In 1967, what is now the site of the Ashokan Foundation opened as the Ashokan Field Campus in Olivebridge, an extension of SUNY-New Paltz. Last year, the property was sold to the Open Space Institute, which subdivided it - according to fiddler and music educator Jay Ungar - between the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Ashokan Foundation. The Foundation, though, said Ungar, has the run of the place, which is a good thing. The Ashokan Foundation supports outdoor and environmental education and "living history" programs there for children and families, and is the home base for such annual retreats as the Fiddle & Dance Camps (headed up by Ungar and his wife, Molly Mason), Summersongs, Wayfinder Experience camps and the Northeast Herbal Association.

There is a fundraiser happening on Friday, November 14 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingston to raise money for renovations on the site. Ungar explained that for the purposes of expanded flood control and other environmental needs, DEP has been coordinating much larger "releases" of water from the nearby Ashokan Reservoir. This has created a need for the removal of existing structures on the Field Campus grounds (already in need of repair) and the rebuilding of them further away from the floodplain. Additionally, the Foundation wishes to rebuild in a green/sustainable fashion. "For economic reasons, it just makes sense," said Ungar. They're under a time constraint, with a four-year window in which to design and replace the structures, and Ungar said that they are halfway to their total construction budget goal of $10 million.

Ungar said that maintaining the Field Campus facilities is particularly vital today, "when more and more children have less and less opportunity to be out in the woods." He called the setting for the fundraiser "intimate," since the Church holds under 300 people. Along with Ungar and Mason, Pete Seeger will be performing: "a person who's changed the world in many ways through the power of song," said Ungar. The fiddler said that he is thrilled and honored to be sharing the stage with the legendary folksinger/activist, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday. Also playing will be Seeger's grandson, Tao Rodriguez - an accomplished musician in his own right and founding member of the Mammals, along with Ungar's daughter Ruth.

Tickets for the Ashokan Foundation Benefit at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingston are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. They can be purchased by going to www.jayandmolly.com/ashokanbenefit or by calling (845) 246-2121. The Church is at 80 Elmendorf Street, and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Ungar promised, "The audience will be transported by the show."