After the hospital,
I put myself back into the box.
To recover.
From the Diverticulitis.
I was wild. Unleashed. Untamed.
Bucking bronco.
“Why is she doing this to herself?” they asked.
“Because why aren’t you?” she answered.
I can’t go back into the box.
So. Back to unfinished business.
🇵🇸 Free Palestine.
Unchain Beacon.
Editorial Note: 🇵🇸 Hello. If you’re new here to A Little Beacon Blog, you should know that we post about Palestine. In addition to the ✨good and troubling things happening in Beacon. If you’re only watching the regular news, like CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, New York Times, Washington Post, then you may not know all of the details of what’s been going on, and how it impacts your life as an American citizen. Smaller brands like this one, and especially this one since we are a media outlet, have taken it upon ourselves to spread the word.
The Palestinian poet, Mosab Abutoha, who was taken by Israeli military IDF while he was waiting in line with his family to evacuate Gaza in December 2023 and wrote about his experience in the New Yorker, reported this:
August 8, 2024: USA urges the resumption of negotiations to reach a ceasefire.
Keep in mind, on July 31, 2024, Israel assassinated Hamas’ political chief and lead ceasefire negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh, after having killed 3 of his children, his grandchildren, and at least 60 members of his family, according to Al Jazeera. See also this report from the Washington Post.
August 9, 2024: (CNN) US releases $3.5 billion to Israel to spend on US weapons and military equipment.
See videos below of the twin babies who have died, and the Palestinians who continue to have their bodies shredded alive due to US funding of Israel for these weapons.
August 9 (9:45pm EST) August 10 (4:45pm Gaza time): Israel targets displaced people performing dawn prayer in a school shelter, killing more than 100. (Not yet reported by CNN or any American major news agency or newspaper.)
Photo Credit: @TRTWorld
Photo Credit: Al Jazeera
“A deadly Israeli attack on a school in Gaza has renewed calls for the United States to stop providing staunch support for Israel, including weapons transfers that rights advocates say are fueling atrocities in the Palestinian enclave.
“The Gaza Civil Defense agency said more than 100 Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured on Saturday when Israel launched an attack on al-Tabin school in Gaza City.
“‘The US & allies are claiming a ceasefire is near. But all Palestinians see is more death, dislocation, & despair. The genocide continues,’ James Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, wrote on social media.
“‘It past time to end the charade. Israel doesn’t want peace or a ceasefire. Why are we still sending Israel weapons?’
“On Saturday morning, CNN journalist Allegra Goodwin said in a post on X that the US news network had confirmed a “US-made GBU-39 small diameter bomb” was used in the deadly Israeli attack on al-Tabin school. Al Jazeera could not immediately verify that report.”
Every weekend, Israel has committed some kind of heinous massacre. At first it was shocking, disturbing, life could not go on as normal in the bouncy castle room with the kids on 9D as we passed a Saturday. Now that Israel’s actions have become the norm, the fight is directed toward VP Kamala Harris to step up into her power to stop this, and fight back against the weapons industry she professes to be passionate about, or step aside for Dr. Jill Stein and maybe Cori Bush to break the cycle.
You won’t see much of anything about orange Tea here. We deplore that flavor.
Attention: This article contains information about the concept of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, there are ways to get help. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (en español 1-888-628-9454) for free, confidential crisis counseling and referrals available 24/7.
After ALBB published about the most recent loss of life from the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge last week, of the young person who was identified as male who was 21 years old, several readers commented that the railing was too low. That sparked conversation offline. Therefore, this article will take a look at that railing, and why it needs to be raised. This article will show pictures of the railing, and will explore what it feels like to walk across the bridge to get to the railing, if that is indeed where people are jumping from. Because this person was not the first, and this is a problem.
Recognizing that even seeing pictures of the access path and railing may trigger emotions in people to either see for themselves for whatever reason, or if people who knew someone who did go over the railing, I (Katie) will contribute thoughts about how to get around and through hard feelings when they come.
As a jogger, I have run across this bridge several times, often wondering why the railing was so low, and feeling terrified to run across it, simply as a runner, walker or biker, since making one un-returnable choice is so easy to do from this bridge. Those crazy fantasies happen about what if one is flung over the railing, or what if one trips and somehow flips up and over the railing, even though tripping upwards is almost impossible. But, that is what the low height of this railing can do to people of mind who do not intend to jump.
We do not know how these people got to the spot on the bridge from which they jumped. Did they park on the right side of the bridge (if leaving Beacon), exit their car, and simply step off? Since there is no railing on the north (right) side of the bridge when leaving Beacon? Or did they walk down the path on the south (left) side of the bridge when leaving Beacon? If they came from the Newburgh side, this article does not look at that path.
For this article, I walked the left side to get to the middle, when coming from Beacon. Normally I jog here, but for this article, I parked my car at a friend’s house and walked. In this different head-space, I almost forgot how to get to the walking path that leads to the bridge. By the time I got to the I-84 overpass, I doubted myself as to where I was, since I was so near to the exit ramp. But sure enough, that is where the path is.
Cars whiz by very quickly, and the changing gears of the 18-wheeler trucks produce a large rumbling vibration sound, which has them low-pitched wailing as they get farther away. The current of the interstate traffic is pulsating. There is one sign for cars on the exit ramp: WRONG WAY. That if one were in the end-of-life state of mind, one may hope they would notice this sign and turn around. Next, there is a green sign that says “Life Is Worth Living,” which, if I were in the end-of-life frame of mind, I would want to punch for not understanding me, and carry on. There is one more of those signs later in the walking path. They seem totally useless.
There are 2 levels of railings on the south side of the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge, or, the left side if you are leaving Beacon for Newburgh. The first is a set of bars, like a gate, that is taller than most humans. It starts at the beginning of the bridge, and continues over the tree tops, where the earth slants down to the MTA train tracks. The railing starts low, then goes a few feet higher.
The low railing before the taller railing once the ground ends to slope down. One begins to walk above the treetops, and the railing goes up.
The railing/Gate/bars at the beginning of the bridge on the Beacon side. The bars are taller than most humans
The treetops below the bridge on the Beacon side. Blocked by the taller bars.
After one walks over the tree tops, which is a wonderfully curious sensation, like you are flying, or are a drone, the high bars that were protecting you suddenly go lower. The bar of the gate lowers down to a railing that is the same height of many humans. Or, if you’re 5’8.5”, it is shorter than you. The railing has been lowered, presumably, to open up the view to cars to see clearly the mountains and river. As a walker, you can see all of this clearly, since the space between the bars is plenty wide.
Meanwhile, the metal walking path beneath you is shaking. The bridge moves a bit with all of the cars and trucks driving across it at full speed. Walking on the right side feels pretty normal, but walking on the left side next to the railing on the return back to Beacon, feels almost slanted. I didn’t bring my leveler and don’t have a leveler app, but that half of the metal walkway feels tilted. Could just be the sensation, though!
Coupled with a large gap between the end of the railing and the walkway. One feels like their leg might slip through it, and then one’s entire body might slip through and fall off the bridge. Which is of course impossible, but these crazy sensations pull at one’s body when walking that close to the railing. I can’t imagine how it feels for a person who came there with the intention to jump. Since there is this weird pulling sensation just by being there.
I don’t know that. And this is not why New York State or Beacon or Newburgh of any of these Hudson Valley municipalities should be OK with this bridge being so accessbile by people who are making a decision that may be momentary, or accurate for a few months, or that they may regret. Unlike a drinking or an ice cream binge, that seems like the right idea at the time, there is no turning back from this. Unlike having sex with that first person seems like the right idea at the time, there is no turning back from smacking down onto the water that becomes like cement from that height if one wants to do that. They can’t undo smacking down on the Hudson River Water cement.
“But Katie, people make the decision to die. That’s it. You know that.” This was said to me by a good-intentioned person who wishes no one to die. This is where I want to talk about deciding to end one’s life. And how that is their decision. And those of us left in the living have to tell ourselves things in order to cope with the loss of them here. I’ve read the phrase “Don’t go, you will be missed,” and I understand that sentiment, but sometimes, if someone is in that state of mind, it’s not about other people. It’s about that person, and what that person feels like they can or can no longer contribute or tolerate in this lifetime.
A friend once told me, when I was feeling down about what I thought was losing an emotion forever, they told me: “These are feelings for now. Things return.” I decided to believe my friend, even though I was convinced otherwise. Turns out, my friend was right. Years and years later, my friend remains right.
That friend has become my Day Of The Week Friend. We are very different people. We see straight on 95% of things. The other 5% is very, very different. But we appreciate each other as our Safe Space. Where we can tell each other deep emotions without fear of that friend reporting us, judging us, and if they do judge us, we know it is with good intent, and we know we can push back if we feel we need to.
Days of the week are important, because each day can mean different things. Making it through each day can be very hard. My friend started as my Saturday Friend. In my 20s (I am now 47 with 3 young children), I decided not to answer the phone from anyone in my family before 12noon. Too emotionally dangerous/slippery. But this friend, I can answer their call at any time in the morning. Except 5am. I am journaling then, and need the quiet. Unless they are in an emergency.
That friend expanded to Wednesday Friend. For no reason, really. I think they just wanted to check in again. Tuesdays became another day for us. Slurpy Tuesdays. Because Tuesdays can be very emotional, as they tend to have less structure than the Go Go Go energy of a Monday (as a small business owner, I love Monday’s, because I am the only one making it happen, so I got to make the money and be jazzed about it starting on Monday).
I say this because each day and moment are different. What may feel real and permanent in one moment, will not be real and permanent in another. Some things will. Like true love you feel. Or certain ideas you have. But other truths are set in different ways. The Past You may know some truths, and the Future You may know those truths differently, after reality is revealed along the way.
Not sure about you, but this is how I view the days of the week. Everyone is different in their life experience. I work for myself, so my work hours vary. I don’t commute to a job. My job as a writer and website producer is in my computer, which travels with me everywhere. I also produce client’s social media, so much of my job is in my iPhone.
Monday: Yay!! Monday is here again and I get to start this week again to make money. Money is a huge trigger for me. If I don’t have it - if I can’t buy the groceries my kids need, if I can’t take them to Olive Garden like they ask me, if I can’t pay for the Volleyball registration, I get very, very low. I know this is momentary, and I know what I need to do to get more money. Even though that usually involves emerging from a very scary place.
Tuesday: Slurpy Tuesday. Catch up from Monday, but dangerous because there is less structure here. I try not to answer any phone calls from family on Tuesdays. Especially at holiday time in November/December. This can send me into an emotional tailspin.
Wednesday: Ok, how you doing, Wednesday? This used to be a day that I taught a class. I’ve since abandoned that class, but need to bring it back. Great day for laundry catchup at night to stay ahead.
Thursday: Could be a high or a low day. Usually a high, as people begin opening up to get ready for the weekend. But if no structure, this day can slide to slurpy quickly.
Friday: Wow. It’s Friday. Did I complete everything? No I didn’t. Oh no. Usually am behind on Friday with deadlines. Clients tend to call on this day with website or creative emergencies. Usually my plans go out the window on Fridays. It’s also payday on Friday. If I don’t have the money to make payroll, this is obviously a very depressing day. Usually by Friday Night, I have moved through the Dimming of the Day, which is a peaceful time, but a longing time. I’m usually in a missing mood, and hope that I make it to Saturday.
Saturday: Saturday! Disconnected. Most people are not working or sending business emails. This day is reserved for creative things, bills catchup or bookkeeping. Or Kids Sports of those are in season. If it’s Kids Sports season, then this day is very choppy, difficult and usually exhausting. If a bath with Epson salt didn’t happen Friday night, then it should definitely happen Saturday night.
Sunday: Ugh. Sundays are for Main Street errands, the Farmer’s Market, and purging trash and house clutter. Kids Sports Things if those are in season. Preparing for Monday.
I have been going through a divorce for 2 years, and pondering it for years prior. I don’t know what it feels like to “come out” for one’s sexuality, but telling my friends and family that I was pursuing divorce was very difficult for me. I was hiding for a long time, and in my marriage, felt I had disappeared.
Low moments can often happen if one doesn’t feel heard or seen. This can often happen from people who are the most close to us blood-wise, family-wise. This is why people speak of their “chosen family.” Sometimes one must separate from their blood family in order to process and understand their own needs, and then lift themselves from restrictions being placed upon them in various ways. These restrictions can cause one to feel hopeless.
To get through these moments, to protect against the hopeless feeling, I do 2 things:
Remember that nothing lasts for ever. Good things or bad. I like to believe that the good things morph into the next version of that good thing. The bad or low moments will pass. Even though in that moment, they feel like forever, which is terrifying.
Turn myself into different characters or objects. Here’s what I mean:
Maleficent’s Wings: When I thought that “nesting” was a good idea at the end of my marriage (aka still living together in the same house for financial reasons but are divorced), to be temporary until I bought a different house, my ex-spouse was home more than expected. To survive this, I imagined that Maleficent’s large, black, thick, luscious wings were attached to my back and wrapped around me, shrouding me and protecting me from anything coming my way.
Alice Down A Rabbit Hole: When I’m pursuing an article like this one, I often feel like Alice in Wonderland, gathering pictures and information from places I never expected to be. Meeting new people and learning about their lives.
Cranking A Lawn Mower: During this divorce period, my usual mojo has been off. I can’t get into the groove to produce for my job the way I need to, or know that I can. I often feel like I am pulling on the lawn mower crank thing, and the motor is just not catching. I know it can start, but why. WHY. When it does start, I am very thankful, and I mow the whole lawn without turning it off.
Han Solo Flying The Millennium Falcon: When my motor starts again, I become like a jittery broken ship and a pilot at the same time. According to StarWars.com: “Millennium Falcon is a legend in smuggler circles and is coveted by many for being the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.” When I’m getting back on track, I feel like Han Solo in the pilot seat, working all of the levers and pressing all of the buttons, while some things are springing leaks. He fixes it as he goes, and knows he will be alright, but it’s a scary, yet exciting ride.
Batman and Robin: I don’t have a business partner, but I do, or did, have an employee here at A Little Beacon Blog. During the new time of blogging about Palestine, and how difficult that has been for this publication, thanks to people who are in denial, and to at least 1 stalker who has been walking into businesses demanding that they cut financial ties with my blog, and 1 stalker who takes the time to send a 6 pages letter to over 20 businesses, demanding the same, I had to go rogue. While my employee wanted to stay, I told her that I seem to be driving the plane into the ground, and for her own safety, I must eject her. Oddly, the day before I wrote her this text that I did not send, my body sent me to the hospital with an unexpected attack of Diverticulitis, that I realize know, has been brewing for at last one year. But with the stress of my divorce, these stalkers, and the denial of much of the world who are in power of the murders in Palestine, which bleeds into other genocides and hiding of police brutality and other things, my body couldn’t absorb any more. I may not have wanted to jump off a bridge, but my body sent me to the ER.
Butterfly/Person In Ocean: I have several ocean scenes I embody. On a productive, fast-moving day, I envision myself to be under the water, zipping around the ocean floor, collecting things in my arms. My body travels as fast as a bullet, and can twirl around horizontally while shooting forward. It’s like being a person and a butterfly at the same time.
Sinking To Bottom Of Ocean: I never felt this, but I imagined someone else feeling this way. I let go of them, and they fell slowly into the dark depths of the ocean. They could still breath and see me, but they were gone from me. They were on their own. It was a painful vision for me to have, but necessary for that person to make for themselves.
Treading Water In The Rough Ocean Waves: During my divorce, sometimes I felt like I was bobbing in the cold ocean water in the pitch black night, in angry and busy waves, but staying above water. I was next to a tall ship, where people close to me were in it and watching me, assuming I was fine. “Look how strong she is!” they said. But she/I was treading water as best I could, while cold salt water splashed into my mouth, choking me. The waves kept crashing over my head. I looked up at the people in the ship, and wondered why they thought I was OK and didn’t need help, or a life ring, or a life boat..
I have many more examples of characters or objects you can become. But you get the idea.
And don’t worry, Stalkers. I am exposing you in a few articles to come. You are so proud of your work, so you won’t mind the feature article.
The point is: don’t jump off the bridge. These are moments in time.
Even if someone thinks that jumping off the bridge is a good idea, New York State shouldn’t make it so easy to do. New York State removed the toll booths on the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge and cut those jobs in a few months time. They can raise the railing just as quickly.
We are always in traffic on that bridge. So I know we won’t mind the new construction.
Please write to your elected officials to get this railing raised.
Dutchess County Executive: Sue Serino CountyExec@DutchessNY.gov
Assembly Member Jonathan G. Jacobson: jacobsonj@nyassembly.gov
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After eighteen years in Beacon, the establishment that is Homespun will bow out, putting the menus away for the last time on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Created by Jessica Reisman, Homespun was known for its cozy and eclectic atmosphere with aromas of daily soups lifting spirits each day it was open. Homespun opened a second location in Dia: Beacon. That café will remain open in Dia during museum hours.
Jessica put the business up for sale five years ago, which was purchased by Joe Robitaille, who moved his family up from Brooklyn to Beacon to attend and participate in Main Street and the Beacon City School District. Joe grew up in Hamburg, NY, just outside of Buffalo (he knows all about the blizzards and Bills football).
Upon opening under new ownership in January 2020, Joe, who was a sommelier (a wine professional) in New York City, had aspirations to introduce a deeply diverse wine and beer selection to the restaurant. As most restaurants do in Beacon, he tried to add dinner hours to the schedule, as well as seven days. Both are hard to sustain in Beacon, with the fluctuating tourist traffic and reluctant local market to dine out frequently for reasons of budget or pickiness.
Homespun owner Joe Robitaille, standing outside Homespun in his new Parklet during COVID 2020.
The COVID shutdown hit two months after Joe re-opened Homespun, where states across the country began shutting down most establishments. Homespun was able to open during the take-out phase, and offered wine and beer by the bottle. They also offered the parklet and had a garden out back for dining. Homespun was a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog through that trying time, as well as through the Black Lives Matter movement that marched through Beacon.
In his announcement email to customers, Joe expressed: “To all of our staff throughout the years, thank you. I am so proud of this team for having pushed through arguably the most difficult stretch that restaurants in this country have known. You all made this place, each and every day.”
The wine selection at Homespun.
Homespun’s investment into the wine direction paid off. Not only did Joe introduce a carefully curated collection of wine through relationships he had from his restaurant days in New York City, he also trained Heather Barr as Assistant Sommelier, who was his first hire. She then advanced to Sommelier/Manager of both locations (Homespun & Dia). Heather was awarded Best Sommelier by readers in Hudson Valley Magazine for 2023 and 2024.
“Creating a diverse wine program with Joe was an absolute pleasure,” Heather told A Little Beacon Blog. “I'm thankful for his mentorship and enjoyed supporting Joe’s vision. Working with a list that focused on both traditional styles and more esoteric-up and coming styles has been a joy sharing with our guests and I hope to continue doing this in my next role.”
For the past year at least, Homespun has been for sale. The team found potential fits of those who wanted to invest in the little restaurant, but none that finalized. Joe announced that new owners will be taking over the space, but not the brand. “In the coming months, a new business will open here in this space, and we are excited for them and wish them the best of luck. May the community rally around them like you did for us.”
Said Heather to A Little Beacon Blog in her final days at the eatery: “I'm proud of the resilience we've shown in these years, and I'm grateful to have worked with such an amazing team that showed up each day with a passion to put out good, consistent food and create a welcoming atmosphere for all. While I'm sad our time at Homespun is coming to an end, I will cherish our time here and look back fondly on having the space to grow as an individual, support our team on their own journeys, and welcome the community into this space. This won't be the last you all see of me and I want to say thank you to everyone I've built connections with during my time here :)”
The Planning Board will meet in the Municipal Center Courtroom at 7:00 p.m. A work session will take place at 7:00 p.m. for a training workshop, discussion of agenda items and/or topics of interest to the Planning Board. The regular meeting will begin immediately thereafter, but no later than 7:30 p.m.
Peek at the details below…
Continue review of application for Site Plan and Subdivision Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential, 45 Beekman Street, High Street, and High Street, submitted by Beekman Arts Center LLC and Bay Ridge Studios LLC.
Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, 19 Henry Street, townhomes, submitted by Lori Joseph Builders, Inc.
Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, 14 N Cedar Street, 4-unit multi-family dwelling, submitted by Cervone-Perrucci Realty.
Review of application for Site Plan Approval, accessory dwelling unit, 16 Rock Hill Road, submitted by Donna Schiehsl.
Related Link: “Newburgh/Beacon Bridge Railing Too Low - Easy For Jumpers - Pictures And Suicide Prevention Thoughts”
As reported by K104 and MidHudsonNews, the body of a 21 year old man who jumped from the Newburgh/Beacon bridge was found and recovered in the Hudson River on the Newburgh side on Monday morning, said State Police.
According to the article: “Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that the 21-year-old man, whose name was not made public, jumped from the mid-span of the bridge just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. He was a resident of Montgomery.”
The mid-span of the Newburgh/Beacon bridge is quite low. A person would not need to try hard to jump over it.
A good resource for anyone thinking of suicide, feeling extra low, or for helping a person with despondent thoughts, is NAMI Mid Hudson.
Peek at the agenda below…
Swearing in of Thomas Durkin as Police Detective Sergeant
Swearing in of Kelvin Grey as Police Sergeant
Presentation of the 2021-2030 City of Beacon Government Operations Climate Action Plan
Appointment of Cole Lawrence to the Position of Heavy Motor Equipment Operator
Appointment of Isabella Nocerino to the Position of Police Officer
2024 Beacon Accessible Curb Ramps Bid Results
2024 Beacon City Hall Exterior Stair Replacement Bid Results
2024 Climate Smart Communities Grant Program
Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds
Proposed Local Law No. 8 of 2024 Concerning the Fishkill Creek Development District
Interested in Sponsoring this Guide? Find more details here >
Peek at the agenda below:
Resolution No. 75 - Appointing Cole Lawrence to the Position of Heavy Motor Equipment Operator
Resolution No. 76 - Approving the Appointment of Isabella Nocerino to the Position of Police Officer
Resolution No. 77 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute an Agreement with Sun Up Construction Corporation for the 2024 Beacon Accessible Curb Ramps Project
Resolution No. 78 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute an Agreement with MCT at Service, Inc. for the 2024 Beacon City Hall Exterior Stair Replacement Project
Resolution No. 79 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Submit an Application for a 2024 Climate Smart Communities Grant
Resolution No. 80 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for the Fishkill Avenue Water Main Replacement
Resolution No. 81 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for Highway Department Equipment
Resolution No. 82 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Resolution No. 83 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for a Ladder Fire-Fighting Truck
Resolution No. 84 - Adopting Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Minimum Parking Requirements
Resolution No. 84 - Referring Proposed Local Law No. 8 of 2024 Concerning the Fishkill Creek Development District to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
On Tuesday after midnight (Wednesday, July 31, 2024), “Beacon Police received a 911 call “of an upset subject” stating: ‘Looper's Plaza,” according to a press release issued by the department. Looper’s Plaza is the area that contains Beacon Dental, Sal’s Pizza, the convenient and wine store, and the basketball and tennis courts, at the intersection of South Avenue and Wolcott Avenue.
According to the press release, Beacon Police Department members “checked the area and located individuals in South Avenue Park walking away from the area toward West Center Street.” South Avenue Park includes the playground at the top left of the hill if one is facing the Beacon Recreation Center, which is located at 23 West Center Street.
“They stopped the individuals and one of them, a 16-year-old male, was observed to be bleeding. He stated he had been in a fight and was stabbed,” the press release stated. The teenager was transported to St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. At the hospital in the Emergency Room, “it was determined that he had suffered a non-life-threatening laceration to the head.”
While officers were interviewing the teenager, two other teenagers entered the ER: 17-year-old female and an 19-year-old male who were “also suffering from non-life-threatening lacerations.” The press release stated that the male and female teens were “believed to be associated with this incident.”
The incident is under investigation, and no further details have been released. People with information about the stabbing incidents are encouraged call the Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111 to ask to speak to a detective.
Example of a supportive comment at the top, followed by a insulting comment below. For businesses in Beacon or anywhere, slings at pricing for local business is tiring and can be more casually targeted at businesses run by people of color.
Last week, ALBB covered the opioid crisis related bankruptcy of Rite Aid as being the reason for their bare shelves. With the exception of the ice cream freezer, which employees said was broken. In response, one local reader, Lesly Deschler Canossi, commented via Instagram: “and leaving key food and molile pricing as only option on ice cream is just wrong.” She most likely meant the “Mobil” gas station in that typo. What is not a typo, however, is her intent of branding an image of pricing, which is misleading and untrue. The price of ice cream is nearly equal between Key Food and Rite Aid, with Rite Aid at times having the higher price.
Before we get started in this pricing deep dive, it must be recognized that there are people in Beacon who like to throw these punches at Key Food and Mobil, which are both locally owned by families who live in the community. Key Food is Yemeni American owned, and Mobil is South Asian American owned. When members of the Beacon community speak their rude remarks, is it racist? Islamophobic? Hangry?
It can’t be hangry since this is not the first time somebody took a swipe at Key Food for no reason. It has happened during a City Council Meeting, when Dennis Pavlov demanded that a bigger grocery store move in, for instance.
NAMI Ribbon PSA Campaign for Mental Health Awareness hanging outside key food on their trees, when the City Of Beacon denied NAMI from hanging them.
Key Food gives on a regular basis to organizations of Beacon, but are they recognized? This includes Key Food’s civic contributions, like when they donated 10’ of their parking lot years ago to be turned into mulched beds for trees to widen the feel of the sidewalk. Key Food also allowed PSA ribbons for the NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) white ribbon campaign in May, when Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White denied NAMI the ability to hang them on lamp posts. The City of Beacon was the only municipality in this region who denied NAMI. The ribbons were everywhere else. Key Food allowed the ribbons on the trees in their parking lot, so that NAMI could have some representation in Beacon.
Let’s look at the real important issue here: the price of ice cream in the freezer.
In a Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough vs cookie dough comparison, Key Food was $6.79 and Rite Aid was $7.29. Other flavors varied, where Key Food was higher than Rite Aid by a handful of cents. Mobil, which is really a convenience store owned by Shah and not attached to Mobil, came in at $8.99. This means Mobil (or, Shah) can only buy ice cream in much smaller quantities than either Key Food or Rite Aid, giving him less buying power to pass a deal to customers.
Of Talenti, Key Food is $.60 higher than Rite Aid. Hardly sticker shock.
What also must be discussed are the discounts and deals on ice cream and other items at both Rite Aid and Key Food. Both offer deals with a VIP card. Rite Aid makes you use your card to get the deal. Which is a loss of your private data. Rite Aid then profits off your data by selling it to data mining companies who then hit your email inbox with personalized, flavored spam.
Key Food in Beacon just scans their own card, and off you go with your bonus special deal. Last week at Key Food, Haagen-Daz Ice Cream was 2 for $8 on Assorted Flavors, which comes to $4 per pint.
When you’re getting the coupon, be sure you read the label. If you grab a box that isn’t covered in the deal, then you’re not going to get the deal. Like these Haagen-Daz Vanilla Milk Chocolate bars. You get 2 for $8 of the box of 3. Not the box of 6 mini versions.
Ok? Ok.
And don’t miss the sale on Stone Ridge Creamery ice cream, where it’s $3.99 today.
Did you know that Haagan Daz pints are only 14 ozs? Not even the full 16oz.
So now who you going to be mad at?
ATTN Main Street Storefronts!
Winter is the hardest time for all of us. It’s a time when businesses need to get the word out the most, but budgets are low as tourist traffic dies down and snow shovels are out.
ALBB is offering a Christmas In July sale on advertising! For Main Street Businesses only.
Lock in 6 months of advertising now and enjoy the promotion onward. Partner with us each week to get the exact message out you want.
REGULAR $200/month
HOLIDAY SALE! $170/month
BEST DEAL $150/month (Discounted Sponsor Subscription program auto-billing)
Storefront Photo
A square photo (your choice) of your business placed in the shopping guide + Logo.
Photo Gallery
A few pictures of your establishment.
Event Listings
List any and all of your events, and get them listed in ALBB’s Things To Do weekend newsletter.
Newsletter Weekend Feature
Guaranteed placement in our weekend newsletter, known as the “Things To Do In Beacon Guide” or “Retail Therapy Guide.”
Weekly Instagram Post
We will pull a photo from your Instagram every week & re-share it to our Instagram! Sometimes, we will come in & take photos of things we love & share them with our readers as well. *If you have a photo & specific writing that you want us to share, please email it to us by Wednesday of each week.*
Member Meetups
A monthly member networking meeting (optional)
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After the sale of the building that housed Max’s on Main went through, rumors swirled faster than a Hudson Valley micro-burst that the new restaurant would be a steakhouse. “It’s going to be like Peter Lugars! What has Beacon become!?” lamented some Beacon people, as they shook their heads, convinced that the last of the old Beacon restaurant bars were gone.
They weren’t totally wrong. The building that housed Joe’s Irish Pub on the other end of Main Street was sold by an generations deep Beacon citizen to new landlord realtors, one of whom branded herself as a “Social Justice Advocate Working at the Intersection of Philanthropy and Real Estate” who has since evicted an elderly man who is nearly deaf who was living there under Section 8 eligibility, as well as attempted evictions on others. Beacon’s Good Cause Eviction Law failed that man.
The doors are down at Lyonshare, making way for the new double doors.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Joe’s Irish Pub was replaced by Momo Valley, which moved from its vendor stall in the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a spot known for being an incubator of food businesses who eventually leave the nest for bricks and mortars of their own.
The building that housed Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency was sold by a generations deep Beacon citizen to a new owner, which ended the location of longtime Roma Nova (but find Roma Nova on Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue)! where Roma Nova permanently popped back up!), the barber, Bratt’s Florist, and Dutchess Community Outreach, who also offered a food pantry, were also pushed out by price and landlord negotiations. Dutchess Community Outreach did pop back up around the corner on Eliza Street. These are recent examples of businesses clinging to Beacon as they secure new leases when buildings turn over.
Enter one of Beacon’s newest building owners, Bud Schmeling, who bought the former Max’s building at 246 Main Street. “I was the manager of Peter Luger Steak House. That’s probably why people thought this would be a steak house. I can assure you, it will not be a steak house,” Bud told A Little Beacon Blog, after he reached out to this publication to quell such rumors and give us the inside scoop on his vision.
This building was not the first that Bud considered. “I was looking at other places,” Bud told ALBB. “Dogwood was for sale. We talked to them.” Dogwood, co-founded by former City Councilmember and current artist/builder George Mansfield, ended up selling Dogwood to local multi-real estate property and business holder, Brendan McAlpine.
Bud continued: “I came across this [246 Main Street]. Richie and his brother wanted to retire. They were ready. They left on their own terms. I have a good relationship with Richie. He has been helpful in the transition. No one came in and ran him out.”
ALBB can attest that Richie and Harvey Kaplan were selling the building before Harvey’s unexpected passing. Years ago Richie even asked ALBB if we wanted the building, to turn it into a hotel! We can barely pay our own electric bill and countless Roblox dollars to our kids, let alone college savings accounts. So we passed on the opportunity.
The building has apartments upstairs that were low income housing. They were not in the best shape, but at times, employees became tenants. In fact, one of the older employees who was facing eviction from his apartment above the former Joe’s Irish Pub after its new owners came. He wasn’t being evicted for not paying rent. Those landlords wanted to increase his rent, so mounted a legal campaign to evict him. He was considering one of Richie’s apartments as a place to land, but settled elsewhere in Beacon, knowing the move would be temporary with the pending building sale.
Bud explained to ALBB: “As far as the tenants go, there were only a few left. Some of them actually worked for Richie. He gave them many months notice that he was selling the building and it needed to be vacant. That was the stipulation of the sale. They all had ample time to look for new lodgings, and we permitted them to stay as long as needed until they were settled. No one was upset or surprised as they knew early in the year that Richie sold the building. There weren’t any evictions. It went very smoothly.”
A photo of 246 Main Street from decades ago.
Photo Credit: Beacon Historical Society
Bud’s plans are to restore the building to its original look, based in part on a photo he found from the Beacon Historical Society. Did Bud know that the building had recently been designated historic, and that Richie and Harvey objected to the City of Beacon doing that? Fearing that it might hinder the sale of the building since any upgrades would need to fall within historic code which tends to be more expensive?
“No,” Bud told ALBB. “These are the plans I had for it anyway.”
Former patrons will experience a total change from the outside to the inside of the building. According to a photo held by the Beacon Historic Society, the building was white washed with black windows.
“It is called milk washed,” But explained, “where you’ll see the original red brick under the white coating.” This aesthetic will be inside and out. The infamous dark wood bar is being replaced with a white quartz top. Regulars who were used to sitting in the warm wood might experience a pleasant surprise of fresh white quartz.
The tin ceilings will remain, but are being changed from black to antique white. The front door entrance will be grander, with double doors that are almost twice the height. The kitchen has been completely ripped out. “We need to keep it to code, so all of it is getting redone,” Bud confirmed. Outside the kitchen, where the service station used to be, will be the oyster bar. Bud showed this to ALBB by placing his body in the middle of the corner and spreading his long arms to approximate the size. His eyes lit up as he envisioned the events they could have around the oyster bar, with a similar bench layout of seating down the living room side of the restaurant.
The restaurant will be called Lyonshare.
As Bud is renovating the building, ALBB asked him where he is staying. Did he buy something? Is he renting? “Rent is worse here in Beacon than it is in NYC. Finding someplace to rent has been difficult. I’m still searching.” Will he make himself an apartment upstairs? “The building is zoned as a hotel,” Bud told ALBB. “I think eventually it might be a hotel. Right now, we are just wanting to get the restaurant open. Maybe in 6 months we want to figure out what to do up there. Everyone I talked to thinks that would be a good idea.”
Bud says he is heartened by the sense of community in Beacon, and those in the restaurant business who want to help him. “All the other restaurant owners. People from Carter’s. The bar people. Everyone has been super helpful. They offered a list of vendors. I feel the sense of community. That has been very refreshing.”
Bud opened Black Betty in Williamsburg, in 2000. Williamsburg at that time was undergoing a massive transformation, from blocks and blocks of garages - literal garage doors everywhere with bands playing behind them sometimes - to a neighborhood with baby strollers. “We were one of the first bar/restaurants in that first wave.” When they closed earlier than anticipated in 2009, one publication described Black Betty as “among the first of North Brooklyn’s early gentrifiers to be driven out of the neighborhood.”
In an article capturing what seemed to be a dramatic closing nine years later during a lease negotiation dual, Bud was quoted as saying: “‘We were definitely the first of a new breed of Williamsburg bars and performance places — and I don’t see something truly replacing Black Betty,’ said co-owner Bud Schmeling, whose intimate concert venue and attached Middle Eastern restaurant has drawn acts including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Antibalas for free shows.” The food was also described as North African and Mediterranean.
Bud says he is digging into Beacon as his place of residence, plans to be at the restaurant every day, and intends to join the Elks Club. He was manager at Peter Luger for 14 years. After that, he was manager at Gage and Tollner. “It is there I met Adam Shepard,” Bud expands, “who was the executive chef and is designing our menu at Lyonshare.” Bud is also currently a senior writer at the award winning Victory Journal, a quarterly on sport and culture.
Prior to this article publishing, ALBB described Bud’s stated plans to a focus group person who was committed to believing the rumor of the steakhouse concept. After a blink, the focus group person reflected: “Well, Beacon needs a steakhouse.” Proof that these Beacon people cannot be satisfied.
Based on Bud’s culinary and life experiences, seems like this renovation is going to bring another breath of fresh air to the block, which is flanked by Palestinian owned Ziatun, Isamu, Homespun, with Healthy In Color for carefully nutritionalized juices and salads across the street.
Looking forward to the reveal!
Not the Nail Bar! Bare shelves of ice-cream, deodorant, makeup in Beacon’s hot retail summer set off readers to inquire what was going on with Rite Aid on Main Street. While there was no impact on beer, snack drinks, and vitamin supplements, inventory on the shelves has been dwindling these past months. “We’re not going anywhere,” one employee assured A Little Beacon Blog. “We have too much foot traffic. They aren’t closing our store.” Welcome to the Bankruptcy of Rite Aid 2024 Edition.
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, where it sought to address its debt, close stores it deemed under-performing, sell off non-core business, and sell its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir, as reported by Reuters. “Before it filed for bankruptcy, Rite Aid faced over 1,600 lawsuits alleging that pharmacy chain ignored red flags and illegally filled prescriptions for addictive opioid medication.” According to Reuters, Rite Aid was being sued by the Department of Justice, and several local governments in opioid lawsuits for “filling suspicious prescriptions for addictive opioid pain drugs.”
According to Becker’s Hospital Review’s report of a Bloomberg analysis of court documents, Rite had had 2,100 stores, of which, 1,700 of those had pharmacies.
According to a Beacon employee right here on Main Street, some vendors were skeptical of not getting paid, so have not been accepting re-orders on product. Or, said the employee, the system to make a re-order gets glitchy to use. “But it should be better by the end of summer. The bankruptcy is finished,” they told ALBB. On June 28, 2024, a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Rite Aid's restructuring plan, “allowing the pharmacy chain to cut its debt by $2 billion and turn over control to a group of lenders,” Reuters reported, which it said saved 28,000 jobs. As for opioid related lawsuit payouts, 22,000 people stood to receive $250-$500 each, according to the article. Rite Aid reached settlements with 16 of the 17 states in which it operates in.
One ALBB reader and Rite Aid employee told ALBB via Instagram: “Beacon store is safe! Rite Aid is officially out of bankruptcy. Just a waiting game on getting the store fully stocked again 😅 As for the ice cream: the freezer is busted 😂🤣”
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