Beacon Bits -- A Giving Community

Beacon is a giving community. The town could be a poster child for Peter Singer's "effective altruism" movement.  Just this past month alone, Common Ground Farm held its annual auction and raised monies towards it 'Grow a Row' project that feeds hungry families with fresh produce throughout the growing season. And the Beacon Sloop Club sponsored a Cajun dance with Krew de la Rue, which raised $1000 towards the food pantries and feeding programs of St. Andrew's/St. Luke's Food Pantry and InCare of Multi-Service Inc. Not to mention the month-long initiative, 'Month of Generosity', with a series of events held at More Good, which targeted raising monies for clean water in 42,000 people in Haiti, Uganda, and Ghana.

These events are just the tip of the iceberg since Beacon's music and art scene give to its residents and visitors on a daily basis and the level of volunteer-led organizations and not-for-profits lead the way with a variety of activities throughout the year. So now during the holiday season, it's a particular joyous time to celebrate that Beacon is a Giving Community!

It just proves that shopping locally isn't the only way to celebrate Christmas. Recognizing and experiencing a sense of abundance leads the way to giving that doesn't require a shopping list or credit card. I'm reminded about a recent broadcast on public radio about parenting issues. One family has a rule about holiday purchases that mandates no more than four gifts per person: a want, a need, something to wear, something to read. Another family set a rule that supports recycling material stuff by requiring that for every new thing one brings home, one thing must go ('one in/one out'). And a third family honors the sentiment that 'much is asked to whom much is given', so they look for ways to adopt a family (e.g., The Angel Tree project) and then spend holiday preparation time focusing on decisions about shopping for members of the family in need rather than focusing on themselves. All of these ideas support the viewpoint that a TV commercial I recently saw would suggest -- that it would be nice if the four-letter word most associated with Christmas is L-O-V-E instead of S-A-L-E.

Food for thought: There's still time to consider a new rule to implement this holiday season, or better yet, to contemplate a New Year's resolution that will support our very own giving movement in Beacon. Volunteer at one of the food pantries or feeding programs. (Stop by St. Andrew's on Saturdays or First Presbyterian on Friday or Saturday to inquire about how to lending a helping hand.) Support a local organization by renewing your 'friend' status or becoming a new friend. (More friends of the Beacon Sloop Club will get the the people's sloop, the Woody Guthrie, back into the Hudson to set sail for the public.) Donate a CD or book to Beacon Reads when you make your next purchase. Find out about the local prisons (Fishkill and Downstate Correctional Facilities) and opportunities to engage in encounters with those who are marginalized. (Check out the Puppies Behind Bars website for more information.) Get ready to join in the annual MLK parade on Main Street on Monday, January 18th, commencing at Springfield Baptist Church. Or just pick up a piece of litter/trash the way Pete Seeger would do as he walked along Main Street. Everyone benefits by each person who gives more, but it's especially heartwarming and rewarding for the person who gives well. Wishing you all a very special Giving Christmas this year!

This blog was also inspired by a recent visit to the Afya Foundation in Yonkers, NY -- a non-profit foundation that aims to collect surplus medical supplies, hospital equipment and humanitarian provisions for acute and ongoing health crises worldwide. Current projects are focused on the Syrian refugee crisis in Greece, Luggage for Life, and Haiti Rehab. Arrange a visit with family or friends to help sort supplies in the warehouse for a unique holiday outing and non-traditional way of giving. You'll be amazed with the scope of work and accomplishments of this small foundation that is a model for innovative social entrepreneurship and 'effective altruism.' Kudos to its award winning founder, Danielle Butin.

Beacon Bits -- Are You a Friend?

During the recent ' Women of Beacon' celebration of outstanding women honored by the Board of Directors at the Howland Cultural Center on March 28  during Women's History Month, I was reminded about the importance of volunteerism and vision for community life.  Honorees, Kelly Ellenwood, Clara Lou Gould, Gwen Nerrie, Sara Pasti and Dot Paulin, were lauded for their contributions, and efforts on behalf of children, teens, the environment, and the arts -- essential factors for Beacon's vibrant community to thrive in the Hudson Valley.

New York State Senator Terry Gipson giving certificates to the honorees

So when I ask, 'are you a friend', I'm not thinking about Facebook friends or BFFs. I'm thinking about all the worthwhile projects, nonprofits, and grassroots happenings that you can support by becoming a member or a "Friend" in modest ways that show your commitment  with the investment of time and money in concrete ways.

So here is my short list of well-deserving groups, among many others, that should have as many friends as possible in Beacon.

The Beacon 3D Project, presented by BeaconArts, a 501c3, is designed to support, promote and feature active sculptors in a long-term outdoor exhibition. The sculptures will be placed in 3 or more locations from May 15 to October 15 and feature the work of Emil Alzamora, Ed Benavente, John BonSignore, Geoff Feder, Sarah Haviland, Tom Holmes, Insunn Kim, Lori Merhige, Peter Schlemorortz, Judy Sigunick, Jenifer Smith and Naomi Teppel. This is the second year for this event, which has been awarded a grant from Arts Mid-Hudson. For further information contact Eleni Smolen, Project Manager/Curator at theoganzstudio@tds.net or 917-318-2239 or check out the Beacon 3D Facebook page. No contribution is too small.

Put yourself in the midst of the Beacon 3D Project

Beacon Sloop Club, the keepers of the sloop Woody Guthrie, stewards of the Strawberry, Corn and Pumpkin festivals and host to a monthly community potluck and sing-along on the first Friday. The $50 annual membership donation is an outright steal for all the music, camaraderie and opportunities for collaboration you will experience.

Howland Cultural Center -- the heart and soul of Beacon in an historical Norwegian Gothic building -- home to the Howland Chamber Music Circle and the sundry and never-ending poetry, music, dance, political action and artistic events -- allows you to become a part of its mission within a wide range of donations to show your support. The Howland Cultural Center is also home to the Beacon Historical Society, which holds the memories of Beacon's humble past as they are kept alive by those who preserve and re-tell the stories about the people, the places and the times that came before the revival of this manufacturing town.

Fovea, a photojournalist's gem in the Hudson Valley with its internationally known photographers and acclaimed exhibits that give back a thousand fold to Beacon during Second Saturday openings and featured panel disussions. Becoming a benefactor or donor is as easy as writing a check and dropping it into the donations box as you enter or exit.

Recent April 12th Fovea opening of The Homecoming Project with photojournalist Erin Trieb, co-directors Sabine Meyer, Stephanie Heiman Roland and veteran/artist Britten Walker

 The Beacon Theatre, the apparent turtle in the race with all the hares in town -- but the vision and early endeavor of those involved with 4th Wall Productions were drum majorettes in leading others into believing that Beacon's cultural district would have a strong comeback. Support the small theatrical productions held in the renovated lobby now; the rest and best is yet to come.

Food for thought:  Being a friend takes time, energy, and commitment. But true friendship is about reciprocity. If you think about the number of coffees at Bank Square, bagels at Beacon Bagels, craft beers at The Hop, dumplings at Korean Seoul, dinners at Towne Crier, lunches at Homespun, breads at Beacon Bread or All You Knead and ice pops at Zora Dora, then surely a $25, $50 or $100 annual membership fee or occasional gift or donation is equitable for all the wonderful nonprofits that are serving us in our midst.







Beacon Bits -- Activism

Within the span of a week, Beaconites could support Hurricane Sandy victims living in Breezy Point by attending a benefit concert at the Howland Cultural Center on Second Saturday (1/12); join the community chorus, which meets weekly on Mondays 7-9pm at the Howland Cultural Center (1/14); attend a fundraiser sponsored by the Beacon Democrats at the new restaurant/music-lounge/art gallery Dogwood on East Main Street (1/16); join the local MoveOn organization community group for planning and supporting the movement against gun violence in the U.S. held at Fovea Exhibitions (1/17) ; and/or attend a lecture on alternative energy sources such as solar and geothermal by local experts sponsored by the Beacon Sloop Club (1/18).

 

Wow! Never have I lived in a town that has offered so many choices and as many nonstop opportunities to mobilize around justice, environmental, political, social and cultural concerns, on a personal-local-national-global level! Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the time and energy to indulge in all of the events, which I hoped to do, so I had to choose carefully. I'm very pleased that I chose to attend Thursday's event at Fovea, where a bakers' dozen of concerned Hudson Valley citizens from Beacon, Cold Spring, Peekskill, Poughkeepsie and Orange County convened to follow the MoveOn agenda regarding support for gun control legislation.

 

After introductions and brainstorming ideas, it was clear that this multi-talented group of teachers, engineers, advertising executives, artists, musicians, grassroots organizers, nonprofit administrators, renaissance thinkers and mental health professionals will try to move mountains when it comes to supporting President Obama's proposed legislation intended to mitigate gun violence in America.  A big thanks to Stephanie Heiman, co-director of Fovea for hosting the gathering and garnering the local energy to direct efforts by sharing resources and planning actions; the evening discussion was an amazing beginning for the "Hudson Valley Committee Against Gun Violence." Stay tuned for future meetings and information on this issue. In  the meantime, consider the following actions:

1.  Donate to the Brady Foundation.

2.  Write a thank you note to State Assemblyman Frank Skartados for passing NYS gun  laws that have embraced significant change in a timely fashion.

3.  Boycott Walmart and write letters to their corporate headquarters to urge them to stop selling semi-automatic assault weapons.

4.  Join the Million Mom March on January 26th or the Million Kid March on 2/17 in Washington, DC.

5.  Get your church or synagogue involved in the MoveOn initiatives.

6.  Write a letter to Harry Reid to request his support for President Obama's proposals; he is pivotal in garnering support from all Democrats.
7.  Go to Fovea and post a graphic or letter or item on the office walls that depict your visual protest in favor of gun control as part of a spontaneous 'pop up' exhibit on this issue.

8.  Attend the MLK celebration at the Howland Cultural Center on Monday 1/21 to remember MLK's plea to the American people to turn away from sowing the seeds of violence and continue with efforts against gun violence as part of his legacy.

9.  Circulate a poster created by Tim Delaney for the "Hudson Valley Committee Against Gun Violence." (Contact Fovea for further information.)
10. Write letters to Senators and Congressman who receive NRA support.

 

Some food for thought:  I've noted before how community involvement creates the social connections necessary to buffer the effects of aging and/or loneliness.  Activism is the counterpoint to alienation. Involvement is the antidote to inertia. Belonging is the opposite of isolation. We need to stay active and connect, not just for the positive outcome of all of our collective efforts for our community, but our individual brains need it. Research studies suggest that social contact is neuroprotective; people who have meaningful social connections have delayed onset of cognitive decline.  Furthermore, it is tied into the reward system. It feels good to do good and to be driven by purposeful action. While most people, may not be thinking of the personal benefits of volunteering, altruism, and activism, the human brain seems to know best.

 

Margaret Mead said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  I have no doubt that Beacon citizens understand that collectivism and collaboration are powerful weapons and that synergistic activism is a true form of alternative energy!

Beacon Bits -- B-"ECO"-FRIENDLY

A recent visit to the new materials recovery facility, ReCommunity Recycling, at 508 Fishkill Avenue (Route 52) during an Open House, sponsored by the Beacon Chamber of Commerce, was quite informative and a far cry from last year's publicized resistance to the project voiced by some concerned Beaconites fearing additional truck traffic in neighboring areas. The public relations presentation touted all the virtues of recycling that has come of age because companies, such as this local affiliate of the largest recycling company  in the U.S. headquartered in Charlotte, NC, can turn a profit on the abundant waste of plastics, bottles, aluminum, and paper.  The business opportunity for the resale of recycled refuse has fostered education and encouragement for consumers to use their increased awareness that garbage needs to be separated while capitalizing on the ease of "single stream" recycling, which does not require pre-sorting materials at home; this is left for the automatic conveyors and 44 newly hired employees in a 7.5 million, 52,000 square feet, renovated building that opened in the Spring 2012. ReCommunity Beacon promises to reduce the local carbon footprint by recovering material that would ordinarily add to greenhouse gases and take up landfill space.

My choice for a theme song for this venture is clearly Dan Einbinder's "It Really Isn't Garbage"....."til you mix it all together.....it really isn't garbage til you throw it away". The song, popularized by Pete Seeger and the Rivertown Kids, can now be front and center, but it doesn't eradicate the history of recycling since the 1970's when volunteer environmentalists would sort through garbage for "free". Nor do the 'de rigeur' recycling plants negate efforts of local heroes from the Beacon Sloop Club who led the way to convert the former  garbage dump north of their current building by the train station into the popular Riverfront Park.

Beacon has been and will continue to be at the forefront of environmental activism; people here seem to always be leading the way. Just take a sample of recent and upcoming events in town that focus on water pollution (Poisoned Waters, a film on new toxins from everyday life on 8/16/12 at CEIE at Dennings Point), environmental crises (Plan B, Mobilizing to Save Civilization, a film shown on 7/24/12 at The Beacon Theatre), and ecological concerns (One Earth, an upcoming group exhibit at Fovea, opening night on Second Saturday, 9/8/12)

Beacon still has further potential for leadership in this groundswell of renewed fervor to save our planet. With Pete Seeger as champion of the cause living in our midst, being home to the Clearwater organization and having the support of neighbors like Scenic Hudson, Beacon has many role models, including Victor 'Roland' Mousaa, inventor of the Solar Electric Sun Bulb, a Rocket Hub project to be premiered at the Solar Expo Jam Festival on 8/18/12 at 12 noon at Rickey & Son's Organic Farm, 442 Rt. 94 North, Vernon, NJ.* This may just be the newest chapter for Beacon to once again stand as a 'shining light' for the Hudson River Valley; from the historical signal fires of the revolutionary war to the current urgency of creating alternate energy sources, using solar, wind and geothermal technology.

*Pete Seeger will be playing at 2pm on Saturday 8/18 at the Solar Expo Jam Festival along with Princess of WOW and Her Smile Revolution Band, Roland Mousaa and many other musicians from Friday night (8/17) through Sunday (8/19).

Some food for thought: Beacon's role may be truly 'enlightening' for environmental issues. For those of us who have always been aware, we are in good company. For those of us who need encouragement to prace eco-friendly habits, we have the social support and resources at hand to do so. For those of us who need that extra push, someone will be willing to apply some peer pressure. Hopefully, there will be an appropriate showing of 'b-eco-friendly' advocates in the form of educational floats and community activities at this year's 35th annual Spirt of Beacon Day in September to light the way.


Beacon Bits -- Pete's Rainbow Race

What do 40,000 Norwegians and the members of the Beacon Sloop Club (BSC) have in common? A love of Pete Seeger's song, "My Rainbow Race". On April 26, 2012, in response to two mothers tweeting a meet-up to sing the Norwegian lyrics of the song ('Barne Av Regnbuen') as translated by Norwegian 'folk singer' Lillebjorn Nielsen, throngs of people gravitated to the streets of Oslo outside the courtroom where Anders Behring Breivik's trial was being held. Breivik had announced that the "Marxist" song was being used to "brainwash" small children and that he detested it. The Norwegian response was to "irritate" him by their choral singing as a sign of unity for the 77 victims of Breivik's massacre on 7-22-11 and for their families and friends. The song was sung by groups of citizens across cities and towns in Norway and the people felt they "won" the confrontation peacefully.

On Friday, 5-4-12, the members of the BSC gathered for its monthly business meeting, potluck dinner and celebration of Pete's 93rd birthday, which was May 3rd. During the circle of song, the musicians played "My Rainbow Race", as I had requested during the announcements, to join in the sentiments expressed by the Norwegian people: that hope for the future of the world resides in multi-racial-ethnic harmony, unity and peaceful coexistence under "one blue sky above us." As you can see in the YouTube video posted by the secretary of the BSC (Vane Lashua), Pete Seeger's presence and active leadership still makes a small group of  people unify to sound better and stronger than ever, making it a very special event to witness.

As a testament to Beacon's global connections, the link and story about the singing of Rainbow Race on this side of the Atlantic was published by NRK in Norway.

My Rainbow Race

[Chorus]

One blue sky above us

One ocean lapping all our shore

One earth so green and round

Who could ask for more

And because I love you

I’ll give it one more try

To show my rainbow race

It’s too soon to die.

Some folks want to be like an ostrich,

Bury their heads in the sand.

Some hope that plastic dreams

Can unclench all those greedy hands.

Some hope to take the easy way;

Poisons, bombs. They think we need ‘em.

Don’t you know you can’t kill all the unbelievers?
There’s no shortcut to freedom.

[Chorus]

Go tell, go tell all the little children.

Tell all the mothers and fathers too.

Now’s our last chance to learn to share

What’s been given to me and you.

[Chorus]

Some food for thought:  A simple and implicit connection between the hearts of the people at the BSC,  and those in Norway, occurred along the banks of the Hudson River, just slightly north of the "Storm King Fjord", when voices lifted up "My Rainbow Race" in song. The natural surrounds of Beacon and the sensibility of a community striving for "mindful" living in this beautiful world fraught with unnecessary violence echoed across the Atlantic to the Oslo Fjord and reverberated with empathy and understanding about the grace and healing found in Pete Seeger's timeless song and ageless mission of peace.

Rainbow Potluck Medley

This is a sweet and sour grain medley that is easy to make and serves about 8-10 people at a potluck.

It is vegan-vegetarian, but not gluten-free

Follow the directions on the package to prepare 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 12 oz. farro. Set aside to cool. Blanch 1 crown of broccoli and cut into small pieces. Cut 1/2 to 1/2 fresh, ripe pineapple into small cubes. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil with 2-3 tbs. fig-infused vinegar, 2 tbs. local honey, 2 springs fresh rosemary and 3-4 springs of parsley; add salt and pepper to taste and blend thoroughly. When grains are cool, blend them together, add pineapple and broccoli. Chill for 1 hr. then add oil mixture and chill for 1-2 hrs. before serving.  (White canneloni beans can be added or substituted for broccoli and/or pineapple.)

Beacon Bits--Winter's Thaw

This may go down as the winter that never happened in the Hudson Highlands, especially when compared with last year's, but during the coldest week in January, multiple events in Beacon helped sustain me until my bronchitis cleared and the days started to lengthen into what will most likely be an early spring.  I still revel in the sights and sounds of the talents of the world-renowned Jeremy Denk who played Mozart sonatas on an impeccably tuned piano for the Howland Chamber Circle classical concert series at the Howland Cultural Center (on January 15th and then again on February 12th) and the iconic Pete Seeger who was joined by his friends, the Rivertown Kids, Sara Underhill, David and Jacob Bernz, Guy Davis and drummers Figueroa and Haynes, among others, to continue the legacy of Martin Luther King's call for social and economic justice at the MLK celebration (on January 16th). Pete spoke about the March on Selma and the bombing of King's home and led everyone in singing "Follow the Drinking Gourd" with fellow banjoist Travers. A rousing duo, Emma's Revolution, sang out about "occupy" and contemporary issues of inequality and injustice in our country, which finally answered my burning question of who will follow in Pete's footsteps to "raise their voice."

Sitting in the audience for the two disparate events in the same venue, I mused how this felt like the epitome of freedom of choice and diversity. And to think it's happening in one small river town community and in one 135 year old historic building continues to fascinate me. And I didn't even mention that the visual art complimenting this auditory smorgasbord was a photojournalist Ronnie Farley's exhibit of cowgirls, which opened January 7th and ran through January 29th. Ms. Farley, a Beaconite, traveled the west in the 1990's and chronicled the rodeo women, cow hands and sheep herders who happened to be female, with informative text and black and white silver gelatin prints from her travels. The juxtaposition of these portraits of women who coraled the audience and were serenaded by Jeremy and rallied to act by Pete and friends was another testament to the local talent and genius in our midst.

From the east side of Main Street, we are connected to the museum-quality photography gallery, Fovea, on the west side of Main Street, where Ms.Farley is a member. Fovea rocked Second Saturday events in January with a 2-1/2 hour panel presentation about the exhibit, "Gays in the Military". Vince Cianni, the photographer, was joined by four of the gay men he interviewed for his project documenting the effects of "Don's Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). The servicemen--one still active, two discharged under DADT and one who was allowed to retire-- were joined by a local psychiatrist who edits a journal about gay and lesbian issues for the American Psychiatric Association. The level of authentic and honest sharing by the would-be victims of DADT clearly underscored that their resilience and use of available social support allowed them to be survivors who continue to thrive as they reach out to others who were diminshed by DADT. The photos, along with extensive personal narrative transcriptions and audio recordings taken from the interviews were at the gallery through the first week in February but thereafter will reside in archival storage at Duke University. (Fovea's current show documents the Occcupy Movement: another testimony to its cutting edge vision and mission.)

Topping off that memorable week in January was a visit to the Beacon Sloop Club for its Friday night lecture series featuring Jessica DuLong, author of My River Chronicles: Rediscovering America on the Hudson, a memoir of a dot.com entrepreneur turned marine engineer whose hands-on learning occurred on the John J. Harvey fireboat while cruising up and down the Hudson River. Her new book will document the rescue of citizens during the frenzy of 9/11 by a variety of boats, ships and vessels from lower Manhattan.

Some food for thought: Beaconites have the privilege of residing in a community-oriented town at a time when culture, intellect, emotion, and process intersect with the ordinary lives of some extraordinary individuals who share their visions and otherwise take risks to put themselves "out there". Participation in the varied opportunities does not seem optional; you can choose to take an active role as a witness or be inspired to find where your own talents lead you. But the time is now; spring is on its way.



Beacon Bits -- Simple Gifts

This year, more than ever, I'm convinced that the 12 days of Christmas should come before December 25; there are just too many things to do before the official festivities begin. There are guided candlelit tours of the local mansions and estates (Boscobel, Mt. Guilian, Locust Grove, Vanderbuilt); holiday concerts (Bardavon, Howland Cultural Center, The Beacon Theatre) and local shopping along the river towns from Cold Spring to Beacon, and north to Rhinebeck and Hudson. All of this plus the usual food and gift shopping, trimming of the tree, baking, wrapping, caroling and visiting family and friends. It's all about the choices we make since it is impossible to do it all. I'm reminded of the wise saying about life -- that it's more about the journey and less about the destination -- and I am trying to heed the advice.

This year's journey included an acute reminder about enjoying simple gifts of the season: the gifts of music and creativity. What a joy to go to the Beacon Sloop Club last Friday for their annual holiday sing-a-long with our local musical talent including Pete Seeger and the Rivertown Kids. Walking into the warmth and coziness of this space with an intergenerational and multicultural 100+ crowd of choristers was like stepping into a staging of a holiday TV special in the 1960's with the Smothers Brothers or Mitch Miller. No need for HDTV or 3-D glasses, just real people getting others to raise their voices in harmonious song.

Following on the heels of the revelry of the sing-in came the "ravelry" of a knit-in with a festive holiday gathering of 14 knitters who frequent an onoing group that's continued for years after the Cold Spring specialty yarn shop, known as Knittingsmith, closed its doors. Other than wonderful food prepared uniquely by each attendee, there was a grab bag of knitted gifts such as snowmen, lace baskets, mittens and snowflakes, all handmade and crafted with love for this annual tradition. Amid the 'oohs' and 'ahs' as each ornament was unwrapped was much appreciation for the generous gift of time and creative spirit within each row of knit and purl.

As if that weren't enough creativity for one weekend, the day came to a close at Hudson Beach Glass where you can blow your own holiday ornament (with help and technical assistance from one of the master glass artists/owners). It's such a popular event that you can start to sign up now for next year's month-long schedule of appointments.

Some food for thought: The traffic and crowded stores can be left behind during the pre-Christmas rush if you choose to participate in the unique offerings around the Hudson Valley. You may need to give up some of the 'have to do' things on the list for the 'will nourish my spirit' choices: an hour of listening to favorite holiday music without it serving as background for doing something else; a few hours of working on finishing a hand-made ornament, scarf, socks or hat for a special someone; experimenting with a new cookie recipe to add to the mix of one's childhood favorites; mindfully selecting each decoration that is placed around the house, day by day, rather than trying to rush and do it all in one fell swoop when tired, hungry or cranky. This frame of mind was affirmed when I became frustrated with putting the tree stand together the other night. Rather than continuing to fight, after a full 30 minutes, to line the pieces up so that the long screws could engage correctly, I just happened to turn the stand on its side and it fell into place. It served as a reminder that we can shift our perspective when we look at something in a new way, by accident or by choice. You may just want to accidentally choose to "unplug the Christmas tree" this year and focus on savoring the simple gifts of the season. It just might turn Christmas upside down for you; I don't think you'll regret it.

Simply the Best Rice Pudding
A Norwegian Tradition

Aunt Fanny's Rice Cream

1/2 cup arborio rice

1/2 cup sugar

1 qt. whole milk

1 tbs. pure vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

1 egg yolk

Put milk, rice, sugar and vanilla extract into a large pot (I get the milk to room temperature first and start to heat it before I add rice and sugar); heat on medium flame. You'll need to stay nearby because you'll be stirring often, otherwise the rice sticks to the bottom of the pot and the sugar burns. You'll cook this for about an hour on a medium to low flame; eventually you'll see the rice thicken -- keep stirring frequently at this point. When you get to about 70 min. of cooking (you never bring it to a boil but it could boil if you raised the heat), take pot off the stove and then add the 1 cup heavy cream and 1 egg yolk (i.e. whisk the egg yolk with some of the cream in a small bowl, add the cream to the mixture in the pot first; then slowly add egg yolk mix while stirring constantly so the egg yolk doesn't cook.) Return to heat and cook for another 10 min. - you could test if it's done by raising the heat: if it boils vigorously while stirring furiously, then it's ready. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. After it cools down for about 10-15 minutes, cover the top with wax paper -- this keeps it from forming a skin -- and then place in refrigerator overnight. (The recipe can easily be doubled; you can top with cinnamon when serving, but the Norwegian way is to put some whipped cream on top and raspberry or red currant syrup; serve in a glass like a parfait. Or you can put fresh berries or lingonberry jam on top. I've even used warmed local maple syrup of good quality.) I never put raisins in this rice cream, but on on Christmas eve when it is served in a Norwegian home, we put a whole almond in the rice pudding -- whoever gets the almond 'wins' a marzipan pig as a prize for good luck for the coming year. It's hard to find the marzipan pig these days unless you go to a specialty import store, but I did find the raspberry syrup (“Marco Polo”) this year at Adams Fairacre Farms.

Beacon Bits -- Letting Go (is a blessing)

This past Sunday, Indian summer was fully present in the Hudson Highlands, making last month's snowstorm a distant nightmare. Hikers gathered early in the morning at the foot of Mt. Beacon for a pre-Thanksgiving hike to get ready for the extra calories in the coming week. Local roads were getting congested as families made their trek to the various grocery stores and markets, including the new Wappinger location for Adams Fairacre Farms to retrieve the mandatory turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, bread for stuffing, winter squashes, pumpkin pie fixings, apple cider, as well as the specific seasonal delights such as, stalks of brussel sprouts, fennel, assorted mushrooms, artisanal cheeses and nuts, seedless grapes and tangerines.  Last minute shoppers made their way down to the waterfront to the Beacon Farmers Market to pick up a forgotten item or two like local maple syrup and honey or additional vegetables for yet another "side" dish.

In many communities, the pre-Thanksgiving farmer's market is the last of the season until the following spring, but not so for our local market. I was both recalling and anticipating the week that the Sunday market retreats into the Beacon Sloop Club with its intimate space and smaller group of vendors around the tree that grows through the roof of the building and the blazing fire in the stone fireplace with its welcoming hearth. I relished the idea of that setting because of the warmth and genuine hospitality I felt there last winter after a difficult transition during my move and relocation in the midst of several snowstorms. As I was taking some photos and daydreaming, I met  a woman I'd known from Common Ground Farm, Dana Devine O'Malley,

who is the new manager of the market. I shared my memories from last year and how I was looking forward to all the sensations of community around the fireplace again this year. To my surprise, she noted it was likely that the market would move this winter; that discussions were being held with Mill Street Loft to host the market at the neighboring Long Dock Beacon Park south of the ferry dock. I explained my surprise and my distaste for the proposition and she insisted I had been the only person sharing such fond memories and cozy images of the sloop club's space and that in fact, many vendors had stated they would not return this winter if it was housed there again! Falling short of becoming argumentative, as most people who have a minority opinion can become, I rallied, trying to be persuasive, and pointed out that an art gallery space, such as Mill Street Loft, seemed to be an odd, even inappropriate space for a farmer's market. I clearly was attached to my first impression of the Beacon Farmer's Market and found it difficult to imagine a new setting as its home this year. I had difficulty letting go.

After taking photos of the Beacon Sloop Club, I walked over towards the potential new home of the market as if I were trying it on for size and attempted to take in this new information without  feeling defeated. I reminded myself that a prominent theme of late November with the last of the dry leaves falling from the trees is to "let go."



Long Dock Beacon - A Scenic Hudson Park







After the shock of this news, I made the decision to attend the evening concert to be held at "The" Beacon Theatre in Beacon. I realized I hadn't blogged yet about another Beacon "attachment" of mine, the renovation of the defunct theater on Main Street, which became one of my pledged commitments, after attending the kick-off fundraiser in September 2010 with Pete Seeger and Tom Chapin, to support 4th Wall Productions ' purchase and plans to revive this historical landmark, which was home to many an entertainer on the Borscht route from New York City to the Catskills. Perhaps it was knowing that Sonja Henie, the Norwegian Olympic ice skater who briefly became a Hollywood start performed at The Beacon that made me so fond of the building. But most likely it was knowing that a caring group of grassroots people (Owners Jim Brady and Christine Vittorini, along with Development Director, Pat Manning) want to rebuild and restore rather than knock down and resdesign a local multipurpose theater that would facilitate performing arts as part of the cultural scene revival in Beacon. So through the year I've been to several fundraisers for The Beacon Theatre including the one year anniversary dance party that truly announced a 'phoenix' is rising with completed major renovations to the lobby that can now be home to comedy shows, film, children's performances and concerts. 

So to much delight, I arrived at the Robert A. McAlpine Grand Foyer  (a major benefactor/contributor and owner of the Roundhouse) to hear Red Molly as part of the Sukothai concert series. I only knew that Red Molly, a three-women band, was described as playing Americana music (bluegrass-gospel) and that they had received excellent reviews for their albums and performances at various festivals. Most of the attendees were "RedHeads" (the group's fan club) but it wasn't long before I felt myself having a conversation and began anticipating future concerts (and a yearning for henna.)

Some food for thought: Change and transition require emotional processing. It's easier to say 'let go' than to follow through and do it. But with the music of Red Molly acting like a balm to help with the unpredictability and uncertainty of adjusting to the daily hassles of life, I remembered how much melodic and uplifting music sung with soul and great lyrics can be an excellent way to cope with the all the 'small stuff' we stress over. The last song of the evening, of their last concert for this year's season, an a cappella version of "May I Suggest", was such an antidote; it was a beautiful reminder that accepting things as they are in the here and now lets you know that this is the 'best part of your life.' Flexibility and adaptability is a hallmark of good mental health. So is a thanksgiving reminder that life is good, full of blessings, changing us as we keep trying to hold on to the past. The trees know how to let go and accept the transition towards the new. We can loosen the leaves of our own expectations, assumptions and precious memories to pave the wave for new experiences and traditions, as a reminder to balance the old and the new.

Menu for Thanksgiving Dinner

Platter of assorted cheese, tangerines, grapes and nuts

Mesclun salad with pear, fennel, red onion, dried cranberries, walnuts and honey balsamic dressing

Raisin Pumpkin Bread

Cream of Butternut Squah Soup

Broiled stuffed Mushrooms with Italian Seasoning

Stuffed Turkey Breast with 3-bread/sausage/mushroom/seasoned stuffing

Sweetened yams with maple syrup, honey and butter

Roasted brussel sprouts with lemon pepper and olive oil

Creamed spinach with a touch of nutmeg

Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Brown Gravy

Traditional Cranberry Relish with a New Twist of Candied Ginger

Apple Brown Betty

Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

Pumplin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thansgiving Blessings

Beacon Bits - Community Support

The Beacon community is replete with opportunities for being a good neighbor or ‘friend’ to the variety of not-for-profit groups that create an atmosphere of familiarity with others who share interests in the arts, concerns about the environment and knowledge about the historical aspects of the region. They all create a venue for socialization, volunteership and common purpose. Several groups worth knowing more about in order to consider how you want to support them include The Howland Cultural Center, the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, the Beacon Sloop Club and the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society. There are so many others (note to self: more information for future blogs), including The Dia, Boscobel and Scenic Hudson whose scope lies beyond the city limits, yet all of them have an impact on the choices and prospects for involvement for a local Beaconite.

The Howland Cultural Center (http://www.howlandculturalcenter.org/) is a true community gathering place where poetry, folk music, gospel, art exhibits, bridge, open mic, kids’ events and film take place in a beautiful Norwegian-style building designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and built in 1872. The building has great acoustics, intricate woodwork, remnants of the library bookshelves that are reminders of the original purpose of the building, and a grand antique grandfather clock frozen in time. While the clock stands transfixed, unique events presented at the various venues are at the cutting edge of our current times (e.g., an anti-fracking fundraiser with Pete Seeger and film director of Gasland, Josh Fox, (http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/) in May 2011 and classical-world-jazz rhythm and melody performance by duoJalal (http://www.duojalal.org/),  a viola and percussive powerhouse, in June 2011.) The building was placed on the National Historic Registry in 1972. It is the current home to the Howland Chamber Music Circle (http://howlandmusic.org/) and the Beacon Historical Society (http://beaconhistoricalsociety.org/index2.php). Join the legacy of civil war general and shipping magnate, Joseph Howland, the original benefactor; individual membership is $30 and family membership is $50.

The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries (http://www.bire.org/home/) is a prestigious academic center for " scientific and technological innovation that advances research, education, and public policy regarding rivers and estuaries"  making Beacon the center of 21^st century environmentalism.  The BIRE, located on Dennings Point (http://www.amazon.com/Dennings-Point-Hudson-River-History/dp/1883789516), offers environmental programs to the public in the Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE) and River and Estuary Observatory Network (REON) and has its bookshop/gallery at 199 Main Street. General support of the organization starts with a $25 donation.

The Beacon Sloop Club (BSC) is anchored in the movement to clean up the Hudson River,  which was spearheaded by Pete Seeger, and marked by the arrival of the sloop Clearwater in Beacon in 1969. Now home to the replica of an 18^th-19^th century Dutch ferry sloop, the Woodie Guthrie, the BSC offers 1^st Friday night potlucks with a sing-along of traditional American folk songs, including those reminiscent of the 1960's protest movements and new themes for a new generation. The BSC organizes community-wide fundraising with a Strawberry Festival every June, a Corn Festival in August (8-14-11) and a Pumpkin Festival in October (10-16-11) for the upkeep and maintenance of the Woodie Guthrie, which is available for free sailing trips by reservation. This riverside clubhouse with a tree growing through the roof is also home to the Beacon Farmers Market (http://www.thebeaconfarmersmarket.com/) during the winter months with its welcoming and roaring fire in the stone fireplace. Membership for the BSC is $25, a true bargain for all the camaraderie, song, sailing and history on the Beacon waterfront. in Beacon in 1969.

The Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society (http://www.inclinerailway.org/) has as its mission to “restore, operate and maintain the Incline Railway on North Beacon Mountain”, a funicular which rose 1540 feet above sea level up 2200 feet of track on the mountainside from 1902 to 1978, and destroyed by fire in 1983. Built by Otis Elevator company, it brought passengers to the amazing vista and glorious natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley. While I never rode the Mt. Beacon funicular, and I have yet to hike in this Scenic Hudson park (http://www.scenichudson.org/parks/mountbeacon) , I can only imagine the sight from the top of the mountain from my own funicular journeys in Bergen, Norway (http://www.floibanen.com/). (This peculiar coincidence of the mountains and “fjord” makes me ponder the possibility of Beacon becoming a sister city with Bergen.....but that is definitely another blog.) If you believe that the railway can be built by 2013 (the target date to coincide with Beacon’s 100^th anniversary as a city) then it’s time to get aboard; individual membership is $20 and family membership is $40 annually.

Some food for thought: I read that a grande latte purchased on a daily basis for $3.63 would total $1,334.95 per year. Imagine how much of an investment that would translate into if you gave that much to local development projects? Even if you use 10% of that total amount ($133.49), you could be a benefactor to a selection of the various groups described, as well as others, and know that you are supporting the future of Beacon and its surrounding area. It’s a matter of how you choose to use your discretionary funds. In this economy, we may all need to cut back. But the groups that serve us will sustain cutbacks in grants and government support; our 10% will help to sustain them through this difficult time. The opportunity for belonging to these community groups is priceless; giving up lattes for 36.5 days of the year may not be such a sacrifice when you consider what you will get in return.