The tiny fridge, behind Binnacle Books and the Tiny Food Pantry found there. Organized by Fareground, Beacon4BlackLives, and Binnacle Books. Photo Credit: Beacon4BlackLives
Beacon’s first community fridge was unveiled in the last week of November 2020, as a fully functioning refrigerator sheltered by a wooden house built by Bryan Faubus with materials donated by Kevin Byrne. The community fridge is a collaboration project between Fareground, Beacon4BlackLives, and Binnacle Books; with advice and moral support provided by the Fridge Girls of NYC and the Kingston Community Fridges organization. You can easily find the self-stock refrigerator located behind Binnacle Books where a food pantry of nonperishable goods can also be easily accessed.
How The ‘Fridge At The Tiny Food Pantry Came To Be
The first meeting about the fridge project occurred in late September 2020. By November 25th, 2020, the fridge was plugged in and fully stocked by several members of the Beacon community. A need for direct aid in the community was evident back in April 2020 amidst the beginning of the pandemic.
Since Binnacle Books was closed to the public during the shutdown, they decided to convert their outdoor “dollar bookshelf” into a Tiny Food Pantry in collaboration with Fareground. By July 2020, the makeshift food pantry was upgraded to a permanent food pantry with a design uniform to the others that Fareground has established across Wappingers Falls, Beacon, and Fishkill.
Binnacle Books had to restock the shelf several times a week using donated funds to buy groceries, food provided by Fareground and Keyfood’s Donation Bin. In addition to these accessible food sources, several members of the community stop by to leave food on the shelves, and just as many people stop by to collect what they need. The pantry is still constantly cycling from full to empty every day, a clear sign indicating the dire need for direct aid for the Beacon Community, especially during these tough times. Any person can stock the refrigerator at any time with new, fresh, unopened items. Produce is accepted.
Maintenance of the fridge has been tended by organizers from Beacon4BlackLives, Fareground, and Mark of Binnacle Books. A schedule of volunteers is being organized as the fridge will need cleaning and upkeep moving forward. Members of the community can get involved by simply swinging by to put food in the fridge or take what they need for themselves or to provide for others.
A Venmo is also set up to accept funds used to buy groceries, non-perishables, toiletries, tampons/pads, as well as cleaning supplies. Says Binnacle in their directions on Instagram: “the money will be used in one of a few ways: 1) to cover ~$20 / month to keep the fridge plugged in, 2) to keep the fridge stocked and clean, and 3) to keep the tiny food pantry out front stocked with non-perishables, toiletries, etc.”
The Venmo handle is @binnaclefoodjustice.
Future Growth For The Fridge At The Tiny Food Pantry
As for plans for future installations, there are no announcements yet, but there is definite interest in expanding the project. The City of Beacon has been discussing adding food security to their budget and discussions in 2021.
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro announced via press release on December 22, 2020, that more than $150,000 has been allocated for local municipal projects promoting food security and safety for seniors.’ Beacon was a municipality that applied for and was awarded CARES funding, based on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) income guidelines, for efforts to promote food security and safety at local senior centers to enable them to be open for seniors.
Beacon was awarded $25,000 “for assistance to a local food bank to purchase food for distribution to low- and moderate-income households.” A Little Beacon Blog is following up on the destination of that allocation.
Just as you were debating if you should drive over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house, in a pandemic, now you also get to decide if you would like to do that in the wind and rain, possibly ending in ice on roads and sidewalks for Friday.
Central Hudson and Optimum have both issued emails alerting customers to possible outages, and that they will be on standby through the holidays should an outage occur. Optimum advises customers to watch News 12 for updates. If we have cable. And can access the Internet. Have your Hot Spot on your phone ready as backup! Not being able to watch Wonder Woman 1984 on Christmas, or connecting with all of our friends on TikTok, Insta and FB would be very bad. Or maybe you are OK with a Zoom family meeting cutting out when the cable goes. Flood and tree damage would also be very bad.
Said Optimum in their email announcement: “Be assured, our teams are on standby and ready to respond to any possible service impacts the storm may bring. For helpful information on how you can prepare, visit optimum.net/stormprep.” Optimum reminds you to sign into your online account to set up notifications of outages. Personally, my account got messed up years ago, and I cannot set up an online account. So send ALBB tips if you get them ;) And also a reminder to be kind to Customer Service and Technitians no matter what happens.
News 12 predicts that rain will begin on Thursday, with strong winds and rain mounting by Friday. The meteorologists at News 12 are calling this a “spring-like storm” that will have temperatures in the 60s, and will drop Friday evening to the 20s. There is still snow on the ground today, so add that to the water that is predicted to contribute to possible flooding in areas. See News 12 for their full report.The Weather Channel also predicts wind, rain and a drop in temperature.
Central Hudson Reminds You To Avoid All Fallen Wires
You can't tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. Assume all fallen power lines are live and proceed with extreme caution.
Do not drive over fallen wires. Always follow the utility personnel instructions regarding fallen power lines.
If you see a fallen power line, stay at least 30 feet away from it and anything it contacts. The ground around a power line and any objects it contacts may be energized. Call 911 to report fallen wires.
Do not attempt to move a fallen power line or anything else in contact with it using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.
Central Hudson’s Preparedness Checklist:
Fully charge your cell phone.
Sign up for Central Hudson's text messaging service to receive updates about power outages and restoration work.
Have flashlights and batteries handy.
If you rely on electricity to operate a well pump, ensure you have an adequate supply of bottled water. Fill your bathtub for an extra water reserve.
Ensure adequate supplies of prescription medicine and other necessities.
Fuel up your vehicles.
Have a plan to check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
Have non-perishable foods that require no refrigeration or cooking.
Central Hudson’s Carbon Monoxide & Generator Safety
NEVER operate a generator, grill or outdoor heating appliance in your home or in any enclosed space, including your basement or garage. Doing so can lead to a potentially lethal build-up of colorless, odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide.
Only have an experienced electrician connect a generator to your home. Improperly installed generators may overload circuits, cause a fire or shock hazard, and can result in serious injury or property damage. Improperly installed generators can also back-feed onto electric lines and endanger repair crews working to restore service.
Plug appliances directly into the generator using a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is designed to handle the wattage of all the appliances being connected.
For a cocktail-inspired Gift Guide, local Beacon author Diane Lapis, who is president of the Beacon Historical Society and co-author with Anne Peck-Davis of Cocktails Across America: A Postcard View of Cocktail Culture in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s has traveled Main Street to see which shops might have just the right cocktail enhancement for your home or that as a gift. The cocktail recipe book contains over 50 classic recipes (as well as several modern twists), fascinating historical vignettes and over 200 pieces of vintage ephemera. Pick up at Binnacle Books today - right now!
By Diane Lapis
Let’s lift our spirits and send some holiday cheer to friends and family! Shop local and send a creative cocktail-themed gift basket to your loved ones. Since celebrations can happen anywhere… set up a virtual happy hour with your cocktail-loving kin and enjoy drinks together!
Beacon is the perfect place to find fun and festive cocktail items. From glasses to garnishes, you can find the right combination of essentials and spirits that will meet every budget. Start at the west end of Main Street (by Route 9D) and pick up all the accoutrement that you need for your kit!
Contact the store for hours and curbside pickup where available.
Utensil, 143 Main Street Find bar essentials at Utensil, a practical, and affordable kitchenware shop. Utensil has a wide selection of tools such as strainers, shakers, stirrers, citrus squeezers and peelers, ice cube molds, glassware, coasters, bar towels, Raft bitters and syrups, and mouthwatering Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries.
Artisan Wine Shop, 180 Main Street Stock up on a marvelous selection of rare whiskeys and mezcals, as well as gins, rums, amaros, vermouths, tequilas, and bitters at Artisan Wine Shop, a wine and spirits store. Unique liqueurs and cocktail modifiers from near and far take the home bartender on myriad cocktail adventures. Jiggers, strainers, muddlers, flasks, and single malt and rocks glasses are available.
Homespun Foods – 232 Main Street Homespun has a unique offering of amaro, sherry and mistelles in full bottles for some holiday cheer! When your feet need resting after the day of shopping, sip on a hot spiced cider with Palo Cortado sherry. Many of the selections are organic or biodynamic. Homespun’s back patio is open with a fire pit, but the indoors remains for take-out pickup and ordering only.
The Last Outpost - 314 Main Street This mainly menswear, lifestyle, and outdoor store carries many options for the cocktail enthusiast. Grab yourself a shaker, a vintage cork screw, a flask, or a glassware set from the modern era. It’s all at the Outpost and it’s all ready for you to make the perfect drink.
Dennings PointDistillery – 10 North Chestnut Street Dennings Point Distillery has something for every spirits enthusiast – from their aromatic, citrus-forward Great 9 Gin to their award-winning cask strength Beacon Bourbon, and Beacon Apple Brandy, distilled from 100% local apples.
Binnacle Books – 321 Main Street Pick up a copy or two (one for yourself!)of Cocktails Across America: A Postcard View of Cocktail Culture in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s written by Beacon resident Diane Lapis and coauthor Anne Peck-Davis. Cocktails contains over 50 classic recipes (as well as several modern twists), fascinating historical vignettes and over 200 pieces of vintage ephemera. The reader will be transported to an era of unbridled indulgence and distinct glamour.
Beacon Bath and Bubble - 458 Main Street Garnish your cocktails with CANDY!!! Beacon Bath & Bubble has an amazing selection of old fashioned and retro candy from to make your cocktails look and taste special. Add a sweet finish to your drink… pierce some gummy bears on a cocktail pick, drop a Blow-Pop in a martini, or place a peach gummy slice on the rim of a margarita. Colorful and fun for the holidays!
Raven Rose – 474 Main Street Set the mood for your cocktail hour with colorful candles in seasonal scents alongside flowers or wreaths. Ask about the CBD Ginger Bitters.
Denise Gianna Designs - 480 Main Street Denise Gianna Designs Interior Design and Shop makes staying cozy at home a luxury! In addition to their usual projects, they design bespoke home bars & lounge spaces for intimate cocktails & future gatherings. Denise Gianna has everything you need for the home bar: bar carts, tables, seating, bar accessories, glassware & linens.
Berte - 500 Main Street Berte is a new shop in Beacon (in the former Loopy Mango space) and specializes in ambiance. Whether you're searching for ceramic coasters for your cocktail glass, a brass bottle opener to crack open that ginger beer, or some hand carved candlestick holders to set the mood, this shop has the perfect gifts for those who like to imbibe, but make it a bit extra.
After you wrap and send your cocktail cheer kit… sit back and relax with your own copy of Cocktails Across America… travel back in time with a cocktail in hand… cheers!
Fast breaking on the South Avenue Morning News, anchored and produced by Mr. Burke and Co., Beaconite Elijah Hughes, who went to South Avenue Elementary and Beacon High School, has been selected by the Utah Jazz in a 2nd round NBA Draft pick as the 39th pick held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 (delayed from the summer due to the pandemic). First selected by the New Orleans Pelicans as the 9th pick, of which they traded, leading to the 39th of 60 picks overall (for those who like numbers), according to the Highlands Current.
Elijah was a “small forward” at 6’6” but in High School, he played in the point guard position, which requires a lot of speed, quick shots, and quick thinking. According to Wikipedia, Elijah “became well-known in Beacon for his basketball ability, dominating games at Loopers Park.” Loopers Park is the basketball court between Loopers Plaza (Beacon Dental) and South Avenue Elementary School. There is also a tennis court next to the basketball courts.
As An Aside: There have been recent requests to enable night lighting for evening basketball games, especially as days are so short in winter. Other sports fields in Beacon have such lighting, including baseball and soccer fields at Memorial Park.
Local Praise For Elijah Hughes By Friends In Beacon
Elijah is being praised by everyone in the media since the draft pick as being a good person, and for being involved in community. Says one of Elijah’s earliest coaches, Ken Dawson, founder of The Player Academy, “It’s more important to be a good person than a good basketball player,” Ken told the Highlands Current. “He was in the 3rd or 4th grade when he came to Playmakers, and Dawson remembers him well. ‘Elijah loved to work; he was coachable,’ he said. ‘And he was a very good person.’”
Group photo of the Label Foundation, after one of their donation days in the summer of 2020. Pictured on the far left back row is John Galloway Jr., part of the Label Foundation, who declared his candidacy for Beacon’s School Board in July 2020, and was appointed months later. Photo Credit: The Label Foundation
Says a friend and former councilmember of Beacon’s City Council, Ali Tawfiq Muhammad, of his early memories of Elijah: “He went to Beacon Recreation Camp with his sister Talah when he was a kid and I was a counselor in training back then. That was my first job as a public servant and got hired seasonally for the next 5 years. Elijah and I grew as friends, and as he grew older, reached out from time to time. We had a bond. His sister Talah is one of my mentees. Elijah’s played a couple games in my Summer Basketball League, the Terrence Wright League, on my team, so yes I’ve technically coached him, but he’s always been a superstar in the making, and he’s actually helped me learn more about basketball just from watching and having conversations with him. He’s a natural leader and has co-started an organization with his friends this year called the Label Foundation, which I’ve helped him and his friends incorporate and set up the organizational structure. Long story short, we’re good friends. Utah also happens to be my favorite team in the NBA, since forever.”
Rueben Simmons, one-time Superintendent of the Highway Department, and current worker in the Highway Department, is known as Coach Yogi in Beacon for his coaching of various teams in Beacon. Reuben had this to say when A Little Beacon Blog asked if he had ever coached Elijah: “No, I did not have the pleasure too. He would have been a top pick of mine had I got the opportunity, based off his on court awareness of the game. I was a coach in the Beacon Hoops program and I remember seeing Elijah at evaluations. He was young and his basketball IQ was beyond his age. He stood out from every kid in his age bracket, as well as kids in the older division. I remember his dad being there, and my first thought was that I hope he’s not coaching because under the family rule, his dad would get Elijah automatically.”
Elijah’s Early Support For BLM, And Participation In Protests and Volunteering
“I think it was super important to be there,” Hughes said. “Number, one, I’m a Black man. It could’ve been me or one of my friends or someone in my family. I know what’s going on and it’s not OK. I wanted to walk for George Floyd. I wanted to show up and be there.
“Growing up, my parents instilled in me that, being a Black man in America, nothing’s going to be easy," Hughes said. "Knowing that we’re living in a racist world and not everybody’s going to like you because of the color of your skin.
“I’ve had talked with my parents about using my voice," he added. “I can lead something and do something big.
“Everything against Black people and police brutality and discrimination in general was on my mind and in my heart," Hughes said. "It’s a scary time. You don’t really know. Someone like me can get pulled over and it could be my last time ever. It’s a scary time we’re in, especially for Black people.
“At the end of the day, it was a very peaceful protest. We marched for George Floyd and all the Black lives we’ve lost in the last few years to police brutality. We just want a change.”
Also according to the article, Elijah tackled racism on his campus by being an outspoken voice during the student-led #NotAgainSU protests at Syracuse University. The protests were in response to several racist graffiti tags and other incidents at the university, resulting in dissatisfaction with the Chancellor Kent Syverud’s handling - or lack of handling - of the incidents.
Elijah had the idea to wear t-shirts to show support and solidarity with the student protesters. He told Syracuse.com: '“After visiting with student protesters over the weekend and communicating with some during the week, Hughes said he went to his teammates with the idea to wear #NotAgainSU T-shirts before the game against Cornell to support the school’s protest movement.
“‘I’ve been in contact with a few of the protesters,’ Hughes said. ‘It’s something I thought about. ... When I brought it up, everyone bought in. We decided to do it as a team. I talked to one of the students during the protest and threw my thoughts out. I came up with the idea of the T-shirts, talked to the team and they were all in. I laid it out to Coach (Jim Boeheim) and he talked to people and we made it happen.’"
This week is your last week to contribute to several Toy Drives. A Little Beacon Blog did a roundup of a few of local ones you can easily participate in. Get the details here!
Friday night is a no-parking night on Main Street, starting at 11pm, through Saturday morning at 10am. Beacon's Highway Department will be working overnight to clear the sides of Main Street of snow, which will make it safer to drive through and walk along Main Street. Perhaps expect more of this after a heavy snowfall. Also, hopefully you didn't park on the street the night of the dump!
A Little Beacon Blog's publisher, Katie, has a monthly column in the Highlands Current newspaper. It was originally set to run last week, but Katie and some members of her family got COVID-19, and she had some writer's block. The newspaper suggested she write about her diagnosis in a play-by-play journal entry style. So she did, and it's out on newsstands now. But not to get scooped by the paper on her own story, you can find the official announcement of the COVID diagnosis on A Little Beacon Blog right now, with more details. The play-by-play in the Highlands Current is a good read also, so be sure to pick it up, and look for it posted online soon.
LATEST NUMBERS: Beacon has 54 active COVID cases as of today (was 41 last week). East Fishkill has 193 (133 last week), Fishkill has 75, and Poughkeepsie has 119 (90 last week), with Poughkeepsie City at 173 (last week 102). There are 77 cases awaiting address confirmation. Source: Dutchess County COVID-19 Dashboard
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
City of Beacon Community Forums on Policing & Public Safety
Day: Saturday, December 19, 2020 Time: 10am Location: Zoom & YouTube (click on flier)
Hosted by Human Relations Commission Chairperson Pastor John Perez & Reverence and Former City Council Member John Rembert. Both forums will be streamed live on YouTube. Information >
Classics For Kids: The Nutcracker
Day: Sunday, December 20, 2020 Time: 4pm ET Location: Streaming on YouTube
The Howland Cultural Center’s Classics for Kids production of The Nutcracker is a holiday classic is reimagined for piano duo and narration. Pianists Stephen Joven-Lee and Michelle Wong, alumni of the Lyra Music Festival and Workshop, perform Tchaikovsky's beloved music intertwined with narration read by Gina Simardge, of Compass Arts. Additional animation provided by Whitney J. Brown. Recorded in Beacon's historic Howland Cultural Center. Information >
Howland Cultural Center Holiday Small Gift Show
Day: Friday to Monday, November 21 through December 23, 2020 Time: 1-5pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
Shop Local and celebrate handmade local artists every Friday through Sunday and the Tuesday and Wednesday before Christmas Eve - December 23rd. Information >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Find Eat Church back at Marbled on Route 9 in Cold Spring Friday & Saturday, December 18th and 19th with their Masa Mission Revue 🌮. This is their last pop-up of the year so don't miss it!
Follow them on Instagram @eatchurch. Days: Friday & Saturday 4-8pm
View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
For our Vegetarian and Vegan friends, this tofu sandwich from Meyers Olde Dutch is not to be missed! Sweet chili sauce and jicama slaw is killer but it won’t be around long. Click here to place your order online!
Delivery is possible! More > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
This week, Homespun shared a video on their Instagram (@homespunfoods) from Bobby Stuckey, a restaurant worker and owner from Colorado and one of the founders of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. Bobby speaks about the Restaurant Act which are two bills sitting on the desks of senate leadership since June 2020. Watch the full video here. Continue to support your local restaurants by ordering takeout, delivery, curbside pickup. If available, or if the restaurant prefers it, do your best to order directly from your favorite restaurants and not go through third-parties like Grubhub or Doordash. Each restaurant will be different, depending on what kind of delivery they offer. And remember to piggy-back on your friends order of takeout if a restaurant does not offer delivery at all. View Menu > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
It's always warm and cozy in the Hudson Valley Food Hall. You can depend on them serving you until 9:59pm to the second! Get in there for some live action bar hanging, where the ceilings are very high, and there is an outdoor area for fresh air hangs. Plenty of food inside with the delicious food vendors at mini-stations throughout the food hall. Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Come get in the holiday spirit with Baja 328's speciality drinks: The Christmas Mule & Peppermint Margarita. Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
The craftsmanship put into the design of earrings like this pair of Cursive Earrings is absolutely stunning. Made by hand, no two pairs are the same, making your gift truly special and unique. Shop Now > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Live Light Travel Often (LLTO)
464 Main Street, Beacon
Why yes, this is a piece of charcoal, but not the kind you get from Santa if you've been naughty! This is a Binchotan Facial Puff from Live Light Travel Often. An all-natural, plant-based cleansing wonder. This Binchotan Facial Puff is made from a blend of fine Binchotan charcoal powder and vegetable fibers from the all-natural and mild Konjac root. The soft texture and natural ingredients are ideal for sensitive skin. Made in Wakayama, Japan.
Please note LLTO's hours through Christmas:
12/18 Friday 10-7pm
12/19 Sat 10-6pm
12/20 Sunday 10-6pm
12/21 Monday closed
12/22 Tuesday 11-6pm
12/23 Wednesday 11-6pm
12/24 Thursday 10-2pm
12/25 Friday Closed
12/26 Sat 11-6pm
12/27 Sun 11-5pm See it in person, or Shop Now > LLTO is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK Home
464 Main Street, Beacon
PTACEK Home and LLTO go very well together. Pictured here is a coffee table or bench designed and built by PTACEK Home that would look great in a hallway, or in front of a couch. Or behind a couch! The versatility of PTACEK furniture will work with any home. PTACEK is designed with reclaimed wood. See this in person in the perma-popup that is PTACEK Home and LLTO near Beacon Realty and Beacon Bagel Shoppe. Shop Now >
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
You got this! If you need your first shovel, or a new shovel, or a second shovel for that extra set of hands in your house or apartment, Brett's has your dig-out supplies. From salt to shovels, make the mounds of snow that little kids covet with sleds. Brett's has those too. Information > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
On the hunt for the perfect gift? Look no further! Luxe Optique has gift cards for sale for the holidays - stop in or call (845)838-2020 to purchase yours today! Try on styles you love, or go with a friend to help them see what looks good on them. Shop Now > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon
Looking for an ideal holiday gift? While supplies last, Binnacle Books customers who make a purchase of $100 or more will receive a piece of original art by a children’s book illustrator.
First up, we have a bunch of these beautiful POLAR BEARS by the positively brilliant @thyraheder, author and illustrator of “How Do You Dance?” and “Alfie” and of course “The Bear Report”! Remember that a $100 purchase can be accomplished in one fell swoop by purchasing a membership. Members receive 10% off any and all purchases. These good tidings brought to you by @kidlitartsurprise! And what good tidings they are. _ Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
Fashion can be comfortable - which is why we love these black bell bottom denim jeggings! The stretch to fit any body type while also giving a sliming and elongating appearance. Check them out at La Mére Clothing And Goods. Information > La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Mother Nature & Me - Enrichment Program
Grades: Pre-K to 8 Homeschool Groups Day/Time: To be determined after kids sign up, and will be coordinated by Brigette Wlash (click below for flier) Information >
Clarkson University's Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries is now offering enrichment programs for Pre-K through 8th-grade homeschool groups at our Dennings Point Water Ecology Center. Each group will explore Dennings Point State Park through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) and nature-based learning activities.
Spanish Lessons For Children (10 lessons)
Grades: K-2 Days: Wednesdays & Fridays, January 6 - February 5, 2021 Time: 2pm
For more info contact Ileana Cardona at ileanacrdn@gmail.com Information >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is not one to miss a good window decorating opportunity, or the year-long wait to bring out their abominable snowman poster! Give Them A Clap > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle is an education and empowerment platform for businesses and creators who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle is the sister company of A Little Beacon Blog, and teaches people how to pitch the media. You are in control of what can get published about your company, and the support system at Tin Shingle can guide you. Every Wednesday at 1pm EST, there is a connection opportunity. Connect during the live, members-only Office Hours, or during a pre-recorded webinar TuneUp. Read All About It >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Eggberts Farm Fresh Eggs is preparing for the winter with a new website. Owner Carrie Sabins wants to reach her customers in case there is another shutdown or if her customers need delivery because they need to isolate. Katie James, Inc. a long-time customer of Eggberts Farm Fresh Eggs via the Beacon Farmer's Market. The branding agency is building Eggberts a website in Shopify, for easy pre-orders of eggs and meat, as well as pickup and select delivery options. Do You Need A Website Too? >
There are a few Toy Drives still going on in Beacon before the final holiday in December. If you are hosting a Toy Drive that is not included here, please reach out to us to let us know, and we can add you here.
There are plenty of places to get toys in Beacon, including Play and Zakka Joy, which are near Blend and Meyers Olde Dutch, as well as Brett’s Hardware, which is near Beacon Pilates, but you can donate directly to their source.
Toy Drive At Blend
Blend has had a toy box for Toys 4 Tots since before Thanksgiving. Their drive is wrapping up next week. This is for new, unwrapped toys. “We are trying to get as many gifts as we can before Wednesday for the children😃”
Holiday Toy Drive from Beacon4Black Lives
3 ways to donate to this Toy Drive:
- Meyers Olde Dutch has a bin. 184 Main Street - Shop Hyperbole has a bin. 484 Main Street - Drop-Off Event at Beacon Recreation Center (formerly BCC Beacon Community Center), 25 West Center Street. Dec. 20th, 11am-3pm
Toy Drive With 845 Unity
Walmart in Fishkill “12/19 & 12/20 will be the final collection dates of non-perishables. 12/23 will be the final day of collections of monetary & toy donations. Please come out to one of our two locations on one or both days. Walmart in Fishkill and/or Walmart in Middletown. We still have boxes in our sponsored locations. We look forward to seeing you and bringing holiday spirit to a less fortunate family. Thank you for your continued support. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you!”
Holiday Coat and Toy Drive
349 Main Street Twins Barber Shop is hosting a drop-off coat and toy drive (new and unwrapped toys). Twins Barbershop will make sure they are donated to the community.
Toy Drive By Beacon Pilates
Every year, Beacon Pilates hosts a Toy Drive for Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. This year they are offering alternative ways of filling the box, the deadline of which has passed: ”You can always donate directly to the Children’s Home on their website here.
Arrangements can also be made to drop off donations at the Children’s Home by appointment. To make an appointment email Felicia at: pr@childrenshome.us
The City Of Beacon has announced via robo-call that the Highway Department will be removing snow from Main Street throughout Friday (12/18/2020) evening. Therefore, all cars must be gone from Main Street. ”There will be no parking allowed on Main Street from Friday night at 11pm to Saturday morning at 10am. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Removing snow from the side of Main Street is helpful for many reasons, including giving cars on Main Street enough space to drive past each other, as well as to pedestrians who are walking between stores.
This article references how my family got COVID-19 from a home exposure. Like what the health professionals have been talking about. We shut down indoor playdates a few weeks ago (aside from 3 pre-approved friends who share our COVID philosophy of carefulness), and had no-one over for Thanksgiving.
The night after Monday, where my 8 year old son and I were jointly listening to the City Council Meeting on my earbuds (he and I now have COVID-19) , I awoke on Tuesday feeling pretty achy in my back. My partner had been feeling pretty achy the Saturday and Sunday before. He commutes to his job in a different state, and gets tested 3x/weekly for that job. His achy-ness was typical of him being worn down by his job, so we never suspected coronavirus symptoms. Instead, I talked to him through the drive to and from work, to make sure he stayed awake. He quarantines in our house, and doesn’t really go anywhere when in Beacon.
This was the weekend after Thanksgiving, and for Thanksgiving, my biggest concern was to make a dinner that did not cause his diverticulitis to flare up. Last year - 2019 - we spent the night in the ER in Ohio because he ate some popcorn or something, and was in a lot of pain. Then he got rotator cuff surgery after falling on his already sore shoulder. For us, Christmas 2019 was a recovery zone. Therefore, I made it through Thanksgiving 2020 with an amazing meal. No diverticulitis. Success!
The following weekend, however, he did walk through our door with COVID-19. But we didn’t know that at the time. His regular Friday test was negative. Then the weekend of achy. His Monday test was positive. By Tuesday, I was achy. But I didn’t know he was positive yet. I did know his Friday test was negative, so I was going about my day, be-bopping around on errands. But on Wednesday, when I awoke for a 3rd day of achy bones, he called to tell me that his Monday test was positive.
I bolted out of bed that Wednesday morning, adrenaline pushing all achy-ness away, while I processed the information. My monthly column for the Highlands Current was due that day. And as you might imagine, I could not process any work information. I needed to be available for Office Hours for business members at Tin Shingle to call in. There was no way I could mentally show up for that call.
I was very confused. My editor at the Highlands Current wanted me to write about our coronavirus diagnosis for their paper. I don’t mind being public about it - most cases of COVID have gone un-discussed. Whispers of neighbors and friends getting it having spread since the beginning of this virus. If there is a stigma, I want it gone. So I will be public about my experience.
My column for the Highlands Current hits the stands Friday and is a simple journal entry timeline of my experience of a few days in the beginning. I couldn’t let the Highlands Current have this headline first (as I do most of the time…they have more childcare than me, so they usually get breaking news out first, while I get more time to marinate on it and write really long articles that exceed traditional print space).
So here is my article announcing my COVID diagnosis.
Why Didn’t You Blog This 2 Weeks Ago?
Testing results can take a really long time. I’ve pursued testing since the summer. When my toddler randomly threw up in the back of my car while napping, I just drove us to Caremount Urgent Care for a test. Caremount actually lost our results. The doctor there told me she didn’t think I should even be testing. It was when the kids Kawasaki sickness was being talked about nationally.
So I got summer test results after 7 days. This time around in December 2020, let’s see…I got achy last Tuesday, learned Wednesday that my partner had it, and Thursday I drove me and the kids to PM Pediatrics for the test. We had already gone through the annoyance that is testing in October when we had much more obvious symptoms of sniffles and asthma cough.
Back in October, for seemingly obvious symptoms, we went to Pulse MD. That experience was horrific. The video call didn’t work, the line to actually get tested was 2hrs in the car, and so far, they have messed up my insurance by not supplying a doctor’s note saying that a doctor recommended the test. This makes no sense - I know - since our doctor’s office visit was covered and the very visit indicates that the doctor recommended it - but the $300 PCR test was not covered, nor the $51 rapid test. Times 2 for my 2 of my children. And Pulse MD’s billing department doesn’t answer the phone or return voicemails. This requirement of the doctor’s note is the fault of our insurance provider: Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
I don’t care about rapid tests anymore. Just give me the real PCR lab result one. For my 2 older kids this round, the results came on Saturday. My middle son was positive; my daughter negative. For me and my toddler, our results would not come until the following Wednesday. My middle son, so far has had mild symptoms, with being achy for a half day, and then gone. His lungs get winded at times.
Meanwhile, the hour I found out about my partner, I contact-traced my own people of where I had been. Two little kids had been to our house - pre-approved friends. I texted their parents, and they all pursued testing. I canceled our babysitter until forever, and she got tested. Everyone’s results came in (negative!) except mine and my toddler’s. I was positive, my toddler negative.
My middle son’s pediatrician called me days later with my middle son’s results (I’d already learned he was positive when PM Pediatrics Urgent Care called). His pediatrician called to tell me he was negative. They read the lab result wrong. This was just one of the annoying things about this process. Needing to be an advocate for myself, to tell my own child’s doctor that they are wrong, and to look at the test again. I had to call the Urgent Care for myself, to confirm for the 5th time, and then call our pediatrician with 110% certainty that I was right. That my middle son was positive.
For the record, the lab result displays are ridiculous. For PM Pediatrics (who we are fans of) - they use LabCorps. The results for a person who is negative say “Negative” next to the child’s name. If the child is positive, this word is nowhere on the lab result. Instead, the results say “Discussed with parent.”
All in all, you have a line item at this urgent care that says “Detected” for a positive result, and “Not Detected” for a negative result.
People Who Are In Denial
Nobody wants this pandemic to exist. I get it. There are many stories people tell me of nurses at urgent cares who lament to parents that parents are overreacting. That people are overreacting. That testing is overdone. That the media isn’t reporting on this latest mutation of the virus. That it’s much lighter than before.
Some people telling their Facebook friends to just eat some Vitamin D and improve their diets, and this whole thing would go away.
No.
Entering into the very personal zone here to say that I’m quite sick of all of these people. There are a handful of people who react to articles at A Little Beacon Blog that promote masks, or not merging houses at Thanksgiving - and they react quite strongly. They use vomit emojis and proudly state that they will have 100 people over for Thanksgiving, and that they don’t believe in masks or social distancing.
I understand that people like this want businesses to flourish and to live. I get it. Believe me. I live for businesses. I live for creativity. I live for freedom to express, and freedom to sell. But I believe in responsibility and being prepared.
Symptoms - Not A Cold. Nothing Like A Cold, But Does Share Symptoms
This sickness - for me - is nothing like a cold. It is a mystery in your body, that once you get, you get to track it in your body, to see where it has traveled today. This is not to say that it does not share symptoms from a cold or flu. It does. But experiencing it is not like experiencing an everyday cold or flu. For me at least. Everyone’s experience with COVID may be very different.
For me, it is tracking a weird thing in my body that moves around during the day or night, invading one area to see what it can do, then leaving that area, then maybe returning to that area a day or two later.
The first Tuesday I got symptoms, I also got my moon cycle early. Two weeks early. This never happens. As achy as my bones were - like with a mild flu - I had the worst cramps I had had since before my pregnancies. Towards the end of the day, my hips felt like they were moving apart again - like they did during contractions.
During my 3rd pregnancy, I had nerve pain in my hip joint. Hauntings of this pain happen every cycle, when my hormones kick in and soften everything (thanks Beacon Pilates and for teaching me about that, and beBahkti Yoga for introducing me to the pelvic floor occupational therapist who teaches about this!).
At first I worried about my hormones. Then I looked up “estrogen and coronavirus” and found that some studies have been done to measure if estrogen is harnessing that immune over-reaction of the immune system in people known as the “cytokine storm”. Some men in studies have been having estrogen patches to calm this storm. For the first time, I welcomed, embraced, and celebrated my cycle. “Stay as long as you like!” I told my cycle.
Each day my symptoms are different. Achy is gone now, and I mainly deal with lung and head sensations. I’ll bullet point to keep this part simple:
Achy in back and behind knee caps.
For my son on his Day 1, his legs were very achy at 2am, and he could not get out of bed until 7am to come get me. I gave him Tylonal and he slept until noon, and awoke feeling better. For two days after that, his little lungs were winded. He has retained energy.
Cramps from very early cycle that started the first day of symptoms.
Lungs feeling like I ran along a polluted street. I’m a runner. So I like my breathing. I’m also asthmatic, and impacted by allergies. One morning, at 4am, I woke up to my lungs feeling like I had just run along Central Park West, which if you’ve ever done that, is a bad idea. It’s filled with car pollution, and you will feel like you’ve smoked a lot of cigarettes the day before. I don’t smoke. But I did try cigarettes in college, so I know what that feels like.
Head feeling like water rushed up into my brain, then drained back out again, and kept doing that. All day. Have you ever gotten water up your nose? Have you ever gotten a cold head rush from ice cream? It’s kind of like that. Odd. A sensation.
Sinus pressure. Happened after the water-up-the-nose feeling. There was no mucus (so far), but my entire head became swollen.
Sore throat. Both my partner and I had hints of a sore throat sometimes, but not full blown. Neither of us had mucus.
Asthma cough for my toddler. While my toddler tested negative, he randomly got his asthma cough and was very clingly and moody (those are translations for kids who can’t speak their feelings, but don’t feel well. He needed nubulized while I was in the achy stage. I have since put him on Singulair, a daily lung management pill, because all of my kids and myself have asthma-cough, and I’d rather it not get out of control with COVID here.
Dizzy. Dizzy like morning sickness, but not always solved with food. In February 2020, I was so sick that I couldn’t get out of bed without fainting. My middle son was so sick that his legs would not hold him, and hurt him. For days. Maybe 2 weeks. I tested for antibodies back then, but had none. There was no test for COVID back then.
No runny nose. No mucus. No nothing like that. Just odd sensations of pain in my body. Like behind my collar bone one day. But yes to sinus pressure.
Taste and smell remained. So far! Neither my partner nor myself nor my son lost our sense of taste or smell. Thank goodness! So far.
Tingling in my chest. Like butterflies in your tummy, but in your chest. This is exacerbated by me getting excited. And I get excited a lot. The day or hours after I feel tingling in my chest, my chest might close up and get tight. Asthma. That means, wheezing, and needing to take an inhaler. No big deal. Lots of people are asthmatic and take inhalers. Right? Right. But asthmatics know that they don’t want to deal with this, or have their lungs flare up randomly.
Oxygen at 94 at 4am in the morning. On the oxygen reader - which is a common thing to measure for asthmatics and people with this virus - you chart your oxygen flowing through your blood. The best is 100. The lowest is 95. If you hit 94 and below, medical professionals like you to seek medical help. Maybe at 4am, all of our oxygen is low - I don’t know. I’m not in the habit of measuring. But I measure all the time now.
The Random Heart Attack
My partner’s best friend - two of them actually - attended a funeral in Ohio. Twenty people came away with COVID-19. Some people were hospitalized. No one has died yet. Yay! My partner’s best friend struggled and recovered. His other best friend tested negative, while his wife tested positive. Last week, that friend had a heart attack. He says he was feeling tired for 2 months. After the heart attack, he was saved and had a stint put in. He feels much better. During this time, he tested positive for COVID-19.
My worst fear is the random heart attacks and strokes from this virus.
Not Wishing This Virus On Anyone
There are some people who live in Beacon who say on their Facebook that they don’t mind if they get this virus. I don’t wish this virus on anyone. Not myself. Not my children. Not deniers. Nobody knows this virus. When I got the chicken pox in 3rd grade, that was normal. You got chicken pox. I rubbed my first skin bump onto my best friend (we agreed), and she got it too. We wanted to play together.
Polio had a season. The vaccination didn’t always exist. It was polio season sometimes. If you got polio, you had a good chance of having complications for life. My grandmother had polio. She had some pretty painful arthritis after that.
Don’t be stubborn. Keep you distance. Say hello. Go shopping. Go eating. But be smart. The most selfish thing you can do is to say that people should be taking Vitamin D and watching their diets and leading better lives.
Don’t contribute to hospitals that fill up. That’s the number you need to watch. And if your friends are randomly taking their inhalers.
Don’t do this, man. Don’t be this person who is so incredibly selfish, that you head is so far in the sand, that you are helping no one, and hurting your business friends. Be smart. If you want financial relief for businesses, and to save their money and savings from being drained, then fight for it. But don’t do it while denying health and promoting daydream conspiracies.
Living With COVID
So far, living with COVID has been manageable - for my own body and my partner’s body. I am hugely grateful to my body composition - DNA - amount of COVID we got - I don’t know. I do know that sickness and disease takes your body, and there is only so much you can do to control it. So even though I am taking the vitamins - D, C, Zink, Elderberry syrup - these did not - in my opinion - defeat this virus in my body. I do think they help for sure. And I do activities to help my body stay strong for sure. But taking these things alone don’t solve it. Your own body is the factor.
I stretch every day. I usually jog every day. In quarantine, I jogged about every other day in my driveway and yard. I have continued to stretch every. Stretching definitely helped with my achy symptoms. Because I stretch every day, my body is used to it, and stiffens up if I don’t stretch. This is a habit you want to get into :) Stretching is good!
I did shovel when I couldn’t jog. Hopefully this was OK for my lungs. I just wanted the fresh air circulating through my body as much as possible.
I listen to music. Different albums or songs to keep my mood up, or to coast into an emotional mood to relax.
Moving Forward
Work-wise, I’m pretty nervous about who is going to want to see me in person. Part of my job is taking photos. Will any store want to have me in? I will wear a face shield!
Personally, will any friend or neighbor feel comfortable with us around? Some people take forever to test negative. My partner has already tested negative (yay!). While my chest is still tingly, and I get dizzy spells, I suppose I plan to take me and the kids to get tested for hopefully negative results - and some antibodies! - next week.
If I have antibodies, I will be loading up on spinach and cheeseburgers, in order to donate blood with antibodies, if that is needed. Usually my iron is too low to donate. Will try to change that.
Beacon is as North Pole ready as it will ever be, with the first snowfall of the season bringing 13”-20” in Beacon according to my tape measure, and 16” at least in the region according to Dutchess County. The National Weather Service pointed out that it was more snow for some areas like Central Park than fell all last year, as reported by CNN.
Beacon’s Highway Department was out all Wednesday night and into Thursday afternoon, clearing snow and putting down materials for safer driving. According to Dutchess County’s press release sent today: “Road conditions are difficult throughout Dutchess County. Highway crews made multiple rounds plowing and applying materials throughout the night and continue this morning, but rate of snowfall has been difficult for crews to keep up. It is expected it will be several hours after the conclusion of the storm before roadways are fully addressed as the low temperatures and blowing winds will continue to move snow around.”
Barb’s Butchery, all dug out and open for business after the first snowfall in Beacon, 2020. Photo Credit: Barb’s Butchery
Dutchess County added staff to their 9-1-1 call center, but fortunately a low volume of calls came in. Also according to the press release, Central Hudson reported that LaGrange experienced outages, but otherwise there were no wide-spread outages.
Public transportation will resume on Friday for Dutchess County, and due to bad roads in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County Government offices were closed.
Beacon businesses often arrive to their shops to dig out, aiming to be open for people taking breaks in between shoveling, and to be available for supplies. Brett’s Hardware is stocked with salt and shovels, and has more on the way, as is Key Food with rock salt. Check Beacon Barkery for pet-safe salt.
Should you need services for your home, like snow shoveling, see A Little Beacon Blog’s Business Directory. And give those shovelers on the street a chance, as it’s a great way for high schoolers and new businesses to earn cash.
Photo Credit: Dutchess County County Executive Office
According to a press release sent by the Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro’s Office, “the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning effective now through 1pm on Thursday, December 17th. Snowfall is expected to arrive late this afternoon (Wednesday) into the evening, continuing through Thursday morning, possibly into early afternoon.
“Prediction models vary widely for this nor'easter storm with heavy snow fall expected tonight through the overnight. Snowfall is predicted to be 1”-2” or more inches per hour with 12”-18” inches of accumulation expected, with some models showing projections up to 27” inches. The Thursday morning commute is expected to be impacted significantly and motorists are reminded to allow extra time and exercise caution on the roadways.”
Beacon Parking & Shoveling
The City of Beacon issued a city-wide robo-call, reminding residents to:
Not park on city streets due to plowing operations Wednesday night, into tomorrow Thursday.
Yes to park in public city parking lots. Parking lots will be plowed later, and the city will post a notice in the lots prior to plowing. See A Little Beacon Blog’s Guide to Free Parking Lots for pictures.
Sidewalks should be cleared by residents no later than 24 hours after the snow stops falling.
Do not throw snow into the road when shoveling the sidewalks and driveways. The snow plow will push it back onto your sidewalk because that is all that the truck can do. No matter how sharp a side-eye you give a plow truck. So give a wink and a smile as you throw that snow into your own yard.
Garbage Pickup In Beacon Delayed 1 Day
The City of Beacon also announced via robo-call that due to the pending snow storm, garbage pickup will be delayed by 1 day. Thursday pickup will occur on Friday and Friday pickup will occur on Saturday.
Beacon City School District Calls Snow Day
Important to Beacon’s Superintendent, Dr. Matt Landahl, and his own children in the district, were “good old fashioned snow days.” He has called his first one this evening in anticipation of the bad weather and possible power outages, impacting remote learning. The kids can go sledding, while staying safe. No Morning Meets.
Dutchess County Experiencing Staffing Shortages For Snow Management Due To COVID-19
Dutchess County Public Works highway crews have loaded trucks with materials, and salt will be applied to County roadways as the storm begins, according to the Dutchess County press release. Crews will be out through the duration of the storm to clear roadways. However, County Executive Marcus Molinaro urged patience “as this will be a significant storm and response efforts are complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused staffing shortages and continued safety concerns,” he said.
County Executive Molinaro said, “This first storm of the season looks to be a significant event. The forecast of rapid accumulation of snow, combined with ongoing concerns for the safety and shortage of staff because of the pandemic will make this storm very difficult. We urge all residents to be extremely cautious, avoid travel if possible. If you must travel, leave plenty of extra time for safety. Importantly, please be patient as it will take crews added time to clear roadways for safe travel.”
9-1-1- Center and Emergency Operations Center Increased Staffing
Dutchess County Emergency Response has increased staffing at the 9-1-1 Center and the Emergency Operations Center has been activated with representatives from County DPW, State DOT, New York State Police, County Sheriff, County Health, Central Hudson, NYSEG, and Red Cross for the duration of the storm, according to the Dutchess County press release.
Public Transit Bus Suspended Starting 7pm Wednesday
Dutchess County Public Transit will suspend service beginning at 7pm today, Wednesday. Bus passengers can check for delays or schedule changes at www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit, on the DCPT mobile app, or call 845.473.8424, TDD/TTY: 711.
Residents needing MTA service should follow the MTA on Twitter who posts updates.
Meals Delivered To Dutchess Seniors And Beacon Students
Dutchess County Office for the Aging staff and volunteers have delivered extra meals to Home Delivered Meals recipients.
Students in the City of Beacon School District who opted into Remote Delivery were given food today via the Beacon School Buses and runners who deliver the meals, which include hot meals, like pizza slices and chicken nuggets, as well as fruit and muffins.
Dutchess County Government Offices
Dutchess County Government offices will open at noon on Thursday. Individuals who have DMV appointments in Poughkeepsie and Wappinger from 9am to 12pm will be rescheduled for the same appointment time on Friday, December 18th
Residents can stay up to date on the County’s storm response online at dutchessny.gov or on the County’s social media pages on Facebook or Twitter.
With the 2021 Budget discussion hot off the City Council books - which has been voted on to be approved - there was much chatter about the items in - or not in - the budget. Chatter is an understatement. There was a large evening protest about the 2021 budget when the budget first came out because of the unavoidable headline of the Police budget being increased despite wide calls for a decrease in police funding. The increase was a matter or pre-negotiated contracts with the Police Union that does not fit into the bars of this rhyme, as well as the long haul that is union negotiations and the power that unions hold - for better or worse.
While the Police budget was the lead character in the protest, many members of the public during Budget Season (October - December) called into City Council Meetings every other week during Public Comment to voice their concern for the lack of focus on affordable housing in the budget. At the same time, some members of the public were calling for the property tax increase to go to cap, of 2%, in order to fund more community services. However, this would result in more of an increase for all in some form, either directly as a homeowner, or indirectly as a renter if the landlord raises the rent. Ultimately, Mayor Lee Kyriacou maintained his direction of not going to cap, and was supported by City Council in the budget.
Personal/Residential Rent Experiences
People did begin writing into A Little Beacon Blog with the concern of affordable housing and rental as well. One reader, who wanted to remain anonymous because, they stated, “everyone knows someone” in a small town, wanted to share their concern of rising rents. They stated:
“I’ll share my experience about affordable living. I’m originally from (somewhere in the 5 boroughs) but my family lives in (somewhere up north) for the last 20 years and I moved to Beacon about 6 years ago.
“The rent was very affordable. A year ago, my house was sold to an investor and immediately he tired to raise my rent $150 a month after living in the space for 4 years. I very kindly said no way - and then asked him down to the original rent and had to school him that everyone in the building had lived here for years and that our landlord only raised the rent $20 years for cost of living.
“Needless to say, 2 tenants moved out because of that and of course people from Manhattan moved in who paid $1,600 instead of the going $1,300/$1,400.
“So because of the stay at home work order, you have NYC salaries coming in, drawing up every price while the Hudson Valley local residents stay within their former means as prices are driven up on real estate and other goods. It’s a huge shifting around.
“I am happy I know how to advocate for myself, and I’m always looking on the bright side. There are some good things to everything.”
This reader is not the only one. In A Little Beacon Blog’s immediate sphere, one of our own was threatened by their landlord with a raised rent, all of a sudden. The landlord wanted to sell the house at an inflated price that they were sure would attract New York City folk. This ALBB person left their rental house, and pursued buying a home in Wappingers Falls. After a questionable process, the move ended in success, and they are now proud homeowners in Wappingers, leaving the landlord of their formal rental house a bit surprised. They aren’t the first one with a story like this.
Business Rent Increases
In the business world, there are about 20 business turnovers in Beacon, which A Little Beacon Blog hasn’t been able to blog about yet, despite this chronic turnover starting during the pandemic.
Businesses are usually quiet about how they negotiate with their landlords. The landlords hold power over them, as their landlords hold the keys to their shops. They can pull the lease, and out the shop goes. In fact, simply knowing the going rate for square footage can be difficult to come by, as business owners keep their cards close to the vest.
In terms of how businesses fared during the first shutdown, many of whom continue to suffer from reduced capacity and overall comfort levels of returning to offices, some Beacon landlords gave no concessions during the pandemic. While some businesses were shut, not bringing in any income, some landlords pondered if the renter would stay, and wanted to see financials and projections of shut-down businesses. This was especially true for fitness studios - as the landlords considered keeping the business in the space or not.
Some landlords are out of town people, who we will never meet, while other landlords are locals, including Mayor Lee Kayriakou, who owns several properties in Beacon; Nick Page’s family Hudson Valley Todd, LLC (Nick is a Dutchess County Legislator); the owner(s) of Brothers Trattoria; the owner of Minute Men Construction down on Tioranda; and other longtime Beacon residents who have made property ownership part of their profession.
Landlords, Relationships & Pricing
Many times, the reason a business stays or goes in a space can be directly tied to the relationship between the tenant (business owner) and landlord. Some building owners are compassionate with their tenants, as mine was when I had my office in the Telephone Building at 291 Main Street when it was under the ownership of Deobrah Bigelow, who fully renovated the building and it sold to a new owner - Shady Twal - who was much different.
In Beacon right now, we are seeing many turnovers. We may never know - publicly - the details of why those businesses are leaving. So I will share while I left my place on Main Street. Why I left 291 Main Street when a new building owner came to town. It may shed light on what goes on behind the scenes of why your favorite business leaves their storefront.
Personally - I don’t believe in regulation controlling this. I do believe in math, and relationships. Math means that numbers need to add up. A new building owner does need to earn something profitable to sustain their livelihood and their bills. But the relationship is just as important. And can lose a tenant.
Why ALBB Left The Telephone Building
When the new owner came in - Shady Twal - he showed much interested in my business. At the time, A Little Beacon Blog and Tin Shingle did 2 revenue generating models in that building:
Hosted Pop-Up Shops
Hosted Private Meetings
New: started to host a co-working space. In addition to the original business model that is there - Beahive. I did this in an effort to buy the building and keep us all there in one big co-working family. So many ideas were flying around for any of us to stay there.
When the new building owner, Shady Twal, and I first started talking, he loved my business model. He thrived on the pop-up concept, telling me that “his investors” were old-school, and didn’t understand it, but that he did. He told me that because his investors were so old, they weren’t sure if the concept of pop-up shops were legal in this historic building. However, he said, his people in Chicago were looking into it. By the way, he said he was originally from the Hudson Valley, and had moved back to this area - Wappingers Falls specifically - to get back to family roots.
Shady informed me that while pop-ups might not be legal, his people might be OK with it if I gave them a cut of my business from the event space rental business. I knew that the pop-up shops were legal. My former landlord, Deborah Bigelow, was by the book. Big time. So if she allowed it, it was most likely legal. In due diligence, I called the Building Department. The Building Inspector, David Buckley, told me that the pop-up shops were very much very legal.
To present the rent increase, Shady took me to coffee, and told me that there was a very long line for people who wanted my space. I was paying $25/square foot, but that he was told he could get $75/square foot. He could offer me $35/square foot. Plus, he had big ideas for how he could expand my business with more events. Shady made sure to tell me that if for some reason, I couldn’t get approval on future events for some reason, he and his investors could give me approval, if I gave them a cut of the business. He asked if I understood what he was talking about. I told him I understood very well.
When the lease arrived in my inbox, it included a demand for 20% of my event business. This 20% take also included a percentage of my pop-up shop’s income from their sale. This was a no-go for me. In no way was my landlord qualified to take 20% of my business. Let alone any % of the shops who rented from me. My business model was a flat rate, so that my renters could make as much money as they wanted. They paid me a flat rate, and I did as much promotion as possible to help their chances of a great sales weekend.
Of course, this was a non-negotiable item. When I balked at the item in the lease, Shady tried to backtrack, telling me why this was something I should agree to. I disagreed. He agreed to take it off the table. But by then, all trust was broken. There had been other signs that were glaring red flags, and now they were all flashing and blinking as big as possible. I told him I was out. I gave notice that I would move out by January 31, 2020.
This decision was so hard. I said to myself over and over again: “Just deal with it. Everyone has to deal with sucky landlords.” But, my experience with him on normal days - on weekend days when I was co-hosting events - became painful. He talked to me the entire time of changes he wanted to make. Major security systems he wanted to put in. Locked doors (I had an open-door policy, which is customary in retail pop-ups). He wanted to take ownership of the glass door of my office door - where he would hold 50% of what could be written there. My office windows on Main Street - he wanted ownership of those as well, giving me approval of how I could decorate.
It was too much. I was out. I cried. I sobbed. I was leaving a community space that this person had told me he loved, and wanted to support. But there was no way to nurture it within that environment. The lease also included a Privacy Policy clause, where I could not talk about him or the building or the investors. As a publisher, that was of course impossible. For example: the building had just been tagged in a graffiti artist attack, that damaged many buildings in Beacon. And I wasn’t allowed to talk about it.
I moved out very quickly that month. I painted over my chalk-board editorial calendars on the wall. He told me I didn’t need to, but I insisted. When I brought in professional painters to do it, he demanded to see paperwork and insurance from them. Done and delivered. I did not want to leave one ounce of my vision behind.
All cleared out, I arrived on the final day to show him that everything was neat and clean, ready for the security deposit to be returned to me in full. He was so nice that day, saying that everything was 100% great. Until the time came for the security deposit. His attorney, Patrick from Sobo and Sobo, had sent me a multi-page contract that was mainly comprised of a silence-clause, telling me I could not speak of Shady Twal, or the Telephone Building, or any investor or anyone involved at any time.
Of course there was no way I was going to sign that. That day, while I was closing out my clean office, Shady casually told me I could talk to his attorney about the security deposit. I told him that I had already, and that I wasn’t signing a privacy clause, and to send me a check to my new PO Box. Shady got angry, and told me that I knew everything about him, why wouldn’t I sign this. He then said that there wasn’t any money in his building account, based on how he bought the building.
Fortunately, a woman who he introduced as his business partner, Crystal, who it turns out is a realtor, and who now has an office in the Telephone Building, ominously stated: “There is money in an accountant at Sobo and Sobo,” which was the attorney of the building and of Shady.
Later that afternoon, I emailed the attorney, Patrick, letting him know I had the good fortune of meeting Crystal, after Shady told me there was no money in the account, but that Crystal kindly told me that there was, and to please send the check to my brand new PO Box in the Beacon Post Office.
I tell you this story because one never knows what happens between the lines of a business transaction, or of a business moving out.
What follows this article is a series of articles of the businesses that have left and opened. We wish all of these businesses the best: those who have opened here - in brand new locations - or who moved down the road to occupy a newly empty space - and to those who closed up shop and are trying to do it differently, or maybe here again.
In a throwback to the Bicycle Menorah, in the olden days of when sculptor Ed Benavente designed and built what became Beacon's annual nightly menorah lighting, organized by Beacon Arts, Beacon Hebrew Alliance, and the City of Beacon...Happy Hanukkah! This photo was taken in 2017, on the 7th night when the lighting was dedicated to Activists. The lights represent "a bright light into the darkness."
In New York City, Governor Cuomo has ended indoor dining for now, encouraging outdoor and takeout. Other parts of New York, including Beacon, are still able to offer some capacity of indoor dining. However, ordering takeout is crucial to these restaurants. Quinn's, for instance, announced this week that they are doing takeout only. PRO TIP: If a restaurant does takeout, but does not deliver, tell your friends to keep you on speed-text if they are ever ordering. This way, you can also call in an order, pay for it, and your friend can do a group pickup for all of you. That's what we're going to do for Quinn's. We are putting our neighbors on high-alert, that if they place an order, tell us! Because we will piggy-back on that pickup.
Shout-out to Vogel Pharmacy, who despite moving out of Beacon when their building on Main Street went up for sale (now is home to graphic design agency Beacon Digital, next door to Homespun) still reaches Beaconites by delivering to homes. They delivered before the pandemic, and continue to do so. With extra love and a personal note. Vogel's new home on 9D, near the Dollar Store, has plenty of parking, and they will even deliver to your car if you have little kids in the car.
LATEST NUMBERS: Beacon has 41 active COVID cases as of today. That number is not going down. East Fishkill has 133 and Poughkeepsie has 90, with Poughkeepsie City at 102. There are 390 cases awaiting address confirmation. ALBB is looking into what that means.
THE SECOND SATURDAY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Catherine Sweet
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Illuminance - A Fundraising Concert by The Daisy Jopling Band
Days: Friday-Sunday, December 11-13, 2020 Time: 8pm (Fri), 10pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun) Location: Zoom
From the organizers: "Benefiting The Bannerman Caste Trust & The Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation. The film will be streamed as YouTube Premieres, and we are asking you all to kindly donate on our website so we can create more magic in 2021. All donations will be split 50-50 between the Bannerman Castle Trust and the Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation."
Danskammer: Isn't It Worth Getting Right? Online Briefing
Day: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Time: 5:30-6:30pm Location: Online - Zoom
From the organizers: "Presented by Scenic Hudson, when there’s an alternative that would offer lasting economic benefits and pose no threat to your family’s health, it makes even less sense to build a polluting, gas-fired power plant on the Town of Newburgh's waterfront. Hear about a concept for the site that would create jobs, lower taxes and support New York’s clean energy future. The experts in energy project finance and landscape architecture who developed it will explain its positive, long-term impacts to your community." Register Here >
Sallyeander Factory Pop-Up
Day: Friday & Saturday, December 11th and 12th, 2020 Time: 10am-3pm Location: 18 W. Main Street #6, Beacon, NY
Swing on by the SallyeAnder Workshop Friday or Saturday to shop their complete line of handmade, all-natural soaps, balms and more! Mask required for entry. Four (4) customers at a time. Information >
Howland Cultural Center Holiday Small Gift Show
Day: Friday to Monday, November 21 through December 23, 2020 Time: 1-5pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
Shop Local and celebrate handmade local artists every Friday through Sunday and the Tuesday and Wednesday before Christmas Eve - December 23rd. Information >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Find Eat Church back at Marbled on Route 9 in Cold Spring Friday & Saturday, December 11th and 12th with their Masa Mission Revue 🌮. Follow them on Instagram @eatchurch. PS: Sometimes they have been popping up in Kingston! Watch their Instagram for announcements. Days: Friday & Saturday 4-8pm
View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
New sandwich alert at @meyersoldedutchbeacon! Butter chicken! - south Asian spice rubbed grilled chicken with their take on a tikka masala (or butter chicken) sauce, pickled onions, cucumbers and feta. This sandwich is bold and spicy! Click here to place your order online!
Delivery is possible! More > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
Doesn't this look delish? It's almost too pretty to eat....almost! You can't get let a good cheesecake sit pretty for TOO long! Homespun continues to churn out the goods! HOT TIP: Buying wine and beer from Homespun has helped their business very much. Stock up this weekend! View Menu > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
There may be some colder and wetter days on their way so we're digging this combination of @mizhattiesbbq gumbo (which we hear is a secret recipe) and a glass of chianti. Because it's 2020 and there's no rule saying we can't have the two together (yet), so eat/drink up and enjoy! Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Renovations are complete and holiday decorations are up at Baja 328! Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Inside of Lewis & Pine are a limited-edition collection of wooden wick candles, which are in handmade concrete vessels with gold, rose gold or silver foil. The vessels are meant to be reused as planters once the candle is gone (visit one of Beacon's many floral shops for plants that fit), which is great for sustainability! This weekend Lewis & Pine will also have their classic Translation Collection candles back in stock. We have on the down-low that maker Yali poured (very) small batches of all 5 of her fragrances, so there aren’t many of each available Shop Now > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Live Light Travel Often (LLTO)
464 Main Street, Beacon
Not gona lie...we have admired this object for a year now, and only recently learned it was a decanter and glass! Watch this video in ALBB's stories in our Sponsors Highlights for how Tamara removes the glass from the top, so that the decanter can pour wine. Or water. Perfect for making your nightstand fancy for a glass of water. A great gift idea for $75. See it in person, or Shop Now > LLTO is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK Home
464 Main Street, Beacon
PTACEK Home and LLTO go very well together. Pictured here is shelving designed and built by PTACEK Home that would look great in the bathroom, or for exposed shelving in the kitchen. The exposed wood look is signature for PTACEK, as the designer, Tom, works with reclaimed wood. See this in person in the perma-popup that is PTACEK Home and LLTO near Beacon Realty and Beacon Bagel Shoppe. Shop Now >
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Time or organize that shed! Or garage. Or closet! You know that stuff is spilling out of it when you open the door! Take yourself to Brett's, where you'll find these organization accessories for hanging tools, like brooms, mops, dust wands, etc. Need to know how to hang it? No problem. The experienced staff can walk you through, and even point you to the right hardware. ALBB knows first hand. We did this when replacing our own sink! Bitsy and Sean are big helps. Information > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
What's on your wish list this year? We're coveting eyewear chains, handbags and frames from @emmanuellekhanh. Emmanuelle Kanh have been making eyewear since 1969, handcrafted in France and Japan. "At Luxe Optique our main goal (after your vision and the health of your eyes of course) is style! Our expert opticians work with you to find the perfect frame to fit your personal style." Shop Now > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon
Available at Binnacle Books is Virginia Hamilton, “The Dark Way: Stories from the Spirit World” illustrated by Lambert Davis.
A collection of supernatural folk tales, legends, and myths from cultures around the world, selected and retold by this cherished and celebrated children’s author. With beautiful and eerie illustrations by Lambert Davis.
Surprise your loved one with literature as a unique stocking stuffer. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
If these earrings don't say you're ready for a holiday party, we don't know what will! Come grab a pair at La Mére Clothing And Goods. Even better if you're having a Zoom Holiday party, no one needs to see you from the shoulders down anyway! Information > La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
BEBHAKTI YOGA CENTER
89 DeWindt St.
Help keep beBhakti Yoga Center alive! If you can, please make a small donation to keep their doors (virtual and physical) open.You can make a donation through Venmo - click here. Please also check out their online store. They have many on-demand classes, mala beads, clothing, mats and props available for sale. Perfect for holiday gifts!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Congratulations to Antalek & Moore who will be receiving the Henry G. Page Business of the Year Award from Abilities First, Inc. Joins them at their Community Partner's Virtual Breakfast on December 15th starting at 8AM. Read This > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Talking about money goes is really important! Just like losing weight or getting regular with a fitness plan, the more you talk about it, the more regular it becomes. The best holiday present you can give yourself is to make dents in your credit cards. You read a lot about spending in this newsletter, but don't feel badly if you keep your wallet close, in order to kick those cards to the curb. Read All About It >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Eggberts Farm Fresh Eggs is preparing for the winter with a new website. Owner Carrie Sabins wants to reach her customers in case there is another shutdown or if her customers need delivery because they need to isolate. Katie James, Inc. a long-time customer of Eggberts Farm Fresh Eggs via the Beacon Farmer's Market. The branding agency is building Eggberts a website in Shopify, for easy pre-orders of eggs and meat, as well as pickup and select delivery options. Do You Need A Website Too? >
This grant is made available from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant COVID/CARES Act (CDBG-CV) which was provided to Dutchess County’s Urban County CDBG Consortium, who initially released $430,000 in September 2020 for the region. Community Capital of New York will manage the application and distribution process.
During the 10/26/2020 City Council Workshop discussion of this opportunity with Community Capital of New York, City Council did discuss how the considerations would work for grant approvals, and did want some flexibility in the decision-making process.
There are restrictions on the grant, including income limits, business types, and home-based businesses, who are not eligible. One of the goals of the grants, says Beacon’s City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, “is for the money to be used to keep commercial areas vibrant.”
If a business was located within the designated area and left their physical space to conform to COVID-19 guidelines and is now working from home, an appeal could be considered, Anthony tells A Little Beacon Blog. “If the business was formerly in a commercial building, but workers are now working from home to abide by the COVID guidelines, I would think it could be considered. We would want to know if they had a commercial lease that was still in effect, and if it is their intention to return to that space once we have the all clear. One of the goals is for the money to be used to keep commercial areas vibrant. We would give priority to those businesses that are still out there on Main Street or even require that they are still operating from that space.”
Businesses must show that they are not duplicating federally granted money from the CARES ACT, such as PPP or EIDL or other similar programs. If a business already received a Microenterprise Grant from Dutchess County, they are not automatically declined, but “priority will be given to those businesses who have not received a Dutchess grant,” Anthony tells A Little Beacon Blog. “The funds for both programs are limited and both the City and the County want to make sure that as many businesses as possible get some help.”
During the City of Beacon’s City Council Meeting, City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero announced that there had been possible exposure to COVID-19 to Beacon’s Highway Department. “Services will be affected,” he shared. “They will be getting done, but in a limited bases, as they come off of quarantine, which will be some this week, towards Wednesday or Thursday. Again, people really need to take this seriously. We need to follow the guidance, the masks, the distancing. The County conference calls have now started back up as weekly calls, and the Governor is doing his press briefings 3x/ a week now. The numbers are increasing. The hospitalization rates are increasing. This is not going to go any time soon. We still need to be mindful and take the persuasions. We are working with the health department as we always do.”
During last night’s public City Council Meeting, where City Council Members go around the table (or the Zoom screen at this point) to share their Ward reports, 3 City Council members shared that their friends had contracted COVID-19, and implored for people to continue to act safely. While the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Beacon today hovers in the 30s (it is 38 today, according to the Dashboard), which is relatively low to the higher end it reached in the spring of 127ish, numbers become relative when those numbers become a face, and in this case, families.
Terry Nelson, representing Ward 1, told the public that a friend of his was recently infected with COVID-19, along with his entire family. Terry encouraged people to continue wearing masks and social distancing, and insisted that this pandemic was not a hoax.
Air Nonken Rhodes, representing Ward 2, shared that one of their neighbors tested positive with COVID-19, and did pass away. “I found out that a neighbor of mine just around the corner passed away from COVID this past week. It’s such a sad reminder. I’m so grateful that my family is ok, but just around the corner, another family is not ok.” Air stressed that people continue to wear masks, but not just wear masks, and to stay home. Air encouraged alternate forms of shopping and ordering takeout from restaurants.
Jodi McCredo, representing Ward 3, disclosed that she knew 7 people who were diagnosed in the past week. “The numbers are on the rise. It seems to be everywhere at the moment.”
Anthony Ruggiero, the City Manager who is leaving Beacon for the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health to serve as Assistant Commissioner for Administration, which happens in January 2021, stressed that “people really need to take this seriously, with the guidance and the masks…The numbers are increasing; the hospitalization rates are increasing.” He mentioned this as he announced that the Highway Department had possible exposure to the coronavirus and have quarantined.
Local Ohio News
As for local news in Ohio (which is where this blogger is from), patrons went to a popular and very cozy (aka un-ventilated) bar in a small town east of Cleveland during the Thanksgiving weekend. As would happen during any classic Thanksgiving weekend in most small towns across America. Ohio has had a stubborn resistance to containing the virus with rebellions to restaurant closures and social distancing.
According to a person standing in line at a CVS picking up medication, 30 of the patrons came away testing positive with COVID. A few days later, the town endured a large snowfall, being in a snow-belt, causing a loss of power. Many people merged households in order to stay with relatives who had power. Several of those people are now awaiting test results and the elderly without power who went to their children’s homes (or vice versa) are fearful of experiencing symptoms.
Back in Beacon, restaurants and patrons are respecting social distancing and putting out heaters for outside dining.
Staten Island Pub Defiance Ends In Serious Injury For Deputy Sheriff
In Staten Island, the pub owner, Daniel Presti, 34, who is a leader in the “Autonomous Zone” movement, which rejects the closure of restaurants and has lost his liqueur license as a result but serves patrons anyway, allegedly hit a Deputy Sherriff with his car early Sunday morning, according to the Sheriff’s Office, as reported by Gothamist.
After Presti allegedly hit the Deputy Sheriff, "the deputy clung to the hood of the car while Presti kept driving off for 100 yards before the other authorities forced him to stop...The deputy sheriff was injured and taken to Staten Island University Hospital with multiple bone fractures,” according to Gothamist.
According to the report, Presti “faced 10 charges for the incident—including a felony charge of second degree assault causing physical injury to an officer. He was also charged with menacing, reckless driving and endangerment, obstructing governmental administration, fleeing an officer, and resisting arrest, according to court records.”
According to the article, Presti was released without bail, according to the report, and his next court date is January 11th.
If Presti had been Black, it is fair to say, based on numerous online videos of Black men being shot for maybe having a knife near them or not, or maybe having a fake $20 bill on them or not, Presti’s chances of being shot in the back or in the car while driving would be probable. And no bail set might also not be the case.
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
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.
Howland Cultural Center Holiday Small Gift Show
BAJA 328
