SUNY New Paltz has appointed Cheryl B. Torsney, most recently the Vice President and Dean of the College at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at New Paltz, effective July 15. Torsney will serve as Interim Provost for the 2011-12 academic year, while the College conducts a national search for a new Provost.
In this role, she will serve as the College’s chief academic officer in addition to being a member of the President’s executive management team. Reporting directly to the President in her dual role as Provost/Vice President, she is responsible for the five instructional divisions, The Graduate School, the Sojourner Truth Library, Academic Advising, Center for International Programs, Sponsored Programs, the Honors Program, and the Center for Teaching and Learning. In addition, she will oversee the academic affairs budget, and work with faculty, governance groups, and other administrators to develop academic policies and standards.
As Interim Provost, Torsney will be the chief personnel officer for academic employees, including responsibility for hiring and evaluating faculty and also ensuring together with the faculty that the New Paltz curriculum is relevant, timely and adequately supported. There are 325 full-time faculty and 325 part-time faculty at New Paltz.
“Dr. Torsney has an ideal background, administrative experience, and capability to lead the academic mission of New Paltz during this important transitional period, said President Donald Christian. I am pleased that she has agreed to join us for the coming year.”
Said Torsney: “I’m impressed by the activity and energy at the College and am excited to be partnering with President Donald Christian and the entire SUNY New Paltz community. As a life-long liberal arts advocate, I welcome the opportunity to help the College achieve the goals the President has set for the institution. My husband, Eric Hansmann, and I also look forward to exploring Ulster County and learning more about the long history of the College.”
Torsney succeeds Dr. Laurel Garrick Duhaney, who served as Interim Provost during the 2010-11 academic year, after Chancellor Nancy Zimpher appointed then Provost Donald P. Christian to serve as Interim President beginning July 2010. Garrick Duhaney is returning to her position as Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School.
Town of New Paltz to remove several street lights
The New Paltz Town Board has voted to remove several street lights within the town. According to town supervisor Toni Hokanson, “the purpose for removal is to reduce the cost of lighting in the annual budget, reduce the town’s carbon footprint and reduce light pollution.”
The lights selected for removal are: Apple Street near cul de sac; Apple Street between Pear and Plum; Bruce Avenue at cul de sac (actually on Howard); Cherry Hill between Plum and Pear; English Lane between Cicero and Holland Lane; Holland Lane at cul de sac Brouck Ferris near cul de sac; Brouck Ferris near Grace Avenue; South Ohioville and Brouck Ferris; North Ohioville in hamlet, first light past intersection with old 299; North Ohioville, in hamlet, second light past intersection with old 299; North Ohioville, in hamlet, third light past intersection with old 299; North Ohioville, in hamlet, fourth light past intersection with old 299; Old Mill Road, approximately 100 feet from Henry W. Dubois Drive; Old Mill Road at Waring; Prospect Street between Henry W. Dubois Drive and Millbrook Terrace, near 65 Prospect; Millbrook Terrace near cul de sac; Mountain Rest Road at Springtown; Plutarch Road near Black Creek Road; Plutarch Road and Amato; Krisnan Place and 32 South; Pine Crest at cul de sac near Henry W. Dubois Drive; Route 208 near Watch Hill Road, between 195 Route 208 and Watch Hill; Mountain View Road East side, pole 18 feet from road in front of 6 Mountain View; North Putt Corners, south of Shivertown intersection; Route 32 and Clearwater.
Flow testing
On July 18 and 19, SUNY Paltz will be flow testing the fire hydrants throughout campus as required by the New York State Code. As a result of this flow testing, water may become discolored. Area residents should allow their water to run clear during this time period. Any questions can be forwarded to Scott Schulte at 257-3310.
New Paltz Republicans looking for candidates
The New Paltz Republican Party is still accepting resumés from candidates interested in running for the position of town justice, highway superintendant, town board, town clerk or supervisor in the November election. Campaign assistance will be available for newcomers to the campaign trail. If interested, please e-mail butchdener@aol.com or call 527-4100. Interviews will be held on July 11 at Paul’s Kitchen starting at 7 p.m.
No cash accepted at the Recycling Center
The Town of New Paltz Recycling Center will no longer accept cash, effective Aug. 1. Residents are welcome to pay by check, credit card or debit card. The Recycling Center is located at 3 Clearwater Road. A $20 annual permit (non-residents fee is higher) is required to use the recycling center. The Recycling Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gardiner Democratic Caucus on July 8
The Gardiner Democratic Caucus will take place this Friday, July 8, 7 p.m., in the Gardiner Town Hall. Nominations for the positions of town supervisor, two town board seats, town judge and highway department supervisor will be accepted. Only registered Democrats residing in Gardiner may vote. The Gardiner Democratic Committee has endorsed Carl Zatz for supervisor, Warren Wiegand and Mike Reynolds for town board and judge Bruce Blatchly for town judge.
Learn about wetlands
The Town of New Paltz will be “premiering” a film on the value of wetlands on July 18, 7 p.m., at Town Hall. This film was created in New Paltz with funds from the wetlands protection education fund by Woodland Pond. The showing is part of the Town Board’s efforts to educate the community on the draft local law to protect wetlands and water courses. Copies of the draft local are available at the office of the Town Clerk, 1 Veterans Dr, or at www.townofnewpaltz.org.
African-American scholar to speak about emancipation celebrations
Thinking back to elementary school days, many probably remember that the southern states were slave-holding states and that northern states such as New York were free. This is, in fact, not true.
2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, an appropriate time to shed light on the greater truth of slavery in New York. In a talk entitled Celebrating Freedom, anthropologist Sherrill D. Willson, Ph.D., will discuss the events surrounding July 4, 1827, a date that was the legal and official beginning of the emancipation of African enslaved people in New York. The talk, which will be presented this Saturday, July 9 at 7 p.m., is sponsored by Historic Huguenot Street with the assistance of the Speakers in the Humanities program of the New York Council on the Humanities.
The Dutch brought the first African slaves to what is now New York in 1625. Slaves were instrumental to the success of Hudson Valley’s agrarian economy. Primary sources indicate that the founders of New Paltz owned slaves from the earliest days settlement. The “peculiar institution” of slavery was part of New Paltz for over 150 years.
Though slavery ended for most in 1827, some did not gain full freedom until nearly 20 years later. Dr. Wilson will explore this and other little-known facts, focusing on the celebrations that were part of New York’s African-American community from 1827 through the end of the Civil War.
Dr. Wilson is also the author of New York City’s African Slave Owners: A Social and Material Culture History. She lectures and writes on the subjects of the African presence in colonial and early New York, and the enslaved African presence in the north. She has lectured at the Smithsonian Institute, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Monument New York African Burial Ground, the Museum of the City of New York, the New-York Historical Society, and numerous other organizations and institutions nationally and internationally. She is the recipient of the 2005 History Visionary Award from the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the first recipient of the African American Heritage Award from Historic Hudson Valley in Tarrytown.
Celebrating Freedom will be held in Deyo Hall at 6 Broadhead Avenue between Huguenot and North Chestnut Streets in downtown New Paltz. There is a $5 suggested donation. Refreshments will be served. For more information about this event or about Historic Huguenot Street, visit www.huguenotstreet.org or call 255-1660 or 255-1889.
Join in the Zumba craze
Zumba classes will be held at the New Paltz Community Center on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. with Stacey Sands and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. with Ondrea Lynn. Classes use Latin rhythms of salsa, merengue and cumbia with a twist of some hip hop and African beats. For more information, call 255-3631.
New Paltz-Gardiner Seniors
The New Paltz-Gardiner Senior meetings for July will be held on July 13 and July 27, 1:30 p.m., at the VFW Hall on Route 208 in New Paltz. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome. Marge Gardner will speak about sharing her life experiences on July 13. And on July 27, New Paltz Town Supervisor Toni Hokanson will talk about what’s happening in New Paltz. The seniors will go to lunch at the Bruynswick Inn on July 20 at noon. The cost is $16. Please call Evelyn at 255-7290 for reservations.
Vacation Bible School at the Methodist Church
The New Paltz United Methodist Church will be holding Vacation Bible School in the evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. from Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15. The school’s theme is “Shake It Up Café,” a program exploring the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God’s word through stories, crafts and fun. The event is open to the entire community for children ages three through sixth grade. Children under age three may join a pre-school group if accompanied by an adult. There will also be an adult Bible study program. Registration forms are available by visiting http://www.newpaltzumc.org. The church, located at the corner of Main and Grove streets, is handicapped accessible.
Retired men to meet
The retired men of the New Paltz community invite all retired men to their monthly breakfast meeting on Monday, July 11, 8 a.m., at the New Paltz Plaza Diner. Linda Showers from the Kingston YWCA will discuss the BIRTHE program, with special emphasis on helping birth dads. Contact Phil Kissinger at 256-5472 for further information.
Children’s author to read at Gardiner Green Market
Local children’s author Susanna Hill will read her books at the Gardiner Green Market this Friday, July 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Gardiner Library. Hill’s books include Punxsutawney Phyllis, its follow-up April Fool, Phyllis and Can’t Sleep Without Sheep.
Hill is one of a series of local childrens’ authors to read at the Green Market this summer. Check www.gardinerlibrary.org/children.html for information about upcoming authors. For additional information, call 255-1255.
New Paltz Fire Department to hold car show and flea market
The New Paltz Fire Department will hold its annual car show and flea market on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the fire station located at the corner of Henry W. DuBois Drive and North Putt Corners Road. The event will also feature a safety demonstration, as well as food, drinks and a DJ. Car show registrants are welcome to register on the day of the event or in advance at Fundraising@Newpaltzfire.org.
New Paltz Middle School discount cards
The New Paltz Middle School PTA will be selling discount cards throughout the summer. The card includes discounts to many local businesses. A portion of the proceeds will go toward scholarships, cultural arts and other programs. If you would like to purchase a card, please visit the New Paltz Middle School at 196 Main Street, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am. to 3 p.m. The cost of the card is $12.
A sense of place
This Friday, July 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Inquiring Minds Bookstore in New Paltz will host an event called “A Sense of Place” -- featuring Minnesota author Catherine Holm and Hudson River Valley Yoga as Muse facilitators Darlene (Bhavi) Rivais and Tanya Robie. Holm will read from her new collection of place-related short fiction titled “My Heart is a Mountain: Tales of Magic and the Land” (Holy Cow! Press, 2010). Robie and Rivais will lead participants through a gentle Yoga as Muse workshop, using simple yoga postures and breathing techniques to access creativity. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 255-8300.
Catch a movie at Water Street Market
Water Street Market in New Paltz will present a Saturday night showing of The Bad News Bears (the original) on July 9 at 9 p.m. An aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league. Free popcorn will be available.
And this Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m., New Paltz GreenWorks and The Climate Action Coalition will present a showing of Gasland at Water Street Market. The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudia Arabia of natural gas” just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination.
Music in the garden at Elting Library
Music in the garden will take place at Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz on three Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.
On July 28, Livio Guardi and Big Joe Fitz will perform with special guests Robert Bard on upright bass and Brian Melick on percussion. They will present an evening of traditional and contemporary Italian music, blues and country.
KJ Denhert -- guitarist, singer and songwriter -- will take to the stage on Aug. 4, with Jennifer Vincent singing and playing bass and cello. They will bring an evening of jazz, Latin and urban-folk to the garden.
Fiddler, singer, composer and songwriter Lisa Gutkin will perform on Aug. 11. She is best known as a member of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics and the downtown-celtic group Whirligig. She’s also been called “one hot fiddler” by Cyndi Lauper.
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