NEWS

Starry Night on the Walkway stars Martha Stewart

John Davis
Poughkeepsie Journal
Martha Stewart answers questions from the media gathered at the Walkway Over the Hudson's Starry Starry Night benefit on Friday. At right is Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart, executive director of Walkway Over the Hudson.

HIGHLAND – Funds raised Friday night for Walkway Over the Hudson will pay for development of a visitors center and other projects.

About 450 attended the annual Starry Starry Night fundraiser for the Walkway. The organization expected to raise between $120,000 and $125,000, said Walkway spokesman Steve Densmore.

The event took place at the Town of Lloyd end of the Walkway. Those attending paid $150 a ticket to enjoy the live music, local cuisine, beer and wine and fireworks display. There also was a silent and live auction of donated goods and services.

The band entertains guests at the Walkway Over the Hudson's Starry Starry Night benefit on Friday.

Among those attending was Martha Stewart, cookbook author and TV personality. She came as guest of Dr. Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, an honorary co-chair of the fundraiser and chair of the New York State Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

"I'm a lover of the Hudson River," Stewart said.

She said Friday was her first time out on the Walkway and her visit included a ride on the new elevator.

The fundraiser honored Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein for their ongoing support of the Walkway and recreational trail development throughout their two counties.

Former Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus, who spearheaded the construction of the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, which is connected to the Walkway, attended the fundraiser.

"The Walkway and the two trails in Ulster and Dutchess are the ultimate example of our 1990s strategy of connecting communities," he said.

The Walkway, which is approaching the five-year anniversary of its opening, attracted over 700,000 visitors last year, according to Journal archives.

Robert Mallory, chairman of the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council, was among those attending the fundraiser.

"I think the Walkway is a tourist attraction and has an economic impact on the city and the surrounding areas and we need to capitalize on that," he said.

David Silver, owner of Hudson Highland Properties in Beacon, said he was glad to be a sponsor of the Walkway fundraiser.

"It's just a beautiful, beautiful project in terms of rehabilitation of an already existing structure and the outcome of that renovation has been greater than anyone could possibly imagine," he said.

John Davis: jpdavis@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4807, Twitter: @JohnDavisPJ

VIDEO

Go to Poughkeepsiejournal.com to see a video from fundraiser.