Neighboring Beacon, right across the Hudson River just off the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and 9W, is the Newburgh Vintage Emporium, located at 5006 Route 9W, Newburgh. Established in 2013, the Newburgh Vintage Emporium quickly became one of the Hudson Valley’s ideal locations to shop for vintage finds, antiquing, crate-diving for vinyl records, and even discovering local handmade goods. As first reported by the blog Newburgh Restoration, Newburgh Vintage Emporium is expanding due to its growing popularity!
Newburgh Vintage Emporium “Ware-House”
Artist rendition of second location.
That’s right, 11,000 square feet with 50 vendors just isn’t enough to keep all the goods in! The organizers have announced that a second location will be opening at 10 Route 17K, in Newburgh - the Newburgh Vintage Emporium “Ware-House”! The Ware-House, as they call it, will add 30,000 square feet of treasure-hunting, with 80 more vendors. The new space will house even more vintage furniture and clothing, antiques, curiosities, repurposed and locally made goods.
Room For Growth
Sound Shack Beacon moved their record collection from Main Street (Beacon) to the Newburgh Vintage Emporium five years ago (and even hosted a pop-up shop at A Little Beacon Space!) and says it’s been a fabulous transition for them. They will also be expanding into the new space. Sandy from Sound Shack tells us: “We are excited about this venture! We will be having a spot that we will call Sound Shack Annex!”
This is an exciting time for Newburgh as new businesses continue to come into the city. As noted on the Newburgh Restoration blog, “the Vintage Emporium, located at the northern end of the city, just off the I-84 ramp, attracts many customers from near and far. Now the city will have a revamped shopping destination in the west end of the city. The owners have given their first location a fresh perspective. It will be exciting to see what they do on 17K!”
If you are interested in selling with Newburgh Vintage Emporium, you cancall them at (845) 562-5200 or click here.
We recently sent our highlights for A Little Beacon Blog’s Real Estate Guide to our newsletter subscribers, where, from time to time, we spotlight a tiny corner of the market. We wanted you to get our latest recap, too. (Just in case you’re not a subscriber - what are you waiting for? Subscribe!) If you're curious about the market, selling or buying your home, or just want to see what kind of houses or commercial spaces are going for what, A Little Beacon Blog's Real Estate Guide is a good guide to watch.
A few notable properties not in this Real Estate Guide have had price changes. They’re notable simply for having an unusual story behind them, not necessarily because they’re benchmarks for the entire market.
If you were keeping an eye on a few homes just to see what happened, you’ll be interested that 51 Orchard Place, the house that catapulted last year's Airbnb legislation debate (the house was apparently purchased to solely be an Airbnb, and neighbors took the issue to City Hall) as well as the tree-cutting permit legislation, recently sold for $430K, according to Zillow. The original asking price was $699K for a five-bedroom, although the bedrooms were small, some were connected, and one seemed like an office (according to our walk-through during an open house). The price had been inching down since it was listed in May of last year.
The most charming little blue house across the street from it sold like hot cakes for $430K in July 2019, according to Zillow. According to its agent, the little blue house had 10 offers and a slight bidding war. Asking price was $415K and it sold for $430K.
36 North Cedar Street, a former City Highway Garage, has been fully renovated into a spacious residential home. It was listed for just over $1.48M in February of this year, and has been inching down. As of August, the price is listed at $995K.
The Highlands Current newspaper has been running a monthly comparative look-back at real estate stats (source: hgar.com) in the newspaper for Beacon and Phillipstown, the results of which have been interesting to watch.
There do seem to be sweet spots for home sales. One realtor recently told A Little Beacon Blog: "The homes in Beacon sell themselves." For the right matched price, they seem to be, especially for renovated older homes, and the cool architecture in the new buildings.
Main Street Trick-or-Treating is still on, because it was a simple shopping-like event - just walk up and down the sidewalk visiting your friends in the shops from 1 to 3 pm. Shops are usually open when it rains and even snows.
We're coming up on a rain or shine weekend... What will the weather be? Who knows, but we do know this: Halloween celebrations in Beacon have started, and Sunday is the Hocus Pocus Kids Halloween Parade (if it doesn't rain). This year has a new schedule, and we have the full scoop on how it all works this year.
Pumpkins in the Park Jack-o'-Lantern Lighting Event Day: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: Long Dock Park, Beacon, NY Information >
Moon, Serpent and Bone Oddities and Curiosities Night Market
Day: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: 6 pm to midnight Location: HYATT House Fishkill, 100 Westage Business Center Drive, Fishkill, NY Information >
International Film Night - The Widow of Saint Pierre
Day: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: 7 to 9 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
The Beacon Historical Society Hosts 3rd Annual Ghost Tour
Days: Friday & Saturday, October 25 & 26, 2019 Time: 6 pm Location: Veterans Memorial Hall Building, 413 Main St. (Teller Avenue lawn), Beacon, NY Information >
Blame It On The Bossa Nova
Day: Saturday, October 26, 2019 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
The Hocus Pocus Kids Halloween Parade
Day: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Trick-or-Treating: 1 to 3 pm Line-up Time: 3:30 pm at the Visitors Center Parade Marching Time: 4 pm Locations: From the organizers: "Costumed kids start lining up at Polhill Park (South Avenue/9D and Main Street) for a parade all the way down Main Street. This year Trick-or-Treating will be from 1 pm to 3 pm ONLY. Line up for the parade will be at 3:30 pm at the Visitors Center. Parade will begin at 4 pm. There is NO CANDY given during the parade." Get A Little Beacon Blog's Article On How It Works >
Meet Two Former NY Giants Players at Elks Lodge
Day: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Time: 1 pm Location: Elks Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
Stop Gun Violence Concert!
Day: Sunday, October 27, 2019 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
Darryl's has been stocking their store with equal parts sleek and stylish, as well as slouchy-sexy. This sweater is soft in color and soft to the touch. The wool blend pullover is made in Barcelona by AMS / Aldo Martins. Find it in the Hudson Valley exclusively at Darryl's. Try it on anytime... The shop is open seven days!
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com
Normally, we show the bold and the beautiful frames in Luxe Optique's featured newsletter spot. This week, we are showcasing the barely-there line. It's so hard to photograph, because the frames are so thin and light. The line is called 10 eyevan, and is made up of 10 special parts using precious materials, including titanium, silver 925 and 18K gold.
BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END
Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the Dummy Light)
Check out Lambs Hill's #dressoftheweek video on their Instagram, featuring this gorgeous gown! The ivory sugar rose caviar ball gown, from @blushbyhayleypaige, is called "Nahla."
Eat Church Food Truck 511 Fishkill Avenue
at Industrial Arts Brewing (past Auto Zone and the Barking Frog)
Have you experienced a Sunday Service at Eat Church yet? Their Pig Roast goes from noon to 7 pm (rotisserie chicken and veggie options will be available). You must try this dish: the Roast Pork with Coconut Rice, Red Thai Curry, and Som Tam Papaya Salad. Open Thursday to Saturday until 10 pm, closing up at 7 on Sundays!
The Crafty Hammer
4 South Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
(845) 834-9665 (WOOD)
Exciting news! You can now visit the brand-new Crafty Hammer website to purchase workshops, and see their upcoming schedule! You must try their Family Fun Workshop this Sunday, October 27. Join them for the most popular DIY workshops and create your very own wood home decor piece. They provide all of the materials and step-by-step instructions from the "Creatologists" to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind decor pieces for your home, or to gift.
Small Business Night with The Ladies Auxiliary of St. Rocco's Society Day: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: 26 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
Items will be for sale, and there will also be a 50/50 raffle. Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Adult Classes Guide.
Game Night at Howland Library Day: Friday, October 25, 2019 Time: 6:30 to 8 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide.
7 Main Street, New Hamburg, NY (10 to 15 minutes from Beacon) 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathroom
New Hamburg has many benefits for those looking to move to Beacon, but who want more options. It has marina life, where you can dock a boat, and is surrounded by beautiful nature. Bowdoin Park is nearby, which is a popular destination for many Beaconites. The Hannaford grocery store is nearby. Beacon is only 10 to 15 minutes away, and the school district for this house is Wappingers Falls. From JonCar Realty: "The house boasts a stunning front porch with views of the Hudson River. Inside, the living room is comfortable, with hardwood floors, and a dining room accented by french doors." Price: $399,900 Real Estate Agent: JonCar Realty, (845) 831-3331 Details + Pictures >
Antalek & Moore
Susan Pagones Antalek of Antalek & Moore has been working hard as a participant in the #HVBetterU Challenge, an initiative from the American Heart Association. We have an interview with her coming up. She will be speaking at the 2019 Dutchess-Ulster Go Red for Women Luncheon, where the keynote speaker is Maria Schiavocampo, special correspondent for The Dr. Oz Show and an author.
A Little Beacon Space :: Host A Pop-Up Shop
Are you a creative type who has delightful things to sell, and you're looking to create a short but thrilling experience for your customers? Pop-Up in A Little Beacon Space! Located in the heart of Beacon's Main Street in the historic Telephone Building. We even help you with the promotion. Details >
BeaconArts
Three done, three to go! Bus shelter artwork has been getting installed for Beacon Arts. This piece of artwork is by high school student Melanie Perez. Look for the others throughout Beacon, including a new one by the train station. They will all be installed by Friday, November 1. PS: Notice BA's new logo!
Tin Shingle Offices :: Webinar Recording
Coming soon... like, any minute! Tin Shingle's weekly webinar recording location is coming to you for rent. Record your webinar in front of this magical gray wall that seems to make everyone look great. Or, turn the camera around to host an interview at our long table with flowers behind. Get Info via A Little Beacon Space >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? It should be. Join here today. Learn More >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog
The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way.
Two trick-or-treaters from last year’s Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
UPDATE [10/26/2019]: The parade has been canceled due to forecasted rain. Details here.
When organizing big events, there is the intended way something is supposed to go, and there is the actual way something happens. And when kids are involved, you can count on something not going as planned.
This year, the organizers of the Hocus Pocus Parade, aka Beacon’s Kids Halloween Parade, are pulling hard for a safer environment for the little trick-or-treaters, who often dart out of the parade unplanned to trick or treat from Main Street shops during the parade. Not this year, said the organizers. After years of moderating a moving street closure (meaning, Main Street is not officially closed, so by the end of the parade, cars and kids are often both in the middle of the street - yup, we see you, angry man in the red pickup truck!), there is a new schedule, and a new official street closure by the City of Beacon:
Trick-or-Treating on Main Street, 1 to 3 pm: People can go up and down the sidewalks to visit the shops if they have treat hand-outs. This will be like a regular day out on Main Street, where the street is not closed. You’re just mingling with your community out on the sidewalk, making your way up or down the street. Have lunch, collect candy, that kind of thing.
Parade, 4 pm (line up at 3:30 pm): People should make their way down to the Visitors Center at Polhill Park (at Main Street and Wolcott Avenue, near Bank Square Coffee and Beacon Creamery) at 3:30 pm for the lineup. At 4 pm, the official Kids Halloween Parade begins. Main Street will be closed until the Dummy Light (at East Main Street) while the kids walk. There’s no trick-or-treating during the parade; kids are displaying their costume only. Parade participants can relax on the patio of The Roundhouse, where they’re offering what has become an annual (virgin) cider sip outside on the patio.
With the new street closure came new costs, which almost broke the Hocus Pocus Parade’s bank. The community heard about it, and a local business, A + W Scrap Metal, donated the $380 to pay for the police street closure, according to this week’s Beacon Free Press.
Event Organizers and Updates
The Hocus Pocus Parade is organized by A Very Beacon Halloween, which is Sheryl Glickman of Notions-N-Potions, Ron Iarossi of Beacon Creamery, and Carmen Johnson, everyone’s favorite crossing guard at South Avenue and Main Street, and a Volunteer Extraordinaire. Visit their Facebook page for updates, and/or the Event page specifically.
Treating Tips
Start at the far end of Main Street, near the mountain. Hit up the shops on that end, like the Chocolate Studio, the new Hyperbole, SallyeAnder (in the 1 East Main renovated factory building). We have not confirmed that they are handing out anything, but simply naming them as location examples. Head west, toward the river, to line up for the parade, then march back to the East End..
Shops that are offering treats will have witches hats displayed outside of their shops. If you are a local business who wants to hand out treats and don’t have your hat yet, you can pick one up from Notions-N-Potions at 173 Main Street, or the Beacon Creamery at 134 Main Street.
Lunching Tips
If you buddy up with friends you meet along the way, there are plenty of restaurants in town that seat large parties. Think of The Vault, Brother’s Trattoria, Towne Crier, and others. See A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide to get more ideas at your fingertips while you’re out.
Rain Date
There is no rain date for the parade portion, but trick-or-treating is encouraged during the 1 to 3 pm time slot, rain or shine. The money raised from the community will be used for the following year’s street closure permit.
The most surprising change to the election process this year takes effect this Saturday, October 26: early voting for New Yorkers. That’s right - the heavily anticipated Tuesday, November 5, Election Day just got a little lighter as New York passed a law letting registered voters cast their ballot early. Starting this year, registered New York voters have nine additional days - including two weekends - to cast their ballots.
Voters can still vote by absentee ballot or at their regular polling place (find those here) on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, but can now also vote instead at one of their home county’s designated early voting sites from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3.
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) co-sponsored the bill implementing early voting in New York State, and is a member of the Assembly’s Election Law Committee and Chair of the Sub-Committee on Election Day Operations. “Voting should be simple and easy,” Jacobson said in a press release. “Early voting will increase turnout and allow more voters to participate in our democratic process.”
How Does Voting Early Work?
Special locations are assigned for each county. Early voting locations vary by county, and you must cast your vote in the county where you live. You must be a registered voter, but you don’t need to sign up for anything special to be able to vote early. Anyone can do it. You just walk up to the designated area and vote.
We asked Julie Shiroishi, chief of staff for Assemblymember Jacobson, to provide a few more “how-to” details of this new voting process: “You just show up at any early voting site in Dutchess and they'll look up your name in an electronic poll book. These are new and will allow the poll worker to print on-demand a ballot (also new) for your specific election district. At the end of every day, the info will be uploaded to the County Board of Elections so voters can't vote more than once.”
So on Tuesday, November 5, you could just sit back and enjoy the day… Saturdays and Sundays are even included in the early voting schedule. And even Halloween! What does it mean for employers who give their employees paid leave to vote on Tuesday? According to Julie: “Employees can take three hours off to vote on Election Day only - not Early Voting days. Technically, employees are supposed to give their employers two days notice prior to Election Day that they are going to vote, and employers are supposed to post the policy notifying them of their right to vote on Election Day 10 days before Election Day.”
Early Voting Locations For Dutchess County
Residents of the City of Beacon can vote at any of Dutchess County’s five early polling sites:
Fishkill Town Hall, 807 Route 52, Fishkill
Dutchess County Board of Elections, 47 Cannon St., Poughkeepsie
Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck
Millbrook Fire House, 20 Front St., Millbrook
Unionvale Town Hall, 249 Duncan Road, Lagrangeville
If you have kids and plan on bringing them to vote, you could check out the Fishkill Rec Center’s activity schedule to drop in for an activity session. A Little Beacon Blog does include the Fishkill Recreation Center activities in our Kids Classes Guide.
In 2017, citing concern for water usage with big increases is new residential building, Beacon voted in a temporary six-month moratorium on residential development to pause new proposals as it reviewed current water supply plans. This year, the City Council has been discussing a second temporary moratorium to reflect upon current water usage and sources, which it voted unanimously to approve on September 3, 2019.
Beacon gets its water from three reservoirs, two wells, and purchased gallons from Fishkill. In February 2019, Well #2 was taken offline due to “high turbidity from silting.” WSP (Formerly LBG Hydrogeologic & Engineering Services) examined the well and determined that the “excessive silting was entering the well from a fracture about 240 feet down,” according to the notes in the city’s Resolution for the proposed second moratorium.
When reviewing whether Beacon had enough water supply during the current building of new apartments, WSP did indicate that there was enough water. From the Resolution: “WSP performed a Water Supply Adequacy review with Well #2 out of service, incorporating and assessing the water needs of existing developments, and projects in the process of being built, recently approved and pending before the Planning Board. WSP’s review concluded that there is an adequate supply of water and an approximate surplus of 170,000 gpd (gallons per day).”
However, members of the City Council felt the desire to be cautious. The Council has been spending the summer and beyond reviewing zoning laws to consider tightening and refining for future development projects. Noted in the Resolution was this intent from the Council: “In addition, the intent and purpose of this Local Law is to allow the City a measured amount of time to review and revise targeted zoning laws, specifically focusing on amending the City’s use and dimensional tables and establishing new regulations for the Linkage Zoning District. The City Planner is in the process of amending the City’s Schedule of Dimensional Regulations, in its entirety, and Schedule of Use Regulations, in its entirety, for all residential and non-residential zoning districts in the City of Beacon. The proposed amendments will greatly impact the type and scale of development permitted in each Zoning District. The moratorium will allow the City to complete and adopt these new comprehensive regulations to promote efficient and sustainable long-term growth in the City of Beacon.”
Overall, City Council cited imprudence as the justification for the moratorium: “The City is concerned that approving new development proposals while repairs are being made to Well #2 would be imprudent and it would not be fair to applicants to entertain new applications during this time of uncertainty because the success of the repairs to Well #2 will be unknown until the work is completed in three (3) months.”
Shopping is so good on Beacon’s Main Street. Think you know all the shops here? Make sure you do, by keeping up on A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide. And check the Restaurant Guide too! Before you blink away, thinking you already know everything about town, check out a few things we’ve noticed recently:
1. People who have lived here their whole lives still see Beacon’s Main Street as boarded-up and a place to avoid. What silliness! We dare you to take a walk right now. Or try the free bus.
2. People who have lived here for 10+ years quickly insist they know everything and every restaurant. Guarantee that you don’t! Want to know how we know that? Because shops and restaurants change a lot! The good news is, more shops are finding their stride and succeeding longer. Sometimes a move is necessary and they hop down the street to a new location!
3. People who live here and just don’t venture out. Sparkle your life in sunshine!
First announced at the October 7, 2019, City Council meeting by City Manager Anthony Ruggiero, the City of Beacon is in a Stage 1 Drought. While you may expect drought conditions in the summer, Beacon did have plenty of rainfall this season. Droughts have been declared in past fall and winter months, including October 23, 2017 and December 9, 2016.
Beaconites use between 2.4 and 2.6 million gallons of water per day. The water comes from two wells, and three reservoirs that depend on rainfall to fill up: Cargill, Melzingah, and Mount Beacon. Beacon also buys water from Fishkill. Currently, Well #2 has been taken offline due to a fracture 240 feet down, which was causing “high turbidity from silting.” Repairs to Well #2 are expected to take three months.
As of October 7, the three reservoirs were below the designated safe levels by the following amounts: Cargill (6 feet), Melzingah (15 feet-plus), and Mount Beacon (8 feet) according to Edward Balicki, director of operations for the Beacon Water Department. “These levels place the total capacity at about 60 percent, which is the main parameter for the Stage 1 Alert,” said Edward in a letter to the City of Beacon.
Beacon is currently in a building moratorium, with water supply concerns cited as the justification for the six-month pause in approving new building applications (get moratorium details here). During a water study, it was determined that there is enough water, and even a projected surplus. But the City Council is proceeding with caution.
Hasn’t It Been Raining? Will The Reservoirs Fill Up?
Despite the rain during the past two weeks, the reservoirs have not filled up. But, they have held steady. “There has been no significant change to the reservoir levels since the Drought notice [on October 7, 2019], which is a good thing,” said Anthony via email to A Little Beacon Blog. “The recent rainfall has helped hold the reservoirs to the same levels from two weeks ago. There is more rain forecasted for tomorrow [Tuesday] and possibly several days next week.”
Recommended Water Conservation Methods
There are several actions you can take to conserve water, which are recommended by the city, including:
Limit car washing to commercial vehicle-washing facilities (i.e. car washes).
Limit the washing of sidewalks, driveways or outdoor areas.
Limit the use of water for ornamental purposes, including waterfalls, pools and ponds.
Limit the filling of pools (pretty easy this time of year!).
Only water lawns between the hours of 7 am and 8 am and 10 pm and 11 pm.
Repair any leaking pipes or faulty plumbing. (This should be done anyway to limit wasted water and reduce the consumer’s water bill, according to the city.)
Refrain from opening any hydrant without permission from the Water Department.
GRAND OPENING Cold Fit Cryotherapy Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Location: Cold Fit Cryotherapy, 473 Main St., Suite 4, Beacon, NY
Karen Burghart is one of Beacon's newest business owners on Main Street, bringing Cold Fit Cryotherapy to the former Watkins Press building that now has an architecture firm in the storefront.
Karen is a dancer, and cryotherapy is her remedy of choice for healing aches and pains. Cryotherapy is popular out west in California, and is a method where super-dry cold vapor is applied to the entire body in a chamber for up to three minutes, or in localized treatments with a wand.
Cryotherapy can be used to destroy fat cells, or heal aches and pains, according to Cold Fit’s website. The type of cold is important, as it is dry vapor, versus a wet cold. Think dry Arizona heat or a sauna, versus humid Hudson Valley heat (and cold).
You can see for yourself during a special Open House on Saturday, October 19, 2019, during Cold Fit’s Grand Opening celebration. The day includes an opening exhibit of works by local artist Ellen Shea.
Light refreshments will be served. RSVP is recommended to (845) 842-8085, but walk-ins are welcome. Cold Fit Cryotherapy is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog’s Beauty Guide, and we thank them for their support!
Get cozy this weekend! It is one filled with outside opportunities. The weather seems to have impacted the trial run of the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, as the anticipated trial weekend has been canceled for this weekend. Hopefully there won't be a gas leak on Main Street like there was last Saturday.
Newburgh Literary Festival
Day: Friday to Sunday, October 18-20, 2019 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Atlas Industries, 11 Spring St., Newburgh NY (see link for all locations)
This new festival is organized by Safe Harbors board member Hannah Brooks and novelist and memoirist Danielle Trussoni - two Newburgh neighbors who wanted to build an event around all of the writers that have been more recently drawn to our neck of the woods, and draw some talent up from the city as well. A Little Beacon Blog's literary beat writer Phoebe Zinman tells you all about it in our latest article. Information >
Häxan, Witchcraft Through the Ages, with original live score by Jamie Saft
Day: Friday, October 18, 2019 Time: 8:30 pm Location: Story Screen, 445 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Grace Smith Pumpkin Parade Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 11 am to 3 pm (lineup at 10:30 am) Location: Pulaski Park (at the waterfront), Poughkeepsie, NY Information >
Read more about Grace Smith House and this wonderful event in our article.
Rummage Sale at St. Joachim - St. John the Evangelist Church Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 (last day) Time: 9 am to 12 pm Location: 51 Leonard St., Beacon, NY, in the gymnasium of the church.
Everyone has been going since Thursday. Saturday is your last chance!
GRAND OPENING! Cold Fit Cryotherapy
Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Location: Cold Fit Cryotherapy, 473 Main St., Suite 4
Beacon, NY
Karen Burghart is one of Beacon's newest business owners on Main Street, bringing Cold Fit Cryotherapy to the former Watkins Press building that now has an architecture firm in the storefront. Karen is a dancer, and cryotherapy is her remedy of choice for healing aches and pains. Please join us in celebrating the Grand Opening as they present works by local artist Ellen Shea. This is a great opportunity to get inside of the cryotherapy center to see the art, and learn about the benefits of cryotherapy, "a natural and holistic approach to health and wellness," says Karen. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP recommended to (845) 842-8085, but walk-ins are welcome. Cold Fit Cryotherapy is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and we thank them for their support! Information >
Stony Kill Not-So-Haunted Barn
Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 4 to 7 pm Location: Stony Kill Farm, 1 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Information >
Elysium Furnace Works presents Robin Holcomb
Day: Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
9th Annual Classic Car Show In Beacon
Presented by Beacon's Chamber of Commerce and Dutchess Cruisers
Day: Sunday, October 20, 2019 (rain date Sunday, October 27th) Time: 9 am to 4 pm Location: Main Street, Beacon Information >
Classics for Kids presents Duo Scorpio - New Music For Two Harps
Day: Sunday, October 20, 2019 Time: 12 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Beacon’s Pumpkin Festival
Day: Sunday, October 20, 2019 Time: 12 to 5 pm Location: Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY Information >
Meet The Candidates Seeking Election to Beacon’s City Council & County Legislature
Day: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22 and 23, 2019 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
Tin Shingle Presents
Slime Pop-Up Shop, a Kidz Shop Day: Sunday, October 20, 2019 Time: 12 to 4 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY
The first kidz-run pop-up shop at A Little Beacon Space, L + R (Lily + Ruby), presented by its sponsor, Tin Shingle. Two elementary school students have been making lots and lots of slime in different colors and textures, and are selling it in this mini-pop-up shop! While supplies last (and while their energy/focus lasts). Different slime textures and colors will be available. Cloud Slime. Angry Slime. Satisfying Slime! Stop by as your visit the Car Show, and before you hit the Pumpkin Festival. Take a peek in this video!
Still Going On... Sleepwalker Pop-Up Days: Saturday, October 12 to Sunday, November 10, 2019 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: 480 Main St., Beacon, NY (inside The Chocolate Studio)
Human consumerism and globalization has led to unsustainable living wages for the American working class and the precipitous decline of our planet. Sleepwalker challenges this apparent inevitability by posing a challenge. Is is possible to create and sell products within a community, priced within $5 of a comparable product found at a big-box store, while providing a $20/hour wage?
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
Getting into the witchy vibes, this week we're featuring this Eva Varro grommet dress available now at Darryl's. The dress fits like a dream and feels like heaven when you have it on. But Darryl's co-owner, Ed Coviello, has a styling tip for you: "Ditch the boots. This dress is more elegant than funky." You be the judge! Go in and try it on. The shop is open seven days.
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com
These bold designs from theo eyewear have arrived at Luxe Optique. This line of eyewear is some of the most creative and bold - in the world. Yes, it is safe to make such a big claim with this eyewear designer. The company is pretty bold, and you are too if you like this line. Lots of colors and shapes in stock at Luxe Optique right now. Go inside!
Eat Church Food Truck 511 Fishkill Avenue
at Industrial Arts Brewing (past Auto Zone and the Barking Frog)
Eat Church's very own Hudson Valley bounty on the grill. Meanwhile, the Pig Roast continues during their "Sunday Service" from 12 to 7 pm (rotisserie chicken and veggie options will be available). All served with Coconut Rice, Red Thai Curry, and Som Tam Papaya Salad! Better get there early. Open Thursday to Saturday until 10 pm, closing at 7 on Sundays.
The Crafty Hammer
4 South Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
(845) 834-9665 (WOOD) @thecraftyhammerllc
Workshops at The Crafty Hammer usually revolve around designing boards. This picture serves as a guide for the different sizes and prices of each board, which comes with a design stencil that you paint and decorate. Have a design customized for you, or select from lots and lots of designs they have on hand. The Crafty Hammer is available for kids birthday parties, group workshops, team building, and more. Reach out to them today!
Defensive Driving Course
Day:Saturday, October 19, 2019 Time: 8:30 am to 3 pm Location: Antalek & Moore, 340 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Lime Mortar + Plaster Restoration Workshops
Day: Friday, October 18, 2019 Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Location: Hudson Valley House Parts, 159 Broadway, Newburgh, NY Information >
50 Mountain Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom From Gate House Realty: "Sitting on almost a half-acre, perched on a rolling hill landscape, this cottage strikes the perfect balance, with Old World charm and a touch of contemporary upgrades." Price: $294,000 Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550 Details + Pictures >
Antalek & Moore
Susan Pagones Antalek, of Antalek & Moore, has been working hard as a participant in the #HVBetterU Challenge, an initiative from the American Heart Association. We have an interview with her coming up. She will be speaking at the 2019 Dutchess-Ulster Go Red for Women Luncheon, where the Keynote Speaker is Maria Schiavocampo, special correspondent for The Dr. Oz Show and an author.
A Little Beacon Space :: Event Venue
Great for Board Meetings, Business Meetings, Client Presentations, and Workshops. Coming soon: Webinar Recording! Details >
BeaconArts
Three done, three to go! Installing bus shelter artwork for Beacon Arts. Artwork by high school student Melanie Perez. Look for the others throughout Beacon, including a new one by the train station. They will all be installed by November 1. PS: Notice Beacon Arts' new logo!
Tin Shingle
Instagram released a new feature to softly hide unwanted, negative, rude, bullish comments from regular trolls. It's different from "blocking" in that the rude person won't know their comment has vanished. Poof! Find out how it can work for you. Get Info >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It really should be. Join here today. Learn More >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
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This just in from the desk of Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero:
Newburgh & Beacon Pilot Tourist River-Boat Program for the Weekend of October 19 and October 20 Cancelled
“The Newburgh & Beacon Pilot Tourist River-Boat Program for the weekend of Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 is being cancelled due to weather conditions and logistical concerns. The partners, the Cities of Newburgh and Beacon, and Orange County and Dutchess County, regret the cancellation, but are already looking towards next year.”
For more information, people are directed to contact the following:
City of Newburgh Department of Planning and Development, Alexandra Church, planning@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov or (845) 569-9400
City of Beacon City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, MPA, at aruggiero@cityofbeacon.org or (845) 838.5009
Orange County Planning Department planning@orangecountygov.com or (845) 615.3840
Was the first trial of the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry a success? According to Gabe Berlin, chair of the Newburgh Transportation Committee: “I was told almost every run on the Saturday was nearly full.”
Tin Shingle Presents Slime Pop-Up Shop, a Kidz Shop Day: Sunday, October 20, 2019 Time: 12 to 4 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY L + R (Lily + Ruby) is the first kidz-run pop-up shop at A Little Beacon Space, presented by the slime shop’s sponsor, Tin Shingle. Two elementary school students have been making lots and lots of slime in different colors and textures, and are selling it in this mini-pop-up shop! While supplies last (and while their energy/focus lasts). Different slime textures and colors will be available. Cloud Slime. Angry Slime. Satisfying Slime! Stop by as you visit the Car Show, and before you hit the Pumpkin Festival down at the waterfront.
If you were wondering what the hours-long street closure was all about last Saturday on a block of Main Street that houses retail destinations like The Pandorica, Play, Beetle and Fred, Kitchen Sink and others, you can know that despite what the yellow tape said (Crime Scene Do Not Cross), it was really a gas leak.
Central Hudson was on the scene to repair the leak. Residents reported that they could smell the gas. One rumor included a rupture, but people in the area did not hear anything, and Beacon’s City Manager Anthony Ruggiero confirms that there was no rupture.
Anthony also stated via an email interview with A Little Beacon Blog that he does not believe future work is needed to the site, and a new street closure is not anticipated.
This happened on a busy day for Beacon businesses and art galleries, as it was a combined weekend of Second Saturday and Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, which for many is a three-day holiday weekend. Beacon sidewalks were quite busy with people enjoying the early Autumn weather. Some retail destinations were closed for hours as Central Hudson made repairs.
My daughter, 8, is sitting next to me at Trax on a beautiful Sunday morning reading McMummy by Betsy Byars for a book report and it’s really pretty deep. I’m feeling the sweet and sad parallels between the vegetable mummy disintegrating into green scraps and the main character’s feelings of loss around the inherited box he has of his dad’s things. Deep!
I’m reading a new book of poetry I special ordered from Binnacle Books. It’s called Pecking Order by Nicole Homer and it’s about race and motherhood and I’m loving it. The book is published by Write Bloody, which seems like a pretty rad, scrappy press and I’d like to read more of their authors.
Also, Homer’s poem “Underbelly” is deeply affecting and totally worth a read on poets.org:
“Let me say it another way: I like to call myself wound
but I will answer to knife. “
Well, dang.
So – here’s to super lovely Hudson Valley blue skies full of wispy clouds and crisp breezes that keep the sun from being too hot, and some stupendous upcoming events to make it all come together this fall like caramel and apples.
Safe Harbors’ Newburgh Literary Festival
This edition of Writerly Happenings is going to mostly focus on the Safe Harbors’ Newburgh Literary Festival this coming weekend, Friday to Sunday, October 18 to 20!
This is an amazing new festival coming to our area, and there’s so much to celebrate! The festival is organized by Safe Harbors board member Hannah Brooks and novelist and memoirist Danielle Trussoni - two Newburgh neighbors who wanted to build an event around all of the writers that have been more recently drawn to our neck of the woods, and draw some talent up from the city as well.
“The word was in the air,” said Hannah when I recently asked her about their motivation for creating this event. They reached out to Atlas Studios, who had recently started the Spring Street Reading Series with Ruth Danon, as well as the Newburgh Free Library, and the organic process moved very quickly from there. Always a good sign you are on the right track!
So - what does the literary festival have in store for us?
Mitchell Jackson
Friday Night
Friday night at 6:30 pm at Atlas (11 Spring St., Newburgh) there’s a reading and reception featuring author Mitchell Jackson, winner of the Whiting Award and the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction.
Also reading will be poet Gretchen Primack, whose work has been published in The Paris Review, Prairie Schooner, Ploughshares, The Antioch Review and many others. I’m going to miss this and I’m so sad about it I could cry. Please go in my stead, sweet readers.
Saturday Day
Safe Harbors will host the Festival’s Main Event on Saturday,October 19, from 2 to 6 pm at the Ritz (107 Broadway, Newburgh), with a robust, full-day program of readings, interviews, podcasts, film clips and Q&A with nationally-recognized authors and poets.
Among them will be Maria Dahvana Headley, creator of The Mere Wife, the celebrated and politically topical adaptation of Beowulf; Molly Ringwald (!!!), actor and author of the critically acclaimed story collection When it Happens to You; Bettina “Poet Gold” Wilkerson, Dutchess County poet laureate; Edwin Torres of Nuyorican Poets Café; and award-winning novelists Panio Gianopoulos, Danielle Trussoni, Crystal Hana Kim, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Crane.
Saturday Night Cocktail Reception & Local Authors Fair
A cocktail reception and Local Authors Fair from 6 to 8 pm will follow the day’s events. Tickets are $20 available online and at the door the day of the event. Students, $10 at the door with valid ID.
Sunday Day
Sunday, October 20, will feature two live-writing workshops that are almost sold out already: First, How to Tell the Story of Your Life, led by novelist and memoirist Danielle Trussoni at Safe Harbors Ann Street Gallery, 104 Ann St., Newburgh, 10 am to noon; and Surprise Yourself; Surprise Your Reader, with poet Ruth Danon at Atlas Studios Gallery, 11 Spring St., Newburgh, 1 to 3 pm. Tickets are $25 per person, per workshop.
Special Note For Friday and Saturday
Also on Friday and Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm, the Ann Street Gallery at 104 Ann St., will present TEXT, a group exhibition of text-based art.
Safe Harbors is all about community engagement and blocks of tickets have been provided to area high school and college students. This is an inspiring program on so many levels.
“So I’ll see you there, babies, with bell jars on. ”
— Phoebe Zinman
AND if you needed any more motivation, local merchants and restaurants will be offering discounts throughout the weekend for Festival attendees.
So I’ll see you there, babies, with bell jars on. Let’s support this inaugural event in the hopes that not only does it become a regular thing, but the ongoing smaller and inclusive projects that the organizers hope to be able to fund throughout the year can come to fruition.
Speaking of fruition, let’s see these other notable happenings blossom!
No. 3 Reading Room and Photo Book Works in Beacon has a pretty special exhibit up this month: Hatched In The Drift features works on paper by Mariam Aziza Stephan and poetry by Julia Johnson.
Local author Virginia Sole-Smith will be conversating with Nicki Sizemore on Friday, October 25, at Split Rock Books in Cold Spring about Sizemore’s new cookbook, Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker. My crock pot saves my family from starving on a fairly regular basis, so this seems not to miss.
And just in case we don’t get back here before (Second) Saturday, November 9, from 3 to 5 pm the Beahive on Main Street in Beacon will present writers Ken Holland and Maceo J. Whitaker to celebrate the book launch of Maceo's debut collection of poems, Narco Farm.
Sigrid Nunez
Slightly farther afield, on November 11th Bard College presents a reading by National Book Award winner Sigrid Nunez. That’s a treat, not a trick.
Speaking of tricks, double check all your candy, hide all the wrappers, and soak up that glorious sun while you can.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
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