CATSKILL, New York (March 11, 2009) – Greene County officially kicked off its celebration of New York State's Quadricentennial today by raising a special 400th Anniversary flag at the Historic Catskill Point Park and announcing six grant recipients who will receive a total of $45,000 to stage events, exhibits or programs to commemorate Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage up the river that now bears his name.

The official New York State 400th Flag was presented to Wayne C. Speenburgh, Chairman of the Greene County Legislature by Tara Sullivan, Executive Director of the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. Flags were also made available to fly in front of all county, town and village municipal buildings, as well as at schools and libraries. The flags not only celebrate Hudson's voyage four centuries ago, but also Samuel de Champlain's discovery of his namesake lake that same year and the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's maiden steamboat journey up the Hudson River.

The flag ceremony was part of a three-day bus tour that began yesterday in New York City with a press conference with Mayor Bloomberg and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, who is Honorary Chair of the celebration. The official state van is stopping at a dozen locations from Manhattan to Saratoga County to distribute the colorful flags. “Greene County is proud to raise the 400th Anniversary flag to celebrate our rich history and our promising future,” said Karen Deyo, Chairman of the Greene County Legislature's Government Operations Committee. “All of our communities can join in this celebration of New York's heritage of exploration and discovery.”

Greene County also marked the occasion by announcing the organizations that were selected by the Greene County Legislature to receive funding through the State's Quadricentennial Commission. Commenting on the selection of the grant recipients, Greene Tourism Director Daniela Marino said: “The Greene County Legislature and leaders of cultural, business and civic organizations in Greene County came together as a committee to plan a series of events throughout the County that will generate publicity for our historic sites and riverfront communities, attract new visitors and create projects that will last well beyond 2009.”

The six grant recipients are:

Greene County Historical Society –The historical society received a $10,000 grant to assist with several initiatives, including “A Celebration of Everything Dutch” with lectures and cooking demonstrations by Dutch food expert Pieter Rose and a lecture by Russell Shorto, author of best-selling novel “Island at the Center of the World;” the construction of a Mahican “village” at Historic Catskill Point; a performance at the Bronck Museum by Dutch singers and dancers about the voyage of Henry Hudson, with music and costumes from the early 17th century ; and the publication of “Historic Places in Greene County,” a book celebrating the County’s heritage starting with the first Dutch settlers.
Cairo Chamber of Commerce –The chamber received a $10,000 grant for a summer-long “Bears and Butterflies” public art exhibition, which will feature fiberglass bears individually painted by local artists with scenes relevant to Henry Hudson’s life and legacy. The bears will be placed along Main Street and in surrounding hamlets. The celebration will also include an “Explore with Henry Hudson” treasure map with a prize drawing, coupons from local businesses and more.
Greene Art Foundation –A $5,000 grant will help underwrite a multimedia theatrical production inspired by Hudson Talbott’s children’s book, “River of Dreams,” which tells the story of the Hudson River from its geological beginnings to its present importance. Eight workshops involving youths from Greene County high schools and led by a professional director and choreographer will culminate in six performances over two weekends in May.
Thomas Cole National Historic Site –A $5,000 grant will help fund a special Hudson River Art Exhibition that will be on view from May through October and will include paintings of the Hudson River from private exhibitions around the East Coast. Thomas Cole, Jasper Cropsey and Sanford Gifford will be among the artists to be represented.
Greene County Council on the Arts –This $10,000 grant will help transform one of the buildings at Historic Catskill Point into a “Wall of History.” Greene County artists will be commissioned to paint great moments in Greene County’s history on the Hudson River. The paintings will be then hung in an open-air picture gallery.
The Agroforestry Resource Center of Cornell Cooperative Extension –This $5,000 grant will help fund “Bounty along the Hudson” – a festival and exposition at the Historic Catskill Point on Columbus Day Weekend, a celebration of 400 years of food, agriculture and nature in Greene County. The event will include food and wine tastings, educational speakers, entertainment, and vendors representing the bounty of our local farms, forests, artisans as well as vendors showcasing herbal remedies, organic foods and products, exhibits on aquatic life on the Hudson River, cooking demonstrations, and use of solar energy and conservation.

The $45,000 in grants announced today are in addition to a $45,000 grant received by the Town of Catskill from the Quadricentennial Commission to help stage the annual Cat ‘n Around Catskill celebration and other planned events. This summer’s event will also focus on the Hudson River and its heritage. For more information, visit www.greenetourism.com or contact Greene County Economic Development, Tourism and Planning at (518) 943-3223.

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