Vote For A Little Beacon Blog In The Eilmination Round For Best Of Hudson Valley 2023!

Thank You, Beacon and the Hudson Valley Community! You voted A Little Beacon Blog into the next level of the Best Of Hudson Valley 2023! The Elimination Round is now open. Keep us IN!

By casting your vote, you can help A Little Beacon Blog win Best Blog of the Hudson Valley 2023.

Here Are The Directions On How To Vote:

Visit the Best Of Hudson Valley 2023 home page.

Scroll down to “Select a Group” (scroll past the START button - don’t click that).

Click on People (even though ALBB is a blog - media publication - and not a person - though it is written by people).

Scroll to Categories and click Blog.

Select “A Little Beacon Blog” and click Vote.

The rules say you need to vote for 5 total. But you could vote for more if you wanted. The screen will advance you to a next Category. If you don’t know the people or entities, take a minute to Google a few that catch your eye and place a vote. For example, we learned about Girly Wolfpack and voted for them. And Nicole Harris for Tiny Green Farm for “Farmer.” Repeat this for 4 more categories.

This may be all you need to do. Your vote may be submitted at that point.

Thank you!

Please note that votes originating from identical email addresses or IP addresses will not be counted.

The Elimination Ballot for Best of the Hudson Valley is live from March 9th at 9am to April 6th at 5pm. 

A Little Beacon Blog is a local media news source with an eye for detail and discovery, which we deliver to a broad audience. We are a storyteller of the history of this area, and of the news and events happening here now. We help the people who live here, and the folks who are visiting, know about insider things to do, learn, shop and eat. We stop to smell the roses, enjoy a drink or snack, and do bouts of shopping. We dedicate time to researching developing stories about people and local news, and publish deep deep dive articles to keep all informed.

Glenham Street Sign Serves As PSA: Prevent Freezing Pipes By Dripping Your Water

Beacon had a first run of the freezing weather over the holidays. The heating and plumbing trucks were out. Emergency wait lists were full. Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White advised people to prepare their homes for freezing temperatures during recent City Council meetings. Last year, he urged out of town residents who live or are vacationing long term to turn their heat on a little, as some homes experienced burst pipes when they got too cold. Which means water everywhere and damage.

“Be mindful of the seasons and weather. Be proactive when it comes to freezing temperatures and making sure your heat is set at an appropriate temperature to avoid freezing pipes. Especially if you will be away from your home. Claims definitely go up during these times. Nothing worse than coming home to water damage caused by broken pipes.”

— Susan Pagones, Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency

Today on K-104.7, Traffic Reporter Christina Lang told listeners about how pipes burst in her parents’ home and caused long term damage with mold growth. Local insurance agency Antalek and Moore is always thinking of you, and wrote this Winter prep checklist with advise. Antalek and Moore’s partner, Susan Pagones advises ALBB readers: “Be mindful of the seasons and weather. Be proactive when it comes to freezing temperatures and making sure your heat is set at an appropriate temperature to avoid freezing pipes. Especially if you will be away from your home. Claims definitely go up during these times. Nothing worse than coming home to water damage caused by broken pipes.”

A street sign in Glenhan serves as a reminder to you prepare your pipes to not freeze and explode during extreme cold temperatures. Here are the most basic and easy tips you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing and exploding water everywhere:

• Water Dripping:
  Drip your water in unused places, like the faucet outside with the snow.

• Heat and Vacation:
  Turn your heat on low when you’re out of town for more than a day.

Spirit Of Beacon Day Opens Web Shop For T-Shirts & Hats As They Come Out Of Hibernation

The Spirit of Beacon Day Committee has been a little quiet since the whirlwind event production that was the Spirit of Beacon’s 45th Day last September 25th, 2022. Doing all they could to coordinate the day so that it wouldn’t crack, the Committee immediately went back to their jobs in teaching, designing, grocery storing, coaching, writing, and everything else free spirits do to pay the bills in Beacon and beyond.

With Shipping and Free Pickup now in place, the Spirit of Beacon Committee has opened their web shop for online orders of the t-shirts and hats - while supplies last! Free Pickup is an option for locals. In true Beacon fashion for a new business or enterprise, the Open Hours for pickup are selective and read like an Onion article: “Hours for pickup are varied and not consistent. Generally range from 12-2pm on the weekday, and sometimes on the weekend. For Free Pickup, please email spiritofbeacon@gmail.com after you order to see when Katie (the Spirit of Beacon Committee President) is at the co-work desk to give you your order. Alternatively, she will email you. Or find your place of residence to put it in your mailbox and disappear.”

The logo was designed by Kim Dei Dolori, and t-shirts designed by Allie Bopp. Design direction for all from Katie James, Inc. The hats were produced by Joker Ink, and the shirts produced by Remark Printing.

Will the t-shirts be a new color this year? Who knows! Only you can get the original design now. And sport that hat. Click here to shop now.

City of Beacon Identifies Walter Miranda As The Man Who Died In The Woods Along Teller Avenue - No Foul Play Suspected So Far

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, the City of Beacon has released the name of the man who died on New Years day in the woods in a stream that runs along side Teller Avenue. It has been 26 days since the man’s name has been publicly released, yet some locals did know who the man was. While there was speculation for the cause of death, it surprised some that identification was not confirmed. Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White emailed the press release to ALBB (often we are with our young kids or dog/cat pets or at the dentist, so emails are appreciated).

According to a press release written by the City of Beacon’s Chief of Police Sands E. Frost - one of the most comprehensive press releases written to date - the man who passed away was Walter Miranda, age 58 who resided at 916 Wolcott Avenue, which is a multi-unit apartment house located across the street from the house that was torched two days later by someone else, owned by the same landlord. The incidents have never been connected.

The stream that runs under Teller Avenue, near the area where the City of Beacon Police were called to respond to the suspected deceased body, who was identified as Walter Miranda, age 58.

According Chief Frost, no foul play was suspected after a dual-investigation by the City of Beacon Police and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office. Chief Frost stated: “Everything regarding the joint investigation is pointing to Mr. Miranda's death being related to a fall causing a head injury.” The stream that Walter was found in was a shallow, rock-bed stream. Exposed rocks were in several areas. If one were to cross over the barricade near the sidewalk on Teller Avenue (across from Ballet Arts), and fall into the stream, with one’s head hitting the rocks, that would be hard fall.

According to locals who knew Walter, he was a skilled carpenter who passed into Beacon. He had friends on the street and beyond. He worked from job to job doing carpentry work during the seasons.

Chief Sands Frost’s press release has been re-published in full below:

---

On January 1, 2023 at approximately 11:46am, the City of Beacon Police Department received a call regarding a person believed to be deceased in a stream located in a wooded area just off Teller Ave. near Henry St. This was called in by a subject who was with his family. The City of Beacon Police Department responded, along with the City of Beacon Fire Department, Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ambulnz.

EMS workers advised the subject was indeed deceased and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office was contacted and they responded. A joint investigation into the death was started immediately by the City of Beacon Police Department and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office.

The deceased person was identified as Walter Miranda. He is a 58-year-old male who resided at 916 Wolcott Avenue in the City of Beacon.

An autopsy was conducted on Mr. Miranda on January 3, 2023 by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office. The City of Beacon Detective Bureau spent many days examining security footage from area cameras and interviewing associates and family members of the deceased. Important information was gathered regarding social interactions, habits, any chemical dependencies, etc.

Although the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office has not finalized its report yet due to awaiting toxicology results, everything regarding the joint investigation is pointing to Mr. Miranda's death being related to a fall causing a head injury. There are no other signs of a struggle or any other injuries indicating an assault.

I know community members get frustrated when something like this occurs in the area and not much information is available right away. We owe it to the victim and to the victim's family and friends to be as thorough as possible investigating any death that may seem suspicious. This process can take quite a while to complete. Our heart goes out to Walter's family and friends. We would also like to thank everyone who cooperated with us in the investigation.

Sands E. Frost
Chief of Police

Eviction Assistence For Beaconites From Legal Services Of The Hudson Valley

Last year, as a result of public outcry at rising rents and evictions in Beacon, the City of Beacon entered into an agreement with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley in order to in provide increased access to assistance for Beacon tenants facing eviction.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley encourage all to not self-evict. Meaning, if a landlord tells the tenant to leave, the tenant may have rights that they are not aware of. There are times when some people opt not to pursue outside help when faced with a landlord telling them they need to leave, preferring instead to deal with matters on their own.

A phone call to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley would be worth it, just to see what happens and what strategies are available. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.

$1,000 Grants Open For Applications Until Nov. 28 - BeaconArts' Clara Lou Gould Grant Seeks Applicants

You could fret about cooking a turkey and finding a gravy recipe, or you could put that stress aside to instead apply in time for the possible $1,000 you could be granted from the Clara Lou Gould Fund For The Arts, managed by BeaconArts.

According the BeaconArts: “The Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts funds arts projects in Beacon including individual artist’s projects, unique exhibition, performance or public art projects, arts education programs, and community programs that promote area artists and arts activities, drawing attention to the valuable role of arts and culture in our community.”

Clara Lou Gould was Beacon’s Mayor for 18 years. “BeaconArts created this special Fund for the Arts named for Beacon’s former Mayor, Clara Lou Gould in honor of her 18 years of service as Beacon’s Mayor, and in recognition of her support of arts and culture in Beacon.”

Applications for grants are being accepted until November 28th, 2022, and the application doesn’t look too complicated. “While this fund is directly administered by the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, a committee of representatives from BeaconArts makes funding recommendations based on its knowledge of community need and offerings,” says their website.

“We believe in the fluidity of the Hudson Valley arts community and as such this fund is designed to support projects and activities in the Greater Beacon community, including those that may be initiated beyond city limits.”

Apply now, and/or email Suzanne Ball Suzanne@beaconarts.org with questions.

Where To Vote For Beacon 2022 - Both Early and Election Day - Republican Commissioner Thinks Early Voting Waste Of Money

Early voting has been available for this election in 2022, and was in several locations, including the Fishkill Town Hall. If you’re trying to figure out where your polling site is now for Election Day, you’ll need to use the Dutchess County Board Of Elections Website or New York State’s Voter Lookup Elections tool. Finding your location is a little tricky. A Little Beacon Blog will walk you through it:

• Go to https://elections.dutchessny.gov/ and click on the “Where To Vote” button in the middle of the home page, or “General Election Polling Places” from the top navigation. Or click right here to take you directly to the page.

• From this 2022 General Election Polling Site page, you’ll see an alphabetical list of communities. Look for Beacon. Can’t find it? That’s because it’s listed with a C/ . Which means not much to most people, but here on this list, it might mean “City Of.” This code has placed Beacon and Poughkeepsie at the bottom of the list, which is also confusing because even if alphabetized by C, the name would be up with the Cs. Regular readers of A Little Beacon Blog know that we are not grammarians, and do make mistakes from time to time. We also like to make up our own grammar rules, and make questionable organizational choices. But this one takes the cake. We love cake!

• Once you find C/Beacon, there are numbers listed as to where you belong. Not sure where you belong? Scroll back up to the top of the website and click the link that says to do the Poll Site Search. Or click right here to go directly to it.

• Type in your address, and voila, you have your destination.

• What time is voting for the General Election? That is on yet a different page, right here, and is from 6am-9pm. If you had done early voting, those times were on a PDF right here. Early voting is not available the day before election day.

Could this information have been consolidated better? Yes. It all could have been on one page. With big buttons to access important lookup tools.

Republican Commissioner Erik Haight Says Early Voting “A Colossal Waste Of Money”

The Beacon Free Press interviewed the Democratic Commissioner, Hannah Black, and the Republican Commissioner, Erik Haight, about Dutchess County Board of Election’s preparation for the 2022 election. They both felt well prepared and balanced when working with each other to ensure an accurate voter count.

When asked by the Beacon Free Press for their thoughts on early voting and if more people were taking advantage of it, Republican Commissioner Erik Haight said: “The facts show that it is a colossal waste of money. While it may increase the convenience of voting for a few people, it has not increased voting [participation]. It is the same in the other 33 states that have early voting. It spreads out the voting.“

For the 9 days of early voting now available, his statement implies no care for the people who do take advantage of early voting. Those people may include parents who have children in school, but since school is closed on Election Day, have their children at home, and need to either lug them to the polling site (good luck with a 5 year old who runs around, or a baby swaddled to the body of the parent, and two pre-pre teens who don’t want to be there, standing in a long line). Or a person with a job during the day who has 9 other opportunities to fit in voting around work shifts. Or a person caring for an aging parent at home and has limited times when they can be left alone.

This sharp disregard for the “convenience” of one’s life in an issue as important as voting is a spit in the face to any person who needs more time in their schedule to vote other than one day when schools and some jobs are closed.

Democratic Commissioner Hannah Black responded to the voter turnout number question by saying: “It fluctuates on the election, depending on voter engagement on the races within each year.”

Republican Commissioner Haight Notes: “We Have Kooks Who Don’t Believe That Trump Lost”

The Beacon Free Pressed asked the Commissioners about how “rampant FOIL requests” are impacting the Dutchess County Board of Elections, as they are across the country. Commissioner Black responded: “There has been an unusual amount of FOIL requests that have to do with the 2020 election,” she said.

Commissioner Haight explained: “Essentially, we have these ‘kooks’ - you can quote me on that; they’re kooks - who don’t believe that Trump lost.” He added: “I can speak for Dutchess County that the results that we certified in 2020 are 100% accurate.”

The Beacon Free Press went on to explain how the FOIL process works for the Dutchess County Board of Elections: “the commissioners will set the terms under which the documents may be viewed. The plan was to have those requesting the FOILs pay up front for the viewing of the materials; because the documents are secured in a bipartisan fashion, the Board of Elections needs to hire a Democrat and a Republican to oversee the viewing.”

Said Height: “They can handle the material, they can view the material, but they’re not allowed to copy it or take photos of it. It will cost the kooks about $40 an hour to view this material. I assume they’ll need a full work week to view the files - they’re required to reimburse the taxpayers for the folly of this task these folks are undertaking.”

Apparently the viewing session is coming. Commissioner Haight told the newspaper: “In the coming weeks, I’ll reach out to these FOILers and give them a little bit of time to get organized. All of our employees are tied up running this election. I will not jeopardize this election because these kooks don’t believe we ran a fair election in 2020.”

Dutchess County to Host ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ Sensory-Friendly Movie Day

Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro invites residents of all abilities and their families to a free sensory-sensitive screening of Pixar’s Academy Award-winning film, “Inside Out,” on Saturday, Oct. 15th, at the Bardavon Opera House, 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. As part of this special “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” event, the theater will adjust both the lighting and sound to make the experience more enjoyable for those on the autism spectrum or who experience sensory issues. Individuals, families and support agencies are all invited to this free event.

County Executive Molinaro said, “It can be a challenge for individuals with disabilities and their families to enjoy what may seem like a simple outing to some, like going to the movies. We wanted to give all families an opportunity to have fun and take part in a movie experience. Dutchess County is thrilled to partner with the Bardavon to host this movie event, where everyone can relax and enjoy this award-winning movie.”
For additional details, residents can view the event flyer online.

The movie event is the first of three ThinkDIFFERENTLY events the County is sponsoring at the Bardavon in the coming months: “Talking Birds and Golden Fish: A Collection of Global Animal Tales” with David Gonzalez will take place on Nov. 10th, as well as an hour-long, sensory-sensitive performance of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 9th.

Established in 2015, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations and communities relate to individuals with special needs. Following Dutchess County’s example, more than 100 municipalities throughout New York State have passed ThinkDIFFERENTLY resolutions, committing to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all abilities.

Dutchess County remains committed to providing events to those of all abilities, hosting several such events in 2022, including ThinkDIFFERENTLY Thursday at the Dutchess County Fair – which gives individuals of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the fair without the drawbacks that lights, sounds and crowds can cause – and ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day at Bowdoin Park, highlighting health and nutrition for people of every ability.

Complimentary Screening of Pixar hit “Inside Out”
Day: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022
Time: 11am
Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Seating is limited; registration is required and can be completed here >

To learn more about how to ThinkDIFFERENTLY, click here >

SOON IS NOW Is Back For A Second Season At Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park

SOON IS NOW is back for a second season at Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park on Saturday, September, 24th from 2pm-5pm.

This will be a beautiful afternoon of climate theater, art and activism held in a spot that was transformed from a hazardous dumping site into a gorgeous sustainable park by Reed-Hilderbrand landscape architects and Scenic Hudson.

There is a great slate of participants programmed for the day: Jaanika Peerna with Coco Karol performing Glacier Elegy; Twinkle Burke and Stephanie Anuwe performing "how to hold water: a spell for adaptive living" by Erika Dickerson-Despenza; Edwin Torres conducting a poet's orchestra of 6 performers titled "Water's Way: A Poet's Choir for The Hudson River" with: Latasha Diggs, Jayden Featherstone, E.J. McAdams, Urayoán Noel, Kristin Prevallet and Tamalyn Miller; Elise Knudson, Randy Burd and Ava Heller performing a new dance piece on George Trakas's Beacon Point; Connie Hall performing The Penguin by Nicholas Billon, cellist Alex Waterman performing an original composition, Tom King and Katiana Rangel performing "Ode to Extinct Birds"; and FRUIT&ROT, an imprint that designs and publishes printed matter on the intersection of art and ecology, will have items for sale. Local environmental groups will be at the event providing actions, info and workshops.

Come see Fareground, Beacon Conservation Advisory Committee, New Yorkers for Clean Power, Sustainable Hudson Valley, Outdoor Promise, Climate Reality Hudson Valley and Catskills, Sunrise Movement Westchester and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and take action on climate!

Environmental group presentations & actions start at 2pm and sign ups for the 3 performance tours open at 2pm and start at 3pm and run every 20 minutes (first come first served). A 4th tour will be added if needed. There is something here for everyone! This event is part of Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week.

Contact evemorgenstern@gmail.com or go to this link for more details. Free and open to the public but the project appreciates contributions to help pay the artists. You can make a tax deductible pledge here at SOON IS NOW and thank you! We encourage using public transportation, carpooling and walking because parking is limited at Long Dock Park. Overflow parking is available a short walk away at the Beacon Metro North train station where parking is free on the weekends.

This project was supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant.

Jaanika Peerna and Coco Karol, Glacier Elegy photo: Annette Solakoglu

Elizabeth Clark, from SOON IS NOW, 2021, photo: Lucas Millard

Twinkle Burke, from SOON IS NOW, 2021, photo: Lucas Millard

Audience on performance tour, SOON IS NOW, 2021, photo: Lucas Millard

Edwin Torres, from SOON IS NOW, 2021, photo: Lucas Millard

Beacon Declares Stage 1 Drought Emergency - Municipal Water Use Restrictions

Mayor Lee Kyriacou announced a Stage 1 Drought Emergency on August 31, 2022, as the grass is browner on every side of the street, and leaves on trees are beginning to turn brown not from fall coming, but from the heat wave. This isn’t the first time in recent years, as we had a Stage 1 Drought in 2019. There was a Stage 1 Drought Alert in August 2015, which became a Stage 2 Drought Emergency a month later in September. According to the Mayor’s press release, “these restrictions are reserved for when reservoir levels reach 60% of capacity and are outlined by Chapter 24 of the City Code.“

In the past, the former City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero provided regular water reports at public City Council Meetings if things were looking dry and reservoirs trending low. The City’s Superintendent of Beacon’s Water and Sewer Department. Ed Balicki, would give updates on rainfall and explain what was happening.

This year, while no surprise that Beacon is in a drought, and is not the only one throughout the world who is suffering from the heat, the community did not receive the same amount of in-advance updates to make the declaration less of a surprise.

Restrictions On Municipal Water Include:

No person or entity shall cause, permit or allow:

(a) The continuing leak or waste from any water pipe, valve, faucet, conduit, equipment, facility, or device connected to the City of Beacon water system, or which utilizes City of Beacon water, on or in any premises owned, leased, managed, operated, or controlled by such person or entity.

(b) The washing of any vehicle by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connection to the City of Beacon water system, except a commercial vehicle washing operation if equipment has been installed and is utilized so that at least 50% of the water used is recirculated by means of a system approved by the Department, or high-pressure restrictor hoses may be used in a coin-operated car wash.

(c) The washing of any street, sidewalk, driveway, outdoor area, outdoor steps, building exterior, or other structures by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connected to the City of Beacon water system or which utilizes City of Beacon water.

(d) The use of water from any source for any ornamental purpose, including but not limited to use in fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.

(e) The use of water from the City of Beacon water system to water any lawn, golf course, ornamental shrub, plant, or tree, except that:

[1] City of Beacon water may be used to water any lawn, tree, shrub, garden or golf course, greens and tees only from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

[2] City of Beacon water may be used at any time to irrigate, from a hand-held container, vegetables or fruits for human consumption.

[3] Plant nurseries and other commercial users engaged in the business of growing, distributing, or selling plants may use such water on their business premises for watering ornamental shrubs, plants, or trees, provided that each user reduces its use of water by 15% or such other percentages as may (hereafter) be prescribed for nonresidential water users.

(f) The opening or use of any fire hydrant, or of the water there from, for any purpose other than fire protection except in accordance with a permit obtained from the Water Department and only for the period of and the purpose authorized by such permit and in strict adherence to all terms and conditions set forth therein.

(g) The operation of an air-conditioning system utilizing water from the City of Beacon water system in a cooling tower, unless within 30 days from the effective date of this chapter a separate meter is installed to continuously measure the flow of water to the cooling tower or the water is recirculated.

(h) The operation of any air-conditioning system in excess of two tons of rated capacity or greater or any refrigeration unit rated at 10 horsepower or greater using water from the City of Beacon water system unless such air-conditioning system or refrigeration unit is equipped with a water recirculating device approved by the Department.

(i) The use of water from the City of Beacon water system to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool, except that, provided the pool is operated with recirculating equipment, City water may be used to fill the pool once during each calendar year and thereafter may be used as necessary to maintain the water level in such pool.

(2) Each nonresidential user of water from the City of Beacon water system shall prepare and retain a water consumption reduction plan enabling it to reduce its use of water in stages of 15%, 20% and 25% based upon its water consumption during the calendar year. Such plans shall be designed to achieve and maintain a reduction of 15%, 20% or 25% immediately upon the declaration of a Stage I, Stage II or Stage III emergency, respectively. Each such user shall promptly implement the first phase of its plan during Stage I and shall reduce its consumption by 15%. On and after 30 days from the effective date of this chapter, each such user shall have its water consumption reduction plan available at all times for inspecting and copying by employees of the Department.

Spirit of Beacon Has New Logo From Design Contest

In celebration of its 45th year, the Spirit of Beacon organization has selected a new logo in an attempt to bring more color and a sense of what makes Beacon Beacon to its branding. The design direction from the Committee was to “reflect Beacon as a community,” and to “reflect Beacon in its unique location between the mountain and the river, with buildings and houses in between.”

Four designers submitted unique looks, and the Committee had a hard time deciding which one to select. The chosen logo was from Kim Dei Dolori. She said: “I loved the direction and challenge of showing our town tucked between the mountains and the river and had so much fun coming up with this design. You’ll see nods to iconic Beacon landmarks and the playful, quirky font gives a warm feeling of nostalgia with a handmade quality. I hope you enjoy it!”

Thanks to sponsors and donors, the Spirit of Beacon was able to award the selected designer $300. Sponsorships and Donations are still open. See all of the designs here, and more from the design challenge.

Applications Open For Funding For Youth Program Proposals From Dutchess County

This press release just in from Department of Community and Family Services Division of Youth Services:

County Seeks Proposals for Youth Program Funding
Grant workshops set for September 13th and 14th

Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Division of Youth Services is requesting proposals for youth development services from municipalities and non-profit, community-based organizations for calendar year January 1st to December 31st, 2023.  Program funding will be awarded in the following categories:

• Youth Development Programs (YDP)

• Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA)

Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to programs that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes, as outlined in the 2023 Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council Funding Priorities document.  Programs must address one of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ six life areas, which are: Economic Security, Physical and Emotional Health, Education, Citizenship/Civic Engagement, Family and Community.

Programs will be expected to demonstrate knowledge/trained staff in Positive Youth Development and show how the program addresses one of Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains/value areas. Programs must serve Dutchess County residents up to 21 years of age for calendar year 2023. Eligible applicants should be either a county municipality or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization with a federal identification number and charity registration number, operating in Dutchess County with the ability to meet the County’s insurance requirements and have reliable access to email.

The Division of Youth Services has scheduled two grant workshops for non-profit agencies and municipalities – attendance at one of the grant workshops is required – at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie; each workshops takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022

Please contact Juliana Corbett at 845-486-3354 or Juliana.Corbett@dfa.state.ny.us to register for a workshop.  At each workshop, DCFS staff will review the step-by-step process of applying online through the Dutchess County Grant Portal and address any concerns or questions.

All grants are due to the Division of Youth Services on or before Wednesday, Oct. 5th by 5 p.m. 

Funding is made available through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.  In 2022, 20 programs were awarded a total of $266,691 in funding. The amount of funding will be subject to the availability of annual state appropriations, which have not yet been made.

Donations For US Army Needed - Being Collected By Antelak and Moore - Here’s Your Shopping List!

This is for the weekend shoppers! To gather their things now over the weekend during their errands, and bring it in this week to Antalek and Moore, who is passionate about hosting a donation drive in support of the U.S. ARMY Destroyer Company from the 10th Mountain Division.

The company is made up of about 80 men and women, and we are looking for supply donations to lift their spirits! Please bring your donations to our office at 340 Main Street in Beacon. See full list of supplies below:

FOOD AND DRINK

• Mio Energy

• Protein Bars

• Granola Bars

• Beef Jerky

• Candy

• Fruit Snacks

• Gum

• Trail Mix

• On-The-Go Snacks

PERSONAL CARE

• Baby Wipes

• Graphic T-Shirts

• Baseball Caps

• Hand Lotion

• Hand Sanitizer

• Chapstick

• Soap

• Razors

• Shaving Cream

OTHER ITEMS

• Appropriate Magazines

• Playing Cards

• A Note

• Matchbox Cars (to hand out to children they come across while on mission)

Newly Repaired Dummy Light Pops Up - Beaconites Cheer

After being accidentally hit by a City of Beacon vehicle during the highly anticipated and appreciated milling of paving of Main Street this spring 2022, Beacon’s iconic Dummy Light hardware has been repaired by the City of Beacon’s Highway Department, financed by the City. The re-painting was commissioned to artist Erica Hauser to refresh the re-paint job she voluntarily did years prior (ALBB covered it in 2015), that had since gotten chipped from various vehicle collisions.

City of Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou hugs the Dummy Light after its restoration of parts and paint, after a City of Beacon employee accidentally hit it during milling and paving this spring.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon

During this week’s 8/15/2022 City Council Meeting, Mayor Kyriacou announced the restoration: "You may have heard this, the Dummy Light is back where it is." Mayor Kyriacou is known for his adherence toward historic preservation. Read the City’s full press release here.

During that meeting, City Administrator Chris White said: "I just want to thank Micky Manzie (Beacon’s Superintendent of Streets) for such a terrific job in locating all of the pieces of the light. And thank Dave Way and Sean Duturo for doing a fabulous job for putting it back."

After the unfortunate incident took place, City Administrator Chris told A Little Beacon Blog during a rally at Pohil Park for preserving abortion rights: “The employee who it hit is one of our best, and they felt so badly after it happened.”

Financing For The Dummy Light Repair

During City Council Meetings in weeks prior, City Administrator Chris mentioned that some funding for the acquisition of parts to repair this Dummy Light had been allocated from film fees generated from film projects being filmed in Beacon, like the recent regular, Poker Face.

Statement From The Artist Who Re-Painted The Dummy Light, Erica Hauser

After hearing City Administrator Chris note that a person was paid this time to repaint the Dummy Light, A Little Beacon Blog remembered that the person not paid prior was the local artist Erica Hauser, formerly of Catalyst Gallery, that has since closed during the pandemic (but her art lives on and on). ALBB reached out to Erica to learn more about the commission. Here is a brief interview with her:

ALBB: I thought I heard during a City Council meeting that someone was commissioned to recently repaint the Dummy Light during its repair. If true, was it to you?

“Yes it was me! Mark Price at Beacon Recreation called me after he heard that I had carefully low-key repainted it in 2012 - which was inspired low-key by Dan Weise, after I'd done a painting and shirt of the light in 2009 - and touched it up in 2015.

“I'd been thinking it needed a repaint anyway, even before it was hit in April by the paving truck. But it was nicer this time to be employed and paid by the City - or by the Beacon Recreation Department - to do it!

“I did it in early July, meant to coincide with the re-installation of the repaired light, but as we know that just happened last week, to great jubilation by all. Well maybe not by those who are worried about people hitting it.

“As for the paint job itself: these were the original colors and design circa 2006 when I first saw the thing. So in 2012 I wanted to match it. The yellow diamonds were actually faded peeling reflective stickers, so I just sanded it clean and painted yellow diamonds instead.

“I don't know how long ago the base was yellow, but people on the Beacon page surely know. I asked Mark if he wanted me to paint it all yellow, but he said no, it should be as it has been most recently. I'm saying this, because I had doubted it after some people were blaming the dark green color for the accidents!

“I was worried that they thought some artist had made the decision, which I would never take it on myself to do, in fact, I had meticulously matched the dark green and historic red!”

Thank you, Erica, for sharing these painting details. For Beacon history enthusiasts, you can add these details to your trivia cards.

Dummy Light In Pictures

According to Brian of @SpandexandSprinkles, the Dummy Light was in the last episode of “Severance,” which filmed in Beacon in March, 2021. ALBB has not fact checked this yet, as we need to check our subscription to Apple TV, but if you can confirm, let us know.

Dummy Light Safety Discussions

The paving collision prompted discussions about safety and the Dummy Light. Located at the intersection of Main Street and East Main (near Dogwood), the Dummy Light was supposed to replace a traffic cop decades ago near the train tracks. At this point, it is an obstacle in an already very unclear intersection which involves a hill and inconsistent crosswalks.

People in social media have suggested some sort of roundabout be created. Beacon’s City Planner John Clark has indicated that something be done to improve traffic and walking flow there. And Beacon’s City Administrator Chris has indicated that other vehicles have hit the cement base since the toppling of the Dummy Light during milling and paving of spring 2022.

It seems as if the campaign to Save Beacon’s Dummy Light is not quite over…

Literary Group "Lit Lit” Moves Back To In-Person Meeting At Howland Cultural Center

After taking a hiatus to Zoom to duck the latest COVID spread, Lit Lit is back to in-person meeting at the Howland Cultural Center.

Says the creator of the group, Donna Minkowitz: “The September Lit Lit is ON and IN PERSON and all ready for you to sign up to read! Everyone can read their own writing of any genre, for up to five minutes--until we run out of time!”

The reading is Friday, September 2 at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St. in Beacon. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and snacks will be available by donation. Masks are required (you can take them off when you're at the podium).