Knights clocks and…read morequilts The first library in Rhinebeck started back in 1862 and as the town grew, so did the library. The finally renovation was in 2005 when the existing structure was nearly doubled in size and thoroughly modernized. The library is interesting because of the art that decorates the walls and shelves. Some very cool sculptures of Viking type guys, complete with the traditional two handed axes, are hard to miss. They was also a display of strange masks while we were there and two lovely and old grandfather clocks and the ubiquitous library quilt. The library also has a nice local history and genealogy room and lots of programs and events for both adults and kids. Starr is a unique library that is not only functional but great fun to look at even without the books.

I think it's great when a library can grow with the community it supports. If you are familiar with…read more(or have read about, on their website) the history of this Rhinebeck library, you'll see they've had the opportunity to do that. I normally visit my library in Hyde Park, but they did not have 2 books I wanted to read. Thanks to the Mid-Hudson Library System (Love the Mid-Hudson Library System!), I found both were available at Starr, which was not inconvenient for me as I was going to be in the area that day anyway. The library has a great layout, a nice selection, and it was quite busy even on what you might consider a slow day. They were setting up for an evening community activity too, which shows more community involvement. Besides finding the books, I also browsed their magazine selection. It was smaller than the one for Hyde Park, but it was a nice complement, as it carried a number of magazines not in Hyde Park but which also interested me. I will probably have to visit both now regularly to get my magazine fill. The one very minor qualm I had was that for one of the books I wanted, the Mid-Hudson Library System database listed a Dewey Decimal value for a book with numbers to the right of the decimal point, and the actual book in this library did not include the numbers to the right of the decimal on its label and was sorted thus. That required maybe an extra minute to find the book. That's hardly an issue, though it may mean a little bit extra work for you or a library staff to find a book occasionally.

My New York State Government review may cause some anger to readers. Here's why I think it's Five…read moreStars. I've lived in Five States. I was born in New York and returned here twenty years ago. I've been in favor of most of the Governors in recent years. But my stars are in favor of my current governor who is the first woman governor of the state. She's also a mother. I don't claim to be knowledgeable about all the current laws and issues. I do know that what she says and is attempting to accomplish makes sense to me. This state has taken care of me in my senior years. The past few years I haven't paid any state taxes annually. In fact I get a check back for the school tax. The state government website for taxes is excellent. Don't get me wrong there's always room for improvement. I still think even with some of the archaic laws still on the books, it's the best operating State Government where I've resided. Review your State.....

I love this place. Great events for kids of all ages, friendly staff who work hard to make the…read morelimited resources stretch, and while the physical stacks are small due to it being a smaller location, you have the ability to request items to be sent from ALL OVER THE HUDSON VALLEY to this location for your convenience. If it wasn't available anywhere, I could suggest they purchase it - and while it doesn't happen overnight, those requests eventually are filled, and I can read to my hearts content. Did I mention the ebook & audiobook selections are quite comprehensive? Additionally, there is a great selection of books for purchase in the basement, well kept and neat. When my kid was younger, I could pick up copies of the popular books she wanted to read over & over for a fraction of the cost of new. A community garden, free wifi, loaner fishing rod kits, free passes for local attractions, it just keeps going on. Seriously, some of these negative reviews are a decade old. A lot has changed, and the staff are very dedicated to making our tax dollars stretch.

This is seriously the loudest library I've ever been to. No one that works here cares about the…read morelevel of talking noise by patrons OR themselves. They seriously sit there and talk all day in the office or at the front desk. It's disruptive and VERY annoying.

This library is absolutely beautiful. Fein the architecture to the art. There's so much to do and…read moretons of choices from any category. The children's floor is filled with so many adventures. We could easily spend hours in there. The staff is very helpful and any book can be shipped in from other libraries easily. love this olace!

Smells like someone died in the foyer. The. When you walk into the actual library it smells like a…read morechanging room with deceased babies. Not going in there anytime soon until they clear that filthy smell

6/26/26: Staatsburgh can give many of the Newport mansions a run for their money…read more On the drive up to the mansion, you'll see a beautiful sculpture of Diana the huntress. We made reservations online. Upon entry, you'll check in and pay at the gift shop in the rear of the estate. Lindsay was very helpful. Inside the gift shop, there's wonderful items for serving tea and historical books on area mansions. Our wonderful docent was Faith. She was so passionate and highly knowledgeable of all the estate decor and family history. Think Faith is one of the best docents ever! The tour group starts out in a very low-keyed way. During that time, you're learning about the history of the estate in a fun way. Out of nowhere, the Gilded Age Opulence appears. YOU'RE WOWED! Unfortunately, Staatsburgh doesn't receive the accolades like the other well known area mansions. If you're going to see one estate in the area, make it Staatsburgh!

The Staastsburgh Estate grounds are simply beautiful, expansive and extremely well maintained. The…read morelong canopied tree-lined paved driveway winds its way up to the mansion and down to and along the Hudson River. There is a smaller unpaved road that leads to the carriage house and around to several gardens and eventually up to the front entry way of the mansion. We didn't go inside as we had spent 40 minutes walking the grounds but plan to do so on a future visit.

Woodstock is an eclectic town in the Adirondacks. It's about 2 - 3 hours northeast of NYC…read moredepending, in my opinion, on the amount of time you have to sit in traffic on the George Washington Bridge. The drive itself (except for traffic on the GW) is very pleasant. Many people believe it was the site of the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. That was actually held in a field outside Bethel, NY, about an hour away. Despite my pleas my family wouldn't take me to the field because we would get back to the city too late. I've wanted for years to lay in the field with my eyes closed & feel the presence of the event that was a highlight of my generation. Of course at my age, I would need a strong hand to help me get back up again. Our visit was because my Grandson loved to swim in a stream that ran through a part of town. After seeing the incline down I chose to roam the town during his swim. The town, for someone of my generation, was not just charming. It appeared to be a place where old hippies went to live the remainder of their life around like minded people, Of course there were souvenirs stores that capitalized on its famous name. But there was so much more. Sitting on a bench watching a band playing in the town square, I chatted with people of my generation. It was pleasant and calming, a place where "Peace will guide the planets.....And love will steer the stars." When my family returned from their swim we ate at a cafe with 60's decor then headed back to the city without a detour to the field. Sigh.....

Mostly everyone, associate the 1969 concert that originally took place in Bethel, NY, with…read moreWoodstock, NY (the concert's namesake). But the "Free Loving", energy and music that occurred then- just extended here. Most people ask me, "what do you do up in Woodstock? Do you wear hippie clothes? Do you just roam around mindlessly? Do you sing in the Town's Square ?" No. No. And. No. Please fast forward to the newly rich Woodstock. It's more than Janis Joplin and tie-dyed t-shirts- please; (though I love every Janis song). I've seen the changes in the last 16 years; and the presence of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban (pre wedding) while Mr. Man and I had lunch at Landau Grill, just bumped Woodstock to a modern destination spot; attracting folks from the city- by the bus loads! Locally-owned shops, rightfully remain, with a more refined appearance. But it also holds that country vibe also. That's perfectly fine. Creativity in the form of paintings, sculptures, Art Galleries and film, flows everywhere you go. I've driven in for the day, spent a long weekend and have spent a week. Either or, you will not be at a loss- there's something for everyone up here. People are genuinely approachable. And that aura of Peace and Love that initially took place more than 40 decades ago- will never go away.

It's a nice park and historical site. They have several…read morepermanent BBQ grills picnic tables, water fountain. A group of us went for the fireworks, that were supposed to be from Saugerties, NY. We arrived midday; to see the re-enactments and enjoy the great weather. There was an ice cream truck and a food truck. They Always had a line. By the time dusk was approaching the crowds started to fill the great lawns facing the Hudson and the city of Saugerties. By 9:15 pm there were a few sporadic flares from the West Bank of the Hudson. By almost 10 pm it was pretty obvious there would not be a fireworks display that night. We've seen plenty of fireworks displays, so for us was NBD. Felt kind of bad for the young families whose kids were probably disappointed.

The word that came to mind most often, as I was strolling around the grounds, was "unspoiled."…read moreThey're probably a bit less fancy, more basic, than other mansion grounds, but they're very well maintained, with enough signs to be informative. The gardens were nice and also well maintained, but not fancy - some signs as to the varieties of flowers and plants would be nice. There's several places to the south of the house offering scenic views of the Hudson River, and the Catskills beyond that. Mansion tours were going on while I was there. A sign at the entrance says that paid parking for 2020 began on 6/6, where you pay the fee of $5 at one of the machines at either end of the parking lot. Unfortunately, it's not $5, it's $6 now. Rest rooms are available behind the parking lot, and there's a fairly large area behind it and to the south for sitting, picnics, and light recreation (e.g., folks were throwing frisbees). Dogs are permitted on a leash. Even on a nice day on a weekend, there's plenty of space for everyone. Though I imagine this is a very popular site to visit during fall foliage season.

Beautiful old mine where slate was taken for the base of the Statue of Liberty. It's nice and cool…read moreinside on a hot day. And there's one bathroom down near the parking lot. Probably a fun place to take kids.