Friends of Historic Saugerties event Sept. 9 What’s happening

WHAT: Talk WHEN: Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. WHERE: Community Room of the Saugerties Public Library, 91 Washington Ave., Saugerties DETAILS: The Friends of Historic Saugerties will present a talk by Alba LaFiandra titled “One Immigrant’s Dream: A Funicular Railroad in Mount Marion.” In the 1940s, LaFiandra’s parents bought an old hunting lodge perched on the ridge overlooking the Esopus Creek as a summer residence. When her mother broke an ankle, her engineer father, Philip LaFiandra, an immigrant from Italy, decided to build a funicular/ railroad so his wife could still spend her summer days by the creek. Many local tradesmen from Saugerties, Mount Marion and Glasco were instrumental in making this dream a reality. In the 1950s and ’60s, and even into the ’70s, before the trees grew too dense, locals driving along Route 9W next to the Esopus Creek marveled at what looked like stairs going up the mountain. This is the story of how they got there. Anyone interested in history is welcome to attend the event. Admission is free. CONTACT: Call (845) 2464317 for more information.

‘Hudson Valley Wine’ authors to sign book

WHAT: Book signing WHEN: Sept. 9 at noon WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 1177 Ulster Ave., town of Ulster DETAILS: Although it’s the birthplace of American wine, Hudson Valley vintages have yet to meet with the renown of those produced by the Finger Lakes and Long Island. In the book “Hudson Valley Wine,” authors Tessa Edick and Kathleen Willcox uncover the hundreds of years, unrelenting pride, determination and ingenuity behind the region’s wines. CONTACT: Call (845) 3360590 for more information.