Gingerbread House Decoration Party from Beacon Public Space

The 8th Annual Gingerbread House Decoration Party is today at the Howland Public Library!

It's a BOYGBH (Bring Your Own Gingerbread House) supplies or buy a kit there if there is one left for $12.

Brought to you buy Beacon Public Space, this tasty project is loads of fun and is a great excuse to decorate a gingerbread house. But it doesn't stop there! It then adds to the decoration of Beacon's Main Street, because with this Gingerbread House Decorating Party, there is a catch - at least one house per decorator must be put on display in a storefront window December 11 - January 20th.

 

Details at Beacon Public Space!

A Sukkah Comes to Beacon in Celebration of Sukkot: "Open to the Sky: The Beacon Sukkah Project"

The people of Beacon were given a communal celebration of bounty, vulnerability and appreciation of the harvest, with "Open to the Sky: The Beacon Sukkah Project", a non-denominational celebration around the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. People visiting and walking through the park near the Visitor's Center at the West End of Main Street near the train station were able to experience this deliberately rickety structure with a roof of bamboo built by the project partners, Beacon Arts, Beacon Hebrew Alliance, the Laba House of Study at the 14th Street Y, the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Arts, and other organizations. This time of reflection came at a good period to give thanks for the rain this past week, as local reservoirs are hitting lows that are causing Hudson Valley leaders concern.

“It's hard to be vulnerable, to be open to the sky,” says Rabbi Brent Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance. “It’s easier, however, to be open as part of a community. The ancient festival of Sukkot invites us to come together and give thanks for the harvest and also to be aware of the fleeting nature of life.”

For a period of eight days, the Sukkah was home to discussions, learning, workshops, stories, singing and more. Members of the Beacon community and beyond participated by sharing their knowledge of everything from Celtic folk traditions to hidden Jewish identities to a Beacon time capsule.

Did you visit the structure and what thoughts did you leave with? Please share them in the comments below.

Quick Dip in River Pool at Beacon in the Hudson River

July and August can mean two things here in Beacon:

- Swimmers are paddling across the Hudson River from Newburgh to Beacon in The Swim, a fundraiser for the River Pool at Beacon, and...

- Swimmers are wading in the floating river pool, supported and surrounded by soft mesh and floating buoys in the Hudson River.

Did you know that river pools were being used by New Yorkers as far back as 1870, but ended in 1930 because of water pollution? And not just one - several pools dotted the river for city folk to enjoy. Thanks to Toshi and Pete Seeger, this pool not only happened, but is part of the environmental changes that Seeger helped lead in this region to clean the water.

Being that July flew by, there are a few weeks of summer left to enjoy the river pool! Open almost daily from 12-6pm except Mondays, and overseen by a lifeguard during pool hours. Put on your bathing suit and bring a towel down to Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park and enjoy floating in the water! Benches line the sides of this circular pool, so you can relax and enjoy the view.

The River Pool at Beacon is free to the public, and does accept donations and has a membership program.

The Wiggles and Hairdresser's Disco Ball at Mid-Hudson Civic Center

It's...The...Wiggles everyone!

I can recite the next line because I've listened to the DVD so many times while I'm making dinner or folding laundry, that to now see The Wiggles in a live show would be amazing for kids! Coming in September to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

And...if you're into costumes, hair and makeup, the Hairdressers Disco Ball looks truly show stopping. Watch this video from Hudson Valley Hub to see the amazing talent that resides in the Hudson Valley. Amazing costume work and makeup. Not to mention hair!

Movie Night at Howland Public Library

Tonight-ish is family movie night at the Howland Public Library!

Starting at 4pm, watch The Lego Movie! In partnership with the Wee Play Project, the library is kicking off summer with the release of this DVD. Popcorn will be served at this free event and no registration is necessary.

To learn more about events for kids at the Library, visit the Beacon Library Parents Group on Facebook, and check the main calendar of events at the Library.

For Goodness Bake: Best Bake for Charity Sale Donates to Kids R Kids Feeding Program

 

You've seen the flyers. You've read the cover story in the weekend edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal, Southern Dutchess Focus. You listened to the story on WAMC. But have you been to the For Goodness Bake bake sale yet? This year, it's May 10, 2014 (Mother's Day Weekend) on the corner of Main and Cross Streets (rain location is Zora Dora's at 201 Main Street) from 10AM-4PM.

A SPECIAL BAKE SALE CREATED FOR ONE CHARITY A YEAR
Last year, Kristen Cronin and Tara Tornello started the bake sale, "For Goodness Bake" as a charity event to raise money for 6-month year old son of their friend. The food nearly disappeared in 2hrs. And these baked goods aren't the kind found in your 6th grade bake sale to raise money for Spring Break. Kristen and Tara have an exceptional gift at creating the most beautiful, domestically blissful, Martha Stewart Would Be Proud kind of bake sale. If you were to collect cute bake sale ideas in a Pinterest board of yours,  For Goodness Bake would have several pins in your board.

DONATIONS GO TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
This year the girls are donating 100% of all sales to the Kids R Kids Feeding Program, a Beacon based organization dedicated to reducing childhood hunger especially in the Beacon City School District, "until all are fed." Kids R Kids provides transportation for the meals and organizes the volunteers and events for the program. Free meals are available for kids 18 and under at these locations in Beacon throughout the summer.

To make a donation, visit their website, and/or drop in on to the For Goodness Bake bake sale on May 10th! Arrive early to get the treats!

Beacon Open Studios Weekend

This year, the Beacon Open Studios city-wide art studio tour will be on the weekend of May 3-4th from Noon-6pm. There are over 50 artists to visit (maybe 66 but who is counting) in 25 different venues, some of which are shops on Main Street like Bank Square or even apartments, and some of which are studios located in the artist's homes. Artists are also showing at The Lofts further up Fishkill Avenue (Rt. 52) and worth the drive.

If you're jogging around Beacon as I was several years ago, you've seen the white signs with this big red dot saying "Beacon Open Studios". Can't miss it. Walk in to wherever you see one and explore the art that is hidden there. The discoveries will keep you busy all weekend, and you'll have plenty to eat and sip at the neighboring restaurants and cafes. You will even find one of a kind jewelry from artists like Kit Burke-Smith, Martha Humphreys and Kat Stoutenborough.

And it's even kid-friendly with an art studio at their headquarters. Play-dough, yes!

Beacon Halloween Festivities 2013

Being a newbie in Beacon, I was unaware of all of the festivities that go on here the weekend before Halloween. That's how last year found us at the The Roundhouse eating a kid-friendly lunch with friends, while every kid but my own were dressed in costume and trick-or-treating at stores on Main Street, just days before the actual night of real trick-or-treating.

When those friends asked me this year "What is going on this weekend in Beacon for Halloween?" I stared at the computer screen blankly. I didn't know! But I do now. A quick grocery run at Keyfoods exposed me to a full schedule printed on the front page of the Beacon Free Press! Hurrah! So for any of you looking online for 2013, here's what's in store, courtesy of the tireless organizers of the official movement, "A Very Beacon Halloween" (go see their Facebook page).


NOTE: As for the actual night of Halloween Trick or Treating, I'm seeking confirmation on those hours, but in the past, little kids have started at 5pm, and older kids come out until about 8pm.


FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
4:00pm
Pumpkin Hunt along Main Street at designated participating stores (free)
Starts at the Beacon Creamery 445 Main Street maps available there that day

7:00pm
Pumpkin Glow with a performance by the Rivertown Kids
Carved Pumpkin Contest winners ceremony near the Visitors Center on 9D and Main Street

8:00pm
Dinema Theatre (dinner and free movie) at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

SATURDAY, October 26, 2013
2:00pm
Children's Story time and music at Echo 380 Main Street

4:00pm
Ghost and Cemetery Walks on Main Street (free)

6:00pm
Halloween Movies at the Beacon Theater 445 Main Street

7:00pm
Guess who's Coming to Dinner/ Group Reading at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

8:00pm
Howland Cultural Center an Evening with Edgar Allen Poe

9:00pm
Max's on Main Annual Halloween Costume Party 246 Main

10:00pm
Rocky Horror Picture Show Beacon Theater 445 Main St

SUNDAY, October 27, 2013
12:30pm
Line up for Hocus Pocus Parade at The Visitor's Center on 9D and Main St.

1:00pm
Hocus Pocus Parade down Main Street from 9D to the Roundhouse (free)
followed by trick or treating at designated participating stores displaying orange and black balloons.

2:00pm line up for the 8th Annual Howl-a-Ween Costume Contest for dogs
Registration $8- free treat bag for all registered dogs

Ongoing:
Backroom Gallery antique handmade Halloween gift wrapping exhibit (free)
475 Main Street

THURSDAY, October 31, 2013
Trick or Treat! Still waiting on word and a website update from City Hall as to official Trick or Treating hours, but generally, 5-8pm is a safe bet.

Kids and Toddler Craft Classes at Howland Public Library

This summer, the kids classes at the Howland Public Library have been so great! We took a mini break from daycare, so I wanted to keep somewhat of a schedule, and involve a craft or project at least once a week (I'd love to say once a day, but lets be realistic here, Katie...we have laundry to fold, grass seed to sow, and work to squeeze in).

On Monday morning of my first week without daycare, we did meet some other shell shocked parents at the library whose kids were usually in school, and now needed an activity. That's where we heard about the Infant class on Tuesdays. Then on Wednesdays we did have on the calendar to attend the Toddler class, which involves a craft, like this blue rainbow fish you see here. The craft matches the story that the amazingly crafty librarian, Ginny Figlia, reads to us. Then on Fridays, there is the Dive Into Reading class that also involves a series of themed books, dancing, and a project in the big back room! This week it was ants.

And then of course, are the free DVD rentals after the class that we can quickly browse, that help get me through a newsletter production, website analysis, article outline, or other worky work.

So as a great childcare alternative or enhancement (for those of you with sitters who can take the kids in your place), the library has been a dependable hit this summer.

Cupcake Competition and Classes at First Presbyterian Church

Yes, you read that right - a Cupcake Competition is coming to Beacon, and they are offering classes the day before! All profits will be donated to the First Presbyterian Church of Beacon NY, who has a new minister in town, Ben Larson-Wolbrink, who is looking to step up the involvement of his church in the community. You may have seen him give the dog blessing at this year's Beacon Barks Parade (2011).

The Cupcake Competition is on September 17th, 2011 from 9am-5pm at 60 Liberty Street, Beacon NY. Tickets are on sale now at www.shavkin.com and are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 4-13. You can also buy tickets at the door the day of the event, at which point they are $7 for adults, and $4 for ages 4-13. To view special demonstrations, you may buy a ticket for $10. Details are here.

You will see amazing displays of cupcakes, and designs you never thought possible. This is a professional cupcake competition with real "sugar artists". Over at 'PRENEUR, I suppose we'd call them sugar-preneurs.

Classes are available. The coordinator of this event is Diane Shavkin. For questions about the classes, email her at dshavkin@optionline.net, and see her website here.

Have fun!

Free Concert Tonight at Long Doc - Ska + Reggae

Commuters - catch the early train back from the City and have your significant others order food or make a picnic for the concert tonight at the Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park. There are four concerts in this series, dubbed Rhythm on the Riverfront, and last week for the first concert, 200 people came out for a beautiful night of music, food and neighbors.  Last week featured The Wiyos,  this week will be reggae/ska sounds of GRASS—the Gowanus Reggae and Ska Society—on Thursday, Aug. 18, and a spoken word performance by ReadNex Poetry Squad on Thursday, Aug. 25.

There are vendors with popup tents that you can buy from along the way, like Crumb (my favorite chocolate chip cookie on Main Street), but come prepared with your own water and drinks. Not sure on if there is a beer policy. ;) If you walk down, go on the ramp that is how you would get to Dia. Don't go via the train station, or you will be doing an extra lot of walking. Walk past the red barn, and you'll see it! Just follow the music.

Picnic options for you could be this:

• Vintage Cafe: this little known but very delicious cafe is on the East End of Main Street, and they not only have regular menu items, but want to prepare you an entire dinner, from salad to dessert (pie, peanut butter cookies, etc). Especially popular is their lobster macaroni and cheese. Order early and pack it up!
• BJs: Our soul food favorite for fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
• Chicken salad of your own making, with maybe a side of corn bread? Not sure. This is what I might make if I don't do BJs

See you there!

Easter Egg Hunt at Memorial Park - Right Now!

Didn't know about it until 15mins prior, but there is an Easter egg hunt right now at Memorial Park, with a folk band, a Beacon Bagel truck, and an Easter bunny! And shucks, just learned that we missed the 0-2 hunt, but we'll find an uncovered egg!