Join the Parade and our community CELEBRATION OF HOPE for a joyous and peaceful world . ALL WELCOME.
!
An Old Dutch Tradition in the Hudson Valley SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015 KINGSTON, NEW YORK
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015 RHINEBECK, NEW YORK
SinterklaasHudsonValley.com
Facebook.com/sinterklaasrhinebeck Facebook.com/sinterklaaskingston
The Spirit of Sinterklaas He was Odin. And Good King Wenceslas. Pere Noel, Father Frost. Then he was St. Nicholas. He became Sinterklaas. Then Santa Claus. He’s even been called “Sandy Claws.” He is Mother Teresa, Gandhi, the Dalai Lama and Schindler. But whatever name we have called him, he has always been the same. He loves children, is generous, protects and honors the poor, brings blessings and gifts, protection, food and clothing. He comes at the darkest time to remind us of the light. He is the good king, the kind teacher; he “flies” to those in need, the creatures all love him, he comes with good intent. His bag is really full of love and hope and caring... He is humanity at its best.
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THINGS YOU MUST DO AT SINTERKLAAS!
1. MAKE YOUR CROWN
and Decorate your Branch for the Parade. Crowns & Branches in the Fire House— more info on page 6.
2. MAKE YOUR WISH
Kids and parents alike—visit the WISH LADY and the PEACE DOVE. Details on page 6.
3. GET YOUR STAR 4. VISIT THE HIVE! 5. ENJOY THE DAY!
Read all about it in the blue box.
New & very special NOT-TO-BE-MISSED experience for the children.
Discover all the magic, music and special performances inside and out. Browse the schedule in this book!
6. COME TO THE PAGEANT After the PARADE passes follow along to the PAGEANT and the STAR CEREMONY. Remember to bring your STAR!
Klara Sauer Forever in our hearts
In loving tribute, we dedicate this year’s events to Klara Sauer who embodied the Sinterklaas spirit in all she did to help this community tradition thrive. We honor her for her meaningful and important contributions to our mid-Hudson region and celebrate the vibrant spirit, the good friend, the smart and engaging woman we all loved.
WELCOME!
This is the celebration where CHILDREN are transformed into KINGS and QUEENS and honored as the bringers of the light at the darkest time of year. The tradition of Sinterklaas comes all the way from the Netherlands, brought by Dutch settlers who arrived in Rhinebeck over 300 years ago. Sinterklaas, the patron of children and sailors, finds a welcoming community in the Mid-Hudson Valley as we re-create the story through the lens of modern-day America.
Be sure to get your STAR for the Children’s Star Celebration after the parade. Look for them on sale at shops with the Sinterklaas “Stars for Sale Here” sign, and at the “Ask Me” table. Read more on page 13.
WHY YOU NEED A
STAR
Our revived tradition is non-denominational and all inclusive — everyone is invited to participate! The young, the old, the in-between — absolutely everyone and anyone who wants to be part of a community of hope for a joyous and peaceful world are all welcome.
At the end of the parade, everyone will gather for the final ritual of the pageant, the moment you and your STAR have been waiting for. The Master of Ceremonies will call upon all those present to honor our children, our hope for the future, our joy of today.
Inside this book you will find more than a schedule to help you navigate the plethora of events and activities. You will also find the history, the stories, and the details that will add to the richness of the experience for you and your family!
He will ask you to honor the children. At that time you will hold your STAR at the children’s waist level elevating them, for a brief moment, on a sea of stars above everyone in the community. Then you will be asked to stand again and raise your star above your heads – thus placing you, the children and the entire community in its proper place in the firmament—all of us as one and at peace under the stars.
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KINGSTON NOVEMBER 28 SINTERKLAAS SEND-OFF CELEBRATION
Sinterklaas is a Bi-Coastal Celebration: Kingston to Rhinebeck (Spain to Holland!)
12:00-12:45pm
MID-TOWN Parrots for Peace
A day of Open Houses, musical performances, workshops creating beautiful crowns and branches, a Children’s Maritime Parade down Broadway with stars and puppets galore. Kingston sends off SINTERKLAAS on a tugboat across the river to his destination there. After his send off, there will be a Sinterklaas Soiree, Tree Lighting Ceremony and plenty of specials at all of the local restaurants.
Kingston Library, 55 Franklin St.
At The Kingston Home Port and Education Center at the
THE RONDOUT WATERFRONT
Hudson River Maritime Museum 50 Rondout Landing Museum admission by donation.
Crowns & Branches Workshop 11:00am-3:00pm (Doors close promptly at 3pm) 12:00-3:45pm
Broadway Photo Booth
Make your Crowns and Branches then get your picture taken with them
Mitten Tree
11:00am-4:00pm Maritime Museum Gift shop open. Bring in a new knitted item (hats, gloves, mittens, scarfs, etc.) for children or adults for our annual Mitten Tree and receive 10% off in the museum shop. This year’s mitten tree will be donated to the Ulster County Office of Social Services, Children and Adult Services Unit for needy families and seniors in the county.
Green Room Noon
Karen Pillsworth storyteller
1:30-3:30pm Balloon Sculpting with Amazing Magic Productions
Arts Society of Kingston
(ASK) 97 Broadway
1:00pm Dorcinda Knaus with the Maennenchor and Damenchor chorus in Traditional European Christmas songs 2:00pm Ivy Vine Players Puppet show 3:00pm Join Miranda Haydn of Catskill Mountain Music Together in a 45 minute musical workshop — dancing, singing, instrument play and more music making fun. For children birth and up and the adults who love them!
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Savona’s Outdoor Patio, 11 B-way
1:30-3:30pm Parrots for Peace and Face painting with Felicita Chipak
BEE HIVE Pinãta at the HoneyComb
3:30pm in the Gazebo in TR Gallo Park All the children are invited to lend a “swing” in service of revealing what goodies are concealed.
Secrets of the Hive
Noon - 4pm in the Rose Garden (corner of Abeel and Broadway) Learn strange and fascinating things about Honey Bees.
Mint 1 West Strand (music for 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
the adults) Caprice Rouge Sonic Soul Salsa Dancing Lessons, Nancy Ruiz
4:00pm
Children’s Maritime Parade
Accompany Sinterklaas amid a floatilla of boats, star lanterns, windwheels, and the Honey Bee (honored animal). Follow along with your Crowns & Branches to the water’s edge and bid Adeiu as Sinterklaas sets off for Holland. B-way & Garraghan Dr.
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Open Houses & Workshops Galore Noon - 4:00pm Ornament Making Workshop Jay Teske Leather Co., 25 Broadway Open House Vetere Real Estate, 37 Broadway Open House On the Hill Antiques, 41 Broadway Open House Olivieri’s Arts, Crafts & Coffee, 63 Broadway: Snacks and fun activities including Shrinky Dinks and Perler Bead art. Kingston Wine Co. 65 Broadway: Wine tasting highlighting affordable esoteric wines — perfect for Holiday parties or gifts. Karmabee, 73A Broadway: Come color a bee at Karmabee! Enjoy holiday discounts too. Cookie Decorating Workshop, Milne’s At Home Antiques, 81 Broadway The Storefront Gallery, 93 Broadway: Art Reception and Open House at for the Honored Animal: The Honey Bee
Ulster County Tourism & Kingston Heritage Area Visitors Center 20 Broadway 5:15pm Tree Lighting
Mariner’s Harbor 1 Broadway
5:30pm Sinterklaas Soiree with Rivergrass Revival
A honey bee hive is a celebration, like Sinterklaas where everyone comes together to make something special and in which the community hummmmmms with creativity.
THIS YEAR’S HONORED ANIMAL: HONEY BEE Family • Community • Celebration • Generosity • Mystery • Sweetness • Creativity • Productivity Abundance • Organization • Communication • Love • Life • Wisdom How is it that such a tiny creature has such huge impact on the world? St. John Chrysostom writes, “The bee is more honored than other animals, not because it labors, but because it labors for others.” All of us at Sinterklaas are doing just that… and we feel it is the most important message we can convey to our children and community. Usually when we write about the Honored Animal, we emphasize its symbolic characteristics since those often are not explored. But this year’s tiny creature is fascinating on every level— physical, social, symbolic and spiritual. Distinct from all other animals (except those that give us milk) bees make MORE honey than they need for themselves—and that’s why there is enough for US! And they don’t just bring us sweetness—but medicine, flowers, fruits, vegetables and meat… Nature’s beauty and bounty. They make our lives beautiful, tasty and nutritious. Honey bees are such a vital part of the web of Nature that we could hardly live without them. They create and sustain life in all of Nature’s realms! Creative productivity.
Did you know that… The oldest known bee is 100 million years old, found embedded in amber in Burma (the oldest human fossil is only 2.8-million-years old!) Honey was found in King Tut’s tomb. Napolean had golden bees sewn on his coronation robes. All honey bees have hairy eyes. In the whole lifetime of a honey bee, it will only produce one-eighth of a teaspoon of honey. With that in mind, try putting a spoonful on your toast in the morning! Bee’s legs are one of their most sensitive organs — they actually use them to taste. For honey bees, there’s power in numbers. From spring to fall, the worker bees must produce about 60 lbs. of honey to sustain the entire colony
during the winter. It takes tens of thousands of workers to get the job done. Aerodynamically “all wrong”, it has been said that the bumblebee technically shouldn’t be able to fly—yet it does. They are a flying miracle. And, they DANCE! The bee community runs easily and effortlessly due to the perfected communication between all of its members by way of the “waggle dance.”
And in stories... The Egyptian sun god Re was believed to have created bees and humans from his tears. The Hindu gods Vishnu, Krishna, and Indra are often represented as bees on a lotus flower. The Essene are a Jewish people known for their role as keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Essene priests were referred to as “bees” because of their integral role within the community, their tireless devotion to God and their faith. The Eygptians placed bees and honey in tombs as offerings to spirits of the dead. The bee is a symbol of wholesome childrearing, love within the family. Bees remind us to focus on the nurturing of our family and community. Aphrodite, revered as the queen bee by her priestesses, was worshipped at a honey-comb shaped shrine . To the ancient Minoans they were a symbol of immortality and rebirth; to the Celts they were regarded as beings of great wisdom. Beekeeping has been the purview of Christian monasteries since the middle ages.
Learn even more about these amazing creatures!
HONEYCOMB
Visit the in the Courtyard from Noon-4:00pm.
HIVE
Enter the in the center of town. Hear the Secrets of the Bees. Think like a BEE when you make your three wishes at Crowns & Branches: for your family, your community and the world.
BLESSING OF THE HONEYBEE In Delphi the oracle was revealed By a swarm of honeybees. Listen! Hear my prophecy! Sing to me and I will sing to thee, Thrummm, Hummm, Infinity. Nectar sucked inside my tongue, I carry pollen sacs. Behold my dance of figure 8 and Hexagon of wax. Witness perfect harmony, My work for the community. Wealth of golden sun Distributed to everyone. Sing to me and I will sing to thee, Thrummm, Hummm, Infinity I beg you not to lay at waste Our blossoming planet, Our sacred place. Only together can we save the hive and keep our fruitful earth alive. In this moment you can start Work hard to open up your heart. Honey in your heart revealed, Hive and earth together heal. Sing to me and I will sing to thee, Thrummm, Hummm, Infinity —Gigi Alvaré November 2015
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RHINEBECK FESTIVAL DAY: DECEMBER 5 • Find Your Way!
•
Bee k
On the next page you will see a handy map of all the Sinterklaas venues in the Village. Match the numbers from the schedule rms to the numbers on the an A map to find your way! m Example:
1 =
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Ask Me Ladies!
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Have questions? Want to buy Official Sinterklaas Stars, Hummingbirds, Flowers, tote bags, and more? The Ask Me Ladies can help. Find their booth
• • • •
And the Churches are serving :
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3 Church of the Messiah Parish Hall Reformed Church 11:30am–2:00pm
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Get a Keepsake of the day from
Sinterklaas PhotoBooth 10 in front of CVS. Have your
children’s picture taken while sporting their crowns and branches!
• •
For Your Convenience
• Baby Changing Station at Waddle and Swaddle • Find Porta Potties in the Municipal Parking lot.
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6 Sinterklaas 2015
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BEAR BEAUTY CONTEST 10 at Samuel’s
Dress your favorite bear up in anything you wish, meet other bears, and maybe win a prize. All children and adults are invited to submit entries! Many categories! Many honors!
•
THE BEEKMAN ARMS 1
All day long, hosting jesters, puppets & stories — fit for our Kings & Queens! 12:00pm
OPENING CEREMONY
WORDS BEFORE ALL ELSE!
by Victorio “Roland” Moussa, Native American Blessing, Drumming and Song. Hear the Iroquois Story of the Honey Bee.
STORYTELLING
Fun food all over town. Visit Our Local Restaurateurs
11:00am–5:00pm
10:00am
—followed immediately by—
HOT MEALS!
Third Evangelical Lutheran Church 12:00-4:30pm
FIRE HOUSE 5 10:00am–4:00pm
BEGIN your Sinterklaas Day . . .
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CROWNS & BRANCHES WORKSHOP Children are at
the heart of the Sinterklaas story:
they are KINGS & QUEENS of the Day and we honor them in the Parade and the Pageant. Make sure they get a chance to make their crowns and adorn their branches for the evening events! • CHILDREN: Before you leave the workshop be SURE to visit the
WISH LADY
. Make your wish for your family, your community and the world. Tie them in your branch. • ADULTS be sure to place YOUR wishes in the Peace Dove! • Parents: PURCHASE YOUR STARS so you can participate in the Children’s Star Celebration following the Parade. • Grab a flag for the Parade
by famed storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Hear the legend of St. Nicholas and Dutch New York, Hanukkah Stories, and a Honey Bee Tale. —followed immediately by—
THE THIRD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 8
A special performance of
MUSIC & THEATER Livingston St.
BEEKMAN ARMS 1 PUPPET THEATER
2:00pm Caprice Rouge 2:30pm Bard College Georgian Choir 3:00pm R’ozsa 3:30pm Rainbow Chorus 4:00pm Raspberry Hill Fiddlers
ST. GEORGE and the DRAGON
•
1:30pm Leela Puppet Theater A Boisterous Rajasthani Marionette Circus 2:00pm Ivy Vine Players, Grian MacGregor
2:30pm Tom Hanford Puppets: Wassail, Wassail! Songs and Stories of the Season
3:00pm Roger the Jester, Mad Cap Fun! 3:30pm Storycrafters tell the story of the Queen Bee 4:00pm Zlatne Usted Balkan Brass Band 4:30pm Leela Puppet Theater
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Visit the ILLUMINATED BOOK Created by Nadine Robbins, Grace Gunning, and Molly Ahearn with help from James Gurney, Richard Prouse, and Andy Neal.
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MUSIC at REFORMED 6 CHURCH SANCTUARY corner of South St. & Route 9
1:30pm Hudson Valley Brass, Bard College Conservatory of Music 2:00pm Mexico Beyond Mariachi 2:30pm Winter Song Fest: Students of the graduate Vocal Arts program of the Bard College Conservatory of Music 3:00pm Kairos, A Consort of Singers 3:30pm Vassar Devils, a cappella
New
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Izlind Route 9 21
(3 doors south of the Beekman Arms) 1:30-2:30pm Journey Dance with Claudia Gukeisen. Connect with nature, the earth, your heart & your community just like the Honey Bee in this experiential dance experience. Easy and fun for All Ages.
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Afternoon FLIGHTS of FANCY with the
CHURCH OF 2 THE MESSIAH
Kairos, A Consort of Singers
1:00pm
2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm
•
12 TOWN HALL MAGIC, MUSIC & DANCE Hosted by the unforgetable Mrs. Beekman (our own Cindy Kubick) 1:00pm Grumpus MAGIC by Andy Weintraub 1:30pm Story Crafters 2:00pm Hungry March Band 2:30pm Rhinebeck Dance Center 3:00pm D’AMBY Dance 3:30pm Mid-Hudson Mexican Folkloric Group 4:00pm Natyanikethan, Indian Dance 4:30pm Solas An Lae, Irish Dance
LIBERTY LOUNGE
4 BIG TINY PUPPET SHOWS
•
TOY THEATER 13
12:30-5:00pm Continual performances “Stick Man” Basil Twist “Lyzer the Miser” Great Small Works Shadow Plays & Stories, Ron Sopyla “Christmas Punch & Judy” Liz Joyce & A Couple of Puppets
•
In the Bar at LIBERTY6
2:00pm T McCann Band, Irish Music 3:00pm Caprice Rouge, Eastern European Music
•
SinterUnderground 20 NEW Venue for TEENS
1:30pm Vassar Devils, a cappella 2:00pm St. George & the Dragon 2:15pm Improv Students from Mary Ward & Co, Acting and Improv Studio 3:15pm Community Music Space Young Performers
1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm
1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm
World-traveled yo-yo performer, skill toy demonstrator, & circus artist.
Starring Ringmistress Philomena & Mr.Pennygaff.
Presented by The Vanaver Caravan & The Arm of the Sea Theater A Holiday story of a Young Girl’s Journey throughout the World searching for the Light. Features Giant Puppets and international music and dance!
• • • •
13 at UPSTATE FILMS perfect for ages 3 and up
ONE-RING SINTERCIRKUS JUSTIN “WACKY” WEBER
Into The Light: A Holiday Spectacular
downstairs in the magical, secret underground venue, presenting
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BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS
3:00 Storytime
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OSKAR & THE EIGHT BLESSINGS at OBLONG BOOKS
Join authors Richard & Tanya Simon & Illustrator Mark Siegel for storytime & booksigning for their new, widely-acclaimed, children’s book set in New York City.
Visit the
HIVE! •
the HONEYCOMB inCourtyard
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In the Foster’s Parking Lot:
12:00pm-4:00pm
12:00-6:00pm NOT TO BE MISSED! All the children are encouraged to buzz on over and one-by-one each child will enter the hive and hear their very own secret whispered by our Queen Bee. The hive was created especially for Sinterklaas by artist Felix Olivieri.
Thanks to the Rhinebeck Farmers Market experts inform young and old about the honey bee’s fascinating and vital place in our world. • Sam Comfort, Anarchyapiaries • Chris Harp & Grai Rice, Honeybeelives • Talia Fincke, Montgomery Place Orchards 1:00pm Holiday Whodunit! Who painted the moustache on Mr. Mill’s portrait? Presented by Friends of the Mills Mansion
ALL AFTERNOON OUTSIDE
BACK FROM THE ARCTIC!!
•
In the Foster’s Parking Lot: 7
THE POLAR BEAR
with his Trainer & Musical Sidekick Sing a song and watch the
bear transform.
THE POCKET LADY
Sinterklaas’ Symbol of Generosity Find her with her “Pocket Lady Pal” just about anywhere around town. Go inside her beautiful cape and see what secret surprise she has in store just for you!
MOTHER HOLLY
Become a member of the Honey Bee clan. Hear stories of creatures large & small.
THE CHINELOS Traditional
dancers in spectacular costumes from the state of Morelos, Mexico.
HOLIDAY GRATITUDE
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Noon to 5:00pm “Angels on the Tree” author LuAnn Kaldor will gift children with paper angel ornaments to add to their branch. Zimmer Brothers, across from Foster’s Lot.
MICHAEL ROSMAN WIRE WALKING & FEATS OF COMEDY! HOME SPUN
MERRY-GO-ROUND PLUS…
• Basil Twist Stick Man • Pokingbrook Morris Dancers • Pochahontas 1859 Hand Pump FIre Truck • Bond Street Stilt Band • Roger the Jester • Our Own Grumpuses! • The Hungry March Band • The Mortal Beasts & Dieties Stilters
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…AND INTO THE NIGHT CHILDREN’S STARLIGHT PARADE & GRAND FINAL PAGEANT Bring your Crowns & Branches, STARS & Flags!
In the Dapson-Chestney Parking Lot. Walk two blocks west from the traffic light. Led by the Northern Dutchess Hebrew School, J.A.N.D. and Temple Emanuel.
de e Para k h t w lo & Fol ur Rhinebec u! e n i L Fall in Pageant! O ill assist yo to the Marshals w tars! S r u Rotary o gy
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ZLATNE USTE (Golden Lips)
Two lots at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds: one at Mulberry & Platt Street Lot and another Mulberry Street & Fair Cross Way (at Mulberry Street entrance to Fairgrounds).
Red Hook
et
Chestnut Stre
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Parking at the Rhinebeck
High School, 45 North Park Rd.
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East Market Street h es
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Inform on the website
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Mulberry Street
LIBERTY
Find more
Wo
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An explosion of sound
Center Street
8 Sinterklaas 2015
ON THE LAM BAND
ony em
for SInt behind the y! Starr Librar
With the Dixieland sound of the
Mill Street
Parkerinklgaas
at LIBERTY For Adults.
Parking
Garden Street
A ad 11 ss
SINTERKLAAS DANCE
immediately following the Parade. ALL are requested to walk along at the end of the Parade to be a part of the Children’s Star Celebration featuring • Fire Juggling • The Blessing of the Honey Bee • On the Lam Band • The Peace Dove.
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NEW!
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•
West Market Street e
4
12
8:00–11:00pm
in the Municipal Parking Lot
• •
tree
Highway Depart.
S Oak
Paatrkthine g
Quickstep with John Kirk, Trish Miller & Ed Lowman. Great for Families!
a
map art thanks to Kari Feuer
Brin
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7:30-9:00pm HOEDOWN in Town Hall
PAGEANT & the Children’s STAR CEREMONY
A
21. Izlind
Raucous tour of the town’s watering holes with song and dance!
6:30 pm
ed! ll Invit
Key to the Map 1. Beekman Arms 2. Church of the Messiah 3. Church Of Messiah Parish Hall 4. Dapson Chesney Funeral Home 5. Fire House (Crowns & Branches) 6. Reformed Church 7. Foster’s Lot 8. Lutheran Church 9. Municipal Lot: Site of Parade Grand Finale 10. Samuel’s & CVS 11. Starr Library 12. Rhinebeck Town Hall 13. Upstate Films & Liberty 14. Winter Sun & Summer Moom 15. “Ask Me” Ladies (get information) 16. Chamber Holiday Tree 17. The Courtyard Honeycomb 18. Parade Route ••••• 19. Oblong Books 20. Methodist Parish Hall
PARADE
Parade begins on West Market St. and proceeds through the Village & continues to the Municipal Lot for the Star Pageant. See the map below for the route.
5:30pm 4 HAVDALAH Candle Lighting
• •
WASSAIL WITH BIG SKY Meet in front of Liberty. Join a
CHILDREN’S STARLIGHT
Pa g e
• •
5:00pm 6 Living Nativity Reformed Church
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7:30pm
6:00pm
CHILDREN’S STARLIGHT PARADE Who’s Who in the Parade • HEAR, HEAR! Uncle DeWitt’s Bell heralds the way. • SINTERKLAAS with his white horse. • THE HOLDERS OF THE LIGHT 2015
Cruikshank Family — Colleen, Gordie, Maeve & Summer
• THE SEVEN SISTERS Stars from the
cosmos that look down on us from afar and allow us to look up and dream.
• THE HONORED ANIMAL
Follow their Lead! Rhinebeck Rotary Club & Interact Club – Partners, Marshals & Puppeteers! Thank you for your support!
• THE CAROUSEL A child’s Toy Box writ large! • THE BLUE DOG Some things have no explanation! • ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON A cosmic play of Good and Evil.
THE HONEY BEE. Community! Find the story on page 3.
• THE GRUMPUSES
are Sinterklaas’ wild sidekicks who carry out his judgment on the children—either switches for the bad or candies for the good. But, our Grumpuses are people you know in the community who are candy men, there for joyous revels and to delight the children.
• THE SNOW KING & QUEEN from the celestial realm. • THE STAR CHILD who brings us the Sinterklaas Star each year.
• THE CRESCENT MOON • THE POLAR BEAR! Sing to him and watch him
HONORED ANIMALS FROM THE PAST: HUMMINGBIRD • FOX • HORSE• THE CROW GOOSE • BEAR • TURTLE
• THE CHINESE LION. For good luck. • THE PENGUINS. Visitors from the arctic. • THE TWIN SERPENTS: LUX AND LUMEN • WILD WOMEN—If you have Wild Men (The Grumpuses) you have to have Wild Women and thanks to Abby Saxon we do have a fantastic gaggle!
• 1911 BAKER ELECTRIC CAR Back to the future! • MUSIC OF ALL TRADITIONS: Klezmer, Bagpipe,
Dixieland, Irish, Didgeridoo, Balkan, Ukrainian, Samba, Bolivian, Mexican & Indonesian.
dance.
• ALL THE KINGS’ HORSES the Hobby Horse Brigade. • GRANDMOTHER EARTH on whom we all live. She’s the
mother of us all, the Guiding Spirit of the Parade reminding us to take care of her.
• THE 4 SEASONS—the moods of Grandmother Earth. We especially honor Winter this time of year.
• THE ABBOTS BROMLEY HORN DANCE The most ancient
Dance ever recorded. There are 12 characters representing a deer hunt. The pattern of the dance mimics the way in which a deer walks though the woods—in a figure 8 pattern—to the accompaniment of a haunting slip jig.
BE SURE TO JOIN THE PARADE AFTER IT PASSES BY! BRING YOUR STARS!
• THE TURTLE.
On whose back the Earth
was formed.
•
CREATURES FROM THE FARM
The sheep, the cows, the llamas, the rams. They join their wild brothers.
• CHINELOS. Whirling reminders of Mexico and its Holiday Traditions.
• THE POCKET LADY Our symbol of generosity • THE FLOCK OF DOVES Guardians of the Peace Dove. • THE PEACE DOVE Our wish for the world. The night ends with a wish for Peace in the world so that we will all live in community with each other, enjoying and celebrating our differences, hoping for Joy for All in this, our precious World.
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A little Sinterklaas History The Tradition of Sinterklaas Day
Many people ask: what is this celebration that happens early in December? Why have a special interest and pride in this time of year? The answer: we are honoring the Hudson Valley’s Dutch heritage by recreating customs that the settlers from Holland brought to the Hudson Valley. The Dutch people who came to Rhinebeck over 300 years ago brought a celebration with them that was already a deeply rooted part of their traditions. The ritual was simple enough. Each year on December 6 (that’s the Dutch tradition, ours in the first Saturday in December), a town resident dressed up as Sinterklaas (that is, elegantly garbed in a bishop’s tall hat, red cape, shiny ring, and jeweled staff ). Mounted on a white steed, this Sinterklaas would ride through town knocking on doors late at night. He would be accompanied by his long-time sidekick, the Grumpus. Also known as Black Peter, the Grumpus — a wild looking halfman, half-beast character — rattled chains and threatened to steal away the naughtiest children in his big black bag. And for those “less bad” he had switches for exacting lesser punishments! And for the good children — Sinterklaas and the Grumpus would deliver a bag of goodies. Over the years, as towns developed and houses grew closer together, Sinterklaas’ ride turned into a Parade that still happens in Holland to this day, and is the most popular of all Dutch holidays.
Who was Sinterklaas?
At the start, Sinterklaas was a real person named Nicholas, born in the 4th century in Myra, Asia Minor. As a grown man he became a bishop. Little else is known about him—except that he loved children. A story is told about Sinterklaas to illustrate this point: Three little boys
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dined at an inn and, after eating their fill, informed the innkeeper that they could not pay their bill. To exact payment, the innkeeper chopped them up into little bits and cooked them in a stew. Nicholas heard about the awful deed and came to the inn to find pieces of the boys boiling away in the pot. He told the innkeeper that if he, Nicholas, could find one little piece of each boy that was good, he would perform a miracle and bring all three back to life. Now, what child does not have at least one little piece of good in him? And, so Sinterklaas returned the boys to life and took them into his care. There is also the story of the three sisters: Once upon a time there were three beautiful daughters of a poor peasant. The first was very blonde, the second had raven hair, and the third auburn. When they grew up they fell in love with three pleasant young men. But the sisters could not get married because they had no dowry. That made them very sad. One night, as Sinterklaas was out riding, he looked through a window and saw the three lovely, but sad sisters. When he heard why they could not marry the young men they loved he went back to his palace and gave the Grumpus three little bags. Each contained a hundred golden ducats. He asked the Grumpus to drop the little bags into the girls’ shoes, and an hour later they were rich. They married the three nice young men and lived happily ever after! To this day, children leave a carrot in their shoes hoping to attract Sinterklaas’ attention and rewards. How this kindly 4th-century bishop made his way from Asia Minor through Italy, Spain and all of Northern Europe where he is still honored today is hard to say, but by the 11th century he had become the patron saint not only of children and unwed maidens, but of sailors and the City of Amsterdam as well.
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His association with Amsterdam goes back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition, which had spread to Holland in the Middle Ages. Rumor had it that a Nicholas was Bishop of the Cathedral in Amsterdam. When the Spaniards came from Spain to trade with the Dutch, they also smuggled in adults and children whose lives were threatened by the Inquisition against Jews in Spain. Nicholas took in all the children no matter their faith.
Today in Holland
There is not a single family in Holland that does not in some way or another honor the old “Bishop” and his servant the Grumpus with a party, a small get-together or by going to somebody’s else’s house to celebrate. There may be many presents, or just a few— tables laden with traditional candles and cookie—or just a pot of hot chocolate. The house may be teeming with children, or have perhaps just a few grown-ups around the dining room table—but the Sinterklaas spirit is everywhere. Every December Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam by boat. He comes from Spain where he lives throughout the year.. We reenact this journey, in our bi-coastal celebration, with Kingston playing the role of Spain and Rhinebeck the role of Holland. Our Sinterklaas makes his way in a Children’s Maritime Parade in the Rondout of Kingston, boards the Tugboat Cornell, sailing off to reappear a week later in Rhinebeck. In Holland he is traditionally greeted by a group of Grumpuses and a million people come out to see his arrival and triumphant parade through the streets of the city. The rest of the country watches on TV. It is far and away the most wonderful and exciting festivity in the land!
St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, and Santa Claus in the Hudson Valley
When the early Dutch settlers came to America, they brought with them their venerated old bishop, St. Nicholas, and their favorite holiday, Sinterklaas. Indeed, after landing in the New World, the Dutch explorers, led by Henry Hudson, built their first church on the island of Manhattan in 1642, dedicating it to Sinterklaas. When the British took control of New Amsterdam in 1664, they adopted the Dutch recognition of Sinterklaas and merged it with their own observance of the Winter Solstice, Father Christmas—the merry, roly-poly, Falstaffian figure in high boots. Eventually, these two old gentlemen, both commemorated in December, merged into one. Over the next few generations, Sinterklaas found his way into American literature. In 1809, the writer Washington Irving (who lived in the lower part of the Hudson Valley) created a jolly Sinterklaas for his popular Knickerbocker Tales. Then in 1822, a Dutchess County man, Henry Livingston, Jr. wrote a lighthearted poem –“A Visit from St. Nicholas” (until recently wrongly attributed to Clement Moore) which featured a jolly old elf, his descent down a chimney on Christmas Eve, and a sleigh drawn by eight tiny reindeer (like Odin’s flying horse!). The Father Christmas image stuck, but he acquired an English name—Santa Claus—a direct derivation from Sinterklaas. And to bring things full circle Rhinebeck is now home to Leopold Quarles von Ufford, who for 40 years was the Dutch Ambassador and played Sinterklass around the world. America, a country of invention and opportunity, a land where everyone could write their own life’s story, added the latest chapter to a tale that had begun in ancient times with Odin, a mythical figure embodying the archetype of The Good King, who rode through the night in the land of the reindeer on his flying white horse doing good deeds for children.
DUTCH TREATS!!
Did you know that “cookie” is a Dutch word? And that first chocolate in America came from Holland?
the
Not only did children in New Amsterdam (NYC) love the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, they also quickly came to love another tradition the Dutch brought to the New World: cookies!! The Dutch word was “koekje,” and meant “little cake.” The Dutch brought the “koekjes” to America in the 17th century and the word became “cookie.” Much like Sinterklaas became Santa Claus. The first cookies were created by accident. Cooks used a small amount of cake batter to test their oven temperature before baking a large cake. Almost immediately the Dutch knew they had discovered something very, very good. Before long, special cookies were being made for the Dutch’s favorite holiday—Sinterklaas. These cookies are called Speculaas. Find recipes at sinterklaasrhinebeck. com
CHOCOLATE LETTERS At many Dutch Sinterklaas Eve parties, the last surprise to be found in Sinterklaas’ special burlap sack, are chocolate initials—the first letter of each person’s name. There will be one for each person—the first given to the youngest child, then on up to the oldest person present. These letters are popular throughout the Sinterklaas season. The tasty treats may be found in shoes, left by Sinterklaas as he makes his rounds checking on children. These letters make special little Sinterklaas remembrances to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. The letters, in brightly colored boxes, are sold from around October 15th through December 6th only. Unsold letters aren’t marked down, rather, they are returned to the manufacturers to be melted down for other chocolate treats. The custom of edible letters goes back to medieval times when, at birth, children were given a runic letter, made of bread—as a symbol of good fortune. Schools in the Middle Ages used bread and chocolate letters to teach the alphabet. When the letter was learned and could be written well, a pupil could eat it up! Letters became associated with Sinterklaas in the 19th century, when a sheet was used to cover St. Nicholas’ presents. A bread dough letter, placed on top of the sheet, identified which gift was for which child. During the 1800s, advances in cocoa bean processing led to the production of chocolate letters. The Netherlands is the only place with a St. Nicholas chocolate “initial letter” tradition. sinterklaashudsonvalley.com •
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MAKING THE CELEBRATION OUR OWN Transforming the Story Today we create our own version of the SINTERKLAAS myth and enact it in our own way, for our own time. We focus on the Good King, the Noble Soul, the one who brings light out of darkness, befriends the children and all the creatures, and inspires our souls. We continue the tradition of making Sinterklaas a touchstone—one through which we can come together in community, putting aside what divides, to focus on what brings us together—our humanity, our love for children, our hopes for the future.
Good children, bad children; naughty or nice; coal or presents. Judgments and contrasts abound. Right alongside the Sinterklaas legend there is a more ancient story of the Bel Snickle, the Grumpus, the Rupelz, Shab, the Krampucz. A sort of scary character—who comes out of the woods and who stands in marked contrast with the kindly Sinterklaas, the Good King. A leftover from a harsher time. And even though he is played by someone from the neighborhood, and even though he does not REALLY cart children away in his black bag or punish them with the birch rod that he carries, he is still there—a reminder that if you are not good, well…punishment will follow. In Rhinebeck, we turn that tradition upside down by turning a negative symbol into an empowering one.
CROWNS AND BRANCHES
What is the meaning of the Crowns and Branches that are made by and carried by the Children in the Parade? Since St. Nicholas loved children so much, it makes sense that on his Name Day, that children—who at all other times of the year are the least powerful people in the society—are turned into the most powerful for just this one day. Children are crowned Kings and Queens with Crowns and Sceptors (Branches) of their own making in a bustling and beautiful workshop! In Rhinebeck, the birch rod—the indispensable instrument of medieval education—is transformed by imagination and art into a symbol of empowerment and love. It becomes the Branch—the Royal Scepter—a symbol of creative power in the hands of today’s children. And so, on this day in Rhinebeck children are raised up from being those least powerful to the most powerful! The rods are turned to Royal Scepters and the Children are crowned royalty for one glorious day! Having seen the Wish Lady, each child will leave the workshop with something to carry in the Parade and to take home.
STARS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE What are the STARS that every family will
carry in the Parade? What is their purpose? The Stars are what make Rhinebeck’s celebration unique from all other Sinterklaas celebrations. These STARS make families, friends and relations the
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active myth makers of our community and its future, for these are no ordinary stars! From the moment you take possession of your STAR, you assume a key role in a community ritual. On Sinterklaas Day hundreds of your neighbors, friends, and family will join in an illuminated pageant through the heart of Rhinebeck. You will carry your STAR in your own way—perhaps close to your chest and cradled with care, or held aloft dangling freely in the winter breeze. A gathering constellation will light the path for the many children who, adorned with their Crowns and Branches of their own creation are the honored Kings and Queens of the Day. You and your star play an important role in the pageant. After the evening’s festivities are over, you take your STAR home with you to grace your hearth throughout the dark winter with the vivid memory—like a burning ember—of when we all came together to celebrate our children, our community, our lives and each other. And then, as custodian of your communal STAR, you can bring it back next year, adding to an everexpanding universe of stars, helping to build our special Sinterklaas tradition.
THE HAVDALAH
Right before the Parade begins a special ceremony takes place at the foot of the hill on West Market Street. Led by Rabbi Yael Romer and the children and folks from the Jewish Alliance of Northern Dutchess and Temple Emmanuel, this beautiful Jewish Ceremony marks the end of the Jewish Sabbath and opens up the secular time of The Sinterklaas Parade. The Havdalah Ceremony is a weaving together of all those in the community in a web of interdependence, symbolized by intertwined candles.
Be sure to get your STAR for the Children’s Star Celebration after the Parade. Look for them on sale at shops in town, and at the “Ask Me” table.
THANK YOU. Infinity & Beyond
$2,500+ Frost Memorial Fund Dr. Dean Bloch Kirchhoff Construction Rhinebeck Rotary Thomas Thompson Trust
The Universe $1000-$2499
Arts Mid Hudson Beekman Arms Central Hudson The Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Douglas Baz Photography ENTA-Education Network for Teachers & Artists Jeanne Fleming and Wonderworks Green Hill Productions Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Medical Aesthetics of the Hudson Valley Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Omega Institute Richard Prouse Stage Scenery Florence and A. Robert Rosen Family Foundation Albert Shahinian Gallery Heinz Sauer Thinking Partners Illiana van Meeteran Al and Aida Wilder Lindy Wright and Al Boutan Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Williams Lumber and Home Centers Winter Sun & Summer Moon
The Super Nova $500 – $999
Access Properties Phebe and George Banta Carolyn Marks Blackwood Enjoy Rhinebeck Nell Hanks and Simon Gisby Jen and Ali Hammoud Marc Jacobs Maya Kaimal Fine Indian Foods Key Bank Paper Trail Foster and Tricia Reed Rhinebeck Bank Ruge’s Automotive Inc. Tatiana Serafin Renee and Craig Snyder Stewart’s Shops Sunflower Natural Foods Market
It took a Village, a Town, a Valley, and 2,000 Stars! We all know that Sinterklaas was NEVER just one person—he is only the NAME we give to a certain spirit of generosity, love and sense of community that sustains us at the darkest times and lights us up with wishes for peace and good will toward all. Here are his local embodiments called by their more familiar names... (list up-to-date as of noon November 18, 2015)
Thank you for lighting up our Universe! The Galaxy $250 – $499
Aroi Thai Restaurant Jeff Ackerly Real Estate Broadway Photo Booth Rhinebeck Architecture Neil Bender Karen Burke Heather and Michael Cassano Charney & Associates The Courtyard Jamie Kibel and Michael DaCola Feeney Enterprises Mike and Cecily Frazier Grand Cru Beer and Cheese Market Joanne Gray and John Lyons Vicki L. Haak, CFP Micky Haggerty Attorney Hammertown Barn Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley Robbie Long May Lum Mike and Sally Mazzarella Fr. Richard McKeon at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah Merriweather’s Milne’s Antiques, Design Interiors No Sugar Oblong Books and Music Olde Rhinebeck Inn c. 1745 Ann Patty Dr. Paul Pietrow and Family Paula Redmond Real Estate Rhinebeck Department Store RUPCO Kiki Steele A.L. Stickle Variety Store Maureen and Lucas Terranova Julie and Louis Turpin Village Center Complex Clarissa Weinberg Andy and Linda Weintraub
The Milky Way $125 – $249
Rhinebeck Animal Hospital Bailey Pottery Equipment, Corp. Boitson’s Restaurant Maaike Bouwmeester Jennifer Burleigh Clear Yoga Scott Cruikshank Darryl’s Tom and Kathy Dressel Fraleigh & Rakow, Inc. David and Joanne Gelb Hudson Valley Ceremonies Hudson Valley Overhead Doors & Operators, Inc. Hummingbird Jewelers Hundred Mile Edward J. Haas Betsy Jacaruso Studio The Kanouse Family
Karen Kasius Dacie Kershaw Sandra Kipura Oliver Kita Fine Chocolates Georgia Knisley Ramon Lascano Linda Levine Liberty Public House Sheila Lynch Wendy Bush Lyons Esq. The Lytle Family Barbara B. Markell, CFP Alyssa Mastromonaco Evan and Diane Meltzer Migliorelli Farm Montgomery Row Dr. Roger and Cheryl Norton Gerard Pagliani Periwinkles at Rhinebeck Charles Prosser Rhinebeck Bagels Rhinebeck Convenience Store Martin and Carol Rosenblum Robert Ryan The Salamone’s Satya Yoga Center Shift it! Sue Sie Smoky Rock Bar-B-Cue Spruce Design and Decor Staley Real Estate, LLC Cricket Lengyel and Andrew Stewart Dr. Tom’s Tonics Van Norstrand & Hoolihan, CPA Robert Wills, Architect Linda Woznicki Zimmer Brothers Boutique
Star Clusters $75 – $124
Jill Lundquist and Doug Baz Jeff Bratcher and Family Jan Burgevin Ariadne Tsola Civin Nancy Drago Linda and Ed Faber Anne Moehle Ferrara Judy S. Fein Ronnie and Ted Fink The Gadsby Family Grace Gunning Hampton Inn Kingston Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley Paul Higgins David Hirmes HVFCU Felicia Keesing, Richard Ostfeld and family Renee Schnetzler and Ruth Ketay Christine and Matt Kurlander The Lehane Family Michael Lalicki and Susie Linn Jeanne Muste Steve Jenkins and Kathy Malaga
The Manor Rd. Halloween Dance Crew Mariner’s Harbor Mezzanine Vintage & Antiques Kathleen Karakassis and David Migdal Ruby Palmer and John Nathan Phyllis Palmer Susan Phillips Suellen Pomichter Frank Rauschendorfer Debbie and Hector Rodriguez Rondout Savings Savona’s Italian Restaurant Suzanna’s Dream Designs Laureen Swanwick Emma Taylor Megan Barbera and Greg Tumolo Vetere Real Estate LTd.
Be A Star
$20 – $74 Adams Fairacre Farms Rachel Borne Charles Buehler Jan Burgevin Cale Communications Jim and Eileen Colacino Med Crawford Brian DelPizzo Peter Dolese Hal and Valery Einhorn Sarah Hill and Guillermo Fesser Dana Goldberg The Gausepohl Family Amy Hebard Ellen Honig Rosemary Hanson Jay Dorin and Lisa Henderling Jane and David Hoffman Kalin Prints The Kelly Family Elizabeth Kirchhoff Elaine Calandrea and Erik Kiviat The Mahoney Family Anne McGrath and Steve Mosto Patricia O’Conner Lauree Ostrofsky Femke Peters Joe and Pat Phelan Janet Provenzano Puccini Ristorante Fran Revzin Ana Sanjuan Consulting Don Schneider Kathy and Andrew Sheppard Laura Shulkind Donna Siegmann Mark Skelly Patricia Smith Ernest and Erika Steubesand Ed and Cathy Sullivan Lynn Woods Jonathan Wechsler
This project is made possible through funding from Dutchess Tourism, adminstered by Arts Mid-Hudson
HOW IT ALL HAPPENS
Sinterklaas is truly an event that takes a community. Actually it takes a really BIG community of friends and neighbors, near and far, who love the magic that happens in the telling of this very special story, in our own voices, filled with LOVE and reverence for the time of year and for the children of the world. What’s the nitty gritty of it all? Its a lot of people working many hours, VOLUNTEERING — some of us all year long — to coordinate, schedule, promote, make, build, assemble, borrow, poster, print, phone, deliver, monitor, cook, feed, clean, create, and . . . well the list could go on. And the BIGGEST CHALLENGE of all is to raise the funds it takes to produce this big, complicated and growing event. We need your help.
DONATE WHAT YOU CAN. BUY A STAR. BE A FRIEND AND SUPPORTER OF SINTERKLAAS. sinterklaashudsonvalley.com
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It truly takes a whole HOST of folks to come together in a beautiful way to make Sinterklaas happen. It includes everyone, those who donated time and money for sure and all those who sat in meetings, answered millions of questions, made extraordinary suggestions, cut a branch, served up tea, and everyone who comes to the event. Sinterklaas forms a close and sweet community as it gathers steam throughout the year. We thank all of you who form this creative community!
Here are some who deserve special mention! We thank…
COUNTY County Executive Mark
Our Vaudeville House and Cirkus Tent: DeDe Leiber and Upstate Films. And Joe Curthoys for a special place that goes without mention, that we could not do without!!!
VILLAGE & TOWN
Doug Baz for his 27 years of wonderful photographs that make it possible for us to tell the story. And Cynthia del Conte for the excellent assist in times of need!
Molinaro, Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson and Kirchhoff Construction for extraordinary support!
OUR PAPARAZZI
The Village Board, Mayor Heath Tortaorella for all you do! Howie Traudt and Scott Cruikshank for true advice and extraordinary help. Larry Garrick for good ideas! Sgt. Pete Dunn for his good work! And the Rhinebeck Fire Department for inviting us into your home! The Town Board, Elizabeth Spinizia, Supervisor and the Town Recreation Committee for the Hoedown. The Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce, especially Colleen Cruikshank.
PARTNERS The Rhinebeck Rotary
and Interact Club for Puppeteers and Parade Marshals. Thank you, Rotarians! We can’t do it without you!
CAPED WONDERS
Keepers of the Flame George and Phebe Banta! Holders of the Flame 2015 The Cruikshanks! Colleen, Gordie, Maeve and Summer. And their lineage: The Stickles, 2014
HEAVY LIFTER!
Elena Erber who designed ALL our graphics, including this beautiful book! AND THEN LUNCH! DINNER! PIE! MUSIC! Such patience, creativity and love all in one being! Extraordinary talent!
TEACHER! TEACHER !
The Amazing, multi-talented haberdasher (she wears many hats!) and Great Leader of the Crowns and Branches Workshop: Joanna Hess. She has been with us from the very start.
MADWOMEN OF THE SINTERKLAAS COMMITTEE:
endless energy and joyfully playful: Lila Pague, Pat Sexton, Elena Erber, Lindy Wright, Sarah BissonnetteAdler, Joanna Hess, Tricia Reed, Jill Lundquist, Joanne Gelb, Dorna Schroeter, Susie Linn and Nancy Donskoj who kept the fires burning all year long. “Magic” Lindy! Pat is Back! Lila—The Girl Abides!
MARVELOUS MEN OF THE SINTERKLAAS COMMITTEE Richard Prouse, Barry Cohen and Roberto Rossi!
STEADY, STEADY, STEADY Super Powerful Sarah BissonetteAdler.
AND THE TRIFECTA
Becky Holt, Jeff Newman and Sarah BissonetteAdler.
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SINTERKLAAS CRAFT FAIR
presented by the spirited and joyful Gelb’s, David and Joanne and all the artists, crafts people, bakers and helpers for the Fair! Special thanks to Lindy Wright and Dorna Schroeter.
TO MARKET! TO MARKET! NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!
Peter Criswell, Matthew Fass and Terrance McCorry.
THE SWAP TEAM!
Lindy Wright, Jill Lundquist, Diana Devlin, and Joanne Gelb.
BUZZZZZ…..
Bea Lambert for the fantastic and truly magical Honey Bees!
HOT! HOT! THE BEE’S TEA Tea Master: Victor Zelek The Bee’s Tease: Eric Gorsuch!
ALL THE HELPERS AT THE CROWNS AND BRANCHES WORKSHOP! Joanna Hess,
Coordinator, Lindy Wright, Karen Hinderstein, Robbie Puglisi, Becky Holt B. Vos, Sarah Olson, Linda Neilson, Gail Bennek, Suchee Madhusudan, Dacie Kershaw, Katy Karakassis, Norma Dolan, Kate Kennedy, Joanne Mrstik, Jill Lundquist, Diana Devlin, Dorna Schroeter, Cait Johnson and Meg Clark.
TIMELY VOLUNTEERS To
those who swoop in at the end and make it work: The Rhinebeck Rotary and Daytop.
WISDOM Sally Mazzarella, Howie Traudt, Scott Cruikshank, Jordan Matthews, Lila Pague, and Father Richard McKeon.
OH HONEY—SHE’S THE BEE’S KNEES, THE ROYAL JELLY ROLL! SHE IS! SHE IS! Colleen Bloxham!!!
THE HIVE!
Special thanks for Felix Olivieri for the creation of our centerpiece—The Hive! And all of the authors who wrote the Secrets of the Bees: Rachel Pollack, Lois Walden, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Ronnie Citron-Fink, Cait Johnson, Helen Seslowsky and Ann Patty
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AND QUEENS FOR THE DAY: Debby Franke Ogg, Lois
Walden, Ann Patty and Genevieve Casagrande.
QUEEN FOR A LIFETIME… OUR QUEEN BEE! Lila Pague HONEYCOMB! To Connie
Bathrick and the Courtyard for the Honeycomb! and the Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market for presenting an extraordinary range of Bee Experts: Sam Comfort of Anarchyapiaries, Chris Harp and Grai Rice of Honeybeelives, and Talia Fincke of Montgomery Place Orchards.
POP UP!
Suzanna Hermanns of Oblong Books and Beth Gershuny of Izlind and Helen Seslowsky of both for their excellent contribution to the program!
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Diana and Jonathan Cohen
of Primrose Hill School who gave us a beautiful and welcoming one for our Celebration Space!
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! Celebration Spaces:
We thank the Rhinebeck Fire Department for their generosity for the Crowns and Branches space! We thank the Reformed Church for our Green Room. And the Bantas for our Star Party at the Beekman Arms. Betsy Jacaruso Gallery for the Grumpus Hideout! Connie Bathrick and the Courtyard for the Honeycomb! Liberty Public House for our fabulous After Party! And Allure & the Pilates Studio for the bird’s eye views. Phoebe Melley of Foster’s for opening the heart of our Village (the White Corner!) and forging an ephemeral Town Green for all our performers and folks to gather. And the HIVE!
The Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market for its special contribution this year!
SPEEDY TURN-AROUND
Quality Printing for getting this program printed in short order!
BRAVISIMO! TO ALL THE ARTISTS! THE WISH LADIES Women of
Wisdom and Delight.
THE POCKET LADY AND HER PAL Liza Jane Norman who created
the magnificent costume and Carla Carbone who gave it life! And her Pal, Lauree Ostrofsky.
THE POLAR BEAR! BACK FROM THE ARCTIC! Created
by Jessie Scott, animated by Billy Schultz, trained by Rosanne Fox and Kate Brehm, and accompanied on the accordion Julia Haines (aka Major Ursa).
ALL THOSE WILD GRUMPUSES! Mike Bloxham,
Chris Gilbert, Clifford Hart, Terrance McCorry, Mark Perez, Stephen Robin, John Schmitz, Richard Kopyscianski, Harlan Matthews, Jamyang Lodoe, Steven Young, David Gelb, Steven Pague, Bob Wills, Arun Lahiri, Robby Long, Richard Prouse, Andy Weintraub and Bob Wills and . And Grumpus Emeritis: Wally Carbone, Dod Crane, Bruce Lubman, Heinz Sauer and Ricky Aldrich. And their illustrious choreographer, Martha Tobias, who tamed and trained the wild beasts! And to Grumpus Wannabee Eric Gorsuch!
THE BUZZIN’ OF THE BEES!
And super buzz to the 1000 kids in the Chancellor Livingston School, Rhinebeck and the Mill Road School, Red Hook, who made bee pictures for the inside of the HIVE!
THE WILD WOMEN! AND THE NYMPHS! And Abby
TRAVELLERS (TO MFTA)
THE ASK ME LADIES
KINGSTON CREW! Susie Linn,
Saxon, the Wildest!
Dorna Schroeter, Queen! Diana Devlin, Laureen Swanwick, Jill Lundquist, Joanna Hess, Gwen Bardon, Ana SanJuan, Kiki Steele, Mary Burns, Joanne Leffeld, Sarah Olson, Marianne Neifeld, Marie Dynes, Karil Davidson, Kari Feuer, Jen LaBelle, Michael Frazier, Marie Dynes
BEAR BEAUTY
for the Bear Beauty Contest. We could not BEAR to lose you! Samuel’s John Traver, keeping up the tradition begun by Sarah Chaneles and Kathy Varadi. In memory of our dear Ira Gutner.
CROWNS AND BRANCHES!
Becky Holt, Sharon Rushton and their courageous crew.
THE BOOK The stellar team
who made the Illuminated Book: Nadine Robbins, Molly Ahearn, Grace Gunning, Richard Prouse, Andy Neal and James Gurney!
ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON Peter Muste and the
Royal Crew of Andy Cooper, Kirstin Horn, Riley Kiggins, Kate Muste, L. Ruffini, Adam Valle
THE ART TEACHERS
at Rhinebeck High School, Cynthia Baer and Kathy Giles and the Art Students for their gorgeous and original paintings.
SNOW KING, QUEEN, AND STAR CHILD OUR ROYALTY! Sean Nutley, Holly
McCabe, Crescent Moon Caitlyn Millard and Snow Child Ella Shulkind.
FINERY! The true Queen SUZY
MORRIS of the Snow King, Snow Queen, Star Child, Little Fox and those crazy Kukeri and all the rest! The Prodigal returns. And her co-finety makers Caitlin Millard and Holly McCabe.
Lindy Wright, Suzy Morris, Joanne and David Gelb Nancy Donskoj, Karen Berelewitz, B.C. Gee, Kevin Godbey, Linda Harrington, Deborah Mills Thackrey, Rob Sweeney, Gloria Waslyn, Ann Loeding, A.S.K., Color Page, Feeney’s Shipyard, Graziano’s Mint, Hannaford-Plaza, Hannaford-Ulster, Home Depot, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston Library, Kingston Happenings, Mariner’s Harbor, Old Dutch Church, Savonna’s Trattoria, Ulster County Tourism, Walmart, WDST
THE CHURCHES The
Methodist Church, The Church of the Messiah, the Reformed Church of Rhinebeck and the Third Evangelical Lutheran Church — folks filled with love and generosity in their hearts: Pastor Frank Windom, Rev. Richard McKeon Jr., Fr. Luis Perez and Pastor William Ryan Starkweather, and Anna Pavord, Liz Irwin and Bonnie Reyero.
YASHA KOAH The Jewish
Alliance of Northern Dutchess, Rabbi Yael Romer, Kimba Baker and Temple Emanuel for a beautiful and moving Havdalah. And the Dapson Chestney Funeral Home for hosting this meaningful ceremony.
THE LIVING NATIVITY! The Reformed Church for bringing it back.
BEEKMAN ARMS
To everyone at the inn especially Brenda Catalano, Gail Haskins and the Bantas for keeping the Hearth burning.
FOODIES! Colleen Bloxham,
Nancy Southard and Bjanetta Anderson.
YUM! All those who donated
will let him live! And his Noble Queen Joanne Gelb!
food for the hundreds of performers and volunteers. Thank you to Colleen Bloxham for keeping this army running with good food! Aroi Thai Restaurant, Bread Alone, CJ’s Pizza, Foster’s Coach House, Gaby’s Café, Gigi Trattoria, Krause’s Chocolate, Le Grand Cru, Le Petit Bistro, Liberty Publik House, Matchbox Cafe, Market Street, Migliorelli Farm Market, Osaka Japanese Restaurant, Pete’s Famous, Puccini Ristorante, Rhinebeck Bagel Shoppe, Sunshine Market, Daytop, Fiddleheads Home Fare, Rhinebeck Village Pizza, Samuel’s, Smoky Rock Barbeque, Stop ‘n Shop, Terrapin Restaurant, The Local, The Rhinecliff, Warren Kitchen & Cutlery, Wonderland Florist
JUST CALL HIM AL
THE STARR LIBRARY
HONEY PIES! Moe Schell & Olivia HOLY HOLLY! Mother Holly!
Cait Johnson, Ania Aldrich, Terry O’Keefe and the Kobold!
STAGING!
The immensely talented Richard Prouse whose staging gives to our airy nothing a local habitation and a name. And Barry Cohen who makes sense of it all. Adam Rife, Ben LeMerle and Dave Bull, Builders.
THE DRONE OF DISTINCTION David Gelb. We Al Boutin…Lindy’s wingman.
for its warm welcome to creatures great and small, human and puppet! Steven Cook and the Board of Trustees.
RE-SOUNDING PRAISE!
Omega Institute’s Ken Kuter and Skip Backus for letting us hear!
THE REAL DEAL
Jonkheer Leopold Quarles von Ufford for giving us authenticity and connecting us to our heritage. And to Mr. Briggs. Love you always.
OUR BARDS We miss you Jessica and Johanna.
OUR OWN SPECIAL SINTERKLAAS! In Kingston:
Henk Dijk who returned from Holland to join us! And in Rhinebeck: Scott Cruikshank, local hero!
THE PUPPETEERS
Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles whose vision and dedication to the work is unmatched anywhere, who hosted the workshop and taught so many in the skills of pageant puppetry and who made that magnificent Horse and the Fox, Crow, Bear, Goose, Turtle, Hummingbird…and now the Bees! And Basil Twist for bringing his “genius” to bear.
PARADE VOLUNTEERS
All those who animated puppets! Now you are 300 strong!!
AND ALL THE ARTIST AND PERFORMERS — there are too
many to list here
AS ALWAYS
to Ania Aldrich and Gigi Alvare for the original work and setting us on the path. And special thanks to Gigi for channeling the Blessing of the Honey Bee.
TO MY son Jordan who is alive and well and very funny.
AND ESPECIALLY to our
patient, long-standing, and supportive husbands: Al Boutin, Steven Michael Pague, Bernard Greenwald, Peter Muste, Michael Lalicki, Doug Baz, Donald Corrin, Albert Shahinian, Foster Reed and Harlan Matthews who play greater roles than anyone could ever imagine. Sinterklaas is an astonishing achievement and shows what a community can do working and dreaming together. Thank you again to the greater Rhinebeck community for the privilege of being allowed to do the work. And on a more personal note: Did you notice how much longer this thank you is than last year? More and more folks are coming forward to bee a part of Sinterklaas! We are an extended HIVE of joyous and profound activity. I just hope I did not forget anyone—because you are ALL unforgettable! —Jeanne Fleming, Designer and Coordinator, SPEAKING FOR All of Us at Sinterklaas!
THE SINTERKLAAS COMMITTEES THANK YOU ALL! Steering Committee: Lila Pague, Chair George & Phebe Banta Kimba Baker Jessica Bard Sarah Bissonnette-Adler Colleen Bloxham Ronnie Citron-Fink Stephen Cook Meg Crawford Diana Devlin Kathy & Tom Dressel Joanne Engel Elena Erber Joanne & David Gelb Sue Hartshorn Suzanna Hermans Joanna Hess Becky Holt Emily Houpt Cait Johnson Alex Kahn Kathy Kinsella Richard Kopyscianki Ken Kuter Dede Leiber Peggy & Bruce Lubman Doug Baz & Jill Lundquist Sally Mazzarella Rev. Richard McKeon Sophia Michahelles Suzy Morris Ann Patty Fr. Luis Perez Joseph Phelan Richard Prouse Foster & Tricia Reed Andrea Rhodes Rabbi Yael Romer Ana Sanjuan Abby Saxon Dorna Schroeter Helen Seslowsky Pat Sexton & Peter Muste Dan Shornstein Rev. William Starkweather Mayor Heath Tortarella Lou Trapani John Traver Julie & Lou Turpin Livia & Bill Vanaver Linda & Andy Weintraub Aida Wilder Piper Woods Lindy & Al Wright Mary Yankajtis
Kingston Sinterklaas Committee Nancy Donskoj, Co-Chair Susan Linn, Co-Chair Karen Berelewitz B.C. Gee Kevin Godbey Linda Harrington Deborah Mills Thackrey Rob Sweeney Gloria Waslyn
Jeanne Fleming Hudson Valley Community Productions 118 La Bergerie Lane Red Hook, NY 12571 845-758-5519 sinterklaashudsonvalley@gmail.com sinterklaashudsonvalley.com
sinterklaashudsonvalley.com •
Sinterklaas
2015
15
POSTER GALLERY Sinterklaas is announced in a most unusual way—by beautiful paintings hung in all the trees at the center of town. Here is a small sampling of the 150 paintings — especially the equine images — made by our high school students, the Senior Citizens Artists’ Program at the Reformed Church, the Art Teachers and many other painters from around town! Be sure to visit EVERY one as you enjoy the day.
16 Sinterklaas 2015
• sinterklaashudsonvalley.com
recycled/recyclable