According to Castle, the germ of the idea for the story came from Rabbi Jonathan Kligler’s moving eulogy for New Paltz High School student Maya Gold, in which he urged local teens, “Look out for each other. Be brave. Risk losing a friend in order to help them.”
Yelina has been a licensed hairstylist for more than 15 years. Influenced by many different styles and eras, she says she’s known for her “eclectic vision and precise yet offbeat artistry.”
The Gateway Diner took First Place in the “people’s choice” Chili Contest at last Saturday’s Hudson Valley Rail Trail WinterFest. So if you voted for Pot #2 in the blind tasting, you helped make it a winner! Three Guys Pizza took Second Place, for the contents of Pot #1, and volunteers from the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) were in Third Place for Pot #11. There were 15 entries in all, in the centerpiece of the 20th annual WinterFest.
The New Paltz Fire Department is currently recruiting young people ages 16-17 to join their newly created Junior Firefighter program. “This is a huge opportunity for the youth of our community,” says Second Assistant Chief Dylan Babcock.
![[Postponed] Christmas tree bonfire in New Paltz](https://hv1-dev.newsatomic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/xmas-bonfire-9s-436x291.jpg "[Postponed] Christmas tree bonfire in New Paltz")
The sixth annual Christmas tree bonfire, scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 5 p.m., at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz, has been postponed.
UlsterCorps’ ninth annual MLK Day Celebration of Service will be held on Sunday, January 14 from 3-6 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center. (Monday, January 15 is the snow date.)
In Japan, mochi is comfort food: sticky balls of rice with a satisfyingly chewy texture, topped with a variety of sweet or savory toppings. It’s also said to bring good fortune, so it’s traditional to serve it at holiday meals. The New Year is an extra-special time when it comes to mochi: Not only are you supposed to eat it, but you’re also supposed to get involved in making it. Pounding the rice, or mochi-suki, is a raucous group ritual meant to purge yourself of all the things that you want to put behind you in the old year.
The fourth annual family-friendly event includes a scavenger hunt, holiday story and crafts hour, magic and a free community dinner.
Jewish community is steeped in tradition, but at least in New Paltz the community is neither insular nor exclusively religious in character. When asked about their personal associations with Chanukah, many of those present included “community” as one of their descriptors, waxing on about the importance of connecting with other families and individuals.
A community lighting of menorahs is one of the highlights of the annual Chanukah celebration held each December by the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz.