Beacon Bits -- A Hand Full of Art

Calligraphy Exhibit

Second Saturday, July 8, 2017

3-6pm*

*4pm-brief class/demonstration

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 15 South Ave, Beacon NY

Br. Roy Parker’s Craft

Calligraphy is a hobby and vocation for Br. Roy Parker, OHC, who lives at the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY. This exhibition will capture his spirit and his art. Br. Roy will also give a demonstration and brief class at 4pm; materials will be provided for those who would like to follow along with the demonstration and practice the lettering.

Roy’s Calligraphic Journey

Br. Roy first became interested in calligraphy when he encountered the book “Sweet Roman Hand,” (ed. Wilfrid Blunt, 1952), Shakespeare’s term for Italic handwriting in “Twelfth Night. In 1980, he studied with Beva Farmer in Monterey, CA and became part of the lineage of master calligrapher Lloyd Reynolds with whom she had apprenticed. In the last 30+ years, he also studied with of Peter Thornton, Thomas Ingmar and master calligrapher, Reggie Ezell. Br. Roy has also had students of his own and taught workshops.

This joy of sharing his craft has led him to execute an extensive variety of calligraphic pieces in the form of commissions for those attracted to his work. Br. Roy is motivated by engaging with creative beauty, the pleasure of creation, and acknowledges the legacy of his creative acts. Calligraphy has also been a practice of developing patience and self-knowledge.

Br. Roy’s entire print repertoire, which are art quality giclée prints, are available from The Monk’s Cell Gift and Book Shop. Br. Roy also creates original calligraphy under commission.  Contact him to explore possibilities. To see examples of Br. Roy’s work or to order prints or cards of his calligraphy, visit the ‘monkscell’ Etsy Storefront.

Beacon Bits -- Open Studios, Open Hearts

After the weekend flurry of all the sugar-craving, cupcake fans visiting our town, the perfect antidote is to get back to the roots of creativity and 'open studios' with the artists who made Beacon the hot-spot that it has become! Other than intimate encounters with an artist in her or his own studio, chance meetings with neighbors who are out and about, stopping for lunch or supper with a friend at one of the many go-to places from one end of Main Street to the other, may I suggest another kind of encounter, one that just may open your heart.

The Labyrinth

Walking Meditation in the Sanctuary

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

17 South Avenue, Beacon NY

Second Saturday, May 13th

4-8 pm

Ambient Soundscapes will be created by Craig Chin (www.errantspace.com) from 5-8pm

A 36-foot canvas labyrinth will be placed in the sanctuary for “pilgrims” to explore a walking meditation. The labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path is an ancient Christian spiritual tool that has been rediscovered in our time. The labyrinth is a metaphor for the spiritual journey and lends itself to prayer and meditation during a personal encounter. Guided meditation suggestions will be available as you enter the sanctuary. It is customary that individuals take their shoes off before entering the labyrinth. Opportunities to walk the labyrinth will begin during daylight, transition through the vesper light and sunset leads into dark. The beauty of the sanctuary, the ambient sounds, changes in the light and colors of the Tiffany stained glass windows will enhance one’s journey.

Food for Thought:

O Lord of the Labyrinth Way,

Guide me into the best possible future that you hold for me.

Lead me into bright and lovely days ahead.

Take care of me through all the twists and turns, ups and downs, and down and outs.

Light the way so that I can stay on the right path.

Help me to cast aside my cares and woes and lay my burdens down.

Make my journey light as I take one step at a time.

Closer to the center, closer to you, closer to all my beautiful tomorrows.

Let me rest in your peace and give me courage to go on.

Help me to be thankful and grateful and full of gladness for all your gifts along the way.    

Amen.

Beacon Bits -- Knit for Charity

A group of knitters who convened at the WWKIP Day on June 16, 2016 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church created a sculpture that was intended to be on view during the Windows on Main Street event sponsored by BeaconArts; the Windows on Main Street did not happen this year, but the sculpture was still placed in the Beacon Reads storefront window.

"St. Andie" under construction

The sculpture, composed of knitted swatches on a women's wire form, has been dubbed, "St. Andie". She wears a cummerbund with the embroidered slogan, "Knit Us As One", which is the theme of a knitting group that will begin meeting twice a month at St. Andrew's staring Wednesday, September 21st, from 7-9pm.

"St. Andie" stands in the storefront window at Beacon Reads

The knitting group will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month and the knitters will select projects to make for charitable groups that solicit donations. St. Andie won't be present at the meeting because she hopes to make the rounds in Beacon storefronts in different locations throughout the coming year. Visit her at Beacon Reads through the end of October and find where she will travel next; she hopes to put on her traveling shoes every two months or so, and hopes to settle down into next year's Windows on Main event.

In the meantime, visit the knitting group. Meet your neighbors. Learn about charities seeking handmade knitted (and crocheted) items. Embark on new projects. No previous experience needed; all levels of knitting are welcome (and those who only crochet as well.) Relax, chat, and let your loose ends unravel as you find support and community with fiber enthusiasts!

Join us September 21st, 7-9pm; 1st and 3rd Wednesdays thereafter

Food for thought:  Knitting knows no gender, nor age. Knitting knows no socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race or tribe. Knitting is an equal opportunity hobby that can quickly become a healthy addiction, one that integrates the brain, builds new neuronal pathways, allows one to engage in breath work and mindful meditation, and stimulates creativity and personal satisfaction as one takes a stitch at a time to produce a multitude of useful objects to wear, use, or gift others. With knitting, the past, present and future is rolled into each ball and skein of yarn. It's all in your hands.

Beacon Bits - The Growing Season

It's been another long hiatus from blogging, but I've been busy having fun this summer, both in and away from Beacon. I've attended a high school reunion with friends traveling to the Hudson Valley and a joy-filled wedding; I've been to a knitting retreat sponsored by The Ethelridge Road Knitting Salon in the Berkshires where I was challenged to learn new woven stitches and finishing techniques; and I've been to NYC to two Mostly Mozart Festival concerts, a throwback to a time when I had more frequent trips to Lincoln Center. Now I just have to remember it is not that far away from home and always such an 'extraordinary' experience; I'm looking forward to next year's 50th anniversary of the festival! Where does the time go??

In between writing puppy reports and attending a graduation ceremony for Puppies Behind Bars, I've also been able to go to the three productions offered by Hudson Valley Shakespeare under the tent at Boscobel and attend two concerts at the Towne Crier Cafe
-- to see a touchstone performance by Peter Yarrow and a bittersweet farewell to the dynamic female trio, Red Molly, who will be taking an indefinite break from performing.

While in Beacon, I've been busy picking up my Obercreek Farm shares every other week, including a new fruit share offered this year. Lately, the growing season has created the need to make lots of ratatouille, and the juicy peaches have offered opportunities for peach crumble and a peach chutney (see recipe below.) It's amazing to have such wonderful local farmers who grow our food when we may not have the time or space to do it ourselves!

My Obercreek Ratatouille=olive oil, garlic, onion, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes,cooking sherry, salt/pepper/basil/oregano

I always make time to stop at Zora Dora, whose season is short, but Steve's 'crops' are always delicious and bountiful. Two favorites in the last week have been 'blueberry pie' and 'watermelon-lemon-basil'. I think I've decided that the Zora Dora Meter starts at 10 on the usual 1 to 10 scale (with 10 being the best), so in my estimation, the milk-based blueberry pie registers '14' and the sorbet-style, watermelon-lemon-basil registers a '19'. Remembering that Steve usually closes up around Halloween is incentive to make more frequent stops at this gourmet hot spot for visitors and townies alike.

Another venture this summer has been helping with establishing Second Saturday events called 'Art in the Sanctuary' held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. The inaugural event in July featured the Tiffany stained glass windows in the church and a retrospective art show featuring T.Hugo Williams, the father of the Vicar, Father John Williams. The August event focused on the posthumous showing of art by local Beaconite, Earl Teachey, and to further honor his life, the African drummer Maxwell Kofi Donkor and his drumming group Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble performed west African beats to a large crowd. The September event (9/12/15) will feature a recital by piano and organ student, Sarah Johnson, who studies at Vassar College, followed by a welcoming reception for the community.

So while I've missed Beacon's first Jazz Festival and the annual Corn Festival, I look forward to the Pumpkin Festival (Sunday, 10/18/15) and the Spirit of Beacon Day (Sunday, 9/27.) But I especially am looking forward to seeing more of Mary Fris, proprietor of Flora-Garden & Home, a new venue in town located at 197 Main Street that will be growing all kinds of greenery, pottery, gardening tools, and offering classes about plant care. Mary is not contrary at all, so you can ask her 'how does your garden grow' and get informed responses to questions about ferns, orchids, amaryllis, English and Italian pots and what is in store for this new Beacon gem. Here is to a long and fruitful growing season for Flora, located next to Beacon Bread Company, Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, Zora Dora and across the from the fauna of Beacon Barkery---a garden of friendly neighbors to have close by.

Food for Thought: Just when you think you have your routines down pat, surprises can come your way and take you in new directions, which offer unique adventures and satisfying activities. It is good to be reminded to enjoy the 'life that is happening when you are busy making plans'. Summer is a wonderful season to meander and blaze new trails rather than just following old paths. There's still time left before the autumn equinox steers us toward an inner journey of reflection on the harvest that we reap after yet another personal growing season ends and the growing season for Beacon, which is flourishing, continues to move us all forward.

The Holstee Manifesto

Surprise Peach Chutney

10 local peaches, blanched in boiling water

Allow the peaches to cool. Rub off skin, cut in half, remove pit, slice and chop.

1 garlic clove, finely minced

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper,  diced

Saute the above ingredients in a pan that has 1-2 tbs. melted butter.

Place peaches into the pan and saute until peaches totally soften and blend with savories.

Add 1/4 cup organic sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbs. cognac. 

Add salt and pepper to season.

Continue cooking until liquids begin to thicken.

Cool and spoon into mason jars and place in the refrigerator.

Nadine's Surprise Peach Chutney