As winter is coming, and extended outdoor dining in parklets (aka designated areas in parking spots on the streets) has ended as of November 1, 2020 in Beacon, restaurants are facing an incredible challenge to stay open. Some restaurants are able to keep their sidewalk dining open, and some have courtyards in the back. Some have been able to succeed through delivery options. Trax Coffee Roasters, based in Beacon, just opened a second location on Rte. 52, at the boarder of Fishkill and Beacon. For a list of which ones, see A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide.
The radio station WPDH, ‘The Home of Rock and Roll’, has shared a list of at least 35 restaurants that are closing in the Hudson Valley. Some that have been in business for over 30 years! Reasoning for some closures are unknown, and others are due to COVID-19. Visit WPDH for more reporting they did on each restaurant regarding thier reasons for closing, most of which are pandemic-related.
WPDH also shared that, “Dunkin' is set to close at least eight New York locations. Dunkin' confirmed plans to close 450 locations, mostly on the East Coast, by the end of 2020. All of the Dunkin' closures are stores located inside Speedway gas stations. In the Hudson Valley, there are Dunkin' stores inside Speedway locations in Highland, New Windsor, Saugerties, and two in Kingston according to Google Maps. In New York, there are also locations in Hudson, Norwich and Margaretville. Click Here to read more.”
Dunkin’ Donuts, on Rte. 52. Other Dunkin’ Donuts inside of Speedway gas stations will also close, as walk-in foot-traffic has diminished.
Fishkill
Il Barilotto (on Main Street)
Wappingers Falls
Stewart’s Shops on Route 9D Cousins Ale House, which includes the entire brewery, not just moving to a new location. Michael's Rita’s Italian Ice
Poughkeepsie
Sweet Obsessions Nic L Inn Cellar Bistro & Market Bonefish Grill Table Talk Diner Ruby Tuesday at the Poughkeepsie Mall (the Fishkill location had already closed months prior to pandemic) Amici's
Newburgh
Cena 2000 (on the Newburgh Waterfront) Waterfront Lounge and Grill (on the Newburgh Waterfront) Union Square
Wallkill
Zoghby's Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream
Napanoch
White Wolf Restaurant
New Windsor
Sweet Peas Cafe
Kingston
TCBY Duo Bistro Dunkin’ Donuts
Irvington
Dexter’s Den
Scarsdale
California Pizza Kitchen
Montgomery
88 Charles Street Cafe Garrison's Tavern & Restaurant
Beacon’s Memorial Building at 413 Main Street. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
As is tradition in Beacon, a ceremony was held at 11am at the Memorial Building at 413 Main Street to lay a wreath in honor of those who served and are serving, hosted by VFW Post #666. Normally a large group gathers outside to witness the ceremony, but due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings, Dutchess County instead offered a county-wide convoy of emergency service vehicles including police, fire, county, armed services, and local municipal vehicles to drive through every municipality in Dutchess County, “to safely recognize and celebrate the sacrifices of local veterans,” according to the City of Beacon’s website.
Said County Executive Molinaro about the day: “On Veterans Day we honor our nation’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good. In their honor we will travel every corner of the county, heralding their service and once again celebrating these brave and heroic individuals. I encourage everyone to safely enjoy this convoy or any of the other community events happening throughout Dutchess. We are better, stronger and safer because of their service and sacrifice.”
Veterans of the VFW Post #666 help their fellow veterans whenever possible. A recent event was “helping a fellow member and Korean War Veteran, with some house repairs and upgrades to enable him to safely remain in his home,” according to a post on their Facebook page.
Members of VFW Post #666 helping a fellow member with upgrades to his home to improve the safety of his house. Photo Credit: VFW Post #666
Saturday started a stunner of a weekend, with the sunshine and warm weather. The stunner of a surprise happened mid-day Saturday, when the 2020 election results were declared and just over one half of America began celebrating. Locals and visitors were already out and about to enjoy shopping on Beacon’s Main Street, which grew enhanced with joyful honking of passing cars.
As cars passed, some people walking on the sidewalk clapped and cheered. Twins Barber Shop had a DJ spinning beats, and Joy, the owner of the Subway franchise, stepped outside to film what was developing on Beacon’s mile long Main Street. She wasn’t alone. Several shop owners and staff also stepped outside to look at the cheers, take pictures, and step back inside for the hustle and bustle that is Saturday in Beacon.
While not organized, this demonstration of horn honking was impromptu and was done by drivers as they drove from Point A to Point B of their Saturday errands. Patrons outside of several eateries like Homespun, Zaitun, Max’s On Main, Amacord, Towne Crier Cafe, and others, lifted their arms when someone banged a drumb, clanged a pot, shook a tambourine, or sounded a horn. A few cars drove around several times, like one vehicle who was playing the National Anthem.There was very little if any police vehicle presence, as this was not a demonstration, but people reacting while going about their days.
Strangers gave socially distant high fives, people listening to different music in their ear buds joined rhythm and danced together while passing each other. The reaction was not isolated to one area of Main Street, or to one time of the day. This lasted the entire length of Main Street, from the mountain to the train, into the evening. There did not seem to be many fireworks that were ignited.
Later in the evening, at 8:30pm when Kamala Harris and Joe Biden addressed the nation and the world, horns were honking in their TV audience as well, as trucks had been orchestrated to pull up to their drive-in speech that was held outside, to honk in support.
Shopping was in full force this weekend. Below are a few pictures of the shops we stopped into. As for volume of sales, some owners are reporting healthy buying from the uptick in Beacon’s visitors. Brenda from Beacon Bath and Bubble observed that the sales are close to what they are at around Christmas time. She observed this back when the Cupcake Festival was hosted in Beacon, which became one of her best sales days of the year.
Anne from the Chocolate Studio was happy with the amount of people making it around the bend to her end of Main Street, she confided to us as we ate a delicious vegan strawberry ice cream that is quickly becoming a famous flavor for dairy lovers as well.
And of course we had to stop into the Snooki Shop! Snooki, who’s name is Nicole, opened the shop in Beacon, returning to her roots of the Hudson Valley to expand her business. We learned that she also has a line of makeup, and other goodies you’ll find inside the shop.
For those who are fans of the annual Hop and Shop, event, a date has been set! Reserve December 3 (Thursday) and December 4 (Friday) for extra long nights of shopping.
Below are videos of different areas of Main Street and the joyful noise sounded.
The Chocolate Studio, on Beacon’s East End of Main Street, near the mountain. Try their vegan strawberry, a favorite with dairy lovers.
LLTO is back! Once in the tiny shop near Mountain Tops, this decor shop has opened mid-way down Main Street. Very selective inventory that from around the world, you’ll want to stop in.
Bath salts, bubble bath, bath bombs, all you need to brighten your bathroom are in Beacon Bath and Bubble, along with childhood favorites candy and soda.
New journals and towels are in at Beacon Mercantile, a perfume store in Beacon, where the scents are made in the shop.
Makeup from Snooki in the Snooki Shop, which includes a glitter pallet. You’ll even find stick-on eyelashes!
Velour is in this season, and you’ll find it at La Mere right now, with this velour halter. Wear it under a tank. And don’t miss the stackable rings to bling up your fingers.
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Story Screen RE-OPENING
Day: Friday, November 6, 2020 Location: Story Screen Beacon, 445 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Wwwwwwat!!!?? Beacon's movie theater, Story Screen, is opening their doors to the inside! What's playing? Who knows! Does it matter? Just kidding. Here is the lineup. More importantly, here's how the Story Screen folks are running things to ensure safety. And they are being very strict! Like, stricter than usual. Basically: buy tickets online only, but if you can't buy online. You can email them for other ways of buying. Speaking of emailing them, there's no congregating in the lobby with questions for the staff. You can call them! And absolutely, positively, no sneaking in food. The End, Period. Get The COVID-19 Guidelines >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Attn Curry Lovers!! This is the last weekend that @eatchurch is serving the Curry menu inspiration at @marbledmeatshop in Cold Spring, NY. If you haven’t tried the “Curry Kult Revue” yet, this is your last chance! Pre-order is open now!!
Eat Church’s food truck is still pulling up to Marbled for new menus, so don’t you worry!! Chef Mark just likes to keep us on our toes with his menu switch ups! Next weekend the menu will be inspired for the Holiday run up! Days: Friday & Saturday 4-8pm
View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
This is what talking to a sommelier sounds like. We will let Joe describe this wine in his own words. Before we do, make note that as of now, Homespun is really only open on the weekend (Thursday - Sunday) so buy your wine, beer, and cookies now. Dine in for lunch and dinner. Here's Joe in his own words about this weekend's featured bottle:
"Les lendemains qui chantent... the tomorrow’s that sing... ‘Le temps des cerises’... The time of cherries... a French song that was a metaphor regarding what life will be like after the revolution will have changed social and economic conditions to create fairness and prosperity for all. Here’s to you. And the wine...Grenache doing what it can do with a restrained, deft touch, and also a cooler vineyard site located at 450 meters above sea level, in the forests of the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut-Languedoc." Information > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
POP-UP ALERT!
We just got word of a🧁Sweet & Salty POP UP 🥨 happening this weekend at the Hudson Valley Food Hall! Stop by Saturday or Sunday for a Salty Pretzel, a Sweet Cupcake or BOTH! Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
OMG sweet potato fritters from @meyersoldedutchbeacon are back!!! And only for a limited time. Get them while you can
PRO TIP: We had some Reader Questions on these: they are not gluten free or vegan. But they are really good. As is the cocktail. Tap To Order > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
BAJA 328 is always serving up something different! Check what's on draft. It was blueberry season in the special craft beer season. See what they have this weekend! Tuesday - Thursday: 4-9pm Friday - Saturday: 12pm-10pm Sunday: 12pm-8pm Follow on Instagram > Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Bounty Alert!!
Brett's has this brand-name paper towel it in stock, but maybe not for long! ALBB featured it this week in our Instagram, and already a customer was in the store, saw the feature, and Insta-storied us a message of him stocking up at home. Go Shopping > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
It's not a left-over Halloween costume! These are the prescription checkers once you're all done with your eye exam at Luxe Optique for contacts or frames. In this picture, the glasses are being used for a special prescription for close-up reading only. Not progressives, but a different pair of glasses only to be used at the computer, for those of us who have great vision with glasses, but go cross-eyed after typing at the computer for too long. Schedule Your Eye Exam > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
From Binnacle Books, regarding their popular and innovative book project: "100 BOOKS! As of today, the Beacon Prison Books Project has sent 100 books to people incarcerated throughout New York State!" Not quite a year old, and the Beacon Prison Books Project is really picking up steam! There are more and more requests coming in all the time. What this means is that there are lots of books to choose from, so if you're able to, come to Binnacle Books to sponsor a book in person and write your own postcard, please do so! Open until 6pm and then closed Tuesday and Wednesday. If you’re not able to come and do it in person, keep your eyes on their Instagram at @binnaclebooks for the forthcoming return of our online sponsorship process. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
Necklace chains are all the rage for face masks, and La Mere is delivering. Word is from the kids in school, is that they wear chains attached to their face masks, for short breaks, eating lunch, going on recess, that sort of thing. Pretty chains are in stock now, as are other rings and accessories. What is your favorite Fall look? Stay on or ahead of the trends and pick up some new pieces at La Mére Clothing and Goods today or visit their shop online 24/7. Free Pickup is available for locals! La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Lewis & Pine is the tiny but mighty shop at the beginning of Main Street (on the train side), nestled between a new pottery shop and a smoothie store, with a coffee shop just beyond that. Look in the window and you'll see the most delicious looking cups (or mugs? no handles...is a coffee cup without a handle still called a mug?). The mugs look like ice cream cones. Go down there and tell us what you see! And go inside, of course. For the jewelry, paper stationery, and mugs.⠀⠀⠀ Shop Online > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Salon Dae
1820 New Hackensack Road
Suite 6
Poughkeepsie, NY
(located just beyond Dutchess Air Port)
Danielle Pitts, owner and lead stylist at Salon Dae, had a great newsletter for her clients this month. She titled her newsletter "No"vember.
Repeat after Danielle:
"Why 'No' vember? We all are feeling an added level of pressure with the news, social media , politics and the list goes on. So it's more important to say NO to the people, places and things that drain our energy.
'No'vember sounds like
NO self-hate
NO being lazy
NO excuses
NO unhealthy foods (in large quantities)
NO sugar drinks, have water instead
NO regrets
NO quitting
Salon Dae braids, cuts and colors hair for all people, Black and white. Especially women who feel empowered. Make your appointment today >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
The team at Antalek & Moore is here for your business and home insurance needs. Are you a new business in town? The easiest thing you could do for yourself is to call Antalek & Moore and let them handle your business insurance, event insurance, car insurance, and more. They do the homework on the best rate for you, and they research and answer your insurance coverage questions. How much risk and exposure are you opening yourself up to? Antalek & Moore will let you know - if you ask them. Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE Work From Home Tip:
Need a good lighting idea for your work from home space? We have the lighting idea for you. An affordable too! Watch This >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Need a beautiful website with ecommerce right now?
Need to fix your existing website with ecommerce to make it look modern, fresh and beautiful? Katie James, Inc. can help with all of these things. And train you in how to run your website all by yourself. Katie James, Inc. aims to empower clients to do things on their own. Learn More >
The City of Beacon has announced that City Administrator, Anthony J. Ruggiero, has accepted the position as Assistant Commissioner for Administration with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health. His last day with the City of Beacon is scheduled for January 29, 2021, and will start up with Dutchess County on February 1, 2021, according to the City’s press release.
“As City of Beacon Administrator, Anthony has had a strong working relationship with the County, including DBCH, particularly as he helped guide the City of Beacon through the COVID-19 pandemic”
— Dutchess County Executive, Marcus Molinaro
Anthony is an integral part to Beacon’s functioning, with his vast institutional memory of how funding and scheduling happened or is projected to happen for a number of projects. It is comforting to know that during this global health crisis, Anthony will still be in Beacon’s sphere as he stays in Dutchess County at the Department of Behavioral & Community Health. Cut from a similar cloth is the Mayor’s Assistant, Collin Milone, who continues to provide administrative assistance and coordination.
Ruggiero has served as City Administrator since 2015, joining Beacon after former City Administrator Meredith Robson became the Village Manager for the Village of Ardsley in Westchester County. With a Masters in Public Administration and over 24 years of experience, Ruggiero previously served as the City Manager for the City of Peekskill and Putnam County’s Commissioner of Planning, Development and Public Transportation.
Mayor Lee Kyriacou congratulated Ruggiero, saying, “While I am saddened to see Anthony go, and thank him for his steady and professional service especially in this most difficult year, I offer my congratulations and best wishes for his next chapter. I know that the county gains an asset, and also that Beacon will attract a professional and appropriate successor.”
City Administrator Ruggiero said “It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as Beacon’s City Administrator for over five years. The City has successfully navigated the most challenging environments, provided outstanding municipal services, implemented a number of major capital projects, and have developed one of the strongest management teams. I am excited for the opportunity to work for Dutchess County and the Department of Behavioral & Community Health”
Said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro about Dutchess County’s new talent: “With decades of experience, Anthony Ruggiero will be a valuable asset to Dutchess County Behavioral & Community Health, providing administrative oversight to one of the County’s largest and most complex departments. His managerial and administrative experience will bolster the talented leadership team of public health professionals who guide DBCH. As City of Beacon Administrator, Anthony has had a strong working relationship with the County, including DBCH, particularly as he helped guide the City of Beacon through the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to Anthony joining our County team early next year as current Assistant DBCH Commissioner Cathi Tegtmeier steps down to enjoy a well-earned retirement.”
The City will initiate a recruitment process immediately to begin a search for a new City Administrator.
During last week’s Board of Education meeting, Beacon’s Superintendent Matt Landahl presented updates on the district’s strategic plan, which he said is a work in progress, but was slowed after February 2020 when the pandemic began to hit. Every day, he said, the district works on the challenges for coordinating the Reopening, but was making moves to implement and retain actions that move toward the district’s overall goals, especially on Equity.
In mid-October 2020, the Superintendent released the district’s Equity Report Card. The mission of following equity, according to the District, is to “celebrate diversity and provide an equitable education for all students by working to eliminate race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexuality, and disability as predictors of student success.”
In his reporting, Dr. Landahl stated: “As part of our work, we have created an Equity Report Card for the school district. We use data regularly as part of our work as educators including this report card. Due to the hard work of our teachers, our Beacon High School graduation rate has seen significant positive progress in the past two years.”
The graduation rate is 83%. Student enrollment had been decreasing since 2014, the first year on the Equity Report Card, at 3,060 total students. In 2018, the enrollment population started to increase, and is currently at 2,947. The number of Hispanic/Latinos students have been increasing percentage-wise within that overall decrease (839 in 2014, and 904 in 2019), while the number of Black/African American students has been decreasing year almost every year except for 2018 (595 in 2014, and 477 in 2019). The number of white students has also been decreasing year over year, with a slight bump in 2019 (1,421 in 2014, and 1,283 in 2019).
“Last year we made progress,” Dr. Landahl told the Board. “This year we are trying to figure out ways to do it in a different health and school model.” Equity Action Steps were presented, which include:
Further implementation of Restorative Practices through Talking Circles. Kids can talk about what is on their minds.
Work with Dr. Hunter (a professor at Buffalo State) to create Culturally Responsive Curriculum in Middle and High School ELA and Social Studies Departments to further social justice learning. That work began one month ago, Dr. Landahl stated. Dr. Hunter is working with other districts in Dutchess County as well.
Work with Dutchess BOCES to provide Undoing Racism Workshops across several districts and to plan for long term implementation. Trying to find ways to bring Anti-Racism training to Dutchess County. Dr. Landahl explained that this has been happening in Rockland County, and he wants to bring it to Beacon. Sharing services by partnering with other districts brings the costs down, he said, but if partnering is not available, the Beacon City School District will still go forward with the model.
Use of the Equity Report Card Data to guide future actions will continue.
Dr. Landahl next presented on the “Culture of Care” that frames a lot of programming. Planned steps include:
Continuation of Responsive Classroom Training at the Elementary Level. The district is partnering with with 2 other districts in Dutchess County, which gives Beacon state aid to make it more affordable. Three groups of elementary teachers have participated in training.
Continuation of Restorative Practice model at secondary level.
Create Student Bill of Rights to include Code of Conduct in all classrooms. “The rights of students are tucked into laws and codes of conducts all over all of the materials we use,” Dr. Landahl said. “We want to make something our students are involved in, and can use. For students at all levels within the district.” Dr. Landahl credited the Diversity Committee on having worked on this a few weeks ago, and they hope to have it done by February.
Trauma Informed Support Training for administrators and mental health professionals. “Training has started,” Dr. Landahl confirmed, “and that is looking to be expanded, especially for everything students are going through right now.”
Beacon City School District Budget - Preparing For “Beyond Drastic Cut"
As for the budget, Dr. Landahl pressed on the need to prepare now for a drastic budget cut if there is no federal stimulus aid to New York State, which would prompt the state to cut funding. “We are possibly looking at beyond drastic cut from the state. When Governor Cuomo talks about the state cut in aid, that's about $4 million for Beacon. The money's not there, or so he says. We do have a good amount of funds in our Unrestricted Funds balance, but that is not enough to carry us over the next several years. We for sure will be preparing for a budget that is tough next year. If there is federal stimulus that comes to help New York State and other states, that would really help our process as well, but we should really prepare for all contingencies with that. It will be a year where communication, transparency and involvement of people is even more important.”
Fiscal Action Steps Include:
Implement Audit Committee on a bi-monthly basis, which is an increase from years before.
Use surveys and Town Halls to gather input on budget. Increase ways to work directly with students to hear feedback from them. Currently, the administration is debating on if the surveys will be self-created, or if an outside firm will be used.
Develop process and timeline for 2021 Capital Project. Can do a Capital Project for $15 million that will not impact taxes.
John Galloway Jr. is appointed to Beacon’s Board of Education to the 2nd vacant seat. Photo Credit: Meredith Heuer published in the Highlands Current
John Galloway Jr., a recent graduate of the Beacon High School in 2015 who is Black and ran for a vacant seat on the Board of Education on a platform of his youth and connections to young people in the community, especially the Black community, was appointed onto Beacon’s Board of Education by a 7-1 vote at the regular public Board of Education meeting on 10-26-2020. Kristen Flynn moved to make the nomination to appoint him, and Elissa Betterbid and Craig Wolf seconded the motion.
After the Board voted to appoint John to the second seat using his rolled over application, Board President Meredith Heuer welcomed John onto the board with this statement: "I want to thank John for applying and sticking with this process. I know it was longer than some people were happy with, but I think it a good process."
Anthony White, who gave the dissenting vote, told the Highlands Current: “He thought the seat should have remained open until the next district election, which is scheduled for May 18, 2021. ‘With the work that the Board has to do during these uncertain times, changing its makeup will impede us,’ White said. ‘Trying to teach board responsibilities to new members and catching them up on past information so they can make informed decisions will make the work the board has to do more difficult and will slow it down.’”
The Highlands Current reported that White noted that he respects the majority opinion and will work with the board to “do everything in its power to make sure students’ needs are being met.”
Currently in at least one of the elementary schools in Beacon, kids are being asked if they think they should have the right to vote, and if so, why or why not. While voting can be a daunting task with a lot of responsibility and need to research one’s decision, one young student observed that it is the fresh perspective of not knowing everything that can lend itself to new ideas and ways of moving forward.
UPDATE: The link to the 2020 Election results at Dutchess County has been deleted and replaced with a new page, in the form of a PDF, which is not as comprehensive with the % of how much each number of votes totals. One difference has been the Democratic count has been increasing since the evening. President Trump still has the lead in Dutchess County, but the lead got slimmer as this day wore on with absentee ballots.
Vehicles in the 2nd truck train passing through Beacon last Sunday. Vehicles also included an unmarked privately owned fire truck, truck hauling a dumpster, jeeps, and others.
At first blush, seeing Trump flags in a scrap metal dumpster being pulled by a large truck seemed like an artist statement for “Dump Trump.” Large, empty truck cabs with Trump flags pulling no rig seemed symbolic for carrying nothing - or lost cargo.
However, this truck train is a show of support for the 45th president, by people choosing to remain in their cars, windows up, largely unrecognizable, sometimes with license plates covered. The history of White Supremacy includes masked people making threats and using grand gestures to get their point across, like fire, fireworks, burning crosses, bonfires, and other loud events.
However the big truck caravan concept that is driving nationwide through small towns (including the one that attempted to corral a Biden campaign bus off the road, and the #MAGADrag event in NYC that resulted in reports of police pushing and arresting Black Lives Matter protesters, a truck running into a counter-protester, and halted traffic on the White Stone Bridge which moved up to the Mario Cuomo Bridge to stall traffic) rolled through Beacon two weekends in a row, past Fishkill, and up to Poughkeepsie, and drove within 20 feet of the early voting location at Fishkill Town Hall, as people waited in line along side the road on Rte. 52. This was days before the Town of Fishkill or the Board of Elections decided to move people away from the gravel in the road to in front of the Police Department.
A Little Backdrop Background To Day 1 Early Voting
While getting ready for Day 1 of Early Voting, this article came across the wires about a rally fiercely defending the 2nd Amendment that was originally scheduled and approved by its village’s board to be near an early voting location.
Prior to the first slow-motion truck drive-by the first weekend of early voting, a rally scheduled in Montgomery, NY that encouraged guns in its Eventbrite invitation (the online invitation was later taken down) was to be held quite close to Montgomery’s early voting location. Their Mayor Steve Bracia, who is running for Congress, didn’t see a problem with it, but after pushback, agreed to their Town Supervisor Brian Maher’s offer to have the rally at another location. Pictures from the event included the same kind of trucks that have been driving all around Beacon, Fishkill, and Poughkeepsie.
Instant Traffic Stop By Vehicle Demonstrations Vs Marching On Foot
The truck that caused a 1 hour disruption to Beacon’s Main Street last Sunday.
These truck trains can instantly cause backup or close a road or bridge. A march on foot would need a lot of permitting in order to achieve this effect. In Beacon, there were 27 protests over the summer that the Beacon Police Department accompanied, as stated by Acting Chief Frost in a recent City Council 10/26/2020 Workshop meeting explaining the Police Budget and overtime that is incurred from parades and demonstrations.
Turns out, Beacon has a number of parades requiring overtime by police to make moving street closures and barricading side streets. The usual community parades were canceled due to the pandemic. However, the protests accounted for the overtime estimated instead of the parades for the 2020 Police budget.
Most, if all of these protests in Beacon, were on foot, and moved relatively quickly, despite larger turnouts than others. While both demonstrations were loud and involved shouting, the vehicle version involved car honking throughout the drive-by, as well as sirens by retired unmarked fire trucks and possibly retired unmarked ambulances, as some locals have reported. The City of Beacon needed to answer to the public that a fire truck spotted was privately owned, and not representing a municipality. This display of an emergency vehicle caused confusion with the public. In business, this can be likened to trademark infringement.
It is not clear if any vehicle participants were volunteer fire fighters from other communities who used their sirens for audio effect. One Beacon resident observed that when Marchers marching for Black live mattering more past her house, she could turn up the TV if she did not want to hear the chanting. However, she stated that she could not drown out the sound when the truck train slowly drove by.
While several large vehicles successfully drove around the truck, one van did collide with the truck while attempting to pass, but no one was injured, according to the Detective.
Fishkill Police Hold Up Traffic On I-84 For Truck Train And Allegedly Yell At A White Beaconite Needing To Get Home
A Fishkill Police Officer at 1-84 and Route 52 while traffic was held on the ramp during the first week of early voting while a truck caravan drove past the Fishkill Town Hall.
A Beaconite who was driving with his family after an an outing at an apple orchard shared his tale of being held on I-84 for over 20 minutes:
“We were coming back from Fishkill Farms and took the Route 52 exit on 84. Our timing put us right in the thick of the caravan. Doubtful they had a parade permit (right?) — but Fishkill PD were obviously in the loop.
The officer in the intersection kept waving the trucks through with no break for offramp traffic, even though it got hugely backed up, and there were multiple opportunities to pause the caravan and let folks through.
“When we tried to engage the officer, he barked ‘You go when *I* say so!’ Definitely a hostile vibe — except between the cop and the people passing in those trucks. He seemed pretty chummy with them.
“It felt like voter intimidation to me, coming as close as it did to the early voting site. And the whole police part of this felt pretty chilling. The caravan definitely drove for longer than 20 minutes. Felt like an eternity. I did shout “Impeached!” out the window a couple of times, which felt good (even if it’s not the most dignified lesson for my children).
“I think we may look into filing a complaint with the Mayor’s Office in Fishkill. Not sure where else. Anyway, icky vibes on a Sunday, but I managed not to get arrested, and we had a productive conversation with the kiddos, so I guess all’s well.”
Motorcyclists Frighten Black Mother And Kids; Fishkill Police Officer Allegedly Laughs
A mother who is Black was driving her children to early voting, and wrote into ALBB to share her story of being frightened by motorcyclists who drove past her car and yelled into it, scaring her children. Her name is Melanie Smalls and her story is below:
“Sunday morning I decided to get me and my two sons up and go vote early down at Fishkill Town Hall around 1:30pm-2:00pm. On my way, I got caught in the Trump/Pence motorcade on 52. Driving passed the old bowling spot which is now a storage unit and little passed the houses, the motorcade slowed down entirely! And I mean like a stand still.
“I realized that the Town Hall was just ahead and they was intimidating the voters there. Three old white men with long beards must of been way back; I looked in my rear view mirror of my SUV and saw them. Mind you, I was behind a Fishkill Police SUV. When it started moving, the 3 motorcycles from behind me, they rode by my SUV and started screaming and shouting in my car with my kids in the back ‘Trump 2020.’
“My kids started crying. I started to get scared because they are crazy. I honked my car for the police, but I could see the officer laughing in his left side mirror as he waved them to get in front of him to get with the rest.
“I’m a strong Black woman. Very tough. My parents ain’t raise no suckers and I damn sure was not about to let them intimidate me into not voting. I was not going to show my boys that. These people are very scary. Their scare tactics are horrible, atrocious. The Fishkill Police should be entirely ashamed of themselves. They stopped traffic for that.”
Truck Train Up In Poughkeepsie
A mother who is Black and lives in Poughkeepsie reported seeing the caravan there during the first weekend of early voting. She said:
“We saw them by Poughkeepsie Galleria (not sure of the time, but definitely the morning). My thoughts are that they are deep. I wasn’t up here during the 2016 election, but on Staten Island they weren’t as visible then. Felt like a sneak attack when the numbers revealed itself. I remember staying up all night well into 3am because it wasn’t very clear who actually, really won. Remember that? The announcement came at like 4am officially. My 3rd grader predicts Trump will be re-elected. He’s developed some strong political opinions since introducing him to Civics.”
Beacon’s Experience With The Truck Train
During the first weekend of early voting, the truck train came through, horns blazing. One person who is regularly out on the street reported in that eggs were thrown from a car to people on the sidewalk.
During the second week on Sunday November 1, 2020, more people wrote in to ALBB with their experiences. @janxchris said: “I witnessed A group of people in a truck, in that parade yelling the “n word” at people of color. That’s not a difference of opinion, that’s an act of racism. And no, that’s never okay, anywhere. You can have opinions, but the days of accepting racism as “opinions”are over.
Another person sent us video of motorcyclists yelling “White Power!” in front of Beacon’s Post Office. You can watch the video here and below.
As the caravan rolled down Main Street, many locals came out to watch it. Many of them said nothing, but had hair raised, cameras up. Some people shouted “Racists!” from the apartment windows above. Some people gave a thumbs down, as you can see in the video above as a caravan participant yells “white power.” According to @cezaleo__, some onlookers displayed their middle finger. One person, according to @cezaleo__, showed their breasts - or chest. It is unknown at this time why the person removed their shirt.
When people marched down the middle of Main Street for Black lives mattering more, the feeling was intense, but many visitors and locals showed signs of support. For the truck train, the feeling was more apprehension.
How Does Beacon’s Local Government Feel About The Caravan?
ALBB did reach out to every single City Council member as well as Mayor Lee Kyriacou and the City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero with different questions regarding this truck train. Council members were asked if they wanted to submit a comment of any kind regarding this caravan. It is unknown if they knew the details of the 2 caravans, which so far, have only floated in social media, unless it was seen in person.
Mayor Kyriacou was asked several questions, which included how he felt local Beaconites should respond to caravans like this, to receiving racial insults, and how calling Black people the “n-word” would be tolerated in a place of business. Mayor Kyriacou did not respond to ALBB’s questions, but he did speak generally to these tumultuous times during this week’s City Council meeting, which you can listen to here.
Terry Nelson, who is Black, was the only City Council member who responded to ALBB’s questions. He is also the only Black person who is a City Council member at moment, and was appointed by Mayor Kyriacou to lead the Police Reform Committee. Terry’s full quote in response to ALBB’s questions is below.
During that same City Council meeting in which the Mayor alluded to the issue, Terry made direct reference, and was so far the only City Council member who made mention of the truck train during his Report (all City Council members can give a “Report” on whatever they like during public City Council meetings). During his Report, Terry recalled the first time he was called the “n-word” when he was a child, and how it stung him.
Terry’s response to ALBB regarding this truck train was this:
“The participants in yesterday's caravan were exercising their freedom of speech, but those rights end when their words are used to instigate a negative reaction. Could you please ask any members of that caravan what does screaming the ‘n word’ at a mother and her children have to do with supporting the occupant of the White House? That display was not about supporting the president. It was about taking advantage of an opportunity to spew hate. I would love to hear some Trump supporters condemn that behavior, I won't hold my breath. They are complicit.”
Photos submitted by readers. Truck pictured on Main Street was this Sunday, and truck pictured in circle was last Sunday on Rte. 52 across from Fishkill Town Hall while early voters stood in line along the road’s edge.
A truck pulling a metal dumpster container that was part of the caravan of pickup trucks, jeeps, minivans and smaller cars that passed through Beacon last Sunday, broke down during the demonstration for one hour in front of the Post Office, which is in the middle of Main Street and near the Beacon Farmer’s Market. The truck was part of the train of cars that passed through Beacon and Fishkill last week during the first week of early voting.
Onlookers gathered around the vehicle while Beacon police responded to direct traffic around the stalled truck. According to one person who was driving by: “There was a woman screaming at anti-Trump passerby’s saying: ‘Don’t you touch my personal property (pointing at the truck) and don’t (pointing at the police) harass these men.” It is unknown at this time if onlookers were saying anything in exchange or initially. When a person is isolated in the middle of the road with a stationery vehicle, it is always nerve wracking, and can cause lashing out.
Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog that an accident occurred after the truck broke down, and that a street closure was required to help route traffic around the vehicle: “Yes, there was a truck that broke down on Main Street between Veterans Place and Teller Avenue. It was what I would describe as a large roll off dumpster truck. Officers were able to route vehicles around the truck to clear traffic. Due to the size of the truck, several tow companies were contacted and the wait was approximately an hour for the tow truck. Eventually, that block was shut down as the operator was working on the truck. A van was permitted to pass and the operator misjudged and struck the disabled truck. Officers had already routed countless vehicles larger than the van through there with no issues. Luckily, no one was injured.”
Word spread quickly on A Little Beacon Blog’s Instagram as we published photo and video of truck caravan developments - about how everything went down. It was a telephone game of who saw what and when. Several dots connected, so we were able to follow up on several leads.
One such lead was a fire truck that drove with the caravan, that made several onlookers uncomfortable, as they thought it belonged to a municipality. Said @harperlangston, who saw it and asked: “How is it legal for a fire engine to be in a pro-any-candidate parade?” Some even wondered if it was a Beacon fire truck.
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the Mayor, City Administrator, Fire Chief and Chief of Police this morning with a series of questions regarding the caravan at large, one of which was the identification detail of the fire truck.
This afternoon, City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero sent out a notice to several media outlets to put the questions to rest:
“We have received a number of inquiries regarding the Fire Truck in the Truck Caravan on Sunday. The Fire Truck that was in Sunday’s Truck Caravan was not a City Fire Truck. The City fire department did not participate in the caravan. The truck was a privately owned Fire Truck. It was an E-ONE brand pumper, which the City does not and has not owned. There were no lettering and no red lights on the apparatus, as well as license plates. City Fire Trucks do not by law have licenses plates.”
A Little Beacon Blog followed up to ask how they know for sure that the truck is privately owned, and not operated by another municipality. Anthony answered: “We know definitively that it is not ours. But, the Fire Chief knows it is privately owned for all the reasons stated [above].”
You may have noticed yards along 9D or other locations, where vehicle collectors have school buses, fire trucks, and other interesting collectibles that sometimes are on display during car shows.
The day was Saturday, October 24, 2020. The first day of Early Voting. For those who like to attend opening nights of a movie premier (back when movie premiers happened in person in a movie theater), people woke up early, put on their Early Voting Outfits, and headed to the polls. For Beaconites, the closest early voting location is the Fishkill Town Hall, which has been an early voting location in the past, and usually involves no line at all. It is listed on the Dutchess County Board of Elections website as one of 5 Super Sites.
For the election of the President of the United States and several other elected positions, during a time with voter confusion has ruled the news, with doubts of the United States Postal Service, absentee ballots, debates of extending mail deadlines, people across the nation turned out in droves. As of November 1, 2020, the Highlands Current reported that 9,379 votes had been cast in person at the Fishkill Town Hall.
Families like ours driving up to the Fishkill Town Hall for a family-style vote quickly and decisively turned around, seeing what seemed like a mile of a line if it was unwound from the snaking formation it did around the Police Station, Fishkill Recreation Center, and double-wrap around the Town Hall.
A man who seemed to work in a business across the street was waving cars away from from turning into their parking lot, as they are a place of business and not free parking. Early voters paced the lawn on the Town Hall on their phones, communicating back to partners or friends who were headed down. Others drove by at 9:30am, saw the line (polls opened at 12pm), and turned around to return at 1:30pm, thinking the line would subside. But the line remained the same all day, into Sunday and even the rainy Monday. A police officer directing traffic turning into the main Town Hall driveway with the loop said that no one called the police in advance to set up traffic detail.
The new Fishkill Chief of Police Keith Dworkin (their previous Chief James Schepperly resigned in February 2020 amid a lawsuit accusing him of alleged retaliation against an officer), confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog via email that there was no police preparation for the big day, stating: “The Police Department was not contacted to prepare for the volume of voter turnout expected. We were able to call in officers to address the needs of the public and make the necessary modifications to vehicle and pedestrian traffic to improve safety.”
One of several vehicles in a Trump caravan. Fishkill Police said they had advance knowledge of the car lineup, that slowed down to drive past the early voting location of Fishkill Town Hall, but no advance knowledge of Town Hall being used as a polling location. Photo Credit: David Ray Martin
A Trump caravan of many cars and large trucks targeted the Fishkill early voting location on Sunday after passing through Beacon’s Main Street, and Chief Dworkin further stated to A Little Beacon Blog that the Fishkill Police were unaware of the Town Hall being used as an early voting location at all, stating via email on 10/28/2020: “We were aware of the caravan and responded to assist with traffic control as requested. As I stated earlier, the Police Department had no advance knowledge of the Fishkill Town Hall assigned as a polling location.”
Voter Volunteers Hustle To Help; Voters Cheer Fellow Citizens After Emerging From Voting Booths
The absentee ballot box inside of the Fishkill Town Hall early voting location. Photo Credit: Alana Reynolds
Despite who one was voting for, there was comradery in the line. No signs were in the lawn, nor buttons on people’s jackets. Voters included the elderly who arrived to submit an absentee ballot into a box, or to wait in line. A mother nursing a newborn left the line to breastfeed her baby while people in line held her spot. Election volunteers came out periodically to walk the line, checking on the vulnerable population, and invited the nursing mother to come ahead. They also looked for those holding absentee ballots to let them know they could skip this longest line in order to place their ballot in a box inside of the polling location.
Said one reader, @iamdinoalexander of the first day: “Took us about 5 hours. Got there at 3 and done by 8pm. There we’re about 100 people still behind us. The check in and voting was so well organized and moved very quickly. It took about a minute to check in, mark and cast your ballot. If you are in a group of at least 2 you can take turns waiting and hold your spot. And the best thing was that everyone was wearing marks, we know what that means
Length Of The Line, Which Was Positioned Along Side The Road’s Edge
Saturday, Day 1 of early voting at Fishkill Town Hall saw a line wrapping along Rte. 52, and up to the Fishkill Recreation Center. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Overall, the line of the first early voting day ranged 5-7 hours. During the first day, the line inched along, and then stopped a few times. Election volunteers came out to walk the line to let them know that 1 of the 2 ballot printers had broken, and that someone was on the way to fix it. Which did happen! And the line began to clip along again. The back of the line was behind the Fishkill Recreation building, then snaked around the parking loop, curving around again to Route 52, where people stood along the road.
While the big caravan of trucks people have been talking about happened on Sunday, a reader wrote in to say they saw the day before as well, on Saturday. Said @mrcondon135: “Was on Rt9 headed to Starbucks for my usual coffee and what I saw was something I’ve never seen in my whole life! Literally about 100 cars, truck and dump trucks all with Trump 2020 flags and people screaming for Trump!”
People stood along the road again on Sunday as cars whizzed by, including the Trump caravan, which was loud with motors and shouting motorists, some voters standing along the road felt intimidated. Said one gentleman who has been looking to buy a pickup truck: “This makes me not want to buy a big truck.”
The line for Sunday, Day 2 of early voting was just as long, but the line varied at 5 hours. Monday was no different, even though people predicted a quiet work-week, and even though it rained. Come Tuesday, the line remained stubbornly long, as people continued to show up. Said @waiavda: “Tuesday 2pm and lines is as long as Saturday! We need extended hours!”
According to the Highlands Current: “State law requires counties to have one early voting site for every segment of 50,000 voters, although election commissioners can choose to have more...The Dutchess commissioners, who needed at least 3, set up 5, including one at Fishkill Town Hall on Route 52 near Beacon.”
Sunday, Day 2 of early voting saw a large caravan of cars and trucks, which targeted the Fishkill Town Hall polling site and drove past voters who were told to stand along the road’s edge of Rte. 52. Voters are pictured here waiting in line as 20 minutes of Trump trucks drove by. Photo Credit: David Ray Martin
The strategy of the arrangement of the line did change day to day. By Day 3, the line position had shifted from along the road’s edge to directly in front of the Police Department. Said Chief Dworkin when ALBB asked about the strategy of the positioning along the side of the road: “We continue to modify conditions and make early voting safe and convenient keeping in mind that we don’t want to discourage anyone from being able to access their polling location.”
By Friday, Day 5 of early voting at the Fishkill Town Hall, parking for votors had been dedicated along Rte. 52. On Days 1 and 2, people were standing there instead, waiting to vote. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Did other polling locations in Dutchess County have similarly long lines? Said @hvny_mrkt: “Millbrook, Rhinebeck and POK all similarly long/worth-it-lines.” By Friday, the day of the first snow in Beacon, the line was 1 hour long, and had dedicated parking along Rte. 52, instead of voters standing waiting.
How Early Voting Works
Line Cut Off Time: Whatever the end of day polling time is, if you are in the line at that time, then you are good to stay. A volunteer will come stand in the back of the line when the end of day comes to tell people that they can no longer vote that day.
Absentee Ballet Box Drop Off: You can skip the line where your ballot gets fed into the machine before your eyes, and drop your ballot off in a box inside of the polling location. Those who are paranoid about watching their ballot cast right then will prefer the first option, and won’t mind the line. Said @foxfirefall: “I dropped off my ballot today (Monday) and it took no time! I held it in my hand so people in line could clearly see it as I walked past, and a poll volunteer saw me and kindly ushered me inside and made sure I got an ‘I Voted’ sticker!”
Parking: Parking is available at the Town Hall, the FIshkill Recreation Center, and along Rte. 52. Turning left out of the Town Hall at the second entrance may be difficult, as there is no light, and traffic coming from Beacon tends to drive around a car who is either letting someone pull out or is turning left into the Town Hall. You
Governor Cuomo recommends people no longer mail in their absentee ballot. In his Friday night email, he said: “If you have an absentee ballot and you haven't cast it yet, don't mail it—instead drop it off in person. You can drop off absentee ballots at any polling place (there are expedited, dedicated lines for doing so) or at your local Board of Elections office. New Yorkers can also, of course, vote in-person on Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd. Find your local polling place here.
Future Early Voting Changes
After reading this article, readers questioned the Board of Elections (BOE) and County Executive Marcus Molinaro, on procedures. A Little Beacon Blog reached to both today, and is awaiting response from the Board of Elections.
County Executive Molinaro was able to respond, and answered this to our questions about how he thought early voting went overall, if Beacon’s walkable city needed its own early voting location, and if Dutchess County encourages the truck caravans:
“I have long been a strong proponent for early voting – I lobbied for early voting approval from the state, as well as for the funding to support it.
“2020 marks just the second year of the early voting option in New York State; and this year, there is the combined factors of the COVID-19 pandemic and very high voter interest in the presidential race. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges with the need for greater spacing and cleaning protocols after every voter. Combined with high voter enthusiasm, wait times for early voting have been longer than hoped for.
“The Board of Elections, which is an independent body, has worked diligently to ensure health and safety at every site. It has been very heartening to see voter enthusiasm and most voters have commented that while the lines are longer than they might like, they have been met with pleasant fellow voters and BOE staff. We are grateful to voters for their patience and their commitment to exercising their right to vote.
“There is always room for improvement and I am confident the Board of Elections will be reviewing the early voting process to see where changes can be made to continue to improve the process going forward and we hope New York State will provide funding to provide broader accessibility.”
Editor’s Note: A Little Beacon Blog did reach out to Fishkill’s Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra through the Town’s website, where a link called EMAIL is listed. This link goes to a form submission page. A Little Beacon Blog submitted questions via the form. ALBB did not get a response from Supervisor Albra, but Police Chief Dworkin did email a response a day or two later.
Happy Halloween! The year's first snow fell in Beacon today, which according to the radio, is a result of Tropical Storm Zeta. A reader in our Instagram triggered a memory for the major winter storm in Beacon's history - October 29-30, 2011 - as it brought down so many power lines because of the heaviness of the snow on trees that most likely still had leaves on them. The following October 2012 was Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. Scary October!
There's an easy way to trick for treats this year if you have little kids - hide the candy in your house to avoid taking from other people, and then wander around outside in costume to visit with friends. Beacon has about 18 active COVID cases right now, which includes the Beacon High School reporting 1 case, and then 1 more, and Rombout Middle School reported 1 case. Protocols and disinfecting days are being conducted. Wishing everyone health and safety. Have fun this weekend and be safe!
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Early Voting Continues!
Days: Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, November 1, 2020 Times: Vary. Check website. Location: Fishkill Town Hall, 807 Route 52, Fishkill, NY for Beacon residents.
Voting early in New York State has started, and remains for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you waited for a shorter line, today (Friday) is your day, while it snows. Information >
Story Screen Drive-In presents "Beetlejuice" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors"
Day: Friday-Sunday, October 30-November 1, 2020 Time: 7:00pm (Beetlejuice), 9:15pm (NIghtmare) Location: The Park at USC, 724 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY Information >
"Journey To Freedom" At The Newburgh Free Library
Day: October 12 - December 12, 2020 Location: 124 Grand Street, Newburgh, NY
Newburgh Free Library is hosting "Journey to Freedom," a year-long series of arts, cultural and educational programs inspired by the courage, vision and strength of the American abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Tubman. This sculpture of Harriet Tubman by award-winning artist Wesley Wofford will be on display in front of the Newburgh Free Library from October 12 to December 12, 2020. For more information, please visit www.newbughfreelibrary.org. This project is funded in part by Humanities New York Information >
EAT CHURCH
511 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon, NY
Visit Eat Church this Friday and Saturday in Cold Spring at @marbledmeatshop Their menu sells out fast so get your orders in early. Pickup time slots are limited, so secure your spot! Location: 3091 Route 9, Cold Spring. Days: Friday & Saturday, October 30-31. 4-8pm
View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
$1 Dollar Cookie with all sales being donated to @beaconcommunitykitchen. With the current regulations due to the pandemic, restaurants have been able to sell retail wine & beer, meaning Homespun can act just like a beer or wine store. Which has helped them a lot during the restricted opening time. Only one catch: the customer has to also purchase something to eat. The solution Home spun designed is that they are offering a $1 Rocky Road cookie, and they will donate and match that dollar, with all proceeds going to @beaconcommunitykitchen
Cookies & Wine, together at last. Information > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
Wraps Bombay
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
We love the Butter Chicken Wrap ($8), Veggie Samosas ($5) & Vegan Mango Lassi’s ($5) from @wrapsbombay - what are you ordering? Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
Barb's Fry Works
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
This just in! Barb's Butchery has opened a mini satellite location in Hudson Valley Food Hall called Barb's Fry Works! Open in the evenings, to pair with the Roosevelt Bar, also in the HV Food Hall. Open 'till midnight on the weekends. Gasp! Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Winter came today, and you know what that means: slush. Snow umbrellas. And Meyer's Olde Dutch Delivery! Do not skimp yourself of having MOD delivered. No burger is too small, no salad too chopped to make it into a delivery order just for you.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Swing by for live entertainment outside on the sidewalk sometimes! Tap To Order > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Always fresh Southwestern flavor at BAJA 328. Enjoy cocktails and lunch or dinner! Their large garage door is usually open to let in the early Fall weather for fresh air. Tuesday - Thursday: 4-9pm Friday - Saturday: 12pm-10pm Sunday: 12pm-8pm Follow on Instagram > Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Who remembers playing with these toy animals as a kid? Brett's Hardware offers more than just tools and supplies for the home. Follow them on Instagram at @bretts_hardware to see what else they have in stock! There is more in this toy section. Maybe get a head start on some stocking stuffers? Go Shopping > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
You need a sleek look with the cozy sweaters and jackets you are going to be wearing this season. The Addilyn from @oliverpeoples blends modern and classic styles to bring you a timeless frame.
New styles are always arriving, and the shop is open for you to try the styles and have a stylist help you find just the right fit. ✨ Go Shopping > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Found at Binnacle Books , The Witch's Spellcraft from Tarostar. The complete book of spellcraft for students. Magical oils in the arts of sorcery. Poppet Spells, Witch's potpourri of spells, charm spells from the bell book and candle, seals and talismans. Perfect for this weekend! Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
What is your favorite Fall look? Stay on or ahead of the trends and pick up some new pieces at La Mére Clothing and Goods today or visit their shop online 24/7.
La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Out of this world, right? The earrings in the Sonia line at Lewis & Pine are inspired by and named for Sonia Delaunay. These kinetic earrings feature sculptural shapes and bold colors. Post backs make these super comfortable to wear. Buy online and pick up at the shop, have them shipped, or shop the store on the weekend!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shop > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Did you know heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year- more than all Cancers combined? We can change that! Susan's own mother died suddenly of heart disease at the age that Susan is now. 80% of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented with education and action. Join Antalek & Moore as they Go Red for Women at this year’s virtual event with 2020 Chair Susan Antalek Pagones on Thursday, November 5th to learn more of how we can all work together and and make a difference! Click here to register for this virtual event happening next week. Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE Work From Home Tip:
Some of you may have moved out of your beautiful offices or studios, and are looking around your house and are like... 👀... I need that beauty of my space. One quick, easy, and inexpensive way to instantly upgrade and warm up a room is to pick warm lighting. Florescent or LED lighting may save some cents (but be real...are you really putting that savings into something useful?) but the harsh cast of the light may be costing you happiness, as it strains your eyes and drains your soul. An easy favorite right now is at Brett's Hardware. In this video, you’ll see different size light bulbs, from tiny to gigantor! The gigantor one is being tried for a kids room to replace the standard white globe cover that came with the ceiling fan. It’s a conservative budget step to take before upgrading the ceiling fan with a more stylish look. Watch This >
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Have you seen the the 36” x 80” crocheted V-O-T-E yarn bomb sign around Beacon? Since late September, Lynne Willis has been transporting this handmade crochet design to be seen throughout the city including Beahive in the Telephone Building, Beetle and Fred, and Endless Skein in Cold Spring. With early vote taking place through Sunday, November 1st, this is a nice reminder to do your civic duty.
You can catch the sign currently on display in the windows of Beacon Pantry, 328 Main Street in Beacon. The sign has already been featured on It has been featured on the design Instagram @dissent_by_design and on the front page of the Highlands Current.
Who Is Lynne WillIS?
Lynne has been a resident of Beacon for 3 years. Prior to this, she made regular weekend visits to the city and became acquainted and friendly with many of the local businesses and says she “was happy at the great response the sign got and the willingness to host in windows. Hopefully this is just one more reminder (that may bring a smile to your face) to vote.”
Crocheting For Coping With Anxiety
We all channel our anxiety and energy in different ways. Lynne found comfort and relaxation in the repetition of the crocheting. When speaking to creating her latest project, she says she “enjoyed the physicality of crocheting - feeling the yarn in my hands, the repetitious moving of the hook, and seeing the slow progress as each letter grew.”
With the election coming up, Lynne says “Knowing that this election is a vital opportunity for the people of our country to speak about what is TRULY important and bring about meaningful change; I wanted to do what I could in my own way.”
Craftivism
Crocheting has been a hobby of Lynne’s for years working on personal projects by the time the pandemic hit. She did make a pink pussy hat for the Women’s March in 2016 (yarnbombing hit Beacon for the first time in 2015) but stuck mostly to personal items and gifts. This changed back in March 2020 where Lynne explains, “Due to the pandemic, I was put on furlough back in March and suddenly found myself with lots of extra time. After sewing facemasks for friends and family, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself and my mounting anxiety about ALL the things going on in our country.” She was inspired to do more and be a part of something bigger and found mask making to be an opportunity to make a statement in public about science and safety.
Remember the crochet facemask mounted on the bust of George Washington earlier this year? That was Lynne’s handiwork, “It was very gratifying to have folks stop and admire the piece when I was installing it and to see images of my piece spread across social media including a shout out from the Daughters of the American Revolution. But, unfortunately it was taken down within three days.”
Making The V-O-T-E Sign
The VOTE sign was inspired by a Black Lives Matter crocheted yarn bomb by @nanostitches9. Lynne used the same basic method to make a small scale maquette to test yarn colors and process. “For the final sign, I scaled it up to 36” high and 20” wide for each letter. I wanted this large-scale for impact and decided to do each letter separately for ease of installation.” Lynne shares.
The lengthy crochet project gave Lynne something to focus on when feeling uptight and anxious about the current state of the world. Deciding how to design each letter using an excel spreadsheet mockup was a good design challenge, “After some trail and error, I sewed each letter onto polyester fabric and then stapled the fabric to the stretchers” she says.
Lynne’s boyfriend and professional photographer suggested mounting each letter on stretcher bars and getting local businesses to host the sign in their windows. This makes it easy to transport and allows for a variety of installation configurations. This also makes it easy to transport and to get a variety of pictures in different locations throughout Beacon.
As a person living in Beacon, I have been following Justice McCray digitally for many years. I first knew Justice as an employee of the Howland Public Library, and could count on his bright and friendly outfits to identify himself in the isles of books for anyone in need of a reading recommendation or to know how programming at the library worked.
Early days of Beacon4Black Lives in the summer of 2020, after an open mic session at Memorial Park.
At the time, Justice only wore yellow - or seemed to - and and like a flower, began to blossom in his Instagram with more visual expressions and art. Always quiet spoken, Justice’s imagery was powerful. Then one day the color purple seeped into his stream, and then Blackout Tuesday froze the world in black squares.
Blackout Tuesday was a social media based movement on June 2, 2020 by two Black women who are executives in the music industry to get everyone to stop and think for a minute in the new whirlwind that had become the Black Lives Matter Movement that started after George Floyd was killed during the day on a busy street by police in Minneapolis, MN.
Justice McCray (left) speaking beside Stefon Seward and supported by Ciarda Hall.
Blackout Tuesday was the day where the black boxes filled up Instagram boxes. It was originally designed to show support for Black lives, and create reflection. But the stream of black boxes caused silence, and Justice McCray grew scared. He took to his Instagram with a video, guiding people on what to do - why not to stay silent, and how to not block the hashtag.
He has been evolving quickly since that day. Many Black and Brown people were tired after that day, and emotionally couldn’t explain their pain or how they felt invisible any more times. Justice is one person who chose to keep speaking and educating, as a way to help. See this video, or this one, or the many photos with messages at @yellowswagger.
This is not Justice’s first evolution, but it is one that is deeply impacting Beacon and the surrounding areas in this human rights revolution. In late May, Beacon experienced its first protest with people walking down sidewalks on a Saturday with signs. A Black woman who saw it took out her phone to take a video, saying (with sincerity), “Awe, look at that. Beacon is having a protest. How cute!”
Justice McCray, protesting outside of Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kryiacou ’s house during a City Council Meeting presenting the 2021 budget, which has an increased police budget, which the City has explained by way of Excel sheet line items in the budget, specifically in the Contingency section where money for salary raises had been earmarked but not negotiated with the police union yet.
The following Monday, however, a much larger protest erupted, starting at the Chase Bank parking lot - an un-traditional place for a protest to take place in Beacon. Word had been circulating that a protest would happen, but no one know who was organizing it, or how it would go. Ciarda Hall, Stefon Seward and Xavier Mayo were young Beacon alums who kind of knew each other, but knew enough that they wanted to band together to bring the movement to Beacon.
Justice knew them in his own way from high school, and wanted to get more involved. Today, he is one of the leading voices, faces and thinkers for what became known as Beacon4Black Lives, a fluid group - both in gender and in organization - that is committed to breaking what is normal in order to discover something new. Fiercely creative, Beacon4Black Lives has led 20 protests so far, supported other organizers in other cities who are trying to make an impact when protesting for specific things, like jail reform, police reform, or in Beacon’s latest protest, breaking the line-items in an all powerful Excel spreadsheet of Beacon’s Police budget.
In one of his first speeches over the summer, Justice expressed: “I am tired of feeling alone.” He told fellow protesters that he had a conversation with an old college friend, and the conversation bothered him. The friend asked: "Why does it matter? I don't think that I could make a difference? What good is my voice going to do?" Justice told him: "If everybody thought that way, nothing would change. Nothing could happen."
Justice continued with this statement, which has become one of his mantras: “This system of oppression needs to end. But White supremacy won't die until white people see it as a white issue that they need to solve, rather than a Black issue that they need to empathize with. This starts with each and every one of us. We need to do what we can. We all have skills. We all have something to contribute.”
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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.
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