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Autumn in NY’s Hudson Valley: History and scenery

By WTOP Staff

BETH J. HARPAZ
AP Travel Editor

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Exploring the region north of New York City isn’t just for locals, and autumn is one of the nicest times of year to do it. The Hudson Valley offers history, culture and outdoor attractions with Hudson River scenery as a backdrop, just an hour or two from Manhattan. Here are five places worth visiting.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

You could easily spend a full day touring sites dedicated to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, starting with exhibits at the presidential museum and library that bring to life FDR’s leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.

Self-guided museum tours include footage of the aftermath of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and a radio broadcast of one of FDR’s famous “Fireside Chats.” FDR’s political accomplishments are astounding — the only U.S. president elected four times, responsible for creating everything from Social Security to the Securities Exchange Commission. But his personal life is equally interesting, from his domineering mother, to his struggles with polio, to his relationships with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and other women.

Nearby National Park Service sites include Springwood, where FDR was born and lived; Val-Kill, Eleanor’s retreat; and Top Cottage, FDR’s private digs. Park rangers lead tours of the homes, providing glimpses of the Roosevelts’ lives, from FDR’s use of a manually operated elevator at Springwood after he was paralyzed from polio, to the guest list at Val-Kill, where Eleanor hosted John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and many others.

Open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through October, and until 5 p.m. November-March; adults, $9 for the museum ($18 if you add Springwood; Val-Kill and Top Cottage are separate), http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/museum/. The grounds and white marble tomb where FDR and Eleanor are buried are free to visit.

WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON

A short drive from Hyde Park in Poughkeepsie, this bridge offers a scenic stroll across the Hudson River, 1.28 miles (2 kilometers) each way, 212 feet (64 meters) above the water. It’s the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world — no cars, but bikes are OK — with free and paid parking nearby; https://www.walkway.org/ .

STORM KING ART CENTER

This unique 500-acre (200-hectare) park in New Windsor houses more than 100 outdoor sculptures, many of them massive structures in bold shapes and colors that create dramatic silhouettes amid rolling fields, woodlands, waterways, open skies and mountain views. Take the free tram for a terrific overview of the grounds, then start walking or rent a bike onsite for a closer view of your favorite works. Highlights include Roy Lichtenstein’s whimsical, colorful “Mermaid,” emerging from a pond like a cartoon watercraft; Maya Lin’s “Storm King Wavefield,” an undulating, grass-covered earthwork; and through Nov. 9, Zhang Huan’s enormous steel-and-copper disembodied Buddhas.

Open Wednesday-Sundays through Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. in November); adults, $15; http://www.stormking.org/ .

KYKUIT, THE ROCKEFELLER ESTATE

The Hudson Valley’s historic sites range from Philipsburg Manor, an 18th-century farm and mill, to Sunnyside, the riverside home of Washington Irving, the 19th-century author of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

But for 20th-century history, nothing beats the Rockefeller estate at Kykuit (pronounced Ky-kut, an old Dutch term for lookout). The 40-room mansion and grounds with unspoiled views of the Hudson (the Rockefellers bought up property to preserve the view) offer a fascinating look at the family’s wealth and trappings, from ancient Chinese vases, encased in plastic boxes so kids wouldn’t knock them over, to basement hallways lined with Nelson Rockefeller’s modern art collection. Generations of Rockefellers lived here, starting with John D., co-founder of Standard Oil, America’s first billionaire; his son John Jr., the philanthropist; and Junior’s offspring, including Nelson, a New York governor and vice president under Gerald Ford.

Located in Sleepy Hollow, a variety of tours are offered Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 9, plus Mondays in October; http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit .

STONE BARNS CENTER FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE

This isn’t the usual agritourism attraction with machines dispensing pellets to feed baby goats. Instead, Stone Barns is a nonprofit working farm dedicated to education. Come see free-range turkeys and chickens, a barn full of piglets, greenhouses, organic gardens overflowing with flowers and herbs, vegetable fields, compost heaps, a buzzing apiary and wooded paths.

Located near Kykuit in Pocantico Hills, Stone Barns belonged to the Rockefellers and was turned into an education site by David Rockefeller (John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s son) in honor of his late wife Peggy, an advocate for farmland preservation. The farm has a commercial partnership with chef Dan Barber, who operates two fancy restaurants, Blue Hill in Manhattan and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, but for an affordable sample of Stone Barns flavors, visit the onsite Grain Bar for salads, frittatas, sandwiches and sweets.

Open Wednesday-Sunday, with a $10 admission fee per car Friday-Sunday; http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/ .

GETTING THERE

The Hudson Valley is an hour or two by car from Manhattan, depending on your destination. Driving is the easiest way to go, especially if visiting more than one site, but there is some public transit available. Coach USA buses run from Manhattan’s Port Authority station to Storm King. From the MetroNorth train station in Tarrytown, it’s a 10-minute cab ride to Stone Barns or to where Kykuit tours meet at the Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center. MetroNorth and Amtrak trains serve Poughkeepsie, with the River Station restaurant, across from the train station, running free shuttles to Hyde Park.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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