Beacon Bits -- Sunday Promenade

There are so many venues, events and activities along Main Street--something for everyone as they say. I thought I would share a few of my favorites over the last month of Sundays:

Taking an afternoon workshop about creating an Etsy site taught by Hudson Valley Crafters expert -- Karen of Karmabee -- offered at Nixie Sparrow, where every class is special and intimate and includes a cold drink :)

Stopping at the Howland Public Library and then visiting friends, Marcia and Vicky, at Beacon Reads, the used book store next door, which supports the Friends of the Howland Public Library with the funds raised from the sales.

Picking up a Farah Fawcett Vanilla paleta at Zora Dora and spending time with its owner, Steve, for a chat that last long enough to sometimes get a second pop to take home.

Checking out The Beacon Bite food truck (parked next to Ellas Bellas); an easy stop to pick up a casual lunch and make a new friend while dining al fresco.

Previewing the sculptures on display for this year's Beacon 3D project; I couldn't resist the virtual doughnut (just like the others who photographed this iconic image for the event.)

Doing many of the activities above with a service-dog-in-training as a volunteer with Puppies Behind Bars (PBB.) PBB works with inmates at Fishkill and Downstate Correctional Facilities in Beacon to be puppy raisers for service dogs for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. After all, everything is better with a puppy!

Food for thought: I have to laugh out loud when I remember one of my favorite, classic 1960's film, Never on a Sunday with Melina Mercori, that portrayed a Pygmalion-like character transformation. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that in my life, all things happen mostly every  Sunday! I often wonder what happened to the day of rest I was promised. But with simple chores and a walk down Main Street with its myriad permutations of things to browse, consider, visit, participate in, the act of ambling along provides rest and renewal in its own unique way. So take a stroll; saunter down Main Street on a Sunday afternoon on a no-rushing, slow-walking, community-focused promenade.

Beacon Bits -- Crossroads

Recently standing on the corner of Main Street and Cross Street, the saying "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" came to mind. My association was attributed to the juxtaposition of the longstanding Hudson Beach Glass, which faces the Culture Club Cafe, next to the Marion Royael Gallery, which is across from the vacant lot used by Beacon 3D, with its adjacent brick building for sale.

Hudson Beach Glass is tried and true. It is 'old' by Beacon's Main Street standards for revitalization and renewal, but not at all old in its fanciful objects d'art, recurrent gallery openings, and ongoing creations with resident glassblowers. It is fired up and ready to go the distance! 

Culture Cafe-Bar is one of the newer eateries on Main Street with a varied menu, personable hosts, and wonderful backyard garden for outdoor seating. It is open seven days a week and has already gained a following of regular diners. I found myself eating with friends on two different occasions over the course of one week. Both times I had pasta offerings (pumpkin ravioli, now off the menu, and spaghetti squash with angel hair past) and felt satisfied with the portion and the flavors. Given its popularity, it will be interesting to see how the smaller indoor accommodations will alter availability for dining during the winter months.

My all time favorite Beacon gallery, Marion Royael, has been back in town for several months now, and it's still the buzz on Second Saturdays despite its move from the 'east end' to the 'west end' of town. I mourned its loss when it closed its doors in Beacon for a trial run in the city; I'm thrilled to see it 'back home' and just hope it's not on borrowed time.

As for the fear of the unknown and anxiety about losing open space on Main Street, the 'for sale' sign on the handsome multi-family brick building with commercial space, evoked a blue feeling. My mind immediately went to two questions, 'what will change?' and 'how long will it be before we know what will happen in this corner of the world.

Food for thought: Change is never easy. Transitions are buffered by holding onto some of the old ways with its adopted and borrowed traditions. Beacon is 'changing' as those who attended Second Saturday in August noted. Each week it appears that the liminal threshold of a town that was "becoming" to a town that "is", has been surpassed. Paying attention to the  early signs at the crossroads suggests that there may be other intersections to ponder. Looks like it's the perfect time to take a walk on Main Street from end to end to explore the art installations that are collaborations between Beacon's artists and business owners; visit WOMS through September 13 and vote for your favorite installation.

Not a window, but the wall of Beacon Bread - the mural "Songs of the Hudson" by artist  Nestor Madalengoitia
pays  tribute to Pete and Toshi Seeger - unveiled on 8/9/14