"Beacon Bits" - A Bite of the Hudson River Valley

In Celebration of Fifteen Years of Beacon Bits

2026-06-11T16:30:33.765-04:00

I moved north from Nyack to Beacon, the heart of the Hudson Valley, in January 2011. I’d been visiting for two years and felt the buzz in town. I immediately joined Beacon Arts, Beacon Sloop Club and the Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society and always attended Second Saturday events.

I began blogging Beacon Bites: A Bite of the Hudson Valley in June 2011 to celebrate community life in Beacon. My blog started months before A Little Beacon Blog and years before The Beacon Beacon; it was non-monetized and served as a vehicle for my return to writing creative nonfiction, different from my work focus on scientific-academic papers.

My blog stands as one witness to what emerged from 2011 through 2020, before the post-pandemic boom on Main Street. A review of my posts suggests what caught my attention and what has thrived with ongoing interest and the never-ending influx of new people.

I’d be honored if you read some of the 151 posts as “food for thought” -- and perhaps those that may still appear in the future; you never know when I'll be inspired to put up another post. I still have been writing elsewhere, and await publication of my memoir, but I believe I will always come back to the comfort of 'home,' which is what Beacon Bits signified for me fifteen years ago and still does today.

Food for thought: So many people have so much to say about Beacon these days. There will always be another blogger, and perhaps even another local newspaper -- although our local Highlands Current is award-winning and going strong and never did put Beacon Free Press out of business. So much is happening here in town and in the surrounding Hudson Valley, and there will always be enough room for various viewpoints.

The community today is more vibrant than 15 years ago. It is ever changing. I looked at my first post, which mentioned 4 places of business; 3 of which are still going strong (i.e., Hudson Beach Glass, Artisan Wine, All You Knead.)

We can all ask, what does it take to thrive in Beacon? I'd like to think it is heart and soul, creativity, service, and always meeting the needs of people who choose to live here. If 1 in 4 new venues will succeed, those are pretty good odds. Time to ponder what the next 'survivor' on Main Street will be in 15 years time? I'd like to bet on Håkan, Noble Pies, Stanza, and still to be expolored, More-ish, Gather, and Wild.

(Sorry, a photo of the 3 businesses taken today is missing due to google conflict for upload.)

Beacon Bits - Spring is Here

2025-03-19T17:45:00.004-04:00

I started blogging about Beacon as a buzzing community just about fourteen years ago after moving 'up the river.' It may appear that I stopped writing because my blog entries have been few and far between, but I have continued writing in other ways, which I will share below. There are now two ongoing commercial blogs about Beacon that keep people informed, and since the community is different than it was when I first moved here--a bit less friendly and welcoming with more tourists and upscale aspirations--I will leave the comings and goings of businesses that are worth mentioning and supporting to them.

At a certain point in life, one reminisces a lot more than one wants to admit; there is a lot more past than there is future. I have many memoires of my early days in Beacon, especially when Second Saturday was the only night when the few restaurants stayed open later, and gallery openings faciliated the art crawl from one end of Main Street to the other. I often think fondly of the days when you could catch a glimpse of Pete Seeger walking down Main Street, picking up trash, or speaking with his barber at the local stylist for people-of-color. I also have thought a lot lately about 'what would Pete be doing now'--who would he be assembling to sing at the Howland Cultural Center so that people could gather energy for protests and strategies to get ahead of the curve of all that is happening. Does anyone remember the rallies that were anti-fracking with vibrant sing-a-longs and announcements about taking action? I think many of us will always miss Pete.

But I wanted to write a blog today to celebrate spring after such a long and cold winter with intense winds and just enough snow to last for weeks. The streets in Beacon will be bustling sooner rather than later as the light in the evenings and the outdoor seating beckons newcomers and visitors to enjoy the community spirit that will be revived once again.

I want to highlight a future event for those of you who like to write, so that you can sign up ASAP for the early bird ticketing prices for Beacon LitFest, which will be held Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15, 2025. I attended last year and would attend again this year except for some international travel that I have planned. It is an excellent opportunity to hear well-known writers speak about their craft, get involved in a workshop, and be inspired to find resources and to network with other authors in order to keep honing your skills and identity as a writer. I wish I could attend this year, but my substitute will be attending the Iceland Writer's Retreat (IWR) in Reykjavik at the end of April for the second time this year.

After attending last year's IWR, I had the dream of making a Beacon-Reykjavik connection around writers, readers, and bookstores since Reykjavik is a designated a UNESCO City of Literature. I wrote a piece about the easy travel from Beacon via PLAY airlines at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh to Reykjavik that was featured in the Highlands Current, Day Trip: Iceland. I won't give up my dream, yet; I plan to talk to some people about the possibility when I visit again this year. With our stellar Stanza Books in Beacon, it could be a great opportunity for Icelandic readers to come bookshopping along Main Street in order to get ready for their annual tradition of giving books to each other to read on Christmas Eve. It will be on my mind when we visit the City Hall in Reykjavik during the IWR this year for sure;) And with LitLit led by Donna Minkowitz every first Friday night at the Howland Cultural Center, I can imagine what it would be like to hear some Icelandic writers make a go of their five-minute allowance to share a piece with the writers who regularly attend to listen and/or to read. Reading at LitLit has given me a lot of confidence about my perspective and who my audience may be.

I can also celebrate some other pieces that have been published here and there since I've been enrolled in writing workshops and have seriously applied myself to creative nonfiction writing since 2019. Writing the Beacon Bits blogs just got me started off in the right direction when the only writing I was doing was related to scientific publications in psychiatric journals.

I wrote a piece about my father and D-Day around the time of the eightieth anniversary celebration that was published in The Writing Disorder, D-Day at Eighty. I mused about what the elections meant in 2024 and it was published in Down in the Dirt, Post-Election Reflection. And while I am waiting for my memoir, Woven Together: Finding Me in Memoires of You, written from 2020 to 2022, to be published--it is in contract with Cape House Books--I've had a piece published in The Keepthings, Ronald's Alice, edited by Debra Way, that gives a snapshot of my time spent as an executor for my cousin's estate; he was more like my big brother since we were both only children. I was working on the estate during the start of the pandemic. Writing kept me steady as the probate moved slowly towards a four-year resolution. All my memories of our childhood and my life with and without him were woven together to help me heal my grief.

Food for Thought: So I am still writing. And perhaps I will begin a blog or two on a regular basis about my new finds on Main Street as I peruse the new stores and re-visit those I've come to appreciate even more than when I first blogged about them.

Home Grown

2023-12-25T14:24:00.004-05:00

I was given a heads up that something really good was coming to town. No, not Santa.

I had been told by two different people that I would be happy to know that an excellent pie shop called Noble Pies would be opening a store in Beacon. So I watched and waited. Yes, it was Advent. A time for watchful waiting.

And then I saw the "Open" sign in the window where the brown paper had been removed at 137 Main Street. I stopped with the ease of parking spots in front of the storefront one night after work around 7:15pm; I was totally smitten! Not just with the Chicken Pot Pie slice, which I purchased for supper and the Blueberry Scones for breakfast, but with the ambience and the backstory and the gift of speaking to Zachary, the owners' son, who was there for the afternoon shift until closing, which was later than usual because of me being the very chatty and last customer. He was so patient and gracious as I told my tale of The Pie Lady from Nyack, whom his family knew from the farmer's market trade. He convinced me that I'd be in for a nice surprise since their pies were of the same caliber and equivalent in the eyes of the buyers for the homemade pie market.

I told Zachary I haven't blogged about a new opening in a while. There have been so many comings and goings in Beacon along Main Street in the past five years. Some of them came just because Beacon became so trendy. And some of them left because tthey were priced out. But I certainly hope that Noble Pies is here to stay. It has the feel of the Beacon I moved to over 12 years ago when I wanted to blog about the hometown feeling and a sense of community in town.

Zachary explained that his family business had been steadily expanding from its origins based in Warwick and that their success has not deterred the bakery from offering its best of fresh ingredients. The handmade pies and baked goods are just like those his mother and father made together through the years until it got beyond the scope of four hands alone.

While I have my eyes on the savory pies for my after work supper -- Vegetable Pot Pie, Chicken Curry, Vegetable Curry, and Sausage/Sallion/Onion/Cheese Quiche, in addition to the Chicken Pot Pie that I'd give 5-stars -- I also saw the sweet slices of Mixed Berry, Will You Marry Me Cherry Pie, and Cream pies, all of which can be special ordered, which will be hard to resist.

I don't have to re-tell the story of how Noble Pies got started and how it is continuing its tradition because that is all on their website. But I will tell you that this is a keeper for Main Street in Beacon. We should be ecstatic that it chose to expand its growing market beyond Warwick, Rye, and Tarrytown and arrive in time for a sense of homegrown appeal and a throwback to the days when you felt like you were entering someone's kitchen for a meal and good conversation. Welcome to Beacon, Noble Pies!!

Food for Thought: A walk down Main Street should feel like we are an integral part of the Hudson Valley with all its bounty and history. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the US, the Semiquincentennial, in 2026, we will need lots of Apple Pie to celebrate. May Noble Pie be ready for the celebration! And may we all be reminded that tradition can prevail over trendiness.

Two-for-One

2023-01-15T21:13:00.007-05:00

While I missed Second Saturday and the opening of the Beacon Photography Group member show on January 14 because of a trip to the city for an opera (Fedora) at Lincoln Center, I was back in town for the first Howland Chamber Music Circle piano recital of the season on Sunday January 15, which featured Frederic Chiu. Driving over to the Howland Cultural Center is a lot easier (and quicker) than taking Metro North to the city and just as satisfying when it comes to enjoying the arts.

I arrived early enough to get a first row seat -- I love to watch the face of the pianist while they perform -- and to preview the photographs that were hung throughout the center. I was immediately struck by the warm reddish-brown background paint for the main floor exhibit space and my eyes easily followed the light up to the balcony with more eye catching photos and the wonderful natural light still visible through the large window.

As I walked around clockwise and then counter-clockwise, up and down the stairs, I visually explored the various photos -- the size, the shape, the subject, the unique eye of each photographer -- and then found the listing of the exhibitors and the respective work and titles. I was struck by knowing that so many of the enthusiastic photographers are serious amateurs who may have found a passion for creating images as an encore career or as a dual career, as opposed to photo professionals. I wished I had attended the opening to put each of the faces behind the camera with the respective photos.

Viewing the photographs was like having an appetizer before the entree; I was here for the concert and my appetite for good things was whet. I felt like I was getting a two-for-one special with the art and the music but then I realized it was actually a trifecta since the setting in the landmark building that has a menu of offerings to those enjoying and making art in Beacon.

The piano recital was excellent and presented in a very unique fashion since it was billed as a "classical smackdown" between the teenaged Felix Mendelssohn and Frederic Chopin. The 90-minute recital was filled with various compositions - polonaise, sonata, nocture, mazurka, etude, rondeau - and the goal was to be in the moment and choose which piece in each of three rounds of pairings was preferred. I learned so much from the background information that Frederic Chiu presented and was surprised at some of my selections along the way. It was a playful way of focusing one's attention and truly listening and it was interesting to learn that Frederic Chiu actually posts the results from his concerts on one of his websites.

Food for thought: Tuning the ear after tuning the eye was a tasteful treat in the hometown venue of the most palatable cultural center. Seems like there is no place like home. Go local.

The photo exhibit runs through February 26th and the next piano recital is Sunday January 29.

(Personal note: You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging as often as I once did after starting this blog almost 12 years ago. But I have been writing a lot over the last 2-1/2 years and hope to say more about the memoir I've focused on in the coming year since the goal is to publish. I also see that I should be updating my photo on my blog profile, but I think that is a bit more daunting to consider. LOL.)

May is Mental Health Month

2022-05-16T10:42:00.003-04:00

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?

2021-09-04T18:59:00.004-04:00

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

2021-06-07T08:54:00.008-04:00

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

2021-05-13T19:24:00.004-04:00

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

2021-01-11T14:38:00.000-05:00

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

2020-12-22T17:01:00.002-05:00

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

2020-12-13T15:29:00.001-05:00

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

Support Boscobel

www.boscobel.org

Beacon Bits -- Turning Point

2020-10-12T18:42:00.003-04:00

I love the autumn. Always did. Even before living in the Hudson River Valley. And in some way, I think I have unofficially adopted this date, October 12, the day Columbus was celebrated and now indigenous peoples, as well as what was my father's birthday, as the true end of summer.

This summer was unique. Limited choices of things to do and places to go. Life on hold in so many ways. But one of the activities that focused my attention and energy on what is good and what is enduring was having my farm plot at Stony Kill Farm. I did not know how important it would be when I submitted my application this time last year and then was assigned my 20'x20' plot by the beginning of April. I realized I needed help to get the soil ready for planting and turned to my friend Eric of The Green Thumb Collective. And then because it was a hot summer and I got a late start planting the limited seedlings I could find across several different nurseries in early June, I visited my farm plot almost daily from June through September.

Everyone I saw throughout the summer spoke about how well things looked in my garden, how few weeds I had (thanks to Eric's precise preparation) and sometimes they gave advice about pruning and watering. Especially my neighbors who are the unofficial 'master gardeners' , three brothers originally from Bangladesh. They educated me about the Malabar spinach I was growing--the only spinach I could find--and spotted the hot peppers budding on the branches of what I thought was just a variety of red pepper. Had I turned over the label I would have seen that the 'Carolina Reaper' was described as 'holding the record for hottest chili, these red fruits pack a spicy punch.' Turns out, they became gifts for my East Asian friends. My pleasure was from the tomatoes, zucchini and squash, and fresh herbs -- basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, summer savory, rosemary and hyssop -- enough for me and to share with friends -- as well as the zinnias attracting bees, swallowtails and monarch butterflies.

Food for thought: Things grow when you tend to them. Each person works with the soil in a plot in his or her own way. Each individual 'farmer' brings home to the table that which they reap from what they sow. Everyone is connected to the same land despite the ad hoc fences that have been constructed to demarcate each individual's garden. Every time I visited my garden, I felt grounded. Grounded in my sense of being, as well as my doing. Grounded in Mother Earth. Grounded in Tillich's Ground of Being. The source of all being. The end of this season comes full circle to the beginning of the season. And the harvest has been one of abundant grace and joy.

Beacon Bits -- Inner and Outer Beauty

2020-08-24T18:40:00.005-04:00

Last week, I had the chance for yet another summer day's exploration in the Hudson Valley by scheduling an outing that has been on hold for a while, long before this ongoing pause in our lives -- a tour of Manitoga, the home and property of the designer Russel Wright, in Garrison. Tailored to a small group with all the safety precautions of masks and distance, it was the perfect day to invite a friend to join this docent-led, up-close and personal look-see around the exquisite grounds designed and nurtured by Russel Wright. Walking up the path to his home, a most unique hideaway overlooking the forest and the pond that replaced the quarry that once existed in this locale, proved that commitment, passion and the capacity to have your visiting friends help out with moving the boulders around with you, could indeed get the job done over time. It is a loving investment in what is now, an idyllic piece of property and an historic homestead that continues to nurture artists-in-residence with music and art, which melds with the setting, and feels that its legacy has a unique niche into the future. This place truly has a timeless feel to it.

We know that a picture is worth a thousand words, so rather than write several thousand words that have already been written elsewhere about the designer and his home, I will just share some spontaenous snapshots that captured the mid-day amble through the woods, house, and design studio, something that I would hope to return to again and again, so long as I stay nimble on my feet to navigate the stone steps and passages that are part of this serene landscape. There is a reason the website carries several caveats about the terrain; take good care.

Food for thought: It always feels like 'a beautiful day in the neighborhood' when you can venture into the past that has been preserved for the present. The simplicity of the dinnerware design that Wright brought to his creative work was prescient as was his conservancy of the land he purchased and developed as home. The utilitarian nature of the functional liviing space and the inspired setting of his design studio is something to take with you as you leave the sanctuary known as Manitoga, from the Algonquin meaning the "place of great spirit". It has left me with the motivation to continue to create inner space that is mirrored in the simple form of the outer space, a good reminder during this time as we move towards the shortening days and lengthening nights; we all need a good place to hunker down and be still. Russel Wright was a role model in our midst for these trying times of quarantine. May we find our Manitoga at home.

Beacon Bits -- Wide Open

2020-08-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

It is time to celebrate the opening of some of the cultural institutions in the Hudson Valley. It is a good reason to support the nonprofit venues with a membership, whether it is a new one or an early renewal, for the mutual benefits of showing appreciation for the arts along with the perks that are being offered to the member. One such benefit of membership is early entry before opening day for the public, as well as continued offerings for appointment times that may not be otherwise available to the public.

I had the foresight to make an appointment to go to Dia Beacon on a members-only day prior to its scheduled opening. The appreciation of the familiar exhibits, as well as a few new ones that were installed since my last visit, was the backdrop to have conversation with the staff who were back to work after four months away from their on-site schedule, and to take in the open space and light and what I found myself calling, the 'sights of silence.'

There was a contrast between a slight sense of agoraphobia when walking in the cavernous building where some exhibits had been taken down and claustrophobia if one decided to traverse the ship-like structures of Richard Serra that contain a labyrinthine like path to a center that feels narrow and deep. The both/and of the open sense of the space as well as the movement into the contained spaces felt like a metaphor for what is being endured during this pandemic: an open-ended sense of uncertainty along with a sense of being closed down and restricted. However, they are in justaposition with each other, almost in an accordion-like fashion, so that there is both an expansive movement into the unknown with the anxiety of uncertainty followed by a limited and finite movement into the here and now.

Food for thought: An outing, an adventure, an excursion is necessary for an outlet from the ordinary day-to-day activities during this prolonged shutdown. There are benefits to making some plans to regain a sense of control, albeit an illusion, and only within a limited context, but it is exercising choice and free will. It is good to remember that freedom comes from exercising options that are diverse and close at hand, without choosing to be unsafe or reckless, and that the arts can influence our experience in extraordinary ways during these rare times.

Beacon Bits -- Transformation

2020-07-21T10:35:00.000-04:00

Time has gone quickly. Time has slowed down. Time has come to a screeching halt. Time repeats itself. We have had all of these impressions of time as we have continued to live through this coronavirus pandemic and while witnessing the immediate and dramatic response to the obvious and persistent racial inequity in our society.

To say that these have been times to ponder life is an understatement. I thought I would continue writing and musing on this blog throughout the 'pause' imposed by our prescient governor in NYS, but I was caught up in other projects and tasks that I would prioritize daily in order to structure my time in this life transition and sense of being betwixt and between.

One such project was collecting a chair from a basement in Brooklyn to have it reupholstered and restored so that I could incorporate it into my home. I am not sure how old it is, but I think it may be at least early 19th century and possibly from the Philadelphia area where there were connections through a family member's partner. Reclaiming the chair was not as easy as I thought because of its size and awkwardness. But the serendipity was having a place of business in Beacon that remained open and could accept the work order in mid-June, so my motivation became stronger to retrieve it and haul it home.

Before

My first visit to Denise Gianna Designs LLC at 480 Main Street while taking a stroll on Main Street in the autumn of 2019. After entering the shop filled with groupings of furniture, decorative art, and unique collectibles, I took notice that they offered upholstery services with New Life Upholestery by Amy and took some business cards after having a brief discussion to verify that this was something I could follow up on since I had this chair on my mind since the spring of 2018. I had familiarity with reupholstering some of my older furniture when living in Rockland County at S Tillim's Fabric Store and recalled the time my mother had slipcovers made for her Chippendale style living room furniture when I was growing up; I still regret not taking her wingback chair in the 1970s when offered to me.

After finding the business cards and making contact with Amy to drop off the chair, I was pleased that I had previously ordered some Sam Moore fabric to match a piece of furniture I already had in my living space since it would not have been possible to do so in the late spring with the store closings. Luckily, my guess of how much fabric was needed was just enough to complete the chair.

Sam Moore Fabric

The workmanship of the finished chair was impeccable. Amy's work is filled with loving care and her cordiality and respect for timeless pieces was underscored by her saving the original needlework covering from the chair for me with the hope that I would appreciate the handiwork. I always appreciate tapestry needlepoint and can frequently find myself in awe of the patience and commitment that women had to complete the works of art that can withstand the test of time, another reminder that there were makers long before the maker movement. It was an unexpected and welcome gift that she thought to save it since I had not remembered to ask her to do that initially.

After

After some discussion about the possibility of using the preserved pieces of the needlepoint tapestry for some accent pillows, and taking the two large pieces for a thorough dry cleaning, Amy put her talents to work so that another part of the past was reclaimed and made into new life. The pillows are uniquely shaped because they were carefully placed around where wear and tear on the chair had created damage and ripped stitching.

Amy Baker

I have visited the design studio and shop several times and love being in the workspace in the lower level where Amy is mentoring girls in her family to appreciate the work she has been called to do. I also like to be in the midst of the color and inspiration and find the lively discussions with Denise, the owner of the business, to be uplifting and a reminder for me to stay connected with the community during these times of caution and self-care. I have already recommended the business to some local friends who appreciate knowing they can support this quality business so close to home. I know I will return with some ideas for new projects and perhaps request Amy to make a pillow from my own needlepoint project that will be started as we hunker down in place this winter while awaiting safe vaccines.

Denise Gianna

Food for thought: Bringing the past into the present and feeling connected to the timelessness in objects is part of the beauty of restoration. It is a metaphor for personal transformation as well. Reclaiming. Restoring. Refurbishing. Remaking. It is an important part of this pause when we can deepen our connections to what was and what can be.

Graduating Seniors

2020-05-23T16:54:00.003-04:00

To the Graduating Class of 2020

Be it high school, or college, there has been a unique set of circumstances that have changed your expectations related to your rite of passage and pomp and circumstance that you have worked hard and long to be able to celebrate.

DON”T LET THE CIRCUMSTANCES DEFINE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT.

While you may not have the prom, the parties, the last semester to goof off and to hang out with individuals you may or may not have in your life as you move through your journey, you still have this very moment in time.

SEIZE THE MOMENT ANYWAY.

As far as future plans go, you are being called on to adapt and be flexible in ways that you may not have ever thought of.

UNDERSTAND THAT LEARNING HOW TO ADAPT IS A KEY TO SUCCESS.

2020 was already a catchy way of remembering this marker in your life.

DON’T LET 2020 BE DEFINED ALONE BY THE HEALTH CRISIS.

Set your sights on new horizons and never be discouraged.

2020 VISION WILL SEE YOU TO THE NEXT STEP. 2020 IS BALANCED LIKE THE GLASS HALF FULL-HALF EMPTY.

Feel the frustration, the disappointment, the feeling of being robbed of your special day. But continue to feel the joy and anticipation of your future journey. You have reached the dialectic in 2020 -- the 'both-and' rather than the either-or thinking that gets people stuck.

HOLD ONTO THE NEGATIVE BUT FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE.

You will become resilient and you will learn the importance of life and you will never take any blessing for granted ever again.

YOU ARE STILL WHO YOU ARE AND YOU WILL BECOME STRONGER, MORE FOCUSED ON THE HERE AND NOW, AND MORE CONNECTED TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF THIS TURN OF EVENTS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL AND THE GLASS HALF EMPTY BECAUSE 2020 HAS BEEN BOTH AND HAS GIVEN YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE FULLY PRESENT TO YOURSELF.

Congratulations and best of luck and wishes for all the rainbows, silver linings and new beginnings to come your way!!

Food for thought: 20-20 vision is usually about hindsight, but we now have a new meaning for this phrase: it is about having a new perspective. A perspective that will make a difference. A perspective that will serve the individual and society. A perspective that will be lasting. There is no return to 'how things were'; it is about creating a new reality for the future. 20-20 vision is a powerful metaphor for getting things right and seeing things perfectly as they are and as they can be and must be for the future of humanity.

Beacon Bits -- Homage to My Mom

2020-05-09T14:16:00.001-04:00

Even before Mother's Day weekend, I have had my mother on my mind. She grew up as a child of immigrants during the challenging times of the Great Depression. As I was growing up, I recall her telling me many times, "I hope you never have to go through what we went through." I heartfully acknowledge I am more blessed than those I worry about in these times, and I am finding ways to show that I care as my mother also taught me, but I also recall that my mother planted the seeds of good self-care and preparation in case of an emergency or tough times. While I resisted stocking cupboards and never wanted to freeze meats or fish for later use, I now see the wisdom of having the cupboards stocked with that 'extra' something(s) that you just may need. However, I mostly feel grateful for the ways that my mother cooked and how she taught me to cook; I call it 'peasant cooking', Norwegian style, and recall fondly her telling me about the soup her mother would make with a fish head and some vegetables so that she was not only able to feed her family of 5, but also have enough for those who fell on even tougher times and did not have a pot of food available to them.

So as I have been stocking my cupboards with some canned items (e.g., beans, stewed tomatoes, sardines -- only King Oscar, the best brand, grains, pasta and staples for baking) and starting to freeze 'leftover' meals so that I can spread out the goodness without having to eat the same meal on a daily basis (e.g., baked ziti, lentil soup), I am thankful for the know-how of cooking from scratch and the memories of my mother's table.

Today I made a variation of her beef stew with tastes of Beef Burgundy and Hungarian Goulash with what I had on hand: shallots, celery, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, red wine, chicken broth, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and some herbs de Provence. It was inspired by the arctic freeze and snow on Mt. Beacon and was perfect as a midday meal while listening to the Saturday matinee opera on the radio. The beef was purchased at Nature's Pantry on Rt. 52 in Fishkill (since I am not yet ready to embark on the search for the local farms offering local meats just yet vis-a-vis my new intention--see previous post on 5/3/20); the meat is still a local product and for 4 servings, is very reasonable and was very tender! And with the receipt of my new subscription to Misfits Market today, I am beginning to envision my next 'peasant meal.'

Food for thought: There are just some things that will always be remembered; Mother's cooking and wishes for her children are just some of them. And remembering them this weekend in the midst of other thoughts, feelings, and issues that can be on one's mind, makes it more the special as they 'stew'. For those who are moms, for those who aren't, for those who still have a mom, for those whose moms are resting in peace --- Happy Mother's Day!

Beacon Bits -- Belonging to Boscobel

2020-05-07T17:19:00.003-04:00

Within our 'neighborhood' surrounding Beacon, we have the majestic historical landmark, Boscobel, which as noted by the signs on Route 9D, can be everyone's 'home on the Hudson.' I am pleased that I became a 'friend' in 2010 and have maintained membership throughout the years, which is a small way to support its operation. I have been on at least five tours with various docents, with our without visitors or guests that I have brought along and learn something new during each visit; volunteered at holiday and special events on the grounds and within the house when extra help is needed; and visited the gift shop frequently for special purchases for myself or others, which have made the best gifts all around. (I have also attended ten seasons of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) under the tent on the grounds overlooking the Hudson River with its iconic vista of West Point.) So in these times, when the opening of the house and grounds for guided tours is on 'pause' and the notification to ticketholders that the 2020 season of HVSF has been cancelled, it was a real treat to be 'invited' as a member to consider the privilege of making a visit to the grounds by appointment when I recently received an email. It turned out to be a picture perfect day and the pictures tell it all.

Food for thought: Please consider a membership as a way of suppporting this nonprofit organization in our midst. It is not too late to join for this season. I recently learned that it takes $3000 per day to maintain its operations. The Federalist level is $150 per year with season pass benefits and discounts for the gift shops and other events in addition to admission with four passes for the house tours and grounds privileges. It is a worthwhile donation. It is the neighborly thing to do. Especially now. You will not want to miss the view and sense of peaceful renewal that the landscape offers. And you will feel good about contributing to our local treasure. If you are already a member, consider purchasing a membership as a gift for a friend or family member to appreciate the history in our midst.

Beacon Bits -- Choices

2020-05-03T16:21:00.005-04:00

No excuses - I have more time to blog now, but I did write a post that I had to delete. It was about finding sanctuary at my church home that technically is closed, but the doors have been open for silent prayer with safe distance and music on Sunday mornings. It has been restorative during these times when I attend.

This post is about something different than my usual posts, but it is stilld about local resources within proximity to Beacon. I got inspired to write this post after watching the news last week, which showed the meat packing industry's response to re-opening at the President's request despite the dangers and risks for its workers in order to keep the food supply chain unencumbered. I was appalled at the footage on PBS related to the 'farming' of the masses of pigs for the industry to have for its pork production. They compared and contrasted it with other smaller midwest farmers that have chosen to raise fewer pigs with more ethical practices. The visual difference between pens of pigs, loin to loin, vs. two to three pigs with piglets in a pen with the chance to roam was eye opening.

Full disclosure -- I am not vegan, nor am I vegetarian, nor would I am planning to make a decision to become meat free. In general, I eat very little meat and poultry, and rely mostly on fish, vegetables and complex carbohydrates and fruit to survive; I also believe it is in the 'right' proportion that was intended for us to eat. When I saw the TV broadcast, it was apparent that the only reason that cost of mass production vis-a-vis the consumer comes into play is twofold: (1) profit for the corporation and (2) cheaper prices for consumers so they can eat large and unhealthy amounts of meat products, which has led to one of the many risk factors for coronavirus---that is, obesity--due to fast food and unhealthy eating habits. It came full circle --- the only benefit of the large centralized meat production industry in this country is for the corporations who desire more profit and do not care for their workers. So if Cesar Chavez had his rallying call for fair wages for the migrant farmers, maybe it is time we have a reclaimed locally farmed meat economy that benefits the families and workers who are committed to their community and can be held responsible for ethical business and production practices. (I believe poultry farming has somewhat had its day to reclaim improved and ethical egg production with cage-free practices.)

I guess I can lay claim to my my family heritage related to farming here. My mother's family had a farm in Sola near Stavanger Norway and I recall their practices in 1962 when I visited. I will never forget the carrot and strawberry and milk that I, as a girl raised in Brooklyn, had to taste on that farm so long ago. The farm fed them and they were able to sustain a living by selling to local markets. I am grateful and aware that I see the same kinds of practices are returning to our Hudson River Valley with CSAs and locally raised farm stock for our purchase. A long-time supporter of CSAs, now it's time to step it up for livestock farmers.

So this blog is about sharing my resolve to only shop for meat from local farmers who are operating with sustainable practices and who are ethically responsible; this is one choice and a response to what we all need to learn to do going forward in order to change our living habits accordingly. By doing so, I will support the local farmers and eat my small amounts of meat and poultry, which by far is healthier, and at least does not put money into the pockets of greedy owners who operate centralized meat packing industry at the expense of their employees. Higher cost is not an issue for a higher quality of meat in the just right amount of what an individual should be consuming to begin with; no super sizing needed!

Food for thought: I have begun to do some research and offer the following suppliers for meat and poultry in the Beacon area. I am sure we will need to keep visiting their websites in order to be aware of current practices. Check back for updates and recipes related to this new source of locally raised farm stock.

Grass & Grit -- www.grassgritfarm.com

Arch River Farm - www.archriverfarm.com/

Nordwind Farms - http://www.northwindfarmsallnatural.com

Glynwood - www.glynwood.org

Beacon Bits -- Both Sides Now

2020-03-30T16:33:00.002-04:00

The song "Both Sides Now" that Judy Collins made famous did not necessarily refer to the "both-and" dialectic, which is a current phrase appropriate for our times. But the song comes to mind when we think of how the pandemic and its dire consequences are occurring across the country and the globe. These are terrible times, for sure, but at the same time, the concept of resilience has been alluded to again and again.

Think of the old bumper sticker, "Shit Happens." Everyone knew what it meant (that is, bad things happened randomly) and everyone could relate to it. But did you know that there was also a bumper sticker that was popularized in the 1990's that stated, "Grace Happens." Grace is the concept of free and unmerited goodness that is available to all. Perhaps some people relate to the concept of grace more than others. Yet, when we simultaneously think of these two bumper stickers, we can see that it is never a matter of 'either/or', but more importantly, we can see it as the 'both/and' of any situation. Bad things happen and good things happen. Simultaneously. Concurrently. Both sides now.

Thinking about this in the midst of the day-to-day hardships and challenges created by the pandemic that has caused a radical change in routines, income, predictability, control and any semblance of security and safety, we may be reminded that there is a gift being given in the midst of the pain. We can begin to entertain the world of both/and thinking.

That is what 'resilience' really is. It is not just grit and tireless motivation to overcome a difficulty when crisis or trauma occurs. Resilience is not just about returning to baseline; it is not just about bouncing back. Resilience is about become stronger or more adaptive because of new information that is integrated or learning that has occurred during the hardship. Learning is about changing behavior. It may also reflect a change in attitude or perspective that is adopted so that the capacity to be more flexible is possible.

So, this is all 'food for thought'. What is the 'grace' that you are finding in the midst of all the 'shit' that is going on in our world at this time? How are you personally being affected in negative ways and what is the positive outcome for you? What are you learning and how are you being changed? What do you want to return to and what are you ready to give up? How will you integrate this point in time in your future worldview? Have you found grace?

Beacon Bits -- The World is Our Community Now

2020-03-18T18:18:00.002-04:00

Lessons to Learn for Children (and Adults) @ Home

During the Coronavirus Pandemic

For some time now, people have heard about ‘resilience’. Sometimes the term is used correctly and sometimes it is a bit expanded vis-à-vis its intended meaning; it seems to have become the fastest growing catch phrase used in our current day vernacular language.

The sense of resilience as being able to bounce back from hardship or trauma or extreme and even life-threatening events is one aspect of resilience. Think of a rubber band that can be flexible as it rebounds from the stress of being stretched beyond its limit. Contrast that with a dried-out rubber band that will just snap. Another important and understated aspect of resilience is being able to go beyond the baseline that you hope to bounce back to and to have the events that you have endured transform you to a new level that you may not have reached before. In this case, think of the rubber band as a muscle that gains strength from being stretched repetitively; it becomes better and stronger than it was before.

Therefore, in these dire times, I propose the idea that we all need to build our ‘resilience’ muscle daily. Everyone enduring the hardships of the impact that the coronavirus is observing it from a different perspective and everyone has varying degrees of pre-existing resilience. There is no one size fits all solution to the problem of how to cope and deal with the increasing levels of stress and anxiety that have only just begun. But we can all learn new skills and build upon our existing strengths in order to persist and overcome our predicament, thereby increasing our resilience reserve.

One rule of thumb for managing stress is that predictability and control influence the perception of stress. That is, if something is predictable, it is less stressful. If someone can exert personal control, there is less stress. In the case of coronavirus, every individual is limited because there may not be an overwhelming sense of predictability or control over the matter. However, the focus of someone who is willing to use new strategies to build resilience, may indeed have a sense of predictability and control in a very personal and meaningful way. So, by focusing on becoming more resilience, you will feel less stress.

Let me give some examples about how to deal with schools being closed with the ensuing disruptions to daily living and work routines so that one could imagine the experience of this unique and overbearing related to the pandemic may lead to personal transformation and perhaps even improvement in the lives of children, parents and adults.

Old Fashioned Values and Lessons

Families will have enough time on hand to do a ‘fact check’ about existing manners and degree of etiquette that are prevalent in their attitudes and actions. Practicing tables manners and discussing various topics that are in the news about social distancing vs. social isolation and how the elderly are particularly at risk is a good starting point. Asking relevant questions (e.g., How do we respect the elderly? What makes a good neighbor?) and focusing on actual behaviors will take the discussion beyond concepts to determining how the value is demonstrated, executed and carried out. The actions that are brainstormed may lead to prosocial activities (e.g., shopping at local stores, sending text messages, making phone calls, collecting mail or walking a dog) and by practicing such behaviors, they are more likely to become internalized for future actions.

Nature’s Way

What better time than spring to note how resilient nature is as one witnesses the first bloom of crocus and daffodils, the birds building nests, and damaged bushes returning to life after the hit of winter. Create a scavenger hunt or “I Spy” game that makes being outdoors and in nature purposeful so that observation skills are honed, and hope begins to take root. Plant seeds indoors that will be ready to plant later in the spring. Re-pot house plants. Plan an outdoor community garden. Get ready for the 50^th anniversary of the first Earth Day on April 22 by reviewing why it started in 1970 (e.g., the impact of the classic expose written by Rachel Carson in her book Silent Spring) and how much more relevant Earth Day is in light of climate change and actions that must be taken to reverse the irreversible, both on a global and personal level. Practice composting. Review household use of carbon. Determine how the family can reduce its carbon footprint.

Gratitude

The power of gratitude should never be taken lightly. Much has been written about the positive effects of regular accounting of things that are worth celebrating with gratefulness. On a daily basis, list 3 to 5 items that each person in the family feels grateful about. Post the lists on the refrigerator or keep them in a journal. Have children write ‘thank you’ cards for health care workers and first responders that can be sent by snail mail, email or posted on websites. Bolstering hope and inspiration results from the expression of gratitude and helps to build the resilience muscle because it is a reframing of what one might otherwise feel hopeless about.

“Hands-On” (clean and sanitized ones, of course)

While it used to be called ‘arts and crafts’, the ‘maker’ movement today has taken hold because of the need to balance what we do with our hands and how we create as an antidote to all the technology we use. What better time than to teach children how to write in script? Take out samples of letters or cards or find samples online and review why it may be important to read and write manuscripts written in cursive writing. If a school district has already returned to teaching the skill, do some investigative reporting on deciphering what grandparents and/or parents had written in script. If everyone knows cursive writing, learn some calligraphy and practice the strokes with uplifting messages that can be decorated with collage materials to make some folk art.

Real Life Math

Without relying on calculators, return to basic mathematical problem solving. Cooking lessons using kitchen measurement tools, budgeting activities with actual invoices and determining the relationships of miles and travel times to reach the destinations that the GPS is programmed to do. There are many readily available tasks at home. Proposing an allowance or ways to save money (e.g., put away a quarter plus one for every week of the calendar year) can be used to demonstrate delaying gratification for a purchase that can be made once the pre-determined amount of money is saved.

Novelty

Staying in place and being home can lead to boredom. Introduce ‘novelty’ – the brain needs it and will seek it out, so channel the energy for doing something new in a productive way. Use Duolingo or Rosetta Stone to select a language that is new for all family members and learn it together. This could include American Sign Language. Assign each person the task of teaching a skill to everyone after learning it for the first time using YouTube videos that are readily available (e.g., crocheting, knitting, making bread.) Change up your music listening habits. If you listen to hip hop, try an opera. If you listen to classical, try bluegrass. Opening a new door of listening choices may forever expand your options. Regarding dietary habits, you may be eating less meat incidentally with shortages at the market, so it could be time to explore vegetarian or vegan recipes, which may be good for health reasons. Purchasing local produce is a way to increase fruits and vegetable consumption and you may be ahead of the curve in supporting communication supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives in the area.

Self-Soothing Activities

Everyone can benefit from new ways of relaxing and managing stress without indulging in destructive or negative ways of avoiding stress or numbing the discomfort. Learning deep breathing techniques and practicing it throughout the day with a special signal or buzzer to alert someone that they need to breathe, not just at times of distress, is a healthy strategy to self sooth. Deep muscle relaxation, yoga, hand or foot soaks or bubble baths, listening to classical or new age music, exploring mindfulness meditation or centering prayer are additional tools for managing stress.

Better Balance

Without the usual routines (e.g., going to school/work), places of recreation (e.g., the movie theaters, restaurants, gyms, athletic events) and community gathering space (e.g., lack of congregate worship services, libraries, cultural centers), one might begin to use the internet, explore online sources, stream entertainment, and otherwise resort to television and smart technology to a level that might actually have the rebound effect of overstimulation and information overload. Intentionally and specifically unplug at designated times. Practice quiet time. Learn to be comfortable with silence. Place signs around the house that the house is in ‘silence’ or ‘unplugged.’

Community Mindedness
Without the usual go to places, you may feel more cut off and isolated. But it may also be a time to make list of your favorite places you usually shop and then decide to support the small business in multiple ways. Decide to do take-out or buy a gift certificate from your favorite restaurant(s), make a donation (goods or money) to your favorite nonprofit, make other local purchases from stores that offer curbside pick-up or delivery rather than ordering from Amazon, and wherever possible, donate or volunteer at your local food pantry to help neighbors in need.

Food for thought: The ‘tips’ above are not all inclusive, and do not include healthy eating, exercise and good sleep, which are assumed as a basis for resilience, but they are the beginning of small steps for taking personal responsibility for one’s own capacity (or one’s family capacity) for being resilient. These tips do not include volunteering in community efforts that are assisting others. Avenues for altruism, social support and outreach are popping up each day on a local (e.g., Mutual Aid Beacon), regional (e.g., Hudson Valley Help) and countywide basis (e.g., Dutchess County’s Dutchess Responds and Medical Reserve Corps) and are important to investigate and engage in within one’s own personal constraints. ‘Doing for others what you would like done for yourself’ is a valuable mechanism for improving positivity and self-esteem, but it is an important time to remind ourselves that what one can and must do for oneself is also imperative at this time of crisis.

Beacon Bits -- Finding a 'Helper'

2020-03-16T17:08:00.002-04:00

As Mr. Rogers tells us, when there is a crisis or emergency or when you are feeling unsafe or uncertain, just look for the 'helpers'; they are always there. This reminder serves us well. Perhaps it is something that all of us can bring to mind in coming days of the pandemic.

While that sounds like a dramatic opening to this blog entry, I can attest to the fact that during this past week of scouting out my needed groceries and recommended supplies, including a safety net of hand sanitizers and wipes, as you are shopping, you can feel the level of anxiety and stress climbing. After leaving CVS and Rite Aid empty handed when looking for rubbing alcohol having just found the recipe for making one's own hand sanitizer, I was driving away from Main Street but then gave pause as I passed the new pharmacy in town on the corner kitty-cornered to Rite Aid. Beacon Wellness Pharmacy at 333 Main Street has been open for quite a while, yet I had not gone into the store to browse what was stocked, and luckily, I haven't had the need for any prescriptions to be filled. So I hesitated a moment, but parked anyway, thinking I had nothing to lose and that perhaps this was the opportunity I had been looking for to stop in to check out the pharmacy.

When I entered, the well-spoken and handsome pharmacist, Enrique Reynoso, RPH, MBA, greeted me and responded 'yes, I do' when I stated rather than ask, 'I think I know the answer to my question, but do you have any rubbing alcohol above 60%?' I was taken aback with surprise and delight and saw there were several bottles on a shelf across from the counter. I felt lucky and asked my next question, 'any alcohol wipes', thinking of small items like the iPhone to clean off; again -- 'yes' was the response.

At this time, another customer in the store who had been listening asked 'why haven't you put a sign in the window' and the answer 'I do not want to capitalize on the situation' felt like it was the correct response and demonstrated the old-fashioned values of the store owner. The other customer had also come into the pharmacy for the first time after noting he had been to the local hardware store and had found face masks that were just delivered. I knew I would not be heading there for face masks because I had taken the advice seriously not to use them unless ill and to allow them to be available for those who may require them for work since there was such a shortage. Tough times require discernment when making choices.

I spoke to the pharmacist as I paid for my purchases, whom I decided was deserving of my respect as well as my business, and told him I would return, which I did indeed do within a few days to purchase some vitamin D3, notably a vitamin that can boost the immune system already part of my routine regimen. I purposely went to Beacon Wellness Pharmacy for that purchase and for a chance to chat a bit more and to explore the store. I knew I would return again for purchases in the future especially after inquiring about insurances accepted learning that the pharmacy does take my health insurance plan.

Food for thought: Finding a 'helper' in the community was not necessarily what I was looking for last week, but now I know another place to go for help when needed. I recommend a visit to the Beacon Wellness Pharmacy to explore your options knowing that bigger is not always better and chain stores that give coupons or bonus points are not the be all and end all when you can develop a personal relationship with a professional pharmacist who is also an entrepreneur who invests in the community. I actually found the pricing to be fair at Beacon Wellness and the variety of items to be sufficiently diverse. The experience of visiting this pharmacy (albeit a bit late) called to mind that when I first moved to Beacon, there was a small, family-owned pharmacy on Main Street that I visited, which was part of my getting to know the community (i.e., the library is always #1 on the list when moving into a different community.) The disappearance of the old independent pharmacy and its replacement with a new structure is a part of the emerging Beacon that I've witnessed over the 10 years of living in this community; another sign that property on Main Street was a good investment and has paid off in the current market. The visit to Beacon Wellness Pharmacy also reminded me of my neighborhood pharmacy when I grew up in Sunset Park, Brooklyn where my mother would send me, not only to shop, but to ask the pharmacist for information, advice and direction. The pharmacist always knew the answers to important questions and would lend a helping hand for any child who appeared with a skinned knee after taking a fall when risking rollerskating on broken concrete sidewalks. So with found memories of my childhood pharmacist and knowing that a business with good values is worth supporting on Main Street, I look forward to future visits to learn more about the 'enlightened health products for body, mind and soul' that Mr. Reynoso offers in his corner of the world in Beacon!

Beacon Bits -- Tribal Harmony

2020-02-28T10:26:00.004-05:00

The Howland Cultural Center is now hosting a monthly program on the third Wednesday of the month called Tribal Harmony, which is organized by Evan Pritchard, a local musician and historian. The program had previously taken place at the Falcon on the other side of the river and has found its new home here in Beacon.

Sound check

I attended the event on February 19 when vocalist Joan Henry, a Cherokee woman, and her group of jazz musicians "Spirited" (Dennis Yerry, piano; Ruperto Ifil, percussion; Rich Syracuse, bass; Tom DePetri, guitar; and Gus Mancini, sax). Spirited presented native, world and jazz music at the highest level of performance. From the size of the audience and the enthusiasm of the opening acts, I would say this program will be gaining momentum and become a regular event, and hopefully, Joan and Spirited will return soon.

Musician Patrick Stanfield Jones, who will be featured at April 15th program

Joan Henry's performance and vocal range was impressive and her jazz ensemble was stellar. I was moved by the energy that "Spirited" brought to the familiar and beautiful open space within the Howland, whether it was with traditional Cherokee prayer chants or unique presentation of some classic jazz pieces. The backdrop of African-American artwork on display for Black History Month added to the ambiance of the evening.

Consistent with the the theme of Native American stories and music, past and future, Evan Pritchard played some traditional and familiar solo flute songs (think R. Carlos Nakai) and arranged for a local activist to address the audience about updates related to local tribes like the Ramapo Indians and turmoil in Canada with the indigenous tribes and the government.

Evan Pritchard

Events are planned for the future for March and April. If they are as well-received as the February event, they will become a lifeline for indigenous issues, which are our issues for all peoples. Seeing the t-shirt slogan that Joan Henry wore with an advocacy campaign motto focused on the disappearance of Native American women in western states like Montana, (available from the grassroots advocacy group, Phenomenal Woman), one could not help thinking about Pete Seeger's spirit coming to life at the Howland once again.

Food for thought: Music lifts the soul and gives voice to the passions of the people. Exposure to diverse cultures and varied musical expression continues to evoke what has come before us and what is now at hand so that we can better prepare for the future. Tribal Harmony is a simple, yet important, way to feed the soul. Joining this ongoing community at the Howland is consistent with the spirit of social justice and activism that has come before and that is still needed, more than ever. I will continue on this journey and hope to see others join in.

Beacon Bits - Not Just Another MLK Day

2020-01-21T18:34:00.003-05:00

This year's weather for the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade in Beacon was frigid cold but the warmth of the song, the signs and slogans touched hearts and souls and even puppy paws! I took Clara, my overnight visitor from the Puppies Behind Bars program at the local correctional facility, to the MLK Day Parade. Clara is in training to be a service dog for a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan war or for a first responder; she is exceptionally good with her commands and easy to handle, so I thought I would give it a try.

Clara made my day even brighter than the strong mid-January sun that was shining on the diverse group of a hundred or so individuals who still know how to march for freedom, peace, social justice and sanity in these days of unrest and division with ongoing racism, sexism, ageism, and outright immorality in our contemporary society. While it is hard to believe it is over 50 years ago that MLK was killed, the issues remain, and so the marching and the singing continue.

Clara, the PBB puppy, got into the rhythm of the singing during the half hour walk amongst friends escorted by a fire truck and police car. Notwithstanding the politicians and religious leaders, the usual participants were notably present and are still going strong. Members of Beacon Sloop Club and Clearwater and Pete Seeger's daughter remain the standard bearers who are committed to this act of civil duty and responsibility to celebrate MLK's life and to increase awareness of current issues still in need of healing. The parade offers lessons of activism to the youth who were with their elders and the activity is congruent with the true spirit of volunteerism that is now widely promoted on MLK Day.

Food for thought: Perhaps this year's MLK Day Parade felt very special because I had a furry companion by my side who represents an act of social justice that I engage in routinely since I have volunteered in what I call my prison ministry for over five years. And perhaps it was imperative to show up this year because of the impending impeachment trials in the Senate. But mostly, it is a source of pride to know that the Beacon community continues to hold the march and associated activities during the day while there are still some states that do not even honor the federal MLK holiday. Beacon stands out because of its right actions. It was and will continue to be a 'beacon' of hope and direction. May it be so!

Beacon Bits -- Healing in Community

2020-01-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

I recently chose to have a custom made handbag constructed from a deceased relative's unique Nepalese jacket by the women working in the local nonprofit 501c3 social enterprise, Unshattered. I had previously read about the newsworthy organization which focuses on meaningful work with purpose to prevent relapse and to aid in the recovery of women with opioid addition. I was intrigued about this nonprofit approach for recovery-related work training/apprenticeship and was quite impressed with its origins and steady progress since its inception. I was particularly pleased to see that the founder and CEO of Unshattered, Kelly Lyndgaard, was given a Women in Business award in December 2019 for creating and successfully managing this unique healing community. In addition, Unshattered was the 2019 recipient of the Innovation in Philanthropy Award from the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Both awards were well-earned within Dutchess County after Unshattered had previously received recognition from the White House in 2018 when increased funding for recovery initiatives was made into law.

So it was good timing for me to get more acquainted with Unshattered when making my custom design request and picking up the beautiful product right before New Year's. Despite the recent awards, it was business 'as usual' since production was ongoing and in full swing as the holidays approached; in addition, it was a perfect kick-off for another year of recovery for the women I met who designed and made my personal item of remembrance.

Design and manufacture team, Lois (left) and Dea (right)

I love my special handbag and believe it might be the first of a very special collection I will continue to pursue! I was thoroughly touched by the attention to detail and the loving care that was placed into the finished project that I entrusted to workers who became personally known to me as they listened to why I chose to have the bag made in the first place and how pleased I was with the outcome. I sensed their overwhelming pride in their work and their appreciation for the well-deserved praise and genuine support I had made towards their recovery. It was a win-win proposition for all of us. And what women doesn't appreciate a new handbag? And who wouldn't be proud to wear the designer signature of the 'unshattered' logo on their shoulder when receiving compliments and then being able to share the back story of this amazing healing community?

One-of-a-kind messenger style handbag named "Molly" for a woman in recovery

Food for thought: Hand-made items have always been close to my heart, both personally and professionally. I have witnessed firsthand the value of productive activity and how therapeutic goal-directed purposeful tasks work for the best interest of groups and for individuals. So the idea of Unshattered did not feel unfamiliar to me. But the scale and success and mission of this kind of work for the good of our society is the wow factor; it is not only timely, it is imperative for people to work together for personal healing and recovery. Handbags made at Unshattered are not only 'Made in America' and in step with the 'maker movement', this innovative nonprofit social enterprise is a business model of what could 'become' for so many individuals in our society that are looking for re-purposing, re-cycling, re-connecting and re-building. It is not about just about a product, it is about the process. A creative process. A process of healing in community. Unshattered points us in the right direction.

Visit the shop in its current location at 1064 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, read more about Unshattered online and browse the handbags that can be ordered at www.unshattered.org

If you want to see Unshattered handbags carried in Beacon shops, tell them to get some in stock!