May is Mental Health Month

May has been the designated month to highlight Mental Health Awareness in order to educate the public about opportunities and resources for treatment and support, but it also emphasizes the need to eliminate stigma towards those in need of services. Far too often, the news media draws attention to those with mental illness when crises have not been averted for some individuals, and dire consequences are the result. But most individuals with mental health issues are not violent and their suffering is private and longstanding because they do not seek help. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots organization on a national level with state organizations and local affiliates, such as NAMI-Mid-Hudson, (NAMI-MH), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, which serves Dutchess and Ulster Counties. NAMI-MH is aligned with the purpose of NAMI to educate, support and advocate for those with mental illness, as well as their families. Signature programs are free and accessible for community members, such as Family-to-Family, Ending the Silence, Peer-to-Peer, and In Our Own Voice. (For full descriptions and how to enroll, go to the NAMI-MH website.) You do not have to be a member to enroll, but it is helpful to support the efforts of this evidence-based practice organization with a membership and/or donation. You will be supporting those individuals in the community who have benefitted from the educational and support services that NAMI-MH primarily provides with volunteers---family members and individuals who have first-hand experience of what it is like to have mental health problems. You will know that the motto--Find Help. Find Hope.--is more than lip service. It is true for those who take the first step and reach out. You are not alone.

This month, volunteers with NAMI-MH hung ribbons in our communities and received attention with a publication in Hudson Valley One. An interview with Jo Ann Brown, Program Director for NAMI-MH, conveys the hope and help that is available for everyone, free of charge. 

Ribbons were hung in Beacon with the local Girl Scout Troops, who also made the ribbons. It is never to young to learn about how to get help and support when there is a mental health issue. Girl Scouts can work on a badge related to Mental Health, and recently, NAMI national has announced there will be a collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the USA  (GSUSA). Looks like the girls in Beacon were a step ahead this year!

Food for thought: When you see a ribbon on your street this year, remind yourself that you are part of the solution to de-stigmatize mental health issues in this nation. Tell someone about NAMI-MH. Go to the website and learn more about the programs that have been available on Zoom throughout the pandemic. Become a member. You do not have to have a family member or friend to help with the campaign of making everyone aware that it is ok to have a mental health issue that requires help and support. You are part of the solution in your community. Please consider making a donation. Get HELP. Receive some HOPE.

NOTE: On the NAMI-MH website, you will see an option to donate a minimum of $10 to the 501(3)(c) and you will receive a thank you acknowledgement to be mailed to you -- a pack of 5 cards (see above image), for "HOPE."

Reaping What You Sow?

It is hard to believe the age old adage that one reaps what one sows. So much is happening that is unpredictable, unexpected, negative and out of one's control, that it is hard to manage outcomes from beginning to start. 

That is how it felt  at my Stony Kill Farm Plot in my second year of cultivating and hoping that tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers and a variety of herbs and flowers would thrive.

It felt like our summer weather was a bit of a microcosm for our whole country: drought, extreme heat, and flooding rains. It seemed hard and time consuming to manage the modest crop and most of what was planted seemed to have a mind of its own. Yellow squash, nope. Cucumbers, not at all. Lavender, abundant growth. Oregano and thyme, gone wild and too hard to tame. And of course, the humble sunflowers, miraculously holding their own. Weeds of all types, yippee!!

Maybe that is why it is a good hobby as one ages to get involved with gardening of all kinds and to get one's hands into the soil. (Remember never to call it dirt; soil is organic and dirt is inorganic.) You quickly sense that what you try to control may not be in your control at all. But acquiescing to random events is not taking the control that you can take. You can fertilize, water, prune, weed, add compost, test the soil's pH, or start over with new seeds or perennials on sale halfway through the summer season. And when all else fails, you can learn to accept.

Whatever one does, don't give up. Endurance, persistence, patience, perseverance and some grit are both the process inherent in gardening and the personal gains and potential outcomes.

Food for thought: It's time to take stock as we prepare for a questionable harvest. Whether the fruits of one's labor have been abundant or not, much was gained from the time spent with nature. She is always a good teacher and has shown us that she still has the upper hand. 

Sweet Beginnings

Despite the heat and humidity, I decided to take a stroll down Main Street this past Sunday to visit the new venue at 462 Main Street, Håkan, that I recently learned about in the latest issue of the Highlands Current. Who can pass up chocolate, even on a day when you expect that it will not only melt in your mouth, but in your hands, as well.

My curiosity was increased with the knowledge that the chocolatier, Håkan Mårtensson, is Swedish. Not quite Norwegian. But with my favorite chocolates named Kong Haakon by Freia, a well-known Norwegian confectioner that is headquartered in Oslo, and no SAS flights scheduled for me to head to the Land of the Midnight Sun, I knew this was the next best thing. And my visit did not disappoint my expectations.

The cool, dark ambience of the store mimics a Scandinavian vibe as soon as you walk in. The friendly and hospitable atmosphere of the proprietors standing behind the bonbon bar was palpable. I was able to joke with Håkan and talked about asking him if he were the King (referring to a Norwegian king from the past)! When I asked about bolle (I had one very specific one in mind), he pointed to the array of fine pastries behind him that are also baked and available for purchase onsite in order to provide an explosion of flavors from the north that are usually marked by the distinct flavoring of cardamom.  Despite my banter and my bilingual comments (yes, I even tried out some Norwegian), I encountered genuine hygge and warmth.

Håkan Mårtensson (L), and business partner Steven Pipes (R)

It was difficult to decide on my choices as I scanned the glass case enclosing the delectables looking like fine jewels. I finally selected three bonbons -- the Salted Caramel, the Pear and Madagascar Vanilla (marblized in the shape of a blue heart), and the Tamarind and Cardamom (marblized in red in classic bonbon style ). I resisted loading up on the packaged bars of chocolate (for now) but will keep them in mind when I want to buy gifts and surprise treats for friends. I also noted that there were small packages of Salted Caramels ready to go; they had an appeal for a dessert table or for the sweet note accompanying wine and cheese for a small intimate gathering (now that vaccinations facilitate home entertaining to resume.)

I resisted opening my little cellophane bag until I got home and started to brew a cup of ginger tea; I thought that would be an interesting pairing. Before the tea was ready, I started with the Salted Caramel, proceeded to the Pear and then finished with the Tamarind. Heavenly would describe the experience! From the first bite into the crust of the Salted Caramel with its oozing  filling to the tart taste of tamarind with the finish of cardamom, my favorite spice, I could not have been more pleased. My ginger tea only made me long for some more bonbons to taste. (Or at least one bolle on display that looked so delicious and ready for a cup of tea.)

What else can I say other than "Jeg ønsker deg mye suksess i Beacon, Håkan!" and "Congratulations" (Gratulerer) to your business partners Steven Pipes and Bobby Chani as well. I will surely be back for more bonbons and boller just so I can say "takk for sist!" I believe I've met my new King of Chocolates!! Takk skal du ha!

Food for thought: This is my tenth year of blogging Beacon Bits: A Bite of the Hudson Valley, about community life in Beacon. But this is the first post where I felt that I was 'home' in my corner of the world because a touch of Scandinavia has arrived! Other than when Norwegian Airlines was flying direct flights from Stewart Airport to Bergen, Norway and I dreamed of a Beacon-Bergen connection as sister cities, I feel connected to my roots on both sides of the Atlantic; from the Norwegian-American community where I was raised in Brooklyn to immigrants, to the North Sea and beyond. I can't wait for a celebration for Midsummer's Night in late June and Santa Lucia in December with delectable delights of saffron buns and exceptional bonbons!

Walk in Nature to Support Mental Health

It is May and it has been so beautiful in the Hudson Valley! No doubt everyone is getting out to their favorite trails to take in the sounds and sights of this wonderful spring weather and the optimism for better times that seems to be in the air.

Research published in Nature in 2019 suggests an individual's health and well-being is promoted by spending 120 minutes per week in nature. This can be accomplished by engaging in recreational walking for the total time throughout a given week. 

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year the event is celebrated with ribbons, special events, and campaigns by various organizations to increase awareness about resources to find help and to decrease stigma.

What better time than to commit to walking in nature for 120 minutes each week to benefit your mental health? 

NAMI-Mid-Hudson, the local nonprofit and affiliate group of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, serves Dutchess and Ulster Counties. Signature programs, such as Family2Family and Ending the Silence, are meant to deliver help and hope to family members  and young people, respectively, who are in need of support and understanding with education about mental illness and recovery models. (Check out the website for specific information about programming, which has been delivered nonstop and online without interruption of services during the last year of the pandemic!)

Listen to this recent podcast from "This is Beacon" 

as they interview HeatherAnn Pitcher of NAMI Mid-Hudson

This year NAMI-Mid-Hudson (NAMI-MH) is encouraging everyone to get out and walk in nature for 120 minutes during the week of Saturday, May 15th to Saturday, May 22nd. This is the virtual alternative for the traditional NAMI-Walks activity that usually takes place annually as a group event. With some pandemic restrictions still in place for large group gatherings when social distancing is not possible, this alternative was chosen by NAMI-MH to strike a balance between getting the word out about the availability of mental health services, to encourage individual initiative for improving one's own mental health, to raise awareness about NAMI-MH programs, and to encourage donations to the organization.

Food for thought: NAMI-Walks usually rely on pledges to sponsor a walker for its fundraising. By participating in NAMI-MH Walks, you can support mental health in 2 ways --- for yourself by walking during the week for a total of 120 minutes, which can be divided into 4 days of 15 minutes and 3 days of 20 minutes -- and by exploring the website for NAMI-Mid-Hudson to increase your awareness about programs and by raising some funds or donating some funds.  (Be creative -- ask a dozen friends to sponsor $1 per minute of walking for 10 minutes each or $10 per person.) Since most people know someone personally or have family members who have experienced mental illness, you will be lending support to a grass-roots, volunteer-run, self-help, local non-profit that has made a significant impact on research, advocacy and education over the last three decades. So pick your favorite spots to walk, get out in nature--rain or shine--and do it for yourself and for NAMI-Mid-Hudson.

Beacon Bits -- Photo Op

First "Second Saturday" of 2021, unlike those of the past ten years when the streets were filled with people bundled up and rushing into every gallery and cultural center that was hosting an opening.....but the good news is that there are still 'openings', with masks, physical distancing and a chance to socialize with neighbors, friends and visitors to Beacon. And now that shows are open every weekend, there is more time to visit or return again to see the same show.

One such opening on January 9th was the Beacon Photography Group's show, "Assorted Visions', with 26 members showing a total of 90 pieces, at the spacious and inviting Howland Cultural Center. The show is ongoing on weekends through the end of January from 1-5pm.

The Beacon Photography Group with 462 members mostly meets up in a virtual space with posting on its Facebook page. Seeing the exhibit with the members' photographs mounted, framed and hung within the historic building is a visual feast for those who believe a picture is worth a thousand words and belong on the wall as well as on a screen.

I was mostly struck by the unique expression and variety across all the images. The diversity of subjects: nature, shapes, objects, humans. The varieties of perspective: up close and personal, distant and remote. The use of creative energies: innovative design and experimental execution. And above all, the acceptance for the work from amateurs to enthusiasts to serious artists using a camera.

Food for thought: In this day and age, where differences are notable and disagreements arise when opposing points of view are voiced, it is certainly refreshing to see that with images, you can explore the differences of how individuals portray reality in so many different ways. You can ask the photographer -- 'how did you arrive at that image, what prompted you to do it that way, tell me more about your way of seeing.' You can walk away with more understanding and without having to defend your own point of view. Given how each person can see the same things in the world so differently, one image alone is insufficient; we can get closer to reality when each point of view is seen through a collective. 

Beacon Bits -- A Touch of Hope

When I returned to Mountain Laurel Florist at 15 Tioranda Avenue for the second time this week, a memory of walking around in Kopervik, Norway during Christmas in 1986 came to my mind. The building has a quaint European flair. I had just walked down from the Howland Cultural Center's "Holiday Crafts" show. That simple act of walking to engage in last minute shopping for something handcrafted or living like a poinsettia, wreath or seasonal flowers, triggered the happy memory. 

But it was also the warm conversation and easy exchange between the customer and the proprietor that struck a chord of familiarity. That reminded me of how I felt when I moved to Beacon over 10 years ago when most of the shopkeepers knew your name and a connection was established whether you were purchasing, browsing or asking about a special item to order.

Laura, the proprietor of Mountain Laurel Florist, is an experienced florist who is homegrown as a lifelong Beaconite. She previously had a shop located on Route 52 (2004-2010). She has re-established herself in this new venue down from Main Street after independently contracting as a florist in the ensuing years. While shops off of Main Street may not always get the peripatetic sightseeing crowd who have been frequenting the area since the pandemic and updated featured NYT article, those who are residents and want to establish an ongoing relationship with a florist will not be deterred because it's off the beaten path. In fact, the location may be part of the lure for those who are familiar with the many side streets and shortcuts that are helpful when looking for parking.

The possibilities of new growth is a sign of hope, which is still needed at this dark time of the year, even though we've just turned the corner with the days getting longer. Since Laura is so close to her roots, my wish is that she may bloom where she is planted.

Food for thought:  What gives you hope this holiday season? What memory have you had from your earlier years that evokes an enduring sense of peace and joy found in the simple things? What do you hope takes root and begins to grow in 2021?

Boscobel - Still Sparkling

For the last five years, I volunteered at the holiday event known as "Sparkle" at Boscobel. When "Friends" were called on to lend a hand to the staff hosting the event, I never turned it down. It was a way to become part of a gathering of families and friends who came to celebrate the holiday and revel in the lights, the music, the festivities, the gingerbread treats and to lay claim to it as part of their annual traditional celebration. 

Through the years, I stood guard at the entrance checking for admission stickers, assisted at the Santa workshop for crowd control, helped with photo opportunities, led people safely down the sweeping staircase after a docent-led tour with flashlights directed at their feet in the dimly lit and historically-appropriate decorated house, and greeted people as they entered and exited the reserved seating for the Putnam Chorale Society concert.

This year, no volunteers were called. As a member, however, I took myself to the grounds at twilight on the eve of the Army-Navy game across the river, with lights ablaze and cannons firing. The lights were bright at Michie Stadium, the evening was particularly warm and the sky was clear. I could almost imagine Saturn aligning with Jupiter in the south-southwest sky after sunset to be observed on December 21 and not again until the year 2086. Or the Geminid meteor shower peaking the night of December 13 to 14.

The quiet and twinkle of the purposefully placed lights amidst the few guests on the grounds was a testament to the name for this year's event, 'Silent Night'. Santa was going to make a visit the next day. But for now, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.....I think they were all scattered by the flock of geese that flapped their wings in unison as they took off across the lawn to herald the coming of the winter season at Boscobel. An arousing ovation for the season that was during a time that has never been.

Food for thought: How grateful and humbled to have such beauty right down the road and to be able to be spontaneous and still have an adventure, despite it all, during these dark times. 

Be ready for the Light to Come in the Spring 2021

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