Attention: For seniors who have not filed income taxes for 2018-2019 or longer

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The Department of the Treasury announced on April 1 that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an economic impact payment.  The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 to generate $1,200 economic impact payments to Social Security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.

For more information, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/.

National Junior Master Gardener Group on Facebook Live 

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Junior Master Gardeners

JOIN US for the first ever virtual National Junior Master Gardener Group on Facebook Live beginning April 2nd!

  • Sessions start April 2nd and will continue every Tuesday & Thursday 2:00pm (EST) and last approx. 20 minutes
  • Garden activities will be led by National JMG staff
  • Your kids can earn a Junior Master Gardener “Golden Ray Series” Certification in Plant Growth & Development
  • And, it’s FREE to JOIN US, HAVE FUN, LEARN and EARN certification!

More information and sign up here: http://jmgkids.us/fblive/

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The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser – in case you thought optimism was dead.

Robert Brault

Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering, There’s a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen

2020 NEWS BULLETIN FROM THE PINE BUSH AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY!

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The first day of April is “April Fool’s Day”.  Don’t be a fool and disregard the life-saving benefits of social distancing (6’ apart from each other) and all other preventative measures to avoid exposure to the Coronavirus. Let’s start the month off with the determination to defeat the spread of this invisible enemy in our community and beyond! Stay informed via legitimate information. Be aware of scams which are already flooding the internet and telephones. 

REMEMBER: We are all in this together!

 

Just because you cannot physically visit with your friends and family, it does not mean you can’t visit with them other ways. You can contact them by phone, text, email, Zoom, Skype, Face Time, Instagram, Twitter and many other apps available on the internet. Let them know you are thinking about them. Check on your elderly neighbors to find out if they can get out to purchase what they need or if they need assistance. See below for phone numbers, etc. for help!

 

Social distancing has been extended to April 30th.

The library will remain closed.

Visit our Free Little Library on the Porch of the Community Room. Free WIFI is available on the Porch, as well!

 

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  • April is “National Poetry Month” …stay tuned for details on an upcoming online event!
  • Your library card can be used for downloadable books and magazines, Rosetta Stone, Consumers Report using LIBBY or OVERDRIVE.  Your pin is the last four digits of the phone number you gave us.
  • No card…No problem. See below.

Go to RCLS.org

Open resources

Go to Resources for patrons

Click on EBooks/Overdrive

Follow instructions – it does require a mobile phone number

  • Apply for a New York Public Library Card & Gain Remote Access

We know the Library is a critical resource for New Yorkers of all ages, which is why we have taken steps to expand access to our online offerings while our branches are temporarily closed.

New York residents can apply for a New York Public Library card through SimplyE to gain access to an array of digital resources, including e-books and audiobooks, as well as databases available from home during our period of closure. Please check the instructions for Android here and for iOS here.

SimplyE is available on the App Store or Google Play.

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  • Your reference questions can be directed to the Newburgh reference librarian 24/7 by leaving a message at 845-563- 3628. You can leave a voice mail at the Pine Bush Library by calling 845-744-3375 ex 1. Your call s will be returned.
  • *This would be a good time to complete your Census. It is now more important than ever to be counted. These figures are used for public funding for the next 10 years.

You may want to try some of these free online resources or ideas while you are at home:

Stay informed    It is important to keep informed about current Coronavirus news.

READ                 READING IS GOOD FOR THE MIND AND SPIRIT!

 Book Discussion Groups   You can still connect online.  Everyone might not be reading the samebook, but why not discuss a book that someone might have recently read.  Different people taketurns making recommendations about their choices.

  • Learn a new craft – knitting, embroidery, sewing, woodworking, painting – find instructions on YouTube!
  • Keep a journal, write a poem or a story
  • Read 15-25 minutes a day. Keep a written record of what you read. Bring it to the library when we open. You may just win a prize!
  • Create an invention. Ask your grandparents if they remember their school days when there was an Invention Convention contest?
  • Learn a new language. Use Rosetta Stone or Duolingo.com
  • Create a scavenger hunt for your kids and they won’t even have to leave your property! Ask them to identify birds and wildlife they see, flowers that are blooming, find different colored rocks, etc. Use your imagination and look around your property to add items for them to look for.
  • Check out all the resources on the Pine Bush Area Library’s web page. There is local history, research, Community info, etc. (See the ribbon just under the picture of the Library)
  • Watch movies at home using a streaming site such as:

www.vexmovies.com

www.lookmovies.ag

Netflix

Hulu

Vudu

Amazon Prime Video

For Help During The Covid-19 outbreak

 General Resources

NYS has set up a COVID Mental Health Hotline, staffed by over 6,000 MH professionals, that people can access to get online or by phone therapy to cope with the stress, anxiety, isolation, etc.  1-844-863-9314S

NYS Department of Health COVID Information Line: 888-364-3065

CDC COVID-19 website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

NYS Department of Health COVID website:

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

 Food Pantry at the New Prospect Reformed Church (intersection of Rte 52 and New Prospect/Pirog Rd.)

Weds. 10 – 12, Thurs. 5 – 7pm

 Town of Crawford Senior Food and Essentials              Free Service and Delivery.

Non-perishable food or hygiene essentials are available

Call 845-745-0503 for more information. Weekdays between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Senior Shopping hours at Pine Bush Hannaford’s:  Tues., Wed., Thurs., 6 AM to 7 AM.

Check out this site for “Safe grocery shopping”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjDuwc9KBps&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR22DA5IaP89MEgorOpImeK-4fJkXzwINO8Wg8d0FVyW_duxjhD_s2-kNoU

Walgreens Drive Thru in Pine Bush will open at 8 a.m., with the full hour from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. dedicated to senior citizens.  This hour is also available to their caregivers and immediate families may also visit the store during this time.

We are offering additional, select products at the pharmacy drive-thru to offer our customers convenience and peace of mind as communities across the country practice social distancing to fight the spread of COVID-19.

More than 60 front-end products are currently available for purchase at drive-thru, including household essentials chosen specifically to support the needs of customers and communities during the pandemic. These additional products include:

  • Cleaning supplies and sanitizers
  • Cough/cold, pain/fever and immunity support
  • Select grocery items
  • Infant formula/adult nutrition
  • Medical supplies/first aid
  • Paper goods

There are numerous phone numbers and websites that Orange County residents can use to get help during the COVID-19 outbreak:

Orange County Crisis Hotline (useful for food service, mental health, and most other crisis needs): 800-832-1200

Senior food concerns: 845-615-3700

Business concerns: 845-360-0231

Employment concerns: 845-615-3629

Consumer Affairs (price gouging concerns): 845-360-6700

OC Government/Volunteer hotline: 845-291-4000

Orange County COVID-19 hotline (open 9-5): 845-291-2330

Childcare Council: 845-294-4012

Orange County COVID-19 website: https://www.orangecountygov.com/1936/Coronavirus

Coronavirus Information for Ulster County Residents:

 

Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: (845) 443-8888

NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline (888) 364-3065

Link to Ulster County Coronavirus Site:

https://ulstercountyny.gov/coronavirus

Ulster County’s Project Resilience. To learn more about this program to aid residents affected by COVID-19, to make a donation or to request food assistance visit: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/project-resilience/

Ulster County Schools Meal Delivery Plans

Ulster Emergency Food Resources

These Are Pine Bush restaurants and convenience stores that have take out or will deliver:

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION

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**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

IF YOU ARE COMPLETELY UNEMPLOYED DUE TO THE HEALTH CRISIS, (NOT EMPLOYED WITH REDUCED HOURS), YOU SHOULD FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY!

*FOR FILING ONLINE, GO TO:

*WWW.LABOR.NY.GOV

 

*FOR FILING VIA TELEPHONE, CALL:

*1 (888) 209-8124

*YOU NEED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DRIVER’S LICENSE, COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR EMPLOYER EIN NUMBER, WHICH IS ON YOUR LAST W-2 FORM.

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Pine Bush Area Library presents the Artist Salons – Starting March 2020 

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Pine Bush Area Library presents the Artist Salons – 2020 

Doors open 6:30 and program runs from 7 – 9:30 pm Pine Bush Library Community Building – 223 Maple Ave, Pine Bush, NY 12566 Program Coordinator: Meadow, Library Director: Doris Callan, Event Coordinator: Karen Fox: 845-744-4265 X2 

The Artist Salons are a series of public presentations and open discussions. We feel that art is vital to our community and an abundance of talented artists live and work in this Hudson Valley area and are part of out natural resources. We feel the Artists Salons are a valuable experience for the public to enjoy. This year nine artists will present their work and talk about their lives and careers as artists and innovators. The informal presentation will be salon style, after the famous 1930’s Coffee House Salons of Paris. Our purpose is to expose local artists living and working in the greater Pine Bush area. The lectures will take place in the Library Annex Community Building and are free and open to the public. 

The Salons are the 2nd Thursday of the month from March-June and September – December, dates listed below. Doors open at 6:30 for an opportunity to network with community members and meet the artists presenting. Light refreshments will be served. The evening presentation will start promptly at 7 and end 8:30-9PM. 

12 March – ART: of Mexicana Influence – Annie O’Neill 9 April – ART: of controversy – Rosary Salimanto 14 May – ART: feats of the feet – Brenda Bufalino 11 June – ART: of food – Jordanna Hysell 10 Sept. – ART: the second act – Bruce Piluggi 8 Oct. – ART: of living dolls – Meadow 12 Nov. – ART: of the horse – K. M. Copham 10 Dec. – ART: of passion – Liz Glover Wilson & Keith Buesing 

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Rave Reviews by Jean E. Eustance March 2020

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Rave Reviews by Jean E. Eustance              March 2020

Die-hard fans of Tony Hillerman will have read all 18 of his murder mysteries set in the American Southwest, in the Four Corners region. Everyone knows his Navajo Nation detectives: the Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and the younger, more  brash Jim Chee. Partway through the series, Tony Hillerman  brought in fellow police officer Bernadette Manuelito. She conveniently fell in love with Jim Chee, although he was too thick to realize it, until she nearly was killed in a later book. After that, Chee appreciated her and they got married.

Tony Hillerman passed away in 2008.  His daughter, Anne Hillerman, was prevailed upon to continue the series. She’s done a sparkling job of it. On our shelves, upstairs in Adult Services, the Pine Bush Public Library has Spider Woman’s Daughter and Rock With Wings.

Tony Hillerman’s first international best seller was A Thief of Time. Anne Hillerman started her series with a nod back to this book, bringing in several of the characters from this old case.  It worked. Spider Woman’s Daughter became a New York Times Bestseller.

The problem with a continuation of a series is how to get the young folks out from under the wing of an established detective. Anne Hillerman solves this problem on page three by having a mysterious villain shoot Lieutenant Leaphorn.  After that, Bernie and Chee have to solve the case. Anne Hillerman has them go off on different tangents, and she tells the story from their alternating viewpoints. Leaphorn lives, but has brain damage (which he recovers from, somewhat, over the course of the various books. The series goes beyond these first two.)

Usually the woman in a book is the damsel in distress. In this book, it’s Jim Chee who is tied and gagged, and Bernie who is tied with bungee cords but not gagged. And it is she who does the serious daring-do and saves them both. After the rescue, another police officer says, “Everyone’s looking for (that person.) You can’t shoot Joe Leaphorn and try to fry a couple more cops, without getting some attention.”

On to book number two, Rock With Wings. This is even more fascinating with Bernie following a man who has a huge dog, and who has a strange interest in getting rid of an old man who lives near the Ship Rock, also called the Rock with Wings. An endangered type of cactus and solar power is mixed in here, along with witchcraft. “Skinwalkers” are what the Navajos call their witches.

Meanwhile, Jim Chee has been assigned to look after a movie company making a film about zombies in Monument Valley.  The old John Wayne movie, “Stagecoach,” is also involved in the plot.

Most of these things, (except the zombies) come together in an unforgettable scene involving a large dog, which might be a skinwalker, and a house on fire. Once again Bernie saves the day and her own life and the life of another.

The old man who is endangered lives near Ship Rock, the Rock with Wings. He does not want solar panels set up to block his view of Ship Rock. He likes the view the way it is. I like these books. I can see into Bernie’s and Jim Chee’s heads in a deeper way than in the original series.  As with the Rock with Wings, I like the view. I bet you will too.