This December, Savage Wonder Art Center teams with Exit12 Dance Company to blow the doors off holiday tradition with Die Nutcracker Harder, a wild, genre-melting mash-up of A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, and Die Hard — re-imagined as one gloriously chaotic holiday experience.
Conceived by writer Christopher Soucy and brought to life under the direction of Christopher Paul Meyer, Die Nutcracker Harder fuses A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, and Die Hard into a singular theatrical/dance holiday experience done in Savage Wonder’s style - a fully choreographed and blocked performance with no props, no costumes, script-in-hand, live sound foley effects, all done in a living-room-style performance space.
Three Christmas classics walk into a bar… and blow it up.
Cast highlights include:
Kevin Gilmartin (Marvell Repertory Theatre) as The Narrator
John Hartzell (Hit House Creative) as Husband / John McClane
Ana Anderson (Savage Wonder regular) as Wife / Holly
Dean Linnard (Berkeley Rep, Portland Stage, Playwrights Horizons) as Ghosts / Marley
Topher Kage (Savage Wonder)
Each performance will be surrounded by holiday spectacle: pre- and post-show events, seasonal drinks at The Grape Rebellion, pop-up gallery activations, and spontaneous festive ambiance — making every performance a full Savage Wonder holiday experience.
When & Where
Savage Wonder Art Center 139 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 (Entrance via Savage Wonderground / 141 Main Street)
Performance Dates & Times
Saturday, December 6 – 4:30 PM Sunday, December 7 – 3:30 PM Sunday, December 14 – 3:30 PM & 8:30 PM Saturday, December 20 – 7:00 PM Sunday, December 21 – 3:30 PM
Tickets for Die Nutcracker Harder are available via SavageWonder.org and through Eventbrite.
Ticket prices range from approximately $25–$55 depending on date and availability.
ABOUT SAVAGE WONDER ART CENTER
Savage Wonder is a 12,000-square-foot arts venue located in Beacon, NY. Housed in a former bank, the center includes multiple performance spaces, a wine & dessert bar (The Grape Rebellion), pop-up gallery areas, and flexible spaces such as The Parlor and Savage Wonderground. Savage Wonder presents theater, music, visual art, and culinary programming created by veterans, first responders, and their immediate family members. Our work is intimate, surprising, whimsical, and absurd — built to challenge convention and expand what community arts can be. Visit https://savagewonder.org for more.
ABOUT EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY
Exit12 Dance Company is a New York–based contemporary dance nonprofit, founded by a U.S. Marine Iraq War veteran, dedicated to exploring the impact of war, service, and homecoming through movement, storytelling, and dance. Through performances, workshops, and community engagement, Exit12 works to heal veteran and military-connected individuals, educate the public about the human cost of conflict, and advance empathy, understanding, and transformation. Their work spans immersive dance performances, movement workshops for veterans and civilians, and narrative-driven choreography rooted in lived experience. Learn more at https://exit12danceco.org.
The illustration on the JNF packaging for the candles features a man holding an axe with a single tree in the background, representing the forest the organization plants. If the organization plants forest in the dessert, which some environmentalists view as harmful, then it seems counterintuitive to feature a man with an axe to cut that tree down. The axe can therefore be interpreted to symbolize the illegal annexation of Palestinian land by the Israeli government.
by Arvind Dilawar Arvind Dilawar is an independent journalist. His articles, essays and interviews have appeared in The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Daily Beast and elsewhere. Find him online at: adilawar.com
Proceeds of Rite Lite Hanukkah candles donated to Jewish National Fund (JNF), which supports illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
This year, Hanukkah will commence at sundown on December 14, the holiday traditionally observed by lighting candles atop a menorah. For Jews in the Hudson Valley, the selection of Hanukkah candles to choose from includes Rite Lite, which Walmart stocks at its locations in Fishkill, Newburgh, Middletown and elsewhere. The candles are advertised as benefiting the Jewish National Fund (JNF), whose work the packaging describes as including “water resource management, tree planting and the preservation of Israel’s green spaces.”
But JNF is not an environmental steward. It is a supporter of illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, both internationally recognized as Palestinian territory, and has been systematically discriminating against Palestinians in Israel also.
JNF was founded in 1901 as an openly Zionist — or Jewish ethno-nationalist — organization, collecting donations from around the world to purchase land for a Jewish state in what was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Following the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948, JNF became a quasi-governmental organization, with formerly Palestinian lands annexed by the Israeli government transferred to JNF to manage. In 2019, the Yale School of the Environment estimated that JNF held 13% of all Israeli territory, making it the largest private landowner in the country.
JNF’s activities are not confined to Israel’s internationally recognized borders either, as Haaretz reports. While JNF has for years used subsidiaries to operate unofficially in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which along with Gaza constitute the occupied Palestinian territories, the organization decided to openly start supporting the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank in 2021. Since then, JNF has allocated millions of dollars to purchase land “intended for Jewish settlement.”
JNF also openly discriminates against Palestinians in Israel as well. From 1960 to 2005, bidding on leases for the organization’s lands were restricted to “Jewish nationals,” as detailed in a report to the United Nations (February, 2006) by the Habitat International Coalition and the Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. Palestinians, who make up 20 percent of Israel’s population, were thus systematically excluded — but rather than regretting, or even denying, such discrimination, JNF explicitly embraces it. According to a transcript from Adalah’s suit challenging JNF in Israel’s Supreme Court in 2004, JNF itself argued:
As a landowner, the JNF is not a public body which acts on behalf of all the citizens of the state. Its loyalty is to the Jewish people and its responsibility is to it alone. As the owner of JNF land, the JNF does not have to act with equality towards all citizens of the state.
As the report to the UN explains, the Israeli attorney general found that JNF’s leasing practices were indeed discriminatory and bidding had to be opened to non-Jewish Israeli citizens. However, the attorney general also ruled that any time a non-Jewish bidder wins a lease, the state will “compensate” JNF with an equal amount of public land. In other words, state transfers of land to JNF continue — even as JNF defends its “right” to discriminate.
Rite Lite, the Brooklyn-based manufacturer of the candles benefiting JNF, advertises itself as providing products to “thousands of retail locations throughout the U.S. and around the world” on its website. Besides Walmart, online retailers of Rite Lite products include Target, Amazon and JNF itself.
(Walmart, Rite Lite and JNF all failed to respond to requests for comment from A Little Beacon Blog.)
The City of Beacon issued its first reminder warning of the season for how to park during a snowstorm, and who needs to shovel sidewalks.
“In anticipation of upcoming winter weather, we’re writing with a reminder of the City's rules and regulations regarding parking and sidewalks after snowfall,” the City sent via robo call, which arrives by email, phone call, and text message. Sign up for that communication service here.
On-Street Parking Rules
From the City of Beacon: After 2” inches of snow, your vehicle cannot be parked on the street between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and must not obstruct City snowplows from clearing the streets. You’re welcome to move your vehicle into the City's public parking lots, but they must be moved 24 hours after the snow stops falling so that the parking lots can then be cleared after the streets are finished. We hope to avoid issuing any tickets.”
Public Parking Lots
The City of Beacon’s free municipal lots are located here. Cars parked there during a snow fall where the accumulation is 2” inches or greater, must move 24 hours after the snow stops falling. The City will not have cleared that parking lot, so you will need to dig yourself out. Once the cars have cleared the lot, the City of Beacon will plow it.
List of Free Municipal Parking Lots: 1 Municipal Plaza Cross Street and Main Street (behind Hudson Beacon Glass) Cliff Street (near Beacon Bread Company) Parking Lot near Butterhead Salad and Gas Station DMV Parking Lot Church Street and North Chestnut (behind the old Rite Aid) Henry Street (behind Yankee Clipper Diner) Henry Street (behind Sun River Health and Beacon Post Office) Van Nydeck (by The Station Dispensary and Brother's Trattoria) Churchill Street (by Hudson Valley Brewery and Fishkill Creek) Main Street and Verplanck (near Melzingah Tap House)
Snow Tossing Into The Street
Tempting as it may be to toss the snow from your sidewalk or driveway into the street, it is counterproductive, as the snowplow simply pushes it back onto your sidewalk, creating a giant wall. The City of Beacon said in their warning call: “Further, it is both unsafe and a violation of City code to throw snow into the road.”
Sidewalk Clearing: Property Owners Must Clear
The City of Beacon says that property owners must clear adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours of the snowfall ending. Seasoned snow shovelers know that once the temperature rises and the shoveled snow begins to melt, it gets heavy. Best to do while powdery.
The City of Beacon ended their message with a thanks to the Highway Department: “Thanks for helping our hardworking highway crews to get through the storm cleanup and ensuring our streets and sidewalks are safe for all to use.”
On this Giving Tuesday, you can donate to A Little Beacon Blog! On this day or any day. We remain an independent media outlet as a for-profit entity, which doesn’t allow us to apply for certain local news grants as a non-profit would, but we carry on and pursue other revenue models. Thank you to our business sponsors. Readers can contribute using this link. The smallest $5 helps! And tells us how much ALBB means to you. Thank you 🤲🏽🙏🏽
This article is a roundup of the video interviews we did with the Farmer’s Market and the City of Beacon. During that time, things were moving so fast, ALBB’s content only made it to Instagram. Below, please find those write-ups and accompanying videos.
How The Beacon Farmer’s Market Converts SNAP Money into Farmer’s Market Money Currency
Today we look at the SNAP program at the Beacon Farmer’s Market which is run by Common Ground Farm. Taking us through the process of converting SNAP (aka Food Stamp) dollars is Amy Bandolik, the Market Manager for the Beacon Farmer’s Market. Not only can SNAP dollars be spent here, but they are doubled with assistance from:
➕ Greens4Greens $5 cards program from funds raised from their Soup4Greens annual fundraiser, and right now during this federal government shutdown. Donations are being accepted right now for SNAP recipients - and anyone in need - at the Managers Tent in the market or online.
Amy walks us through what happens when the SNAP card is run for $10, and how it multiplies the money exchange The SNAP card gets filled up, so with it not getting filled up, the market continues to make it work by honoring those with cards - and those in need who might not have cards or never applied - with the base amount and these additional dollars.
Thank you for your support. The market is busy today and people are donating. Come in for assistance if you need it. Don’t be shy.
New York States Drops More Dollars For Anyone In Need - Available At The Beacon Farmer’s Market
📣 BREAKING NEWS: New York State has sent additional $2 Fresh Direct Coupons to those in need. Not just SNAP recipients, but those in need. Amy, the Market Manager for Beacon Farmer’s Market received these additional $2 Fresh Direct coupons 💸 to her mailbox yesterday.
Here’s How It Works:
If you are in need for your food situation, you can come to the Manager’s Table each week from November to December 2025 to pick up:
$20 in Fresh Connect coupons. This can buy you meat, produce, other qualifying foods from the vendors at the Beacon Farmer’s Market.
- plus -
$30 Greens4Greens from Beacon Farmers Market fundraiser. People have been donating, and this is what the money turns into. Emergency food money for those in need. You can even buy coffee beans and pastries with these at the market.
Both available each week November-December 2025. No verification required. There is an income qualifying table, but New York State has granted that if you state you are in need, you will be provided for.
How the City of Beacon Distributed Their $50,000 of Emergency SNAP Grocery GIft Cards
Here on this very windy Sunday at the Beacon Farmers Market with Heidi Harrison of Beacon Parks and Recreation Department, handing out their Emergency SNAP Grocery Card Distribution initiative to SNAP Receipts who are Beacon residents. The City’s offering to SNAP recipients living in Beacon is $50 for the Farmers Market or $60 Grocery Gift Card for Key Food Beacon. Bring Photo ID, piece of mail as proof of residency, and SNAP Card to pick up.
This is a one-time emergency distribution so far. One per name on the SNAP list for Beacon residents. Find Heidi next to the Beacon Farmer’s Market Managers Tent to pick up your Gift Card if you haven’t yet. One per household right now.
Here today for added convenience, but only today. Coupons or Cards are available for pickup during the weekdays at the Beacon Parks and Recreation Office at 23 West Center Street.
SNAP Recipients: Go pick up! They have your name already, so you’re all set. There are 80 people who still need to pick up their card. No re-application necessary.
This is a story of the hot meals - often with gluten free options - that are prepared by the rotating volunteer crew at Beacon’s Backyard Kitchen, an upstart of The Yard Beacon, after a soup kitchen closed on Main Street in January 2025. Since then, they have served over 6,000 meals to anyone in need.
THat little sign you see on the side of Fishkill Ave. is for Beacon’s Backyard Kitchen, who prepare free hot and delicious meals for those in need every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30am weekly. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Thursday was their Thanksgiving Brunch, open to any and all who need it. Beacon’s Backyard Kitchen is open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:30-8:30am each week at 12 Hanna Lane. When SNAP ended, the volunteer crew was there, with Chef Lewis cooking, and volunteers serving. Made possible by ongoing donations from all sources.
When they first opened, it was fair to wonder how the people in need would get to them. Since Beacon’s Backyard location is off the beaten path on Fishkill Avenue, which is a heavily trafficked road.
This day, however, ALBB saw that the people - many who are elderly - do come no matter what. By foot or wheelchair or wheeling walker, they come, assisting each other all the way down Rte. 52, and then down the long driveway of The Yard. If coming from the other direction, which is connected to Main Street by the Fishkill Creek, one can avoid the vehicular traffic above. But several elderly people come from the top.
Below is a photo series of the road journey to Beacon’s Backyard Kitchen at 12 Hanna Lane:
For the Thanksgiving Meal, the crew pulled out all the stops. The location switched buildings, from the one-story dark gray building to the Big Tent, warmed by powerful heaters and decorated in twinkling lights hanging brightly above rustic wooden family-style tables topped with pumpkins and condiments.
Normally, Beacon’s Backyard Kitchen serves out of this building on the property. But for Thanksgiving Brunch, they switched to the big white fancy tent with heaters. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Offering to help a guest with their rolling walker may be futile, as they are just fine thank you very much, but appreciate the gesture with a smile. If they don’t know where the meal moved to, one guest stakes it out ahead of the group, and then retreats to get the others, motivating them to stand up again to keep moving to the final destination of the tables for the warm meal, this time served from fancy catering dishes.
This project was joyous to participate in. Read about how Carter’s initiated their free Turkey Meal Giveaway after learning about the SNAP crisis. While people who signed up to receive these meals described this time period one of the roughest in their lives, this small moment of providing them with the foundation for a Thanksgiving Meal meant a lot. This video series covers the pre-planning that Carter’s owner and chef Jon Lombardi undertook for the distribution, the unboxing of what he hunted and gathered, and the bike delivery from the Beacon Bicycle Coalition.
Tuesday was Turkey Distribution Day at Carter’s Restaurant. On Monday, Katie met up with Chef Jon and his Carter’s Crew to unbox the food he purchased for this Thanksgiving Meal. In coordinating this, we learned so many things. Mainly, that many people cannot travel and live with disabilities. People had 2 and 3 jobs and were also caring for aging parents and children (adult children and young children) at home. They were tired. They could not get out, so the bike deliveries were crucial.
We also learned that feeding people is Jon’s love language, yes, but we learned that it’s also in his DNA that he help people by feeding them. Jon is a quiet but generous person. This is the largest project he and ALBB have worked on together. This was an incredible experience. Learning everyone’s stories. We are so glad to have reached you.
Thank you so much to those who donated at the end to help reach people.
In this video, Jon tells us how to cook a 22lb turkey (lots of butter), not to sneak the bird in during the pre-heat, and his genealogy of feeding those in need.
The Carter’s Thanksgiving Meal Distribution was so organically expansive. ALBB readers reached out to see how they could assist. One such reader, Kelly Holiday volunteered herself and the Beacon Bicycle Coalition to deliver meals by bike to those who needed them.
Delivery accounted for roughly half of our signups. People were either disabled, had newborns at home, worked more than one job, or just could not get out. While the forecast called for rain, ALBB had faith in the cyclists (Yvonne Caruthers, Meg, Mark and August) that they enjoyed the ingenuity of securing and protecting the meals from the elements. They offered car driving as backup should it begin pouring. But they made their deliveries before the rain came!
Special thanks also to car driver Sam Lashlee who made deliveries to Poughkeepsie and Beacon just over the I-84 bridge possible.
Complex published a video of a group of New Yorkers who set up a Thanksgiving meal on a subway train and enjoyed themselves, fixing anyone a plate. Said Dupree Christopher in the Comments: “we doing this for nyc. every year. we just wanted to bring some hope love and celebration to our friends and our new friends. thanks complex”
You can even get a sweatshirt for it! Proceeds fundraise for food for next year’s Thanksgiving on The Train.
The Thanksgiving Meal bag that went with the turkey for “Turkey on Every Table.” Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
This year's request for turkey meals for the annual Turkey on Every Table initiative grew by 330%, said Reuben Simmons to A Little Beacon Blog. "Last year, we had 90 signups. This year, we had 395 signups." There were four distribution points and organizations involved in the city-wide effort, including I Am Beacon, Fareground, Key Food, Salem Tabernacle and Knights of Columbus #446. This year, LaStar Gorton, incoming Councilmember for Ward 1, also participated in the distribution.
Kenya Gadsden holding a donated turkey before she services people in the line to receive the meals. Kenya wore her I Am Beacon sweatshirt this day, but wears several other sweatshirts: - member of the Beacon Board of Education - Councilwoman for Fishkill Town Board - jointly oversees the Open Arms Christian Ministries International Food Pantry with distribution point here at Beacon Parks and Recreation Building - supports the “Class in a Bag” Initiative, which supplies backpacks filled with school supplies for children in the Beacon City School District - Ran for Dutchess County Clerk Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, registered people lined up to receive one turkey and a bag of food to prepare at home from one of the four distribution locations: Fareground at 37 Lamplight (the old Mary Kelly's building that is now the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church), the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building at 23 West Center Street, Salem Tabernacle at 7 Delavan Ave., and St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church at 15 South Avenue.
Meals included a 14lb turkey, the infamous Kings Hawaiian dinner rolls, Stove Top stuffing, Key Food brand Urban Meadows apple pie, Kraft Mac and Cheese, Urban Meadows’s jelly, a bag of fresh apples, a bag of rice, and Green Giant mixed greens.
Families were in line to receive, some who walked there with metal push carts and strollers, and some who drove.
Knights of Columbus #446 members gathered around Junior Dabashi’s (Key Food) truck for another loading in of Thanksgiving Meals at 23 West Center Street, the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
The total number of meals distributed from each location was 123 at Fareground, 127 Beacon Parks and Recreation, 61 at Salem Tabernacle, and at least 10 distributed directly by I Am Beacon to those who could not make the line. Reuben of I Am Beacon and Junior Dabashi of Key Food, with the assistance of Salem Tabernacle’s van of helpers which includes Ian, Frank and Pastor Bill, collect and distribute the food to each location, with the assistance of the Knights of Columbus offloading the food from the trucks.
ALBB visited the West Center Street location to talk to the group leaders to learn the origins of Turkey on Every Table - to get more from the story and see behind the flyer that asks for food donations each year.
How long has the program been going on?
Before this interview, the group leaders conferred among themselves to track back the origins, as this initiative is a collaborative effort with the groups.
This interview is with: Reuben Simmons of I Am Beacon; Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church; Junior Dabashi of Key Food; and Bernard Gadson, married to Kenya Gadsden who was leading the distribution with families to get the turkey meals. A member of Knights of Columbus served as cameraman for this video.
LaStar Gorton, incoming City Councilmember for Ward 1 in Beacon, assisting in distributing the Thanksgiving Turkeys. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Reuben Simmons greeting a Knights of Columbus #446 member before Distrobution begins. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
I Am Beacon started Turkey on Every Table in 2014 and continued it for 4 years. Reuben, a co-founder of I Am Beacon told ALBB: "We got away from it [Turkey on Every Table] in 2018/19 as we saw there were multiple organizations doing distributions. The impact we felt was already being met. As an organization, I Am Beacon stepped back from it...And then COVID hit, and there was more time for people to regroup. One of I Am Beacon's missions is to do things in a collaborative effort."
Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church carrying bags of food from their van. PHoto Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Reuben went onto let the other explain. Ian told of how Salem Tabernacle Church has been in Beacon since the 1950s. "Every Thanksgiving, the women of the church would get together and put baskets together for people in need. Usually by word of mouth." He said that a dozen families would usually be reached. "It was not a formal thing, just something that we've always been doing."
More Salam Tabernacle Church members carrying Community-donated food from their van. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Reuben explained that Junior Dabashi was a key part of why the initiative started back up again. Junior had met with Salem Tabernacle, Reuben said, and who learned that Salem Tabernacle wanted to get more involved with the Beacon community. Junior asked Reuben to bring back the Turkey on Every Table program. "The only way I said I'd do it is if it was on a collaborative effort." They met with Salem Tabernacle, as well as Kenya and Bernard Gadsden with Open Arms Ministry, who run the weekly food pantry out of the Beacon Parks and Recreation building every Saturday.
In 2021, the Turkey on Every Table program revived, and has been happening ever since.
Fried Turkeys and Home-Bound Senior Citizens
During the distribution, ALBB heard Bernard talking about his schedule this week for frying turkeys. We asked him to tell us more about the process, and who he was cooking for. Bernard is passionate about caring for the seniors to provide for them an experience that can easily pass them over.
Bernard works at a Senior Apartment Complex. "A lot of seniors don't get a chance to go out. So they stay home and probably make a cornish hen. On Thanksgiving. I just felt that's ludicrous," Bernard told ALBB. "So I said, I want to bring my equipment. I want to fry turkeys for them." His boss gave him the green light to fry the turkeys, and he's been doing it for the last 5 years. "I did 3 turkeys yesterday. One for my grandson's school in Poughkeepsie, and 2 for my job. There was nothing left. They love it every year. And I look forward to it." This year, he's doing two more turkeys on Tuesday for another senior apartment complex in Newburgh.
Bernard then describes how he likes to fry the turkey. He prefers a turkey that is 15lb or under. "Forty-five minutes to an hour, and they are done," Bernard stated.
Kids Coat Distribution From Knights Of Columbus
Coats for kids came through the Knights of Columbus, who have been doing the coat distribution for 40 years in Beacon from their building before they sold it, member Kevin Allison told ALBB. One year, a group from Peekskill was doing a toy drive distribution where Sue Serino arrived to help. "One of Sue’s office people was at the door. One kid came through the door with no coat. I said 'where is your coat?' He said he didn't have one. I made sure he had a brand new coat.”
Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council #446 logo on sweater swag Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Knights of Columbus member Kevin Allison Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Knights of Columbus Logo on Jacket Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Used Book Sale Fundraiser at South Avenue Elementary
Day: Friday, November 21, 2025 Time: 4-8pm Day: Saturday, November 22, 2025 Time: 9am-2pm Location: South Avenue Elementary School, 60 South Avenue, Beacon, NY
The public is invited to shop a wide selection of gently used books, all generously donated by the local community. You'll find something for everyone (adults and kids!) at bargain prices, including adult fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, graphic novels, young adult fiction, and books for children of all ages. All proceeds benefit South Avenue Elementary School. Information >
City of Beacon's Holiday Tree Lighting
Day: Saturday November 29, 2025 Time: 4-6pm
(Tree will be lit shortly after dark) Location: Memorial Park, Beacon NY
Entertainment by: Grace Morea, Yanarella School of Dance, Ballet Arts, School of Rock, Jonah Espinosa, and Beacon Performing Arts. Scouts of Beacon to sing the arrival of Santa. Pictures with Santa available after the tree is lit. Also experience Free Raffles, Face Painting, Free Cookies and Hot Chocolate Kits, and Ornament Kits. Music by DJ Donovan Royal. Information >
St. Joachim / St. John Annual Christmas Fair
Day: Saturday December 6th, 2025 Time: 9am-3pm Day: Sunday, December 7, 2025 Time: 8:30am-2pm Location: St. Joachim's School Gym, Leonard Street, Beacon, NY Information >
City of Beacon SNAP Grocery Card Gift Card
Day: Weekdays Time: Business Hours Location: Beacon Recreation Center, 23 West Center Street, Beacon, NY
During the SNAP crisis, Mayor Kyriacou proposed, and the City Council approved, the purchase and distribution of emergency grocery gift cards to one of the following food sources: Key Food, Beacon Natural, and the Beacon Farmer's Market. The City of Beacon has a list of Beacon residents who receive SNAP, and those people may come to pick up their grocery gift card if they haven't yet. Information >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY Burgers and Boards, from Honorable Ink
Old Dhaka is celebrating the colder weather with this warm morning ritual.
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
Did you know that Bagel-ish has coffee? It's delicious! Sourced from Owner Beth's home state of New Jersey, this is a blend of South American and South Asian beans from a place called Dallas Brothers Coffee. Beth likes to serve it with organic milk with the A2 protein, and maple syrup. Delicious.
Watch Beth prepare the coffee and tell more about the origin in this Coffee Talk video. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
CARTER'S RESTAURANT Main Street, Beacon NY Book your Holiday Party with Carter's!
Open until 11pm Friday/Saturday
(9pm every other night and Sunday 8pm) Catering and Private Parties available. Call them for details. 845-743-6527 🍁 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
The sizzle of Eggbert’s Ground Beef can be yours at home too! Find us at 3 different markets during the week (Cornwall, Cold Spring, Beaecon) through the winter.
Yes, we also have our all beef hotdogs hot in buns at markets! Those hot dogs are featured in the Hibino DayByDay sausage sushi rolls at their lunch popup at Little King in Beacon.
FARMERS MARKETS: Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market: 11am-3pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE:Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
The Blushery 528 Main Street, Beacon NY
We love a good brow re-shape. Just look at those lines. The Blushery are perfectionists. Book Now through the their website or link in their Instagram Bio. Book Online >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
(door is on Eliza Street, near Citizens Bank)
After establishing themselves for 20 years in Putnam Valley, Mountain Stream Budo has opened in Beacon to teach martial arts to people of all ages, skill levels and fitness levels. Need to channel your energy? Try classes in traditional karate, kobudo (weapons), jujitsu and Battodo iaido (swordsmanship). First class is free! Class Schedule & Signup >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
One of the Li'l Dragon karate students at Mountain Stream Budo navigates the obstacle course! This class is available to kids ages 4-6. Offering classes to all ages, skill levels, fitness levels and experience levels! Class Schedule & Signup >
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 >
Update 11/29/2025: The response to ALBB from the host’s manager that was made after this article published has been included at the bottom of this article. It includes her description of aspects of the party, and what she said she set up for anticipated guests.
Editor’s Note: This article is partially written in the first person, as the writer, Katie Hellmuth, is also a source; one of the only sources willing to go on the record for this article. She participated in this year’s German Exchange Program between Beacon and the school in Gemering, Germany, the Max Born Gymnasium through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP).
The 2025 Beacon German Exchange Program schedule from the Beacon High School Program Coordinator. Addresses and an a different Friday gathering at a different location have been blocked out.
Superintendent Matt Landahl has ended the involvement of the Beacon High School staff with the German Exchange Program at the Beacon High School after word got out that alcohol was available to allegedly dozens of kids at a Family Halloween Party in a home in Fishkill (Beacon school district) off Red School House Road hosted by a family who had been in the program, Scott Whittemore and Kim Revak, but who were also participating via What’s App with this year’s exchange group. Their party was on the official 2025 Beacon/German exchange program (seen in picture to the right) event schedule for Beacon. At that party, at least one German student was known to be severely intoxicated, vomiting in a car, allegedly vomiting into the indoor fireplace of the home, and a possibly a third location.
No one in the exchange program has disputed that this party happened. Except for the party host, Kim Revak, who told ALBB during an interview for this article that hardly anyone was at their house, which you will read about further down in this article. The party was scheduled to start at their home in Fishkill at 8pm, which was the curfew this year for Beacon, where children and kids under 18yo had to be accompanied by an adult if they were to be outdoors, the Beacon Police said. The home of the German/Beacon party that started at 8pm and was on the German exchange program schedule is in the Beacon school district. “I was wondering why it thinned out so quickly,” said one reader to ALBB regarding the curfew.
The co-creator of the German exchange program, community organizer and former Beacon High School PTO President, Kelly Ellenwood, explained to ALBB about scheduled social events: “In the past 3 years, there have always been multiple family-sponsored social events planned by the families every year, especially around Halloween, since that is typically when the exchange happens - they visit during an October break in Germany.”
The logo for the Beacon German Exchange program, which includes the BHS PTSO, Docuware (Headquartered in Beacon), the German American Partnership Program, and Beacon High School / Max Born School in Germany.
This year, Kelly had handed off her coordinator involvement with the program to a teacher, María Margarita Calaf, and was not involved this year, as her work expanded with her co-founding of Beacon Bonfire. She told ALBB that she did not attend the Halloween Party at the Whittemore’s this year. Dr. Landahl confirmed to ALBB that for the previous 3 years, the BHS PTO ran the program, and that this fall, the Beacon High School ran the program.
He told ALBB: “For the previous three years, the BHS PTO ran the program. This fall, the High School ran the program. Insurance [for the program] is through the GAPP (German American Partnership Program) program itself.
“Students need to be reminded that although the legal drinking age in Germany for beer and wine is age 16, all students, regardless of age, traveling on the trip will adhere to U.S. rules, and will therefore not be allowed to drink. Set consequences as you would in your classroom and stick to them. Speak with your partner teacher to insure they speak with their students and parents.
“Remind students that even if they are not drinking, photos of them holding alcohol of any kind should not be posted on social media. Explain to the students and their parents that posting alcohol on social media could put future exchanges to Germany (and even your job) in jeopardy. Have this conversation with your partner school as well so that everyone is on the same page.”
Before We Get To The Party - What Happened After The party?
After the party that Monday after Halloween, the German teachers called for an Emergency Meeting of their students. Sources familiar with the meeting said that the German students were asked to come forward if they drank alcohol. Those who did come forward were given “one strike,” which, the sources say, contributes to expulsion from their school in Germany if they reach seven strikes total.
Those familiar with the meeting also said that the German teachers were upset with their students, as there had already been calls “from both sides” for this exchange program to end years prior, and that this incident gave fuel to the fire of that call. It was not stated why there had been such a sentiment.
American students from Beacon were not called into such a meeting, or asked to come forward if they drank alcohol. Chatter about the party among students circulated quickly in the hallways of Beacon High School, and trickled into the Middle School. Knowledge of this party was wide-spread.
Beacon parents in the exchange program are connected in a What’s App group chat. Nothing had been brought up to the Beacon parents by school leadership, and Beacon parents had not been discussing the party amongst themselves in the chat. Most, including myself, were processing what we were hearing about the Friday evening, and the developments for the German students that Monday at school. Nothing had been mentioned about the Whittemore’s accountability.
Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou recognized the Beacon/German exchange program with a Proclamation, which was covered by the Beacon Free Press.
Since the program’s inception by Kelly Ellenwood and DocuWare, whose headquarters are in Beacon at 25 Creek Drive, and the school in Germany, the Max Born Gymnasium, only accolades have been published about it. This year, on the evening of the Emergency Meeting at Beacon’s November 3rd City Council Meeting, the City of Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou issued a Proclamation for the program. The Beacon Free Press wrote about it. At the meeting, Mayor Lee said he spoke for the City Council in saying that this photo opportunity with the program was one of his favorite meetings each year.
Presenting at that meeting, teacher and chaperon from the Max Born Gymnasium school Sebastian Hess said: “It’s a pleasure to be here. Beacon feels like home. I said it before and I say it again: When you speak about homes, I want to say a special thanks to all the parents this year who host and make this program actually happen. Without you, it would be impossible and we are really, really grateful to have you.” He went on to say that this is “not something we take for granted so that so many people are willing to host students for 2 weeks.”
Later, he said to the Council: “I cannot wait to send the next group of kids, and the next kids and the next kids to make this an everlasting tradition between our two great cities.”
On Monday evening, before the City Council Meeting for the annual photo opp, one parent - me - asked the parent What’s App group, which is facilitated by the Beacon teacher leaders María Margarita Calaf and Ron Hammond, when the alcohol at the party that endangered the kids was going to be discussed. Ms. Calaf answered that it was not a school event, and that teachers were “not invited,” so was not an issue that was planned to be discussed.
Some parents responded calling for accountability of the Whittemore’s, details about the party and who provided alcohol, but Scott did not reply.
Advance Knowledge Of Alcohol At The Party
As a reporter for A Little Beacon Blog, I receive unsolicited information on a regular basis. Sometimes wild information from all sorts of places from all sorts of people. I am emailed from time to time by an older person who has issue with an employee in a now closed hospital. This person usually writes a paragraph in all caps in such grammar that even I have a hard time following their stream of consciousness. But their feelings are real and big, and I usually wait until I hear unsolicited matching information from other sources before pursuing anything.
I have been emailed about a situation of board members, invited to and escorted into a private member social club in Beacon to accompany someone delivering legal documents to board members, and then told to leave by the opposing side without me ever saying a word. I have been invited and accepted onto a Zoom call with the City of Beacon for a civil service arbitration hearing challenging an employee to push him to get fired, where I see everyone else on the call, hear a bit of chatter, and then am asked to leave without me ever saying a word.
Similar happened in this situation with the Whittemore Halloween Party. I had been hearing that their parties, or social gatherings that involved kids, had involved alcohol. I had heard something about a party they hosted for the German exchange program the year before. And I had heard that their house was a known destination for gatherings of kids, who were seen sleeping on the downstairs floor or upstairs in beds the next day by parents who picked up their kids from casual nights out. But I did not know if this was exaggerated. Did they simply have alcohol at their house as any adult might?
All of these whispers I let pass through my ears. But, out of an abundance of caution, not knowing what was wild speculation or rumor, I made a private decision to hold my child and our German delegate student back from the party at the Whittemore’s on Halloween Night.
What Allegedly Happened At The Party
After I learned that a German student had vomited into their Beacon parent’s car upon pickup from the party, more information began trickling in. That the student had been drinking Red Bull and vodka, and had also gotten sick into an indoor fireplace in the Whittemore’s home, and a third location.
I was told that there did not seem to be other parents there, or people over the age of 21, aside from Kim Revak Whittemore and Delia, their former nanny and current manager of Plato’s Closet, the second-hand store they opened a year ago in Wappinger’s Falls. I was told that the host mother allegedly handed out cans of beer, and that kids brought their own supply of alcohol to the party from unknown sources.
While the event was scheduled for 8-11pm that night, some kids, I was told, stayed longer, getting home by 1am. Some kids grew concerned about their friends safety in getting home, I am told, and tracked their friends on the apps kids use these days to stay in touch and track each other’s locations, usually in malls or at sports destinations, to care for each other.
I was told that there was a long line for the bathroom, but that Ms. Whittemore told the kids to go to the bathroom outside, and locked the door. It was not indicated that Scott Whittemore was at the party, or if he was, that he was seen at the party. The oldest people that party attendees seemed to see, aside from Kim and Delia the manager, were older kids at Beacon High School, who I am told, grew concerned for the younger kids in lower grades who were drinking.
The only reason I knew that alcohol had been at this party at all was because I offered to throw a last minute birthday party at my house for our German student. The parent of the known intoxicated German student asked me if there would be alcohol at my party, as they had been given a vomiting child from the last party, to which I said of course not, to which they said good, because they hadn’t expected it at Friday’s party.
Has There Been A Response From The Whittemore’s?
So far, no. Weeks prior, Scott Whittemore had been on the pre-trip Zoom call, where Beacon teacher Ms. Calaf led the parents through the schedule.
When she got to the parties part of the agenda, she stated that there was to be “no alcohol.” Because I had heard whispers of alcohol at the Whittemore’s house the previous year, I looked at Scott on the Zoom call. He nodded his head slightly in agreement when Ms. Calaf stressed “no alcohol.” Another parent asked how to get their pumpkin carving party onto the official schedule, but Ms. Calaf said that the schedule was set, and that parents could offer their own social gatherings and communicate about them on What’s App.
The German delegate students returned home to Germany last Saturday afternoon. We dropped them at Beacon High School, where a Beacon school bus was to take them to the airport. The kids were sobbing. A bit unexpected, for the two weeks they spent together. It was like watching crying fans at a Beetles or Elvis concert. Then some parents began to cry. Then the kids had to keep moving onto the bus to not miss their flight back to Germany.
Scott Whittemore was at that departure, milling around with people, as if walking with parents on the soccer sidelines of a game. He seemed jovial and talkative just like any other parent.
On Monday, I collected and asked verification questions of Beacon High School program leadership, and Scott. I had his text from What’s App, but did not have Kim’s. For this article, I had separate questions for each of them.
I texted Scott, identified myself as a reporter, saying I was writing an article for ALBB, and asked the following questions, to which I received no reply:
- How many years have you participated in the German exchange program? - Did you host a party last year for the German Exchange program? - Were you at the party hosted at your house on Friday, October 31 that was on the program calendar? - Was your wife Kim Revak also at the party? - Was Delia, the manager of Plato's Closet also at the party? - Around how many people attended? - Was alcohol provided to guests of your party? - Did a student vomit into or near your fireplace in your house? - Did you or Kim give beer to anyone in the German exchange program? - Did you as hosts allow kids who attended the party to go to the bathroom in your home? Or did you tell them to go outside to use the bathroom?
The next day, I received a text from Kim, telling me that she would be happy to speak to me about the German exchange program. She let me know that they have been involved in the program since the beginning, even during its planning stage during COVID, and have hosted 7 times. They personally began hosting in 2022, she said.
I asked her about DocuWare’s involvement, as they are the financial sponsor of the program. Plenty of articles at newspapers have been written about this, but I wanted to hear her take. She answered: “Yes DocuWare has always been involved. Without them, the program would have never got off the ground. The owners of that company were graduates of the school in Munich. DocuWare is how the relationship between Beacon and the school in Munich started. Prior to Beacon, they did their exchange with a school near Chicago.” According to a newspaper article about this, exchange programs like to come to New York.
This year, the Whittemore’s were hosting a German student, but not from the DocuWare program. “We are now hosting a student for the current school year under a different program. Growing up, Scott's family support[ed] multiple exchange programs and we, as a family, have always supported kids through programs like the ‘FreshAir Fund’, were we had under privileged kids from the city come live with us for the summer. All great programs focused on providing opportunities for kids.”
The Whittemore Denial Of The Party
Friday’s Halloween Night Schedule for the German Exchange Program Students. Addresses and an a different Friday gathering at a different location have been blocked out.
I next asked her if other parents were in attendance for their 2025 Family Halloween Party, in addition to Scott and Delia. Her response: “? Why would our Halloween have anything to do with you or the exchange program.”
I told her it was because their party was on the German exchange program schedule provided to us by the school. Her response: “Correct. Since my exchange student did not have many opportunities to socialize with the other German students, we offer a small get together for the kids from 8pm to 10pm, which included pizza, hot dogs, soda, s'mores around the fire pit, basketball/corn hole, etc. However very few kids showed up. I was told many had other plans/parties they were going to around town. Which was fine, it was a busy night with a lot going on.”
I asked her how she got my text, since I did not have her contact info. “Scott is super busy at work and just ask me to text you as I have been the one more involved with the German program.” Based on her stated involvement, I asked if she was in the What’s App group, curious if she had seen the discussion from parents that demanded accountability from them. She responded that she was not, as “tech stuff” is not her strength.
When I showed her response to a fellow parent whose kid attended the party, about how “very few kids showed up” to the Whittemore’s s’mores around the fire pit party, the parent expressed: “Wow. Just…wow!”
A parent not in the German exchange program this year was hearing details about the party, and then realized that their own kid was also at the party. It was widely attended.
As Kim and I ended our text chat, she requested that I write a positive article about the program, saying: “I would love to see an article to support the program. A lot of time, [effort] and money has gone into growing it over the years.”
According to the law firm, hosts have key responsibilities, and to comply with the Social Host Law, should:
Prevent Underage Drinking: Ensure that no alcohol is served to or consumed by individuals under 21.
Take Immediate Action: If underage drinking is discovered, promptly intervene by stopping the consumption and, if necessary, contacting parents or law enforcement.
Monitor Guest Behavior: Be vigilant about guests’ alcohol consumption to prevent over-intoxication and potential accidents.
Questions Asked To German Program Leadership & Party Host Parents
As a parent, and not as a reporter, I had emailed Beacon High School Principal Dr. Corey Dwyer, Dr. Landahl and Ms. Calaf the week after the party. I stated my support for the program in my first paragraph, and then went on to state how surprised I was that no one was discussing Friday night’s incident with us.
Still having a child in Middle School, I’m used to trips with Principal Soltish, where he and other teachers accompany students to Boston and DC, and update parents relentlessly. There are in-person prep meetings, constant text reminders about deadlines, and during the trip, assurances that all kids are back in their hotel rooms - and not sneaking out (at least that they know of).
This German experience - while Beacon kids did not travel - was just a shock. At least from a communication and accountability perspective. The thought of sending my child to Germany with this same set of standards was questionable. I do not know if I am the only one who emailed.
Dr. Dwyer sent a message to Beacon parents a short time later, saying:
“I want to begin by thanking you for opening your homes and welcoming our visiting students from Germering. We are appreciative of the time and energy you have devoted to providing them with a memorable experience.
“We have become aware that a social gathering attended by both Beacon and Germering students, where alcohol was present, took place on Halloween night. No school officials from Beacon or Germering were present, and the school had no knowledge that alcohol would be served at this gathering. While the district cannot be responsible for what takes place in private homes in situations where no school official is present, we take seriously our responsibility to facilitate a positive, educational, and culturally enriching experience for all participants. We were disappointed to learn about this situation.
“As you know, this was a parent- and PTSO-led exchange for the past three years. Our priority for these last few days is to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. After our visiting students return home, we will take time to carefully review this year’s exchange. We will be in touch in the coming weeks.”
The Decision For ALBB TO WRite This Article
The amount of peer pressure from some of my adult friends within this exchange program to not write this article has been immense. I was told it was “not newsworthy,” would get the program canceled, and would harm kids who were at the party, as well as negatively impact the social comfort of my own family. Meanwhile, other friends have asked me why the police have not been called on the adult party hosts.
Writing this article was nowhere near my Editorial Calendar Bingo Card. Several other issues are scheduled for long-form deep dives. We are in the middle of a SNAP hunger crisis, and for the school, I had planned to write an article celebrating the new students brought onto the Beacon Board of Education.
A parent from the program reached out to me to ask me to write a letter of support for the program to Dr. Dwyer. I let the parent know that I already had vocalized my support, and also my concern. The parent then asked me not to write an article, as ALBB’s article would surely end the program. I responded that any article done here would not end the program, it would be providing information, and that the Whittemore’s behavior would be what ended the program, if that happened, which I thought unlikely, because exchange programs exist all over the world and are common and enriching for students.
The parent pressed me further after I spoke about having prior hints of the potential for alcohol. The parent expressed that they wished I had told them, so that parents could have made different choices sending their kids to the party. I responded that I only had speculative knowledge, and did not want to pass gossip. They disagreed.
I told them that they were asking me for a conflicting duality:
To tell them privately about my hesitation and why.
To not tell the public about what later became fact, so as not to jeopardize the program.
I then told them that they were pushing me very hard, harder than they were pushing the school or party hosts for accountability, and that I make choices for my own life and that of my children, and do not extend my choices as assumptions onto others.
My core guided me to publishing. If I was receiving this much pressure from my adult friends, I was reminded what pressure kids feel when they are in social settings that they may or may not want to be in. So I published. In the hopes of bringing this to light in case it is helpful to others.
What is the Future Of The German Exchange Program?
Dr. Landahl emailed Beacon parents on Friday afternoon. He said:
“I am writing to invite you to a meeting on Wednesday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the LGI room at Beacon High School to discuss potential ways the program can move forward in June/July.
“Corey Dwyer reached out to you on November 4th and stated that we would review the program in light of the party at a family’s house on Halloween, where students and exchange students accessed alcohol. The party highlights a significant challenge in the program, specifically that we are unable to supervise students either here in Beacon or in Germany outside of school hours or official school events. After speaking at length with Dr. Dwyer and the teachers involved in the program, both past and present, I have determined that it is not appropriate for our staff to be involved in the travel to Germany either officially as representatives of the district or unofficially as paid by the BHS PTO, as has been done in the past. This is something with which we are all in agreement.
“I know this is disappointing news, as many of you have reached out to me over the past few days, highlighting the successes of the program, and I appreciate hearing those stories. I know that the program has positively impacted dozens of students over the past three years. The teachers involved have also shared these positive stories with me.
“The purpose of the meeting on November 19th will be to explore the possibility of students still visiting their host families in Germany this summer, with parents and/or community members overseeing the program and providing supervision. It will also be a time to share any thoughts or concerns you may have.”
After this email went out, two parents went to the What’s App group, demanding accountability of the Whittemore’s. One parent tagged Scott in the app, but Scott did not respond.
How are the kids handling this?
From what I could tell, the German delegates were updating their Beacon parents with what their German teachers were telling them. Some German and Beacon students were surprised that the Whittemore’s had not been brought up at all as being an issue that needed dealt with. One German student said that it felt…they searched for the word in English and found it: “irresponsible.”
The kids are very upset that the program has been distanced from the school. When the Germans arrived at the Beacon High School the night they flew in, the Beacon kids were ecstatic. Jumping around like cheerleaders, and whisking “their Germans” away to feed them dinner at 10pm.
The kids are communicating to see if they can still go to Germany in any way. As a parent, I am exploring possibilities to connect with our German delegate family privately, not within a group.
There was GAPP insurance connected to this experience, which might have been impacted by the breach of alcohol. As a reporter, I am awaiting an answer on that. Otherwise, as a parent, I am balancing my student’s desire to explore Europe with her new German friend, and other Beacon friends if that coordinates.
Also - budget. That’s a lot of dollars. I just paid mortgage today. Which was a big win. But the electric heating bill is coming.
Back to work!
Editorial Update 11/29/2025: After this article published, several comments were left at Facebook from people who said they had knowledge of the party. One such person was Delia Kelly, who was mentioned earlier in this article when Scott Whittemore was reached out to to confirm if himself, his wife and their employee were present at their house. While Scott did not answer, and his wife did tell ALBB the following, which was included at the beginning of this article: “Correct. Since my exchange student did not have many opportunities to socialize with the other German students, we offer a small get together for the kids from 8pm to 10pm, which included pizza, hot dogs, soda, s'mores around the fire pit, basketball/corn hole, etc. However very few kids showed up. I was told many had other plans/parties they were going to around town. Which was fine, it was a busy night with a lot going on.”
After the article published, their employee, Delia Kelly, told ALBB on Facebook that she helped set up for the party, “arriving at the home around 9:30pm Halloween night,” to set up food. “At a little after 10pm” she said, “I got the outdoor fires started, for anyone who may have wanted to roast marshmallows or keep warm as it was a bit chilly that night. At this point, no one had arrived yet.” Weeks earlier, her employer Kim told ALBB that the gathering they offered would end at 10pm, and that few showed up at all.
Delia went on to address the intoxicated teenager: “Is it plausible that some teenagers snuck alcohol into the party, absolutely. However, if that was the case it was most certainly the minority of the party goers, not the majority, as again I only had contact with one drunk teenager throughout the duration of the night who most certainly did not obtain alcohol from the hosts or home in question.”
Whenever someone asks "How are you?", Katie of ALBB gets to answer: "Good." Because despite this president pushing the Supreme Court to keep SNAP closed on Friday night, Katie gets to work directly with local businesses who are opening their kitchens and budgets to people suffering through extreme anxiety and hunger right now.
Just before Halloween, upon learning that SNAP (aka Food Stamps) would be shut down for people, one of ALBB's longest running financial supporters, Chef Jon Lombardi of Carter's Restaurant decided to offer 20 free Thanksgiving meals to people in need. We released it on Instagram/Facebook first, and reservations came in, as did glimpses into people's lives who are going without right now.
This prompted Chef Jon to double the number of meals to 40. Read about the genesis of this idea below in Carter's sponsor spot, and forward to a friend in need so that they can sign up. The Beacon Bicycle Coalition learned about it, and offered free bike delivery. ALBB is coordinating. Readers have inquired about donating for more meals should we reach 40 signups. Chef Jon is figuring out the cost per meal, and we will provide the answer.
Beacon Bonfire Date: November 5-9, 2025 Time: All Day Location: Throughout Beacon From the Organizers: 400+ PERFORMERS. 20+ VENUES. ONE EXTRAORDINARY CITY-DISCOVER THE DYNAMIC BLEND OF ART, MUSIC, AND CULTURE THAT DEFINES BEACON. Information >
Collage Club with Laura Delarate Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025 Time: 1-3pm
Price: Location: Witch Hazel, 179 Main Street, Beacon NY, 12508
Join us for a cozy collage club with local artist Laura Delarato
Join us in the Witch Hazel studio for two hours of open studio time and collage crafting, led by artist Laura Delarato. All supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own ephemera, stickers, zines etc! All skill levels are welcome. Information >
Protest Against Israel Breaking Ceasefire Date: Every Sunday Time: 12pm-1pm Location: 450 NY-211, Middletown, NY From the Organizers: "The fight for Gaza isn’t over — the genocide continues. Palestinians are still dying from starvation, disease, and lack of medical care after two years under relentless assault. Families have no homes, no hospitals, no food, and no safety — trapped in a cage of death.
"Despite the October ceasefire, Israel has continued to violate its terms; cutting aid, restricting fuel, and carrying out deadly attacks across Gaza and the West Bank.
"We’re keeping our Sunday rallies going to continue building momentum, and to hold the line in demanding accountability from U.S. and Israeli politicians like Trump and Netanyahu for their role in the genocide in Gaza.
"We encourage folks to bring any art supplies: large markers, canvases, cardboard, paint and brushes, or anything else you have — so we can create new protest signs on the spot." Information >
Beacon Players Present "Little Women"
Day: Thursday November 14 - Sunday November 16, 2025 Time: 7pm (Sunday 2pm) Location: Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Rd. Beacon NY Price:
Adult: $18.00
Senior (Ages 65+ only): $10.00
Student (Ages 21 & Under w/ID): $10.00 Tickets >
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY Burgers and Boards, from Honorable Ink Day: Saturday, November 8, 2025 Time: 5-11pm Location: The Roosevelt Bar Burgers By: West Palmettoo Burger Co. Music By: 3R_Degree
A collaborative exhibition of Skateboard art by some of the best tattoo artists in the Hudson Valley.
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon NY
A new bagel variety just dropped at Bagel-ish: a Copper Kettle Parmesan. The crust is crispy with flakes of parmesan baked in. You'll want to try this. Not sure when it's coming onto the menu regularly, but ask about it. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor!
CARTER'S RESTAURANT Main Street, Beacon NY Book your Holiday Party with Carter's!
Open until 11pm Friday/Saturday
(9pm every other night and Sunday 8pm) Catering and Private Parties available. Call them for details. 845-743-6527 🍁 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
How The 20 Free Thanksgiving Meals Started:
One rainy Thursday morning before Halloween, while Katie was jogging outside and Jon was shopping for food to cook that day at his restaurant, he asked: “I don’t think I remember things being so political. Why are people so political these days?”
Katie answered: “I think it’s because things keep impacting people’s every day lives. Parts of how they live their lives are being taken away or threatened, and because of that, they have to speak out. Like, my friend is going to lose SNAP, and that upsets me. So I am going to speak out.”
Not everyone is familiar with the SNAP acronym. “SNAP?” Jon asked. “What’s that?”
“Food Stamps,” Katie answered. “They are turning off Food Stamps in November because of the government shutdown.”
“Sh*t,” Jon said.
“Yeah,” Katie said. “I qualified for them over the summer, and I experienced the feeling of going through the cashier line, and having to decide what to buy because not everything is eligible on that SNAP money card. Mayor Lee of the City of Beacon just announced they are going to issue grocery gift cards to SNAP recipients, and the Beacon Farmer’s Market always accepts SNAP dollars and doubles them, and they are figuring out what to do when the money doesn’t drop down into the card.”
Jon took a moment. “Well they are going to need Thanksgiving dinner.”
Katie responded, “Yes they are.”
Jon’s wheels started turning. His mind is very creative, especially when it comes to feeding people. Food is Jon’s love language. Finally, he started speaking again. “Tell them we are going to donate 20 turkeys. Is that enough? I’m at the store now. Let me price it out. They will be frozen, is that OK?”
Stopping in her tracks, Katie said: “Yeah!”
“Ok, Jon said. I’m getting prices. I’ll call you back.”
Jon did call back, and we started developing the plan of how to take signups. Then Katie said: “Jon - what if, maybe, what if maybe the people could also have some famous Carter’s mashed potatoes to warm up in the oven with the turkey. Just so that they can have some starch.”
Jon thought a minute, and then said: “Nah…because then I’d have to throw in apple pie.”
The menu developed from there. Jon’s catering brain fully engaged, and he thought out the entire menu that those in need can sign up for an pick up to cook at home. The form to submit a signup for a meal is here at the bottom of the article. Please send to a friend in need, and/or use it yourself. The first 20 meals have been reserved already. We are taking signups for the next round now. Read The Full Story >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
The sizzle of Eggbert’s Ground Beef can be yours at home too! Find us at 3 different markets during the week (Cornwall, Cold Spring, Beaecon) through the winter.
Yes, we also have our all beef hotdogs hot in buns at markets! Those hot dogs are featured in the Hibino DayByDay sausage sushi rolls at their lunch popup at Little King in Beacon.
FARMERS MARKETS: Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market: 11am-5pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE:Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
The Blushery 528 Main Street, Beacon NY
We love a good brow re-shape. Just look at those lines. The Blushery are perfectionists. Book Now through the their website or link in their Instagram Bio. Book Online >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
(door is on Eliza Street, near Citizens Bank)
Mountain Stream Budo is a martial arts school that recently relocated to Beacon after 20 years in Putnam Valley. They offer traditional martial arts (Okinawan karate, kobudo [weapons], Japanese jujitsu and Battodo [swordsmanship]) as well as self defense classes to teens and adults of all ages, skill levels, experience levels and fitness levels. Owner/chief instructor Noah Mitchell has over 40 years of martial arts experience; he travels to Japan and teaches seminars across the U.S. and Canada regularly. Class Schedule & Signup >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
At Mountain Stream Budo, these kids are members of the youth karate class. They are sparring with “boppers,” which are foam rubber tubes that they use to try to practice striking. The shields are used for blocking in a safe version of free sparring. Balance is also a factor, as they have to remain on one foot. Class Schedule & Signup >
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 >
This moment captured on video was shared first on ALBB’s Instagram. It has been lifted from there to here at the blog for everyone to see:
I shared this video with my Personal IG, and I suppose it’s safe to share with you too 🥰 I promise I’m trying to get the newsletter out this Friday Night!! Love our advertisers 🥰
When your longtime client Carter’s Restaurant wants to give away 20 Thanksgiving meals in response to SNAP cutoff; and the people start signing up for them and you’re learning their stories and coordinating their pickup/delivery times because Beacon Bicycle Coalition offered to deliver free, and the signup is almost to 20 meals so Jon increased to 40, and you tell him you want to wait to announce till Saturday or Sunday and he says NOW. 🥰🥰🥰🫡👊🏼🙌🏽
I love my job because I love the people involved. So much gratitude to Jon for doing this and providing for the people. Have received many reach outs from businesses and people searching for ways to help. Keep going. 👊🏼
Chef Jon Lombardi, owner and creator of Carter’s Restaurant at 424 Main Street, is one of the longest running financial supporters of A Little Beacon Blog. Jon and Katie go back, way back to when he was managing the original Vault, and she had her office and community space in the Telephone Building in 2017.
Together, they cooked up ideas on how to give people great experiences with great food. They’ve been through a lot together through those years. They have parted ways; they have come back together; they have endured the current crazy political climate.
To preserve his sanity, Jon makes one thing clear: “No politics.” This is their understanding. But. He enjoys having his headline news at ALBB delivered to him in person or over the phone from Katie (as many advertisers do…check-ins down Main Street is common for Katie to do any day of the week).
One rainy Thursday morning before Halloween, while Katie was jogging outside and Jon was shopping for food to cook that day at his restaurant, he asked: “I don’t think I remember things being so political. Why are people so political these days?”
Katie answered: “I think it’s because things keep impacting people’s every day lives. Parts of how they live their lives are being taken away or threatened, and because of that, they have to speak out. Like, my friend is going to lose SNAP, and that upsets me. So I am going to speak out.”
Not everyone is familiar with the SNAP acronym. “SNAP?” Jon asked. “What’s that?”
“Food Stamps,” Katie answered. “They are turning off in November because of the government shutdown.”
“Sh*t,” Jon said.
“Yeah,” Katie said. “I qualified for them over the summer, and I experienced the feeling of going through the cashier line, and having to decide what to buy because not everything is eligible on that SNAP money card. Mayor Lee of the City of Beacon just announced they are going to issue grocery gift cards to SNAP recipients, and the Beacon Farmer’s Market always accepts SNAP dollars and doubles them, and they are figuring out what to do when the money doesn’t drop down into the card.”
Jon took a moment. “Well they are going to need Thanksgiving dinner.”
Katie responded, “Yes they are.”
Jon’s wheels started turning. His mind is very creative, especially when it comes to feeding people. Food is Jon’s love language. Finally, he started speaking again. “Tell them we are going to donate 20 turkeys. Is that enough? I’m at the store now. Let me price it out. They will be frozen, is that OK?”
Stopping in her tracks, Katie said: “Yeah!”
“Ok, Jon said. I’m getting prices. I’ll call you back.”
Jon did call back, and we started developing the plan of how to take signups. Then Katie said: “Jon - what if, maybe, what if maybe the people could also have some famous Carter’s mashed potatoes to warm up in the oven with the turkey. Just so that they can have some starch.”
Jon thought a minute, and then said: “Nah…because then I’d have to throw in apple pie.”
The menu developed from there. Jon’s catering brain fully engaged, and he thought out the entire menu that those in need can sign up for an pick up to cook at home.
Carter’s Restaurant will provide 20 meals to SNAP recipients or those in need. People can sign up for this meal using the form below. It is preferred if you have a SNAP card, but if you don’t, and you are in the middle of hard times, please reach out. Pickup will be the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at Carter’s at 424 Main Street.
Carter’s Thanksgiving Meal For Those In Need:
Turkey (thawed - you cook in your oven)
Carter’s Homemade Mashed Potatoes (made fresh, ready for you to warm in your oven)
Apple Pie (frozen, you warm it up in your oven)
Mixed Vegetables (canned veggies - you season as you like)
Cranberry (a can of that sweet cranberry mold)
8 Dinner Rolls (hopefully you have leftovers for sandwiches!)
How To Sign Up
To sign up, please fill out your information below. We are prioritizing SNAP recipients, but if you are in need, please sign up. At this time, the distribution amount is 20 households. As Carter’s customers and ALBB’s readers are from all over the Hudson Valley, this is open to the region. Thank you.
Please email Katie of ALBB with questions: katie@alittlebeaconblog.com
SignUps Closed
We are SO glad we reached so many of you. The Turkey Meal Signup is closed, and we are coordinating delivery and pickup. If you filled out the signup form and have not heard from us, please check your email everywhere.
Yesterday I (Katie) was fortunate enough to accompany a group of Beacon High School students to NYC for the German Student Exchange that is going on now. That meant I had the honor of being in NYC during the election of Zohran Mamdani!!
The German teachers with this program have many activities planned for the kids, but as we were leaving Little Italy, one request from our German delegates was if they could walk the Brooklyn Bridge because it wasn’t fitting into their official schedule. After some map checking and Googling, and checking against the time of our train back to Beacon, I decided it was worth the haul to walk/subway it to the bridge just to touch it.
As fitting with the entire day, New Yorkers out on the street helped us get there. We got given secret codes to clean bathrooms, subway directions, shopping directions, subway turnstile guidance, insistence by the bathroom agent Queen that we use the family bathroom upstairs in Grand Central Train Station with little ones present.
Some students from the Beacon High School / German Exchange Program in Grand Central Station for a last minute Track Change to get back to beacon. PHoto Credit: Katie Hellmuth
So when the combo of the Gelato Guy giving me enough confidence to make it down to Canal Street where I found the Halal Guy to give me confidence to take one more subway ride down to the Brooklyn Bridge City Hall stop on the 6 train, I was just so loving NYC for all of these moments. Thank you MTA Train Conductors on the Hudson Line! Congratulations NYC on your election of Zohran Mamdani!! Mashallah!!
Including in this photos is a slide deck of thoughts published on Instagram from @reza.qns to what electing a Muslim Arab immigrant means to some. The red square that says “Habibi Mamdani Won” is from @PopeArt.
And, may rent stabilization extend up to Beacon and all parts of New York! And finally, the trip is not complete without a last minute track change from 37 to 28 for the 6:46 for 13 Germering participants.
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
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.
