Folk, food and fall views at annual Stissing Center fundraiser

Amazing views from Globe Hill in Pine Plains will be the backdrop for this year’s fundraiser for The Stissing Center.
Alicia King
Amazing views from Globe Hill in Pine Plains will be the backdrop for this year’s fundraiser for The Stissing Center.
The Stissing Center for Arts & Culture is hosting its Harvest Sunset Celebration at Globe Hill in Pine Plains on Saturday, Sept. 27. Set against panoramic views, the event promises an evening of music, locally sourced food, and community spirit — all in support of year-round arts programming.
The celebration will feature a performance by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, the renowned folk duo best known for their rendition of Ashokan Farewell, used as the the hauntingly beautiful theme from Ken Burns’ “The Civil War.” Their evocative blend of Appalachian, Cajun, and Celtic music has earned them a lasting place in American acoustic music.
Opening the musical lineup is Long Steel Rail, a dynamic bluegrass trio. The evening will be emceed by Ophira Eisenberg, comedian, author, and host of NPR’s “Ask Me Another.” Eisenberg is known for her sharp wit and engaging presence on both stage and radio.
A seasonal harvest dinner will be prepared by The Farmer’s Wife, a local favorite recognized for celebrating farms — and seasonal ingredients — from the area. The dinner will be accompanied by local beverages and set amid the natural beauty of Globe Hill’s expansive landscape.
The Harvest Sunset Celebration serves as a vital fundraiser for The Stissing Center. Proceeds support accessible ticket pricing, free children’s programming, and diverse arts offerings throughout the year.
“This event is really a celebration of The Stissing Center’s deep connection to our community,” said Gwen Greene, President of the Board. “The spectacular venue, the extraordinary entertainment, and the delicious local food and beverages are all a part of our commitment to this area. By the same token, the breadth and depth of our programming also speaks to our mission to bring to our audiences something that each and every person can enjoy. We are very excited to share this celebration with our friends and neighbors.”
Executive Director Patrick Trettenero added, “As summer turns to fall, this is the perfect moment to gather, give thanks, and support something meaningful. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than with delicious local food, world-class music, and one of the most spectacular views in the Hudson Valley.”
Tickets are available at thestissingcenter.org
One of the entries in this year’s Community Day Scarecrow Contest, Ichabod Hiccup, at left, seems to be particularly enjoying the solo performance of Wil Greenstreet, whose strolling pop-up saxophone performances delighted visitors to the village on Saturday, Sept. 20. For more photos, turn to Page A8.
A popular feature of the Millbrook Library lawn area was a carpet of children’s books being given away for free. Appealing to little Julien Gulbrandsen, 3, of Pleasant Valley was the story of a pancake, being read by her mother Lauren Gulbrandsen. It is likely that the little book went home with them.Photo by Leila Hawken
Family fun and community were the order of the long-planned Community Day, on Saturday, Sept. 20, as village turned out to welcome visitors from throughout the region for a day of activities, contests, parades, displays, sales and the joy of being together.Photo by Leila Hawken
Top row, left to right, Caroline Kinsolving, Christopher McLinden, Dana Domenick, Reid Sinclair and Director Hunter Foster. Bottom row, left to right, Will Nash Broyles, Dick Terhune, Sandy York and Ricky Oliver in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.”
Opening on Sept. 26, Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit “The Mousetrap” brings suspense and intrigue to the Sharon Playhouse stage, as the theater wraps up its 2025 Mainstage Season with a bold new take on the world’s longest-running play.
Running from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5, “The Mousetrap” marks another milestone for the award-winning regional theater, bringing together an ensemble of exceptional local talent under the direction of Broadway’s Hunter Foster, who also directed last season’s production of “Rock of Ages." With a career that spans stage and screen, Foster brings a fresh and suspense-filled staging to Christie’s classic.
The Playhouse’s casting includes Dana Domenick of Falls Village who leads the cast as Mollie Ralston, the newlywed innkeeper with a secret. Reid Sinclair of Norfolk plays Giles, her husband and partner in hospitality — and maybe in something more sinister. Will Nash Broyles from Lakeville plays the eccentric and enigmatic Christopher Wren, and Sandy York of Sharon will play the role of the imperious Mrs. Boyle. Dick Terhune (Litchfield), Caroline Kinsolving (Salisbury), Ricky Oliver (Pawling), and Christopher McLinden (also Lakeville) round out the cast as the play’s increasingly suspicious guests — and one very determined detective.
As always, Sharon Playhouse has gathered a top-tier creative team to match its cast. The Swader brothers (Christopher and Justin) return with their signature scenic designs, while Kathleen DeAngelis’s costumes and Bobbie Zlotnik’s wigs promise to anchor us firmly in postwar England, even as the plot spirals into timeless psychological suspense. Lighting by Wheeler Moon and sound design by Graham Stone will help turn the cozy theater into a stage crackling with tension.
If you’ve never seen “The Mousetrap,” here’s what you need to know: it’s the murder mystery that truly defined the genre. Premiering in London’s West End in 1952 and still running strong over 30,000 performances later, Christie’s ingenious puzzle unfolds in a snowbound manor house where everyone has something to hide, and no one is safe from suspicion. Its final twist is famously kept secret by audiences — a tradition of theatrical discretion that only deepens the sense of shared experience.
“The enduring success of ‘The Mousetrap’ lies in its suspense, yes, but also in its structure,” said the Playhouse’s Artistic Director Carl Andress. “It’s a masterclass in storytelling. And with Hunter Foster leading this incredible cast of local artists, we know our audiences are in for an evening of mystery, laughter, and yes, plenty of gasps.”
Tickets are available now at SharonPlayhouse.org.