Little Chapel on the River

Time Short - Help Support "Team Guinan" Members

2012-09-18T08:06:00.000-04:00

Please join me once again to support Kelly Guinan Preusser and her husband Ed Preusser as they hop on bicycles to ride from Boston to New York City in the Sept. 28th to 30th "Braking the Cycle" in honor of Kelly's late father, John Guinan.

It's a tough fundraising environment out there, and any amount will go a long way to help them reach their goal of $3500 per rider. Here's the link to donate.

I won't be able to ride with them this year, but encourage anyone who has supported me in the past to please consider supporting Ed and Kelly. It's not easy to commit to this ride year after year - and this year's proceeds will go to support Housing Works, a community for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thanks to everyone who continues to honor John with their gifts and support.

Dorothy M. Donnery: 1926-2012

2012-04-08T10:23:00.008-04:00

Dorothy M. Donnery - mother of Jim Donnery who christened Guinan's "Little Chapel" - died April 2, 2012.

The night I first met Dorothy solidified my commitment to writing a book about Guinan's. She was as eclectic and smart and compelling a character as I've ever met. She loved the Hudson River - loved watching the tankers and the freighters go by. She worked along its shores at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point for 39 years. When Jim returned home to visit Guinan's on Friday nights, she'd always have a sandwich and vanilla milk shake ready for him. At Guinan's she'd sip the occasional Michelob Light, though gin and champagne were her drinks of choice. If she grew tired of the barroom banter, she'd slip out to the car where she kept a blanket and sleep.

Dorothy suffered no fools; her smile was contagious.

The family has asked that memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Photo courtesy Jim Donnery.

Jack McAndrew: 1939-2012

2012-04-08T10:00:00.007-04:00

We lost one of our parishioners, John J. "Jack" McAndrew - a founder of "Irish Night" at Guinan's - after his fight with lymphoma. He was 72.

Jack is featured in the chapter "The Rising of the Moon" in Little Chapel on the River and at other points in the book. He was a friend to many in Guinan's green walls, and a teacher to those new to Irish music. Without fail, he'd play your favorite song without being asked. For me, that was The Wild Rover. With a nod, and wink, he would always launch in just as my hands were wrapping around the first cold Coors Light. I'll remember his smile and generosity as it swelled out from the dark room, dancing on the music that carried his spirit throughout the bar and beyond.

You can read Jack's "My Reflections as Session Leader" essay about his time at Guinan's.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.lls.org

Photo courtesy Christine Ashburn.

High Holy Day 2012 at The Chapel

2012-03-17T18:12:00.012-04:00

Long live the Chapel! A group of parishioners -- including family members Margaret Guinan, Kelly Guinan, Mary Jane Guinan & Ed Preusser -- gathered at the Chapel to celebrate the High Holy Day. Building might be shut, but you can't keep the community away. Everyone is very excited about the upcoming renovation and reopening.

Helping organize the event was Jay Vitale, a friend of the late John Guinan, who in honor of John has started a very cool charity called "Guinan's Aurora" where he collects used bicycles bound for the landfill and partners with local bike shops to help refurbish and distribute them to under privileged children or children in remission from life-threatening illnesses.

He's done incredible things so far. You can connect with Jay at

www.guinansaurora.org or on here on Facebook. Address below:

P.O. Box 208

Garrison NY 10524

845.424.6078

New Tenant for Guinan's Building?

2011-12-30T10:00:00.005-05:00

It looks like the old Guinan's building may be turned into a gathering spot for the public once again. Local Garrison residents Chris and Sharon Davis are pursuing permits to lease the building and turn it into a commuter retail store and restaurant, according to Chip Allemann, the general manager for two local establishments already owned by the Davis family: The Garrison and Highlands Country Club.

Chris Davis runs N.Y.-based investment fund and he and his wife Sharon are active in many facets of Philipstown's environmental and historical preservation.

Assuming all goes according to plan, Allemann, who would also help oversee this new venture, says they intend to open operations in the second quarter of 2013 after renovations are completed. There would be a commuter retail store open daily from early in the morning and a bar with light fare also open daily starting around midday.

The current Tavern restaurant located at the Highlands Country Club would be moved to the Guinan's building and serve a dinner menu Wednesday through Sunday, Allemann says. The Highlands Country Club facility on Route 9-D would continue to host weddings.

Chris Davis is mentioned in the chapter "Mornings" in Little Chapel on the River in a scene where John Guinan introduces me to commuters, dividing them into those who are in his opinion "good guys," and those who are not. (Chris made the cut.)

It looks to be a welcome turn of events for what has been a long running saga over what would become of this special, historic building - which until recently, was to become office space. There's no replacing Guinan's, but at least there's a chance for a heartbeat to return to the spot, which has been standing empty, decaying, since 2008. And better yet - for the resuscitation to take place under the hands of one of John's "good guys."

Two Members of Team Guinan Ride On

2011-09-03T17:25:00.007-04:00

Please join me in supporting Kelly Guinan Preusser and her husband Ed Preusser as they make their way on bicycles from Boston to New York on Sept. 16-18 as part of "Braking the Cycle" in honor of Kelly's late father, John Guinan.

Any $$ amount will help them raise their ambitious goal. Time is running short! Here is the link to donate.

Many of you have supported this endeavor in the past by donating to me, or to other members of Team Guinan. I cannot ride this year, but hope that everyone who can give, will put their support toward Ed & Kelly's goal. This ride was extremely important to John and to his wife Mary Jane.

Thanks to all who have and continue to honor John with their generous gifts.

Highland Harper to Play New Fishkill Wine Bar

2011-05-22T18:11:00.005-04:00

Candace Coates, the "Highland Harper," will play at Paula's Stone Cottage Wine Bar in June. Candace reports that the building was home to the Bloggett Memorial Library in the 1960's. Since then, she says, it has been a lawyer's office, and two beauty salons before becoming the wine bar.

Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011

Time: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Address: 2 Broad Street/1158 Main St. Fishkill, N.Y.

Phone: (845) 896-9563 (896-WINE)

Meet the Berkshire Book Club

2011-05-22T18:03:00.004-04:00

Many belated thanks to the Berkshire Book Club in Boston for reading Little Chapel on the River for their book club. I recently spoke to the club by telephone during their meeting - you all were terrific! Always surprises me that readers still come up with new questions about the book, and BBC did not disappoint.

Back row L-R Amy, Danielle, Annie, Nuala, Becky, Tara.

Front row - Jennifer, Kelley, kaitlin, Liz.

(Lynne and Kris are not pictured).

Tearing Down Guinan's Pub?

2011-01-28T18:46:00.008-05:00

UPDATE: 1/29/2011 - Spoke to a couple of people directly involved in the renovations who say the pub structure will remain in place, though it will require some renovations, shoring up, etc. That's great news. Hope this plan remains in place.

Heard today that the owners of #7 Garrison's Landing may be planning to dismantle what for many was the heart of Guinan's - the green pub in back - when they renovate the building into office space.

Don't know if it's true, but if so, this breaks my heart. Surely there are alternatives that could respect the history of this institution, and the people who loved and cared for it, while still making needed structural changes?

Call for Letters to NYDEC to Keep Guinan's Building a Public Space - DEADLINE DEC. 24

2010-12-22T09:25:00.009-05:00

As the Garrison Station Plaza group, which owns the old Guinan's building, makes preparations to convert it into primarily office space, Garrison resident Mary Ellen Yannitelli has sent a letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requesting they reject the project on the grounds that such a conversion will have a substantial impact on the environment and character of the surrounding area.

Mary Ellen asks that anyone supporting the effort to keep Guinan's old building as a pub, cafe, restaurant or other public gathering spot also email or mail NYDEC by Dec. 24th and says her letter may be used as a template. Here's who to direct it to:

Joseph R Murray
NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters
21 South Putt Corners Rd
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845)256-3054
r3dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us

In her letter, Mary Ellen calls into question specific "no" answers provided by Garrison Station Plaza in its application to change the building's purpose:

19. Will Proposed Action affect the character of the existing community? {NO}

13. Will proposed Action affect the quantity or quality of existing or future open spaces or recreational opportunities? {NO}

20. Is there, or is there likely to be, public controversy related to potential adverse environment impacts? {NO}

Earlier this year, a proposal to turn the building into a restaurant & pub was rejected by the board of Garrison Station Plaza, which said financing was inadequate based on the rent and financial guarantees it need for such a project. This followed a wave of public controversy and media coverage about the community's concern related to potential adverse impact to the character of the existing community.

Guinan's "Cadet Brad" - Now "LT Brad" in Afghanistan

2010-11-07T11:23:00.006-05:00

Here is an update on one of my favorite readers - a young man named Brad Hoelscher III who I met while he was still a West Point cadet. He wrote an email to me in 2005 after reading Little Chapel, and came to Guinan's for his first "legal" beer after turning 21. He was also quoted in the New York Times about religion and the military.

"Cadet Brad" is now "Lt Brad," and he left about a month ago for deployment in Afghanistan. Between graduation and deployment, he was married to Aleece Mihok. I asked Lt. Brad's father - also a West Point graduate, also named Brad - for an update and he wrote this on Halloween:

"Lt Brad left 27 days ago from Ft Polk LA, arrived in Manas, Kyrgyzstan on 7 Oct, spent a few days waiting for lift to Bagram AF in Afghanistan, making his way through Logar Province, finally making the final 15 miles from Altimur to COP Kherwar by road convoy in 9.5hrs!!??on Thursday afternoon, 14 Oct. LT Brad is in the advanced battalion force..readying all for the battalion's arrival.

He's settled in his post which is at 8500 feet and near the Pakistan Border. Their mission is the 'usual' - provide security for the local populace, training Afghan police and army forces, nation building.

Check out Delta Company 2-30 Facebook page. Includes new photos of COP Kherwar. Or as they refer to it..Fort Apache.

They had to change their unit patch from the Rock of the Marne w/the wild boar (apparently Afghans have don't understand it) to Dark Angel - designed by LT Brad.

Brad's birthday is Nov 2nd. Packages have been taking three weeks to reach him.

Just in case, his s-mail address:

LT Hoelscher WB
Delta Co/2-30IN/4BG/10MD
TF Storm
COP Kherwar
APO AE 09364

"What Was Once Hallowed Ground ..."

2010-10-24T12:24:00.007-04:00

This is a recent email and photo, reprinted with permission from Jim Donnery, one of Guinan's regular parishioners and the man who inspired the name of the book: "Little Chapel on the River." The shot here is where the old bar and Coca-Cola beer cooler once stood.

The proposal to create a new restaurant and store in the spot where Guinan's once operated was turned down by the board of the Garrison Station Plaza based on what it said was inadequate financing for the project. The board is planning to move ahead with renovations to include office space.

From Jim Donnery:

"I had been home this past weekend to attend a funeral for a family member and had some time for goofing off before a dinner engagement in Cold Spring, so I bought a few beers and went down to sit on the rocks by the Boat Club to admire the sun setting on "the river that flows both ways". Old memories brought me over to the Chapel entrance and I peeked inside the front door past the plywood. That's when I saw the vines coming in the windows where the bar once stood.

I was truly saddened by the sight. Nature encroaching on what was once hallowed ground.
.... I then walked up onto the train platform and that's when I saw the source of the growth, and how it had entered through the crack between the windows.
It was one of those times when you want to slap somebody for letting something wonderful deteriorate for no apparent good reason."

Pedaling 4,300 Miles to Honor a Parishioner

2010-08-02T10:20:00.008-04:00

In March, I wrote about a tribute bike ride for Jim Donnery, one of Guinan's most loyal parishioners and the inspiration for the title of the book "Little Chapel on the River." When Jim was diagnosed last year with prostate cancer, one of his dearest friends, Frank Hanes, began training to cycle 4,300 miles across the United States to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Frank recently completed his fantastic journey. He kept this inspiring blog along the way.

Jim Donnery writes:

"To all of you who were thinking of me, and praying for me, and made a generous donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Our friend Frank Hanes (of the Inn at Manchester) has completed his monumental journey across the northern section of our country and has raised almost $22000 by last count. Here are a few pictures of his triumphant finish, with his wife, children and friends."

Photos courtesy of Jim Donnery and Frank Hanes. Top and middle photo: Jim Donnery & Frank Hanes. Bottom photo: A triumphant Frank Hanes in Maine with family and friends upon finishing his ride.

Artwork of Guinan's Pub - Van Gogh Style

2010-07-19T18:12:00.003-04:00

This piece of artwork was created by Andrea Marie Highsmith of Raleigh, North Carolina. She calls it: "Little Chapel on the River and my fascination with Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' sky."

She rendered it using Gouache, a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water and some oils as well. Andrea is a recent graduate of East Carolina University. You can see this and more of her artwork on Facebook.

Pretty neat stuff. Thanks Andrea.

A Visit With Ohio's "Omni Book Club"

2010-06-29T07:29:00.006-04:00

Last week I had the pleasure of dropping in on the Omni Book Club in Huron, Ohio (60 miles West of Cleveland) by speakerphone as they discussed Little Chapel on the River. It's always surprising to me how five years after publication, I still get new questions about the book.

One reader, Elaine Waterfield, pointed to the book's descriptions of the Hudson River with its ebbing and flowing, which led the Indians to dub it "river-that-flows-two-ways," and said she saw it as a metaphor for the advancing plot of Guinan's and the memories of my childhood. "Was that plan or an instinct?" she asked.

I'd always intended for the Hudson River to be a character in the book - in part because I thought it symbolized the ability to create a fulfilling life that included both the country and the city. "Like the river that flows two ways, the trick was finding room for both currents," I write toward the end of the book. The deeper I got into the book's story, the more the river became a thread that helped stitch all of the narrative arc together.

The club is a bit unusual in that there is no required book to read. The members instead meet once a month and simply talk about what they've been reading. Says member Laura Nemeth: "We're really about getting like-minded people together and making reading a team sport. And some members don't physically show up - they email me their reads and I forward them to the group. It's a good way to get recommendations and commiserate."

Laura Nemeth says she and the others were so sorry to hear that Guinan's had closed and that Jim and John had passed away: "I felt like they were friends too," she said.

One tip: if you ever meet the club, they have a secret password: "Pride and Prejudice is The Greatest Novel Ever Written."

Photos courtesy of Laura Nemeth.

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #7

2010-04-17T09:29:00.000-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

“I am your home“ by CL

I am your home

whether you have one or need one

the place where you bring your joys, your sorrow, your worries, your life

a place where everyone fits in

and has their own opinion

an open discussion is always available

together we create a union

consider me your counselor

I may not reply to your questions,

but rest assured that once you step in

and you hear the sound of the wind chimes,

the members of the chapel will give you your medicine

a beer, some comfort, an ounce of closure

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #6

2010-04-12T15:27:00.001-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

“The Bar” by TC

Individuals go to Guinan’s for closure and to spend their leisure time in such a preferred place

A Peaceful area that resides next to the Hudson River

It appears to be like a chapel on the river to some folks

Captivated by the bar’s charisma, a gathering of families and friends get personal with their internal feelings

It appears to be such a relaxing place where you can actually find the character that resides within you

As son as you step into Guinan’s, you’ll eventually have a different state of mind

You actually get to meet people that are very sociable and generous

Well slowly but surely it becomes a regular thing to attend Guinan’s

The odd place where comfort can sometimes be found

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #5

2010-04-08T16:26:00.000-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

Guinan’s by LD

The way everything falls in place everyday

The way my heart opens up to everyone

Warmth infects all within my reach

The love spreads throughout the chapel

Glamorously filling each soul with a bit of happiness

To be in a place where everyone knows you

To have the same familiar faces around you

To need the place as much as it needs you

I am THE place because of you

I am THIS place because of…...you

For Jim Guinan - Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #8

2010-04-01T22:31:00.003-04:00

In honor of the late Jim Guinan ...

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

“Jim” by CL

He is…

He is the center

He is the father

He is the friend

He is the final word

He is the father-figure

He is the guiding force

The one that doesn’t have to speak to be understood

He is the overseer

He is the welcome and come again

He is the power

He is the decision maker

He is Guinan's

Photo by Roy Gumpel.

Highland Harper to Play Easter at Maizie's Tea Room

2010-03-31T12:43:00.006-04:00

Candace Coates, a.ka. the rat-affectionate "Highland Harper" from Irish Night at Guinan's, writes that she will be playing this Saturday, April 3rd for Easter at Maizie's Tea Room, which has opened in the village of Fishkill, N.Y.

She'll be there performing from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. Maizie's Tea Room is located at 1129 Main Street Fishkill New York 12524. Their phone number is (845) 896-4103. Candaces notes that founders are a mother/daughter business team who are new to the area from California and trying to fulfill a dream with the new endeavor.

Here's a link to a map for Maizie's

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #4

2010-03-29T22:24:00.005-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

My Place on the River by VB

(about the area)

The chapel stands with a beautiful sunrise with wispy clouds. The shallow waters surrounding it, ever flowing this way and that way.

A mosaic of people gathering together in the usual attire and with all the same purpose…to love, to share, to belong.

…and to drink!

Photo by Jim Donnery

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #3

2010-03-29T22:20:00.002-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

A Chapel without Pews by VB

(from the perspective of the bar itself)

Here I sit, year after year

A chapel without pews

Big crowds come to visit me

And leave transformed

Families reunite here

I make it feel like home

…away from home

Love visits, and stays

Music comes and goes

The beauty of what I do for others will stay for years, decades, and centuries.

Ferris High School "Guinan's Poem" #2

2010-03-29T22:15:00.003-04:00

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here.

Guinan’s Bar by LN

An old, old bar founded in the 1960’s

An Irish bar

A comfortable atmosphere

A crowd of regulars

A sweet-talking owner

The Bar that attracts you,

Makes you want to stay

Tells you to come back next time

Welcomes you with good manners

No matter weekends or weekdays

During hard times or good times

When something misfortunate or fortunate happens

Guinan’s Bar is wide open for you

Guinan’s Bar is always there physically and in your heart

It’s there.

N.J. Students Pen Poems About Guinan's: Poem #1

2010-03-29T21:31:00.009-04:00

Last October, an email popped into my inbox from James J. Ferris High School English teacher, Michael Ferrara in N.J. At the beginning of the school year, he'd read his honors class a chapter of Little Chapel on the River. (How cool is that?) The class decided to study the rest of the book and so HarperCollins donated copies to Michael's class. (Thank you HC).

The class finished up in February and Michael sent me a collection of poems the students wrote. And they rock. For privacy reasons, students initials are used. They are a mix of freshmen and sophomores, ranging in age from 14 to 16.

Poem #1:

Within Movement by GB

(from the perspective of the bar itself)

I stand in the same spot

(But) I always feel like I am moving within myself

The sense of peace, love, and joy

Explains what I stand for

Stand for the silent movement

But still be known as a presence

I am one with them

And although we speak no words

The greeting is natural

Tribute to the Man Who Named the "Chapel"

2010-03-22T20:29:00.008-04:00

Of all the nights I spent at Guinan's, the one that burns most clearly is still, perhaps, the first. It was the night I first met many of the parishioners -- including Jim Donnery, the man whose fierce love for the green-walled pub he fondly dubbed "The Chapel" inspired the title of the book. Anyone who knows Jim, knows loyalty is core to who he is: loyal to Guinan's, loyal to his family - including his mother Dorothy who he brought to Guinan's regularly - and to all his friends at the chapel.

He is also loyal to another family-run joint in Vermont - the Inn at Manchester - where he and his wife Gail have spent many weekends and befriended the owners Julie and Frank Hanes. And when Jim was diagnosed last year with prostate cancer, Frank decided to return that loyalty.

Frank is cycling solo across the United States starting June 1 in honor of Jim. He'll dip his bike's back wheel in the Pacific Ocean in Anacortes, Wash. and 4,500 miles and approximately two months later, he'll be in South Portland, Maine. He aims to raise $45,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and is seeking sponsorships of $10,000 for his expenses. (Read more about Frank's journey on his blog.)

As John Guinan himself proved on a bike, a strong mind and purpose can help you accomplish what seems impossible. Frank is aiming to do that.

If you'd like to support Frank and Jim, you can donate online securely here and join Frank's community on Facebook. Meantime, send your good thoughts to Jim as he undergoes treatment - he's a fighter.