EDITORIALS
Recent
Natural Essays

A greenhouse in spring

The greenhouse is a short, brisk walk from the house, a little too far to run electricity, but just enough of a walk to make the old heart pump. Usually, I drive. One of the apiaries is on the …

A clean, well shaven face

Coming through the airport in Lisbon, my stuff has gone into the metal detector and I’m trying to keep an eye on my worn leather wallet, now out of view, riding on a push conveyor in a grey …

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I have spent months studying and traveling to the ruins of the fortified hilltop villages of the vanished Celtiberians. One of the most interesting features of their culture and of life in their …
Let’s say you were one of those Celts living in a Castro in a stone house, maybe built by your grandfather and your great uncle a couple hundred years before the Common Era, say 2,500 years …
It’s not that long ago, the Iron Age. Humans are among the youngest species on the planet. Aside from some butterflies, goatsbeard plants, and domesticated animals and plants, we are the …
With the help of my Portuguese friends, I was able to rediscover a fantastic piece of history, at least fantastic in the eyes of an aging stone mason, once a history major. Citania de Briteiros …
Editorials
In New York State, someone who has been able to successfully - and illegally - occupy a property for 30 days or more is entitled to what is called “Squatter’s Rights.” Once an …
For much of the 1990s and beyond, senior year for a group of SUNY New Paltz students did not end on graduation day. They were the journalism interns for the Legislative Gazette, a publication …
As we embark on National Library Week 2024, the theme “Ready, Set, Library!” encapsulates the essence of what libraries represent in our society – readiness, accessibility, and …
It’s 26 miles between Newburgh City Hall and the Mohonk Mountain House Resort and Spa. Driving time along the Thruway, with its tolls, is 34 minutes, but the elegant resort is a world away from …
Opinion
The first act as Mayor, Mayor Hembury, abolished PUBLIC COMMENT on April 2. I am not aware of any village or town in Orange County that does not allow PUBLIC COMMENT. What a guy, a firm supporter and …
In his diatribe of April 11, Peter Ericksen deplores Mr. Trump’s promotion of the King James version of the Bible during Holy Week. (Admittedly as a traditionalist Catholic, I would like to see …
I am reaching out to the editor to share my concerns and frustrations about the lack of Cyberbullying harassment laws in New York State. I experienced cyberbullying in April, when a group of former …
I’m writing you today to inform Orange County citizens that Assemblyman Eachus and Senator Skoufis have thrown you under the bus. In 2019 Mr. Skoufis voted FOR NYC Congestion Pricing. On …
On April 8, 2024, there was a public hearing in Maybrook on the budget. Only 5 people showed up. I began to ask questions and was told that the public hearing is not for questions but for comments. …
I am not surprised by the hypocritical lengths Trump is willing to reach to make a buck to help pay his mounting legal bills. Now he is selling “God Bless the USA Bibles” inspired by Lee …
On April 12th, 2024, we lost a great community servant, Councilwoman Elizabeth (Betty) Greene. Betty had served the Town as Receiver of Taxes for 28 years. Prior to her role as a councilwoman, …
The Immigration Act of 1891 established the Office of Immigration to administer immigration affairs. It also appropriated money to build a new immigrant inspection station on Ellis …
The cost of congestion pricing will be borne by drivers also from New Jersey, Long Island, Staten Island, and Manhattan. Fee based financing places the fees on the users rather than the general …
In an act of unmitigated hypocrisy, during the past Holy Week, Donald Trump announced that he’s selling “Freedom Bibles”. Moreover, on his social media platform, he suggested …
People keep getting “URGENT NOTICE” letters saying that their car warranty expired, or it is about to expire. You are given a phone number to call. Nowhere on the letter is the name …
One in four New Yorkers is struggling to put food on their table. The New York State Department of Health released these figures in their January report on food insecurity. They are our family …