Turkey On Every Table 2025 - Interview With Group Leaders For This Collaborative Distribution

The Thanksgiving Meal bag that went with the turkey for “Turkey on Every Table.”
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

This year's request for turkey meals for the annual Turkey on Every Table initiative grew by 330%, said Reuben Simmons to A Little Beacon Blog. "Last year, we had 90 signups. This year, we had 395 signups." There were four distribution points and organizations involved in the city-wide effort, including I Am Beacon, Fareground, Key Food, Salem Tabernacle and Knights of Columbus #446. This year, LaStar Gorton, incoming Councilmember for Ward 1, also participated in the distribution.

Kenya Gadsden holding a donated turkey before she services people in the line to receive the meals. Kenya wore her I Am Beacon sweatshirt this day, but wears several other sweatshirts:
- member of the Beacon Board of Education
- Councilwoman for Fishkill Town Board
- jointly oversees the Open Arms Christian Ministries International Food Pantry with distribution point here at Beacon Parks and Recreation Building
- supports the “Class in a Bag” Initiative, which supplies backpacks filled with school supplies for children in the Beacon City School District
- Ran for Dutchess County Clerk
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, registered people lined up to receive one turkey and a bag of food to prepare at home from one of the four distribution locations: Fareground at 37 Lamplight (the old Mary Kelly's building that is now the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church), the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building at 23 West Center Street, Salem Tabernacle at 7 Delavan Ave., and St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church at 15 South Avenue.

Meals included a 14lb turkey, the infamous Kings Hawaiian dinner rolls, Stove Top stuffing, Key Food brand Urban Meadows apple pie, Kraft Mac and Cheese, Urban Meadows’s jelly, a bag of fresh apples, a bag of rice, and Green Giant mixed greens.

Families were in line to receive, some who walked there with metal push carts and strollers, and some who drove.

Knights of Columbus #446 members gathered around Junior Dabashi’s (Key Food) truck for another loading in of Thanksgiving Meals at 23 West Center Street, the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

The total number of meals distributed from each location was 123 at Fareground, 127 Beacon Parks and Recreation, 61 at Salem Tabernacle, and at least 10 distributed directly by I Am Beacon to those who could not make the line. Reuben of I Am Beacon and Junior Dabashi of Key Food, with the assistance of Salem Tabernacle’s van of helpers which includes Ian, Frank and Pastor Bill, collect and distribute the food to each location, with the assistance of the Knights of Columbus offloading the food from the trucks.

ALBB visited the West Center Street location to talk to the group leaders to learn the origins of Turkey on Every Table - to get more from the story and see behind the flyer that asks for food donations each year.

How long has the program been going on?

Before this interview, the group leaders conferred among themselves to track back the origins, as this initiative is a collaborative effort with the groups.

This interview is with: Reuben Simmons of I Am Beacon; Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church; Junior Dabashi of Key Food; and Bernard Gadson, married to Kenya Gadsden who was leading the distribution with families to get the turkey meals. A member of Knights of Columbus served as cameraman for this video.

LaStar Gorton, incoming City Councilmember for Ward 1 in Beacon, assisting in distributing the Thanksgiving Turkeys.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben Simmons greeting a Knights of Columbus #446 member before Distrobution begins.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

I Am Beacon started Turkey on Every Table in 2014 and continued it for 4 years. Reuben, a co-founder of I Am Beacon told ALBB: "We got away from it [Turkey on Every Table] in 2018/19 as we saw there were multiple organizations doing distributions. The impact we felt was already being met. As an organization, I Am Beacon stepped back from it...And then COVID hit, and there was more time for people to regroup. One of I Am Beacon's missions is to do things in a collaborative effort."

Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church carrying bags of food from their van.
PHoto Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben went onto let the other explain. Ian told of how Salem Tabernacle Church has been in Beacon since the 1950s. "Every Thanksgiving, the women of the church would get together and put baskets together for people in need. Usually by word of mouth." He said that a dozen families would usually be reached. "It was not a formal thing, just something that we've always been doing."

More Salam Tabernacle Church members carrying Community-donated food from their van.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben explained that Junior Dabashi was a key part of why the initiative started back up again. Junior had met with Salem Tabernacle, Reuben said, and who learned that Salem Tabernacle wanted to get more involved with the Beacon community. Junior asked Reuben to bring back the Turkey on Every Table program. "The only way I said I'd do it is if it was on a collaborative effort." They met with Salem Tabernacle, as well as Kenya and Bernard Gadsden with Open Arms Ministry, who run the weekly food pantry out of the Beacon Parks and Recreation building every Saturday.

In 2021, the Turkey on Every Table program revived, and has been happening ever since.

Fried Turkeys and Home-Bound Senior Citizens

During the distribution, ALBB heard Bernard talking about his schedule this week for frying turkeys. We asked him to tell us more about the process, and who he was cooking for. Bernard is passionate about caring for the seniors to provide for them an experience that can easily pass them over.

Bernard works at a Senior Apartment Complex. "A lot of seniors don't get a chance to go out. So they stay home and probably make a cornish hen. On Thanksgiving. I just felt that's ludicrous," Bernard told ALBB. "So I said, I want to bring my equipment. I want to fry turkeys for them." His boss gave him the green light to fry the turkeys, and he's been doing it for the last 5 years. "I did 3 turkeys yesterday. One for my grandson's school in Poughkeepsie, and 2 for my job. There was nothing left. They love it every year. And I look forward to it." This year, he's doing two more turkeys on Tuesday for another senior apartment complex in Newburgh.

Bernard then describes how he likes to fry the turkey. He prefers a turkey that is 15lb or under. "Forty-five minutes to an hour, and they are done," Bernard stated.

Kids Coat Distribution From Knights Of Columbus

Coats for kids came through the Knights of Columbus, who have been doing the coat distribution for 40 years in Beacon from their building before they sold it, member Kevin Allison told ALBB. One year, a group from Peekskill was doing a toy drive distribution where Sue Serino arrived to help. "One of Sue’s office people was at the door. One kid came through the door with no coat. I said 'where is your coat?' He said he didn't have one. I made sure he had a brand new coat.”

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Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council #446 logo on sweater swag
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Knights of Columbus member Kevin Allison
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Knights of Columbus Logo on Jacket
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Cute Little Wood Paneled Storefront Eatery - 305 Main Street - Zips Through Tenants - Masa y Mezcal Is Newest

The cute little wood paneled storefront eatery at 305 Main Street was a luncheonette* from 1950-1965, then something(s) else, then Mud Club (wood fired bagels) moved in, which then turned over to Ember & Grain (flaky pastries, famous croissants and bread loaves), and will now be Masa y Mezcal (Mexican cooking and agave mezcal spirit). While high rents are a reality in Beacon, rent was not directly stated as the reason Mud Club or Ember & Grain left. According to Loopnet, the tiny but charming spot has reached $4,000/month for 980 square feet. \

*See ALBB reader Janice Sullivan’s comment down below for her family’s history of ownership of the luncheonette from 1950-1965.

Mud Club’s Tenure On Main Street

Mud Club was low key fancy, and reviews say the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel was pricey. According to Boris at 101.5 WPDH, when reporting that the next bakery was closing, he said about Mud Club: “I last visited in June 2024 and ordered a bacon, egg and cheese with a coffee on the side and it was pretty pricey.”

While that article states that 2 more locations of Mud Club are open, their website has expired, and the Choronogram reported in March 2025 that Mud Club’s Woodstock location was closing and a new tandem restaurant pair was moving in up there. Their NYC Broom Street location’s Toast is not accepting orders.

About Ember & Grain

Meanwhile, Ember & Grain, who opened next, garnered quite a local following during the almost year that they were open. According to 101.5 WPDH, Ember & Grain opened that Fall of 2024, but by the following August 2025, they announced their store closure, citing "...other employment realities to consider now." They spoke of their "impending departure" while balancing baking deliveries of Sesame Polenta loaves. "The whole pastry program is being reconsidered as the new iteration of this project takes shape."

Said one fan, The Jersey City Realtor on their IG: "Gang I wish you all the best but that maple walnut croissant…it’s one of the best pastries I’ve had in my life and my favorite croissant of all time. 😢"

In a note to Ember & Grain’s loyal customers on Instagram, the owners wrote:

"Dear Friends and Our Beloved Community:

After several earnest months of building and running this space, we've made the incredibly tough decision to close our doors in their current form. While the exact date of our last day is still to be determined, we wanted to share this news openly as we begin to wind things down.

This experience has been equal parts challenging and fulfilling. While the retail chapter of our journey is coming to an end, this is not a goodbye to the spirit of what we've created. We're taking time to re-imagine what this project can look like outside of a physical storefront - with the same values, energy and care.

"We're so grateful to each of you who walked through our doors, shared your stories, supported us with your presence, and welcomed us into your lives and dining tables.

"Stay tuned - we're not done yet.

"With love and endless gratitude, Gabriela and Sean

Newest! Enter Masa y Mezcal For Mexican Cooking & Mezcal Spirits

Enter Masa y Mezcal! Also first reported by101.5 WPDH, the new Mexican eatery is bringing energy into the space. And en español un poco! Some of the Comments are already in Spanish. The craft mezcal, a smokey spirit made from agave in the tequila family. The alcohol specialty may help tip the scale of success rate for this new spot. Hopefully they are open by the Superbowl for the Bad Bunny performance. Remember, you can learn Spanish for free through the Beacon Public Library’s website via Transparent.

Said their opening announcement:

🎉Exciting News!🎉

Get ready to experience a modern twist on traditional artisan Mexican cooking. Masa y Mezcal is coming to the heart of Beacon, New York.

Specializing in craft mezcal.

Follow us for updates and sneak peeks!

Hasta pronto!

Beacon Culinary Legend, Sound Maker and Creative, Matt Hutchins, Has Passed

All photos of Matt Hutchins are from his Instagram, @buttermilkjack.

Matt Hutchins was a game-changing culinary icon during a time of culinary renaissance that defined Beacon. That time period could be likened to when DIA:Beacon opened in the old Nabisco box printing factory and changed the trajectory of Beacon’s art and design scene. Matt, known as Matty to friends, passed away Saturday June 28, 2025 at age 51.

ALBB did not know him personally, but he regularly appeared as the chef in several new restaurant openings, so he was often in our articles. Regional food magazines are most likely going to devote a few pages to this culinary creative. Matt presented as: “A dreamer, chef, musician, vintage and vinyl enthusiast, forager, and earnest knucklehead,” reads his Instagram. A graduate of the Culinary Institute, he was also from the south.

He first appeared on ALBB’s radar when he was part of the opening of The Hop. Says beverage industry veteran and Beacon resident, Lynnette Marrero in Imbibe who designed cocktails for The Hop: “When a local beer bar called The Hop opened in 2012, things started to change. It really opened the local scene to craft, even evolving to have a small cocktail menu.” Food-wise, it was described as “country French with Southern inflection” at Upstater.

Prior to The Hop, in 2010, Matt was chosen as the chef for Birdsall House.

When The Hop announced its unexpected closure in October 2016, local journalist Brian Cronin of the Highlands Current declared: “It was the social-media equivalent of an earthquake on the east end of Beacon’s Main Street.” ALBB wrote about it here. The team at The Hop went on to create other establishments, like bar manager and former dolly grip in LA, John-Anthony Gargiulo, who opened Hudson Valley Brewery. Others went to newly formed Melzingah’s.

From January - April 2017, Matt was the first executive chef for the opening of the renovated Beacon Hotel (revisit that history and major renovation here). Beacon Hotel Restaurant ended and became Carter’s owned by Chef Jon Lombardi.

When Mama Roux opened at 96 Broadway in Newburgh in November 2019, Matt described the flavor as: “deep South with some Cajun influences, Creole, and country French” in the Times Hudson Valley.

By at least December 2022, Matt snuggled into Dogwood, formerly owned by George Mansfield (retired and current City Councilmember), which he sold to become what is now Cooper’s.

At the Dogwood, Matt’s menu was wide-ranging: “@buttermilkjack (aka chef Matt Hutchins) is rolling out his new expanded Dogwood menu tonight. there really is something for everyone now, so what are you waiting for? come on out to @dogwoodbeacon for some of what has now got to be the best bar food in town.”

Matt continued on at Quinn’s, which is owned by Yukie and Tom Schmitz since 2013, and where George Mansfield can be seen again (George was once a partner, as have been some others, but Yukie and Tom are the sole owners at present, Yukie told ALBB). Matt spread out musically.

In October 2024, Matt was part of the opening of the new-ownership version of Untouchable in Newburgh at 40 Liberty Street. The owners of Quinn’s set their sights on this dive bar. Yukie recalled to ALBB: “Thanks again for writing about Matt who was a wonderful human being and a big part of our community. We all will miss him for a long time.” Yukie let ALBB know that he also helped them open Untouchable in Newburgh last year. “Matty was a huge part of it. I miss him being behind the bar. It was such a fun moment.” Menu items included a French Taco (chicken and Gruyere cheese) and Le Smash (double smash burger).

Matt Hutchins behind the newly opened restaurant bar, Untouchable, in Newburgh.
PHoto credit: Yukie Schmitz.

Local friends have been mourning and expressing their unexpected grief. Yukie published in her Instagram with a picture of Matt in an airport: “A dear friend whom I treated like family. They helped me out at work and they helped me out a lot. This picture is of him just arriving at Narita Airport. He was always the one at the center of the circle. Until recently, I'm filled with unheard thoughts from many people that he cherished his memories in Japan.”

Food photographer Meghan Spiro said in her Instagram: “Sometimes we crossed paths in business while I captured your dishes, but more often, we found ourselves late night at Quinn’s - catching up on each of our hopes and dreams, reminiscing on southern family recipes, and encouraging each other to always be better humans.

Food photographer and painter Meghan Spiro responds to Matt Hutchin’s passing.

“I can’t believe you’re gone, Matt. I just saw you and said ‘see you later’ and not goodbye. I’m not ready. I thought we had more laughs, more collaborations.

“You were a maverick in the community and put Beacon on the map as a culinary destination over a decade ago. You packed so much flavor in your life and your food and your music. The force was always strong with you.

“You have a whole community in mourning. None of us were ready.”

Beacon Farmers' Market To Remain Open During Ice Storm To Help SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Customers

This Sunday, the Beacon Farmers’ Market will remain open for vendors to pop up and customers to pop out to purchase food and goods from them. “We’re open for all, and especially to ensure our food benefit customers can double their dollars to access fresh, local food. Because food justice means showing up—no matter the weather,” the market manager Amy Bandolik said on their Instagram.

The Beacon Farmers' Market accepts SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Benefits to service more people at different income levels. The Greens4Greens program is a food benefit incentive program using eligible state funded food benefits that are matched dollar for dollar through Greens4Greens. “The program has been completely community funded through contributions made by local businesses as well as the annual 'Soup4Greens' event,” according to the Beacon Farmer’s Market website.

Amy continued: “Last week’s closure is behind us, and we’re back with all your favorite fresh produce, local goods, and cozy market vibes...With a smaller vendor turnout this week — but still a mighty 30+ vendors — we’ve adjusted the market layout to one main corridor, looping around to the back to create a more cohesive shopping experience.”

While the City of Beacon had been plowing the night before, some vendors could not make it for safety reasons. Conditions in Beacon are icy and slushy on the streets. A Little Beacon Blog has been checking in with several member businesses, who are so far open if their employees can make it in. Several farming vendors live outside of Beacon, and the drive is too risky, and some have more snow on their properties.

The Beacon Farmers’ Market has the added pressure of staying open, as they are in the county parking lot, the DMV, which the City of Beacon can close down when they needed it for emergency snow parking for cars who cannot park on the streets when snowfall is more than 2” and the plows are out. This is why they closed last week, and the City’s mandate.

Due To Anticipated Weather, Beacon Farmer's Market Closing An Hour Earlier - Encourages Shoppers To Come Early

The Beacon Farmers Market, the all-weather outdoor market, announced today that they will be open on Sunday before the anticipated snowfall begins. Both the Beacon Farmers Market and Cold Spring Farmers Market do their best to stay open despite weather (cold, hot, rainy, snowy), and the vendors do their best to arrive each week, unless being out in the weather is bad for their health, or the roads are dangerous.

The manager of the market, Amy Bandolik encourages shoppers to come early. “We’ll close at 1pm to get vendors home safely,” she said in an Instagram post.

The next day, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and parade has been postponed to February 17, 2025, President’s Day.

The Station Dispensary Opens: A Look At The Products For Sale Inside The Old Beacon Police Station

After carefully waiting, The Station Dispensary has opened! Months in the making, the dynamic duo of Kamel and Lena Jamal are ready to serve you in their building that is the old Beacon Police Station at 463 Main Street. Products can also be purchased for pickup on their website.

Find brands like Fernway, RVEST, Holiday, 4orty Tons, Live Rosin, Harvest, dank., Platinum, Harney Brothers, Chef Higher, and more.

As for decor, Kamel and Lena are thrifters by nature, and travel frequently. Eighty percent of the furniture inside is thrifting finds. The large cabinets on the wall are from an old candy shop in upstate New York. Ask them to show you what is from Egypt and Mexico.

Their soft launch party was last Friday, and from now on, you are free to walk through the doors of the old Beacon Police station, and walk back out, still free, and perhaps a little more relaxed.

The Station Dispensary is a Member Advertising Sponsor of ALBB, and always lifting us to higher spirits. Look for more features of brands carried at The Station in our free newsletter (subscribe here) and Instagram.

Beacon Community Kitchen Seeks Turkeys and Ham; Members Of Community Donate All Year

Days before this year’s Thanksgiving, the Beacon Community Kitchen, currently located in the Tabernacle Church of Christ at 483 Main Street (the intersection of Main Street and Church Street), put a call out for turkeys and ham for the holiday: “We are in need of turkeys and ham for our holiday meals. We are usually overwhelmed with the amount that we get but this year we have not received any. Spread the word and love.”

Beacon Community Kitchen serves one hot meal to go on Mondays - Thursdays. After this call was made, some turkeys were donated by people in the community, but more may be needed:

“Today we had a generous donation from Tom Kenny who brought us two fresh turkeys for our Guests. Thank you Tom for your generosity. We also want to thank Tina Finkelsten for her generosity. She brought down a turkey and a five pound bag of potatoes. Thank you for thinking of us!!”

Community member JOe (seated) eats a meal with Beacon Community Kitchen. Joe has lived in various locations in the woods of Beacon.

Candi Rivera, spokesperson for the Beacon Community Kitchen, continued to describe what was cooked that day: “Tuesday lunch: [Chef] Joe had to improvise. He rallied through nicely!! He made gnocchi creamy vodka sauce over oven warmed baguette and a fresh green baby kale salad to accompany the meal. Thank you Joe, Janice, Anna, Peggy and Tina.”

Beacon Community Kitchen accepts ingredients for dishes all year round.

On A Monday - In April

As Giving Tuesday approaches (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday consumption), Beacon Community Kitchen celebrated any day a person or business donates food for them to cook. Like this day in April.

Owner Beth George of Bagel-ish Donates bagels on any given day.

In April 2024, Candi reflected: “Most people celebrate Giving Tuesday. Well today (Monday), we celebrate the generosity of many who came forward to donate back.”

Candi listed a few donations in a post at Facebook:

MAX’s of BEACON
“Peggy picked up at Max’s with the assistance of her friend Noah who helped with his truck. We received chicken breast, burgers, salad stuff, cream cheese, French Fries, cod, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, baking powder, corn starch, liquid smoke and more. We can’t thank you enough for consideration.”

PUSH TRANSPORTATION: and their Proprietor’s
“Joe Simmons and Shamikah Jones for their generosity and donation of boxes and boxes of guacamole, tossed salads and sugar snap peas. Thanks for your support and generosity in thinking of us. We also extend special thanks to Elmer Arroyo for his assistance today.”

EGGBERT’S FREE RANGE FARM
“[Farmer Carrie and her brother Tom] surprised us also and bought a case of pork products which included: pork jowls, ham hocks, and more……”

BEACON NATURAL MARKET of BEACON:
“Picked up and delivered by our own TROOPER PEGGY B!! We received spring mix, Dijon mustard, Swiss chard, yogurt, assorted cookies and teas.”

Candi concluded: “Talk about Acts of Kindness! Beacon is it!! We’re so blessed to have the support of sooooooo many kind and loving individuals with great big hearts. We can’t thank you enough for all you do, in one way or another, that keep us serving for 8 years strong.”

To donate money or coordinate food delivery, email or call: incareof.beacon@gmail.com (845) 728-8196.

Spirit of Beacon Day 2024: Who Will Be There! Maps Of Vendor Tables

For the 47th year of the Spirit of Beacon Day, which started in 1977 as an answer to racial tensions between youth and the community, there will be 85 vendor tables in the center of Main Street with the goals of reaching people in the community about their services, providing joy, and food! One of the goal’s of this year’s Spirit of Beacon Committee was to incorporate more cultural food and vendors.

Food from some Main Street businesses who are also setting up tables on the sidewalk, like Nansense (Afghan burgers newly opened on Eliza Street), Matcha Thomas, Pats Kitchen Corp, St. Rocco Society, Masjid Ur Rashid, Hidden Rose Catering/Single Hungry Club, Hudson Valley Food Hall, Keyfood, Mama La’s Food For The Soul, The Potluck Eatery, and more.

Plus, all of the restaurants in Beacon (see ALBB's Restaurant Guide here) and shops (see ALBB's Shopping Guide here).

Visit vendor tables from organizations including (but no limited to) Queer Family Network, Chabad Of Beacon, Nails By Yoshii, Growing And Empowering Myself And My Sisters Inc., Beacon Light Tabernacle Sda Church, Beacon Of Health Collective, Midnight Ferry, Goodwill Church Beacon, Kadampa Meditation Center New York - Beacon Branch, Beacon Prison Rides, Rapp- Release Aging People From Prison, Makerdale, Daydream Collaborative Clinic, Piano Adventures Beacon, and many more.

A Little Beacon Blog will be there in the Kids Section offering face painting. The Kids Section is once again in the front yard of the generous Salvation Army Beacon Corps.

Remember, don't ask the businesses for their bathrooms! Use the Porta Potties that the Spirit of Beacon Sponsors have generously provided for you. Sponsors in part this year include Keyfood, Ziatün, Roundhouse, Dia:, and Hudson View park. Find this year’s banner once again on Keyfood (because Beacon remains in a Banner Ban).

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See you out there!

The Truth About Grocery Ice Cream Prices In The Freezer On Main Street In Beacon

Example of a supportive comment at the top, followed by a insulting comment below. For businesses in Beacon or anywhere, slings at pricing for local business is tiring and can be more casually targeted at businesses run by people of color.

Last week, ALBB covered the opioid crisis related bankruptcy of Rite Aid as being the reason for their bare shelves. With the exception of the ice cream freezer, which employees said was broken. In response, one local reader, Lesly Deschler Canossi, commented via Instagram: “and leaving key food and molile pricing as only option on ice cream is just wrong.” She most likely meant the “Mobil” gas station in that typo. What is not a typo, however, is her intent of branding an image of pricing, which is misleading and untrue. The price of ice cream is nearly equal between Key Food and Rite Aid, with Rite Aid at times having the higher price.

Before we get started in this pricing deep dive, it must be recognized that there are people in Beacon who like to throw these punches at Key Food and Mobil, which are both locally owned by families who live in the community. Key Food is Yemeni American owned, and Mobil is South Asian American owned. When members of the Beacon community speak their rude remarks, is it racist? Islamophobic? Hangry?

It can’t be hangry since this is not the first time somebody took a swipe at Key Food for no reason. It has happened during a City Council Meeting, when Dennis Pavlov demanded that a bigger grocery store move in, for instance.

Are Local Contributions Recognized?

NAMI Ribbon PSA Campaign for Mental Health Awareness hanging outside key food on their trees, when the City Of Beacon denied NAMI from hanging them.

Key Food gives on a regular basis to organizations of Beacon, but are they recognized? This includes Key Food’s civic contributions, like when they donated 10’ of their parking lot years ago to be turned into mulched beds for trees to widen the feel of the sidewalk. Key Food also allowed PSA ribbons for the NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) white ribbon campaign in May, when Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White denied NAMI the ability to hang them on lamp posts. The City of Beacon was the only municipality in this region who denied NAMI. The ribbons were everywhere else. Key Food allowed the ribbons on the trees in their parking lot, so that NAMI could have some representation in Beacon.

Facts: The Real Price Of Ice Cream

Let’s look at the real important issue here: the price of ice cream in the freezer.

In a Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough vs cookie dough comparison, Key Food was $6.79 and Rite Aid was $7.29. Other flavors varied, where Key Food was higher than Rite Aid by a handful of cents. Mobil, which is really a convenience store owned by Shah and not attached to Mobil, came in at $8.99. This means Mobil (or, Shah) can only buy ice cream in much smaller quantities than either Key Food or Rite Aid, giving him less buying power to pass a deal to customers.

Of Talenti, Key Food is $.60 higher than Rite Aid. Hardly sticker shock.

Discounts and Deals On Ice Cream

What also must be discussed are the discounts and deals on ice cream and other items at both Rite Aid and Key Food. Both offer deals with a VIP card. Rite Aid makes you use your card to get the deal. Which is a loss of your private data. Rite Aid then profits off your data by selling it to data mining companies who then hit your email inbox with personalized, flavored spam.

Key Food in Beacon just scans their own card, and off you go with your bonus special deal. Last week at Key Food, Haagen-Daz Ice Cream was 2 for $8 on Assorted Flavors, which comes to $4 per pint.

When you’re getting the coupon, be sure you read the label. If you grab a box that isn’t covered in the deal, then you’re not going to get the deal. Like these Haagen-Daz Vanilla Milk Chocolate bars. You get 2 for $8 of the box of 3. Not the box of 6 mini versions.

Ok? Ok.

And don’t miss the sale on Stone Ridge Creamery ice cream, where it’s $3.99 today.

But Wait, There’s More!

Did you know that Haagan Daz pints are only 14 ozs? Not even the full 16oz.

So now who you going to be mad at?

New To The Restaurant Guide! Bagelish & Nilufers Home Kitchen Plus The New Ice Cream Spot Located Inside The HV Food Hall

ALBB’s Restaurant Guide has been updated! This list changes daily. As restaurants open and close, try new menus, & new methods. We monitor their social media, but if you know of something different than what is on this list, please let us know!

Bagelish & Nilufer Home Kitchen have recently opened right here on Main St in Beacon and added to the Restaurant Guide.

Bagelish

“Experience the Extra-Ordinary”… bagels are produced with a unique process using specially milled flour with no bleaching agents or bromides. When possible, they source locally produced flour, butter, bacon, salmon, and coffee. For their ethnically diverse offerings, they source ingredients from around the globe, including Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, Lebanese za’atar, Irish cheddar, Korean and Portuguese sea salts.

Located at 226 Main St.

Nilufer Home Kitchen

Executive Chef, Numerologist, Life Coach, EFT Therapist… a Turkish table offering breakfast and lighter fare prevail.

Five Pennies Creamery

And incase you missed it on our Instagram… Five Pennies Creamery has opened up in the Hudson Valley Food Hall!

Beacon’s newest family-owned business. We’ve all been waiting. Overheard at the new countertop: “We heard you were coming to Beacon! We have been waiting ever since!”

Owner Dan the Ice-cream Man makes the icecream in the Food Hall. That’s right - 100 flavors made right here on Main Street. What are the flavors? Well, there are many didferent variations of chocolate ice-cream, for instance. Several variations of coconut icecream. Not all at once, but in rotation. There’s a chance there will be different flavors each time you come. Flavors like Toasted Coconut, Cookie Dough, pralines & Cream, Smurfs, Cookies & Cream, Banana Pudding, Chocolate, Vanilla, and others are ready to be scooped. Waffle cones are available. Chunky ice-cream is the norm. Swirls of flavor are prominent.

Hudson Valley Food Hall is a sponsor of ALBB’s Restaurant Guide! Making features like this possible. With sprinkles on top.

Are You In The Linup? Business Sponsorship Opportunities On A Little Beacon Blog

A Little Beacon Blog provides free listings of Things To Do to the community, but there are ways to elevate your business and personalize how ALBB’s audience is seeing and experiencing what your business offers. We do this in a unique way. Different than any magazine. More time consuming to produce than any magazine or newspaper does, but we do it because it works with our readers. Our job is to tell stories and build relationships. Here is how we do it, and how your business can partner up:

Shopping Guide

A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide is one of the biggest draws to this publication. Every store is listed in it for the best experience for our readers. Google rewarded A Little Beacon Blog with a #1 ranking for "boutique shopping beacon ny."

Designed to elevate your store from the rest, this advertising campaign is integrated with our Instagram. Show your storefront in the listing, share new arrivals and products, discounts and promos, upcoming events, and more! Get your business a permanent weekly feature in A Little Beacon Blog's Retail Therapy Newsletter sent on Fridays (see examples here), as well as weekly Instagram features. We do the work for you.

Restaurant Guide

This subscription package is designed specifically for restaurants to be found in the “Restaurant Guide” & more. A Little Beacon Blog’s Guides are strong on the Internet. When people are Googling, these Guides are what come up first, and is often how people discover their favorite restaurants. Let your restaurant or eatery stand out in this guide with your logo, a photo gallery of your mouth-watering eats, rotating specials, upcoming events, and more! Sponsoring this guide allows you to feature something special every week on our Instagram and be included in our weekly newsletter. Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to send us the special stuff, we can dig deep and do this all for you.

Beauty Guide

This Beauty Guide subscription package is designed for anything beauty located on Main Street in Beacon! From hair & nail salons to laser hair removal and makeup application. You name it! Feature your beauty salon, your favorite beauty products, beauty services, hours, events, specials, and more! This will all be featured weekly in our Instagram and in our weekly newsletter of 2,700 subscribers.

Kids Classes Guide

Kids Classes are popular in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Especially during this time of year when parents are scrambling to find Summer Camps and Kids Programs for their kids. Our Kids Classes Guide as been developed with Beacon families in mind; it's for people who attend classes in town as well as anyone who drives to neighboring areas for popular programs. Advertising in this guide allows you do feature a storefront photo and/or logo, a photo gallery, event/class listings including days and times, newsletter weekend features & weekly Instagram features.

Want to share your Summer Camp Program in our Summer Camp Guide too? We can do both and offer a 25% discount on our Summer Camp Guide Pricing! A win-win.

Business Directory

Readers love A Little Beacon Blog for its comprehensive coverage and listings. Readers come here looking for the best resources, and your business needs to be one of those. Levels of sponsorship in the Business Directory include basic listings for a budget-friendly option, as well as more integrated options with our editorial and social media. Advertising and sponsorship is subscription based, and can be upgraded or downgraded at any time.

Some categories include Accounting, Catering, Event Spaces, Floral, Health & Wellness, Home Improvement, Photography, Real Estate and so much more! Best part about this…? If you don’t see a category that fits your business, we can create one just for you and your business!

The Business Directory includes businesses not only in Beacon but around the Hudson Valley area.

Branded Content

Our highest and most integrated form of marketing… Branded Content. This package is great for businesses, artists, or organizations who want to show and tell to our readers by using many photos to color the story that we will write for you.

Branded Content includes 1 Article designed specifically for you, an extensive Instagram + Facebook feature, and a special newsletter featuring YOU to our 2,700 subscribers. Up to 5 photos are included. Our photographer can come to your place of business if in Beacon to take photos. Or, we can use photos you already have. However, if we feel that the photos are not adequate, we will want to send out our photographer, which may involve an additional fee if outside of Beacon.

With Blend Gone, Where To Get Açaí Bowls and Healthy Smoothies Now? Find All At Healthy In Color On Main Street

With Blend recently gone from Beacon, some teenagers have wailed: “Where will I get an Açaí bowl?” Some adults have mourned: “Where will I get my morning smoothie for my commute? And if only a smoothie place was open earlier than 8am because I’m already to work by then!”

Well, dear readers, the answer has been with you on Main Street this whole time: Healthy In Color, at 259 Main Street, in the former Matcha Thomas space (who since moved several blocks down) and in what was Homespun’s former catering prep location. Healthy in Color is currently between Hudson Valley Vinyl and the DMV. The barbershop, Shakinah Styles, was also located in that building for 25 years, and recently also moved to Newburgh.

This Isn’t Just Any Açaí Bowl…Healthy In Color Has A Mission

Berry and Açaí Smoothie Bowl at Healthy In Color on Main Street In Beacon.

There is only one Açaí bowl available in Healthy In Color, and that is because, the owners told A Little Beacon Blog, a lot of their focus goes into nutrition for their smoothies, juices and powders they produce and bottle.

Packed into this Berry and Açai Smoothie Bowl is organic açaí, organic blueberry, organic raspberry, organic banana, organic mango, oat milk, almond butter, and maple syrup. Toppings include sliced organic banana, organic blueberry, granola, organic strawberry, and kiwi.

Healthy In Color has other Smoothie Bowls, like the Mango, Raspberry, and Banana Smoothie Bowl with organic mango, organic banana, organic raspberry, organic strawberry, almond milk, honey, and vanilla almond butter. Toppings include granola, fresh berries, and mango chunks.

Or the Greens and Mango Smoothie Bowl with organic kale, organic spinach, organic avocado, organic green apple, organic mango, organic banana, pineapple, organic spirulina, oat milk, maple syrup, and almond butter. Toppings include sliced organic kiwi, goji berry, organic strawberry, and granola.

Then there are the wraps, and warm bowls with warm quinoa, and so many smoothie options. There are also the house-made bottled drinks that Health In Color carries, like the Recharge Red Blend, described as “a bright-energy-boosting red blend an explosion of fruits and vegetables, with over 40 organic plants like; beets, purple cabbage, tons of berries, pineapple, mango, kale, spinach, cucumber, watercress, lemon, ginger, and other superfoods. This red blend is extremely high in phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants. Our recharge-red blend is refreshing, satisfying, and will provide your body the free radicals fighting compounds that it needs, and the energy supply to get you going for hours at full power no matter what task you have ahead of you.”

And because ALBB stopped in for a açaí bowl, where we learned about the bottled drink and mix products this little shop was producing, you also should know about the nutrient-rich mixes. Like the RECHARGE360˚, described as: “your ultimate berry boost to elevate your vitality with RECHARGE360˚, an exceptional berry blend thoughtfully packed into a 30-serving container. This delightful fruity powder offers a convenient means to revitalize your energy and bolster your quest for optimal health.* Here's what RECHARGE360⁰ brings to the table:
🌈 A Vibrant Fusion: Savor a rich, vibrant, and diverse medley of over 45 organic fruits and vegetables spanning the colors of the rainbow.
🌿 Wholesome Ingredients: Infused with organic Acacia Fiber, Green Tea, Spirulina, and select herbs, this blend is designed to nourish your body comprehensively.
❤️ Full-Body Wellness: Crafted to support holistic well-being, RECHARGE360⁰ offers a treasure trove of antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
🚀 Nutrient Powerhouse: Elevate your essential nutrient intake and promote overall growth.
💪 Immune Fortification: Bolster your immune system to keep you feeling your best.
🍽️ Digestive Harmony: Enhance digestive health and metabolism for improved overall wellness.
🌱 Natural Detox: Assist your body in its natural detoxification processes.
🏃‍♂️ Performance Enhancement: Boost your energy levels and enhance your performance.
❤️ Heart Health: Provide support for your cardiovascular well-being. Experience the comprehensive benefits of RECHARGE360˚ as you embark on a journey towards a healthier, more vibrant you.

Healthy In Color opens at 7am for those commuting or starting early.

But Where Did That Vegan Ice-Cream "Lick The Vegan Stuff" Go?

Since the announcement of the closing of Végétalien, people have asked: “What happened to that amazing vegan ice-cream that was sold inside of the store?”

That vegan ice-cream was Made In Beacon, in various locations, by the company called Lick The Vegan Stuff. At one point, Lick The Vegan Stuff was inside of The Chocolate Studio, a shop also known for partnering with other businesses to rent a bit of space (ex: Denise Gianna Designs and The Village Jerk - who each graduated and moved into their own Main Street storefronts since).

Lick The Vegan Stuff at one point moved to Végétalien, where they remained until November 2022 (remember that time someone opened her freezer and all of her ice-cream melted and she had to do a mega-come-back in like 4 days of making?).

Now, you can find Lick The Vegan Stuff in her soon to be trailer (!!), in Manhattan, and various other locations like at Obercreek Farm.

Keep up with Lick The Vegan Stuff in her Instagram as she works to secure her trailer licensed. Which would really put this vegan ice-cream on the map if she could drive all over the place. Just think of all of the pop-up events she could do. Maybe delivery to you! Or not. Maybe just dry-ice in a box delivered by a carrier to your door.

If you’re a restaurant in town, order from her now please! So we can enjoy her in Beacon easily as well.

Végétalien Closes. Plant-Based Foodies Are Sad. Remains To Be Seen If Food Stays In That Location

Vegan options are very popular in Beacon. Most eateries from pizza to burgers to tacos are incorporating both gluten-free and vegan options into their menus. Nevertheless, running a restaurant is hard. Végétalien, the plant-based eatery on the east end of town near the mountain, announced two weeks ago that they are closing.

As explained in their Instagram post: “It is with mixed emotions that we write to post to notify you that Végétalien will be closing its doors permanently. Our last day of business was January 29th, 2023. We have various store equipment, shelving and fixtures that will be available for purchase as well. If you are interested in any of these items, pease email us at vegetalienbeacon@gmail.com. Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our small business throughout the years. We know that there are many stores in the area to choose from and we are honored that you chose Végétalien above the others. We appreciate all of our loyal customers who have helped our store thrive for the past years! Until we meet again!”

Végétalien was started by restaurateur, Kamel Jamal (currently Beacon Bread, Ziatun, formerly Angelino’s in Cold Spring and Titos in Beacon) whose daughter named it after the french name for vegetarian. Végétalien’s current owner Moises purchased the eatery from Kamel and Lena in 2018.

Over time, the famed Beacon-based vegan ice-cream company, Lick The Vegan Stuff, was also based out of Végétalien. Lick The Vegan Stuff left that location in November 2022.

Prior to Végétalien being in that location, the eatery called Raddish with memorable salads was there. It remains to be seen if a food-based business will remain in that location.

Free School Meals For K-12 Tossed Like A Hot Potato By Governor Hochul

During the height of the pandemic, the federal government allocated funding to feed all students in public schools, regardless of income status, for two years. One need not apply. Caregivers who were on auto-billing for their child’s meals no longer had to worry about if their account had enough money in it to process the re-fill level. Their child just got access to school breakfast and lunch.

After the federal funding for the free meals expired in June 2022, a push began to get the funding back, led in part by Hunger Solutions New York and Community Food Advocates. Lawmakers proposed the “Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids” to Governor Hochul to consider including in New York’s 2023 budget. According to Spectrum News: “That's why lawmakers proposed the Healthy School Meals For All program, asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to commit $200 million to fund free school meals for all students in the next state budget. Sponsor Sen. Michelle Hinchey says that's .01% of the state's total $220 billion budget, and would save families about $140 per school-aged child per month.”

According to their website: “Providing free meals for all students—regardless of income—is a proven strategy to reduce food insecurity, support learning, improve mental and physical health, and bolster educational and economic equity. Yet at the start of this school year, more than 726,000 students in nearly 2,000 schools across the state lost access to free school meals.”

Governor Hochul did not end up including it in the state’s budget, maintaining that the money should continue to come from the federal level. And yet, a spokesperson with the governor's office said in a statement: "In her Executive Budget, Gov. Hochul allocated $34.5 billion in total school aid — the highest level of state aid in history, and fully funded Foundation Aid for the first time." In terms of food, the spokesperson said: "In addition, we are working closely with our federal counterparts and encourage them to reinstate the federal universal meal program that ended last school year,"

With school reaching its 100th day in this academic year, it is unclear what if any effort is being made.