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Participants at annual conference encouraged to ThinkDifferently by respecting evolving etiquette norms
Dec 18, 2024
Top row (left to right): Panelist Shadei Williams; Dana Hopkins, Dutchess County All Abilities Program Director; panelist Johnny Vacca; Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. Bottom row: (left to right): Panelist Wayne Robinson; panelist Tracy Wallace; panelist Samantha Van Alstyne
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HYDE PARK, N.Y. — On Thursday, Dec. 5, the annual ThinkDifferently conference was held at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Educational Center in Hyde Park, New York. The conference strived to enlighten participants on evolving protocols for addressing and collaborating with individuals with challenges.
Hosted by Dana Hopkins, program director of All Abilities at the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, ThinkDifferently is an initiative first launched in 2015 by former county executive Marc Molinaro with a goal to provide services to individuals with varying abilities and guidance for others such as businesses and communities to help create a more inclusive society.
The conference, which is in its eighth year, has evolved throughout its existence. Hopkins said while the one consistent has been its daily duration, the presentation and subject matter has varied. “Each year has been a full-day conference which has included discussions with authors, clinical professionals, et cetera. Previous conferences included a ‘services across the lifespan’ session, which covered birth to death,” she said. “We adjusted our format based on feedback from attendees as the services through the lifespan [session] was often redundant.”
This year’s conference was broken into a morning session which included opening remarks from county executive Sue Serino to welcome participants and show her support for the initiative followed by personal experiences from panelists and preferred protocols while interacting with individuals with challenges. The afternoon session featured speaker Emma Arnoff, a licensed social worker, who further elaborated on protocols, the subject of neurodiversity which is described as varying manners of how the brain works, and ableism which is defined as discriminatory practices and prejudicial attitudes towards individuals with challenges. The audience consisted primarily of educators, social services workers, and providers to individuals with varying abilities.
According to Hopkins, ThinkDifferently has less to do with individuals and is more supports-oriented. “ThinkDifferently is not direct programming for people with disabilities and/or their families,” she said. “Rather, a key component of the work we do is helping individuals and families navigate the often-complicated network of providers, as well as resources available at various levels of government. We also create and host inclusive events throughout the year, but most services and programs are contracted out to our local nonprofit agencies.”
Respectful speech and courteous behavior as well as consideration for personal preferences were amongst the themes for this year’s conference. According to both Hopkins and Arnoff, while there are no set rules of etiquette, and the vernacular is constantly evolving, it’s important to consider the individual and their desires. As Hopkins explained, the vernacular can vary between person-first and identity-first language, a more recent trend which began only a few years ago.
“Disability etiquette is individually based and constantly changing,” she said. “When we are speaking about people who have disabilities (and we do not know their preferences) we use person-first language (meaning we say ‘person with a disability’ versus ‘disabled person’ which is identity-first language). Only in instances when someone has specifically told us they prefer identity-first language do we utilize that. For individuals with mobility devices or other aides (canes for those that are blind or have low vision), never touch their devices or aides, unless they ask you to, and/or if you ask and they say yes. Think of the devices and aides as extensions of their bodies.”
While sensitivity towards others is always appropriate, terminology is fluid. Words and phrases which were once socially acceptable such as ‘special needs’, ‘handicapped’, ‘impairment’ and ‘differently abled’ are now to be avoided, which is proper and correct. “Language always is and should be evolving,” Arnoff said. “This move to first-person language comes from neurodivergent people finding pride in who they are and not seeing themselves as deficient. As the language evolves, it is our job to learn and listen.” Hopkins agreed, saying, “Some of these phrases/words are euphemisms to make those without disabilities feel better when talking about disabilities, but they aren’t helpful to people with disabilities.”
While attitudes and language has trended more toward sensitivity toward individuals with varying abilities, both Arnoff and Hopkins emphasized the importance of two-way communication, and also, of being mindful of lessons from previous years. “People with disabilities are just that: people,” Hopkins said. “To find out more about what is appropriate and what isn’t, talk with the disability community.”
Arnoff, too, reinforced the need for understanding and awareness, saying, “It’s important that we don’t beat ourselves up for what we did in the past and rather learn from it to be different in the future. It is critical we do this by listening ... It is not our job to change or fix [them] but rather to learn about what makes them who they are, so we can see what makes them amazing.”
The conference is only one event on ThinkDifferently’s very active calendar. Upcoming happenings include a sensory-sensitive performance of “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 13, the Dance Forever/Rhythm Works hip-hop dance program for young people of varying abilities on Saturday mornings, twice-monthly workshops on applying for social security disability programs and a retreat in mid-January for neurodiverse young adults. For more information, visit www.thinkdifferently.net.
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“Cold Spring, NY” depicts life in a notable Hudson River town with a rich history and much natural beauty.
Krista A. Briggs
According to Alissa Malnati, co-creator of the new coffee table tome, “Cold Spring, NY”, after twenty-five years in the urban jungle, it was time to go in search of a cure for the angst which, for some, can come with metropolitan living. “My husband and I were soul sick,” explained Malnati of the couple’s move to Cold Spring, a Hudson River town located in leafy Putnam County. “We were seeking restoration and quiet, and to be in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.”
The time was right for a move in 2021. The Malnatis relocated from busy Brooklyn to a tranquil mountaintop abode which allowed them to decompress without the intrusion of cell phones and ceaseless city noise. With the shift to the Hudson Valley, Alissa, a writer and fashion executive, and her husband, Will, a podcaster and television producer, found the peace they were searching for in Cold Spring, a semi-rural town known for its boutiques, antique shops, and world-class hiking trails.
While modern Cold Spring offers an array of unique independent retailers as well as specialty restaurants and coffeehouses, it is also a destination point for nature-lovers and an historical town.
Many of its current and decaying sites have been documented in “Cold Spring, NY”, coauthored and co-photographed by both Alissa and Will. It served as the home of the West Point Foundry – now enshrined as the West Point Foundry Preserve – which produced artillery for the U.S. government starting in 1818, and it also became known for its Parrott rifles during the Civil War. The town was once visited by Abraham Lincoln back in 1862. In 1970, as part of an effort to raise environmental awareness through the Clearwater Organization, Pete Seeger’s boat, the Clearwater, was once docked at Cold Spring during a music festival at which Seeger performed. Cold Spring remains actively committed to preserving its small-town character, its waters and historic sites. The Putnam History Museum is also located in Cold Spring.
“We never intended for it to be a book,” the couple explained of the process that came about very organically. “At first, it was just photographs that we framed, then photographs that became photo albums, and eventually we decided to print it into a coffee table book.”
Their collaboration proved to be a very positive one which brought them closer. “We loved working on this together and hope that we are able to do more as a duo,” Alissa said, noting that future shared projects along the same lines as “Cold Spring, NY” are already being explored by the couple.
“Cold Spring, NY”, which contains over one hundred pages of vivid black-and-white photography, highlights the town’s very active Main Street as well as its Hudson riverfront, local mountainous terrain, nearby woodland wonders, and sites of antiquated interest.
“There is much beauty in the town that no matter where we were, there was a photo to take.”
While the Malnatis captured as many historical and modern sites as possible for the book, there was an omission of a more recent occurrence. “There was one photo we didn’t take that haunts us to this day,” Alissa recounted. “There was a massive rainstorm in the summer of 2023 and the streets of Cold Spring were flooded. The stairs that take you underneath the railroad from Main St. were alsocompletely submerged in about ten feet of water that had accumulated below. It was like a scene from a movie, and, unfortunately, we were in such shock that we didn’t think to grab the photo.”
Among the photographs they were able to capture, Will Malnati’s preference is for the Bannerman Castle snaps on pages 23-24. Said Will, “The Bannerman Castle shots are a favorite – how much history it has and how beautiful it is up close. People don’t travel there very often or at all, so it was special to see it from the base of it. I also love the human portraits – so much character and love in each of them.” Alissa is most enthusiastic about the photo on page 31 titled “Optical Illusion”, saying, “You can flip the photo upside down and it would look the same, unless you are present with the photo and notice a small ripple in the water.“
The Cold Spring experience proved so refreshing for the Malnatis that while they eventually had to return to Brooklyn, they felt very strongly about leaving a parting gift for their adopted community in the form of the book. They’re also hoping they can eventually return to the community again someday on a more permanent basis. And while some Cold Spring residents prefer for the town to remain a hidden gem of the Hudson Valley, the Malnatis have a different take. Said Alissa, “Cold Spring is a special town and like anything special, it’s difficult for it to remain a secret for too long.”
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Natalia Zukerman
Ani Jenkins
“I have pieces of wood that’ll sit around for years and then suddenly, I’m looking at it and think, ‘Oh! This is what you want to be,’” said artist Ani Jenkins whose extraordinary solo exhibit of wood sculptures opened at Housatonic Valley High School’s Kearcher-Monsell Gallery on December 13. This show marks a new milestone for the gallery, featuring its first collection of exclusively three-dimensional works. Jenkins, who moved to Falls Village during the Covid-19 pandemic, has brought her intricate and interactive wood sculptures to the Northeast, much to the delight of students, staff, and visitors.
Jenkins grew up in Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by art, as her mother was pursuing her MFA during that time. Her exploration of wood began in the 90’s when she had an opportunity to take an inlay class. “Everything came so easily and naturally, it was as if I’d been working with wood my entire life,” said Jenkins. She continued to work for many years adding inlay to furniture and musical instruments but shared, “I was craving more three-dimensionality, so I started playing around with all the little scraps and cut-offs and building sculptures with those. It all just exploded and snowballed.” Her practice eventually evolved into creating larger, sculptural pieces that are infused with deep mystical themes, reflections of ancient civilizations and visions of times and places still yet to be seen.
“Wood tells a story,” Jenkins explained. “A lot of these pieces almost build themselves. It’s about getting out of the way rather than intentionally creating.”
The exhibit at HVRHS, titled “Visions,” was curated by students under the guidance of senior Elinor Wolgemuth, the gallery’s lead intern. As part of her role overseeing gallery operations, Wolgemuth used the experience to develop her senior capstone project: a comprehensive guide to help future student interns manage the gallery effectively.
“It’s a step-by-step guide on how to have a show, how to run an opening, things like that. It’s about creating a team that will flow throughout the years and work together,” said Wolgemuth. Jenkins noted of the students’ dedication, “They’ve been as professional as any gallery I’ve ever worked with.”
Art teacher Lilly Barnett, who started at the school this fall, emphasized the importance of showcasing Jenkins’s work. “Ani elevates the artistry of woodworking, breaking traditional gender stereotypes. It’s powerful for our students to see.” FFA students have also expressed admiration for Jenkins’s craftsmanship, with many inspired by the precision and creativity in her pieces.
Jenkins and her family relocated from the west coast to Falls Village in 2020. Never having been to the east coast, the artist was delighted to find that surrounded by Connecticut’s hardwood forests, she was newly inspired. “I’m much more of a small-town person, so this is a great place to be,” she said. Having grown up in Northern New Mexico and Colorado, her work often reflects mystical themes, ancient civilizations, and the essence of the natural world. “There’s a lot of femininity in my work,” Jenkins shared. “I love bringing flowing lines into my pieces, contrasting with the rigidity of traditional woodworking.”
Jenkins’s fascination with “containment” is evident in her work, which often features hidden drawers, compartments, and interactive elements designed to engage viewers. The intricate wooden creations invite touch and exploration, offering a magical, hands-on experience. Even better, all the pieces are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the school’s art department.
Ani Jenkins’s intricate and interactive sculptures have brought a unique and inspiring artistic experience to Housatonic Valley High School’s Kearcher-Monsell Gallery. “I’d like to be an artist after high school,” said Wolgemuth. “I’m not sure if I want to do curatorial or more freelance work with my own art, but finding that balance is important to me.”
“I want to build fully moving pieces—big totems where people can arrange all the different pieces,” said Jenkins, hinting at future projects.
The exhibit will be on view through January 10, 2025. To make an appointment, call (860) 824-5123
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