Beacon Bits - Spring is Here

I started blogging about Beacon as a buzzing community just about fourteen years ago after moving 'up the river.' It may appear that I stopped writing because my blog entries have been few and far between, but I have continued writing in other ways, which I will share below. There are now two ongoing commercial blogs about Beacon that keep people informed, and since the community is different than it was when I first moved here--a bit less friendly and welcoming with more tourists and upscale aspirations--I will leave the comings and goings of businesses that are worth mentioning and supporting to them. 

At a certain point in life, one reminisces a lot more than one wants to admit; there is a lot more past than there is future. I have many memoires of my early days in Beacon, especially when Second Saturday was the only night when the few restaurants stayed open later, and gallery openings faciliated the art crawl from one end of Main Street to the other. I often think fondly of the days when you could catch a glimpse of Pete Seeger walking down Main Street, picking up trash, or speaking with his barber at the local stylist for people-of-color. I also have thought a lot lately about 'what would Pete be doing now'--who would he be assembling to sing at the Howland Cultural Center so that people could gather energy for protests and strategies to get ahead of the curve of all that is happening. Does anyone remember the rallies that were anti-fracking with vibrant sing-a-longs and announcements about taking action? I think many of us will always miss Pete.

But I wanted to write a blog today to celebrate spring after such a long and cold winter with intense winds and just enough snow to last for weeks. The streets in Beacon will be bustling sooner rather than later as the light in the evenings and the outdoor seating beckons newcomers and visitors to enjoy the community spirit that will be revived once again.

I want to highlight a future event for those of you who like to write, so that you can sign up ASAP for the early bird ticketing prices for Beacon LitFest, which will be held Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15, 2025. I attended last year and would attend again this year except for some international travel that I have planned. It is an excellent opportunity to hear well-known writers speak about their craft, get involved in a workshop, and be inspired to find resources and to network with other authors in order to keep honing your skills and identity as a writer. I wish I could attend this year, but my substitute will be attending the Iceland Writer's Retreat (IWR) in Reykjavik at the end of April for the second time this year.

After attending last year's IWR, I had the dream of making a Beacon-Reykjavik connection around writers, readers, and bookstores since Reykjavik is a designated a UNESCO City of Literature. I wrote a piece about the easy travel from Beacon via PLAY airlines at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh to Reykjavik that was featured in the Highlands Current, Day Trip: Iceland. I won't give up my dream, yet; I plan to talk to some people about the possibility when I visit again this year. With our stellar Stanza Books in Beacon, it could be a great opportunity for Icelandic readers to come bookshopping along Main Street in order to get ready for their annual tradition of giving books to each other to read on Christmas Eve. It will be on my mind when we visit the City Hall in Reykjavik during the IWR this year for sure;) And with LitLit led by Donna Minkowitz every first Friday night at the Howland Cultural Center, I can imagine what it would be like to hear some Icelandic writers make a go of their five-minute allowance to share a piece with the writers who regularly attend to listen and/or to read. Reading at LitLit has given me a lot of confidence about my perspective and who my audience may be.

I can also celebrate some other pieces that have been published here and there since I've been enrolled in writing workshops and have seriously applied myself to creative nonfiction writing since 2019. Writing the Beacon Bits blogs just got me started off in the right direction when the only writing I was doing was related to scientific publications in psychiatric journals.

I wrote a piece about my father and D-Day around the time of the eightieth anniversary celebration that was published in The Writing Disorder, D-Day at Eighty. I mused about what the elections meant in 2024 and it was published in Down in the Dirt, Post-Election Reflection. And while I am waiting for my memoir, Woven Together: Finding Me in Memoires of You, written from 2020 to 2022, to be published--it is in contract with Cape House Books--I've had a piece published in The Keepthings, Ronald's Alice, edited by Debra Way, that gives a snapshot of my time spent as an executor for my cousin's estate; he was more like my big brother since we were both only children. I was working on the estate during the start of the pandemic. Writing kept me steady as the probate moved slowly towards a four-year resolution. All my memories of our childhood and my life with and without him were woven together to help me heal my grief.

Food for Thought: So I am still writing. And perhaps I will begin a blog or two on a regular basis about my new finds on Main Street as I peruse the new stores and re-visit those I've come to appreciate even more than when I first blogged about them.

Home Grown

I was given a heads up that something really good was coming to town. No, not Santa. 

I had been told by two different people that I would be happy to know that an excellent pie shop called Noble Pies would be opening a store in Beacon. So I watched and waited. Yes, it was Advent.  A time for watchful waiting. 

And then I saw the "Open" sign in the window where the brown paper had been removed at 137 Main Street. I stopped with the ease of parking spots in front of the storefront one night after work around 7:15pm; I was totally smitten! Not just with the Chicken Pot Pie slice, which I purchased for supper and the Blueberry Scones for breakfast, but with the ambience and the backstory and the gift of speaking to Zachary, the owners' son, who was there for the afternoon shift until closing, which was later than usual because of me being the very chatty and last customer. He was so patient and gracious as I told my tale of The Pie Lady from Nyack, whom his family knew from the farmer's market trade. He convinced me that I'd be in for a nice surprise since their pies were of the same caliber and equivalent in the eyes of the buyers for the homemade pie market.

I told Zachary I haven't blogged about a new opening in a while. There have been so many comings and goings in Beacon along Main Street in the past five years. Some of them came just because Beacon became so trendy. And some of them left because tthey were priced out. But I certainly hope that Noble Pies is here to stay. It has the feel of the Beacon I moved to over 12 years ago when I wanted to blog about the hometown feeling and a sense of community in town. 

Zachary explained that his family business had been steadily expanding from its origins based in Warwick and that their success has not deterred the bakery from offering its best of fresh ingredients. The handmade pies and baked goods are just like those his mother and father made together through the years until it got beyond the scope of four hands alone. 

While I have my eyes on the savory pies for my after work supper -- Vegetable Pot Pie, Chicken Curry, Vegetable Curry, and Sausage/Sallion/Onion/Cheese Quiche, in addition to the Chicken Pot Pie that I'd give 5-stars -- I also saw the sweet slices of Mixed Berry, Will You Marry Me Cherry Pie, and Cream pies, all of which can be special ordered, which will be hard to resist. 

I don't have to re-tell the story of how Noble Pies got started and how it is continuing its tradition because that is all on their website. But I will tell you that this is a keeper for Main Street in Beacon. We should be ecstatic that it chose to expand its growing market beyond Warwick, Rye, and Tarrytown and arrive in time for a sense of homegrown appeal and a throwback to the days when you felt like you were entering someone's kitchen for a meal and good conversation. Welcome to Beacon, Noble Pies!!

Food for Thought:  A walk down Main Street should feel like we are an integral part of the Hudson Valley with all its bounty and history. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the US, the Semiquincentennial, in 2026, we will need lots of Apple Pie to celebrate. May Noble Pie be ready for the celebration! And may we all be reminded that tradition can prevail over trendiness. 

Two-for-One

While I missed Second Saturday and the opening of the Beacon Photography Group member show on January 14 because of a trip to the city for an opera (Fedora) at Lincoln Center, I was back in town for the first Howland Chamber Music Circle piano recital of the season on Sunday January 15, which featured Frederic Chiu. Driving over to the Howland Cultural Center is a lot easier (and quicker) than taking Metro North  to the city and just as satisfying when it comes to enjoying the arts. 

I arrived early enough to get a first row seat -- I love to watch the face of the pianist while they perform -- and to preview the photographs that were hung throughout the center. I was immediately struck by the warm reddish-brown background paint for the main floor exhibit space and my eyes easily followed the light up to the balcony with more eye catching photos and the wonderful natural light still visible through the large window. 

As I walked around clockwise and then counter-clockwise, up and down the stairs, I visually explored the various photos -- the size, the shape, the subject, the unique eye of each photographer -- and then found the listing of the exhibitors and the respective work and titles. I was struck by knowing that so many of the enthusiastic photographers are serious amateurs who may have found a passion for creating images as an encore career or as a dual career, as opposed to photo professionals. I wished I had attended the opening to put each of the faces behind the camera with the respective photos.

Viewing the photographs was like having an appetizer before the entree; I was here for the concert and my appetite for good things was whet. I felt like I was getting a two-for-one special with the art and the music but then I realized it was actually a trifecta since the setting in the landmark building that has a menu of offerings to those enjoying and making art in Beacon.

The piano recital was excellent and presented in a very unique fashion since it was billed as a "classical smackdown" between the teenaged Felix Mendelssohn and Frederic Chopin. The 90-minute recital was filled with various compositions - polonaise, sonata, nocture, mazurka, etude, rondeau - and the goal was to be in the moment and choose which piece in each of three rounds of pairings was preferred. I learned so much from the background information that Frederic Chiu presented and was surprised at some of my selections along the way. It was a playful way of focusing one's attention and truly listening and it was interesting to learn that Frederic Chiu actually posts the results from his concerts on one of his websites. 

Food for thought: Tuning the ear after tuning the eye was a tasteful treat in the hometown venue of the most palatable cultural center. Seems like there is no place like home. Go local.

The photo exhibit runs through February 26th and the next piano recital is Sunday January 29.

(Personal note: You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging as often as I once did after starting this blog almost 12 years ago. But I have been writing  a lot over the last 2-1/2 years and hope to say more about the memoir I've focused on in the coming year since the goal is to publish. I also see that I should be updating my photo on my blog profile, but I think that is a bit more daunting to consider. LOL.)

May is Mental Health Month

May has been the designated month to highlight Mental Health Awareness in order to educate the public about opportunities and resources for treatment and support, but it also emphasizes the need to eliminate stigma towards those in need of services. Far too often, the news media draws attention to those with mental illness when crises have not been averted for some individuals, and dire consequences are the result. But most individuals with mental health issues are not violent and their suffering is private and longstanding because they do not seek help. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots organization on a national level with state organizations and local affiliates, such as NAMI-Mid-Hudson, (NAMI-MH), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, which serves Dutchess and Ulster Counties. NAMI-MH is aligned with the purpose of NAMI to educate, support and advocate for those with mental illness, as well as their families. Signature programs are free and accessible for community members, such as Family-to-Family, Ending the Silence, Peer-to-Peer, and In Our Own Voice. (For full descriptions and how to enroll, go to the NAMI-MH website.) You do not have to be a member to enroll, but it is helpful to support the efforts of this evidence-based practice organization with a membership and/or donation. You will be supporting those individuals in the community who have benefitted from the educational and support services that NAMI-MH primarily provides with volunteers---family members and individuals who have first-hand experience of what it is like to have mental health problems. You will know that the motto--Find Help. Find Hope.--is more than lip service. It is true for those who take the first step and reach out. You are not alone.

This month, volunteers with NAMI-MH hung ribbons in our communities and received attention with a publication in Hudson Valley One. An interview with Jo Ann Brown, Program Director for NAMI-MH, conveys the hope and help that is available for everyone, free of charge. 

Ribbons were hung in Beacon with the local Girl Scout Troops, who also made the ribbons. It is never to young to learn about how to get help and support when there is a mental health issue. Girl Scouts can work on a badge related to Mental Health, and recently, NAMI national has announced there will be a collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the USA  (GSUSA). Looks like the girls in Beacon were a step ahead this year!

Food for thought: When you see a ribbon on your street this year, remind yourself that you are part of the solution to de-stigmatize mental health issues in this nation. Tell someone about NAMI-MH. Go to the website and learn more about the programs that have been available on Zoom throughout the pandemic. Become a member. You do not have to have a family member or friend to help with the campaign of making everyone aware that it is ok to have a mental health issue that requires help and support. You are part of the solution in your community. Please consider making a donation. Get HELP. Receive some HOPE.

NOTE: On the NAMI-MH website, you will see an option to donate a minimum of $10 to the 501(3)(c) and you will receive a thank you acknowledgement to be mailed to you -- a pack of 5 cards (see above image), for "HOPE."

Reaping What You Sow?

It is hard to believe the age old adage that one reaps what one sows. So much is happening that is unpredictable, unexpected, negative and out of one's control, that it is hard to manage outcomes from beginning to start. 

That is how it felt  at my Stony Kill Farm Plot in my second year of cultivating and hoping that tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers and a variety of herbs and flowers would thrive.

It felt like our summer weather was a bit of a microcosm for our whole country: drought, extreme heat, and flooding rains. It seemed hard and time consuming to manage the modest crop and most of what was planted seemed to have a mind of its own. Yellow squash, nope. Cucumbers, not at all. Lavender, abundant growth. Oregano and thyme, gone wild and too hard to tame. And of course, the humble sunflowers, miraculously holding their own. Weeds of all types, yippee!!

Maybe that is why it is a good hobby as one ages to get involved with gardening of all kinds and to get one's hands into the soil. (Remember never to call it dirt; soil is organic and dirt is inorganic.) You quickly sense that what you try to control may not be in your control at all. But acquiescing to random events is not taking the control that you can take. You can fertilize, water, prune, weed, add compost, test the soil's pH, or start over with new seeds or perennials on sale halfway through the summer season. And when all else fails, you can learn to accept.

Whatever one does, don't give up. Endurance, persistence, patience, perseverance and some grit are both the process inherent in gardening and the personal gains and potential outcomes.

Food for thought: It's time to take stock as we prepare for a questionable harvest. Whether the fruits of one's labor have been abundant or not, much was gained from the time spent with nature. She is always a good teacher and has shown us that she still has the upper hand. 

Sweet Beginnings

Despite the heat and humidity, I decided to take a stroll down Main Street this past Sunday to visit the new venue at 462 Main Street, Håkan, that I recently learned about in the latest issue of the Highlands Current. Who can pass up chocolate, even on a day when you expect that it will not only melt in your mouth, but in your hands, as well.

My curiosity was increased with the knowledge that the chocolatier, Håkan Mårtensson, is Swedish. Not quite Norwegian. But with my favorite chocolates named Kong Haakon by Freia, a well-known Norwegian confectioner that is headquartered in Oslo, and no SAS flights scheduled for me to head to the Land of the Midnight Sun, I knew this was the next best thing. And my visit did not disappoint my expectations.

The cool, dark ambience of the store mimics a Scandinavian vibe as soon as you walk in. The friendly and hospitable atmosphere of the proprietors standing behind the bonbon bar was palpable. I was able to joke with Håkan and talked about asking him if he were the King (referring to a Norwegian king from the past)! When I asked about bolle (I had one very specific one in mind), he pointed to the array of fine pastries behind him that are also baked and available for purchase onsite in order to provide an explosion of flavors from the north that are usually marked by the distinct flavoring of cardamom.  Despite my banter and my bilingual comments (yes, I even tried out some Norwegian), I encountered genuine hygge and warmth.

Håkan Mårtensson (L), and business partner Steven Pipes (R)

It was difficult to decide on my choices as I scanned the glass case enclosing the delectables looking like fine jewels. I finally selected three bonbons -- the Salted Caramel, the Pear and Madagascar Vanilla (marblized in the shape of a blue heart), and the Tamarind and Cardamom (marblized in red in classic bonbon style ). I resisted loading up on the packaged bars of chocolate (for now) but will keep them in mind when I want to buy gifts and surprise treats for friends. I also noted that there were small packages of Salted Caramels ready to go; they had an appeal for a dessert table or for the sweet note accompanying wine and cheese for a small intimate gathering (now that vaccinations facilitate home entertaining to resume.)

I resisted opening my little cellophane bag until I got home and started to brew a cup of ginger tea; I thought that would be an interesting pairing. Before the tea was ready, I started with the Salted Caramel, proceeded to the Pear and then finished with the Tamarind. Heavenly would describe the experience! From the first bite into the crust of the Salted Caramel with its oozing  filling to the tart taste of tamarind with the finish of cardamom, my favorite spice, I could not have been more pleased. My ginger tea only made me long for some more bonbons to taste. (Or at least one bolle on display that looked so delicious and ready for a cup of tea.)

What else can I say other than "Jeg ønsker deg mye suksess i Beacon, Håkan!" and "Congratulations" (Gratulerer) to your business partners Steven Pipes and Bobby Chani as well. I will surely be back for more bonbons and boller just so I can say "takk for sist!" I believe I've met my new King of Chocolates!! Takk skal du ha!

Food for thought: This is my tenth year of blogging Beacon Bits: A Bite of the Hudson Valley, about community life in Beacon. But this is the first post where I felt that I was 'home' in my corner of the world because a touch of Scandinavia has arrived! Other than when Norwegian Airlines was flying direct flights from Stewart Airport to Bergen, Norway and I dreamed of a Beacon-Bergen connection as sister cities, I feel connected to my roots on both sides of the Atlantic; from the Norwegian-American community where I was raised in Brooklyn to immigrants, to the North Sea and beyond. I can't wait for a celebration for Midsummer's Night in late June and Santa Lucia in December with delectable delights of saffron buns and exceptional bonbons!

Walk in Nature to Support Mental Health

It is May and it has been so beautiful in the Hudson Valley! No doubt everyone is getting out to their favorite trails to take in the sounds and sights of this wonderful spring weather and the optimism for better times that seems to be in the air.

Research published in Nature in 2019 suggests an individual's health and well-being is promoted by spending 120 minutes per week in nature. This can be accomplished by engaging in recreational walking for the total time throughout a given week. 

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year the event is celebrated with ribbons, special events, and campaigns by various organizations to increase awareness about resources to find help and to decrease stigma.

What better time than to commit to walking in nature for 120 minutes each week to benefit your mental health? 

NAMI-Mid-Hudson, the local nonprofit and affiliate group of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, serves Dutchess and Ulster Counties. Signature programs, such as Family2Family and Ending the Silence, are meant to deliver help and hope to family members  and young people, respectively, who are in need of support and understanding with education about mental illness and recovery models. (Check out the website for specific information about programming, which has been delivered nonstop and online without interruption of services during the last year of the pandemic!)

Listen to this recent podcast from "This is Beacon" 

as they interview HeatherAnn Pitcher of NAMI Mid-Hudson

This year NAMI-Mid-Hudson (NAMI-MH) is encouraging everyone to get out and walk in nature for 120 minutes during the week of Saturday, May 15th to Saturday, May 22nd. This is the virtual alternative for the traditional NAMI-Walks activity that usually takes place annually as a group event. With some pandemic restrictions still in place for large group gatherings when social distancing is not possible, this alternative was chosen by NAMI-MH to strike a balance between getting the word out about the availability of mental health services, to encourage individual initiative for improving one's own mental health, to raise awareness about NAMI-MH programs, and to encourage donations to the organization.

Food for thought: NAMI-Walks usually rely on pledges to sponsor a walker for its fundraising. By participating in NAMI-MH Walks, you can support mental health in 2 ways --- for yourself by walking during the week for a total of 120 minutes, which can be divided into 4 days of 15 minutes and 3 days of 20 minutes -- and by exploring the website for NAMI-Mid-Hudson to increase your awareness about programs and by raising some funds or donating some funds.  (Be creative -- ask a dozen friends to sponsor $1 per minute of walking for 10 minutes each or $10 per person.) Since most people know someone personally or have family members who have experienced mental illness, you will be lending support to a grass-roots, volunteer-run, self-help, local non-profit that has made a significant impact on research, advocacy and education over the last three decades. So pick your favorite spots to walk, get out in nature--rain or shine--and do it for yourself and for NAMI-Mid-Hudson.