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About
The Dutchess County Executive’s Award for Overall Distinction recognizes businesses and organizations that have continued to grow, innovate, or make other significant investments that make our county a destination that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Join Dutchess Tourism in celebrating all the honorees at the 11th annual Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park. Read more about the event and purchase tickets here.
Read on to learn more about each Dutchess County Executive’s Award for Overall Distinction finalist.
Elaine Hayes, Mount Gulian Historic Site: Mount Gulian is a unique state and nationally registered historic site due to the constellation of important events that occurred here during and after the Revolutionary War. Serving as the 1782-1783 headquarters of Patriot General Von Steuben, it is the birthplace of the Society of the Cincinnati, America’s first veterans’ fraternal organization. Located on the site of the Rombout Patent of 1683, which allowed the purchase of one-third of Dutchess County from the indigenous Wappinger People, our site also has important Dutch Colonial, Federal-era, African American, Civil War and Women’s histories. The original Dutchess County homestead of the illustrious Verplanck family, we are always open to the public and are largely membership sponsored.
Chrissa J. Santoro, Omega Institute: Omega is a destination for immersive learning, deep rest and rejuvenation. From mindfulness and yoga, to healing arts and creative expression, to sustainability and professional development, we offer something for everyone. Since our founding in 1977, nearly 1M people have come through our doors to study with renowned teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, Vandana Shiva, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Elizabeth Gilbert, and many, many more. The natural beauty of our 250-acre campus, the nourishing food we serve, the extraordinary teachers and participants who travel to Rhinebeck from around the world, and the care and hospitality of our staff underscore the idea that the environment in which teaching occurs is as important as the teaching itself.
What also sets Omega apart is our commitment to sustainability, particularly the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL), a building that was the first in the world to achieve both LEED® Platinum and Living Building Challenge™ certifications, the highest performance standards available. The building houses our wastewater purification system, the Eco Machine, which uses all-natural processes and zero net energy to create a closed-loop hydrological cycle.
We hear time and again that the environment we create makes people feel welcomed, connected, inspired, and transformed.
Jennifer Cunningham, Barton Orchards: Barton Orchards is a unique destination that combines a traditional farm experience with modern entertainment, making it a popular day out. The orchard is known for hosting seasonal events and festivals throughout the year, such as fall harvest celebrations and live music events, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. We are an inclusive farm that welcomes everyone, including dogs. Our farm market and bakery offer homemade baked goods, apple cider donuts, and artisanal products, giving visitors a taste of local flavors. We also have some of the most amazing customers who return year after year and are like family to us.
Elaine Hayes, Mount Gulian Historic Site: Since opening in 1975 for America’s bicentennial, Mount Gulian has grown to 44 acres of Hudson River views and protected woodlands. As an exciting venue for special events and weddings, we hope to further improve access to our wooded areas with trails and interpretive stations, focusing on the Indigenous people who initially lived here. Regarding tourism, we look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with Dutchess County Tourism, participating in the seamless integration of publicity and resources, especially as we come closer to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Chrissa J. Santoro, Omega Institute: As a nonprofit organization, Omega relies upon the generous support of our Members, donors, teachers, and institutional funders not only to operate, but also to expand pathways to participation. We know that when a wide variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and identities are represented, our community is enriched, and we are focused on increasing accessibility to holistic learning. Through scholarships, online learning, membership, nonprofit retreat grants, and sliding-scale tuition options, we’re building an inclusive community of lifelong learners.
My hope is that we continue to grow our Membership community, which provides vital support to Omega’s nonprofit work (ex. bringing mindfulness and yoga to underserved populations, helping veterans heal from post-traumatic stress, supporting women’s leadership, and facing climate change head-on). For as little as $10/month, Omega Members enjoy exclusive online content, Member tuition rates, discounts on campus, and more. Together we can create greater access to the educational opportunities offered, and make meaningful change in the world.
Jennifer Cunningham, Barton Orchards: We hope that Dutchess County continues to thrive as the premiere fall destination of the Northeast, and we look forward to growing together with them.
Elaine Hayes, Mount Gulian Historic Site: Mount Gulian celebrates the panorama of America, from pre-colonial history to current days. Our site includes a heritage garden from 1804, an original Dutch-style barn (c 1730) and a reconstructed fieldstone museum house, which houses a unique collection of original documents and artifacts, allowing us to tell a wide variety of primary-sourced stories to visitors. One such story is that of a fugitive enslaved man, James F. Brown, who was manumitted by the Verplancks in the 1820’s, worked at Mount Gulian for decades as the estate’s master gardener, and kept an amazing journal of his life as a freeman in Dutchess County.
Make history fun and hands-on! Our site is well-known for our “living history” events, where professional actors stay in character and interact with our visitors. Our school programs always have hands-on activities, as do our children’s Victorian teas, and special “White Glove” tours. When history comes alive, when it is shown to be relevant to our daily lives, there is more respect for those who preceded us in creating the democratic America that we cherish and hope to maintain.
Chrissa J. Santoro, Omega Institute: Insider tips:
1) Omega is open seasonally from late May through October. We offer virtual events online year-round at eOmega.org
2) Wear comfortable walking shoes! There’s lots to explore on Omega’s campus — from gardens and hiking trails, to kayaking and pickleball, to the Ram Dass library and the Sanctuary, to the Café, Bookstore, and more.
3) Omega’s campus also has a Wellness Center, offering massage, facials, energy work, and more. Locals can book appointments for the Wellness Center.
4) We offer free tours of the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) every Wednesday and Saturday at 1 p.m., and by appointment. Contact OCSL@eOmega.org for more information about tours.
Jennifer Cunningham, Barton Orchards: Barton Orchards is a family-owned and operated farm for over three generations. It is a popular destination, especially during peak seasons like apple picking in the fall or during festivals. Arriving early or visiting on a weekday can help avoid crowds.
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