Film Fest, 'River Hook Road Show' Will Benefit The Nature Preserve

UPPER NYACK, NY — Friends of River Hook presents two fall fundraisers to benefit improvements at the River Hook Preserve in Upper Nyack. Proceeds from these fundraisers will support Friends of River Hook in their efforts to develop the 12 acre nature preserve.

One is this week:

• What: Friends of River Hook presents the 26th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, vote on which films and actors you would like to win an Oscar!
• When: 7 p.m. Sept 29 or 30
• Where: Old Stone Meeting House, 347 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack
• How: $10 per ticket, sold by reservations in advance at https://riverhook.org/blogs/news

The second is next month:

• What: River Hook Road Show, Appraisal Fundraiser
• When: October 14 10AM - 4PM
• Where: Old Stone Meeting House, 347 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack
• How: Get your old treasures, collectibles, etc. appraised by professional appraisers for only $5 for each item, bring as many as you like

For more information on both of these fundraisers and to reserve a seat for the Manhattan Short Film Festival, visit https://riverhook.org/blogs/news

It was in early 2020 that volunteers with a vision formed the Friends of River Hook to support the 12-acre parcel bought by the village of Upper Nyack as a public preserve after the property had fallen into disrepair. Conversations with the community generated ideas for regeneration, reimagination and reinvention.

SEE: Bringing River Hook To Life

River Hook, the Hester Haring Cason Preserve, is one of the largest remnants of the six farms that would become the Village of Upper Nyack. Since the arrival of Europeans in the 17th Century, only two families called River Hook home. The Smith family, whose ancestor Col. James Smith fought for independence against the British, sold the property to the Haring family in 1934. The Preserve's namesake Hester Haring lived on the land most of her life.

Donations to River Hook are being used to make the preserve more accessible to the public and for features to engage the community.

"We are really excited that a new path through the preserve between N. Midland and N. Broadway is beginning. It will be a gravel path, including 8 parking spaces made possible by several grants. The path will make a big difference in the appearance of River Hook and will also make for easier walking and biking through the preserve," Friends of River Hook President, Sheryl LeRoy said in an announcement about the events. "Work has started on a natural play area on the north side of the N. Broadway meadow, using the small ice house as a focal point. We are continuing to make landscape improvements with the help of our dedicated volunteers and plan to showcase 2 new sculptures once the path is done."

Upper Nyack Mayor Karen Tarapata shared a vision for the project's future. "Right now we are assessing the stone carriage house to see what repairs are needed. It is a magnificent building which was neglected for many years and there is water damage that needs to be addressed before we can open it up for public use. Down the road, we plan to renovate the brick cottage near N. Midland as our own Community Center. These are both costly, legacy projects that will require grants and donations to accomplish."

All the improvements and installments at River Hook are made possible by grants, donations from the community and volunteers.

"I would encourage everyone to go to Riverhook.org to learn more about River Hook and to make donations or sign up to volunteer. We have many community members donating, and even have a couple of longtime residents that have made Founder’s Circle level donations because they are so pleased with the progress,” said LeRoy.

One of River Hook's supporters, Frank Manicione, has initiated the River Hook Roadshow event, an appraisal fundraiser on Oct. 14 at the Old Stone Meeting House. Five professional appraisers will assess the value of family treasures for $5 per item. You might be surprised at the value of some of your items. All proceeds of the River Hook Roadshow will go to support projects at the River Hook preserve.

"The most interesting antique we have found at River Hook is the “one-horse open sleigh" of Hester Haring, who lived most of her life at River Hook. A cousin of hers recounted Hester’s story of being driven around the village in the sleigh. I wish we had a picture of that," said Tarapata.

The public is urged to attend upcoming fundraising events and to follow River Hook on Instagram @friendsofriverhook and Facebook at Friends of River Hook to keep up to date.

For more information about Manhattan Shorts or River Hook Roadshow visit Riverhook.org or contact the Friends of River Hook at friendsofriverhook@gmail.com.