The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History announces the opening of its exhibit, Rondout Revisited, at the Matthewis Persen House, in conjunction with NY Heritage Weekend, May 19, 2012.  The exhibit has been installed atUlsterCounty’s Matthewis Persen House, located on the corner of John and Crown Streets in uptownKingston.  There will be an opening reception from 11 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on May 19th, and the public is invited.

The ReherCenterfor Immigrant Culture and History, a project of the Jewish Federation of Ulster County, is undertaking an extensive renovation and restoration of its building at 99-101 Broadway.  While the Reher Bakery building is under construction, the Countyof Ulsterhas provided the ReherCenterspace on the second floor of the Matthewis Persen House for its exhibit, Rondout Revisited, highlighting three stages in the history of Rondout.

The schedule of events for this Grand Opening includes the following activities, and the public is encouraged to stop by the House and take part in the day’s events.

11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.:

Kingston Oral History Project.  Kingston residents are invited to share their stories of Rondout and Kingston to help establish a video archive.  People wishing to participate are encouraged to call ahead for an appointment (338-8131), though walk-ins are welcome.

12:00 Noon:    A slide presentation of 200 photographs taken by Eugene Dauner during the urban renewal years.  Mr. Dauner will discuss his experience of urban renewal and why he decided to document the process.

2:00 p.m.:   A slide presentation by Jack Matthews showing a selection of photographs of Downtown, Midtown and Uptown Kingston during the first half of the 20th century.

For more information contact:

Jewish Federation ofUlsterCounty

1 Albany Avenue, Suite G-8,Kingston,NY12401

845-338-8131

Info@ucjf.org

For more information on the Matthewis Persen House contact:

NinaPostupack,UlsterCountyClerk

PO Box1800,244 Fair Street,Kingston,NY12402

845-340-3040

www.co.ulster.ny.us/countyclerk

Kayakers will make stop in Kingston’s Rondout Creek

Ulster County will host two prominent adventurers embarking on the well-known Spare Seat Expedition, an epic journey of more than 500 miles by kayak, on May 16-17.

The kayakers, British expeditioner Richard Harpham and fellow adventurer and photographer Glenn Charles, will reach the Rondout Creek in Kingston, on May 16, the 16th day of their 21-day voyage. They will dock at the Hudson River Maritime Museum and attend an event featuring Mayor Shayne Gallo and an evening of entertainment from local performance groups.

“We are honored and excited to welcome the Spare Seat Expedition to Ulster County,” said Richard J. Remsnyder, Director of Ulster County Tourism. “We have a wonderful event planned that should be a lot of fun. This kayak expedition has drawn local, national and international attention, and we look forward to being part of the journey.”

The New York State Division of Tourism’s U.K. office teamed up with Harpham and Charles to launch the Spare Seat Expedition, which takes the kayakers across the beautiful landscapes of the state of New York. The expedition kicked off May 1 in Buffalo and will take the kayakers along the Erie Canal and Hudson River, finishing up in Manhattan at the Statue of Liberty.

Harpham and Charles will make stops in cities and counties along their route to interact with community members and invite local kayakers to paddle with them. The spare seat in one of the kayaks will be made available to various community leaders, journalists and others who will help document the voyage.

Mayor Gallo will paddle out from Kingston Point Beach to the Kingston Lighthouse where he will meet up with the international delegation as they approach Kingston. Boaters and kayakers are encouraged to join in the fun by lining the Rondout Creek to welcome the contingent into Kingston.  Once ashore the dock at the Maritime Museum, Mayor Gallo will offer a few words of welcome and the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston (POOK) and Energy Dance Group will perform. The public is encouraged to attend.
“This visit from the Spare Seat Expedition is a unique and memorable event for Ulster County, and we encourage community members and visitors alike to join us in welcoming the kayakers to our scenic city and county,” said Gallo. “Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the excitement of kayaking, but it’s also our chance to invite Mr. Harpham, Mr. Charles and the rest of their team to discover the culture, history and natural beauty that make Ulster County and the City of Kingston so special.”
For more details about events in Kingston and all of Ulster County, visitwww.UlsterCountyAlive.com. To learn more about the Spare Seat Expedition, visitwww.thespareseat.com.