Things To Do In Beacon, NY 📅 10/04/2026
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Spirit Of Beacon 2026 Is On For October 4th: There Is No Rain Date For The Rain Date
/“See you on Sunday, rain or shine (not in a wind advisory, tho). Please keep this in mind, heart, and spirit, this is a day for neighbors to celebrate each other, on Main Street. Positive energy activates constant elevation.”
Spirit of Beacon Day is happening this Sunday. No matter what. Rain or shine. This is the rain date. There is no rain date for the rain date. Everyone was so bummed about the postponment for the nor'easter. Made a few videos to show you the intense consideration the Spirit Committee was having about the decision, which you can watch here and here.
How Did Beacon Fare During The Nor'easter?
Last Sunday was surreal in Beacon. It was September 27th, the Last Sunday In September, which means Spirit of Beacon Day. But the nor'easter was predicted, so the rain and wind jitters set in. With rain predicted for the rain date as well, it was not immediately clear what would happen.
It started with business like Five Pennies Creamery asking ALBB if Spirit will really hold the line even during the nor'easter (see video interview here). Then band teachers begin to consider pulling instruments to protect them from the rain. Then parents begin to consider pulling children from marching in the parade. There's a lot to consider. The Spirit Committee called ALBB the Saturday before the big day to get advice about canceling. Listen to that reenacted phone call here.
In the end, the day was postponed. Even the I Am Beacon 5K run postponed, which hardly ever happens. Oddly, and most thankfully, almost nothing happened in Beacon. While all around us, wind and rain swirled, causing flooding. The tracks in Cold Spring flooded out. A tree fell across 9D, closing it down for a bit. A shark was spotted swimming in neighborhood streets in New Jersey. The Billy Joe's sign blew into the Hudson River.
The Protection Prayers for Spirit of Beacon Day were so strong, that they did keep the weather away, if only to protect Beacon from damage. Which is a true Spirit of Beacon.
As of today's refresh of the Weather app, rain is predicted for Sunday. It's been fluctuating since last week. The Spirit of Beacon Committee says: "Delayed is not denied. Failing to plan is planning to fail. We're taking all the precautions, prayers, positive energy, and insight that we can. See you on Sunday, rain or shine (not in a wind advisory, tho). Please keep this in mind, heart, and spirit, this is a day for neighbors to celebrate each other, on Main Street. Positive energy activates constant elevation."
Where To Buy Dude Wipes For Clean Moonings
/Since it seems that we can all moon now, or continue mooning, depending on the circumstance, based on the Information Release by the Beacon Police describing why they did not arrest the man who mooned multiple times (see video here), after this article/video published asking how Public Lewdness was measured, we might as well have clean butts. Just in case this instance turns out not to be once in a very blue moon.
There are a variety of trendy wipes these days for adults, like the DUDE WIPES brand at CVS that does come in different sizes! Pictured here are XL. However, makers of traditional baby wipes don’t discriminate ages, so if you wanted to use baby wipes, those should work also. Especially for sensitive skin. Dollar General also carries a scent-free line of baby wipes for $1 that is a good value.
If you wanted to carry a few wipes in your purse or fanny pack, you could buy a cute little carrying case from several boutiques on Main Street in Beacon. See ALBB’s Shopping Guide for recommendations, like Play, Zakka Joy, Another Door, and more.
Don’t flush those wipes, though, no matter how flush friendly the packaging tells you they are. Otherwise, you will need to use ALBB’s Business Directory to find a plumber to flush you out.
Beacon Police Issue Press Release Defending Not Arresting Mooner On Main Street
/The day after an article published on A Little Beacon Blog showing the video of a citizen speaking at Beacon’s City Council during Public Comment asking why the man who was caught on camera mooning another citizen on August 28th was not arrested, the Beacon Chief of Police Tom Figlia issued an Information Release to defend the decision of the Beacon Police Department in not arresting him, citing they employed de-escalation techniques.
Chief Figlia defended their lack of arresting action, saying they deal with people “across the spectrum of society.” While public lewdness does happen in Beacon by people who are on the spectrum and are known to the Beacon Police for their condition and treated with compassion, it seems that for others, mooning in Beacon is acceptable if the stars align.
Chief Figlia’s Information Release is published in full in this article below. To add to his timeline:
8/28/2026: ALBB acquired video of a portion of the incident that included the mooner mooning again while the police were de-escalating him, and while their backs were turned. Before mooning for the second time, he threatened the man in the pale pink shirt, stating that “these guys know me” referring to the police officers and then continued to threaten the man walking away, saying that he would “kick his ass” and “put him into an ambulance.” He then mooned another individual which was recorded on camera while police back’s were turned.
8/28/2026: The video showed this, and was published the same day.
8/31/2026: ALBB emailed Chief Figlia to ask if the mooner had been arrested for his action. Chief Figlia did not reply.
9/8/2026: A Beacon citizen spoke at the City Council meeting, asking “How much butt crack do the Beacon Police need for it to become a Class B Misdemeanor? Do they need a tape measure to measure that crack to make sure it's ‘enough exposure’ before they take action?” The article was widely shared. Some readers who are usually in the Law and Order crowd, who demand that laws be followed, instead became a “Mind your business!” crowd. Chris Prezbyl proclaimed: "Should’ve just finished your mango lassi and move on with your day." Tray Dirito Hockler was outraged, saying: "OMG...The white man is from GENERATIONS of Beaconites. Mind your business before someone kicks your A-S-S..AHAHA..Karen!!!!" Tray continued: "Nobody cares about Dean [Catalano] mooning Flackey, the cops or other wise because it's hysterical."
Flackey was not mentioned in any of these articles, and was only mentioned by citizens in Comments. It was the unexpected mooning by Dean of anyone that was caught on camera, that was the focus of the article and the speech.
“The white man is from GENERATIONS of Beaconites. Mind your business before someone kicks your A-S-S...AHAHA..Karen!!!! Nobody cares about Dean [Catalano] mooning Flackey, the cops or other wise because it’s hysterical.”
Beacon PD History of Use Of Force and De-Escalation Techniques
Police departments change over time with different leaders and officers. In 2010, the Beacon Police Department emerged from a federal investigation, where it was concluded that: “Today’s agreement concludes the investigation without any finding that the BPD violated the law, but implements a series of reforms and improvements designed to improve the operation of the BPD. On June 21, 2005, and Nov. 14, 2008, the department’s Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office issued technical assistance letters to the BPD. The agreement, signed today by the department, implements those recommendations.”
Some of those recommendations included “use of force policy to emphasize verbal de-escalation techniques,” among other reforms. In 2018, officers began wearing body cameras under Chief Kevin Junjulas. Chief Figlia was a Lieutenant at that time, and was in charge of the program. Then Chief Junjulas said that the cameras are a “good tool for internal investigations, to determine what actually happened. The video is right there.”
In April 2024, Beacon Police responded to a call about a man threatening to shoot a couple near Peaceful Provisions donut shop when they asked him not to touch their dog during morning coffee. That individual continued walking down the sidewalk and was apprehended several blocks down at the car wash, where he was taken to the ground by Beacon PD. A rifle was used, and an officer knelt down to put his hand on the man’s head to keep him down. ALBB reported on this incident and had video footage of that as well, which was published.
Chief Figlia, who was a Lieutenant at the time, eagerly called ALBB for a copy of the video that he could use in his use-of-force training, since the officers carried through the action within their training.
The Beacon Police can use cameras on Main Street to roll back within that moment to see if the alleged exposure happened. The Beacon Police have not commented to say if their cameras picked the alleged first buttocks exposure. A civilian video did, however, capture at least a second indecent exposure by the mooner. It is this video footage of an intended exposing action that is being questioned by some in the public. Not any Disorderly Conduct the Beacon Police allege all three individuals were doing. This is a separate violation that was captured and published on video.
The Information Release
The following is the Information Release published on Facebook by Beacon’s Chief Figlia.
On August 28, 2026, at approximately 3:40pm the Beacon Police Department received a call for an unknown problem at the county building at 223 Main St. While we usually do not do releases about violation level incidents, this one has apparently caused concerns of favoritism or police inaction among some members of our community.
On that day, upon their arrival officers found three subjects, all of whom they were familiar with from multiple interactions, yelling on the street. One was wearing a pale pink Spirit of Beacon Day t-shirt, one was wearing a blue t-shirt and one was wearing a darker pink t-shirt. They were also approached by security from the county building and were advised that the individual in the pale pink Spirit of Beacon Day t-shirt caused a disturbance inside and was not allowed to return inside the building at that time.
When the officers arrived all three individuals were legally committing the act of Disorderly Conduct, a violation level offense, by yelling, cursing and causing alarm for other people in a public area. One subject was alleged to have exposed his buttocks at another, which constitute Exposure of a Person, also a violation level offense. One subject was visibly intoxicated and stated he had consumed "a couple of beers" and another was expressing emotional concerns over a recent death in the family.
Though all three individuals could have legally been charged with violation level offenses that carry similar consequences to a traffic ticket, officers determined that given the totality of the circumstances, the best course of action was advise the one subject not to return to the county building at that time, and to employ de-escalation techniques to calm and separate the involved parties, which they successfully did.
When feasible and safe, the Beacon Police Department routinely attempts to employ de-escalation techniques rather than immediate arrests for low level offenses and people in crisis across the spectrum of society. Despite widespread public calls for just this course of action, the untrained public often reacts negatively when they actually see it in practice and mistakes it for favoritism.
When it can be safely employed, de-escalation techniques usually involve things such as reinforcing that the officers are there to help the person, lowering voices, validating feelings, using the involved individual's name and attempting to create unity between the officer and the person in need of de-escalation, all of which were done in this incident. That does not mean that the officers favor one person or another, or approve of that individual's behavior. Rather it likely means that they attempting to use best practices to de-escalate a non-violent incident, where there does not appear to be an imminent danger to anyone, involving a low-level offense such as the incident above.
Signed,
Thomas Figlia
Chief of Police
$1 Wednesdays At Beacon Creamery - $1 Soft Serve Ice Cream While The Swirls Last
/Your annual reminder that it's $1 Wednesdays at Beacon Creamery for $1 Soft Serve Ice cream. Earlier today, the flavors of Vanilla, Chocolate, and Vanilla/Chocolate Swirl were available. While supplies last. This is a hot spot to hit after school as South Avenue kids walk home from school.
This is also one of the busiest intersections in Beacon, with only Carmen the Crossing Guard protecting these little people - and big people as they cross. There is no additional Beacon PD coverage to enforce any traffic laws broken in the morning or afternoon, such as illegal left turns from South Avenue, illegal parking on both corners, running the crosswalk or running the light. Same goes for Ron’s Ice Cream on the other end of town near Memorial Park, where it is rumored, a traffic light was supposed to go up, but has not. Speed humps are helping, but some drivers seek to measure air time.
Both Crossing Guards say they have gained an increase of very tiny little ones crossing their streets, possibly due to the new Pre-K program available at all schools now.
Meanwhile, on display at Beacon Creamery colorings of the Dummy Light as part of the centennial celebration of the Dummy Light's 100th year. These colorings are from two 4th graders in the Beacon City School District, as part of a project guided by Lovely Shanti Kelly.
Christmas Stockings In Cashier Lane #3 :: Knitted Personalized Stockings By Designs By Della
/Christmas stocking styles vary widely. One could build an entire collection of Christmas stockings purchased from high end stores like Anthropology, ABC Home and Carpet, and curated boutiques, but no style replaces the stretchy, home-knitted stocking in red, green and white that expands each year with stocking stuffers.
Designs By Della is knitting these now in Beacon, and has been for over 12 years, selling through her Etsy shop or by word of mouth. Many people know Della as the morning cashier in isle 3 of Key Food. When she’s not re-stocking the bread shelf in the morning for those deli sandwiches, or playfully zinging her fans during checkout, she is knitting custom orders of her Christmas stockings.
Available in 5 classic Christmas styles that can be personalized with a name: Santa Claus, Rudolf, Frosty the Snowman, a Christmas tree, and a Candy Cane. The Candy Cane style is the most difficult, she says, because of the shading of red and the curves. The knitted nature of these stockings means they can grow with most anything you want to stuff into them. No restrictions like other stockings made of fixed fabric. Plus, these have the personal touch of being knitted just for you, made in Beacon.
These take time to make. Orders are usually placed in July. So head over to her Etsy shop, or visit Della at Key Food, usually in the morning. Ring her bell if you don’t see her.
PS: This is ALBB’s most favorite stocking style ever because it’s what she grew up with. Figured she never see these again because hers were knitted by her grandmother. But now there is Della. Della can make them for those of us who need grandmother knitted stockings :)
Beacon Citizen Asks City Council: "How Much Butt Crack Do The Beacon Police Need To See To Arrest For Public Lewdness?"
/The City Council Meeting before Beacon Police Chief Figlia presented his defense of the City’s use of Flock cameras for license plate tracking for pre-identified targets driving in or out of Beacon, as well as the cameras placed along Main Street that track movements of people out on the sidewalk, a Beacon resident presented her dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of arrest of a local male resident who had mooned the public at least three times (see video here) on a Friday afternoon, one of those times being recorded on civilian video, if not also on the City’s cameras.
Dean Catalano was identified as the man who mooned a car with a child in it, and was caught on camera again mooning a civilian at a public picnic table by the DMV parking lot while the Beacon Police’s backs were turned.
“All these cops know me!” Dean screamed to another man who was in disagreement with his actions. Dean implied that he was protected by the Beacon Police, knowing they would do nothing to him as he verbally threatened a man walking across the street, announced he was going to moon everyone again, and then did moon again.
The transcription of the public statement is below the video published here.
Good evening. Katie Hellmuth, Ward 1.
Many years ago, a white man stood at this podium to complain that he brought his friends to Memorial Park, and saw a Black Power fist flag on a building across the street. He said Beacon wasn't racist, and was embarrassed about the flag. A legal battle followed between the building owner and the City, with the building owner defending himself to keep the flag up. It was an expensive battle.
Last Friday afternoon, as I sipping my iced mango lassi, enjoying the late summer Friday in Beacon, I saw Beacon Police activity at the corner of the DMV parking lot. I learned that a white man had allegedly mooned a car with a child in it. Several other men were yelling at him.
Multiple people had their videos out and were recording.
I am a reporter. I came into possession of a video of this man. I learned that he is a longtime member of the community. I reviewed the video and had the displeasure of watching each frame to capture any quotes and body language for my article.
From the video, in front of Beacon Police, the mooner offered to re-enact his mooning. He said he would "moon everybody now."
The police officer discouraged him, and other officers tried to de-escalate him. But he was enraged. He threatened another man who was walking away from the scene, telling him he wanted to kick his a.s.s., and put him in an ambulance.
At some point, the two police officers who were with him, walked away. It was at this point that the mooning man looked at another community member sitting at a public picnic table, lifted his shirt, pulled down his shorts, yelled "Now!" and mooned this person. The video showed full cheek and a half. The mooning man looked back at the police officers, put himself back together, and acted as if nothing happened.
As far as I know, no arrest was made.
As a reporter, I know of stories from women of assault and abuse that do not make it into Beacon Police reports. Their abusers walk these streets of Beacon.
The Beacon Police Department and this administration continue to not respond to me when I email questions, like I did to Chief Figlia about the location of Flock cameras several weeks ago after the high school student was at this podium to complain about them and wonder why we have them if the Tioronda Assaulter is still at large.
Today I ask the Beacon Police: Section 245 Public Lewdness: I witnessed the man have intent to moon the community member at the picnic table while people walked by and was caught doing it on civilian video. How much butt crack do the Beacon Police need for it to become a Class B Misdemeanor? Do they need a tape measure to measure that crack to make sure it's "enough exposure" before they take action?
Otherwise, this man on the yellow e-bike has just been enabled to threaten to assault people, moon us, and who knows what else.
A local reader responded to the article, suggesting that people get over it. That the Spirit of Beacon Day used to have Mooning Contests. I checked with the Spirit of Beacon Chair. He confirmed to me that mooning contests have not happened in recent years, and will not be happening this year.
I stand at this podium today to say I am discomfortable with a white man mooning and getting away with it.
POSTPONED: Spirit of Beacon Day and I Am Beacon 5K Go To Rain Dates For Nor'easter
/On Saturday afternoon, the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee announced that they had postponed the Spirit of Beacon Day due to the nor’easter, stating: “Unfortunately we are going to postpone tomorrow's event. The rain date: Sunday October 4th is in effect. The people and the weather have been heard and observed. Bringing the community together, on Main Street, is the reason why we have the Spirit of Beacon Day.”
The Committee considered the decision for a long time, even calling A Little Beacon Blog’s publisher and writer Katie for advice, as she was once the Chair of the committee when the day was postponed in 2023 due to a typhoon. “During that time, we waited until the last minute, because so many different factors are involved,” Katie told ALBB. “Vendors buy food; parents have sports schedules to modify or attend; music teachers have instruments they need to protect; bands and porta-potties are booked and paid for, etc. The hardest part is not knowing how the weather will turn out in Beacon, despite what is going on in other parts of New York.”
She continued: “Back then, we were going to go in the rain, because rain was predicted the following weekend as well. But the Saturday before, the rain developed into the typhoon. The people of Beacon were ready to make it happen, even though I was getting phone calls asking me if we were sure, and how many weights should they pack for their tents, etc. But then I got called by a school leader, saying she was concerned for her children in the parade but was going to do her best. After that phone call, I made the hard decision to pull. The police were fine with it - they just wanted to know so that they could pull the No Parking signs.
Beacon was spared most damage during this nor’easter, while areas around the region suffered damage.
Photo Credit: Jason McClaren
“At the time, the former City Administrator Chris White was employed with the City, and he was so mad that I made the call after his mid-week deadline, that he emailed me with a harsh hand-slap, and insisted that we pull all of the yard signs we distributed throughout the city and into Fishkill and Wappingers. I refused, stating that the rain date was in effect, and people still needed to see the signs reminding them to come. That was the same year that Chris declined our gift of the new hat merch we had produced and were selling. He said that wearing our hat would mess up the tan lines on his head, like his bike helmet does. So we had one more hat to sell.”
This year, the new City Administrator in town is Ben Swanson, who is a much more gentle, considerate and mild-tempered person. “I have a feeling Ben will not respond the same way,” Katie told this year’s Chair, Ali T. Muhammad, who made the final decision. The 2023 Spirit of Beacon Day remained a success.
In his statement, Ali said: “Having it on the last Sunday in September matters. However, the people that make the Spirit of Beacon Day what it is, matter most. So due to confirmed safety concerns and the growing number of folks that reached out saying they can not or will not participate, the committee has come to this decision.”
Ali continued: “We know this will negatively impact many of our food vendors. We sincerely apologize for any waste you may incur.”
As for the new rain date, Ali advised: “The forecast for next week predicts rain, so the advice in our last email to vendors and parade participants on how to prepare for a rainy event still applies. Please don't hesitate to reach out via phone as we're expecting some of you will not be able to make it next Sunday.”
The local organization I Am Beacon also postponed, which they announced on Saturday and Sunday in their Instagram: “Today was supposed to be the 15th Annual I Run Beacon 5K Scholarship Fundraiser, and while we were excited to celebrate with our runners, walkers, volunteers, and supporters, Mother Nature had other plans!
“After carefully considering the current weather conditions and forecast, we made the decision to postpone today’s event in the interest of the safety of our participants, staff, volunteers, and community.” I Am Beacon’s new date is October 11th. Mark your calendars and this means registration is still open for runners.
Mark your calendars for the Spirit of Beacon’s new date of Sunday, October 4th. ALBB has seen some of their new merch, which will surprise and delight you.
Catober was also rescheduled to October 4th at Hudson Valley Brewery, also due to rain last weekend. It has been raining every weekend for a few weekends now.
To Be Continued…
Five Pennies Creamery Asks: "Will The Spirit of Beacon Day Go On If It Rains?" (2026 Edition)
/Happens all the time. Once a Chair of the Spirit of Beacon Day, always the FAQ Queen as people ask questions. ALBB is not on the Committee this year, but does haunt from time to time. Dan from Five Pennies Creamery at Hudson Valley Food Hall was the latest to ask the question: “Will they do the Spirit of Beacon Day even if it rains?”
While ALBB is not in charge at all of that decision...the Committee has traditionally been very, very steadfast at trying to go Rain or Shine (tho Katie did go to rain date when the rain became a typhoon last minute)! Yes, there is a nor’easter predicted, but so far....it’s blowing to Massachusetts...? This meteorologist at NY1 thinks it won’t be a huge deal for NYC. And there is rain predicted for following weekend too. We discuss with Dave and Khloe at Five Pennies...
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"Phogeddaboutit!! 2 Enthusiastic Thumbs Up!" Saigon Pho Vietnamese Restaurant Opens In Beacon
/Yes…The wait is over…Saigon Pho, the restaurant that is in the former spot of BJ’s Soul Food at 213 Main Street, Beacon, has opened.
Homage To BJ’s
But first, an homage to BJ's founder and former building owner, Barbara Sims, who ran her soul food restaurant for 47 years. Founded while she was a nurse at the VA Hospital in Montrose, Barbara worked with her mother, Thelma, who made the donuts in the morning, which brought in $50 day, according to this article capturing her history.
Named for herself, Barbara Joan, and her daughter, Brenda Joyce, who worked on the weekends and then full time, the family added fish fry to the menu, and then chicken wings, oxtails, fried chicken, corn bread, potato salad, mac and cheese, three-layer cakes, and more. The restaurant served as a community destination, where 75% of their orders were takeout, Barbara told the newspaper.
Barbara sold the building in December 2025, which was listed for $1.1 million. She said she originally bought it out of foreclosure, and that the restaurant that had been there was Greek.
Barbara cited her age and health as the reason why she sold. She owns 6 other properties in Beacon, and told the newspaper that she intends to stay busy maintaining those. “When you go to bed at night," she told the reporter, "you need something to make you want to get up the next day. Some of my basements need to be cleaned out!”
The first night of the soft opening, the soft lights glowed from inside the new restaurant painted in a smooth shade of gray as the storefront begins its new history.
Saigon Pho’s Soft Opening - Expanding From Cornwall
The “Now Hiring!” sign hung in the window for weeks as workers transformed the space inside. A tipster spotted a worker wearing a Pho Rush t-shirt from Cornwall and sent it into A Little Beacon Blog to investigate if the Vietnamese restaurant from across the river was opening in Beacon.
Indeed, an employee named Phat confirmed to ALBB when we ducked in on Friday to pick up their first menu. “We are so excited to be here in Beacon,” Phat exclaimed. “For our soft opening, we really want to focus on what we do the best. Then go to more vegetable later.”
The menu is opening up with Pho Chicken (Pho Ga), which is steamed chicken in their signature beef broth with rice noodles. Pho Steak (Pho Tai), which is thinly sliced rare steak in their signature beeth broth with rice noodles, but cooked steak is possible. Pho Brisket (Pho Chin) and Pho Beef Meatball (Pho Bo Vien), and even Pho Shrimp (Pho Tom) are starting entrees on the menu.
“Phogeddaboutit!!” cheered Emily of Artisan Wine and Dave the Butcher. “I’m can’t wait to have their Vietnamese coffee. I haven’t had it in so long.” Also known as Ca Phe Viet Nam, Vietnamese coffee is served hot or iced with rich flavor and sweetened condensed milk.
Steamed Dumplings are available served with Saigon Pho’s signature sauce. “We make our dumpling sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar and shallot,” Phat told ALBB. “We will have our Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwich in Phase 2.”
This menu is To Be Continued. and seating is open now…
Restaurant Review: The Codfish Fish n Chips at Piggy Bank 2.0
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It was a late summer Thursday afternoon when A Little Beacon Blog met up with Nicole of Smyle Taxes to enjoy the full crunch, extreme cheese pull mozzarella sticks at the The Piggy Bank2.0 . But we also set out to try the cornbread for the first time, and order something different from the menu at The Piggy Bank 2.0. There is a new chef in the kitchen, and that day, the special was Codfish Fish n Chips. The server was certain we would enjoy it. He needn’t explain much, as we ordered it right away. But we also pined for Sweet Tea at this BBQ spot. While Sweet Tea isn’t officially on the menu (yet), the server did mix us a glass from a fresh sugar syrup.
The cornbread did the job, but being that we are Cornbread and Mozzarella Stick professionals, we needed to order extra butter. Which we learned was flavored with orange and was slightly sweetened. This may be the first sweetened butter we have had on Main Street, but correct us if we’re wrong in the Comments.
Now for the Codfish. It arrived in two strips. We decided to split it, being that we had all of those other carbs. But it was so soft (inside) and crunchy (outside), we ordered another order sans fries (came with fries).
We debated if they should be called Codfish Tenders or Codfish Fish n Chips, but really it didn’t matter. The meal was so satisfying, washed down with sips of that sweet tea. Hopefully the codfish will be on the Specials Menu again soon.
Fit in Piggy Bank 2.0 into your next random mid-week lunch spot any day of the week. Locals get to go any time! Enjoy that outdoor patio.
The Piggy Bank is a Member of A Little Beacon’s Business Blog Squad in the Restaurant Guide. 🌟
Located at 446 Main Street, Beacon, NY.
Open Daily.
Carmel Central School District Board Member Michael Torpey Crawls Into The Comments In Beacon To Call Palestinian Rally Supporters "Clowns"
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Shortly after the election of Zohran Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim Mayor on November 4th, 2025, a Carmel Central School District Board of Education Trustee Michael Torpey took to his Facebook page to make a video, in which he said: "So New York City, congratulations and thank you for doing your part in the Islamic takeover of western society.”
According to reporting in the Putnam Press Times, who covered the aftermath of his Islamaphopbic comment, Michael was newly elected to the position in May. While Michael reportedly issued an apology, saying that he did not intend for his statement to be an insult to the Muslim community, the Board of Education Trustees and Carmel Central School District Superintendent of Schools "quickly denounced the comments," the article reported.
But the community was dissatisfied. Some wanted Michael Torpey to resign. On November 18th, some residents attended the Carmel Board of Education meeting to be vocalize their opinion. According to the article, the first speaker stated: "The sentiments that Mr. Torpey expressed in his video absolutely convey Islamophobia, even if presented as condescending humor dripping with sarcasm. I am outraged for the Muslim families in this school district who now have full confirmation that at least one of the elected officials intricately and powerfully involved in their children’s education holds such distain for their faith.”
Others expressed similar views. Mike Fallon stated: “These hateful comments reflect a person who is unfit to serve on the esteemed board,” he said. “Our kids deserve better than to have a board member who views them with fear and contempt, and talks trash about their culture or their spiritual beliefs, or that of their classmates.”
Over in Beacon this week, A Little Beacon Blog announced that the advocacy group Rally Middletown was expanding their weekly Pro-Palestine rallies to Wappingers Falls on Route 9 by Staples. When the article was shared on ALBB’s Facebook, most of the comments that followed were insulting, derogatory and violent. Others simply said “Free Palestine” and offered to contribute Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwiches.
Michael Torpey entered the chat when he commented: "Shut the hell up, bunch of goddamn clowns."
One reader noticed his name, and responded: "Michael Torpey: Always nice to see a school board member acting like an adult who appreciates free speech. What a great example for the kids."
“There’s an arrogance in that – in a place of privilege – that is so ignorant and so lacking compassion that is outrageous. What Mr. Torpey did was not simply free speech, it was hate speech. There’s a gigantic difference between the two.”
Back at the November 18th, 2025 Carmel Board of Education Meeting, one speaker defended Michael's comments, stating his speech was protected under the First Amendment. While his speech may be protected, that protection does not extend to overriding the opinions of people who have decided that his tone and approach of what was spoken are not conducive to how they want their children taught or mentored.
John Maguire spoke at the Board of Education meeting, and stated: “If somebody says something you don’t like… you can either laugh or you can express your outrage. I would rather laugh.”
However, another community member, Ivonne Silva, said "the racists comments 'continue' to come from board members because leadership tolerates it. There’s an arrogance in that – in a place of privilege – that is so ignorant and so lacking compassion that is outrageous. What Mr. Torpey did was not simply free speech, it was hate speech. There’s a gigantic difference between the two.”
This week, nearly one year later, Michael's tone and approach seems not to have changed. He published his insulting comment on the Palestinian Rally article, and on his own Facebook page, he championed his ability get away with it, stating: "Marking myself safe from the woke mob that tried to remove me from my duly elected office for exercising my First Amendment rights. They tried to silence me. They tried to intimidate me. They tried to make an example out of me. They failed. This is still America. Land of the free and the home of the brave. Thank you to my supporters. You know who you are. The fight goes on. 🇺🇸💪"
Back in November 2025, the Carmel Central School District Board of Education debated the removal of Michael Torpey, where some board members expressed firm resolve that his speech outside of the board did not reflect who they wanted as a board member.
A student ex-officio member of the school board named Max, also urged Torpey to resign, saying: “We have been taught since day one to be accepting and respectful as students in the Carmel School District,” Max said. “Trustee Torpey, you represent the board, you represent our district and our community. Urging for your resignation is not an opinion of people unaffected by you, it is a result of the fear you instilled in members of our community – most important the students you are expected to protect.”
The board went into Executive Session for a private meeting, and emerged with Michael stepping off the Policy Committee, but retaining his elected seat on the board. The article reported that “Hans Bernier called the inaction a disgrace.” The article quoted Hans as saying:
“Aren’t you tired of this? Every quarter we have to talk about hate speech in Carmel… When it’s the kids, obviously it’s not OK… When it’s the adults, when it’s the people on the board spitting hate and we’re having a discussion about this – this is outrageous. This man should step down.”
Catoberfest Has New Date After Rain Forecasted For Sunday: October 4th Is New Date
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"The Catoberfest feline team is on a roll :)" Catoberfest's co-organizer Ira Chavis told A Little Beacon Blog when he sent in the new event poster for the rescheduled fundraising event for Mid Hudson Animal Aid. "Puuuuurrrrrfect" ALBB responded.
The rescheduled date is Sunday, October 4th from 2-6pm at Hudson Valley Brewery at 7 East Main Street.
You can support the no-kill, free-range cat sanctuary in Beacon, New York by joining them for an afternoon of craft beer, food, live music and family fun, all to support the fabulous felines of Mid Hudson Animal Aid.
Experience music from:
Tony DePaolo’s Electric Gypsies
The Judith Tulloch Band
Marsh Kings Daughter
The Costellos
Black Coffee Blues
Lots of raffle prizes.
More information at www.catoberfest.cat
More Things To Do In Beacon at
https://www.alittlebeaconblog.com/annual-events
Catoberfest Postponed For Bad Weather Forecast; Rain Date TBD
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Sunday is looking like 🌧️🌧️🌧️, so Catoberfest has Postponed! Rain Date TBD. Cats don’t like to get wet! Donate online anyway. 😻This is a big fundraiser benefiting Mid Hudson Animal Aid. Please spread the word.
Checks payable to Mid Hudson Animal Aid may be mailed to:
Mid Hudson Animal Aid
54 Simmons Lane
Beacon, NY 12508
Want your business included in ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon Guides? See our Media Kit.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.