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Countdown of Top 5 Stories of 2023: Number 1
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Ravena News-Herald is counting down the top 5 local stories of 2023. We looked at the top stories of the year, those that drew the highest number of readers to our website and Facebook page, or that had the greatest impact on our community and its residents. Here is the Number 1 story for the year, one that will never be repeated again.
Coeymans marks 350 years of history and heritage
COEYMANS — The town turned out in huge numbers this weekend to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Coeymans, culminating in a parade from the village to Coeymans Landing on Saturday afternoon.
After opening ceremonies at the Landing, it was time for Coeymans to party.
The parade stepped off at 1 p.m. beginning in the vicinity of the railroad overpass and Magnolia Circle, where four divisions of drum lines, marching bands, fire departments, local businesses and community groups waited to step off.
The parade was led by six grand marshals, all of whom also took part in the town’s big tricentennial festivities 50 years ago, back in 1973.
Deputy Town Supervisor Brandon LeFevre, who co-chaired the 350th Anniversary Committee with Town Councilwoman Marisa Tutay, said the grand marshals represented all corners of Coeymans, from the village of Ravena to Coeymans Hollow and Alcove.
“All of these fine people have been lifelong residents of different enclaves of the town,” LeFevre said.
The grand marshals were Nancy Bruno, Paul Caswell, Eugene Datri, Blondie Neri, Ismay Payne and Nancy Travis.
Students from the music department at the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District performed the national anthem at the start of the ceremony at the Landing, under the direction of Michelle McLoughlin, RCS High School Choral Director and K-12 Art and Music Curriculum Content Specialist.
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-20, presented the town council with a proclamation from the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.
“Today is a celebration of community, a celebration of history and heritage and preservation,” Tonko said. “This is the place we call home, or the place we visit as a destination.”
The day was a celebration in honor of the granting of the Coeymans Patent on April 7, 1673, by Gov. Francis Lovelace, and the pride of place continues to this day, Tonko said.
“It is a great rich history of a community of people that have continued along that pattern of Dutch history that was your beginning and has now developed into a diverse area of activity,” Tonko said.
Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-102, and state Sen. Neil Breslin, D-46, were unable to attend the ceremony but provided the town with proclamations honoring the historic day.
Deputy Albany County Executive Dan Lynch presented a proclamation from the county on behalf of Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, who was also unable to attend.
Town Supervisor George McHugh said town residents live in several communities, from Coeymans to Ravena to Alcove, Coeymans Hollow and New Baltimore, but they are all residents of Coeymans.
“Regardless of where we receive our mail, we are all town of Coeymans residents and we should keep that in mind not just on days like today, but every day,” McHugh said. “We should put aside all high school rivalries and petty differences and remember that we all call Coeymans home. We have much to be proud of as Coeymans residents — Coeymans has endured 103 years longer than our country and our history is deep in tradition, honor, sacrifice and pride.”
Tutay thanked the sponsors of the anniversary festivities and the committee that organized all of the celebratory events.
Tutay and LeFevre co-chaired the committee, which also consisted of Joseph Boehlke, Kelly Castle, Heather Collins, Mark Deyo, Michelle Kapusta, Patti LeFevre, Barb Lisa, Town Clerk Candace McHugh, Rosemary McHugh, Marlene McTigue, Carol McDonald, Steve and Tracy Douglas, Ginny Pearson, Joan Radley and Karen Waddingham.
“They did a tremendous job in helping keep this organized and we are so very grateful to them,” Tutay said.
After the opening ceremony, there were performances by Sugar Skull and The Refrigerators, and an array of vendors were set up throughout the park. The Albany County Sheriff’s Department provided a rock wall for kids to climb and Carver Companies sponsored the carnival rides, fireworks tugboat and a shuttle that ferried people to and from the parking lot at the elementary school and the Landing where the celebration took place.
A fireworks show concluded the day’s festivities at nightfall.
Happy 350th anniversary, Coeymans!
Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit region’s fire towers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Mid-Hudson Region.
“The annual Fire Tower Challenge is a great way to keep the history and traditions of our Catskills fire towers alive for future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” Seggossaid. “The Fire Tower Challenge provides opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to reach the unique viewing experience of the spectacular Catskill Mountains while making everlasting memories with family and friends. I encourage anyone that has participated in years past, or those looking to try the tower hikes for the first time, and take the 2023 challenge.”
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York state — including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserve — from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires.
The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower allows visitors who may not otherwise be able to undertake the challenging hike of several miles to experience a fire tower on the high peaks in the Catskills.
Stewardship of the fire towers is a partnership with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. The Catskill Center, through the Catskill Fire Tower Project, manages six fire towers in the Catskill Park for public access and interpretation under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with DEC. Dedicated volunteers help maintain and staff each of the fire towers on weekends and holidays throughout the summer and fall seasons.
For more information about the Catskills and to experience the newest and easiest to reach fire tower in the region, the Upper Esopus Fire Tower, consider a visit to the Catskills Visitor Center on Route 28 in the heart of the Catskill Park.
To participate in the challenge, hikers must hike to all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2023. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo or selfie via a web form or to the designated email inbox: CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2024.
All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2023 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Upon completion, finishers will also be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win prizes after the challenge period is closed.
To promote responsible recreation, DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves practicing Leave No Trace while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail).
New for 2023, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge,” said Executive Director of the Catskill Center Jeff Senterman. “The challenge is a great way to introduce new visitors to the Catskill Park. By bringing visitors to the fire towers, we are directing them to durable trails, amazing views, and the opportunity to interact with our fire tower stewards to get information about the Park, history, and much more. We love that having the Upper Esopus Fire Tower, included as part of the Challenge, brings more people to the Catskills Visitor Center where they can learn about the Park, get information on how to recreate responsibly while they visit, and learn more about the communities of the Catskills that they can visit before and after their hikes.”
The 2022 challenge, which continues through the end of the year, has drawn more than 800 finishers to-date. Entries have been received from every region of New York, 12 other states, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
With DEC giving participants a full year to complete the challenge, hikers can take their time. Hikers are reminded to practice Leave No Trace principles and to Love Our NY Lands by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.
For more information about the fire towers and challenge rules, visit DEC’s website at dec.ny.gov.