Beacon Bits -- First Sign of Spring

Yes, it's the first day of spring. And yes, there is going to be throwback winter weather with heavy, wet snowflakes falling throughout the night, which will hopefully not interfere with the budding trees that may be vulnerable to frost since they are ahead of schedule due to the mild winter. Confusing. Not really, because there really is global warming with notable changes in weather patterns, melting glaciers and disappearing permafrost and krill. But I say, bring on the white stuff. No, not the snow, but the first soft ice cream that has been resurrected in time for the spring holidays. It's my first sign of spring! Not the impending opening day of baseball season, March Madness, or dash for the play-off teams for the Stanley Cup. It's always been the soft ice cream cone that appears before the heat of summer. And I can never resist its temptation.

Medium vanilla soft ice cream, $2.50

So Beacon is lucky to have its own family-run business, Ron's Ice Cream, on the corner of Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue) and Brayburn Avenue, conveniently located across from Memorial Park and children's playground and the dog park. Ron's is 'pre-Dia' and while it is a little ways off the beaten path, it has been in business since 2000. On the surface it appears, unassuming and plain. But it is classic Americana with a very basic offering; an offering that is always a crowd pleaser, capable of gathering families, and individuals from cross-cultural and multi-generational backgrounds to convene at the same place and same time. It's where the 99% and 1% can actually meet; an increasingly important event in our communities.

An early start means there is no waiting, no lines

Food for thought: In confusing times, it is always good to have something basic to return to for a touchstone. In this election year, we may want to meet and greet friends over ice cream to avoid some of the tense conversations about all things political. It may be a good alternative for cooling down the inevitable heated debates in the coming month with the New York primary on its way on April 19th. Choosing between cone and cup, soft or hand-packed, large or small, may be the perfect antidote to some of the choices that maybe be so difficult that some people may opt out. It's never good to opt out.....of ice cream and choice.

Another choice on the way --  Zora Dora opens the weekend of April 2nd-3rd!

There's something for everyone.