Residents, volunteers move quickly after press coverage to preserve Rhinebeck holiday displays

The Village of Rhinebeck opened its December board meeting with a public comment period dominated by concerns about recent local news coverage of holiday decorations and traditions. A resident said “no decision has been made on the future for the menorah or a tree,” and urged the community and board to collaborate to preserve longstanding seasonal events.

Sonny Freeman, identified at the meeting as a long-term member and vice president of the volunteer fire department and cofounder of the Rhinebeck Jewish Center, told the board he would step forward to erect and maintain the menorah. The board thanked Freeman and other community volunteers for moving quickly after the recent press attention.

Board members also noted contributions from local organizations. The Rhinebeck Rotary offered to fund lights, bows and decorations if volunteers set up the displays, and a resident named Eileen was recognized for personally paying for tree lights. The board repeatedly emphasized that many past holiday events — tree lighting, parade, Santa visits — have depended on outside sponsors, the chamber and volunteer groups rather than being fully organized by the village.

The board asked speakers who attended the meeting to describe how they could help, and encouraged residents and organizations to coordinate with village staff on logistics, safety and ADA accessibility. No formal resolution or binding policy change was made at the meeting; the board and residents portrayed the developments as community volunteers stepping forward to restore seasonal displays.

The next procedural step offered at the meeting was coordination between volunteers and Village Hall staff to confirm locations, schedules and any needed permits or insurance.