Little Stony Point Park | 3011 Rt. 9D, Cold Spring, NY 10516
**Map**
Little Stony Point "HOOT on the Hudson" Sunday September 11th: Join Us!
Sunday, September 11th, the Little Stony Point Citizens Association will host its annual Hoot on the Hudson. For 17 years now, the Hoot has featured solo performers to full bands, classical guitarists to spoken word ranting, show tunes to surf guitars, and almost always, our own local hero, Pete Seeger. Come by to listen or play along. A solar generator will once again be providing electricity for this off the grid show.
The festival runs from 1–6p.m. and admission is free for the whole family. Refreshments will be available or bring a picnic. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are recommended items to bring along for those making a day of it and the beach and hiking trails are often mixed in for a full day's fun.
The all volunteer Little Stony Point Citizens Association will be manning an information table offering history and maps of the park, signups for new members and email addresses, as well as accepting donations that are used to help keep this special portion of the Hudson Highlands State Park clean and inviting to the enormous flow of local residents and out of town hikers that use it each year. Little Stony Point is a state owned recreational resource operated through a cooperative management agreement between the Little Stony Point Citizens Association and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Little Stony Point "Cleanup Day" Sunday April 10th: We Need Volunteers
Every Spring, the Hudson River picks up all sorts of debris as it moves
towards the ocean, traditionally leaving a great deal of it along the
shores. Flotsam and jetsam that have been trapped in the ice for months
get released, as well as trees, limbs, discarded lawn furniture, 55
gallon drums and millions of “devilheads”, the spikey invasive black
waterchestnuts.
The Little Stony Point Citizens Association will host their Annual
Spring Cleanup, Sunday April 10th starting at 8 AM. Because the Point
naturally protrudes into the river’s flow, it acts as a catchall for
anything floating down the river, including a large wooden dock and
several tall trees this year. The man-made sandy beach, a wonderful
leftover from the quarrying days, tends to keep everything that washes
up, as opposed to the river’s rockier edges that simply reject
floating objects and keep them moving south. A great deal of human
intervention each year is required to prepare the beach for Summer
revelry.
Two hour shifts will run on the even hours, i.e., 8AM, 10AM, Noon and
2PM, meeting at the Caretaker’s House, 3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring,
just north of the Fair Street intersection. Kids are encouraged to
explore the 25 acres and its shoreline, picking up trash and debris and
learning about the detriments of littering. Muscle and machinery will
be concentrating on the Sandy Beach area along the North Shore.
Trash pickers, bags, buckets, water, coffee, refreshments and
instructions will be provided. Bring gloves, shoes that won’t be
punctured walking on devilheads, waders for those willing to join the
kayakers out in the drink, and the expectation of a memorable time
helping your community. Those who have chainsaws, portable sawzalls,
loppers, nippers, etc., are encouraged to bring them.
Little Stony Point "2011 Maple Syrup Day"
Little Stony Point Citizen's Association will hosted its 22nd Annual
Maple Syrup Day on Sunday, March 20th at the
Caretaker's House on Route 9D just north of Cold Spring. ONce again this year's
event drew a record crowd, who reveled in fresh-off-the-griddle
pancakes, hot apple cider and delicious maple syrup. The event was free
and open to all, featuring live music with a backdrop of the beautiful
Hudson River. And as on any day, the park was open to anyone interested in a
quick hike around the perimeter or to the beach.
Kids of all ages will be given a demonstration of how sugar maple trees
are tapped and witness first hand the process involved in transforming
the watery liquid dripping out of the trees into the sticky sweet liquid
the native Americans called "sinzibuckwud" literally, "drawn from
wood." A large fire under the evaporator tray, where the water is
boiled off, leaves what we know as maple syrup.
A stand operated by the Hudson Valley Maple Farm, a program of NY State
Parks at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, will have bottles of
syrup available for those interested in taking the party home with them.
This group has taps throughout the Taconic Region State Parks,
including a number of trees in the woods across from Little Stony Point.
The pails appeared last week and have already provided enough sap to
fill the evaporator and more. The group will share their knowledge of
the history and methodology of maple syrup making.
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2010 "Hoot on the Hudson"
Sunday, September 12th, the Little Stony Point Citizens Association will host its annual Hoot on the Hudson, or simply, "the Hoot." Started 16 years ago, past Hoots have featured acts ranging from traditional solo performers to full bands, from classical guitarists to spoken word ranting to show tunes to surf guitars to fifty people on stage singing traditional American folk songs. A solar generator will once again be providing electricity for this off the grid show.
The festival runs from 1–6p.m. and admission is free for the whole family. Refreshments will be available or bring a picnic. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are recommended items to bring along for those making a day of it and the beach and hiking trails are often mixed in for a full day's fun.
The all volunteer Little Stony Point Citizens Association will be manning an information table offering history and maps of the park, signups for new members and email addresses, as well as accepting donations that are used to help keep this special portion of the Hudson Highlands State Park clean and inviting to the enormous flow of local residents and out of town hikers that use it each year. Little Stony Point is a state owned recreational resource operated through a cooperative management agreement between the Little Stony Point Citizens Association and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
2010 Little Stony Point Cleanup Day a Great Success!
Winter passed in a late season burst of activity, downing countless trees, which the ensuing high tides deposited on the Hudson shores and even further inland. Much of the flotsam and jetsom was trapped in the frozen ice until the final spring thaw.
Kicking off National Volunteer Week (April 18th - 24th) and in honor of Earth Day and its 40th anniversary, the Little Stony Point Citizens Association and friends once again joined in great numbers for the annual beach and park cleanup on Sunday, April 18th.
As customary, everyone met at the Caretaker's House beginning at 8 a.m. and operated in two hour shifts, leaving on the even hours (8, 10, noon, and 2). Bags, buckets, gloves and mechanical devices were provided, and water and refreshments were served all day. After the last shift, a musical get together was hosted in the caretaker's back yard to the great enjoyment of all who made this day the huge success that it was. If you can spare a couple hours, please plan to join us next year! It's
ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Caretaker's House
Little Stony Point
Little Stony Point Citizens Association hosted its 21st Annual Maple Syrup
Day on Sunday, March 7th from 10am to 1pm with a record crowd in attendance and perfect outdoor weather. There were pancakes, hot cider,
a tree tapping demonstration, fresh maple syrup made on the roaring fire
and lots of good cheer for everyone involved. Capping the day was live music in the morning by provided by The
Shoe String Band (an old time banjo, fiddle, guitar trio), the Cold Spring
Fire Company Pipes & Drums and special surprise guests all day. The event, which is always free to the public, raised more than $815 for the LSPCA, which uses all donations for the upkeep of the park and events.
More recap to follow.
ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The Little Stony Point Citizens Association (LSPCA)
held the 2009 Annual Organizational Meeting on
Sunday, November 15th from 3–6 p.m.
3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring.
Around 100 friends joined us for a fun a potluck with music and a bonfire! A short presentation of who we are and what we do, election of officers and new members sign-up took place.
Although
Little Stony Point is a state owned recreational resource, its upkeep is dependent on the work of volunteers (LSPCA), who operate through a cooperative management agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to keep the park clean and make needed improvements, such as weed abatement, grading trails, and trash pick-up. 100% of donations to the LSPCA are used directly for park and structural upkeep.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BECOME INVOLVED, CONTACT: Volunteers@LittleStonyPoint.org
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2009 Hoot Poster by
Phil Heffernan |
HOOT on the HUDSON 2009
Little Stony Point Citizens Association’s 15th Annual Hoot on the Hudson (always the Sunday after Labor Day )was the perfect place to spend a lazy late-Summer afternoon September 13th. Blue skies and a warm breeze let our guests relax in comfort as some of the region’s finest musicians regaled them with songs about the river, love, hope, peace and cows that go “Mooo” (to name a few).
It wouldn’t be a hootenany without the musicians and the LSPCA is grateful to all, including Freddie Martin, Raquel Vidal, Joe Mahon, Jake Harms, Jake Holmes, the Edukated Fleas (Greg & Wendy), Chris Ruhe and the Howland Wolves, John McGrath, Deb from Painted Betty, Jeff Entin, Nick Poholchuk, John Teagle, Al Hemberger, John Harms, Art Labriola and Tiki Daddy.
Music certainly filled the air from our stage and PA, which for the second year in a row was powered by the sun! Our friends at the Beacon Sloop Club once again graciously lent their solar powered 120VAC system, with designer/builder Sol Rudzinsky there to set it all up and answer questions. No more loud/dirty/unpredictable gas-powered generators! Thank you Sol and BSC.
We waited patiently for Pete Seeger to magically appear, as he has every year in the past, but a California wedding reportedly had him occupied. We’re hoping for next year, Pete! We also missed our late friend Vic Schwarz who passed away last year just before the 2008 Hoot. These two musicians, as well as founding the Sloop Clearwater, started the Hoot as an informal pot-luck on the beach back in 1990s.
Speaking of food, thanks goes out to Mike Casperi ("Coach Mike" to the kids) and all the good folks at NY State Parks and the Taconic Outdoor Education Center for running the concession stand and hangin’ with us. Great sandwiches, ice-cold drinks and snacks galore were the perfect complement to the occasion. All in all, a great way to end the Summer!
LITTLE STONY POINT TEE-SHIRTS AVAILABLE For the first time in years, the Little Stony Point Citizens Association is offering Ts for sale at the low, low price of $10. 100% cotton in all sizes. |
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2009 SPRING CLEAN UP DAY "WILDLY SUCCESSFUL"
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009
More than 50 volunteers kicked-off National Volunteer Week 2009 at the Little Stony Point Park Annual River Sweep.
Volunteer teams took off from the caretaker’s house at 8am, 10am, 12pm, and 2pm for two-hour clean-up sessions. Bags, gloves and trash spears were provided. Brownies and lemonade were on hand for the returning troops.
By 4 p.m., no trash was discernible anywhere along Sandy Beach or in the park. Those who returned to the caretaker’s house for the after cleanup jamboree enjoyed the beautiful weather, food and music. Call-out in no particular order to the following volunteers:
Nate Binzen, Paul Landsdale, Peter Giunta, Michael Enright, Dan Kramer, Peter Vargo, Pam Kasa, Larry Lyons, Patti Pelican, Michael Heintzman, Will Heintzman, Joe Foster, James Hartford, Amanda Allison, John Zuvick, Jackson Zuvick, Will Zuvick, Matt Donachie, Linda Donachie, Ethan Gallagher, Phil Heffernan, John Martin, Jack McIntyre, Jay Tarrant, Wendy Martin, Charlie Kenney, Eva Sharpe, Andrew Hall, Susan Peehl, Malachy Cleary, David Majzlin, Joe Murphy, Cindy Dreher, Joel Conybear, Arden Conybear, Russ Cusick, Seth Gallagher, Sarah Gurland, Raquel Vidal, Anne Impellizeri, Kyoko Haggerty, Frank Haggerty, Peter Henderson, Ivan Vamos, Rita Vamos, Afton Speigel, Karen Kapoor, John Allison, Amelia Allison, Rich Anderson, The Edukated Fleas (for entertainment) and our good friends at Cold Spring Pizza (for the delicious pizzas).
The day proved so popular, plans are underway to conduct monthlly sweeps of the park during the heavy litter summer months. To get involved, contact Volunteers@Littlestonypoint.org |
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2009 Maple Syrup Day Photos
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VIEW PETE SEEGER SINGING
HIS MAPLE SYRUP SONG
Visit the New York Times "Dot Earth" blog that local author, musician and dad Andy Revkin posted. It features a great video clip of Pete Seeger singing the Maple Syrup song.
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Do you have photos of the day or the park you'd like to share? If so, please contact Volunteers@LittleStonyPoint.org |
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ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY RECAP
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009
Little Stony Point Citizen’s Association hosted its 20th Annual Maple Syrup Day last Sunday to a record crowd, who reveled in fresh-off-the-griddle pancakes and hot apple cider. After what has seemed like a never ending winter, the snow finally melted by week’s end and the sun shone down warmly on a few hundred local residents, many in their shirt sleeves.
Kids of all ages were given a demonstration of how sugar maple trees are tapped and witnessed first hand the process involved in transforming the watery liquid dripping out of the trees into the sticky sweet liquid the native Americans called "sinzibuckwud" literally, “drawn from wood.” A large fire roared under the evaporator tray, where the water was boiled off, leaving what we know as maple syrup. The firewood used to feed the flames was reclaimed driftwood picked up along the Sandy Beach area of Little Stony Point.
A stand operated by the Hudson Valley Maple Farm, a program of NY State Parks at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, had bottles of syrup available for those interested in taking the party home with them. This group has taps throughout the Taconic Region State Parks, including a number of trees across from the caretaker’s house on Route 9D. The blue bags appeared in February and provided enough sap to fill the evaporator and more. The group was present to share their knowledge of the history and methodology of maple syrup making to all.
Music filled the air, as the Cold Spring Fire Company Pipes & Drums, under the direction of Seth Gallagher, marched in for a short set before heading to the Mahopac Parade later that afternoon. As the crowd was listening to Pete Seeger’s new Grammy-winning “Pete at 89” CD, the longtime friend of Little Stony Point walked up with his banjo and guitar to treat all to his “Maple Syrup Song”. Having made syrup at his house for generations, he knows firsthand what’s involved in the process and has put the wisdom to words in a pleasant ditty. He followed it up with a number of favorites as the crowd joined in. |
Little Stony Point is a state owned recreational resource operated through a cooperative management agreement between the Little Stony Point Citizens' Association and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BECOME INVOLVED, CONTACT: Volunteers@LittleStonyPoint.org
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