Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling? (November 2008)

And the ANSWER IS...

Our congratulations to Michael Calenti of Hyde Park for being the first to respond to the November "Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling" contest. Michael recognized Reed as being at Poets' Walk Park (Dutchess County).

Legend has it that the woodland path at Poets' Walk Park provided recreation and inspiration for two 19th-century literary greats -- Washington Irving and Fitz-Greene Halleck -- hence its name. Irving's luster still shines, thanks to short stories like "Rip Van Winkle," set in the mountains forming the park's scenic backdrop.

During his life one of America's leading poets, Halleck (1790-1867) also served as a cultural advisor to John Jacob Astor, who purchased the adjacent Rokeby estate for his son and heir, William. (William's wife had grown up there.) Now obscure, Halleck was the first American poet to be honored with a statue. It sits in New York's Central Park.

Our congratulations to Michael Calenti of Hyde Park for being the first to respond with the correct answer. She won an autographed copy of Reed Sparling's Hudson Valley Voyage: Through the Seasons, Through the Years. No new challenge this month, but we'll be back in the new year!