News

Saugerties businessman laments town's pace on proposed sports complex (video)

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. — A local business owner who wants to build a multimillion-dollar indoor sports complex on town-owned land said he is disappointed with what he sees as a lack of progress by the town to move the project forward.

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Greene County gives Prattsville $7,000 to rebuild ball field

CATSKILL, N.Y. — A donation from Greene County to help the storm-ravaged town of Prattsville rebuild its main ball field will give youngsters there some normalcy and hope for the future, county legislators say.

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NY Assemblyman Kevin Cahill seeks openness in HealthAlliance discussions

KINGSTON, N.Y. — A cost-saving plan being developed by HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley that could involve closing one of its two hospitals in Kingston should be a public process, a state lawmaker says.

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New Paltz school board to adopt smaller budget on May 30

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — The Board of Education will meet on May 30 to adopt a 2012-13 school district budget that’s smaller than the one defeated by voters.

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Report on utilities' responses to Tropical Storms Irene and Lee is delayed

AN EXPECTED  re-port on how utilities and telecommunications companies responded before, during and after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee last summer was pulled from the state Public Service Commission’s meeting agenda on Thursday.

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Diamond Mills Hotel Opens

Posted by justinkase 02/8/2012

The Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern opened its doors on December 9 2011.

The privately owned, boutique hotel offers 30 rooms and dining in The Tavern restaurant and features a special events center.

"As long-time residents of the Hudson Valley, my family is committed to supporting economic growth in the region and especially in the town of Saugerties, where we've resided for the past 14 years," said Thomas Struzzieri, the hotel's owner.

Each guestroom has a private balcony and views of the Esopus Creek falls. There also are two king suites that offer living areas and fireplaces. All rooms come with flat-screen televisions, iPod/iPhone docking stations, gourmet mini-bars with local items and complimentary wireless Internet access. The tiled bathrooms feature radiant heat and over-size walk-in showers, hand-crafted antique vanities and chrome and white porcelain fixtures.

The Tavern will open on December 31. Executive Chef Giuseppe Napoli will offer a menu highlighting local fare, craft brews and cocktails using spirits from local distilleries and wines from New York State and around the world.

The site of Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern was once a paper mill, built in 1888.

The new hotel is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Saugerties Animal Shelter Pet of the Week

Posted by justinkase 01/27/2012

According to WebMD, there are 5 ways pets can improve your health.

Read all about it at WebMD's Web Site.

Want to see the Pet of the Week? Available at the Saugerties Animal Shelter? Click on poochie above and you'll see the Pet of the Week for this week..

Holiday in the Village

Posted by justinkase 11/29/2011

Download a Letter-sized Poster for the 2011 Saugerties Holiday in the Village.

The Saugerties elves await you!

The Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce, Sawyer Motors and the Saugerties Village businesses invite you to kick off your holiday shopping season in the fun-filled atmosphere of Saugerties and its annual Holiday in the Village.

This year, the date is Sunday, December 4th. The fun begins at 1 p.m. and ends when the last shop or restaurant closes that evening.

You�ll find fashion and vintage apparel, homewares, hardware, chocolates and other goodies, wines, jewelry, antiques, books and gifts galore -- all in a short walk that includes Market Street, Main Street and Partition Street. To add to your shopping experience, select businesses will be decorating their windows for the holidays.

After you�ve finished shopping, you can grab a bite at one of our Zagat-rated fine restaurants, taverns and eateries.

The Dutch colonial Kiersted House, home of the Historical Society, will be open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Santa will be there to say hi to the kids.

Ever wonder what it would be like to go back to the good old days and have a nice holiday celebration that gets you in a great holiday mood?

Come join us for this year's Holiday in the Village in good ol' Saugerties, NY. If you attended last year, you'll see many of the same fun events going on, and some new twists as well . . . including:

• Free craft stations (please limit your time in these businesses to a reasonable amount, so that everyone can share in the enjoyment).
• Ray Mayone's free horse-drawn wagon rides. There are 2 routes to help manage the lines. Pick-up and drop off spots are at Sawyer Savings Bank for the "Northeast Line" and at Stella's Station for the "Southwest Line".
• Santa will be part of the Kiersted House Holiday Open House.
• Continuous holiday music from the Reis Parking Lot stage, including a 2:30 pm performance by the St. Mary's Choir.
• Another fun street dance performance by World of Dance Studio will captivate everyone.
• The Kiwanis Club of Saugerties once again puts on its Seamon Park lighting and a reading of 'Twas the Night before Christmas.
• The always-popular firemen's Parade of Lights -- this year with 3 nice trophies for the best-decorated fire trucks in the parade.
• New this year will be an ugly holiday sweater contest. Details to follow . . .

And of course, there's the big favorite of the kids . . . the series of 4 huge toy give-aways, for kids from 3 to 13 years old.

Free raffle tickets are available throughout the day at Reis Parking Lot. And thanks to Bob Siracusano and his team at Sawyer Motors, who run this toy raffle, there will be a bunch of happy children in the Saugerties area, come December 4th.

Jeannine Dirie has once again arranged for Karl Lezette to provide a bus service to take folks from Partition Street to Seamon Park for the Kiwanis tree/park lighting, after the firemen's light parade, and then bring them back to the Village.

And following Holiday in the Village, be on the lookout for expanded business hours from select Saugerties Village businesses on Partition, Main and Market Streets, for your holiday shopping convenience.

Contacts:

General: Nancy and Mike Campbell
Phone: 845-246-0553
Email: nancyo@hvc.rr.com or mcampbell@hvc.rr.com

Village Businesses:

Bill Yosh
Phone: 646-707-4126
Email: bill@rockstarrodeo.com

or

Brigid Walsh
Phone: 845-246-8833
Email: brigid@DiamondMillsHotel.com

Crafts: Christen Padilla
Phone: 246-7000 x304
Email: cpadilla@sawyersavings.com

Toy Raffle: Bob Siracusano
Phone: 845-246-3412 then 0
Email: hotrodbob929@aol.com

Kiwanis Club: Jeannine Dirie
Phone: 845-246-9956
Email: jdirie@hvc.rr.com

Village Invasion II

Posted by justinkase | 10/05/2011

Crawl of the Dead (Booze involved) Saugerties, NY - October 22nd 2011

Website: blogspot.com

BIGGER-BETTER-BLOODIER

The undead Captain of the Carnivorous Cadavers in the throws of planning yet ANOTHER Village Invasion. This time complete with so much insanity it'll make your head spin right off! Keep checking in regularly as I'll be updating as I delve deeper in the bowels of this beast. Viva la Zombie kittens!

Count down the days with us as the Village of Saugerties gets taken over yet again by the undead! Drag your carcasses over to http://cruellascrypt.blogspot.com
for more info as we get closer to Shock-tober!

NEW UPDATES FOR 9/21

We have devious things going on and it keeps getting better!

Here�s what we�ve got lined up so far!

Sugartown Vintage Boutique will be showing Evil Dead with your horror host with the most, Brian Solomon from The Vault of Horror! Be sure to also drag your corpses to Ms. Drewes shop as she�s the official Village Invasion Zombie apparel clothier and will be selling some fine digs for the inner zombie in you the entire month of October!

Partition Street Wine Shop will be doling out free samples of every ghouls favorite cocktail..the zombie!

Dave�s Coffee house and Wine bar will be hosting the Hudson Valley�s most groovtastic band going VOODELIC. They�ll be taking to the stage in their black light spectacular complete with glowing go go ghouls!

The Dutch Ale House and Main Street Restaurant will be bringing back some spooky specials both drink and dining alike. Be sure to drag your corpses in there and tell�em the Captain sent ya!

MarkyMark�s Tattooing Emporium will be housing the most zombilicious illustrator going, Peter Smith, with his I heart zombies t-shirts for sale. More info to come on his time and what other dark delights he�ll be selling.

The Village Apothecary will be dishing out the CURE for the infection for those who don�t want to spread the plague onto their friends and family.

The Hudson Valley Dessert Co. will be staying open later to assist those with a desire for less brains but more sugary sweets with their delightful holiday cookies and piping hot coffee.

Be sure to check out the movies being projected onto the building once again as we�ll be seeing such classics as The Last man on Earth and a few other fun things added to the mix.

Lucky Chocolates is rumored to be making their world famous blood chocolate fountain and handing out some goodies. Drag your lifeless selves in and give Rae a thumbs up, just as long as your fingers don�t rot off into the truffles.

The Donlon Auditorium will be home to the costume contest which will start promptly at 10:30pm. Be sure to shamble your way up the stairs before then as the delightful ladies from The Healing Tree will be reading your tarot cards. I also may have other vendors selling their frightfully fitting wares.

A VERY special performance will kick off the costume contest with last year�s dead celebrity winner..ZomBie Lady GaGa. Yes ghouls and boils�this is looking like it�s gonna be one HELL of a night!

I�ve also got wind from fellow zombie John Marshall of Tyrannosaurus Rocks, that they will be performing at the Donlon Auditorium for what they�re calling zombie Woodstock aka ZomStock.  With their tribute to the great zombie rock festival of 1969 in which Zombi Hendrix ate the Star-Spangled Banner.  They�re billing it as One Night of Peace, Love and Zombies.  This show is not to be missed!

There is more and more being scheduled daily so keep checking back!

On a side note: PRIZES!!! We keep getting some killer prizes and I�ll be posting the info in a nice lengthy CreullasCrypt posting so keep checking in there!

We have 3 categories this year and here they are:
Best zombie couple
Best dead celebrity
Most gruesome zombie

The Terror team is judging this year and we are TOUGH to impress. So we�re hoping to see your absolute WORST. I�ll be posting many makeup ideas and costume suggestions. It�s never been easier to be a zomBie!

So spread the infection, get your zombie selves prepared and VIVA LA ZOMBIE!!

xox Capt. C

 

Update: 3/31

Many thanks to Dave Meade over at Dave�s Coffee House and Wine Bar for hosting once again the deliciously decadent band, VOODELIC. If you missed last year, you�re in for a real treat. I�m hoping they�ll be rocking out the blacklight extravaganza like they did before. Visual splendor for the undead eye! Thanks Dave AND VOODELIC! MWHA!

Update: 4/6

Join me, Captain Cruella, as I twitter stalk Jimmy Fallon, my former neighbor and school mate, and try to get him to come as ZomBFallon to the Village Invasion-Crawl of the Dead II!!

Update: 6/12
This weekend the zombie Captain will be heading into Saugerties to start the ongoing process of recruiting humans to join the Army of the Undead. I�m still in the beginning stages of a film festival idea and am looking to talk to those who approached me last year about showing their horror shorts possibly the Friday night before the actual invasion occurs. This year will be bigger, better and have much more going on with the possibility of special guests and appearances by some amazing people, both dead AND a live. Stay tuned and keep spreading the infection. We�re coming for you in just a few short months, hope you�re ready for it!

As always Viva la ZomBie kittens!
xox Capt. Cruella

Hudson Valley Garlic Festival

Posted by justinkase | 08/24/2011

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival� is in its 23rd year, and is a fun-filled celebration of the garlic harvest, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties. All proceeds go to worthwhile community causes.

The festival is always held the last full weekend of September, so in 2011, it's September 24th and 25th.

The location is Cantine Field in Saugerties (Mile Marker 101, NY State Thruway). For GPS purposes, you can use the address 207 Market Street, which is the Senior Citizens Center, right next door to Cantine Field.

A good plan for how to spend your day . . .

• A visit to the Garlic Marketplace, with tons of gourmet garlic
• Nosh along the Food Alley, which of course features garlic-enhanced foods. There�s sausage, pulled pork, garlic soup, garlic green beans, and even garlic ice cream! Something for everyone, from vegetarian to serious carnivores.
• Stop (or walk) and enjoy the constant entertainment -- bluegrass, Cajun, ragtime, Irish music, German music . . .
• Take in a cooking demonstration or 2 by renowned chefs of the Hudson Valley
• Take notes at an instructive garlic growing and braiding talk.
• Find a version of your favorite art or craft, often featuring garlic in some way shape or form. at an Arts and Crafts area featuring over 80 vendors
• Visit the Kiwanis Club information booth and vote for your favorite poster at the yearly poster contest. The winning design is featured as next year's poster, T-shirt design, etc.
• If you have kids along with you, visit the Children�s Tent with activities for the kids and a climbing wall for older children.

Tickets

Tickets are $10 at the gate for a single-day pass. Children under 12 are admitted free, when accompanied by an adult.

Advance tickets are available for $7, at select locations, and for $3 for seniors 65 years of age and older. See www.hudsonvalleygarlic.com for details. Tickets are also available online at that Web site, beginning in June. They are available right up until the festival (except for online tickets which are available only up to a week before the festival, to allow for mailing time).

For vendor fees and applications, please visit the Garlic Festival Vendors Page.

May in Saugerties

Posted by justinkase | 05/05/2011

• Saugerties Stone House Tour. May 21. This year, the tour will feature the homes that existed in 1811 as part of the Town of Saugerties 200th anniversary. Advance tickets are available from April 27-May 17 at $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased in Saugerties at Smith Hardware and Hudson Valley Dessert Company or by mail, with checks made out to Town of Saugerties HPC, and mailed to: Stone House Tour, Saugerties Town Hall, Saugerties, NY 12477. Tickets may also be purchased on the tour day, Saturday, May 21, for $25 per person, from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Visitor Information Booth, located adjacent to McDonalds on Route 212 just opposite the New York State Thruway. For more information, call 845-246-2800 x 470.
• 3rd Ulster Militia Full Overnight Encampment. Front lawn of the Kiersted house. May 28. Begins at 1 p.m.

April in Saugerties

Posted by justinkase | 04/06/2011

• Ulster County Office Building lobby display (244 Fair Street, Kingston). The theme is "Celebrate Saugerties: 200 years of community". Runs from April 1st to June 1st.
• "Celebrate Saugerties: Grand Gala". This is the offical kick-off for the 200th anniversary and will be held at the Lazy Swan Country Club (1754 Old Kings Highway) on April 8th 2011 at 6:30pm. Reservations can be made by contacting Terri Wood at 845-246-2800 ext.345. The cost is $50 per person. Buffet dinner with a cash bar. Music will be provided by local musicians. There will be a small silent auction of local pictures and memorabilia. A slide show will be shown during the evening. Speakers include NY State Senator John Bonacic, U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey, NY State Assemblyman Peter Lopez and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein.
• River Ramblers - Songs and Stories of the Hudson River. April 17th. To be held at the Kiersted House, 119 Main Street, Saugerties. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Zombies coming to Saugerties

Posted by justinkase | 10/06/2010 - 1:00:00 pm

The quaint, picturesque village of Saugerties, nestled in the hills of New York�s Ulster County, will undergo a makeover of ghoulish proportions on the evening of Saturday, October 16, when hordes of the living dead will take over the streets in an all-out carnivorous coup. Only unlike in the movies, these zombies are far more likely to be consuming beer than brains.

"We�re taking the concept of the pub crawl and adding a horror movie flavor,� says event organizer Cruella Moxham, better known to her legions of followers as Captain Cruella. �Everyone is invited to come in their most convincing zombie makeup and attire. We�ve got the official go-ahead from the Village Board, and it looks like we might have to approach them about closing the streets to traffic. I�m expecting quite the turnout.�

At this point, more than 200 would-be flesh-eaters are anticipated come October 16, with the frightful festivities officially kicking off at 8:00 pm along Main and Partition Streets. Local community businesses will be playing a large role in the night�s goings-on, with many of them opting to remain open late to join in the fun.

Dave�s Coffee House will play host to Kingston-based funk/rock band Voodelic; at the Inquiring Minds bookstore, author Will Nixon is scheduled to read at 9 pm from his zombie poetry collection, Love in the City of Grudges; the Partition Street Wine Shop will be doling out free Bloody Mary samples; Dutch Ale House, Mirabella and Main Street restaurants will be serving up aptly named drinks specials: A special appearance by the Ulster Biorecovery crime scene cleaners: Lucky Chocolates plans to offer several tailor-made treats; Pistol Whip Boutique giving discounts to the crawlers; Express Yourself Tattooing and Marky Mark�s Tattoos will offer crawlers in attendance the opportunity to permanently commemorate the night with a bit of body art, zombie-related or otherwise.

In addition, a contest will be held in which participants can compete in several cadaverous categories, including Best Zombie Pin-Up, Best Celebrity Zombie Look-Alike and Best Executed Zombie. A veritable slew of terrifying sponsors have stepped in to offer prizes to the winners, including horror movie T-shirts, zombie crafts, unique beauty products and lots more. And to top it all off, the lovely ladies of Hudson Valley Horrors Roller Derby will be on hand to unleash hell on wheels along with many other special guests from the Hudson Valley that will be on hand to create a horrifically fun time.

"This is all about having fun, and hopefully helping local businesses to attract new customers along the way,� says Captain Cruella. �I�ve spent a lot of time over the past few weeks talking with shop owners, letting them know what I am planning and finding out if they�d be interested in taking part. They�ve given me so much support, and I can honestly say that the Village Invasion would not be happening without them. I�m one person organizing this entire thing. I�m blown away with how much support I have had and how social media has really catapulted this event and me into the spot light. I am relentless in my pursuit to make this as much fun as I can ensuring years of subsequent Village Invasion to come."

Over the course of the past decade, zombies have infiltrated pop culture as never before, with movies such as Resident Evil, 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead gaining cult followings; just two weeks after the Village Invasion, AMC plans to debut its Walking Dead TV series�further proof that the zombie has hit the mainstream. Part of the phenomenon has been the rise of a colorful and devoted subculture of zombie-lovers that has helped popularize public zombie walks worldwide.

"They actually started a few years back, in the U.K., and now they happen year-round all over the U.S. as well� says Cruella. �There are just a few basic rules and guidelines that have to be followed when putting an event like this together, like planning the route and keeping track of the numbers of people attending, in addition to being sensible and of course, having a good time."

As for planning the route, an official Village Invasion map and itinerary is currently in the works. In the meantime, those interested are encouraged to visit http://www.crawlofthedead.com/crawls/info/village_invasion for more information, as well as the official Facebook event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137971116222170&ref=ts) and Captain Cruella's own Facebook page. Cruella on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CaptainCruella)

Saugerties Skatepark

Posted by justinkase | 11/28/2009 - 11:52:00 am

The Saugerties Skatepark Committee was formed 10 years ago to connect & empower community members in order to build a park. The wait is over.

A 5500 square foot flow park with small street area. Nice Hubba, stairs, step up and a 4', 6' and 7' flow area, all with steel coping. Steel coping 4-7' flow area. The street area includes stairs, Hubba, manny pad, step up stairs, to-vert 7' tombstone.

The park is open 7:30 am to sunset daily and is located at the Catine Memorial Complex in the village of Saugerties.

History

Posted by justinkase | 10/12/2009 - 03:30:00 pm

Area History - The Saugerties Area was purchased from the Esopus Indians in 1677, the primary industry at that time was that of Saw Mills. Prior to 1712 the main business interest in the Saugerties Area was due to the close proximity of the Hudson River, making transportation of lumber manufactured in the many mills on the Esopus possible, and in the private ownership of roads, all traffic was controlled and those who passed through had to pay a toll to the road owners.

Read more about Saugerties history. | 05/18/2012

Garlic Festival

In 1989, Pat Reppert of Shale Hill Farm and Herb Gardens organized the first Garlic Festival held in the Hudson Valley - and perhaps on the East Coast. It was started as a promotional event for Reppert's fledgling herb business and for New York State grown garlic. With no paid publicity except through her newsletter, 'Notes from Shale Hill Farm,' an article in the local Kingston Freeman newspaper and word of mouth, the attendance at the first festival far exceeded estimations.

In 1990, over 425 ''garlic lovers'' attended the event in Reppert's herb gardens-quadrupling the previous year's attendance and stretching the facilities at the farm to its limits. In 1991, tickets were pre-sold to control the crowds and Reppert had over 1500 phone calls from people who were scrambling to gain admission. At this point, she knew she had something much bigger than she could handle, so she approached the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties about adopting the festival.

In 1992, the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties held their first Garlic Festival at Cantine Field in Saugerties, New York. The pre-festival crowd estimates were 2,500 if the weather held. To everyone's surprise, despite considerable rain, 5,000 people attended and had a great time. Again in 1993 it rained, only in the morning, and attendance more than doubled to an estimated crowd of 13,000. On the last Sunday of September 1994, the weather finally cooperated and attendance took off to over 30,000.

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