Bicycle enthusiasts across the Northeast are gearing up in preparation for the 13th Annual Tour de Putnam Cycling Festival, the race designed by cyclists for cyclists. Kickstands go up at 8 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Gipsy Trail Road in Kent, NY on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010.

In the Tour de Putnam, cyclists have the opportunity to choose a route length to suit their own riding ability. Clearly marked and color coded 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100 mile routes take riders through breathtaking Putnam County countryside whose scenic roads weave and wind and are bordered by history itself. Mountain bikers will have their own woodland loop awaiting them as well. 

The SAG supported event will open for registration at 7:30 with staggered starting times beginning at 8. Pre-registration is $25; same day registration is $30. For an on-line registration form visit: http://www.visitputnam.org/. Registration includes a t-shirt, picnic lunch and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

Ride Info:
- Full SAG support
- Clearly marked, color coded routes
- Easy to follow cue sheets
- Bike mechanics courtesy of Bikeway (845) 621-2800
- Route sweeps
- Medical support
- Complimentary massages
- Access from the Southeast Station, on Metro-North’s “Harlem Line”
call 1-800-METRO-INFO
- Free Shuttle service from the Southeast Station with (reservations only),
call 800-470-4854 or 845-225-0381

Times
Check in and same day registration 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Food and water stations are open from 8:30 – 3:00 pm

Ride Start time
- 100 miles, 8 to 9 am
- 75 miles,  8 to 9 am
- 50 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 30 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 15 miles,  9:00 to 10:00 am

- Mountain Bike loops   9:30 am

Fees
Pre-registration $25.00
Same day registration $30.00

Registration includes t-shirt, picnic lunch, and Dixieland band. No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.

Free shuttle service from the Southeast Metro-North Train Station will be available but entrants are reminded to make reservations for the shuttle by calling: (800) 470-4854 or (845) 225-0381.

So strap the bikes onto the car or load them onto a Metro-North train but don’t miss a fabulous ride through Putnam County – where the country begins.

Resource: Marty Collins, The Putnam County Times;  http://www.visitputnam.org/

Photo credit: Tony Mazzariello

Music at China Pond will take place at the Sedgewood Boathouse (1026 Barrett Circle West) in Western Kent on July 2, 2010 from 8pm to 10pm. The performance is supported by the Friends of Classical Music at Arts on the Lake.The String Trio of Arturo Delmoni (violin), Susan Pray (viola) and Peter Sanders (cello) from the New York City Ballet Orchestra at Lincoln Center will play a program of baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century music – Bach, Mozart, Piston, Dohnanyi and Beethoven.

About the Event:

Arturo Delmoni, violin, is one of the most celebrated artists of his generation. His remarkably distinctive playing embodies the romantic warmth that is the special province of the great virtuosi of the golden age of violin playing. Yo-Yo Ma describes Delmoni as ‘an enormously gifted musician and an impeccable violinist. His playing style is unique, and his gorgeous sound is reminiscent of that of great violinists from a bygone era.’ Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster of the NY Philharmonic, says, ‘Delmoni’s playing always goes right to the heart, and his charisma is irresistible.’ Delmoni’s stylish, elegant interpretations of classical masterpieces have earned him critical acclaim in the United States and abroad. Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe wrote ‘It’s hard to imagine how the violin could be much better played than Delmoni did — he plays with astonishing speed, lightness, fluency and sweetness of tone.’

Alan Heatherington of the American Record Guide wrote ‘The growing discography of Arturo Delmoni testifies to a musician who must possess an artistic soul of exceptional beauty. Each new issue reveals additional aspects of a winsome musical personality and verifies an impression of great warmth and geniality.’ Delmoni made his debut at Carnegie Hall at age 14 playing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Little Orchestra Society under Thomas Scherman. Since then he has been a soloist with the St. Louis, Dallas, Spokane, Jupiter, El Paso, Glendale and Tucson Symphony Orchestras; the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston; the California Chamber Symphony; the New York City Ballet Orchestra; the Rhode Island, Brooklyn, Boston, Omaha and Kansas City Philharmonics; and the Boston Pops. He has appeared as a recitalist throughout the United States and in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Hong Kong.

As a chamber musician, Delmoni has performed with illustrious colleagues such as Pinchas Zukerman, Elmar Oliveira, Emanuel Ax, Nathaniel Rosen, Jon Kimura Parker, Jeffrey Kahane and Dudley Moore. Songs My Mother Taught Me, Delmoni’s recording of romantic miniatures, received extraordinary reviews from prominent critics. Audiophiles and audio critics generally regard his recording of unaccompanied violin music of Ysaÿe, Kreisler and Bach as a reference for the sound of a solo violin. Delmoni’s duo recital recording with cellist Nathaniel Rosen, entitled ‘Music for a Glass Bead Game’ was nominated for an AFIM Indie Award, received a Golden Ear award, and was on Fanfare’s ‘Best of the Year’ list. Arturo Delmoni plays a JB Guadagnini, 1780, and a viola from the same period.

Susan Pray, viola, graduated from the Juilliard School of Music and was a recipient of the Walter Naumberg and G. Schirmer Awards. She has been a member of the Aspen String Quartet, assistant principal of the NYC Opera, solo violist with the Vivaldi Traveling Virtuosi, and principal violist of Musica Sacre. For fun, Ms. Pray toured with Frank Sinatra’s Band the five years before his retirement. She is currently associate principal of the NYC Ballet Orchestra and active in the recording studios playing film scores, jingles, and solo albums. Ms. Pray was the first female violist nominated for ‘Most Valuable Player: by the National Association for Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS-1985).

Peter Sanders, cello, is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Sanders is a member of the New York City Ballet Orchestra (for which he has served as Acting Principal), principal cello for the New Philharmonic of New Jersey and performs with the Riverside Symphony, the Stamford Symphony and has performed and recorded as a guest artist with the Perspectives Ensemble. He has toured Southeast Asia twice with the New York Symphonic Ensemble and as concerto soloist with the group performed in concerts in Taipei and Singapore. He is Artistic Director of the Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival (cvcmf.org), which had its inaugural season in 1993. Mr. Sanders was a winner of the 1998 Artists International award as a member of the Hollaender Ensemble and is currently a member of the Ariadne Trio. He has participated in many summer festivals including the Colorado Music Festival, Skaneateles Festival, Crested Butte Chamber Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival (faculty position), CVCMF, Lancaster Festival, Ohio (where he was principal cello from 1992-98), Windham Chamber Music Festival, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Park City & SLC Autumn Classics Music Festival and this past September with the Moab Music Festival. As a studio musician Mr. Sanders has recorded for a variety of popular artists including Pat Metheny, Jewel, Kathie Lee Gifford and Andy Bey. He can be heard on the Delos, Muse, Bridge, RCA Victor-Red Seal, New World, On the Lamb labels and the recently released CD of chamber music by John David Earnest on the Koch label.

The Kent Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) will be launching its springtime activities with a  hike to Hawk Rock and  the Mead Farm ruins  in Kent, New York. Mark your calendar for Sunday May 2 at 10:30 AM. Everyone should meet at the DEP parking area at the end of Whangtown Road. If you’re not sure where it is, you can use this map to get driving directions to the parking area and preview the hike.

This is a moderate hike that takes about three hours round trip including stops for lunch and a look around the farm site. If weather forces the Kent CAC to cancel the hike, they will post it on their website. Subscribers will be sent a notice via e-mail.

Dave Ehnebuske, of the Kent CAC wants us to know that if you haven’t been to Hawk Rock, you are in for a treat.  When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age, they were carrying some really big rocks that sometimes ended up in odd positions when the ice melted.

One of these so called “erratics” is Hawk Rock. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans named it and used the site as a meeting place. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

I had the privilege of hiking to Hawk Rock last summer with a wonderful group led by Walt Thompson, Program Manager of Keep Putnam Beautiful. See pictures below.   Another treat you will discover during your hike are a few mysterious stone chambers.  Please help Keep Putnam  Beautiful and don’t leave your garbage in the woods or in these beautiful stone chambers.

It is important to note that Hawk Rock is on protected land by NYS DEP.  Hikers MUST have a DEP Access Permit in order to hike to Hawk Rock.  Hank Rock, like many New York City Water Supply reservoirs and lands, are open to the public for low-impact recreational activities when compatible with Water Supply protection.  Click here for a list of
Recreation Areas and Use Designations (PDF)

Access Permit applications may also be submitted via the Internet for those 18 years of age and older. Approved online applicants can print their Access Permits immediately and avoid mailing delays.  Click Here for the link to the application.

The Mead Farm, like the rest of this hike, is on land that was originally part of the hunting grounds for the Nochpeem tribe of Native Americans, a part of the Wappinger Confederacy. After passing through various people’s hands, sometime in the 1860s Moses F. Mead purchased the eastern part of the farm where the ruins are today. The site includes a number of interesting features, including the foundations of the house, the stone portions of a cow barn and a beautiful corbelled stone chamber.

For further information contact Dave Ehnebuske of the Kent CAC

On Sunday, April 25, 2010, bring the family and enjoy celebrating Loyalty Day with the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, Town of Kent.

The event takes place rain or shine from 10:00am to 5:00pm.  Free admission and free parking.  The park has a large playground and fishing is available for the kids.  There will be games for children and adults as well as marching bands, food and refreshments. 

This is really a fun day for the entire family.  Veteran’s Memorial Park is a beautiful place that also features basketball courts, beach volleyball, BBQ areas, hiking trails, and swimming in the summer.

Check out images from last year’s Loyalty Day.

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Learn How to Fish!

Saturday, June 5, 2010
10 am – 3 pm

Rain or Shine

Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, New York.

FREE to the first 100 Youth ages 8 – 14.  All participants will receive a: FREE Rod, Reel, Tackle Kit, 2010 Fishing Directory & a Hat.

Co sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County and the Oasis Sporstmen’s Club with support from the Jack Stewoart Jr. Memorial Fund.

Limit is 100 participants – so sign up today

For more info, click here

The Kent Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) will be launching its springtime activities with a  hike to Hawk Rock and  the Mead Farm ruins  in Kent, New York. Mark your calendar for Sunday May 2 at 10:30 AM. Everyone should meet at the DEP parking area at the end of Whangtown Road. If you’re not sure where it is, you can use this map to get driving directions to the parking area and preview the hike.

This is a moderate hike that takes about three hours round trip including stops for lunch and a look around the farm site. If weather forces the Kent CAC to cancel the hike, they will post it on their website. Subscribers will be sent a notice via e-mail.

Dave Ehnebuske, of the Kent CAC wants us to know that if you haven’t been to Hawk Rock, we are in for a treat.  When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age, they were carrying some really big rocks that sometimes ended up in odd positions when the ice melted.

One of these so called “erratics” is Hawk Rock. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans named it and used the site as a meeting place. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock. 

I had the privilege of hiking to Hawk Rock last summer with a wonderful group led by Walt Thompson, Program Manager of Keep Putnam Beautiful. See pictures below.   Another treat you will discover during your hike are a few mysterious stone chambers.  Please help Keep Putnam  Beautiful and don’t leave your garbage in the woods or in these beautiful stone chambers.

It is important to note that Hawk Rock is on protected land by NYS DEP.  Hikers MUST have a DEP Access Permit in order to hike to Hawk Rock.  Hank Rock, like many New York City Water Supply reservoirs and lands, are open to the public for low-impact recreational activities when compatible with Water Supply protection.  Click here for a list of 
Recreation Areas and Use Designations (PDF)

 Access Permit applications may also be submitted via the Internet for those 18 years of age and older. Approved online applicants can print their Access Permits immediately and avoid mailing delays.  Click Here for the link to the application. 

The Mead Farm, like the rest of this hike, is on land that was originally part of the hunting grounds for the Nochpeem tribe of Native Americans, a part of the Wappinger Confederacy. After passing through various people’s hands, sometime in the 1860s Moses F. Mead purchased the eastern part of the farm where the ruins are today. The site includes a number of interesting features, including the foundations of the house, the stone portions of a cow barn and a beautiful corbelled stone chamber.

For further information contact Dave Ehnebuske of the Kent CAC

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On Sunday, September 28th the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee invites you to join them in their annual celebration of the restoration  of the Mt. Nimham Fire Tower.  The event will feature the Nimham Drummers, various bands, musicians, a storyteller, and refreshments. The Event is FREE, but donations are welcomed and appreciated.  All funds go to help with the Fire Tower’s maintenance.

Park at NYDEC Mt. Nimham Headquarters Lot on Gipsy Trail Road. Do not drive to the tower.
Shuttle available from 12:30 PM.
Program starts at 2:00 PM
People needing assistance will be shuttled directly to the tower

According to the Town of Kent’s website, “The Firetower on top of Kent’s Mount Nimham, itself more than 1200 feet high, stands 90′ above the mountain top making it the tallest existing fire tower in New York State. While Mount Nimham is not the tallest peak in our County (that honor goes to Bull Hill, sometimes known as Mount Taurus, in Phillipstown) the view from the tower is all-encompassing, taking in NYC to the south through to the Berkshires and the Catskills 75 miles away. The Great fires in the early 1900s destroyed millions of acres of forest in New York, leading to the creation of state fire districts. Fire Towers were erected on mountains in these districts from which spotters could quickly locate potentially dangerous fires sparked by railroad locomotives, careless hunters or residents burning brush.

Located in the Taconic Hills about 60 miles north of New York City and in the heart of Putnam County, Mount Nimham Fire Tower was built by the State of New York and the CCC in 1940. The tower is listed with the National Historic Lookout Register.  Now that the restoration efforts are complete, the tower once again offers majestic views of the area.

On a clear day you can see south to New York City, west to the Catskills and north to the Taconics and Berkshire foothills. Also visible in this scenic panorama are Poughkeepsie, Beacon, the entire Croton watershed, all of Putnam County and parts of Connecticut. In the distance to the west, the Shawangunks, Marlboro Hills and Harriman State Park form a virtually unbroken line of impressive heights and preserved recreational open spaces.”

George Baum, Chairman of the Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Town of Kent, NY posted an article regarding the restoration of the Fire Tower on Mt. Nimham.  He describes how it all got started, “We are an appointed volunteer committee to advise the Town Board on conservation issues and to conduct various conservation projects. The tower is now open to the public. DEC gave the Town of Kent CAC stewardship for the tower restoration. After a five year effort, we have replaced the 102 wood steps with steel, reinforced the floor of the cabin at the top, and painted the 90 foot tower. We spent over $30,000 on this effort. Each step bares the name of a donor to the project. The Kent CAC continues to maintain the tower and upgrade the space around the tower. We are also marking some of the alternate trails through the woods to the tower.”