Beacon's 2017 City-Wide Yard Sale Open Under Blue Skies With Tempting Yards

Wahoo, it's here! Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale is the second biggest marker of spring/summer/delightful weather after Beacon Open Studios kicks off. The first year of our arrival as citizens in Beacon, the great day was on my birthday, and oh, what a gift. Before any birthday festivities, we tootled around, all packed into one car, hopping from yard to yard to see what we could find.

Homeowners wait all year to bring their treasures (or junk? only you can decide) up from the basement, down from the attic, or out from the shed or garage to spread it all out on the lawn, hopeful for customers.

Now that online community selling pages exist on Facebook, with Beacon's Buy Sell Group being particularly action-packed and filled with great deals and things you never knew you needed (until you saw it at midnight or on a weekend morning), I wonder if that has made a dent in anyone's inventory. Chances are that it hasn't, as yard sale inventory is ever-present. Plus, half the fun of buying from the online Buy Sell page is meeting new people in the neighborhood. This once-a-year live community event is another chance to get out for a spontaneous bike ride or walk around different neighborhoods within Beacon to see what can be hunted and gathered.

Have fun! Post pictures of your finds and tag us on Instagram or Twitter @alittlebeacon or Facebook @alittlebeaconblog. My first purchase was a $5 table saw. What's yours?

Happening This Weekend - 6/9/2017

Happy Second Saturday! This here newsletter is a list of things to do in every category, but our official Second Saturday Guide is right here and you don't want to miss it. It features the gallery openings and artistic things you can do on Saturday. Weekend dates are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, but more events throughout the week are at the Guides themselves on the website, so be sure to check them during the week.

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Moonlit Walking Tour Day: Friday, June 9, 2017 Time: 8:30 to 10:30 pm Location: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY Information > Beacon Music Factory Presents Karaoke Dance Party Day: Friday, June 9, 2017 Time: 6:30 to 9 pm Location: Beacon Music Factory, 333 Fishkill Ave., Beacon, NY Ages: 7-12 Information > Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 9 am to 3 pm Location: All over Beacon, NY! Information > South Avenue School Color-A-Thon Fundraiser Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Registration Time: 8 am Race (Walk or Jog) Time: 9 am to noon Location: South Avenue School, Beacon, NY Read more about this event in our recent article on ALBB. The Lower Hudson Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) presents "Tickling Giants" Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 7 pm drinks & snacks, 8 pm movie Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Knit at the Farm Day Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 am to 1 pm Location: Lilymoore Alpaca Farm, 21 Moore Road, Pleasant Valley, NY Information > 3rd Annual Local Cider Market & Tasting Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: Deyo House Lawn (across from DuBois Fort) - 81 Huguenot St., New Paltz, NY Information > Here on Planet Earth  Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 5 to 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > The Market at Hasbrouck House Day: Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11, 2017 Time: Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm Location: Hasbrouck House, 3805 Main St., Stone Ridge, NY Information > Flag Day - State Holiday Ceremony at the Elks Club Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 2 pm Location: 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY The Beacon Elks will celebrate Flag Day by conducting the Elks Ritual on the history of our nation's flag. A coalition will be held immediately following the event. The Boy Scout Troop 41 and the Newburgh Free Academyhigh school Air Force ROTC will present the colors. A Little Beacon Blog dove into Flag Day's history in this article. Information > Mommy & Me Tea Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 2:30 pm Location: Faith Temple Church, 22 N. Cedar St., Beacon, NY Information > Strawberry Jammin' Festival Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Beacon Sloop Club Annual Strawberry Festival Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: Noon to 5 pm Location: Long Dock Park, Beacon, NY Information >     South Avenue Color-A-Thon Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Registration: 8 am, $30 Race time: 9 am to noon Location: South Avenue Elementary School Fundraiser for one of Beacon's schools to get new playground equipment - a pavilion to serve as an outdoor classroom! Get A Little Beacon Blog's scoop on it! Only hours left to donate online! > Think Differently Dash Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 am Location: Walkway Over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Walkway 5K, Half-Marathon, and Marathon Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 7 am (5K, Half & Full) Location: Walkway Over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY Information >       Chalk Paint 101® - The Annie Sloan Method Days: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Japanese Shibori Demonstration with Katrin Reifeiss Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Kaight, 512 Main St., Beacon, NY For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide.   A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age-ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning.   FEATURED SPONSOR OF SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE: Ballet Arts Studio Summer Camp This Series Starts Next Week! Ballet, Modern and Jazz Technique This is one of several camp programs for all ages (kids and adults) at Ballet Arts Studio, and is a great one if you have never taken classes at Ballet Arts Studio before. Says Katie Bissinger, Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Arts Studio: “This series is an excellent time for students to try out different dance disciplines and get to know Ballet Arts Studio if they haven’t danced with us in the past!” The faculty of Ballet Arts Studio will teach technique classes in a different discipline each day: jazz on Tuesdays, ballet on Wednesdays, and modern on Thursdays. Ages: 12+ Dates: June 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, and August 22-24, 2017 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm Price: $18 per single class or $50 for three classes To Register: Call (845) 831-1870 or email info@balletartsstudio.com See All Camp Sessions from Ballet Arts Studio >     Free Trial Classes with Tinkergarten Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 to 11:15 am Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide     reMADE 133 Main Street Fans of Hudson Valley Brewery will love this newest, one-of-a-kind console from the studio of Keith Decent, available now in reMADE. Keith used reclaimed wood from the subfloor of Hudson Valley Brewery while they were renovating. The wood with slats is from a house renovation. There is only ONE of this console. Who is going to get it? Tag us in your photo when you buy or arrange it at home! Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Always there for the classy look, Bellus on Main is particularly excited about this leatherette and mesh jacket from the Joseph Ribkoff Spring 2017 collection. It has a flattering hemline and collarless style that is waiting for a piece of statement jewelry from your collection to polish that stunning look. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street TRUNK SHOW! It's finally here! The Dita & Thorn Browne trunk show that everyone has been waiting for at Luxe Optique this Second Saturday from 3 to 7 pm (wine and cheese available)! This means that all styles and colors from the collection will be available, with a discount if purchased the day of. Dita frames are handmade in Japan. If you know Dita, you'll be racing over. If you're new to this concept of high-end frames that are mostly made by hand and not in factories for super-high profits, you will find the pricing in line with more traditional designer labels, but you're getting very high quality and special styles. Go in and check it out. Where is Luxe Optique? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across Main Street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street If you were to only rely on newsletters in your inbox for all of your styling tips, you might have noticed that your fashion sources are writing about white, lace and boho being in right now.  Style Storehouse is on it. This Black Swan Jolene Tank is handcrafted with white lace and gorgeous detailing on the front and back. Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle-n-Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan Station that now holds Gino's Italian Ice. SallyeAnder 1 East Main Street The bugs are brutal already at any time of the day. Mama SallyeAnder insists that you get their famous No-Bite-Me cream, and that you have a jar stashed in the bathroom, in the car, in your pool bag, everywhere, so that you don't forget it anywhere. Available now around town in different shops, and at SallyeAnder's new retail store next to Lambs Hill. SAVE THE DATE!: SallyeAnder is having their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of their Flagship Store! Read all about it at A Little Beacon Blog. Where is SallyeAnder? Just down the hill from the dummy light, in the Electric Windows building. River Therapeutic Massage 612 Rte. 52 Beacon, NY 845-379-1956 Karen from River Therapeutic Massage just returned from an intensive training workshop in Thai massage. She has already implemented it on clients. Here's what she said after a recent session: "Incredible work. My client tonight loved it. Commented that he felt loose and limber, more so than when he has 'regular' massage. And his knee pain was gone! 💪🏼👊🏼🙏🏼" Book yours now > PS: Did you see our new "Lashes" and "Laser Hair Removal" Guide sections? Yes, all in Beacon! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes.   The Vault 446 Main Street When you order The Vault's Black Thorn Cocktail - from their new cocktail menu - this is what happens behind the bar. Made with Beacon whiskey, muddled blackberries, lemon juice and rosemary simple syrup. Toast and enjoy. PS: There are more cocktails where that came from. And plenty of craft beer on tap, too. Come in! Will you relax inside or on the outside patio? Where is The Vault? Near Beacon Bath & Bubble, and across the street from the Howland Cultural Center. Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Storm King Art Center Time to visit Storm King Art Center again, because they have new exhibits for you to not only look at, but to explore. This one, The Oracle of Lacuna (just featured in W Magazine), is a bright red house that appears to be largely sunk underground. The roof is so low, that you can walk up it, or enter the attic by a window. You won't want to miss the audio looping inside. GUESS WHAT? Storm King Art Center made a special deal available just to Beaconites: The Family Membership, which is a great deal for up to two adults and up to four children, is discounted to $110 (regularly $125). So mention A Little Beacon Blog when you join, and save! Parking is free for everyone. Get the details on their Sponsor Spotlight page at A Little Beacon Blog. Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency The agents at Antalek & Moore will go the extra mile for you when it comes to insurance and community service. Tired of dealing with random agents and big, faceless insurance companies? Antalek & Moore offers insurance policies with a lot of those companies, like Travelers, but Antalek & Moore does the homework for you of finding the best policy to fit your needs. Visit them or call. Antalek and Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market, or can be reached by phone: (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts Enjoy free live music every Second Saturday of the month, from 5 to 7 pm from BeaconArts, presented by the Beacon Music Factory and performed at the Beacon Visitors Center. This weekend, catch the world-class a cappella vocal ensemble LADY PARTS at 5 pm, and the BMF Jazz Improv Ensemble at 6 pm. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Chamber's latest Member Meeting was held on the back patio of Beacon Pantry, where members got to hear first-hand from proprietress Stacey Penlon about her plans of expansion for the future. Check out the photos of members and of the Pantry, including Ryon delivering a message from Luxe Optique, and join the Chamber today if you haven't yet.                                  Tin Shingle Dynamite Squarespace websites have become incredibly easy to create. Easy, that is, if you know which buttons to push or drag around. Now streaming for your on-demand listening is the Training TuneUp from Tin Shingle called "Squarespace Intro: Tips & Tricks." Watch it from your computer, tablet or phone. Go behind-the-scenes of Squarespace websites to see how to use their tools to make the website you want. InHouse Design Media InHouse Design Media, the media services extension of A Little Beacon Blog, has recently launched the websites of a few business you may recognize. InHouse Design Media's goal is to liberate and empower businesses to own your website, designed in Squarespace, and access it easily to make changes. There's lots we can do for you. See our portfolio for ideas and reach out to see how we can help. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings - they can all be booked and hosted by you in A Little Beacon Space, at 291 Main St., in the heart of Beacon. Click here for the schedule of upcoming happenings at The Space. Click here for details about booking The Space for your event. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Flag Day Celebrated in Beacon at Elks Lodge Second Sunday at 2pm

Poster commemorating the 140th Flag Day on June 14, 1917.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Page for Flag Day.

Flag Day Event at Elks Lodge
Location: 900 Wolcott Ave.
Time: 2 pm
Questions? Call the Elks Lodge: (845) 831-9746

In New York State, the Second Sunday in June has strong patriotic significance: It is the state-recognized holiday of Flag Day. Locally, it is one of the most important days for the Elks Lodge, as one of its most famed members, Harry S. Truman, was the president when National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The Elks Lodge at 900 Wolcott Ave. is commemorating the day by conducting the Elks Ritual on the history of the nation's flag. A coalition will be held immediately following the event. The Boy Scout Troop #41 and the Newburgh Free Academy high school Air Force ROTC will present the colors.

History of Flag Day

The flag was initially adopted on June 14, 1777, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day, followed by the Act of Congress during Truman's presidency. While the day is not a federal holiday, New York State did designate it as a state holiday to be recognized on the Second Sunday of June.

Carl Oken, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Mid Hudson Elks Club, is looking forward to the event and says: "It's an event you should not miss, and is a great education for our children."

Kids Color Blasted For South Avenue Elementary Fundraiser June 10th

Sitting in a PTA meeting at 8 pm in the elementary school cafeteria, hearing from a representative from the kids' library that their budget is about to get cut - again - (did you see what's been going on down there?), you don't feel like there's the brightest of forecasts. Another bummer: hearing at a City Council meeting that the Board of Education is fighting for hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, dollars of unpaid funds that was designated for the Beacon School District from the state, but didn't make it down here to Beacon.

Here in the office of A Little Beacon Blog, we get pitched from time to time about fundraisers that are happening for different schools. From roller rink nights, to this most recent Color-A-Thon from the South Avenue Elementary PTA, parents community-wide are trying to get untraditional with their fundraisers, to go "beyond the bake sale." Often they seem fun, yet we hear about them at the last minute - if we hear about them at all.

So a couple of things: 

• We're going to dedicate a Guide to Beacon City School Fundraisers, to capture these opportunities, and try to illustrate where the money is going. Because that's the exciting part. You get to be a part of long-lasting, sometimes permanent change within the walls of one of the six school buildings in Beacon's school district. If you are such a person who runs a campaign, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com as far in advance as you can, and spread the word to others to email in their dates and where raised funds will go.
• There is a fundraiser going on RIGHT NOW that you can participate in! You get to sponsor little racers who are going to get blasted with colorful powder as they run, and you could even BE a color blaster! This is to raise money for park equipment, landscaping and classroom supplies (like replacing super old books, or upgrading smart boards).

It can be hard knowing what is going on inside the walls of the kids' schools, even if the teachers, administrators and PTA are doing very well with internal promotion of flyers and Morning News Shows inside the walls. But if you hardly go inside the school, you won't see any of it. That's why we at A Little Beacon Blog are trying to bring that from the inside of the schools, out to you.

South Avenue Color-A-Thon Walk/Jog Run
Registration Starts: 9 am (new walkers/runners welcome, $30 Registration)
Race Starts: 10 am
Ends: Noon
Race Route: On neighborhood streets surrounding South Avenue School
Enjoy! Food, music, games!

What Is a Color-A-Thon Fundraiser? 

You may have seen the puffs of color - neon pinks and blues and yellows - rising in the distance through the trees and behind some houses for a cause you vaguely heard about. It's the rising trend of color-a-thons, marathons accompanied by color powder, similar to the holiday Holi celebrated in India. Known as the "festival of colors," it signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Groups are embracing it as a fundraising method to make a big difference in a cause at hand. The Beacon High School just had one, as did the Newburgh Illuminated festival.

The South Avenue Color-A-Thon is a new thing the South Avenue PTA is trying out. They get together with an official Color-A-Thon race program, who then manages the registration bags of running T-shirts, color blaster powder, and prizes. It's important to me that my kids know what they are fundraising for, and aren't just fundraising to get prizes for each dollar level. So with this fundraiser - I knew exactly what we were fundraising for, and it has been a great teachable moment for my kids, as they could see exactly where their fundraising efforts would go - to the park! To the classrooms!

This time, with my awareness of the rising trend in color-a-thons that I know of from A Little Beacon Blog's 5K Race Guide, I knew this could be a highly engaging fundraising effort. Yet for the first year, how many people will turn out? There may be a few sitter-outers who watch the pictures in social media the day of the event, vowing to come next year. Don't be that person! You can make a difference to change that right now.

Fundraising for a New Gazebo on the Playground, With Extra Going to Equipment and Classrooms

South Avenue has a great playground that kids would play on all day long if they had their choice. Over the years, the PTA fundraised for and got a new basketball hoop, swings, and a Buddy Bench. This year, they are aiming for a gazebo or pavilion, a covered structure that has seating on the inside. The kids will be able to take their learning experience in the class outside by going to this pavilion, and also play on it during recess and after school. 

The color bag "blast pack" the racers get includes a t-shirt, bottle of powdered color blast, rainbow wig, and ... a weird emoji thing. 

How You Can Get Involved

Donate to a little racer: So far, I know of the sponsor links for two little racers, and one general South Avenue account if you want to donate at-large and not to one child specifically. YOU can donate to any of these little people. And if you want to add your link for last minute donations, add your link in the comments below and we will put it on this list!

• Little Racer Ruby: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377219
• Little Racer Fiona: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377070
• All The Little Racers - South Avenue's General Racer: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377664

Volunteer!

• Color Thrower: There are spots open for color throwers (you'll get to throw color at the runners!!)
• Games: People are needed to run some games
• Registration table/food table
• Set up/clean up (set up 8 to 9 am and clean up noon to 1 pm)
• And more!! Everyone is welcome to come and help.

Register to Race!

• Kids can register at the event to be racers. Registration starts at 9 am and is $30. Our inside sources says that they may not get an event t-shirt, because almost all of the t-shirts have gone to pre-registered racers, so have your kid wear a white t-shirt, prepared to get blasted with color.

To volunteer, contact Erica Way at way.erica@gmail.com or Cara Heaton at cara_heaton@yahoo.com.

The wig and sunglasses might have come as prizes with our color registration bag. 

Some of the prizes that just showed up include colored shoes - a reminder to get excited about running or walking in this race!

Is Fundraising Still Going On?

Heck yes! With these online donations, you can give money up to event day! If you are a parent whose child is in the race, here are some ideas to meet or surpass your donation goal:

• Take pictures of your child in racing gear (aka tennis shoes and any T-shirt), and add a note from your child about how excited they are.
• Share a link on your Facebook page, asking long-distance friends and family for support.
• Have your child call a donor and thank them personally.
• Email your own people with updates and if you've almost reached your goal.
• Include the link to your child's donation page so that people can easily donate online.

And remember, if you don't know of a child to sponsor, you can sponsor the whole school using the general link above. And know this: This isn't the last you'll hear of color-a-thons. I Am Beacon is having one, and there are more and more for adults. So watch our 5K Races Guide, as well as our future Beacon City School District Fundraising Opportunities Guide. 

Thank you!

National Soap Maker SallyeAnder Opens First Retail Flagship Store in Beacon - Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday June 17th!

We have more reason now to spend time on the East End of Main Street, specifically in the newest stretch just below Main Street that runs parallel to the old train tracks following the Fishkill Creek. SallyeAnder, the maker of all-natural, handmade soaps since 1982, with the products currently sold in over 2,000 stores nationwide, has opened their first flagship location at 1 East Main St., with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting planned for Saturday, June 17, 2017.

While this location is the very first retail operation for the company, it is not their first location in Beacon or the Hudson Valley. In fact, their warehouse relocated to Beacon years ago, to the building on Beekman Street that also has the business home to BCAP, 2 Way Brewery and previously to Sweet Ambs. Says Sallie Austin, second-generation owner of SallyeAnder, wife, and mother of two, about the opening of the retail store: “We are so delighted to make our home here in the beautiful Hudson Valley, where people truly embrace opportunities to source products locally and to do their part to protect our Earth.” 

The opening event will include live music, soapmaking demonstrations, and a soap-wrapping contest perfect for kids and families. There will also be food, beverages, and more. This event is free of charge and open to the public. “We want to build a movement for the next generation that will help them understand the importance of using all-natural, handmade products like our soaps. Not only is it the right thing to do for our environment, but it is the right thing to do for their bodies,” says Austin.

What Makes These Soaps Special?

“My mother and father, Karen and Gary Austin, first developed a line of handmade soap products after my brother was born. The demand for all-natural, hypoallergenic soaps has grown exponentially as people discover that conditions like eczema and issues with chronic dry skin or under-eye puffiness can be managed with natural ingredients, and as people do what they can to align their purchases with their sense of social responsibility." The creation of SallyeAnder's “No-Bite-Me” soap has been a hit with customers, as it aims to help prevent Lyme Disease by keeping ticks away, which is a really big deal for Hudson Valley residents.

SallyeAnder has a particularly beautiful scent for their soaps with roses mixed in, which can be traced back to the first-generation owner - Sallie's father - growing his own roses in the upstate New York town of Minneto, where the family began making soaps. SallyeAnder also has an ongoing relationship with Common Ground Farm, located on nine acres leased from the Stony Kill Environmental Center in Wappingers Falls, which cultivates some of the natural ingredients used in SallyeAnder's line of soaps.

Beacon As The Soap-Making Capital Of The World! Ok, Of The Hudson Valley

With shops like Beacon Bath & Bubble, and boutiques that also include handmade soap in their stock like ReMADE and Dream in Plastic, to name a few, is there room for more? Of course there is!! Personally speaking, I made the switch from commercial soap to handmade soap nine years ago and have never looked back. I get my soap from a few different Hudson Valley soap makers. That's the beauty of handmade soap: There's a beautiful selection of different producers to choose from, and we're always thrilled to learn of a new soap maker.  Recognizing that there are several skin-care sources right here on Main Street, Beacon, we at A Little Beacon Blog created a new section in our Shopping Guide called "Bath & Body" so you can also get your soapy fix.

Join the SallyeAnder family on Saturday, June 17, from noon to 6 pm at 1 East Main Street in Beacon and welcome them to the neighborhood!

Must-Watch Morning Show: Mr. Burke's The Morning News at South Avenue Elementary School

There's a new morning show that you need to know about that doesn't contain a lot of commercials and depressing news or outlandish demonstrations: The South Avenue Morning News. Actually, it does contain outlandish demonstrations, thought up by one man in the basement library of South Avenue Elementary School: the famed Mr. Burke. I'm told by my 7-year-old that The Morning News airs at South Avenue Elementary School every morning (have not fact-checked this yet, but it does seem to broadcast often), and for those of us not inside the school walls every day, we can see some of the best episodes on YouTube. The show is actually not new, as it has been produced out of South Avenue's library and additional locations such as stairwells, the outdoors, and school hallways for a number of years.

UPDATE 5/5/2017: We have confirmed with South Avenue that The Morning News is indeed shown daily to kids on their smart boards in each classroom. That's a LOT of ideas and editing!

Other parents who are super in-the-know already know about this Morning News show, but I only just discovered it when doing research for South Avenue's (hopefully) mega Color-A-Thon fundraiser mini-walk/race coming up on June 10th: South Avenue kids are currently fundraising online for the South Avenue PTA, who is raising money for new playground equipment, library needs, classroom supplies and other things that teachers need but can't always get due to constant budget cuts.

Take a minute right now and binge-watch The Morning News! It's incredible to see what Mr. Burke comes up with down there in the library, as he invents different characters who make recurring appearances in different episodes, which also feature homemade props, editing, and music.

If you have a little one at home, show these Morning News episodes to them. They may be amazed to watch on YouTube and get excited to share their day-to-day with you!

Mr. Burke delivers a PSA about the South Avenue PTA's Color-A-Thon video. He snores through it at first, then sees the videos of kids being blasted with color powder, and tries to recreate with crayons falling on his head (ouch)!

In this Morning News, Mr. Burke reads letters from imaginary students. This one is from "Not Getting The Reference" after Mr. Burke may have made a reference to Chim Chim Chiminey and perhaps a simile. Mr. Burke then turns into a chimney sweep in order to give a refresher as to what a simile is. Don't know what a simile is? You should watch the video. Then you'll remember!

Have you ever tried to make a Homework Machine? My dad and I did one time, and Mr. Burke here has done it! But what happens when he takes it into a Test Taking room?

If you like the Lego Movie theme song, "Everything Is Awesome," then you will love how Mr. Burke covers it, but with idioms. What's an idiom? Mr. Burke explores an Idiom Of The Day here in this edition of Morning News for South Avenue: "Chewing the Fat."

Another idiom mystery for you..."hitting a brick wall."

Mr. Burke  took the kids on a virtual field trip to his kitchen to harvest his first honey from his bees in 2015.

I know you're hooked, and you want more episodes. Subscribe to Mr. Burke's channel here on YouTube for the latest postings. You might even catch outtakes, because believe it or not, Mr. Burke does not seem to get it right on every scene, and does several takes.

Happening This Weekend - 6/2/2017

These weekend events are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides. Be sure to check the Guides often to find more events happening mid-week.

There is more parking than you think! We've got pictures. Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Country Living Fair Day: Friday to Sunday, June 2-4, 2017 Time: 10 am to 5 pm Location: Dutchess Fairgrounds, 6550 Spring Brook Ave., Rhinebeck, NY Information > Mountain Meditation Hike/Yoga with nOMad Day: Friday, June 2, 2017 Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am Location: Mount Beacon, Beacon, NY Information > Prom Night! At Dogwood Day: Friday, June 2, 2017 Time: 6 pm to 2 am Location: Dogwood, 47 E. Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Concert: Brandon Ross & Stomu Takeishi “For Living Lovers” Day: Friday, June 2, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Cub Scout Pack 1 and Girl Scouts Present "Spring Into Scouting" Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: South Avenue Park Information > The Wonderful Dances of Oz Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Time: 2 pm and 6:30 pm Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY Information > This week while the Ballet Arts Studio dancers were rehearsing for "The Wonderful Dances of Oz," a rainbow touched down somewhere nearby in Poughkeepsie, and tornado warnings were being issued. Should be quite a show! This weekend. Don't miss. For tickets, call Bardavon's box office directly at (845) 473-2072 or online to buy tickets to either performance time. Tickets > WOW! Reptiles and Amphibians Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Time: 10 am to noon Location: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, 199 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Newburgh Illuminated Festival Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Time: Noon to 10 pm Location: Broadway & Liberty Street, Newburgh, NY Information > Spring Clean & Play! At Memorial Park Day: Sunday, June 4, 2017 Time: 9:30 am to noon Location: Memorial Park A grand cleanup is happening at the Wee Play Tot Park at Memorial Park. Bring your kiddos and your broom and make a difference in everyone's park experience. Information > Queen City Pride 2017 Day: Sunday, June 4, 2017 Time: 5 to 11 pm Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Thank you to our sponsor Hudson Valley Auctioneers for sponsoring the Upcoming Events Guide!   Camp at Storm King Art Center Have you signed up your kids yet at Storm King's Camp? This is truly a unique opportunity that most kids and families do not have access to - because for most kids and families, Storm King isn't located just a bridge and a few exits away! Kids can enjoy time outdoors observing art and nature, making art, and exploring creative writing during Storm King's weeklong day camps on their 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands, providing the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time. Camp programs include: Storm King Young Explorers Ages: 7 to 9 Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists Ages:  10 to 14 The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture Ages: High school students Details & Registration For All Camp Programs > For a full list of camps open for registration now (they are filling up!), visit our Summer Camp Guide. Thank you to our sponsors Ballet Arts Studio and Storm King Art Center for sponsoring the Summer Camp Guide!   Card and Board Game Club Day: Friday, June 2, 2017 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Free Trial Classes with Tinkergarten Day: Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8, 2017 Time: 10 to 11:15 am Location: Memorial Park (Wednesday), Long Dock Park (Thursday) Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Fab the Cab (kitchen cabinet workshop) Day: Sunday, June 4 & 18, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Yoga on the HudsonN Day: Every Sunday, June 4 to August 27, 2017 Time: 6 to 7:15 pm Location: Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon, NY Information >  Yogabundance Days: Every Monday, June 5 to June 26, 2017 Time: 7 to 8:15 pm Location: Compass Arts, 395 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Thank you Two Trees Yoga and Heart Body Mind Acupuncture for sponsoring the Adult Classes Guide!     reMade 133 Main Street An Etsy favorite, Squirrel Den Studio Tees are made by a maker based right here in the Hudson Valley. You can get close enough to touch this collection at reMADE that others only get to view in online shopping. Get to know these kitty characters, and start collecting them in different illustrated costumes, like the BOWIE KITTY with the lightning bolt over its eye. Squirrel Den regularly contributes to animal rescue groups, so start adding these T-shirts to your collection. Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square Coffee. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street We've told you before that Bellus on Main has a very discerning eye. Such is the case with this hand-carved reclaimed root ball (potted plants included). This unique piece of home decor is one of a kind, and also comes in a longer, tear-drop shape. Go inside and take a look. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street SAVE THE DATE! Getting ready for the Dita Party! The eyewear specialists at Luxe Optique are getting ready for their next Dita Trunk Show next Saturday, June 10. A trunk show means that every frame in the collection - which is handmade in Japan - will be showcased at the store. All frames, all colors. Wine from Artisan and hors d'oeuvres from Beacon Pantry will be served, so mark your calendar and come! Where is Luxe Optique? Across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company, and across Main street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Mink Pink shorts are in at Style Storehouse, and paired with these shades, you're two-thirds of the way to a complete outfit for summer. Grab a soft cotton T-shirt while you are there: The shop has plenty of levels of sexy to select from - loose and flowy, or backless and shoulderless. Come in and get your beachwear. Don't forget to check the Clearance Rack in the back. You might find something fresh for fall! Where is Style Storehouse? On the East End of Main Street, near Waddle-n-Swaddle and Utensil. Thank you reMADE, Bellus on Main, Luxe Optique, Style Storehouse, and SallyeAnder for sponsoring the Shopping Guide! River Therapeutic Massage 612 Rt. 52 Beacon, NY 845-379-1956 www.river-therapeutic-massage.com Happy Fri-Yay! Do you have your massage booked with River Therapeutic Massage yet? Here's her recipe for you, to relax your body and heal it from the stress of the week: The Margarita Massage: Warm, heated massage table Organic coconut oil with a citrus twist Hot towel finish on your face Like yours with salt? Add the Salty Dog Foot Treatment for a smooth, feet-in-the sand feel. Book it now, and enjoy!   Heart Body Mind Acupuncture Maryam Mehrjui, DAOM, LAc, RN 718-974-1461 www.HeartBodyMindAcu.com Heart Body Mind Acupuncture is one of the newest acupuncture sources in Beacon, run by Maryam Mehrjui, DAOM, LAc, RN. Her clinic space is in her home in Beacon. If you haven't met her yet, look for her at Beacon Wellness Co-op in the Beacon Farmers' Market during the last weekend of June. Maryam is currently accepting new patients who are committed to their care, and willing to do the deep personal work and go through lifestyle changes. Patients set weekly time and contribution toward their healing journey and are intrigued by a holistic healing modality. Visit Maryam's website for contact and booking information. Here is what Maryam’s patients are saying: "Maryam is a natural healer." "I appreciate her kind, thoughtful and in-depth way of working. She is thorough and I appreciate how she uses touch to support the beginning of the treatment." Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including experts in hair, nails, barber specialties, and even lashes. Thank you River Therapeutic Massage and Heart Body Mind Acupuncture  for sponsoring our Beauty Guide! Thank you to The Vault and BAJA for sponsoring our Restaurant Guide! Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Antalek & Moore participated at the Beacon High School Career Fair last week, reaching middle and high schoolers to show them what a career in the insurance business looks like, and how an insurance agency can remain independently owned, which is an entrepreneurial pursuit. Want to talk to Antalek & Moore yourself? Visit them at 340 Main St. in Beacon, or call (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts In a rebirth of an annual #beaconny tradition, Windows on Main Street invites local artists to explore themes of art as cultural currency. The persistent drum of artists working here and their collective hum have been instrumental in the creation of both intangible and known economic value in Beacon. As the city's economic landscape transforms, BeaconArts sees this project as a means to raise awareness of the vital, but sometimes invisible, role artists play. WOMS 2017 DEADLINES: Pre-Registration Deadline: Friday, June 30, 2017, 12am. Click here to pre-register. Proposal Deadline: (Second) Saturday, July 8, 2017 Exhibition Dates: Friday, September 22, 2017 to Thursday, November 30, 2017 Beacon Chamber of Commerce Are you hooked into the Chamber of Commerce's Calendar of Events? They just posted their Wednesday Night Film Night lineup. From Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings (hello, Aaron Verdile, our new-ish building neighbor and jack of music and financial trades!), to upcoming Member Meetings (next one is on the back patio of Beacon Pantry). Check it here and get hooked in!                                  Tin Shingle Trying to get the word out about your business? Wishing you could get newspapers and magazines to feature your business, but you don't know how? The media does want to spotlight local businesses, but there are good ways to pitch a writer or editor, and ways that won't work. Learn more about the right way from Tin Shingle, a national organization, based in Beacon. Get started by watching Training TuneUps, which share insider PR secrets and take you behind the scenes of designing in Squarespace or MailChimp. InHouse Design Media Squarespace, MailChimp, social media, marketing in general - these are all areas that InHouse Design Media can work with you directly on - at your own speed and in language you understand. Private training and strategy building in social media, websites, digital marketing and revenue stream building are what fall into InHouse Design Media's wheelhouse. Contact them today to start a conversation about what you need. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings - they can all be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main St., in the heart of Beacon. Want to host your event here? Click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too when you consider that promotion package! If you have an event to promote, and you want the flyer listed here and on our website, please see the Event Promotion package. Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Free Motorcyclepedia Museum Pass Now Available from Howland Public Library to Borrow/Check Out

Grab your library card and rev up those engines! The Howland Public Library has announced that patrons can now visit the Motorcyclopedia Museum in Newburgh for free when you check out the museum pass at the library. 

The museum, which opened in 2011, includes 85,000 square feet of exhibit space with more than 500 motorcycles, dating from 1897 to the present. Exhibits also include photographs, posters, memorabilia, machinery and all things related to bikes.

Here are the details for the museum pass: 

• The pass is good for free regular admission for two adults, or one adult and one child. (Children under 3 years of age are free.)
• The pass can be checked out by an adult (18 or older) in possession of a library card in good standing with Beacon as the home library.
• The pass must be returned to the Howland Public Library’s front desk before closing time on the same day it was checked out. If borrowed on Saturday or Sunday, the pass may be returned the following day.

The Motorcyclepedia Museum is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Call the Howland Library with questions: (845) 831-1134

2017 Summer Hours at the Beacon Pool & Vendor Opportunity

Photo Credit: City of Beacon Recreation 

Pool Hours

Monday - Friday: 2 pm to 8 pm
Saturday - Sunday: Noon to 7 pm
Sometimes things change based on usage by the people, so please keep an eye on the Beacon Pool Facebook Group for updates 

Tentative Open Date:
Monday, June 26

It's happening again... The Beacon Pool is opening for its third straight year (read here about the big re-opening), and it looks like floaties are allowed in the pool! Club pool-goers know that not all pools allow toys in it, but the fine folks of the Beacon Recreation Department are all about fun. In fact, watching pictures of swimmers having fun was where I first saw the actual swimmable Mermaid Tail...

Open Date and Hours

The projected opening date is Monday, June 26. We are told that if it can happen sooner, it will. For now, plan on hours being Monday to Friday, from 2 to 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 7 pm. In the mornings, the pool accommodates campers from various camps in the region, including the Park and Recreation Department's own new camp, Camp @ The Camp. The pool is located at 742 Wolcott Ave., in the area known as The Settlement Camp.

Pool Passes On Sale Now

Any resident of the state of New York can join or buy day passes to swim in the pool, since it is on state-owned land. Day passes for adults are $4, and children and seniors are $3. The pool is divided into sections based on depth, and does not have a lap lane. The shallow end is 2 feet for waders, deepening to 8 feet for splashers and underwater swimmers.

Pool passes on are sale now, and have sold out in years past. Adult and kid passes are available year-round, so it's not like if you don't get a Family Pass now, you won't be able to go. However, having the Family Pass means that you won't have to scrounge for cash, not something you need to worry about as you're packing up snacks and towels for the pool.

Click here to buy the pass online, or you can visit the Recreation Department in person at 23 West Center St.

Call for Food Trucks and Snack Vendors 

Speaking of food, it has been the dream of Mark Price, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, to have food trucks and a snack table available to all at the Beacon Pool at the Settlement Camp. If you are such a person who wants to sell their wares, then email him directly at mprice@cityofbeacon.org. 

Any questions regarding pool passes can be directed to Mark Price at mprice@cityofbeacon.org. We are told that they are beginning to start the process of sending them out in the mail, so watch your mailbox!

Summer Work Opportunities

The City of Beacon Parks and Recreation Department are looking for lifeguards, camp counselors, and volunteers. For information about applying, contact Mark Price at mprice@cityofbeacon.org

New Discount for Beaconites at Storm King Art Center on Family Membership

This Just In!

We're excited to announce a special discount for Beacon residents on the Family Membership at Storm King Art Center. Memberships for a family (up to two adults and up to four kids) are normally $125 per year for unlimited free admission, including workshops and private events. But you can save $15 on the yearly membership, bringing it to $110 per year! Mention "BEACON" when you call (845) 534-3115 or email info@stormkingartcenter.org. Membership includes their everyday free parking for everyone.

This makes going to Storm King an even easier weekend activity for Beaconites and Hudson Valleyers. There are many permanent exhibits, but there's often something new, too: The new accessible house roof exhibit, "The Oracle of Lacuna," was just featured in W magazine. People can walk on and in the house while listening to special audio that details how migration and slavery shaped the surrounding area. It's just one of many exhibits on the 500-acre outdoor sculpture park.

We've got the details for you here on Storm King Art Center's Dedicated Sponsor Page.

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Spotlight Sponsor Note: This has been a special message from Storm King Art Center that we couldn't resist telling you about right away. For details on becoming a Spotlight Sponsor, click here.

Happening This Weekend in and Around Beacon 5/26/2017

Lots of weekend events featured here are pulled from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, so be sure to check them during the week.

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. International Film Night - "The Lady in the Van" Day: Friday, May 26, 2016 Time: 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Concert: Jason Kao Hwang Trio Day: Friday, May 26, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > WWII Living History, USO Show & Wreath Ceremony Day: Friday to Monday, May 26-29, 2017 Time: See Events Calendar for times Location: FDR Home & Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY Information > Wanderings & Wonderings: Amelia Bande Day: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY Information > Rough-Cut Screening of "A Castle in Brooklyn, King Arthur" Day: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Time: 1 to 4 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Celebrating Heritage: National Asian-American Month Day: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Story Screen Presents "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Outdoor Screening & BBQ! Day: Sunday, May 28, 2017 Time: Doors open at 3 pm, music at 4 pm, movie at 8 pm Location: 147 Spring Valley St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Peace Awards Day: Sunday, May 28, 2017 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Barn Star's Antiques at Rhinebeck Day: Saturday and Sunday, May 27 & 28, 2017 Time: 10 am to 5 pm Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY Information > First Hudson Valley Tango Festival Day: May 26-28, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Kingston, NY (various locations) Information > Memorial Day Ceremony in Beacon Day: Monday, May 29, 2017 Time: 11 am Location: 413 Main St., Beacon, NY, at the Memorial Building at the corner of Main Street and Teller Avenue The American Legion Post and Unit 203, joined by The Elks Club, is honoring the fallen with a public Memorial Day Service. There will be no parade this year. SAVE THE DATE: Join the Elks Club to recognize Flag Day on June 11 at 2 pm. SAVE THE DATE! Ballet Arts Studio Presents "The Wonderful Dances of OZ" Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Times: 2 pm and 6:30 pm Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie, NY Inspired by "The Wizard of Oz," dancers from Ballet Arts Studio, ages 3 to 18, will take you down memory lane, combining music from the movie with new and fresh choreography in this family-friendly performance. The timeless themes from the movie will be updated with music from both "The Wiz" and "Wicked." For tickets, call Bardavon's box office directly at (845) 473-2072 or buy online for tickets to either performance time. Tickets > A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning. FEATURED SUMMER CAMP SPONSOR: Storm King Summer Camp Summer Camp at Storm King Art Center​ is one of those times when you can give your child a gift unique to the Hudson Valley. This summer, for a few weeks only, kids from elementary to high school ages can enroll in camps held on Storm King's 500 acres of rolling hills, meadows and woodlands. Registration is going on now for camp sessions listed below. Storm King Young Explorers AGES: 7 to 9 DATE: June 26–30: 9 am to 4 pm (extended care 'til 5 pm available) Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists AGES: 10 to 14 DATE: July 10–14: 9 am to 3 pm DATE: July 17–21: 9 am to 3 pm The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture AGES: High School Students DATE: July 24–28: 9 am to 5 pm For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide. For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. reMADE 133 Main Street NEW SOAP BATCH ALERT! It smells heavenly in reMADE thanks to the handcrafted soap from maker Gwen at Beyond the Picket Fence. Devoted fans love the Oatmeal and Honey scent, as well as Lavender Mint and Lavender Bud. This soap is 100% natural and made in small batches using the finest essential oils as fragrance and herbs for color. Gwen has been creating her bath and body products in the Hudson Valley for the past decade. Her generously sized soap bars sell out quickly! You definitely want a bar for your bathroom, so pick up now. Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square Coffee. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Want to spruce up any room in your house? These laser-cut metal light fixtures at Bellus on Main will instantly give a room that va-voom look to perk it up or give it a fresh look. If you are moving into a new house or apartment, these light fixtures are an easy upgrade to what you probably have now. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street The good doctor, Dr. Carroll, is in at Luxe Optique! He is the regular in-house optician at Luxe, stationed in their exam room on the opposite wall of the sales counter. You may never have noticed this full-service exam room before, where you can update your prescription for glasses or contacts. Speaking of contacts, Luxe Optique will match and beat 1-800-Contacts' prices, so you might as well order from your friends! Where is Luxe Optique? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across the street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street It's time... time for strappy shirts that angle in up the back, reducing the need to tuck away your bra strap every 5 seconds (unless you and your lady friends go for the Madonna look and prefer to include the strap as part of your outfit). Available in several colors, shapes and sizes, pick up one at Style Storehouse that will get you through the new balmy days of spring/summer. SALE ALERT! A Memorial Day 15% Off Weekend Sale is going on now. Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle-n-Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan Station that now holds Gino's Italian Ice. SallyeAnder 1 East Main Street SallyeAnder is known for their inventive recipes yielding soaps for different uses, and one you may want to pick up right now is the Gardener's Hand version. It is serious soap for seriously hard workers out in the fields of their gardens, or weekend or full-time mechanics in the garage, changing oil and getting lawn mowers tuned up. HIRING: SallyeAnder is hiring a Manager for its new Main Street location. Is this you? Where is SallyeAnder? Just down the hill from the dummy light, in the Electric Windows building. River Therapeutic Massage 612 Route 52 Beacon, NY (845) 379-1956 www.river-therapeutic-massage.com Is this rain giving you the blues, or making your body ache and long for lying on a warm, sandy beach somewhere? Consider it done. River Therapeutic Massage has created the Margarita Massage for you: Warm, heated massage table Organic coconut oil with a citrus twist Hot towel finish for your face Like yours with salt? Add the Salty Dog Foot Treatment for a smooth, feet-in-the sand feel. Book yours now > PS: Have you seen our new "Lashes" and "Laser Hair Removal" sections? Yes, all in Beacon! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes. The Vault 446 Main Street This Saturday night, starting at 10 pm, get out your bangles and high-tops for The Vault Saturdays. For the month of May, the DJ has been spinning music from '80s and '90s. The kitchen will stay open until 11 pm, and the music will be playing 'til 2. Bring a friend! Or meet one there. Information > Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency The agents at Antalek & Moore are remembering the fallen this Memorial Day Weekend, and remembering Beacon's contribution to the Revolutionary War. Beacon’s history spans all the way back to 1683, when the land for the future city was purchased by two merchant fur traders from New York City. With its proximity to the river as well as Fishkill Creek, mills became important to the burgeoning city, with wheat and flour becoming chief products for the area. Due to the success, Fishkill Landing developed into a thriving river port, with over two dozen vessels operating out of the harbor. During the Revolutionary War, Beacon became an important manufacturing and communication center. Fires were lit atop Beacon Mountain to alert the Continental Army about the movements of British troops, helping America to win the war. It was from these beacon fires that the city took its name. Antalek & Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market. Stop in, or get in touch by phone: (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts The work of BeaconArts is one of the reasons Beacon is known for being an artistic town. BeaconArts as an organization started as a central resource promoting Beacon's artistic opportunities. Pictured here is a calendar of Second Saturdays for the year, going into the case at the Beacon Metro-North Train Station. To become a member of BeaconArts and start attending their monthly meetings, click here. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Quite a few new members have been added to the Beacon Chamber of Commerce's Business Directory! Give it a look-over for services you may require. From social media to printing to legal needs, you will find a business providing it in the Chamber Member Directory. Tin Shingle Dynamite Squarespace websites have become incredibly easy to create. Easy, that is, if you know which buttons to push or blocks to drag around. Now streaming for your on-demand listening is a Training TuneUp from Tin Shingle called "Squarespace Intro: Tips & Tricks." Watch it from your computer, tablet or phone. Go behind the scenes (behind the screens?) of Squarespace websites to learn how to use their tools to make the website you want. InHouse Design Media Freaked out by creating your own Squarespace website? It's ok... Most people are. The first step is knowing an overall blueprint for how your website will be organized. Then comes the fun part of designing it. Need help in planning or design? InHouse Design Media can step in and take over for you, while taking your lead on how to present your brand to customers or clients. See our website packages. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings - all can be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main Street, in the heart of Beacon. Click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking: "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our Guide advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

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Summer Camp for Kids at Storm King Art Center (Sponsored)

Have you ever been to the Storm King Art Center? It's nothing short of amazing. On 500 acres of meadow, fields, woodland and hills, you'll find a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures by highly acclaimed artists. One need not have a lot of art knowledge to have an awesome day - awesome in the purest sense of the word, as in "the experience of being at Storm King produces serious awe."

This summer, kids of all ages, from elementary to middle to high school, can register for a week or two of summer camp at Storm King. To give an idea of what your camper will do there, we'll highlight a few choice tools that will make an appearance at camps:

• Binoculars
• Compass
• Magnifying Glass
• Sketch Book (no artistic skills necessary)
• Pencils

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THREE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
Storm King Young Explorers
AGES: 7 to 9
DATE: June 26–30: 9 am to 4 pm (Aftercare through 5 pm available)
Calling all young explorers! Roam, roll, run, improvise, play, create, and discover the meadows, woods, and art at Storm King. Learn to use a compass! See, sketch, and move like a sculpture! Campers will come away confident about exploring the outdoors and modern and contemporary art. Binoculars, magnifying glass, journal, art supplies, and more will be provided.

Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists
AGES: 10 to 14
DATE: July 10–14: 9 am to 3 pm
DATE: July 17–21: 9 am to 3 pm
Spend a week at Storm King engaging in place-based writing, surrounded by sculpture, rolling hills, meadows, and woodlands. Storm King staff and teachers from the Hudson Valley Writing Project share behind-the-scenes discoveries and inspiring insights, launching students into a fun and creative world of writing and art making. Offered in partnership with the Hudson Valley Writing Project.

The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture
AGES: High School Students
DATE: July 24–28: 9 am to 5 pm
Throughout history, both scientists and artists have used field journals to note their observations of the natural world and develop their ideas. Effective visual and written notation requires keen observational skills, and the practice of creative recording in journals can engage and develop critical and lateral thinking capabilities. Weaving together science and art, The Art of Scientific Observation offers teens a unique opportunity to combine field ecology and artistic practice. Focusing on daily explorations of plant and animal life, as well as the sculpture and landscape architecture of the Art Center, campers learn about observational and notational methods through creative journal making. Campers will engage with a variety of techniques including sketching, collaging, and writing. Each camper finishes the week having created his or her own experimental field journal.

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“The week at Storm King was really incredible. Sadie had agreed to participate reluctantly. She asked several friends to join her but none were able. One said, ‘It’s not my thing.’ Another was busy. Art is a stretch for Sadie and I think she [too] would say ‘it’s not my thing.’ What I saw happen over the course of the week was a shift in her perspective. We had some great conversations on our 30-minute ride each morning and evening: What is art? What constitutes art? By the end of the week she was asking if we could come back sometime, because there were pieces of art that she wanted to sit under that she hadn’t had a chance to. I think she realized that her art and her journal were incredibly impressive and it wasn’t about how it compared to the other participants. Sadie really expanded her feelings about art and found that she liked it. I wanted to let you know that it had a powerful impact on her, perhaps life-changing in some way.”

— A parent of a camper from 2016's Art of Scientific Observation Camp

If you're an adult reading this, wishing you could go to camp here, don't worry. Storm King Art Center does offer Family Memberships, which could be your entertainment on Saturday and Sunday mornings. But in the meantime, keep the focus on camp and register now, because space is limited and there are only a few weeks of it offered.

www.stormking.org/summercamp

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Editorial Note: This has been a sponsored article by Storm King Art Center that A Little Beacon Blog's editorial team approved of to write and research, as part of our Sponsor Spotlight series. To learn more about Storm King Art Center's programs, including their Summer Camp and Family Membership Programs, visit www.stormking.org as well as their Dedicated Sponsor Page that highlights dates and must-do programs here at A Little Beacon Blog.

Beacon Library Hosts Filmmaker Series for Middle Schoolers with Reel Life Film Club

Beacon, Cold Spring and Garrison libraries have teamed up for Reel Life Film Club, a new film series for middle school students. The Reel Life Film Club is an opportunity for middle school students to view award-winning documentary films and talk about them with the filmmakers.
 
The next screening will be in Beacon on June 2 at 6 pm at the Howland Library. The club will be viewing the documentary Racing Dreams (2009). The film follows three young racers as they compete in the World Karting Association's National Pavement Series. Writer and director Marshall Curry will be on hand to talk about his film with the kids. This movie has won Best Documentary at six film festivals.
 
The third film, Spellbound (2002), will be shown on July 7 at 6 pm at Desmond Fish Library in Garrison.
 
Pizza will be served at the events and registration is encouraged: For Racing Dreams, at Howland Library on June 2, call 845-831-1134; For Spellbound at Desmond-Fish on July 7, call 845-424-3020. Like the libraries’ Facebook pages for up-to-date information.
 
For more information, contact Michelle Rivas, Howland Library, community@beaconlibrary.org, or Karen Thompson, Desmond-Fish Library, kat@highlands.com, Maureen McGrath, Butterfield Library, jbl.libraryservices@gmail.com.

Beacon's First Time Hosting the Cupcake Festival - The Freakonomics Angle

The City of Beacon hosted the Cupcake Festival for the first time ever on May 6, 2017, making it possibly the biggest festival in the last few decades to be hosted in this city. So how was it for everyone? We collected feedback from various types of people to look at this from an economics point of view. It's an angle that may fit on the Freakonomics podcast, which studies the hidden side of everything.

Skin In The Game - Whose Skin, What Game?

When you're young and going to a spring or summertime festival, all you typically think about is who you're going with, when, where you're parking, and how much money you brought to spend on food, tickets, or games. When you're a little kid, you may think about what friends you're going with, but otherwise it's all about the sweets, face painting and bouncy houses. Your only skin in the game is to get sticky with different cupcake flavors.

Meanwhile, you're surrounded by businesses whose skin in the game is to create a shop, gallery or eatery that will delight you, and hopefully tempt you into buying something. Not to mention the vendors who secure permits and insurance to attend, then pack up their best selection to unpack and quickly display for you. This article looks at how those two goals work together, for the long run or more-immediate impacts, and how they intersected in Beacon on the day 10,000 people came to town looking to have a great time.

Kids decorating their own cupcakes.

Kids bouncy houst at Cupcake Festival

The Cupcake Festival Celebrates Its 6th Year With Move to Beacon

The Cupcake Festival just completed its sixth year of production by radio station K104.7, part of Pamal Broadcasting. Organizers went looking for a new location after presenting in Fishkill for years, and they wanted to keep a city feel with the party on a Main Street, in the middle of town. They approached the City of Beacon, and the Mayor said "yes" with the enthusiastic support of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce.

Style Storehouse was an official vendor in the thick of it, outside of their shop. All storefronts were permitted to have tables on the sidewalk at no cost to them.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Was it a good choice? Says Chamber president Rick Brownell, and owner of Freedom Ford on Route 52: "The Cupcake Festival was a complete success. I took a few walks through the festival and found smiling faces, especially the children. Michele Williams (also on the Chamber board and owner of the boutique Style Storehouse) and I met with festival director Sam Favata of K104.7 a number of times, and he was very receptive to the requests we had. After the event, Mayor Casale told me that he didn't know a lot of people at the festival. That’s a good thing. That's our job at the Chamber - to drive new people to Beacon and let our business community do what they do best."

Sam from K104.7 explains the desire for the Main Street location: "As a live and local radio station, we have a strong sense of community and listener experience. We love the intimate setting that our Cupcake Festival has, as it not only showcases the best bakers and bakeries in the Hudson Valley, but the opportunity it creates to bring thousands of festivalgoers to Main Street in Beacon and its businesses. We are thrilled that we were able to showcase Main Street in Beacon and its storefronts as a destination in the Hudson Valley, and look forward to continuing to work with the City of Beacon on this event."

The Cupcake Festival was set up on Beacon's East End of town, which went against Beacon festival tradition. Usually, events are held on the West End, starting at Bank Square and ending somewhere in the middle, usually around the Yankee Clipper diner. In the case of the Halloween Parade, processions usually end at Echo, with families extending the parade themselves, around the corner past Beacon Falls Cafe to find more candy on the other side of that sharp turn in the road. Around the bend are shops, galleries and restaurants that many visitors have yet to stumble upon: Utensil, Waddle n Swaddle, Sukhothai Restaurant, BAU, Russell Cusick's gallery, Raddish, The Green Room, Abscission Barber Shop, and so many more. But do most people even know these storefronts exist, let alone frequent the businesses? Plus, did the storefronts want this kind of shutdown on Main Street in front of their stores? Sometimes businesses complain when festivals close Main Street.

Anne Perrone St. George, owner of The Chocolate Studio, has wanted events on the East End for years. "There have been no opportunities from events for us on the East End. Even the Spirit of Beacon Day Parade, which is held on the West End, doesn't allow for businesses to set up vendor tables. Only nonprofits can set up tables. That doesn't help us, and keeps the people [visiting] on that end of town for the day, leaving this end very dead. They do the Pumpkin Festival, the Corn and Strawberry Festivals, and beer events at Riverfront Park, and no one gets to the East End of Main Street and supports local businesses," she says.

Cupcakes: Not an Everyone Thing?

Days before the event, a man approached me to ask: "What is the deal with cupcakes? Are they a big deal?" Others who are either not fans of crowds, or not fans of cupcakes, also weighed in. Says Beacon resident Justin Riccobono: "I walked through the event and found it somewhat unappealing to me and very crowded. I'm not really that big a fan of cupcakes, but that's OK. It looked like many people enjoyed themselves."

The Curated Gift Shop, located in the new retail spaces at 1 East Main (down a little hill from Main Street), summed it up in this Instagram caption for the photo below: "I stamped this cuff [bracelet] before the @king_and_curated store was even open. Then I heard we were having the cupcake festival in Beacon this year. Goes to show you, if you build it... they will come."

Photo Credit: Posted at @thecuratedgiftshop, taken by @mrcvaughan.

Is The East End Of Beacon A Big Deal?

Yes. Over the 2016 holiday season, I received an email from a shop owner titled "The East End Is In Trouble." The email's author proceeded to ask for my advice, while sharing who they planned to connect with in hopes of increasing the number of people who actually walk down through the East End.

So many businesses on that strip are concerned. They have formed a coalition, called the Beacon East End Business Association, to connect and brainstorm ways to bring people down that way. After the abrupt closure of The Hop, foot traffic on the East End plummeted, which hurt several storefronts located on that end of town, according to several business owners.

Local artist Russell Cusick has been documenting what the East End looks like on different days. Although imagery of a rainy, quiet end of town is beautiful, it's hard on a business owner who is trying to bring exposure to their store. Pictured below are contrasting photos Russell has taken lately - both on rainy days (it also drizzled off and on, with a chill in the air, during the Cupcake Festival).

Photo Credit: Each photo was taken by artist Russell Cusick.

The artist Russell Cusick outside of his East End gallery, making one of his signature Beacon manhole covers.

Russell has been vocal about his support of increasing exposure to the East End of Main Street. He is a member of the Beacon East End Business Association. "Being on the East End of Main Street, a lot of people don’t even know that we’re here. So just to get those numbers of people on the street here is important. I feel that the East End is really a special part of Main Street, and a special part of Beacon. Once people experience this part of Beacon, they will be back. So I think that’s good for local businesses on the East End."

Parking, Trains, Walking - What Was It Like?

As with any large event happening in one's own town, there were some Grumpy Cats expressing doubts about the event, concerns over parking, and the big question: Would it be good for business? At the end of the day, 10,000 people came to Beacon by train, foot, and car, according to Sam from K104.7. Somehow the parking was absorbed. A lot of people hit A Little Beacon Blog's Free Parking Guide page before coming, and even wrote into us asking for walking directions. Recalls Sam after the big day: "I spoke with people from as far as Brooklyn and New Jersey to Monticello, Pennsylvania and Connecticut!"

Says Beacon resident Heidi Harrison, who lives in a wooded area down Churchill Street (the street between the Howland Center and the old Matteawan Train Station that currently houses the new Gino's Italian Ice shop): "I was out of town for the festival, but I watched it through people’s photos in social media. My neighbors told me that people found their way to our area and parked in front of our driveways!”

Liz Ferrera, owner of reMADE on the West End of town near Bank Square, reported that a large SUV parked in front of her store for longer than the allowed two hours, leaving her forlorn when the carload of people did not pop into her shop to take a look around before driving away. The two-hour parking rule is known to be - for the most part - unenforced in Beacon, and is a common complaint among business owners. Fellow business owners sometimes park in front of shops for hours on end, as do residential tenants who live above the storefronts and park all day and night. We discovered this trend during our survey of businesses on Main Street when the topic of parking meters bubbled up. Most wanted enforcement of the two-hour parking rule to happen first, before investing in and installing parking meters.

Main Street isn't alone in its parking woes. It's a part of life on residential side streets like where I live. Surrounded by three churches, every Sunday, cars fill the street to go to church. Cars don't block us in, but backing out of the driveway is hard, and if we're expecting company, we put out our orange cones to reserve parking. Back where I come from in Ohio, when a spring festival comes to town or Fourth of July parades are hosted, parking gets very creative, strategic, and for locals, often involves parking in friends' driveways as favors. Some owners of private parking lots charge for spaces for the weekend, making extra cash during the festival.

Hopeful visitors wrote into A Little Beacon Blog for directions on walking from the train station to the festival. Key Food set up their Kettle Korn tent to catch the walkers headed to the festival with the irresistible smell of popcorn, and reported that the stand "did very well." Businesses from sewing store Beetle and Fred to Alps Chocolate to Mr. V's all reported watching crowds of people whooshing down Main Street, hoofing it on foot to get to the cupcakes as quickly as they could. Says the Alps manager, "I don't know what the rush was. There were plenty of cupcakes, right?"

How Many Cupcakes Sell At A Cupcake Festival?

Well... of the 70 vendors that participated in the festival, 18 of them were cupcake makers. K104.7 recommended that vendors bring at least 1,000 cupcakes, and to price them no less than $3, most likely as a way to create pricing fairness. As a cupcake festival vendor newbie, this recommendation was a bit unbelievable. After experiencing the festival, however, and the lines that did not quit, it was clear that cupcake lovers were there to get lots of what they wanted. Joe Condon, owner of Joe's Irish Pub, observed: "The woman who set up in front of my pub [must have] made a killing. She was sold out by 3:30 pm." The festival started at 1 pm and ended at 5 pm.

Jason Schuler, founder of Drink More Good, has made participating in markets all over the state his number one marketing strategy. He can do about eight markets a weekend with this team. Drink More Good's main storefront/kitchen is located closer to the middle of Main Street, not in the heart of the festival with all of the foot traffic, so how did they fare? "The Cupcake Festival was a huge success in my opinion. It brought an insane amount of people to Beacon, and I guarantee a good portion of those people will be back to explore the town at a later date. We saw an increase in new traffic that day, but also had a private event in the evening that we closed early for. The only thing I'll do different next year for the Cupcake Festival is to actually get a booth at the event and sell as a vendor!"

Was the Cupcake Festival a Milestone Day for Everyone?

While Beacon does have a milelong Main Street and nearby parks, hosting such an event in Beacon would have been unimaginable a decade or two ago. Joe Condon, a lifelong resident of Beacon and founder of Joe's Irish Pub, remembers how Beacon could not have held an event like this decades ago: "Eighteen years ago there was nothing down here. Nothing at all. Anything that brings customers into this town is great. I know the Mayor and the City Council are doing everything they can to improve things in this town, and I think it’s great. I hope they bring that back every year. I am in business to make money! Next year I may have live music outside of my pub.”

Lauren & Riley

Some business owners like Kim King of Lauren and Riley, preferred the festival to be in a field. “I picture a festival to be more in a grassy area, like Memorial Park, or the waterfront, or where the Beacon Flea is in the Henry Street parking lot. I feel like every time we have a festival, it never brings in extra business for me. If you’re not food. I’d want it a block over from my store. I would rather have foot traffic from people going to or leaving a festival, headed to their cars, not the people funneled down the middle of the street.”

Meanwhile, Kim's neighbor, Brenda Haight Murnane of Beacon Bath and Bubble, had been one of first vocal skeptics of the festival. After the big day, she declared: "I'll eat my words now!" Brenda saw sales like she gets the day before Christmas. Which is a pretty big deal on a random day in May - that was rainy. "People were pleasant and happy to be in Beacon, many here for the first time. The foot traffic in here was awesome. I was freaking out because my daughter couldn’t be in to help me that day. My husband stood in."

Would all businesses do well during this kind of festival? Brenda shares her thoughts: "I think it depends on what kind of store you have. A lot of soap went out the door - bath bombs - that sort of thing. And soda - we sell vintage sodas as well. I had lots of lookers. Not everyone bought but they got to see the store which was great. Hopefully the people will come back to shop Main Street.”

“So many people that stopped at my table or came in the shop were shocked to see what Beacon is now.”

— Stephany Carapola Jones, owner The Blushery

Diva, the Woodman's sidekick on K104.7's morning show and pictured below, couldn't help but enjoy the day, and had time to appreciate the setting while surrounded by a backdrop of trees and mid-renovation old factory buildings. "I'm so glad this event was in Beacon! Beacon gets no love, and it is so nice here!"

Diva, of K104.7 in the morning.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Harry's Hot Sandwiches up the street also declared a great day: "Things were great for us. Without the festival I think it would have been a quiet day because of the cold and rainy weather." Others outside of his store observed that people walked into his eatery, looked around, walked back out to check out their sandwich options, and came back in to order up.

Further up the road at The Vault, owner Anthony DiSarro checked in the black: "The impact of the festival on business at The Vault was positive. We saw more families than usual, with parents eating and drinking, but children mostly 'cupcaked out.'" Later that night, The Vault would host an '80s and '90s Dance Party, so it was a full day of music for them. The vegetarian-friendly eatery, Raddish, which normally has quiet business as it's located in the blind spot of the turn, happily reported a very busy day.

During the Cupcake Festival, Anne of The Chocolate Studio put a table out on the sidewalk in front of her store to draw attention: " After a very long winter, I was happy to have a very good sales day during the Cupcake Festival. I was happy to have the Cupcake Festival on Main Street," she said.

Denise Gianna is the owner of Denise Gianna Designs, located next door to The Chocolate Studio, and sells repainted furniture and reclaimed designs, as well as her interior design services. How did she fare? “It was a typical touristy Saturday, I sold furniture and pillows on the day. I was happy the festival was here.”

Emily Burke, supplier of all your kitchen needs at Utensil, had a table outside on the sidewalk in front of her store, selling cupcake-making things. Her daughters had baked cupcakes the night before, and were handing them out. "My sales were just about the same as an average Saturday. That said, I do think many people 'discovered' the East End shops, though it's difficult to quantify if that actually turns into new customers. From a non-retailer perspective, the event was well-run, and people were respectful and having a good time."

PS: Pictured below are some tools to make cupcake-baking easy. Find them at Utensil: Sturdy paper cupcake holders that let you skip using a muffin tin! Just pop them on a baking sheet - standing alone - and then bake (I tried it). Finish up with icing-art by getting piping bags with different shaped tips for squiggle designs, dual colors, and more (these are like paint brushes for a baker).

Staphanie Carapola Jones, owner of The Blushery and a lifelong Beacon resident, chimed in from the services side of business. Stephanie runs a brow bar, offers laser hair removal, is a makeup artist, and sells the makeup in her store. "Everybody had to pass The Blushery to get to the festival, which started a few stores away from us, so it was great. I set up a table right outside my shop on the sidewalk and had a lot of people stop in to take my service menus [and] samples. I think the people had a destination in mind and it was for the cupcakes and a street fair, not necessarily shopping boutiques. But they got to see our little business district and will possibly make a future trip here to actually walk around and check out all the stores."

A fire-torched s'more cupcake from The Roundhouse.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Carapola Jones, owner of The Blushery.

Stephanie heard a lot of commentary about Beacon while she was in her store on festival day: "So many people that stopped at my table or came in the shop were shocked to see what Beacon is now. They couldn't believe how nice it was and all the stores we have. I think we all are going to gain some new customers from this and word will travel about their experience. I walked the whole thing towards the end, because my daughter wanted to go in the bouncy house. I would love to have it back every year.”

Did the festival inconvenience Stephanie's customers? "I made sure to inform my customers about the event and logistics before they came in for appointments. They got there fine. Nobody complained to me when coming in the shop."

What about the new strip of retail shops at 1 East Main? We asked one of the latest newcomers, The Curated Gift Shop. Did people come down the hill from Main Street? "No," says The Curated Gift Shop, "but I was stuffing my face with cupcakes, so it was probably for the best."

A Little Beacon Blog's vendor table was located across from 1 East Main and across from the Roundhouse's vendor table showing off their cupcake skills (see The Blushery's photo above for a sample). We offered face-painting, whose proceeds would go to the Kindergarten Teams of Beacon's Elementary Schools.

Normally we hold these events in our storefront office at 291 Main Street, and we're lucky if we raise $15 on the day because face-paints are only $1 and it can be tough to attract people inside. During this festival, we had a solid line that we had never experienced before, and I was the only face-painter. Normally, my kids and their friends enjoy helping, but it became very clear very quickly that this was the big leagues and parents new to our business model didn't know what to make of the little painters. When I had to go judge the cupcakes, I needed to leave the table, and did not warn the line or have an official backup painter (Eeeks! Sorry everyone!). My friend jumped in reluctantly and ended up enjoying it once she got into the rhythm, but we are already planning ahead with new systems for next year! We raised $70 that day, which we are matching to send $140 to Glenham Elementary. Thank you everyone!

Most Importantly, Who Won The Cupcake Contest?

The Bourbon Bacon Cupcake! Baked and presented by Daniela Haugland. She won the $1,000 courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Galleria.

Daniela Haugland won first prize for her Bourbon Bacon Cupcake. She won the $1,000 courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Galleria.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

The winning cupcake, Bourbon Bacon Cupcake, baked and presented by Daniela Haugland.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Second Place went to Dara Lippert with her Coconut Dream Cupcake. The People's Choice Award went to Melissa Torres for her complex Bailey's Brownie Cheesecake Cupcake.

The People's Choice Award went to Melissa Torres for her complex Bailey's Brownie Cheesecake Cupcake.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Contestants and their cupcakes included:

• Arleen Harkins: Sweet Potato Caramel Delight  
• Jamie Vislocky: Banana Cream Pie Cupcake  
• Sarah Robinson: Chocolate Covered Cannoli Cupcake  
• Kimberly Alford: Carrot Cheesecake Cinnamon Buttercream Cupcake  
• Dina Marra:  Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup  
• Mark Avon: Chocolate Kumquat Strawberry Cupcake

Looking forward to next year!

Happening This Weekend 5/19/2017

These weekend events are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, so be sure to check them frequently to find more events happening mid-week!

There is more parking around town than you think! We've got pictures. Sponsored by Antalek and Moore for car insurance. François Chaignaud & Cecilia Bengolea Dance Days: Friday to Sunday, May 19 to 21, 2017 Time: 3 pm Location: Dia: Beacon, 3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY Information > Markie Baylash Reception: Portraits of Strong Women Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 5 to 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > How Can Acupuncture Help Me? Free Intro From Heart Body Mind Acupuncture Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 3 to 8 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Cleanup at the Camp Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 2 to 6 pm Location: Settlement Camp House, 724 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Hudson Valley Auctioneers Preview Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Preview Time: 1 to 5 pm Preview Day: Monday, May 22, 2017 Preview Time: 2 pm Live Auction Day: Monday, May 22, 2017 Auction Time: 5 pm Location: 432 Main St., Beacon, NY Hudson Valley Auctioneers opens their doors to the public first on Sunday for a preview, and then on Monday, May 22 at 5 pm for a live auction of fabulous finds from several estates, including a long-held storage unit of a well-known collector/dealer to be sold unreserved. Look for furniture from Hans Wegner, George Nelson, Herman Miller and more. Look for a red 2010 Camaro, standard with 3,700 miles, as well as fine jewelry, paintings, assorted sterling silver, and more. Information > An Evening of Flamenco Jazz with Andreas Arnold & Mario Rincon Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Storm King Art Center's Children and Families Program: Ladybug Release Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 1 to 3 pm Location: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents The Walden Chamber Players Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Story Screen Presents “Inside I’m Dancing” Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm doors, 8 pm movie Location: More Good, 383 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > SAVE THE DATE Ballet Arts Studio Presents "The Wonderful Dances of OZ" Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Times: 2 pm and 6:30 pm Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY The young dancers have been rehearsing and are ready for the performance. For tickets, call Bardavon's box office directly at (845) 473-2072 or online for tickets to either performance. Tickets > Thank you to our sponsor Hudson Valley Auctioneers for sponsoring the Upcoming Events Guide! 5K Run/Walk With The Dogs Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 9 am Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY Information >   Camp at Storm King Art Center Kids can enjoy time outdoors observing art and nature, making art, and exploring creative writing during Storm King's weeklong day camps on their 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands, providing the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time. Space is limited and sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available. Camp programs include: Storm King Young Explorers Ages: 7 to 9 Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists Ages: 10 to 14 The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture Age: High school students Details & Registration > For a full list of camps open for registration now (they are filling up!), visit our Summer Camp Guide. Thank you to our sponsors Ballet Arts Studio and Storm King Art Center for sponsoring the Summer Camp Guide!   Zine Meetup @ Z!ne Club Ages: 10 to 14 Days: Friday, May 19, 2017 (Third Friday every month) Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Saturday Morning Makers - Rubber Stamp Making Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 11 am to noon Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Sensory Art for Children with Special Needs Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm Location:  Eat, Paint, Love Studio, 331 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Children's Museum's Family Free Night Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, 75 North Water St., Poughkeepsie, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Two Trees Yoga Summer Membership - Unlimited Classes! The Summer Membership from Two Trees Yoga is here! Subscribe to this monthly membership and get unlimited classes, and the ability to bring a friend for free once per month. This membership is especially great for teachers or others with a summer break. There are many classes and yoga styles to select from. If you've never been, come to a Community Class, held on Sundays from noon to 1:15 pm, for a pay-your-choice class. Information > YOU'RE INVITED: "How Can Acupuncture Help Me?" Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017   Time: 3 to 10 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Join Maryam Mehrjui, LAc, RN, founder of Heart Body Mind Acupuncture in Beacon for a free Intro to Acupuncture at A Little Beacon Space! Find out: What conditions acupuncture treats What is a session like Pressure points for pains and aches Seasonal lifestyle and nutritional tips How to prevent spring/summer allergies Catch a half-hour intro at 3:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm. Walk in any time for a 20-minute auricular acupuncture (NADA), which is great for relaxation and detox as space and time allows. Enjoy live music from Michiko Takani's meditative music: sounds of water and objects with Asian singing. Maryam will also be offering discount packages for acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, herbal consultations and polarity therapy. Information > Thank you Two Trees Yoga and Heart Body Mind Acupuncture for sponsoring the Adult Classes Guide!     reMade 133 Main Street Get yourself a nice cold six-pack of the Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner (actually available at Rite Aid, or check the new Craft Beer Shoppe next to Key Food) and put it into this handcrafted mermaid bag by Michelle of 'BomChelle Bags available at reMADE right now. This isn't the only style, as in this collection you'll find a little of the sweet side, and a little of the rock-n-roll side, but they are all limited edition. Can't wait to see who is sporting this mermaid style! A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique 178 Main Street The Goddess look... Where can you get this much pleated organdy in a couture dress with this much flounce? At A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique, that's where, right near Artisan Wine Shop. This Marchesa dress could be worn for a summer evening out, or even as a wedding dress for those who are going short this year. You must try it on, at least... Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Ingenious Alert at Bellus on Main. Not only does Bellus have high fashion on their racks, but they look for really smart products to keep your life easy. Introducing the "droplet": a tiny blue ball that can fit on your keychain, and out pops a "dry bag" that can hold your wet bathing suit, used tissues, PB&J sandwiches, little kid snacks, and everything else that might wreck the super cute lining of your bag. Because - let's be real: Sometimes we buy bags just for the lining, and this dry bag will protect that. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street When we first saw the announcement from Luxe Optique that the new line of Anne et Valentine came in, we didn't realize what a big deal this handcrafted line was, a frame many agree "opens the eyes and provides definition." Upon seeing them in person, one could take pictures of these glasses for days and days. There are so many different looks and personalities inside each frame. The designers of the frames imagine very carefully the personality and energy of the wearer, and translate that into a sketch on the studio drawing board, matched with the right kind of metal and color. The two frames pictured here hooked our attention, with their cartoon-elegance look. But this isn't the only look you'll find in this collection right now at Luxe. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Spring is indeed in the air at Style Storehouse, an oasis of soft fabrics that will surprise you when you try them on. Not to mention their easy pick-me-up jewelry to punch up any outfit. After your brunch or mid-afternoon lunch at Beacon Falls Cafe or Harry's, keep going past the restaurants to duck into Style Storehouse, and treat yourself to something fancy yet comfy. Thank you reMADE, A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique, Bellus on Main, Luxe Optique, Style Storehouse, and SallyeAnder for sponsoring the Shopping Guide! River Therapeutic Massage 612 Rt. 52 Beacon, NY 845-379-1956 www.river-therapeutic-massage.com Now that your spring workouts have started up again, you get to relax those muscles under the healing hands of Karen at River Therapeutic Massage. An easy choice is a 60-minute massage that can include a variety of therapeutic massage techniques, such as Swedish, deep tissue, acupressure, and others. To really kick it in, add a mini-hot stone treatment onto your massage, but let Karen know beforehand so that she can warm the stones. Book it now, and enjoy! Thank you River Therapeutic Massage for sponsoring our Beauty Guide! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes. Thank you The Vault and BAJA 328 for sponsoring our Restaurant Guide! Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore As lemonade stand season starts, Antalek & Moore know a thing or two about the insurance you'll need to protect that lemonade stand or get you set up as a vendor at markets and fairs. Watch Antalek & Moore's Business Insurance video, staring local child star Addy Pagones (daughter of partner Susan Pagones), and company partner Pat Moore. Do you have all you need for your business should an accident or the unexpected happen? What is the unexpected, anyway? Watch the adorable video, then call Antalek & Moore: (845) 245-6292 or visit them at 340 Main St. in the heart of Beacon. BeaconArts This month, the BeaconArts Member Meeting is at Oak Vino Wine Bar, also known as the home of the Beacon Open Studios 2017 Group Show. This particular meeting will be more of a Beacon Open Studios post-mortem, and most of the time will be reserved to reflect on this year's Open Studios, and what can be done to improve the event for next year. As always, there will be updates on BeaconArts projects and other member news. Must be a member to attend, and you can join right here. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The next Member Meeting for the Beacon Chamber of Commerce is Tuesday, June 6. Put it in your calendar and meet other businesses in Beacon! Join today, online.                                  Tin Shingle Trying to get the word out about your business? Wishing you could get newspapers and magazines to feature your business, but you don't know how? They do want to share your story, but there are good ways to pitch them, and ineffective ways to pitch them. Tin Shingle is a national organization that is based in Beacon. Every last Monday of the month, they have a Local Member Meeting. The next one is Monday, May 29, at 10 am. Discover Tin Shingle's Community Level of Membership (starts at $45/month), and come over! InHouse Design Media Squarespace, Social Media, MailChimp, Marketing In General - these are all areas that InHouse Design Media can work with you on - one-on-one, at your own speed, and in language you understand. Also in the InHouse wheelhouse: private training and strategy building for social media, websites, digital marketing and revenue stream building. Contact them today to start a conversation about what you need. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings of all kinds: They can all be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main Street, in the heart of Beacon. THIS SATURDAY! How Can Acupuncture Help Me? Free intro from Heart Body Mind Acupuncture from 3 to 10 pm. See what upcoming events are being hosted in A Little Beacon Space. Want to host your event here? Click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking: "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too when you consider that promotion package! If you have an event to promote, and you want the flyer listed here and on our website, please see the Event Promotion package. Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!