The best source for local news from Marbletown, Rochester & Rosendale
Published the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month | Vol. 27, Issue 16
Fun traveling through the Hurley Flats and beyond PAGE 10
August 19, 2022 | $1.00
History of multi-racial families in the Hurley hills
Rondout asks in survey: Do students feel like they belong?
PAGE 7
PAGE 4
Corn maze with a message at New Kelder's Farm in Kerhonkson zoning
proposals
Ann Belmont BSP reporter The annual corn maze at Kelder's Farm in Kerhonkson is an old tradition, but this year, it's a maze with a message. You would need to be flying above the field to see it, but knowing that the words "We Stand with Ukraine" are spelled out by the paths as you try to find your way through them could add an extra dimension to the experience. When the time came for the Kelders to think of a design for this year's giant corn puzzle, the war in Ukraine was making headlines daily. “So we thought we could bring awareness that people should treat people better," explained Chris Kelder, who owns the farm with his family. Looking at an overhead photo of the maze (taken by son John Kelder's drone) invites a question: How is this done? How is a maze brought into reality? Kelder described the whole process. Art created from growing plants naturally takes months to complete. "We till the cornfield in the spring. We make it nice and flat, and then we plant it a little differently." They start as usual with parallel cornrows, and then plow an equal number of rows at a 90-degree angle from the first set. This creates a grid of little squares, like graph paper. After deciding on the message, the Kelders “hired a company to design it on paper,” and to the exact dimensions of the field. “This is the most elaborate one we have done," said Chris' wife Jackie. "This is the
Rochester holds information session, public hearings scheduled for Aug. 25 Ann Belmont BSP reporter
An aerial photograph showing the Kelder's Farm 2022 corn maze showing the message, 'We stand with Ukraine. Photo provided
first year we have had a designer; all the other years we have created them inhouse. Other themes have been different farm animals, the name Kelder’s Farm written out, and other twists and turns."
The next step was to take the design, plotted out with lines connected by dots on actual graph paper, and walk the
See Maze, page 14
The Town Board is considering updates to the zoning code during a six month moratorium on development which runs through December 2022. Town Board members Michael Coleman and Erin Enouen are hosting an information, Q&A, and discussion session on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Harold Lipton Community Center. From 1–1:30 pm. There will be a presentation on the general process of passing zoning changes as well as an overview of some of the zoning change recommendations provided by two past zoning review committees of residents. Following the presentation, from 1:30–3 p.m., there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions and brainstorm with the group. The town's announcement said that, "This will also be a good time to review and ask any questions on the local law drafts that have public hearings scheduled on Aug. 25, 2022 at 6 p.m." These laws are not new, but modifications of existing zoning code. Below is a brief rundown of some proposed changes to the sections of code being discussed.
1. Sand and gravel mining Site plans for quarrying, excavation of land should include, along with stormwater management, habitat restoration and compliance with the proposed Wetlands and Stream Buffers Law. Also, for excavations, 150 ft. of setback from property lines will be required, as opposed to 100 ft. currently. 2.Commercial Events facilities At the discretion of the planning board, noise monitoring can be required for commercial events. The law permits events in almost all zoning districts, with slightly modified hours of operation permitted. As Stone Ridge home destroyed by fire At 3:13 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, Stone Ridge Volunteer Fire Company responded
to a call for a structure fire at 77 Vincent Lane. Photo courtesy of Stone Ridge Fire Department. See the full story on page 3.
See Zoning, page 14