith. The purpose is to attract visitors to Saugerties, showcase local artists and to raise money for worthwhile charities.

Guitarist John Doyle provided background music, playing a variety of styles on acoustic guitar during the viewing period, when hot and cold snacks were served.

The Finger Emergency Fund, which will receive a portion of the money raised by the sale, helps needy families with such necessities as heating oil, transportation, medical emergencies and the like. The fund is sponsored by the Saugerties Area Council of Churches.

“They are a group of people who help families,” said Smith. “This fund is very worthwhile and it’s very local. I’m very grateful that we can do this for them.”

Chamber co-chair Peggy Schwartz told the audience that the chamber welcomes suggestions from the public regarding possible charities to which the proceeds of future auctions could be donated.

“This factory was the F.L. Russell factory, and the Finger Home was the Russell Finger Home,” said Barbara Budik. “The organization that we’re dealing with tonight is the Finger Home, and decades ago they identified a need for women – whether single mothers or whatever. Mostly it was older women who were without any kind of an income. They had eight residents in that home for probably 50 years. That’s the fund that is still benefitting our people here.”

The fund has expanded to provide help for poor individuals with immediate pressing needs.

Cherwin described the organization today as “a kind of safety net.” It provides money for short-term emergencies, such as an electricity bill that a family can’t pay or a car breakdown.

The lighthouses were all constructed by furniture craftsman Gus Pedersen, who entered a lighthouse of his own in this year’s display. Pedersen’s lighthouse, radically altered from the original design, provides a light show narration and music when approached. The model sold for $900.

The audience also raised $4,000 for a charity that helps children with cancer in the name of Café Mezzaluna owner Mary Rosado, who is suffering from cancer.

Bob Siracusano, the owner of Sawyer Motors, bought a dozen pieces, then donated 11 back to be resold to increase the funds raised.

While a final figure for the amount raised was not yet available by press time, Smith said the lighthouses sold for a total of $24,000.

(Photo by Robert Ford)

Isn’t it just like a zombie not to stay dead?

Barely a week after we reported that the organizers of the popular Village Invasion zombie crawl were calling off this year’s event, a local resident emerged with a plan to save it. But not everyone is thrilled.

Over the course of the past four years, the event became quite an undertaking. It billed itself as the largest zombie crawl in the Northeast, it raised money for charity, had live music, was well insured and well policed — with a costly DOT permit to keep Partition St. closed off to keep things safe and festive — and well marketed. Organizer Neal Smoller said the cost had ballooned to $5,000 in 2013 and was anticipated to be $6,000 this year. He found local business owners less than forthcoming with money to help put on the event. Only a few chose to match the amounts Smoller suggested ($750 from all bars and restaurants and $300 from other businesses), and so each year of the event, despite its success, he ate some of the cost. So this year he decided to pull the plug.

Enter Saugerties resident Ted Titus. Along with a group of volunteers, Titus is organizing this year’s crawl, slated for Saturday, Oct. 18. According to Titus, the organizers “don’t need any permits this year,” because the street won’t be blocked. Their flier says as much, informing participants to “Please Use Caution when crawling the streets this year” in order to “respect our spooky town.” Titus hopes to raise enough money to block the streets next year. Plans at this time don’t include paying for police overtime or insurance.

Though Titus claims to have the support of the mayor and police, those officials tell a different story. “I don’t think they have a grasp for how large of an event this could be,” said Police Chief Joe Sinagra. (Past crowds were estimated at around 5,000.) Because previous events covered overtime for the officers present, any police presence at an event that could draw thousands would be paid for by the taxpayers, which Sinagra says is “not fair.”

Ultimately, says Mayor Bill Murphy, the event can go on whether the organizers take precautions or not. “That’s freedom of assembly, there’s nothing we can do about that.” But without insurance, paid police coverage, ambulances, and the like, local government officials are not feeling too positive about the event as planned. “Quite frankly,” said Sinagra, “I’m concerned.”

Annabelle Lettow

Marjorie Block, President of the Saugerties Historical Society, with custom furniture designer and maker Gustav Pederson at Saugerties Historical and Tourism Booth

Justin Arastiqueti, Bradley Degroat, and Dakota Degroat eating chicken wings

Blake Spence from Clifton NJ with the goddess of garlic

Herbal and garlic twists for sale

Photos by Ali Zacker Gale

Since 1989, the true beginning of fall in Saugerties has been marked by a celebration of garlic on a grand scale. What began as a way for local grower Pat Reppert to promote her harvest soon became the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, efficiently run by the beneficent Saugerties Kiwanis Club. But for a two-day event that plays host to 45,000 people, it feels surprisingly local, like some bizarre and highly specific farm market grown wildly out of proportion.

Cars line both sides of the streets leading to Cantine Field and make use of every spare inch in the outfield parking lots. Attendees and vendors come from hundreds of miles away to experience this unique celebration. There are teeming crowds of people frequenting rows of vendors selling garlic-themed arts and crafts, raw garlic, pickled garlic, fried garlic, garlic braids, garlic vinegar (shots of which were offered to the more daring attendees), garlic soda and ground garlic skins — to name a few permutations.

On the afternoon I attended, some complaints about the combination of hot air and the heavy scent of garlic could be heard, but the prevailing mood was a festive one. One musician, donning a bowler’s hat and clutching several garlic sprouts remarked: “Why should the hedonist be sad when there’s so much garlic to be had?” Why indeed?

But surveying the acres of cars and booths devoted to one particular pungent bulb of the genus allium, another question came to mind. Why garlic?

According to Stan Erikson of Alpha Garlic Farms in Fort Plain, NY, there are three reasons. “One, garlic is a hardy crop and can be grown in this climate. It isn’t very weather-sensitive. Two, it’s good for human beings. Keeps you healthy. Three, it’s a profitable crop. People just love garlic.”

Donald Womack is known as “The Garlic Guy.” He runs Lindon Farm in Gilhamton, NH. A former court reporter in Boston, he bought a few bulbs, grew them and discovered there was a market for good garlic. “I really love this stuff,” he said.

According to one farmer, the bulbs can be planted almost any time of year, so long as the ground is workable; others voiced a preference for fall or spring planting. All agreed that the cloves should be planted in nutrient-rich soil, about two inches deep and 20 inches apart with their skin intact. Garlic needs a lot of sun, but prefers a temperate climate and low precipitation.

Garlic is native to Central Asia and has been consumed for ritual, medicinal and culinary purposes for over 7,000 years. Almost every part of the plant, including the head (known as the spathe), skin and bulb are used. There are over 600 varieties of the plant and just as many ways to prepare it. Varieties are classified as hardneck or softneck; the former producing the more complexly flavored gourmet bulbs, while the latter has a milder, simpler flavor,  and is more commonly sold in supermarkets. The common California white garlic belongs to this latter category.

At the festival, live-cooking demonstrations abounded wherein chefs (many donning humorous garlic-themed hats) sautéed, baked, fried, sliced, diced and served the plant of the day as a complement to or as the main focus of a dish. They included Ric Orlando of New World Home Cooking and Noah Sheetz, Culinary Institute grad and former executive chef at the Governor’s Ballroom in Albany. The festival brought in many lecturers, including Tony Sarmiento, an award-winning garlic grower; David Stern, founder of the Garlic Seed Foundation and board member of its parent organization, Friends of Garlic; and Bob Dunkel, also a member of the Garlic Seed Foundation and a garlic farmer.

The Saugerties Teachers Association could be found near the entrance, painting children’s faces while parents looked on. Several Boy Scout troops were out in full force, selling reasonably priced (and garlic-infused) lunches, giving the other vendors a serious run for their money.

Everywhere one turned there was live music. “Guantanamera” could be heard next to a guy playing a proto-piano over ragtime sets with brassy horns. That former ballad, one of the best known songs of Cuba, was oddly fitting for an agrarian festival in a community, nestled between rivers and mountains, that wears its ideals on its sleeve — provided you substitute “stinking rose” for “white rose.”

I cultivate a white rose
In June and in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his hand.
And for the cruel one who would tear out
This heart with which I live.
I cultivate neither thistles nor nettles
I cultivate a white rose.
With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
The little streams of the mountains
Please me more than the sea.

The 49th annual Mum Festival at Seamon Park will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. with thousands of mums on display at peak color. Admission is free. Enjoy music, craft vendors, a wildlife show, petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides and an art show of work by local artists and photographers. The Mum Queen and her court will hand out mum corsages for the women, and a mum can be purchased in advance or at the festival to honor a loved one on the “Mum-Full of Memories Tree.” To purchase in advance, send a check for $5 payable to “Saugerties Mum Festival Committee” to Ethel Resso, 9 Frontier Rd., Saugerties NY 12477. The tree will remain on display through Christmas.. For more information, call Ethel at 246-7581 or Carol Ann at 246-8036.

(Photo by Mookie Forcella)

If they were still in their graves, zombies would be rolling over, confused by the kerfuffle caused by the popular annual event.

Here’s the situation as it stands this week: There will be a Zombie Crawl in the village on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6–10 p.m. (A Zombie Crawl is an event in which people dress up like zombies and walk around a circumscribed area, usually from bar to bar.) Admission will be $5 that night, $3 in advance. Partition St. will not be closed to vehicle traffic because of complaints of lost business from some merchants; Main St. might be if the state grants a permit. After a sit-down with village officials, organizers agreed to pay for extra police presence, ambulance and insurance — hence the admission price.

While previous events included coordination with businesses regarding themed activities, live outdoor music, and costume contests, at this point the event promotions make no mention of anything similar planned for this year.

Confusion surrounding street closure, safety, admission price, and whether the event was really happening has swirled over the past few weeks. The tempest in a goblet began when Village Apothecary owner Neal Smoller, who has operated the Zombie Crawl the last several years, decided not to stage the event this year because of the expense, time required, and lack of financial support from bar and restaurant owners, who he says benefited most from the event.

At that point, local resident and zombie aficionado Ted Titus, who operates a home cleaning business and has lived in Saugerties for 36 of his 48 years, grabbed some friends and —with only three weeks before the event — decided to resurrect the event for what would be its fifth year.

“I’ve watched as over the years, Saugerties has turned into this amazing place,” Titus said. “And the Zombie Crawl has been a part of that.”

Last month, Titus came before the village trustees and asked for their blessing. He and Mayor Bill Murphy came away from that discussion with differing interpretations of the village’s enthusiasm. Titus thought trustees were all in, Murphy was concerned the event would be bigger than organizers could handle with so little time to plan (and, at the time, no financing for costs borne by previous organizers).

After a subsequent meeting, organizers agreed that closing the streets, paying for extra police presence, paramedics on standby and liability insurance were the right thing to do for an event of this kind. Titus is looking to raise $5,250. Of that, $3,200 is for police overtime, $1,350 is for paramedics from Diaz Ambulance and $700 is for a $2 million liability insurance policy. He’s sought contributions from businesses, but the lion’s share would come from tickets. Charging an admission fee isn’t unprecedented — last year’s event cost $2 to enter. Also in keeping with previous events, this year’s Zombie Crawl has chosen a charity (teen suicide) to benefit from any proceeds.

At the Village Board’s Oct. 6 meeting, Murphy told Titus that although he’d like to see the event postponed until next year to allow for more planning, he would support it if it went forward.

And what do the business owners think? Depends whom you ask.

Murphy said he spoke with one of the owners of the Dutch Ale House who was against the event. After an hour-long conversation, Murphy thinks he assuaged some of the owner’s concerns.

Ed Novak, the owner of the Pig Bar, is ambivalent. “I have no interest in the event,” he said. “If it happens, it happens.” He said his business would make money that night either way, though he admitted business was better than normal during previous events.

Rhianna Rodriguez, who owns the Main Street Restaurant with her husband, Jorge, had no such reservations. “We’ve always supported this event,” she said.

During the crawl, the restaurant has food and drink specials with zombie themes and employees dress up like zombies to get in the spirit.

“This is a neat event and benefits the community,” Rodriguez said. “We’re always eager to participate. It’s nice they want to do something for the community. We like Halloween and this gets us all in the mood.”

Matt Gleason, who owns Brine Barrel Pickles, said he would contribute to the event if asked, but he believes “the Zombie Crawl has gotten too big for the village.” He suggested that it would be better if it were held at someplace with more space, like Cantine Field.

Titus said he’s not deterred by comments made by some of the shop owners. “It makes me want to do it even more,” he said.

Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said he’s glad the event will be done in “an organized way.” He said in addition to Saugerties police, there would be state troopers and sheriff deputies on scene as well.“There will be an adequate number of staff there to keep it safe,” he said.

Updates and additional info (including presale tickets) can be found on the event’s Facebook page. Type Saugerties Zombie Crawl 2014 in the search box.

This year’s Mum Queen, center, Ishmeet Sekhon, and her court, Carly Voerg, to the left, and Maggie Pedersen, to the right

Robert and Virginia Ackert

Joseph, Sarah and Desmond (no last name given)

Mums aplenty

Eleven-month-old Alexandra Fox Hubbard of Saugerties isn’t old enough to be Queen of the Mum Fest

Sophomore Melissa Voerg paints the hand of Chloe Buck, 4, of Catskill

Photos by Robert Ford and Alen Fetahi

Photos by David Gordon

The Saugerties Animal Shelter yard and bake sale set for 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, will feature tools, household goods, lots of books, toys and some clothes, said shelter manager Marie Post. The sale also includes baked goods provided by a group of women who volunteer for the fundraiser. Many also provide the goodies for the bakes sales of several local churches, she said.

“We have many people who come for the bake sale as well as the yard sale,” Post said. One year, a visitor wanted to know what bakery she should go to for more pies like one she bought at the shelter. “I had to laugh at that,” Post said. “I did give her the woman’s number; she baked some pies for the woman.”

The sales help to pay for the upkeep and improvements at the shelter, located on the grounds of the town transfer station on Rt. 212. This year’s sale is raising money for a new roof for the building. “We want to put on a metal roof,” Post said. “This should last forever.”

The shelter boards dogs for both Kingston and Woodstock. At the moment, there are only four dogs and about a dozen cats at the facility. “As far as I know, we are the only shelter that takes in cats,” said Post. “I limit the number to about 12 because that’s how many we can board without becoming too crowded. We want to keep a safe, clean environment.”

The cats at the shelter are all mature animals, Post said. In addition, the shelter works with seven foster families who take care of the kittens prior to adoption. “We have placed about 40 kittens,” she said.

Bars and restaurants in the village of Saugerties are gearing up for this year’s zombie crawl, slated for Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6–10 p.m.

Mirabella’s will have a band that night and Halloween and zombie-themed food.

Most activities will be on Main St., which will be closed to traffic during the event. They include: face-painting booth, DJ, and costume contest at 8:30 p.m. (categories include best costume, best couple’s costume, and best kid’s costume).

Main Street Restaurant and Bar will be offering food and drink specials, all with a zombie theme.

Saugerties police say participants must have ID if they want to drink. Drinks will be permitted on the street. Police will be on the lookout for underage drinking. Glass containers will not be permitted.

Organizers will be asking for donations of $5 at each of the three entrance points onto Main St. in order to help pay for police and medical coverage at the event.

Fourteen-year-old Gabriella Lepe of White Plains seems to have misplaced her legs (photo by Robert Ford)

Adam Shields, 6, Mercedes Mason, 7, and her brother, Aiden, 10, all of Saugerties (photo by Robert Ford)

Zombie witches Jessica Aubrey of Mount Marion and Deanna Hofmann of Lake Katrine (photo by Robert Ford)

Stephen Sorensen of Kingston has a short leash on Kyra Roma of Manitoba, Canada (photo by Robert Ford)

Woman in shall and man with cleaver (next slide) were featured in Kiersted House Barn Bash, an unrelated event that raised money for the historical society’s winter heating bill (photos by Alen Fetahi)

The fifth annual zombie crawl was smaller than years past, but a success nonetheless, according to organizers.

“I’m glad how it went,” organizer Robert Titus said after the Oct. 18 crawl.

“It was a tremendous time,” said police Chief Joseph Sinagra, who had expressed concern prior to the event, which was organized quickly by Titus and some friends after previous organizers announced they wouldn’t be holding a zombie crawl this year.

Sinagra estimated there were 1,000 participants and called the event “the safest one yet.”

In past years, there had been some incidents of underage drinkers during the crawl but this year, it was a mellower, smaller crowd. Last year, there were more than 2,500 crowding Main and Partition streets. Lighter attendance this year was likely the result of many other events happening that night, confusion about whether the event was really happening and fewer concurrent zombie-themed activities.

The day of the zombie crawl was one of the nicest autumn Saturdays of the year. The village was busy, with vehicle and pedestrian traffic. When the sun set, Main St. was closed to traffic and zombies started filtering in, along with leaf-peeping tourists and other folks in the area for the Woodstock Film Festival.

Titus said the event netted enough donations from attendees and businesses to pay for increased police presence, insurance and ambulances on standby, as well as make a donation to the event’s chosen charity, Family of Woodstock’s teen suicide prevention program. But he had a similar experience as Village Apothecary owner and previous organizer Neal Smoller, who cited lack of support from the businesses who benefit most from such events as the chief reason he opted not to coordinate the crawl this year.

“I’m disappointed in the bar and restaurant owners who made money but didn’t donate to the event,” said Titus.

Asked if he will be doing the crawl next year, Titus replied, “Right now, I’m about 60 percent sure I’ll do it again, but if I do, we’ll begin planning earlier.”

While the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce is still meeting to work out all the details of the event, the start of 2015 will be marked by a ball drop at Reis Parking Lot at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The village decided to set up the event after noticing Kingston had stolen its normal New Year’s traffic with its event. A crane will be used for the drop and there will be a band at the intersection of Main and Market streets. Main St. will close for the duration of the event.

Bill Neiffer

Saugerties Girl Scouts, representing Troops 70, 53, 152 and 197, participated in the Veterans Day ceremony (photo provided)

Photos by Doug Freese

Jim Gage, a past commander of American Legion Post 72, told the story of the Unknown Soldier in lieu of his usual talk on the history of Veterans Day during the ceremonies held at the post last Tuesday morning.

An unknown soldier was selected in Great Britain in 1920 to represent the many who died in the Great War. The French buried an unknown soldier in the Arc de Triomphe. The United States chose a soldier to honor in 1921. Six American soldiers from the army of occupation were selected as pallbearers, said Gage. They met at Châlons-sur-Marne, where one of them — Sgt. Edward F. Younger of the 59^th Infantry — was faced with four coffins from different areas of the war, all containing unidentifiable remains. After walking around the caskets three times, Younger placed a bouquet of white roses on one of the caskets, indicating that this would be the Unknown Soldier.

“With this historic Armistice Day, President Harding requested that flags be flown from sunrise to sunset at half mast and that all Americans pay silent tribute as the casket was lowered into the tomb at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1921,” read Gage.

The tomb bears the inscription, “Here rests, in honored glory, an American soldier known but to God.”

Gage asked that those present remember that “through the efforts of our veterans and those serving now, war has been kept from the mainland of our country. This is a blessing that many countries around the world have been denied. It is time to say ‘thanks and God speed.’”

In his invocation, Deacon Hank Smith of Saint Mary of the Snow Catholic church, said the dream of America is alive in the celebrations. “While we praise those who have served in the past, and those who serve in the present, who suffered wounds both physical and mental, we pray you will help them, this day, to recover.”

In his closing prayer, Deacon Smith addressed God, noting that “these people are gathered here this day in your name to give gratitude and thanks for our great country and for those who protect it and make our future dreams possible. Those who served in the military; those veterans who are here with us this day and those who are absent. May we always keep their memories of what it is to serve our country so that young people also know the history of our country and those who served.”

Following the ceremony, the attendees were invited into the post for snacks and a visit to the post museum, which features artifacts from the many wars in this country’s history.

Among the most recent additions is a large Nazi flag, which curator William Payne said was acquired only within the past few months, donated by Joe Font. “We had a visitor up here one time, she was European, and she asked, ‘How can you put that [a Nazi flag] up? I said ‘You can’t sanitize history. That’s what it was, a symbol of hate.”

Gage was unsure of how long the tradition of a Veterans Day ceremony has been held at the post. “I’ve been here 61 years, and they were doing it before me,” he said. There used to be a parade, starting with a ceremony at the high school (now Cahill Elementary School), then everybody would walk over from the high school to the post for refreshments. “That was back in the ’50s,” said Gage.

The ceremony had to be moved inside because of rain just once in Gage’s memory. The salute was fired from the veranda, he said.

(Photo by Dion Ogust)

A Christmas Fair will be held at the Saugerties Transfer Station, 1765 Rt. 212, on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers invite the public to have an “old fashioned Christmas” with “old fashioned ornaments.” For more info, call 246-6211 or 246-5411.

Sawyer Motors employees and volunteers are pictured with some of the 107 bicycles that will be given away during the toy raffle. Pictured are Sal Misasi, Amy Simms, MaryAnn Bear, Ray Tucker, Gerry Landi, George Sisco (photo by Robert Ford)

No one does a village-wide holiday celebration quite like Saugerties.

This year will be no different. Holiday in the Village will include a holiday market, music and toy giveaways, live mannequins, free horse carriage rides, kids’ crafts, Santa at the Kiersted House, a petting zoo, entertainment and surprises followed by the tree and menorah lighting and the Fire Department Parade of Lights to Seamon Park, where “The Night Before Christmas” will be read. The event runs from noon to 6 p.m., with activities throughout the village business district.

Toy giveaway

Good economy, bad economy, “it really doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to the generosity of Saugerties’ residents and businesses,” said Bob Siracusano, who chairs the Sawyer Motors toy raffles.

“This is the best year we’ve had,” Siracusano said. “People realize in a tough economy that children throughout the village might not have a merry Christmas without this toy raffle. So they give a little more.”

As an example, the owner of the popular automotive dealership pointed to the 100 bicycles that will be given away this year. “We usually give out 50 to 60 bikes but this year we raised $15,000 and were able to purchase 100 bikes,” he said. In past years, about $12,000 worth of toys and sporting equipment has been given out.

Ray Tucker, Sawyer Motors sales manager, said more than 250 gifts will be given out to kids during the raffles.

He said Walmart deserves some of the credit, as “their Community Needs Program donates $1,000 to the purchase of the bikes.”

All donations went into the Sawyer Automotive Foundation, which was created last year to oversee the toy purchases and provide community assistance throughout the year. The foundation works closely with the Saugerties Area Council of Churches to help out local families, Siracusano said.

Mark Smith, president of the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce, said Siracusano, Sawyer Motors employees and volunteers do a wonderful job each year in making the Holiday in the Village a hit with parents and their children.

The first of three toy raffles will be held at 1 p.m. at Reis parking lot at the corner of Main and Market streets, the second will be held at 2:30 p.m., and the third at 4 p.m.

Around the village

Here’s a list of events and things to see, provided by the Chamber.

Noon- DJ playing holiday music in Reis parking lot.

All afternoon- Village businesses will have their windows decorated, giving out goodies, offering discounts and sales.

All afternoon- Life-size characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Tigger, Elmo, Mario and Luigi will be roaming around.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.- Kiersted House on Main St. opposite Cahill Elementary. Santa inside and a petting zoo on the front lawn.

All afternoon- Library Festival of Trees display, Washington Ave.

All afternoon- Music, refreshments and kids’ crafts throughout the village and a Holiday Market at ‘Cue on Partition St.

1 p.m. Ice sculpture at ‘Cue.

1–5 p.m. A craft fair and free face painting will be held at the Boys and Girls Club on Partition St.

All afternoon- Ray and Carol Ann Mayone will offer free horse-drawn wagon rides at the village firehouse on Partition St.

3:30 p.m.- The Boys and Girls Club musical group The Royals will perform at ‘Cue.

5 p.m.- The village Christmas tree and menorah will be lit, signaling the start of the annual Fire Truck Parade of Lights. Dozens of fire trucks will be hung with Christmas lights. The parade will proceed to Seamon Park where the park’s lights will be turned on and “The Night Before Christmas” will be read. There will be free shuttle bus rides up to the park from the M&T Parking lot on Main St.