Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Winds in the Wilderness Music Fulfilled High Expectations

Dear Friends,


A Press review of our last concert opened with, “The first concert in the second season of the Winds in the Wilderness music program fulfilled the high expectations enthusiastic audiences have for this group of superb musicians.”

Get excited! We have another wonderful concert coming soon.

On February 20th The Oblong Wind Quintet will play a lively selection of music for flute oboe, clarinet, bassoon and french horn, including: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart; Oblivion by Piazzola; Trois Pieces Breve by Ibert; Quintett by Klughardt and Maple Leaf Rag, Scott Joplin.

When I first joined the Oblong Wind Quintet, having not played in an all-wind group for a while, I was charmed and re-invigorated by the luscious sound. ‘The only thing better than a life devoted to playing a wind instrument is five lives devoted to playing a wind instrument!’ I said to myself after our first rehearsal. There was so much exuberance, warmth and glow projected by this instrumental combination. Winds in the Wilderness Concerts had just formed, performing in a church that has exquisite acoustics, especially for wind instruments. The rest is history. Alternating with our winds and strings ensemble, The Oblong Wind Quintet is now appearing at Church of St. John in the Wilderness for the third time.

We hope that you can join us. This program will be appreciated by people young and old and of all musical tastes.

The concert starts at 3:00PM. Church of St John in the Wilderness is located at 261 Route 344 in Copake Falls, NY. There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door, children free. A reception follows the concert.

I hope to see you there.
Sharon Powers
Artistic Director and Flutist

Monday, January 31, 2011

Letter from the Wife of a Retired Highway Department Truck Driver

Bob,
I was thrilled when I read the article about loving your job and thanking our Highway Departments!

I am the wife of a retired highway department truck driver and I can vouch for his dedication to his job and community for thirty-eight years, however in essence it would equate to fifty-eight years if you added up all the overtime during his years of service - yes, years of service to you, the taxpayer.

Contrary to what the average citizen thinks, the highway guys and gals work very hard...especially during the winter months.

Most have missed time away from their family life, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, family gatherings...you name it! There were many Christmases when my husband got home just in time to see the kids open their presents and then collapse into bed after working thirty-two hours straight so other families would be safe to drive to Grandma & Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner. While most people were snug in their beds he and countless others were awake all night plowing, sanding and salting the roads over and over or running heavy equipment to haul snow away. Right about now you are thinking yes, but that is the job they chose - you're right but remember these guys and gals chose to be public servants caring not only for their neighbors safety but anyone driving through their district. I might add that a great majority are also volunteer fire fighters giving their time to the community...seems to go hand and hand.

Most "Mr & Mrs Joe Public" can't relate to that when they are getting ready to go to work and get to the end of their driveway - expecting the roads to be clear - only to find it has been plowed in...cursing the idiot highway plowers. Oh how I wish each and every taxpayer could walk - actually drive - a mile in their shoes in order to comprehend the skill it takes to operate a huge truck and snowplow in the ice, snow and let's not forget the crazy traffic - as well, remember the stamina it takes to sit in one spot and drive for countless hours going over and over the same roads.

So yes please, thank a highway guy or gal...give them a thumbs up or a meaningful wave next time you see them going by because it will make their day knowing at least one person realizes what they do to keep everyone safe on the roads. Maybe even think of them out in their big trucks on a snowy evening as you climb under your down comforter with your book in hand getting ready to go to sleep...blue collar guys and gals like them are the backbone of our communities and rarely get the thanks they deserve.

Lesley Mullaney

He is Doing a Super Job and Certainly Gets my Thanks

He is Doing a Super Job and Certainly Gets my Thanks


I totally agree about Bill Gregory,
I teach at a school in Amenia which has boarding students so we always have classes and I have been able to get out to 22 without a problem from up here in Craryville. He is doing a super job and certainly gets my thanks.

Ann Brown

“Talking about Copake in NYC…”?

“Talking about Copake in NYC…”?


“Talking about Copake in NYC…”? I hope you know there are some of us who work in NYC and eagerly await each Thursday morning, when we can revel in the chronicle of the community we love. Just as we eagerly await weekends and/or whatever other time off from our City jobs, when we can be in the community we love. Many thanks for your service.

Will Maitland Weiss

The "Swearing In" Ceremony for our Newly Elected and Re-elected Officials.


Letter writter Terry Sullivan
and Chris Gibson
 Last Saturday night I was privileged to attend the "swearing in" ceremony for our newly elected and re-elected officials. I was thrilled to be part of this ceremony, having been involved in the recent campaign as Copake Town Captain for Chris Gibson. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people in Copake and Columbia County. We are so lucky to have such excellent representation in government. I truly believe that Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, Senator Steve Saland, and Congressman Chris Gibson are in touch with their constituents. Assemblyman Molinaro and his wife Christy Cocker, a nurse, have 2 young children and,as many of you know, have a daughter who is autistic. Both Senator Saland (who is on the Education Committee) and Assemblyman Molinaro have done excellent work in NYS to help children with special needs.



Letter Writter Terry Sullivan
and Marc Molinaro
 In 2009 I was elected to represent NY State on the Advisory Council to the American Speech and Hearing Association for 2010-2012. Winning this election has sparked my recent interest in politics. Meeting with Scott Murphy, Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer (well, actually their legislative aides) last year on Capitol Hill was both exciting and enlightening. DC was buzzing with anticipation of the Healthcare vote scheduled to take place that weekend. It was an amazing experience.

I am now preparing for my upcoming visit this March. Now familiar with the process, and our new Congressman, I feel more confident. Having been involved in the rehabilitation field for over 30 years, I am anxious to discuss therapy and reimbursement rates for speech pathology and audiology services, especially in lieu of the tragic shooting of Congresswoman Giffords. Congressman Gibson, with over 24 years in the military, has seen his share of head trauma and injuries. His wife, Mary Jo is a Social Worker. They are an amazing family and will work hard to help the people of the 20th congressional district.

I hope that the people of Copake join with me in support of a new era in politics where we work together in a bi-partisan fashion for the total good.

Terry Sullivan, Au.D., CCC-SLP/A

Sunday, January 30, 2011

I Urge the Readers to Contact Senator Saland about The Grand Jury System

The serial arsons that hit the Copake area started about 1980 and continued on well into the 1990’s. Of the resulting damages none have suffered more than my family. It wasn’t the fires, but the misuse of the Grand Jury that caused the most damage.. My son was indicted by a grand jury on 13 counts of arson. When it came time for a trial there was no usable evidence and the charges were dropped before trial. My son was never cleared. There was a cove-up and no damages were paid nor do I expect damages to be paid. It is because of that misuse of the grand jury that I hope to replace it with a hearing before a judge. The Sheriff claimed he had a confession. He should have been forced to prove it before he arrested my son.


The grand jury has been around since 1166 when King Henry II used it to consolidate his power. Britain did away with the Grand Jury in 1933 because of misuse. All other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia have done away with it too. The only country that has the Grand Jury is the United States. Because of a ruling of the Supreme Court it is not required in State Courts. About one half of the states have replaced it with a hearing before a judge

I petitioned Senator Steven M. Saland and my Assemblyman to hold hearing on replacing the Grand Jury in New York. I would urge the readers to contact Senator Saland and their Assemblyman and urge them to grant hearings on replacing the Grand Jury.. Lawyers should no longer be able to brag; “I can indict a ham sandwich with the Grand Jury.” A judge in open court should make that decision.

Grant Dinehart Langdon