Hersch at Stissing

Journalism is a necessary adjunct to town government and community life. Without it there is an uninformed electorate and a hole in the fabric of civic activities. Many small newspapers, including the Register-Herald which served Pine Plains until 2009, have folded in recent years but now there appears to be a resurgence of local journalism.

Recognizing the need for locally generated news coverage, a dozen Pine Plains volunteers embarked on a mission in March 2022 to address that void. After starting as a newsletter, the New Pine Plains Herald emerged in January 2023 on an updated digital platform www.newpineplainsherald.org under the aegis of the non-profit Pine Plains Local Journalism Project, Inc.

Now a world-renowned jazz pianist, Fred Hersch, is aiding in the effort by performing Saturday, May 6th, at 6:00 PM at the Stissing Center on Church Street. All proceeds go to the Herald which serves Pine Plains and members of its school district including Ancram, Gallatin, Milan and Stanfordville.

A 15-time Grammy nominee, Hersch is widely recognized for his ability to create a unique body of original works while reinventing the standard jazz repertoire. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings including more than 40 albums as band leader/ solo pianist.

Tickets cost $50 with a limited number of premium $100 tickets available that include the concert as well as a special reception during which Hersch will hand out signed CDs.

Tickets for the benefit concert are now one sale and can be purchased online through Eventbrite. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.