Here comes the shortest day of the, celebrated worldwide as the Winter Solstice.

And once again, the Friends of Harmony Hall and the the Town of Ramapo will welcome the public to a free signature event at Harmony Hall in Sloatsburg for the ocassion.

Geoff Welch’s seasonal celebrations have been a staple of Sloatsburg programs for nearly a decade. This year, Welch and Harmony Hall will host Sterling Forest historian Doc Bayne to the “South Salon” to share the story of the forging of the great chain that once spanned the Hudson River to keep British warships from traveling too far upstream during the American Revolution.

Doc will be joined by noted archaeologist and historian Ed Lenik, who will share a traditional story of the coming of winter that has been passed down by the Ramapough tribe of the Lenape. Ramapough Shaman Cindy Fountain will also be on-hand to offer a bit of Native American wisdom and a traditional blessing as we move toward the changing of the seasons.

The event will culminate in an original multimedia presentation by photographer and composer Geoff Welch, highlighting the passing of fall into winter, as it occurs each year in the Ramapo Highlands. Guests will have the opportunity to visit our Holiday Shoppe, featuring handmade gift items and to enjoy refreshments before and following the presentations.