On Saturday, June 15, the Plattekill Historical Society welcomes Carl Aiello, owner and publisher of the Times Community Newspapers (Southern Ulster Times, Wallkill Valley Times and Mid Hudson Times). Aiello will highlight black and white and color photos from the 75-year collection of his father Ralph Aiello (1913-2005) a longtime Newburgh resident.

A native of Maybrook, Aiello dabbled in photography as a teenager, but became seriously interested in photography in 1935, with the purchase of an Argus 35 mm camera, and the beginning of self-education in photography.

In 1937 (with the help of a bank loan) he purchased a Leica camera, the first precision 35 mm camera. Camera knowledge helped him obtain his first job as a reporter-photographer with the Middletown Times-Herald, a forerunner of the present-day Times Herald Record. He went to work for the Newburgh News in 1939, and remained there in various editorial capacities until his retirement in 1978. While there, he broadened his experiences with the use of large-format cameras and also moonlighted as a commercial and wedding photographer. He also wrote a weekly “Camera Corner” column for about 15 years.

In 1970, he joined the Photographic Society of America and won numerous awards for his color slides and black and white prints in photo exhibitions throughout the country. He chaired the PSA’s Photojournalism Division in 1978 and earned a Fellowship in the organization in 1985. He also won the coveted Understanding Through Photography Award, a distinction he shares with such luminaries as Margaret Bourke-White, Ansel Adams and Walt Disney.

Aiello’s interest in photography was broad, ranging from rural scenes to portraits, nature close-ups and still life photos. This presentation will highlight the rural scenes and houses of worship of his native Hudson Valley, as well as some of his favorite locales, like Newburgh’s Downing Park. The images represent his countless hours scouring the countryside in all seasons of the year.

This free program begins at 1 p.m. at the Plattekill Grange Hall, 127 Church Street in Plattekill (Wallkill for GPS purposes). Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please visit our website at www.plattekillhistoricalsociety.org, the PHS Facebook page or call 845-389-7998.