A lot of people love dogs, but do they understand them? Or, more importantly, can they coexist with Fido and friends without driving themselves or the canines crazy? This is where Valerie Ann Erwin, a “Canine/Human Relationship Counselor,” steps in. A longtime Village of New Paltz resident and landlord, Erwin has recently opened up a new center for her dog training and obedience services at 2 Rocky Hill Road, off Route 32 North.
This week for Faces of Kingston I am pleased to present a discussion with Hillary Harvey, a leading light in both community discourse and general good energy.
Following the traditional Veteran’s Day ceremony at the War Memorial in Woodstock Cemetery on Monday, November 11, local veterans — and a few who had come many miles to honor a fallen combat brother — gathered, along with friends and family at American Legion Post 1026 to unveil a sumptuous, colorful 8-foot tall quilt honoring Sgt. Richard Quinn, a medic, the lone Woodstocker who lost his life in the Vietnam war in 1970.
Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day — was clear and cold for the traditional ceremony at the Saugerties American Legion Post 72. In keeping with the tradition, the ceremony began at 11 a.m., the date and time the cease-fire ending World War I was signed: 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.
Matthew Pleva has both a recognizable face to many in Kingston and a portfolio of memorable, creative work that’s some of the best stuff Kingston has to offer. Pleva is a very interesting guy and it was a pleasure to get to interview him after having it on my “must do” list for a few years now.
Growing up, Linda Ferrante (then Haight) always remembered her grandfather being a proud Rotarian. “He was involved with a lot of organizations, but I remembered the Rotary as the one that helped people. It was something I always aspired to be,” she said.
The quilt is stunning, and is presently being displayed at the museum in Chandler, Texas, in anticipation of its arrival in Woodstock. “Doc” Quinn — the only Woodstocker to die in Vietnam — was awarded, among many other medals, The Distinguished Service Cross, and the Combat Medical Badge, both posthumously. Each of his medals, as well as his portrait, are entirely embroidered, as are all the names of his family, friends, fellow medics, and many of the soldiers who served with Quinn in Vietnam.
A Saugerties family is asking for blood donations for their three-year old daughter, Cecilia as well as the many in the area and beyond in need. Baby Cecilia was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and her family is currently traveling twice per week so she can receive treatment.
Dressing for Halloween in New Paltz carries a certain amount of pressure: it’s a big deal in town, with a giant parade sending participants out like tentacles to probe the nooks and crannies of the community in costumes ranging from the comical to the creepy. Selecting a costume when there’s going to be a big audience is tricky, but trying to predict how to dress with bad weather expected added an extra wrinkle this year around.
The “Honor Diversity — Defeat White Supremacy Rally and March” was held last Saturday at the Peace Park in New Paltz.