For years we have watched Mary, aka @muralsbymare, paint subway walls, business walls, any wall she can get her brushes on. On a rainy Monday, we happened to see her mid-project for Café Mokha 1450 in Poughkeepsie across from Marist where she has been commissioned for the second time to paint the wall opposite the first wall she covered. This piece will be the Wall of Yemen, as we learned about during our first interview with co-owner Ali Dabashi, which will showcase the architecture, hospitality and beauty of Yemen.
During this interview, Mary shares with us her painting process. Her passion of painting is now her full time job, with her first big project being the statement wall at Carters Restaurant. She had been a bartender at Carter’s. Chef and owner Jon Lombardi asked her if she wanted to paint the logo on the wall that the live bands play in front of. That wall has become a signature look of the restaurant. Mary was commissioned a second time to paint a cascading mystical scene outside on the back patio, as well as hand-paint the letters above the front door.
Take a listen for a dose of inspiration this regular Tuesday, to see what believing in yourself and your talents can look like. This small business interview is brought to you by Tin Shingle, a resource and empowerment zone helping dreamers turn ideas into action.
Happened to arrive when Murals By Mare was there painting the Wall of Yemen before their Grand Opening on August 14th! Seeing Mary in person was a treat in itself, as we only see her in pictures. ALBB interviews Mary’s painting process here!
Co-owner Ali Dabashi Ali Dabashi fixed us the comforting Adeni Chai tea, which is sweet Yemeni spiced black leaf tea with cardamom and nutmeg made really hot with evaporated milk.
The Biscoff dessert in a can at 1450 MOkha in Poughkeepsie across from Marist in the Job Lots parking lot.
Also enjoyed an iced Strawberry Refresher drink with a Biscoff dessert in a can, as well as a whipped strawberry mouse type delight.
Many of you know ice cream and sorbet maker James Spica from his bright yellow tent at the front of the Beacon Farmer’s Market every Sunday. You may also recognize his voice from his weekly radio show on WVKR 91.3FM. James makes and sells popsicles and cups of ice cream and sorbet. But you can only mainly get it on Sundays at the market. Until he partnered with Annie down at The Chocolate Studio on the east end of Main Street near the mountain.
How did this happen, and what is available?
James tells A Little Beacon Blog (who is a regular customer of his strawberry rhubarb): “Back in 2024, Annie approached me at the Beacon Farmers Market and asked if I would be interested in having my award winning line of vegan ice cream and sorbet offed at The Beacon Chocolate Studio. Already up to my eyeballs in new orders I said thanks so much for the offer but I can’t do it. Annie asked again in 2025 and I had to say yes. It’s been a pleasure to have my New Confectioner vegan ice-cream in her shop. I’ve been a vendor at the three time Best Of The Hudson Valley winning Beacon Farmers Market since 2011, and I am so proud to be a small part of that. Annie just stocked up with our most indulgent flavors including Matcha, Strawberry Rhubarb, Turkish Chocolate Coffee and more. Thanks Again Annie, You Rock!!”
How Did James Get Started?
“A while back,” James tells ALBB, “my most excellent wife, Judy, got me a simple ice cream maker for my birthday. That turned out to be a light switch moment and the beginning of my total obsession with frozen desserts.”
James discovered the frozen dessert in the small town of El Pescadero Baja Mexico. “I had some very rustic, but oh so delicious helado flavors. Prune, avocado, corn, tequila, and almond. These sound simple enough, but the authenticity of the flavors really came through," James recalled.
“Later, I had the good fortune to taste my first vegan ice cream in Rome, Italy, a place with a long history of dairy gelato. But Rome is also know for its world renowned food, and we found a vegetarian spot that had wonderful vegan ice cream.”
In 2010, with two new Ice creams maker in hand, James began to selling his vegan treats at the Millbrook Farmers Market. “To my surprise, they took off. After retiring, I had the benefit of some retirement money. So I took classes at the Culinary Institute of America and at Penn State.” Having the Culinary Institute of America so close to Beacon in the Hudson Valley has produced several culinary self-starters like James.
“The year of 2025 was my 16th season, and I can’t imagine ever stopping,” James concluded.
Thursday is ALBB’s first meetup for our Business advertisers! This is ALBB’s Business Blog Squad. A collection of therapists, roofers, restaurant owners, shop owners, and more. This is a chance for a time to get together to talk shop, share experiences, spark new ideas, and come away revived to keep going. Because as business owners, we push ourselves to push through. 👊🏼
Hosted by the generous Elizabeth Rodriguez, owner of the beautiful and intimate Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar at 173 Main Street. ALBB business Members enjoy 1 free glass of wine with 1 tapas order.
This is a great time to join ALBB’s Business Blog Squad and begin your advertising campaigns. We created several levels to work with different budgets and goals.
BRING A FRIEND Bring your spouse, partner, favorite person, fellow staff member. Enjoy yourself and mingle with friends.
IDEATE! Get down to business with other business owners who want to support you and mutually share in your success. Let’s discuss what’s working, what is not working, and how we can grow from there.
CELEBRATE Your chance to share what you’re celebrating.
NAIL IT Come away revived. Make new or renewed connections with others.
ALBB’s ADVERTISING PROGRAMS
There are several to pick from:
Things To Do In Beacon Guides:
Designed for businesses on Main Street. Get weekly features in ALBB’s Instagram and weekend Newsletter. See Them Here >
Business Directory:
Designed for service-based businesses and the service extension of Main Street business (such as Catering or additional Beauty services). Search This Here >
Branded Content:
Designed for businesses who want to control the narrative. Purchase one article or partner with ALBB for one article each month.
Learn about all advertising programs here in ALBB’s Media Kit. Advertising memberships can be started online via the link below. DM with questions or schedule a phonecall to explore.
A new design has been sprayed onto the left wall of the Skate Park, which so far has been used by presumably smaller kids and those who produce smaller designs and sketches. This composition is little bit pac-man, a little bit maze, a little bit domino blocks. But that’s just one interpretation.
A few friendly symbols adorn the inside, like a peace sign and a heart, maybe some polkadots, which could be in tribute to this side of the wall.
The start of a skull or X-ray is on the right side of the wall.
As with all of these graffiti arts, to be continued...
For our ladies, we are bringing perimenopause into the timeline. Now is a good time to promote your classes, products, benefits of pelvic floor health, fitness, therapy and nutrition if they are part of your services. See ALBB's Media Kit for ideas, or reach out for custom created content campaigns just for you. We have plenty of hotness left before the fall comes.
Speaking of fall...the Spirit of Beacon Day has announced that it is open for registration and sponsorships! Lots of Back to School brewing, but we are firmly still in summer.
ALBB MEMBER EVENT!
Business Blog Squad Goals Meetup: A Monthly Soiree For Little Beacon Blog's Advertisers
Connection is key to business owners. We want to see each other, talk shop, tap in with what is reality for everyone, as we all experience different realities in our businesses. This is a time for member advertisers to check in with each other, learn how to support each other, and come away energized with new ideas and revived conviction of moving forward.
Hosted by the generous Elizabeth Rodriguez, owner of the beautiful and intimate Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar at 173 Main Street. Members enjoy 1 free glass of wine with 1 tapas order.
BRING A FRIEND
Bring your spouse, partner, favorite person, fellow staff member. Enjoy yourself and mingle with friends.
IDEATE!
Get down to business with other business owners who want to support you and mutually share in your success. Let’s discuss what’s working, what is not working, and how we can grow from there.
CELEBRATE
Your chance to share what you’re celebrating.
NAIL IT
Come away revived. Make new or renewed connections with others.
RSVP: Email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com if you are coming. If you need to wait until last minute to decide and just show up, you can do that too.
Stony Kill's Open Barn Days: Saturdays and Sundays Time: 11am-1pm
Step into the barn and experience our Open Barn program! Meet our heritage livestock up close, learn about the important role these unique breeds play in agriculture, and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience for all ages.
Stony Kill Looking For Event Volunteers
Says the organization: "Festival season is just around the corner, and we're looking for volunteers to help make our community events a success! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, running activities, selling our goods or cleanup, your support makes a big difference. Join our volunteer team, meet new people, give back to your community, and help create memorable experiences for families of all ages." Learn More >
STONY KILL'S BUTTERFLY & BLOOMS FESTIVAL
During our week-long festival, enjoy some of the amazing learning activities offered all week, and then join us for the culminating event on Saturday, August 16th from 4-7:30pm. The Festival Finale features music on the lawn, hay rides, activities, face painting, crafts, food trucks, and much more. Learn More >
GRAND OPENING PACKAGE
Are you planning your Grand Opening to your business?
Or your Grand Re-Opening?
Celebrate it with A Little Beacon Blog!
Book it on our website so that we can show off all you have accomplished. Buy Now >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
In keeping with the matriarchal vibes that @sarahofmagdalene has been putting out (featuring @rosiejsargent@thatgirlfromavalon , this one about the sword resonated.
Available to ages Ages 13+. You will experience a typical class in the art of your choice! If you're checking out kobudo or iaido, you will be provided with loaner tools/swords for the day. All classes are beginner-friendly. Beginners welcome! Learn More >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
Eggbert's is available at 5 local farmer's markets, and now offers easy to arrange pre-ordering to pick up at a market of your choice. Head to their website today to schedule yours.
Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market 11am-5pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Saturdays: Pick-Up Pre-Orders Only at Newburgh Farmer's Market Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm Farm Fridge: Shake and Grind, 190 S. Plank Road, Newburgh SHOP ONLINE:Order Online DELIVERY: 🚚 Free Website >Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
The Station Dispensary
463 Main Street, Beacon NY
In keeping with the weed/breakfast theme this weekend, may we present the Breakfast Connection, a weed many enjoy and seek out - a blunt in hemp wrap. The Breakfast Connection, which is new to The Station Dispensary, includes:
NASCAR Hybrid
Haze Sativa (more uplifting energetic)
Kush Hybrid
Sticky Buns Indica Dominant Hybrid (relaxing)
Cereal Milk (1gram Infused Blunt Hybrid)
Permanent Marker Indica (relaxing)
Candy Fumes - Sativa - an 8th (a "head-high" brain food)
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
The Creamy Burrata. The Prosciutto Di Parma. The Kalamata Olives, Roasted Red Peppers and Toasted Crostini. Carter's knows how to do Italian. Walk-ins welcome. Or reservations. Either way, get there.
Back patio open! Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
If Charleston, SC, Folly Beach and Greenville, SC make you happy, then this news will make you very happy. The burger company inside of the Food Hall, West Palmetto, is now open on Wednesdays. Making it a solid open 7 days a week. One less thing you need to think about when heading out for your weekly or daily burger. Please enjoy their tater tots and special sauce safely. You might order doubles.
PIGGY BANK 2.0 446 Main Street, Beacon NY
edible Hudson Valley just released their Best Barbecue in the Hudson Valley, and Beacon’s Piggy Bank 2.0 was recognized as one of them in Dutchess County. The magazine raved about the current menu “having a little bit of everything, from smoked brisket, St. Louis ribs and pulled pork, to Bank Nachos, shrimp and cheesy grits, and biscuits and brisket gravy.” ALBB has had the full-pull mozzarella sticks, but has yet to try the cheesy grits. Locals: don’t sleep 💤 on this opp. Go to Piggy Bank for lunch mid-week or order to go. Instagram > Piggy Bank 2.0 is a Sponsor!
ZIATUN BEACON 244 Main Street, Beacon NY
These Middle Eastern dishes from Palestinian recipes can never be enjoyed too many times. Open 7 days for your convenience, and open until 9pm. Instagram > Ziatün is a Sponsor!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon NY
Now you can get Rose Lemonade in a bottle. Plus many other drinks, including the Bear's Fruit Probiotic Sparkling Water in Beacon Bread's pretty new drink case. If your thirsty out there, stop in just for something bubbly, if not baked. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor!
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Programs are enrolling for summer at Mountain Stream Budo! The training does not stop for summer (and the air conditioning is on inside)!
Classes available for all ages - kids 4-12, teens and adults! Stop in any time this summer for a free trial class. No experience necessary; beginners welcome.
Pick from (or combine!):
Traditional karate
Okinawan weapons
Jujitsu
Swordsmanship Learn More >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
In keeping with the matriarchal vibes that @sarahofmagdalene has been putting out (featuring @rosiejsargent@thatgirlfromavalon , this one about the sword resonated. You can take Sarah’s course on decentering patriarchal men (it’s virtual), *and* learn how to use the sword here in Beacon. With precision, accuracy and core strength.
Weekly Class Schedule Tuesdays 7:30 Thursdays 7:15 Saturdays 1:00
Mountain Stream Budo also offers a self defense workshop. Pictured here is a Women’s Self Defense workshop that was put together earlier this year. If you have interest in a self defense workshop, or in the Battodo Iaido (swordsmanship) classes, email info@MountainStreamBudo.com for more information.
See also about a Trial Class! Where you can get all your martial arts questions answered, see the space, and the swords. Karate, jujitsu and weaponry classes are all offered. Beginners welcome! No experience necessary.
Located on Eliza Street (right off Main Street) next to Oui Oui and across from the Mobile gas station: 340 Main Street, Beacon, NY (entrance on Eliza Street)
Chocolate Chip Cookies baked by The Chocolate Studio Beacon that you cannot unsee. Try. But if you go in to this little candy shop on the east end of Main Street by the mountain, and if you do not buy the freshly baked cookie to eat before making it to your parked car or next destination, then you will be returning night after night, refreshing their closed hours to see if they are really closed or if they have another batch in the oven maybe for tomorrow. Go today.
Chocolate Studio is a longtime chocolatier famous for their caramel chocolate combinations. They love smothering sweets in chocolate, and carrying other brand’s candy. And for #stationeryday, they even have edible note paper for secret letter writing that your intended can eat.
See this shop and more in A Little Beacon Blog’s OG Shopping Guide:
Pictured here is a forever face of Beacon, former Mayor Randy Casale, who walks every morning, and used to wake up even earlier to water those petunias hanging above your heads back when watering the petunias had to be cut from the budget.
He’s not affiliated with this year’s Spirit of Beacon Day (that ALBB knows of), but here he was last week, wearing his Spirit t-shirt.
Following up to Wednesday’s article about the tree falling on Beekman, a resident, Katherine Mahoney, wrote in to A Little Beacon Blog to say: “Get your facts right! On 7/29 a tree did not fall. A big branch fell off the tree onto Beekman. I was there😊”
Two sources had verified to ALBB that “a tree fell.” However, to get more precise information, ALBB inspected the tree close to the sidewalk, on the other side of the fence of the Hammond Plaza residential units. While there, Katherine and another person was outside inspecting the tree. ALBB approached to learn more, and asked whose property the tree was on for future tree maintenance. Neither could confirm, but Katherine said: “We are trying to get a survey.” Katherine also recalled another tree incident last year along the sidewalk.
One year ago to the day, a Tree in the same line as this year’s branch break uprooted and fell into Hammond Plaza. Photo Credit: A Reader of ALBB.
It was speculated that more than one tree was not healthy, whereby a large branch falling into the street, such as Wednesday’s incident, may happen again.
Just one year ago, an entire tree fell over at the root, as photographed on July 30, 2025. A reader of ALBB submitted this time-stamped photo of the tree that fell in the direction of Hammond Plaza last year, almost reaching the residential parking lot and a parked car. Had it fallen the other way, it would have blocked the road.
‘Twas a busy morning for the Beacon Highway Department (and possibly the Water Department if they were helping, but they’d have to chime in to confirm). After Tuesday evening’s downpour and steady lightening storm, a tree branch fell on Beekman, the road that leads down to the Beacon train station.
After a steady downpour, cracks of lightening and rolling thunder Tuesday night, the sinkhole at the top of the Beacon Train Station entrance that revealed itself on May 21, 2026 also after rainfall, and was covered in with dirt, opened again early Wednesday morning. Drivers to the train station could continue down the driveway, but were advised by MTA Police to follow the cones around the sinkhole. All photos are at the bottom of this article.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the sinkhole was covered in with dirt again, and one side was covered with a metal plate. In May, the Beacon Police inspected the hole with a flashlight, as it was open and hollow under the asphalt. In these pictures, the dirt has already been thrown in. Compared with the photos in May 2026, the sinkhole appears to be spreading. More patches of sunken asphalt are opening further down the driveway.
Can this chronic sinkhole suddenly collapse, taking the MTA Police officer guarding it and the nearby MTA Police Station with it?
“If there is not enough support for the land above the spaces,” states the U.S. Geological Survey website, “then a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur. These collapses can be small, or they can be huge and can occur where a house or road is on top.”
New townhouses are also located at that intersection.
It is not clear why the MTA has not initiated a major repair on this sinkhole that is proving chronic. Dirt turns into mud, and sinks further down. Sinkholes can be caused by leaking pipes underneath the ground. ALBB has not confirmed where the storm-water line is down there on Railway Drive, right off Beekman Street, and who is responsible for repairing it: the MTA or the City of Beacon.
The next block party cookout at South Avenue Park above Loopers Plaza will be the annual Back 2 School Block Party on Saturday, August 22, 2026. This highly anticipated event usually coincides with a final basketball game of Beacon Hoops down at Loopers Plaza court, followed by hamburger’s and hotdogs at in the meadow of South Avenue Park, below the City of Beacon Parks and Recreation Center.
The theme is to “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies. Kids who attend come away with a free bag of school supplies while supplies last. In order to get a bag, kids must go around to the businesses and organizations who have registered for the event.
A Little Beacon Blog will be there offering free face painting at our table. Come say hi!
Beacon’s Cookout this year was complimented this year by a round of Beacon Hoops games that had been rescheduled due to rainfall earlier in the week. As the final teams let out at 1pm, the cheeseburgers and hotdogs were announced to be ready at the DJ booth, followed by an official welcome and call for Beacon’s Black voices to come forward to share their experiences living in Beacon, and their Black histories in Beacon.
“When The Smoke Cleared: What Was Lost In Beacon’s Revival” is a documentary research project about growing up in Beacon, NY and what life in Beacon is like today. The group is seeking individuals between the ages of 18-108 to share their stories, memories and experiences. Email admin@beaconblackvoices.com with interest.
What They Want To Hear About
The filmmakers want to hear about:
Historic Black Beacon
Jim Crow Era
West End Community
Factories and Industrial Life
Urban Renewal
Environmental Conditions
The Closing of Factories
9/11 and COVID-19 Impacts
Gentrification and Change
Heroes Who Built Beacon
Survival, Struggles and Hopes for the Future
Interview Information
Interviews will last between 30-60 minutes. Format can be in various formats including face-to-face, video conferencing, or phone interviews. Interviewees must have lived in or grown up in Beacon. No compensation for participation.
Say the organizers: “The documentary will preserve the voices of generations of African Americans who helped build Beacon and honor the truth of our past, present and future.”
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.
