By Shawn Dell Joyce
Blooming Hill Farm in New Windsor, community garden. This painting was made on location with the Wallkill River School. To purchase painting or come and paint with me, visit www.WallkillRiverSchool.com.

By Shawn Dell Joyce
In our culture, it often seems that our children are much more progressive than many of us stodgy old-schoolers. Most kids can text, download MP3 files, and tell you what their carbon footprint is without missing a beat. Better yet, they understand the importance of recycling better than a lot of adults.

By Michael Kaufman
The 2009 Mets were supposed to be celebrating the 1969 championship team this year. Instead they have played more like the Original Mets…but without the fun.

By Carrie Jacobson
As summer draws to a close, mackerel skies hint of rain and autumn and the end of the growing season. Come to the Wallkill River School Gallery, 232 Ward St., Montgomery, this month and see paintings from near and far, of summer and winter, by Carrie Jacobson and George Hayes. The opening is Saturday, Sept. 12, from 5-7 p.m. Join us!

Photography by Rich Gigli
“Summer’s Passing”
Waking up to the last day in spring, only to realize that summer would soon begin – budding leaves on the trees so bright wallow in the full sunlight – fireflies shining in their merry flight, summoned the soul with heaven’s delight – now many long days of summer have past, only to welcome autumn’s colors at last. (Gigli 2009)

By Bob Gaydos
In the summer of the yahoos and know-nothings, a quiet voice of reason speaks out in the Republican wilderness. Is anyone listening?

By Beth Quinn
For the American Far Right, being nuts is clearly a pre-existing condition (and one that’s apparently not covered under the current health-insurance system). I was reminded of this Tuesday when the nuts came completely unglued and kept their kids home from school rather than allow them to hear Barack Obama’s speech on the importance of … going to school.

By Jeffrey Page
Obama dumped Wright. Will Ball dump Kerik?

By Carrie Jacobson
Chapter 13
After a night inside the home of Pete and Angie Morrone, Zoe and Kaja are told to go. Samantha and Ashton Morrone, the couple’s children, awoke believing they’d see their new canine friends.

By Shawn Dell Joyce
Plum Pointe, Cornwall, NY. Plein air painting with the Wallkill River School.