Beacon Bits -- Re-Imagining

We are always remembering what we no longer have or do. I am sure that is how the small group of dedicated volunteers who started the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society (MBIRRS) felt when they looked at the mountain and no longer saw the railway, but could still remember the ride up to the top. Mike Colarusso, the current president of the MBIRRS, and all of the individuals who ever worked on the project (including former Beacon mayors Clara Gould and Steve Gold--among others) and those who are still working and moving forward together on the capital campaign (including Frank Skartados, Jeff McHugh, Mayor Randy Casale--among others) had a strong memory of the past or an acute imagination or vision for the future. The MBIRRS website tells the history and the narrative story leading up to the present state of affairs with accuracy and details far better than I can.

But I can tell you that after attending the Annual Gala for MBIRRS at Dutchess Manor on 12/19/13, the word is official that the support to move ahead on rebuilding the railway is stronger than ever. The most recent initiative is to have the mountain itself become part of Hudson Highlands State Park, which will occur sometime in the spring, while the acreage at the foot of the mountain (e.g., the area surrounding the parking lot and back towards the remnants of the railway) will remain part of Scenic Hudson. It certainly makes sense from a logistical standpoint to gain further support from New York State. After all, it is Mount Beacon that is in our state flag, as you will learn when you view the MBIRRS video entitled "Excelsior."
 

So if you haven't become a member of the society as of yet, now is the time to support MBIRRS. You can even order items online from their gift shop, like the cap with their logo. If you already have one, get one for a friend as a gift. It is a true vision to get everyone to the mountaintop - those who can still climb and those who may require a ride with ADA accommodations. We all need to get on board.

Food for thought:  This idea that one can use memory to remember the past (retrospective memory) or imagine the future (a form of prospective memory) caught my attention this Christmas season. I said to a friend the other day during a moment of reflection, "Remember, we are always making memories." I realized that this is a good reminder for those who have  either bad memories or good memories about past holidays. Grounded only in the present moment, we can recreate new and better memories that we can take with us into the future or we can recapitulate the memories that we hold dear, but cannot have in the same way because we have lost the people or the places that were their context. The choice of our memories going forward is in our hands from each moment to moment. What a gift!

 

In Search of New Memories

Four Side Dishes for a Boneless Center Cut Pork Roast Holiday Dinner

(Inspired by my company--Danish friend,Jens Bille and his wife Bettyann, from Gallery  508)

Braised Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
1 head red cabbage, canola oil, caraway seeds, organic balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt & pepper

 

Mashed Butternut Squash
Cooked butternut squash, butter, maple syrup, touch of cream, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract
After mashing all ingredients, place mixture in bowl and bake in oven to serve.

Holiday Stuffing-All the Ingredients
1 1b. loaf whole wheat bread, cubed; sautéed celery and shallots in 2 tbs .butter; poultry seasoning, parsley,
salt & pepper, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 beaten egg, 2 handful chopped walnuts, 12 diced, pitted prunes

Holiday Stuffing - Ready to Bake
Mix all ingredients until blended/wet to bake in oven in covered dish.

Vegetable Mélange for Roasting
1 fennel bulb, 8 small yams, 5 cored and peeled apples--all sliced lengthwise; canola oil,
juice and zest from 1/2 navel orange, tarragon, allspice, salt & white pepper 
Mix well to coat vegetables and bake in oven until tender.

Please note: The pork roast was not shown in deference to my vegetarian and vegan friends. Most of the side dishes shown can be adapted to be vegan. With the exception of the holiday stuffing, the recipes are gluten free; substituting gluten-free bread is possible.

Beacon Bits -- Magic Mountain

Mount Beacon hovers over the vibrant and tranquil town of Beacon. It beckons new visitors to climb to the top and view the Hudson River Valley in its entirety and it welcomes the frequent home town hiker. The mountain has its place in history, and it is prominently displayed on the crest on the New York State flag, yet looks to the future with the anticipated development and return of the Incline Railway. It can be magical when you see the full moon rising above its peak. And chasing rainbows that arce over its ridge are elusive, but oh so rewarding. I'd rather chase rainbows than chase tornadoes, any day.

C'est Magnifique, June 24, 2013

 

The Beacon Re-Imagined Exhibition (through July 6) at the River Center at Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park is a must see for those who have heard the rumors about plans for the rebuilding of the incline railway, as well as plans that are underway for the Beacon Greenway Trails, Fishkill Creek Greenway and Heritage Trail, Beacon Loop Trail and the Hudson Fjord Hike/Bike Trail. These are exciting plans for safe walking, hiking and biking trails that will allow locals and visitors to follow the Fishkill Creek or traverse along the river parallel to 9D - literally, over the river and through the woods! It is a collaboration across state, counties, municipalities - a model for eliminating boundaries and partisanship -- it will unite parts of Putnam with Dutchess and become a part of the larger vision of making it possible for people to get out into nature in ways that allow for inner peace of mind and physical renewal without needing to go far from home.

Educational display showing the Fjord Trail, at Beacon Re-Imagined, Jeff McHugh, Exhibition Director



 

In addition to new plans, there are some completed projects as well; the opening of the restored fire tower on June 22, 2013 was a culmination of a ten year project of volunteers coming together to repair and rebuild the stairs leading to the top viewing platform for safety and durability. A glimpse of the NYC skyline after climbing to the top is the anticipated reward. I haven't been to the mountain yet this year, but I have that plan in mind to seize that day, spontaneously, when the humidity is low and the southwesterly breeze is blowing, to take in the sights.

 

I also learned that there is a guardian of the mountain - or more accurately - many guardians of the mountain. Volunteers are on the ready to rescue those who are in need of help with an impressive emergency vehicle geared for traversing the rocky and steep terrain. Sighted at the centennial parade with one of its proud operators, it was an impressive reminder that there are ways that one can feel protected without even knowing there is a safety plan in place. Out of sight and out of mind, yet always ready when needed.

 

 

Food for thought:  Community volunteers have been surfacing and swarming to announce the plans that have been quietly been put into action over the last decade. We can all appreciate the efforts of others, but we can also choose to join in and find our passion in a new project.  Many hands make light work. Diverse talents are needed.  The community of Beaconites is eagerly awaiting for everyone to join in and contribute so that we can all get to the mountaintop together.

 

Mountain Music

Rising from the ground,

Cicadas flit here and there--

Searching for new life.