Old Dutch Church Holds First Annual October Fair and Book Signing
By Suzanne Rothberg
The Old Dutch Church is a famous historic landmark that attracts many visitors from around the globe. It serves as the inspiration of author Washington Irving’s classic story, ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’ On Sunday, October 9 The First Annual Old Dutch Church Fair was held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery; to raise funds for the upkeep of the church which is one of the oldest churches in New York State.
Pastor Jeff Gargano seemed very pleased with the turnout at the fair. “This is more than we could have hoped for—the weather has cooperated and it’s great to see everyone,” said Pastor Gargano. He added, “We’ve already decided that we’ll be doing it again next year; although it’s a lot of work and requires hundreds of volunteer hours. It’s not so much raising the funds for the church; it’s also raising the profile of the church. It’s an integral part of what we do here in Sleepy Hollow.”
Aubrey Hawes, is the president of ‘Friends of Old Dutch.’ He stated that last October they had a gala fundraiser featuring the organist from the New York Philharmonic followed by a concert at the church followed by a gala across the street at Historic Hudson Valley.
“October is the biggest month of the year when it comes to the Village of Sleepy Hollow,” Hawes told Community Media. He continued, “It raises funds for the renovation and restoration of the church and also provides greater access. It’s really a national treasure and a local cultural center. Last year was more formal this year is more casual and community oriented.”
Authors Elinor Griffiths and Jane Allen held a book signing for their brand new book "The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow" about the legendary Old Dutch Church and its unique rich history. “We created a book about the Old Dutch Church and it’s the grand finale,” said Griffiths. Continuing, “It offers the community an opportunity to learn about their history. It’s where Washington Irving created ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and Irving lived here.”
“There’s a lot of history here dating back to the American Revolution and that was very fascinating to me,” explained Jane Allen. “This was mutual ground; the no-man’s land between the British forces in New York City and the American forces north of here in Peekskill. There were some very difficult times for people who lived here. This church has been part of the community for so many years the members created it so there’s a history of the community as well as the church.”
Martin Porter and his fiancée Penny Bassounas of Hoboken, New Jersey were actually on the cemetery grounds for the Kykuit tour and stumbled across the Old Dutch Church Fair by accident.
“We decided to stop by and were here for about an hour. We were planning to come back for the reading of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Porter stated.
Jeremy Goldsmith serves as the co-director of music of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns. He contributed the music. His wife is the director.
“We’re piggybacking on the Old Dutch event with an organ fundraiser for the main church. I got to play ‘polka music’ which is not something I do very often and make the event like an ‘Oktoberfest’ and it was really lots of fun,” said Goldsmith.
Emily Goldsmith, from Croton, New York is the daughter of Jeremy Goldsmith and his wife.
“The weather is beautiful, the food is great we were touring all the gravesites and it was amazing when the Headless Horseman appears,” Goldsmith said. I’m hoping we’ll sell some of the pumpkins and we’ll raise a lot of money for the clock church organ. My mom has been playing it every week and right now she’s lacking an organ so I think it would be a really good thing if we can raise that money for a new organ.”
Chelsea Fuchs of Chappaqua and Gavin Shafron from Manhattan came together. They both said they would return next year if another fair were held.
“I had a friend who lives in Tarrytown who is a member of the church that was working at the fair and it looked like a really fun fall activity,” Shafron said. “It seems to be a pretty good turnout and always a huge draw when the Headless Horseman comes along.”
“I live fifteen minutes away and I also knew someone who’s working at the fair—it’s definitely getting me into the fall spirit,” Fuchs said.
By Suzanne Rothberg
The Old Dutch Church is a famous historic landmark that attracts many visitors from around the globe. It serves as the inspiration of author Washington Irving’s classic story, ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’ On Sunday, October 9 The First Annual Old Dutch Church Fair was held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery; to raise funds for the upkeep of the church which is one of the oldest churches in New York State.
Pastor Jeff Gargano seemed very pleased with the turnout at the fair. “This is more than we could have hoped for—the weather has cooperated and it’s great to see everyone,” said Pastor Gargano. He added, “We’ve already decided that we’ll be doing it again next year; although it’s a lot of work and requires hundreds of volunteer hours. It’s not so much raising the funds for the church; it’s also raising the profile of the church. It’s an integral part of what we do here in Sleepy Hollow.”
Aubrey Hawes, is the president of ‘Friends of Old Dutch.’ He stated that last October they had a gala fundraiser featuring the organist from the New York Philharmonic followed by a concert at the church followed by a gala across the street at Historic Hudson Valley.
“October is the biggest month of the year when it comes to the Village of Sleepy Hollow,” Hawes told Community Media. He continued, “It raises funds for the renovation and restoration of the church and also provides greater access. It’s really a national treasure and a local cultural center. Last year was more formal this year is more casual and community oriented.”
Authors Elinor Griffiths and Jane Allen held a book signing for their brand new book "The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow" about the legendary Old Dutch Church and its unique rich history. “We created a book about the Old Dutch Church and it’s the grand finale,” said Griffiths. Continuing, “It offers the community an opportunity to learn about their history. It’s where Washington Irving created ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and Irving lived here.”
“There’s a lot of history here dating back to the American Revolution and that was very fascinating to me,” explained Jane Allen. “This was mutual ground; the no-man’s land between the British forces in New York City and the American forces north of here in Peekskill. There were some very difficult times for people who lived here. This church has been part of the community for so many years the members created it so there’s a history of the community as well as the church.”
Martin Porter and his fiancée Penny Bassounas of Hoboken, New Jersey were actually on the cemetery grounds for the Kykuit tour and stumbled across the Old Dutch Church Fair by accident.
“We decided to stop by and were here for about an hour. We were planning to come back for the reading of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Porter stated.
Jeremy Goldsmith serves as the co-director of music of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns. He contributed the music. His wife is the director.
“We’re piggybacking on the Old Dutch event with an organ fundraiser for the main church. I got to play ‘polka music’ which is not something I do very often and make the event like an ‘Oktoberfest’ and it was really lots of fun,” said Goldsmith.
Emily Goldsmith, from Croton, New York is the daughter of Jeremy Goldsmith and his wife.
“The weather is beautiful, the food is great we were touring all the gravesites and it was amazing when the Headless Horseman appears,” Goldsmith said. I’m hoping we’ll sell some of the pumpkins and we’ll raise a lot of money for the clock church organ. My mom has been playing it every week and right now she’s lacking an organ so I think it would be a really good thing if we can raise that money for a new organ.”
Chelsea Fuchs of Chappaqua and Gavin Shafron from Manhattan came together. They both said they would return next year if another fair were held.
“I had a friend who lives in Tarrytown who is a member of the church that was working at the fair and it looked like a really fun fall activity,” Shafron said. “It seems to be a pretty good turnout and always a huge draw when the Headless Horseman comes along.”
“I live fifteen minutes away and I also knew someone who’s working at the fair—it’s definitely getting me into the fall spirit,” Fuchs said.
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