Beacon Bits -- Meet Me at the Sukkah

For the first time, there is a public sukkah (tr. 'booth') in Beacon to celebrate the Jewish holiday known as Succot, a harvest festival that captures the state of impermanence. Beacon's very own sukkah now joins the ranks of a drive through sukkah in Miami and Sukkah City in NYC. 

Sponsored by the Beacon Hebrew Alliance and BeaconArts, the Beacon Sukkah Project, is housed in a wooden structure wrapped in fabric with an open roof lined with bamboo, where daily events, classes, and workshops are taking place for the week-long holiday that began October 8th and ends October 16th. It's a place to learn, to listen, to see, and to experience the nuances of time in a transient space. Decorated with local art and set up with picnic tables, it is a place to gather and meet friends. A well-organized presentation about the first Jewish residents and their role in building Beacon in the early 1900's was informative during a visit on October 9th with a friend who is a congregant of the synagogue.

 

Rabbi Brent Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance contemplates the Open Sky

Food for thought: How wonderful to have a spotlight on Beacon's Jewish community with a sukkah by the Visitor's Center! While the candles of a menorah get lost in the lights of Christmas trees, solstice lasers and Kwanzaa candles, this premiere sukkah is uniquely placed in the forefront of Main Street with its own 'stars' to shine. The sukkah speaks to the universality of the human condition -- an awareness of its frailty and temporary state; it is a mindful meditation on the ultimate reliance on the Creator. What better way to celebrate together, with hope, in a time of transition and expectancy, for a safe passage as we wander through difficult and trying times.

Beacon Bits -- What's in a Name?

What's in a name? Apparently a lot. Take for example the change of name from Cup and Saucer Tea Room to Pandorica. This Beacon restaurant was established by owner Shirley Hot years before Beacon reached its current level of popularity and it always had a satisfied following of individuals desiring a traditional English tea, wholesome lunch or wonderful soup du jour. Its quaint atmosphere and collection of tea pots and cups and saucers accented the dining room's feel of a cozy Victorian parlor. I was a happy customer many times before moving to Beacon and witnessed its popularity for monthly scheduled games night for locals to sip, socialize and strategize together.

Who knew that a Dr. Who aficionado was beneath the layers of china cups and culinary skills that Shirley Hot possessed. As if someone waved the proverbial magic wand, Pandorica appeared in July and its explosion of visitors and Dr. Who fans gained sufficient attention for the Poughkeepsie Journal News to take note.

As far as I'm concerned -- this new found success -- could not have happened to a nicer person. Shirley's conviviality, business acumen, hard work, creativity and ah-ha moment has paid off! For those who know the restaurant's esoteric name is an allusion to Dr. Who and for those who don't even know Dr. Who was, it doesn't matter; everyone will know who Shirley is.

Food for Thought:  I'm reminded about our need for a re-invention at various times in our life. The re-invention of a professional identity for those answering the question 'what color is my parachute?' The re-invention of a make-over for a mid-life single mom. The re-invention afforded by avocational pursuits in one's retirement. The re-invention of men's roles in parenting made possible by post-feminism and economic recession. So in anticipation of autumn, with its own visible re-invention and reminder that change is always happening, Beaconites will surely know it will be the perfect season "to remake or make over, as in a different form" (dictionary.com); "to make major changes or improvements to (something)" and "to present (something) in a different or new way" (Merriam-Webster.com). 

Other notable Beacon venues that are in the process of re-inventing themselves include:

o  Fovea:  closing its storefront secondary to recurrent flooding but re-grouping with 2 annual         exhibits at Hudson Beach Glass (in January and June) and one exhibit in Brooklyn -- at               Photoville, the largest photo exhibit in NYC (this year at Pier 5 Brooklyn Bridge Park from         September 18 to 28) --yielding a paradoxical outcome of reaching a much larger audience

When one door closes, another opens

Co-executive directors Sabine Meyer and Stephanie Heiman Roland

o  Studio Antiques: closing at the end of September because the building has sold --                    a new location will be decided after a few months of planning the next steps

o  Beacon Music Store: David Bernz and his son Jacob are moving to a new location with a larger space for music

o  Rite Aid: a new facade and renovated interior for one of Beacon's only chain stores

o Zora Dora: closing day for the season is 9/21 -- with a return around the Ides of March; in the   meantime,stop by and try Ginger Snap, Plum Crazy, Orange Dreamcicle, Peachy Keen, Maple Walnut Cranberry, Cantaloupe Balsamic Basil, and Watermelon Mango Ginger!

Justice, a summer employee, working the counter with suggestions for customers

"Change is good. Change is scary. Change is necessary"

Quoted by co-executive director, Sabine Meyer, (pictured below) 
reflecting on the re-invention of Fovea

Beacon Bits -- Loose Ends

I recently brought in odds and ends of leftover yarn for patients residing at a state hospital to learn how to knit or crochet or to practice previously learned skills. (Recent brain imaging research suggests the act of knitting integrates cerebral hemispheres.) The scraps of yarn from various projects were separated by color and the ends were tied together in a secure manner. Then the knitting and crocheting proceeded as if it were a full skein of yarn. The result blended together the loose ends into a whole.

The project reminded me of how I am feeling about the bounty of odds and ends related to my CSA share with Obercreek Farm. All season long I've been so pleased with my bi-weekly share (i.e., a half share) of kale, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, melon, herbs, green onions, bok choy, beets, celery and turnips. 

I'm very happy that I continued with Tim Heuer and Sam Wildfong's Obercreek Farm for this second year after two seasons of a full share with Common Ground Farm. In fact, less seems to be more, and there is some trouble keeping up with cooking all of it. One thing is true of a CSA share -- the food is so local that it stores well, it lasts longer and stays fresh. But it still starts to add up and I eventually get to a point when I feel a frenzy of food preparation coming on. This seems to occur more quickly as the season progresses and the bounty of the harvest is plentiful.

In the past two weeks since my last pick up, I had such an occurrence and found myself cooking up a melange of delicacies that might not otherwise have been planned but the right combinations of veggies seemed to appear for them to come together.

Fennel Chutney

Saute chopped shallots with chopped fennel in olive oil until transparent. 
Add salt, golden raisins, honey and rose vinegar (purchased at the vinegar festival at 
Our Lady of the Resurrection monastery in Lagrangeville.) 
Serve with goat cheese on crackers.

Gazpacho

Dice 2 red peppers, 1 large cucumber, 1 onion, and 2 tomatoes. (I used an red heirloom and an orange valencia). Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Using an immersion blender, puree the vegetables until mixed and frothy. Add salt, pepper, juice of 1 lime, and fresh parsley (or basil or cilantro.)

Ratatouille

Peel and cut yellow squash and zebra eggplant into cubes. Dice one onion and 2 cloves garlic and place into a pan with olive oil. Saute until translucent. Add vegetables. Season with salt, basil, oregano and thyme. Dice 2 heirloom tomatoes (1 red and 1 green) and add to the pot. Cook for about 1/2 hour, stirring often, until tender. Serve hot or cold.

Curry 'Leftover' Soup

Peel and cube 4 to 6 white turnips. Dice several celery stalks including the leaves and 4-6 green onions (the white bulb as well as the greens). Chop several stems of kale. Slice 1 to 2 carrots. Heat canola oil in a pan and add all vegetables. Saute for several minutes until carrot and celery are wilted. Add 1 quart chicken broth (or vegetable broth). Add salt, pepper, 'monastery blend' spice (white pepper, cinnamon/cloves, nutmeg, ginger) , and 1 to 2 tbs. curry powder. Cook until all vegetables are tender (about 45 minutes.) Use immersion blender to mix; soup will thicken. If desired, add 1 cup skim milk. Bring to a boil and serve.

Seems like I finished all the cooking in time for this week's bountiful pick-up! 

Looks like I have enough for pickled beets and sundried tomatoes!

Food for thought: Whether it is knitted together or cooked in a pan, the act of creating something new from disparate ingredients feels like a fitting metaphor for a community that maintains all of its uniqueness while it blends together.  The multiculturalism of Beacon is like the chutney and the granny square; you still see and feel the distinct elements, but you can also taste something new when it all comes together.  Feels like it is time to get ready for the Spirit of Beacon Day (September 28, 2014) when the loose ends get tied up quite nicely with I Am Beacon.

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

Beacon Bits -- Beacon to Bergen and Back

Two months, too long. I've missed blogging about Beacon! I traveled most of May, but jet lag and re-orienting to the Hudson Valley took a bit more of my time than expected. I did arrive home in Beacon in time for the Beacon Sloop Club's annual Strawberry Festival; 

Homemade shortcake in a solar oven with fresh whipped cream and sugared berries

Clearwater sails by the festival

and in time to witness the dedication of Riverfront Park in honor of Pete and Toshi Seeger; 

A most fitting tribute to Pete who spearheaded the creation of Riverfront Park from a garbage dump and a fitting reminder that 'behind every great man is a great woman', in this case,Toshi

and to see that the installation of Beacon's 3D Project had come to fruition.

As for my travels, I went to Bergen, Norway and then traveled up the fjords of Norway on  the Hurtigruten cruise line to Kirkenes at the Russian border and back to Bergen. It was an amazing trip filled with spectacular sights of fjords, waterfalls, reindeer, sea eagles, the midnight sun and the best local sea food north of the arctic circle.

As much as I loved every minute of this dream trip, I felt grateful to return home to the Hudson Valley--something I felt after returning home from trips to Scotland, Wales and the English Lake Districts. Home is where the heart is and the Hudson Fjord is every bit as beautiful to me.

The "Hudson Fjord" from the MTA train heading south

However, while in Bergen, other than the 200th anniversary of the constitution celebrated on the national day on 17th May, the highlight of the visit was a trip to the top of Mt. Floyen on the funicular known as "Floibanen". My first trip on the railway that goes to the top of the mountain for a view of the city and the fjord below and hiking trails along the mountain ridges that surround Bergen was on a trip to Norway as a child -- but the thrill of climbing the mountain and descending on this railway has not changed a bit albeit my third visit.

Queuing up for the funicular

"Don't sit inside when all hope is outside."

Small restaurant on top of the mountain 

So you know that my thoughts of Mt. Beacon and the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society (MBIRRS) were not far from my mind as I rode the railway and took a hike in the woods..

Food for Thought: The blessing of this trip taught me a lot about about having a dream and the patience to realize it. I know that is how the founders and all the members and officers of the MBIRRS feel about realizing the dream of returning a railway to Mt. Beacon. I have another dream after this last visit to Bergen: learning about how to become sister cities with an international city that is gateway to the wonders of nature, and home to history, arts and culture, great food, open markets, and diverse individuals. The MTA to Grand Central does not only link Beacon to NYC -- it links us with the world. And the trip up the river to climb Mt. Beacon - a popular outing at the turn of the 20th century - may just become the best Hudson River Valley destination trip (next to Walkway Over the Hudson) in the near distant future. Why not Beacon - Bergen?? Perhaps my picture is worth a thousand words!!