New Lebanon

The Lebanon Valley Historical Society will join the New Lebanon community in the rededication of the Blessing Fountain on Friday, September 27, at 1 pm. The fountain, designed by noted sculptor Sir Henry Hudson Kitson for the New Lebanon Garden Club in 1941, will be renamed the Mohican Blessing Fountain to more accurately reflect the people who gave the gift of the healing waters in perpetuity to the newly arrived settlers of Lebanon Springs. The event will be attended by a representative of the Tribal Council of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans and will take place at the fountain, located on Route 22 in Lebanon Springs, followed by refreshments at the pavilion in Shatford Park to celebrate the harvest season.

Local authors Michael and Diego Mongue will appear at the New Lebanon Library on Thursday, September 26, at 3:30 pm, to talk about their quarterly comic book series, “Awesome Robot Science Fiction Action Comix.” The talk will be followed by Q& A and discussion, after which Michael and Diego will sign copies of the book.

“Awesome Robot” started as letters left in Diego’s school lunches. Messages of encouragement like, “Have a great day at school” or “Eat your lunch and work hard” soon morphed into stranger missives, such as “Don’t eat cake from the cafeteria garbage pail.” These notes were accompanied by illustrations that eventually became the “Awesome Robot” series, the story of Dennis the Robot and his anthropomorphic misadventures. The story and renderings marry the musings of a pre-pubescent boy and the satirical commentaries of his outsider artist father.
Michael Mongue is an artist residing in Williamstown, MA. His work has been shown at the Left Bank Gallery in Bennington, the Arts and Crafts Guild in Dalton, MA, the Flatiron Gallery in North Adams, MA, the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in New York City, the Deborah Davis Fine Art Gallery in Hudson, NY, and the Firehouse Cafe in Adams, MA. He is the author of M.Mongue: Acrylic Paintings from a Berkshire Artist, as well as the “Awesome Robot” series which he writes with his son. Diego, aged 10, who is in the fifth grade.
The public is welcome at this free event, which is most appropriate for school-aged children although interested patrons of all ages are welcome. For more information, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

The Lebanon Valley Protective Agency will sponsor a visit from the Columbia County Fire Safety Trailer to the New Lebanon Library on Wednesday, September 18, at 6 pm. This program, which is free and open to the public, is appropriate for school aged children, although younger siblings are welcome.
The Fire Safety Trailer features the latest technology in teaching children about Fire Safety, how and when to dial 911 and what to do in the event of a fire. The trailer helps teach Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH) along with general fire safety in the home. The trailer is equipped with a non-toxic smoke generator and can simulate hot doors to help with education. Through this interactive training concept, children are able to enthusiastically participate in each lesson. “Fire prevention is not something to be done once a year, it’s a way of life,” said Michael Guido, fire prevention officer for the LVPA.
For further information, please call the New Lebanon Library at 518-794-8844. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

Local acoustic folk duo Divinitress will be performing at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, September 13, from 7 to 9 pm.  Their blend of harmonies and acoustic instruments give the duo a unique and uplifting sound. This event is free and open to the public, although donations for the performers are welcome.
Divinitress consists of singer-guitarist Tistrya Grace, who has spent ten years performing at coffee houses and festivals, and versatile Berkshire singer/songwriter Erin Laundry. They play a combination of original songs along with popular covers that encourage the audience to sing along.
For further information on this free event, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The public is welcome, and the event is free. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.

Berkshire musician Doug Schmolze will be performing at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, September 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public, although donations for the performer are appreciated.
Schmolze’s program will include traditional folk songs and sing-along favorites as well as songs from the American songbook from the 30s, 40s and 50s from composers such as Harold Arlen, Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hammerstein. He will also perform solo guitar pieces from Latin American and Spanish composers, including Flamenco.
Doug Schmolze studied guitar and composition at the Berklee School of Music, classical guitar with Alexander Bellow and voice with Virginia Berry, Michael Diesen-Barrow, Diane Ingraham Barnes and Frank Kelley. He has sung with the Pro Art Choral, the Lorien Ensemble, the Berkshire Bach Singers, the Berkshire Choral Festival, the Berkshire Opera and the Cantilena Chamber Choir.
For further information on this event, please call the Library at 518-794-8844. The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, ¼ mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20/22.