Jackie Sinatra will soon become Lenape Elementary School’s newest principal. School board members voted on June 1 to hire the Strawtown Elementary School principal away from the Clarkstown Central School District in Rockland County.
Ironically, the woman who Sinatra will replace -- Principal Michelle Martoni -- seems to virtually be switching jobs with her. Martoni will be leaving New Paltz for a principal gig with the Clarkstown district.
Martoni first came in as principal of Lenape in mid-2009.
With a starting salary of $112,000, the new top educator at the elementary school won’t officially start until July 1. However, her contract lasts until June of 2014.
Sinatra will be sitting down with the New Paltz Times for an interview soon. Look for a profile on the new principal in the June 30 issue.
-- Mike Townshend
Unison craft fair and sculpture walk at Water Street Market
Unison Arts will host its first showcase craft fair on June 18 at Water Street Market. The outdoor show will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a June 19 rain date. Fifteen craftspeople will exhibit a wide variety of work in clay, wood, wearables and jewelry. The Unison sculpture walk will also open Saturday, with ten sculptors working in a variety of materials both abstract and figurative, large scale and more intimate. The pieces will be placed along the Water Street market.
For more information contact Helene Bigley at 255-7736.
Gardiner Republican Caucus to take place on June 20
The Gardiner Republican Caucus will be held on Monday, June 20, 7 p.m., at the Gardiner Town Hall. Republican candidates will be nominated for town offices to be voted on at the Nov. 8 elections. Only enrolled Republicans of the Town of Gardiner may vote at the caucus.
Strawberry fest at Plutarch United Methodist Church
An old-fashioned strawberry festival will be held at Plutarch United Methodist Church this Sunday, June 19 from noon to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Homemade strawberry shortcake will be served, as well as hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and a variety of other picnic food. Take-out orders will be available. There will also be free face painting for children. For more information or directions, contact Laura at 255-5334.
90 Miles auditions for children and adults
90 Miles Off Broadway will hold auditions for its children’s summer theatre production of “Myth” on June 25 from 9 a.m. to noon and on June 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. The following two evenings, June 27 and 28 from 7 to 9 p.m., auditions will be held for the fall production of “Almost Maine.” All auditions will take place at The Reformed Church of New Paltz on Huguenot Street, downstairs in the social hall.
“Myth” is the tenth in a series of original children’s musicals, written and directed by Judy Elliot and Janet Salt. It is a humorous, musical re-telling of some of the most memorable Greek myths -- ”Pandora” (with Prometheus), “The Trojan War” (with Helen, Odysseus and Paris), Theseus and The Minotaur” and “The Midas Touch.” Children ages nine to 19 are encouraged to come on out and audition. Performances will be July 27-30 at 10 a.m. with additional performances at 2 p.m. on July 29 and 30. For further information, contact Elliot at 255-8142.
“Almost Maine” is a quirky comedy about love and life in the mythical town of Almost, Maine. Under the glow of the Northern Lights, on a cold clear moonless night, all is not what it seems. The play will be directed by Ken Greenman. Adults of all ages and types are invited to audition for this production. Rehearsals will begin in September for this play, which will be performed on Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13 at the New Paltz Community Center. For more information or to borrow a copy of the play, please contact Kim Lupinacci at 256-9657.
New Paltz interim president supports rational tuition bill
SUNY New Paltz Interim President Donald Christian has announced that he supports Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to establish a “rational” tuition policy for SUNY campuses.
“I am grateful for Governor Cuomo’s support of a rational tuition policy for SUNY,” he said. “Predictable tuition will allow New Paltz students and their families to manage educational costs and plan for their future. Additional tuition revenue will allow us to hire faculty to teach the courses students need to complete their degrees -- an essential and sometimes overlooked aspect of educational access. Even with the increases in tuition provided by a rational tuition policy, public higher education in New York is extremely affordable. Nonetheless, the college is committed to directing part of increased tuition revenue towards financial aid to assure continued access to a New Paltz degree and education.”
Farmer’s market to open in New Paltz
Rock and Snow in downtown New Paltz welcomes the start of this year’s farmer’s market in its Main Street parking lot this Sunday, June 19. This year’s featured vendors are Acorn Hill Farm, Bread Alone, Four Winds Farm, Gluten Free Dessert Kitchen, Kiernan Grass Fed Beef Farm, Meadow View Farm, Oliverea Schoolhouse Maple, Pika’s Farm Table, Shawangunk Growers, Three Sisters and Whitecliff Vineyard.
Environmental Conservation Commission opening in Gardiner
Anyone interested in serving on the Environmental Conservation Commission in Gardiner should send an application to the supervisor at togtsupv@hvc.rr.com or P.O. Box 1, Gardiner, NY 12525. Applications will be accepted through July 1.
Table Carousel fundraiser on June 20
Table Carousel, a major fundraiser for the New Paltz Garden Club, will be held on Monday, June 20 at St. Joseph’s Church on 34 South Chestnut in New Paltz from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the New Paltz School District for a $1,000 scholarship, given to a graduating high school student who is pursuing a higher education in the field of horticulture or environmental science degree. The event will feature tables with creative centerpieces and sumptuous desserts. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Bonnie Finkenaur at 255-6436.
Sons of Italy to hold clothing drive
Etruscan Lodge 2238 Order of New Paltz Sons of Italy will hold a clothing drive on Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hard Roll Deli parking lot on Route 299 in Highland. Sheets, blankets, clothing, drapery, pocket books, belts and shoes will be accepted.
Father’s Day steak dinner at the Elks Lodge
A Father’s Day steak dinner will be served at the New Paltz Elks Lodge on Route 32 South in New Paltz this Saturday, June 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The donation is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $7 for children 5-10. To make a reservation, call 255-1633 or 883-7992.
Local activists to attend Clearwater Sloop Fest
The Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz and FrackFreeCatskills.org will be joining other groups from across New York State at the Hudson River Clearwater Sloop Festival at Croton Point Park on June 18 and 19.
Look for these groups in the activist area, where they will be providing information and petitions opposing fracking for natural gas in New York State and what New Yorkers can do to help prevent it.
Children’s author to read at Gardiner Green Market
Local children’s author Victoria St. George will read her book Backyard Bandits at the Gardiner Green Market this Friday, June 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Gardiner Library. Barnyard Bandits is a mystery featuring Farmer Joe and his wife Bella.
St. George is the first in a series of local children’s authors to read at the Green Market this summer. Check www.gardinerlibrary.org/children.html for information about upcoming authors. The library is located at 133 Farmer’s Turnpike.
Grow your own organic and (very) local vegetables
Lee Reich will hold a workshop, “How to grow lots of vegetables with little space, time and effort,” from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on June 26 at his New Paltz garden. Learn how site selection, variety selection, soil preparation and, especially, planning (in time and space) make for abundant harvests of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables from even a small garden. It’s not too late to prepare for abundant harvests for the rest of this season, or even too late to start a vegetable garden for this season. Space is limited so registration is a must. The cost is $40. Call 255-0417 or e-mail garden@leereich.com for registration or more information.
Free Father’s Day show and picnic
Don’t miss Water Street Market’s free Father’s Day picnic with Ratboy Jr. and The Fuzzy Lolliops. Bring a picnic and the family this Sunday, June 19, outside in the courtyard. Ratboy Jr. will perform at 4 p.m., followed by the Fuzzy Lollipops at 5:30 p.m.. Free popcorn will be served.
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