Beacon Bits -- (Unoffical) Summer's End

Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end to summer, arrived in Beacon with temperatures in the 90's, clear skies and bright sunshine. It made me think about the "top 10 list" of things to do in Beacon to celebrate summer's farewell in the next few weeks. There is still time!

10.  Take time for a cold beer at The Hop in its expansive location at the site opened almost  a year ago;  the menu offers so much more than craft brew and unique architectural design.

9.    Start planning a fall wardrobe at Echo, with the help of all the "fashionistas", or get a jump start on holiday shopping for unique toys for the kids. (More to come soon about this women's boutique and children's store in a future featured blog.)

8.    Tune up the bicycle or purchase a new one at People's Bicycle; Jon and his crew are expert and will get you up and peddling for the fall season.

7.     Get ready to buy advanced tickets for the weekend Beacon Independent Film Festival ('aka' BIFF, 9/18-9/20) at the University Settlement on 9D. 

6.     Visit Beacon Natural Market to celebrate 10 years of organics and natural foods; lots of specials and activities happening from September 7th to 12th to thank the Beacon community for its support.

5.     Grab a seat at the outdoor aerie at Beacon Pantry and have a carefree meal and relax with a friend.

4.    Make a plan to get out an old instrument or take up a new one with music lessons available at Main Street Music. Ukulele anyone?

3.     Make more frequent visits to Zora Dora to indulge in delectable and uncanny fruit sorbet and milk-based pops; my pick of the day Mojito (lime and mint), with an eye on the Roasted Beet-Goat Cheese-Walnut and Cardamom-Ginger-Pistachio before season's end!

2.     Purchase some fresh field flowers at Flora Garden & Home; have a chat with Mary, and make a plan for weekly visits to purchase beautifully potted plants and gardening accessories to hold onto to summer's greenery in your own home.

1.     Anticipate the flurry of activity when everyone is in the street on the Spirit of Beacon day (Sunday, 9/27/15), as well as upcoming Second Saturdays -- including a visit to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to hear Vassar College student Sarah Johnson's piano and organ recital on 9/12/15, with a reception to follow, from 4-6pm.

Food for thought: All of the top 10 activities and even 10 more may help with that tinge of melancholy that begins to set in with the waning daylight at this time of the year. Looking back at what didn't get done during the summer gets in the way of holding onto all that was accomplished, including being able to make a jump start on plans for next summer starting with all the to-do's that didn't get done or all the places that you didn't get to go. Seems like the turn of the season will be slow this year with the warm weather continuing and the hope of Indian summer to come, yet, all the while, the time for this summer will indeed run its course. But it is also good to feel that change is in the air and that letting go of all that was is the best way to (officially) begin again!

(For my own unfinished business, a visit to Saugerties to explore the eclectic shops, including The Perfect Blend; and a day trip to NYC for the on board Circle Line viewing of the 23rd annual tugboat race organized by the Working Harbor Committee, made this Labor Day weekend complete.)

The Perfect Blend -- Yarn and Tea Shop in Saugerties, NY

Early morning train to NYC

Tugboats gathering for the parade to the starting line for the race

Historic NYC harbor fire boat, John D. Harvey, pivotal during 9-11, celebrating at the end of the race

Beacon Bits -- "To the Nines!"

I stopped by Artisan Wine Shop for the Friday pour and delighted in a taste of champagne that Tim and Mei were offering to both celebrate Tim's birthday and to recognize their 9th anniversary in Beacon as of 8-18-06! Congratulations on both!!

Since I have been educated by Tim and Mei through the last 5 years of tastings and classes and consultations for purchases, I value all that they contribute to the Beacon community with their expertise and charm. I had so much catching up to do on learning about wines, that I have not really paid much attention to everything else that they offer -- spirits, beer, cider, accessories -- despite my frequent visits. Tim and Mei are always ready for a friendly chat and catching up on gossip; I learned that the company they keep in celebrating nine years in Beacon include Beacon Pilates, Max's on Main, and Homespun, with whom they plan to collaborate for a tenth anniversary celebration next summer. Artisan is in great company, all within a few blocks of each other, with all the venues having much success to celebrate. In fact, Max's was recently featured on Fios News 1's "Restuarant Hunter" feature show (air dates 9-2-15 and 9-5-15), along with other local foodie magnets, The Hop and Beacon Bagels.

What better way to spend a Friday evening than to celebrate good things with friends before moving on to pick up my Obercreek Farm half-share of vegetables and fruits.,,,,perhaps trying out the CIA recipe for tomato jam?

Food for thought:  The one word that comes to mind at this time of the year is "ripeness". When one thinks about the entrepreneurs who arrived in Beacon over a decade ago with a vision of potential success along Main Street, those who planted their seeds, weathered the uncertainty, and who worked hard to fulfill their desires -- it is wonderful to take stock and celebrate some of their ripeness of being during this Labor Day weekend! Despite what Shakespeare says, Love's labors are never lost!