Related Posts
Information event on heat pumps in Valatie
VALATIE — The Valatie Climate Smart Communities Task Force is hosting an information event provided by the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub to be held at the Valatie Free Library, June 24, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The event will feature in-person presentations by people knowledgeable about the technology and affordability of these home comfort systems. The schedule does allow time for Q&A.
Because space is limited, pre-registration is required. To reserve your spot and take advantage of this opportunity, send an email to: valatieclimate@gmail.com. You will receive a registration confirmation via return email.
The presenters at the June 24 event will include:
Christina Bohnsack, who is working with Columbia County on a Clean Heating, Cooling and Energy Efficiency Campaign as the manager of Heat Smart Capital Region, part of the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub. Ms. Bohnsack will provide an overview of the process involved in the decision making, including arranging for energy audits, energy assessments, and how to improve your house’s ability to keep the hot air in. She will also provide an overview of the financial incentives available to homeowners who decide they want to make the switch but think it would be out of their reach financially.
Terry Moag is owner and founder of The Radiant Store, which provides HVAC services including radiant heating, split-zone heating and cooling with heat pumps, and hydronics. With this broad experience in diverse technologies, The Radiant Store puts an emphasis on finding the best fit for the particular characteristics of each home. He will provide an overview of heat pump technology, explaining the changes to the technology that have developed over the years and have increased effectiveness and reliability.
Fiona Hynes is an Energy Advisor with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County, another partner on the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub. As an Energy Advisor, Ms. Hynes assists individual homeowners and businesses who would like to have guidance in navigating the process, including applying for the energy audits or assessments, determining which financial incentives would be available and navigating the application process.
Copake doesn’t look a day over 199
By DIANE VALDEN
COPAKE—The residents of the Land of Rural Charm have much to celebrate as Copake turns 200 this year.
Many star-spangled events are planned throughout the coming months to encourage pride and promote knowledge about this scenic town of 3,350 along the southeastern Columbia County/Massachusetts border.
Copake’s bicentennial festivities begin with a special Town Board meeting when everyone is invited to join Town Board members in celebrating the founding of Copake. The meeting takes place at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Road, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, the 200th anniversary of the first ever Town Meeting.
Copake Bicentennial Committee Chair Kellie Nardin told The Columbia Paper this week, that the meeting will include the adoption of a resolution declaring the bicentennial and a land acknowledgment of the town’s Mohican heritage. Local, state and federal officials will be on hand to laud Copake. After all the speeches are done, everyone is invited to partake of Copake’s big birthday cake at a reception.
The following Friday through Sunday, April 5 through 7 will feature an original play written just for the occasion by local playwright Carl Ritchie. “Your Town,” a musical, will take the stage at the Copake Grange #935 Theater, 628 Empire Road, with evening performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are free and going fast. Make reservations at: http://copakegrange.org/events
Featuring local talent as well as professional actors, the play is loosely based on “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. The play will be directed by Mr. Ritchie with costumes designed and donated by J. Kevin Draves.
The above mentioned events and the ones that follow are the fruit of the past 14 months of labor of Ms. Nardin and her merry band of volunteers: Jeanne Mettler, Winette Edge, Lindsay LeBrecht, Gina White, Roberta Roll, Vana Hotaling, Bob Callahan, Maryanne Fallon, Lesley Doyel, Liana Jensen, Cynthia McDowell, Heather Thompson and Howard Blue. Town Supervisor Richard Wolf is the Town Board liaison to the committee. Ms. Nardin, who also has a full-time job at the Claverack Well and Pump Service, calls the work of her committee “a labor of love,” adding, “We want people be proud of their town and be a part of it. This has been far from a one-person job. The committee has been wonderful and dedicated and stepped up to the plate. They made my job so much easier,” Ms. Nardin said.
The budget for assembling the long and varied menu of events is $50,000, which includes generous funding from the Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation as well as Columbia County Tourism.
“There will be something for everyone to participate in, learn from, and enjoy. Most importantly, the activities are planned to promote and reinforce the pride of place that we all feel living in Copake, Land of Rural Charm,” Supervisor Wolf noted in his supervisor’s report at the March 14 meeting.
Other events include a July 13 “Come Home to Copake” Picnic, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Copake Memorial Park, 305 Mountain View Road, rain date: July 14. Current residents and anyone who ever lived in Copake are invited to attend this town picnic. The event will feature live music, an artists’ showcase, car show, and attractions to amuse children, including a hot dog eating contest and sack races. A dessert baking contest will be judged by Nancy Fuller, a Copake native, and star of the Food Network Show “Farm House Rules.” Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch and/or dinner, but food will also be available for sale. The Copake Fire Company will be cooking up a chicken barbecue with pre-sale tickets only that can be purchased at Copake Town Hall. The Ghent Band will play at 2 p.m. and a (TBA) country western band will play at 6 p.m. The picnic will be an opportunity to share memories, renew old friendships and make new friends.
A Bicentennial Parade and Picnic takes place August 17 with a rain date of August 18. The finale of the bicentennial celebration will be a parade through the Hamlet of Copake, followed by a celebration at Catamount Ski Area. The parade will line up at 2:30 p.m. by the Copake Fire Company on Center Hill Road and will step off at 3 p.m. All local organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the parade. Two marching bands will add to the jubilee atmosphere. Riding in classic automobiles will be Grand Marshals—former supervisor Angelo Valentino, former town clerk Vana Hotaling, Flora Bergquist and Edgar Masters. To register for the parade email CopakeParade@gmail.com
The grounds at Catamount will open at 5 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic dinners or may purchase food and drink at Catamount. There will be live music and chairlift rides. The evening and the celebration will conclude with fireworks.
A full list of events throughout the coming months, including an art project for kids, four panel group discussions and three historic society presentations, may be found at townofcopake.org.
Supervisor Wolf praised the hardworking Bicentennial Committee and on a broader level all Copake volunteers in his March Supervisor’s report noting, “Their willingness to volunteer their time and effort to help us all celebrate Copake’s 200th birthday is an extraordinary example of the importance of volunteers to our town. In fact, Copake as we know it would not exist but for volunteers.”
He singled out all Copake’s firefighters and “others who give generously of their time to multiple volunteer activities. You know who you are.”
He appealed “to all Copakeans: whether you are a long-time resident or a recent arrival in town, Copake needs you.”
This 200 year-old town wouldn’t have made it this far without the efforts of its volunteers.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
