Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Roeliff Jansen Library plans gala fundraiser June 8

Roeliff Jansen Library plans gala fundraiser June 8

A June 8 fundraiser at Catamount will continue the Roeliff Jansen Community tradition of funding the library largely through private donations. A prime example of cummunity support came when longtime patron Charlotte Shutts’ will provided funds to pay off the mortgage of this building when she died in 2022.

B. Doktor

COPAKE — Fun, food, music and a wide range of auction items will be the main features at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s annual fund raising gala to be held on Saturday, June 8 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Catamount Lodge at 78 Catamount Road in Hillsdale.

Library Director Tammy Gaskell is hoping for “a big response” as it is the library’s major fundraiser for the year with the proceeds going to supplement the general budget, only 30 percent of which is provided through town taxes.

A tradition for more than a decade, with the last three events at Catamount, Gaskell is hopeful the weather will again co-operate, allowing guests to take advantage of the ample space inside and “gorgeous view” outside. While the event is still known by its traditional “gala” designation, Gaskell says dress for the event will be “casual.”

Catamount will be supplying the buffet which she says will include BBQ, Mediteranean, Asian and vegetarian choices, local craft beer and wine, and Prosecco, with ice cream, coffee and tea.

Throughout the evening, The Luke Franco Trio will fill the air with jazz.

A highlight of the evening will be expanded silent and live auctions conducted by Copake auctioneer Steven Chickery.

A sampling of the items from the live auction include a fly-fishing adventure for two, a tree delivered and installed, a party for 20 at Vanderbilt Lakeside in Philmont, a lunch prepared by New York Times bestselling cookbook author and food personality and influencer Dan Pelosi, and 18 holes of golf at the Copake Lake Country Club.

A more complete listing of both the live and silent offerings will be available at roejanlibrary.org/fundraising-events.

Individual tickets for the evening are $125 each for regular tickets and $275 for host tickets with those host patrons being listed in the gala program.

Rather than having paper tickets, all attendees names will be listed at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the library, through a PayPal link on the above website, or send a check to: Roe Jan Community Library, PO Box 669, Hillsdale, NY 12529.

Gaskill says that donations are also always welcome. The website notes those contributions as well as the tickets are tax deductable.

For more information, call 518-325-4101.

Latest News

Democrats earn big wins in 2026 elections

Democrats earn big wins in 2026 elections

Voters wait in a line that stretch out the door to receive their ballots at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voting machines had recorded a total of more than 700 ballots cast in Millerton by 4:45 p.m.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

Democratic candidates in northeast Dutchess County succeeded along with their counterparts in state and federal elections. Voters turned out to express dissatisfaction with a turbulent economy, the Trump administration and — in the case of Pine Plains's race for Town Supervisor — issues with transparency and police surveillance.

Pine Plains was the only town in northeast Dutchess County with a contested Town Supervisor race. Republican incumbent Brian Walsh, seeking his third reelection, lost to Democratic challenger Trevor Roush. Roush is a sitting Town Board member who was first elected to the board in November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less

Eric Alexander wins County Legislature reelection campaign

Eric Alexander wins County Legislature reelection campaign

County Legislator Eric Alexander leads a meeting of the Dutchess County Legislature's Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Alexander represents the towns of Amenia, Washington, the Village of Millbrook and a portion of the Town of Pleasant Valley

Photo by Aly Morrissey

Democratic candidates made gains and held ground across Northern Dutchess County in elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

County Legislator Eric Alexander has retained his seat after winning against Republican challenger Stefanie Hubert. As of 10:15 p.m., Alexander had secured 56.8% of the vote.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

A Halloween scream with David Arquette

David Arquette, left, talks with moderator Victor Dandridge during “Behind the Scream” at the Warner Theatre in Torrington on Oct. 31.

D.H. Callahan

This December marks the 30th anniversary of Wes Craven’s “Scream,” one of the most influential movies in horror history. On Saturday, Oct. 31, David Arquette, one of the film’s stars, came to the Warner Theatre in Torrington for a Halloween screening and conversation billed as “Behind the Scream.”

“Scream” was met with critical praise when it premiered in 1996, with many noting its satirical, self-aware look at the horror genre without the usual trappings of camp or kitsch. Featuring a cast of mid-1990s A-listers including Drew Barrymoore, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Liev Schreiber, Neve Campbell and “Friends” star Courteney Cox, the movie was destined to be part of the cinematic zeitgeist.

Keep ReadingShow less
After 30 years, Dave Jones is shifting into lower gear


Now, 30 years later and in his late 60s, Jones is at the point in his life where he’s ‘figuring out how to land the plane.’

My husband and I first met Dave Jones in 2019, after we’d just moved into our house in Lakeville, a former auto repair garage with 14-foot-high ceilings that had been renovated into a residence. One day, when we woke up to a dead car battery, we called Lakeville Automotive, the nearest repair shop. Jones answered the phone a bit gruffly but then surprised us by showing up in half an hour to jump-start our car. We invited him inside for coffee, and looking around, he said with a grin that for 10 years, back in the day, he’d stored his Mazda Miata right in our living room.

Keep ReadingShow less

Gretchen M. Studio opens in Salisbury

Gretchen M. Studio opens in Salisbury

Grethen Mol at her new studio in Salisbury.

Natalia Zukerman

The keys are hanging from the lock when Gretchen Mol comes to greet me at her new studio on Academy Street in Salisbury. The door is open, and so, it turns out, is she. Mol has the easy familiarity of someone you’ve known for years. And in a sense, you have.

The actress, known for her roles in “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Notorious Bettie Page” and, most recently, “Tulsa King,” is opening Gretchen M. Studio, a creative space and showroom for her small-batch clothing line, with an open house Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.