Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lighthouse in the News

Link:
http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_digest.asp?action=get_article&sk=02892&bhcd2=1225319093

Funding - Mini Grant Recipients for Columbia County

1. Hudson Area Association Library, Greta Boeringer, 518-828-1792, Purchase of related Quadricentennial books for Columbia County libraries

2. Olana Partnership-Robert Burns, 518-828-1872
a. Underwrite the marketing for inaugural exhibit featuring sketches by Church of Hudson River
b. Creation of virtual Olana to provide virtual access to the HR Exhibition
c. Children’s summer program including hands-on exploration of 19th century farm

3. Germantown Central School district, Patrick Gabriel , 518-537-6281– to partner with Bard to conduct workshops about archaeological connections to HH’s voyage

4. Historic Kinderhook Committee- Frances Heins, 518-758-6197- Mohican Tribal People to come and participate in harvest Day bringing educational programs about their tribe to local schools.

5. Taconic State Park. –Fran Martino, 518-329-3993- Blacksmith Demo Days at Copake Iron Works

6. Operation Unite New York, Elena Mosley, 518-828-3612 –curate exhibit of photos, dos and historical objects of African American people of Hudson and Columbia counties

7. Town of Germantown – Jeremy Smith, 518-537-6902
a. Purchase books, interactive software and audio-visual material relative to the voyages of Hudson and Champlain and impact of Fulton’s steamboats.
b. Design, construct and install a historical marker/sign in Lasher Park on Anchorage Rd. that describes Hudson’s voyage in 1609.

River Planning Day - Tara Sullivan

From email 10/13/2009

More than 60 notable Hudson Valley leaders in the boating and waterfront communities including the major Hudson River organizations, have had a series (6) meetings to build the concept and set the schedule for the first annual Hudson River Day and for its beginning to come about as a Quadricentennial legacy event.

The enthusiasm and camaraderie has been the main ingredient to collectively start what is hoped to be the premier and linear event in the valley to commemorate 400 years of history of the river, boats and ships, and friends.

The date is set for Hudson River Day to traditionally take place the first week end of June when boat owners typically uncover and spruce up their boats and get on the water. For 2009, June 6th will be the official day although the celebration and events will be spread out over a few days to accommodate the signature event, the Relay Flotilla.

The flotilla will start the morning of June 6th with the boat and yacht clubs of Manhattan and New York City being the first to send out their memberships around the tip of Manhattan and coming round the statue of liberty led up the river by our New York State heritage flagships.

As these memberships are welcomed to celebrations at the next northerly clubs, those clubs will send their members out to continue the relay flotilla tracing Henry Hudson's path to Albany. At this time, we have commitments from the flagships; the famous Onrust, Clearwater, and Woody Guthrie. We are working with the Half Moon to help fund some necessary refurbishments-once secure, we expect to have Captain Reynolds commitment too. The events along the river at the boat and yacht clubs, the cultural institutions and museums, and all of the waterfront parks will have appeal and activities for everyone as the summer begins an entire season of celebration.

We are working to build the land components with parks,the Harbor District in NYC, and countless others. We hope to have a "launch" celebration in the city the night before the Relay Flotilla as a celebration of New York's heritage flagships, and then, a welcoming ceremony when the flotilla arrives in Albany.

A meeting with all of the safety and security entities has their full support and interest including a possible Coast Guard escort of the flotilla. The proposed schedule has been fashioned through two meetings with riverboat pilots consulting tide charts, an average speed of 3 to 4 knots, overnight dock accommodations, and inclusive for the involved communities along the way. The promotion of River Day will be the centerpiece of the National Boat Show this December with more "sign-on" expected at the show.

Tentative Schedule:
JUNE 5-evening "launch" celebration in NY Harbor
JUNE 6-early morning start of flotilla at Statue of Liberty. Arrival and welcome (6pm) for overnight in Tappan area including Tarrytown, Nyack(boat club and town dock) and Piermont.
JUNE 7-Arrival and welcome (6pm) in Beacon/Newburgh for overnight.
JUNE 8 and 9-Arrival and welcome (4pm) in Poughkeepsie area for two overnights (Marist, 2 boat clubs and new marina if ready). Two nights so that the flagships have the opportunity to take on school groups or other educational programs, etc.
JUNE 10-Arrival and welcome (6pm) in Kingston for overnight.
JUNE 11-Arrival and welcome in Catskill/Hudson area for overnight.
JUNE 12-Arrival in Castleton at 4 for final relay "pick-up", arriving in Albany at 6-7 pm for final welcome event.

We are working with Joe Bonora at the Shadows Restaurant (and future site of the new Poughkeepsie Marina!) for a date and time for our next valley-wide meeting so stay tuned!

Tara Sullivan
Executive DirectorHudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233
office 518-402-8565
cell 845-242-3766
fax 518-402-9016

Monday, October 27, 2008

Other Grant Opportunities

Mini Grants
Of up to $2500 for the planning and execution of public programs related to the 400th.

Reading Between the Lines
Reading and discussion series focused on 400th-related themes.

Speakers in the Humanities
400th lectures available to New York State groups for a nominal fee.

Speakers in the Schools
400th lectures available free of charge to any New York State high school.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Funding - Greenway Quadricentennial Implementation Grants

The Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area announce the availability of $50,000 in matching funds for Hudson Valley projects through Quadricentennial Implementation Grants.

Applications can be requested by calling (518) 473-3835 or by emailing the Greenway at hrvg@hudsongreenway.state.ny.us or by downloading at www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us . All applications must be delivered by 4:30 PM, December 15, 2008.

In 2009, New York State, along with Vermont and Quebec, will commemorate the 400th anniversaries of Henry Hudson’s sail up the Hudson River and Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of Lake Champlain, as well as the 200th Anniversary of Robert Fulton’s first successful commercial steamship operation on the Hudson River. This grant program is intended to provide seed money to organizations for local Hudson Valley Quadricentennial projects, programs, and events that celebrate the legacies of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain, and that showcase the Hudson River Valley region.

Eligible projects should:
• Encourage participation by communities or non-profits in the region;
• Contain elements that support a lasting presence; and
• Seek opportunities to associate with other celebration events.

The grants will be limited to $2,500 to $5,000 in scope and must be matched dollar for dollar by the recipient with either cash or in-kind services.

Eligible applicants include: Local Government entities including municipal boards, commissions or committees; public or private schools or other educational institutions; organizations with 501 (c)(3) status, or citizen groups such as “friends of” association working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage the grant funds; and private businesses, individuals and state government agencies which may collaborate with one of the above groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this program.

Projects must be located within the geographic area of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. This legislatively designated area includes municipalities with the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland; and the Village of Waterford in Saratoga County.

For further information or to download an application, visit www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us, or contact the Greenway at (518) 473-3835 or by email
at hrvg@hudsongreenway.state.ny.us .

Thursday, October 16, 2008

FUNDING UPDATE - NO MATCH REQUIRED...

Dear Quadricentennial Community Leaders,

After careful review, we have been able to simplify the reimbursement process for the Quadricentennial Municipal grant. Once we receive your project narrative and budget, and have the resolution and signed contract from you, we will notify you that you may have an advance of 25 percent.

All future grant payment requests will be accepted and processed by DEC on a reimbursement basis. You will be required to provide supporting documentation on how the 25% advance was spent, and then you may submit documentation for additional costs for reimbursement.

The DEC will process reimbursement payments to you as needed. The new adjustment that we have been able to make is that the grant will no longer require a match of funding, municipal or otherwise. This change is due to the statewide municipal belt-tightening that we understand could prevent some municipalities from being able to participate in this important assistance.

We deeply appreciate your patience in this and all of our collaborative preparations for New York's 400th! Together we will make this a memorable mark in our state's history, extraordinary in our lifetimes!

Many thanks for all, Tara

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Official Coin of the Quadricentenial!!! $25


This is an historic coin commemorating the 2009 New York State Quadricentennial.
The coin is die cast; zinc alloy with a bright silver finish - two sided depicting the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse on one side and Henry Hudson's Half Moon on the second side.
Printed on side one are the words, "Hudson-Athens Lighthouse 1874 Hudson River New York State" and, "New York State Quadricentennial Henry Hudson's Half Moon 1609 2009" on the second side.
The coin is 1 and ½ inches in diameter.The weight of the coin is 18 grams, or 5/8 of an ounce (heavy!). The coin is very durable and is molded with high detail three dimensional images.The coin is being distributed by the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society which is an official Ambassador of the 2009 New York State Quadricentennial.
Proceeds from the sale will be used for the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Foundation Repair Project slated to be completed in 2009. The cost of the coin in a Rosewood display case is $30 including shipping and handling. To order by check, please send, for each coin, a check or money order for $30. 00 which includes shipping and handling to: HALPS, P.O. 145, Athens, New York 12015. Please designate the check for : COIN. Please remember to include your mailing address and the number of coins you are ordering.
Or to save the $5 for shipping and handling, you may buy the coins directly from the Bank of Greene County, Fairview Plaza, Greenport, NY; The Columbia Greene Federal Credit Union, Rt. 23 B, Hudson, NY, and Athens, NY. and Tanzy's Cafe, 223 Warren Street, Hudson, NY.
For more information on the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, please go to their website! There is a ton of information and some beautiful pictures.

Stuyvesant Falls, NY

This drawing was done in 2008 by Roy Shanon of Stuyvesant Falls, New York. This is a native American Encampment at Newton Hook in Stuyvesant.
Snap on the picture to see all the wonderful details.

This picture will be used to create a commemorative postcard in conjunction with the Stuyvesant Falls Quadricentinial Celebration. More information forthcoming.

Funding Issues


The State of New York approved public Funding to various communities in support of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration. There has been a little confusion with regard to clear direction. The following letter was issued by the Tourism Professionals along the Hudson Valley. All concerned parties are encouarged to contact their various public representatives in Albany.


October 6, 2008

Hon. David A. Paterson
Executive Chambers
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson:

The ten county Hudson Valley I LOVE NEW YORK region were initially shocked, and are now outraged to find that the state has switched horses in midstream and will now make the $45,000 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial grants to the counties reimbursable instead of direct grants. Our counties and communities have been planning for the Quad for over two years and these events need an infusion of funds to sustain their efforts.

Tara Sullivan, the Quad’s Director, had promised us that these funds would be available to us with a check written to our counties, not as a delayed reimbursement program. Lacking these immediate funds, many of our events will not be able to get off the drawing board. Waiting for money from the state after the Quad has happened is not an option here.

We hope that you will seriously consider providing each of the Quad counties with a check for $45,000 so that we can make sure that this event is the economic driver for communities as promised. New York State got us on the bandwagon for the Quad, now let’s see it through.

Michele Vennard, Albany
Ann Cooper, Columbia
Mary Kay Vrba, Dutchess
Daniella Marino, Greene
Susan Cayea, Orange
Val Hickman, Putnam
Christine Chesley, Rensselaer
Heather Duke, Rockland
Rick Remsnyder, Ulster
Kim Sinistore, Westchester

Resolution QUAD Flag

Those that submitted an official Resolution will be receiving "Flags" within the next month or so. The State office is in the process of getting the mailing ready.

Certainly all municipalities will have them by 2009 when they should be displayed. The shelf-life of a flag is approximately 6-8 months depending of weather.

Those that have formed resolutions within the county are: the City of Hudson and the Town of Germantown. If there are any other municipalities that have passed ExploreNY400 Resolutions, please inform Ms. Ann Cooper of the Tourism Department.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

QUAD Committe Minutes - October 8th 2009

Welcome by Ms. Piwonka. Motion to approve minutes, approved after Steele updates changes requested by Ms. Piwonka.

“Official Coin”

Ms. Bliss was unable to attend the meeting, so Steele informed the committee regarding the QUAD State recognized “official coin”. Details are both on the QUAD-blog and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse website (http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org/)

Coins can be ordered form information provided on the Lighthouse website, or purchased directly at several locations though out the county. Locations will be noted on the Blog site. Coin is $25, or $30 if requested by mail.

This information will be updated into the County blog site.

River Regatta / Tom Crowell

Tom reviewed the meeting hosted by the Castleton Boat Club and the key objectives of the possible event. It would be a new tradition for the Hudson River; and “opening day” for the boating season. It would include all the boating clubs along the river, a raft, etc.

Snags in the plan would be limited funding for Heritage ships (Half Moon).

The event would be the first Saturday in June down in the New York City harbor, and would culminate on the following Saturday in Albany – supposedly.

More information to come

TO DO:
SA – Contact Mr. Kennedy for update

Heritage Weekend – Ann Cooper

Ms. Griffen of the Olana Partnership called Ms. Cooper with an idea she had discovered during a recent trip to Europe. It seems they celebrate a weekend or week in which all public attractions are opened free to the public. Likewise several select attractions open their doors to “not-open-to-the-public” tours.

Ms. Cooper contacted her Tourism partners throughout the Hudson Valley and the plan is in the works.

The celebration would be in September during “off peak” visitor times, but the weather would still be perfect for touring all of the attractions. It would likewise serve as a tremendous promotion for the Hudson Valley attractions and we would most likely do this on an annual basis in the coming years. It would likely coordinate with the Hudson River Ramble.

Ms. Cooper will pursue research and let the committee know of a firm date as soon as it is determined.

Update of Official Events

No new events have been added since the last meeting.

Procedures to include a new event are listed on the Blog site, along with all current “official events”.

Ann Cooper announced that the new State site has been published and that the calendar is comprehensive.

Additionally, she will be able to directly upload events to the calendar on the website. The calendar is now full of numerous events throughout the state. The committee is encouraged to review the site for further discussion at the next meeting.

A link to the site is available on the Blog site; and the address is http://www.exploreny400.com/

TO DO:
ALL – Review the State website

Funding update.

Ms. Cooper explained that funding procedures have changed again. She also explained that no one in the State has been successful in obtaining funds and that she is on top of it.

There is was much speculative talk about how to move forward. Ms. Cooper explained that it was somewhat pointless to discuss it at this time as things were certain to change.

Ms. Cooper will forward out a letter organized by her tourism counterparts within the Hudson Valley and encouraged us to use the same format to encourage lawmakers to address the confusion. The letter will be posted on the Blog site.

There is an ongoing concern that once funding has been addressed, how will it be distributed. Public notice needs to be provided with a deadline for application submission. This will be addressed when we have a better idea about how funding will be obtained.

Ms. Cooper, Ms Thurston and Mr. Crowell will meet to formulate the next attempt to secure funding.

NOTE: Since the meeting, another announcement has been made by the state. Once funding is approved, it will be based on a 25% upfront distribution with a final payment based on complete detail and support for expenses. The major change is that a match will no longer be needed. This is because many communities may not have the time to secure a match at this late date. Information is posted on the blog site.

TO DO:
AC, ET & TC - Meet to formulate next request of funds.
AC – Obtain final requests from the State

Old & New Business

Ms. Thurston mentioned another idea that has been discussed in Hudson. There would be an artist that does art from recycled garbage. He is well known and the art would be organized on a barge that would circulate the Hudson River. The artist is Bruno Pasquier-desVignes.

Ms. Thurston also expressed an interest in Hudson to plant 400 trees. Discussion came about as to “sponsors” for individual trees, and the fact that the Boy Scouts could be commissioned to plant the seedlings.

Ms. O'Neal and Ms. Goetz informed the group that Clermont is planning Quad activities that will involve the Clermont Academy - Site of NY's first Public School in 1791.

Ms. Boeringer announced that the “Department of Library Developments” will be providing a reading program for children regarding the QUAD. She also mentioned that flags would be issued to the Libraries.

TO DO:
None

Date & Time of Next Meeting:

November 12th, 10:30 a.m. at the Stuyvesant Town Hall. Ms. Knott to confirm.

Meeting adjourned: Meeting ended by 12:20 p.m.