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STORY HOUR POWER — Angel Elektra drew a crowd at the Putnam Valley Library on Feb. 1 when the drag queen read books to a packed room of children and their parents as a lesson about inclusiveness and acceptance. A local priest took offense and organized a protest. Others showed up to voice support for the event. Elektra will read stories at Split Rock Books in Cold Spring on May 17. Photos by Ross Corsair From Three Cleaning Up Indian Point Reporter’s Notebook Lawmakers raise doubts 15 years. From One to Two The NRC has opened its public comment about proposed transfer period on the request. Judging by the mood Paperboy to Beacon to retire one fire at a joint Jan. 30 meeting of the Indian By Brian PJ Cronin station, upgrade others Point Closure Task Force and the Commu- Another he Indian Point nuclear power nity Unity Task Force, the agency can By Michael Turton By Jeff Simms plant in Buchanan is scheduled to expect to hear an earful. begin its shutdown in April, after Holtec has come under scrutiny about eacon will pull its firefighters from T s a kid in which the site will need to be cleaned up its capacity to do the work, as well as its the 130-year-old Beacon Engine Ontario, I and its spent, radioactive rods secured. financial health. A presentation by a Holtec fire station on East Main Street this was a bicy- B Entergy, which owns the plant, doesn’t representative on Jan. 15 at the Buchanan A spring while launching a multi-year initia- cle-riding paper- want to do the decommissioning and so Village Hall did little to quell those doubts. tive to modernize its two remaining stations, boy. Sixty years later has asked the federal Nuclear Regula- “I came out more worried than when I Mayor Lee Kyriacou announced during the I’m still at it, distribut- tory Commission for the OK to transfer went in,” said Dr. Richard Becker, a coun- Monday (Feb. 3) City Council meeting. ing 4,000 copies of The Highlands Current its license to a firm called Holtec Inter- cilman for the Town of Cortlandt. The original portion of the Beacon each Friday morning in Beacon, Cold Spring national. The cleanup is expected to take (Continued on Page 19) Engine building was constructed in 1889 and Philipstown, rain or shine, although and cannot house modern fire appara- thankfully by car. tus, Kyriacou said. It also does not meet Often on Fridays I’d see a weathered National Fire Protection Association safety black car zooming around with copies standards and would be costly to upgrade. of The New York Times flying out the The remaining stations — the Mase window. My reaction was always, “Man, Hook and Ladder station at 425 Main St. that guy drives like a maniac!” and the Tompkins Fire Hose station on Late last year that black car disappeared. South Avenue — will be upgraded to meet Its driver, Decatur Myers, died on Dec. 13, at building and accessibility standards, he age 72, of cancer. Lory Smith, who lives in said. Following the announcement, the Cold Spring, emailed The Current to ask if council approved spending $40,730 to hire we knew that Decatur had passed. “He was Mitchell Associates Architects, an Albany a unique individual and worked extremely County firm, to design the renovations. hard to get us all our various papers,” he “This was not an easy decision, although wrote. “I considered him a friend.” multiple [Beacon] City Councils have I soon realized how many people had reached the same conclusion,” said Kyriacou. known Decatur — some by name, others The move to close Beacon Engine, simply as their longtime newspaper deliv- which comes just a month into Kyriacou’s ery man, many from his infamous driving. tenure as mayor, seemingly ends a debate Although we never met, I felt a kinship, that dates to at least 2006, when the city knowing that we must have shared the and two planning firms began studying same grievances about heavy editions scenarios for consolidation. (today’s 24-page paper is 16,000 pages heavier than a 20-pager) and bad weather. In recent years, city leaders considered DANCING ON THE LANDING — The Philipstown Depot Theatre on Feb. 1 hosted a perfor- building a station at the Memorial Park mance led by Jamel Gaines, who lives in Garrison, and performers from his Brooklyn- Wanting to know more about him, I called dog run site or on the edge of the Sargent based Creative Outlet Dance Theater. For more photos, see Page 10. Photo by Ross Corsair his son, Decatur Jr., who agreed to meet at (Continued on Page 9) (Continued on Page 6) 2 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

FIVE QUESTIONS: JOE ROBITAILLE

By Jeff Simms Do you feel pressure taking over an Jessica Reisman, and there’s no way it can established, beloved cafe? be the same, because she was one of a kind. By Michael Turton oe Robitaille purchased Homespun It’s wonderful and tough. Small busi- Foods in Beacon from its longtime ness is difficult in general. I’d been think- Will you add more wine to the menu? What’s your favorite owner, Jessica Reisman, late last year. J ing for the last two years at Definitely. I’ve developed some great Oscar-winning film, my last job about doing relationships in the world of wine, so I’ll Was Beacon always on your radar? this, and every time the be able to source some that might be and how could the Very much so. My wife, Kate, and I came walk-ins [refrigera- more difficult to find. But we’ll also awards be improved? up here for the first time seven years ago, tors] crashed or some- have $8 or $9 wines by the glass along when our son was a year-and-a-half old. thing broke, I’d think: with a bunch of affordable wines on Kate went to Dia:Beacon and I went for “That’s going to be my the menu. a long bike ride from here to Saugerties. problem.” But this is Moonlight [2017]. It Then we came back a few months later and a place where I knew How will you maintain Home- needs more diversity in drove Route 9D between here and Garrison. from the get-go that spun’s character? There were a bunch of people out and about some people wouldn’t want Take the long view. I could filmmakers — women on Main Street in Beacon; I saw the record us to change come in and change and people of color. store — I love records — and it seemed like anything. everything and make such a cool city. There’s it mine, but that’s only one not me. I feel no Is your background in restaurants? rush. I’ve thought I worked for eight years in New York City about a Sunday restaurants, the last two as a chef somme- night reading lier, and before that I spent six years as series for poets. head sommelier for il Buco, a phenomenal Being in Beacon, restaurant on Bond Street. I got into wine I’m starting after I moved to the city from Buffalo to to feel that study poetry in graduate school and do an creative part of MFA at Brooklyn College. A friend whose me resurface, ~ Robby Anderson, Beacon couch I was crashing on worked at a wine which is really store in the West Village, and I started pleasant. working in the cellar there. Moonstruck [1988]. Hold the awards on Saturday night for people who have to get up early Monday.

~ Ali Verdicchio, Cold Spring

Lawrence of Arabia [1963]. Add a Best Comedy category.

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planning, was denied 7-1. Nancy Montgomery (D-Philipstown) cast the dissenting vote. Sheriff Gets His Overtime Money The rejection of Langley’s request But Putnam legislators tic disturbance in Putnam Valley, the day appeared to be a sudden change of approach before the Rules Committee meeting. for the Republican legislators, who for years approve oversight rule “The Legislature has a responsibility to the routinely approved such transfers. In 2018, taxpayers and part of that responsibility is to the Legislature gave the OK for Langley to By Leonard Sparks budget realistically,” Langley told the commit- move at least $192,000, and in 2012 and tee, citing “uncontrolled situations that take 2014 it approved requests from Smith to wo months after rejecting a request place out in the streets of Putnam County.” move $200,000 or more. by Sheriff Robert Langley Jr. to Under the new policy, requests to exceed At their Dec. 18 meeting, legislators T transfer $121,000 to cover road patrol “non-mandatory” overtime must be approved transferring $49,439 from overtime, the Putnam County Legislature provided in writing to the Legislature with machine maintenance to road patrol over- approved a resolution on Tuesday (Feb. 4) “detailed, complete justification.” time. The balance of Langley’s $121,000 requiring department heads to get approval The Legislature also has asked Finance request was taken care of through routine before exceeding their overtime budgets. Commissioner William Carlin to provide year-end budget amendments approved Langley addressed the Legislature’s Rules, monthly reports on overtime spending. during the same meeting. Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations The Sheriff’s Department is likely the only Legislator Carl Albano (R-Carmel), a Committee on Jan. 23 before its members department to be affected by the change, member of the Rules Committee, said voted to forward the policy to the full Legis- said Legislator Neal Sullivan (R-Carmel), last month that sheriff’s overtime should Sheriff Robert Langley Jr. lature. who chairs the Rules Committee. be “addressed at the budget process” and File photo by Ross Corsair The sheriff told committee members that “I don’t think we really had another other any overages would be subject to approval he is juggling a reduced overtime budget department, exceed their budget without before the money is spent. including inviting them to publicly address and a road patrol hampered by unfilled coming to us for a request,” he said. “When there’re surprises, they should any anticipated impact from the policy. positions and injuries. The budget approved Langley, a first-term Democrat who be discussed and come before us ahead of Sullivan said he was “able to contact them for road patrol overtime fell from $600,000 defeated the long-time incumbent Repub- time,” he said. “It would be irresponsible to directly,” including while attending depart- in 2018 to $537,000 in 2019 and $520,000 in lican, Don Smith, in 2017, on Dec. 3 faced a say spend it and let us know later. It comes ment head meetings. “If they had any prob- 2020. Langley requested $762,000 for 2020. barrage of criticism from Republican legis- down to planning.” lems, I would have heard about it,” he said. The department is down six deputies, lators over a request to transfer $121,000 At the Rules Committee’s January meet- County Executive MaryEllen Odell has Langley said, including one who was hit by from equipment and administrative budget ing, Montgomery warned of “unintended chastised Montgomery in the past when she a car in December while directing traffic accounts to cover road patrol overtime consequences” from the policy. She also attempted to interact with county depart- in Mahopac and another who was slashed already paid to deputies. criticized a process that she claims omit- ments, saying all such inquiries must be in January while responding to a domes- The request, which drew accusations of poor ted formal input from department heads, directed through her office.

commercial strips, and expressed concerns moratoriums while evaluating comprehen- Fishkill Pushes Ahead on Moratorium about the former Texaco Research Center sive plan and zoning code changes. on 153 acres bisected by Fishkill Creek in According to Nugent, in a moratorium Possible impacts on “I want a diverse group [politically], the Glenham, near the Beacon city limit. projects that have received only conditional left to the right and everybody in between,” Once the citizen committee and funding approvals could probably be held up but a Continental Commons, he said. for comprehensive plan and zoning reviews moratorium “can’t just be a delaying tactic to Rolling Hills A moratorium could feasibly affect Conti- are in place, a moratorium might only last stop development.” Rather, he said, “the town nental Commons, a themed hotel-shopping four to six months, he said. “It’s not going to needs to be doing something,” such as evaluat- complex planned for Route 9 on land that was be two years. I want to do it pretty quickly. ing code revisions. “There needs to be action.” By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong part of the Fishkill Supply Depot during the “If you have the right to build something, On a related topic, Albra pointed to the he Fishkill Town Board on Wednes- Revolutionary War, and the Rolling Hills devel- we’re not going to stop that” if it doesn’t “extraordinary opportunity” presented by day (Feb. 5) took tentative steps opment on Route 9D, just north of Beacon. raise questions, he said. “We encourage such sites as the Texaco (now Chevron) prop- T toward a building moratorium to The board plans to continue the discus- development, as long as it’s smart and erty, which, he said, a company property review the town’s 10-year-old comprehen- sion on Feb. 19. Along with Albra, it has doesn’t harm the environment.” manager has expressed interest in selling. sive plan and zoning laws. two other newly seated members, Louise Ori Brachfeld, the sole Republican on However, Albra cautioned, given its Supervisor Ozzy Albra, who took office Daniele and Kenya Gadsden. the board, cautioned that “we have to be history as a textile and chemical factory last month, proposed the creation of a citi- Albra suggested that the board might careful about taking citizens’ rights away.” dating to before the Civil War, “there’s a lot zens’ committee to assist in the reviews and explore the use of special overlay districts Brachfeld also said a moratorium “can’t of things being hidden underground.” He — as his fellow board members concurred to safeguard water resources, including be a town-wide blanket,” but must be for said the town must ensure it does not end — invited audience members and those the Fishkill aquifer, and historical pres- something specific. up being held liable if the property is sold later watching the meeting on TV or video ervation. He also recommended a closer But Brian Nugent, the town’s new attor- and the new owners “hit something really to volunteer for it. look at Route 9, the state highway lined by ney, observed that many municipalities enact bad” and can’t deal with it.

How did you meet

Tell us in 100 words how you met the love of your life and email us a photo of you together to [email protected]. We’ll print a selection in our Feb. 14 issue. 4 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Tell us what you think PUBLISHER Highlands Current Inc. he Current welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and local issues. Submissions are selected by the 142 Main St. T editor to provide a variety of opinions and voices, and all are subject to editing for accuracy, clarity and length. Cold Spring, NY 10516-2819 We ask that writers remain civil and avoid personal attacks. Letters may be emailed to [email protected] 291 Main St., Beacon NY 12508 or mailed to Editor, The Highlands Current, 142 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516. The writer’s full name, village or city, and email or phone number must be included, but only the name and village or city will be published. FOUNDER Gordon Stewart (1939 - 2014)

EDITOR LETTERS AND COMMENTS Chip Rowe [email protected] Drag queen stories a factor except to the extent that it’s appar- thanks to the Goddesses of Drag. I found the reaction to the Drag Queen ently always on the minds of those who so Eileen McDermott, Brewster SENIOR EDITOR Story Hour at the Putnam Valley Library vehemently oppose anything LGBTQ+. The Leonard Sparks on Feb. 1 to be unsurprising yet still quite goal of the program is to teach children The story hour at Putnam Valley Library laughable (“5 Questions: Angel Elektra,” that gender can be fluid — that it’s OK to was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to ARTS EDITOR Jan. 31). Father Frank Samoylo of St. be different and unique, that boys can play more stories about the importance of love, Alison Rooney Columbanus Church in Cortlandt Manor with dolls and girls can like to climb. Are we acceptance, kindness and family with [email protected] had the audacity that only a Catholic priest still debating these concepts in 2020? They Angel Elektra! SENIOR CORRESPONDENT could to accuse drag-queens, in a note to were widely accepted in the 1970s and early Adam Babbitt, via Facebook Michael Turton his congregation, of being “sexual perverts 1980s, when Free to Be, You and Me included who expose themselves to children or have the song “William Wants a Doll” and compa- This is what happens when moral moor- REPORTERS physical contact with them.” nies marketed gender-neutral toys. ings are removed and situational ethics and Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong Father Samoylo goes on to question what How have we slid so far backward that relativism become the norm. Brian PJ Cronin • Joe Dizney kinds of parents would subject their chil- Putnam parent Facebook groups declare that Ann Fanizzi, via Facebook Pamela Doan • Deb Lucke dren to such “abuse.” The Drag Queen Story Drag Queen Story Hour is about indoctrina- Skip Pearlman • Jeff Simms Hour took place in full view of parents and tion and sexual deviance? Like it or not, dear Beacon development library staff. This is much more than can be Putnam, some of your children do not fit into Now they want advice? (“Beacon to Form LAYOUT DESIGNER said for the Catholic Church, a 2,000-year- gender or other norms, and Drag Queen Story Citizens’ Committee,” Jan. 31). The Beacon City Pierce Strudler old institution that has only recently even Hour merely shows them that that’s OK. Council now wants to close the barn door? The One drag queen who participated in the horse is not coming back! Its love of the out-of- ADVERTISING DIRECTOR admitted that rampant sexual abuse of program recounted how a little girl asked control developers who believe “parking is not Michele Gedney children has occurred on its watch, and For information on advertising: which to this day continues to harbor and her if she was a boy or a girl, and she replied, a right” (or needed) for any building they build 845-809-5584 protect pedophiles in order to save face. If “Today, I’m a girl.” The end. It is that simple. or are going to build is shameful. [email protected] there are any parents who would send their Calm down Putnam, and try to remem- Here’s some advice: Call a city emer- highlandscurrent.org/ads young child into a room alone with a Catho- ber that just because leaders like Father gency on just the water issue. Stop build- lic priest over a drag queen, they are fools. Samoylo and Donald Trump may wish it, ing because we don’t have enough water or Drag queens reading stories to chil- the year is no longer 1945. If your children infrastructure to support the endless build- dren is fun. The queens are performers; grow up to emulate a drag queen over men ing. Parking is a right, and needed. kids like garish, sparkly things. Sex is not like those two, you should give eternal I believe some on the City Council are a THE HIGHLANDS CURRENT little too close to the developers and will (USPS #22270) / ISSN 2475-3785 carry their water for them, saying the February 7, 2020 Volume 9, Issue 6 (2475-3785) contractors will sue the city. But mark my words, any council members using that as is published weekly by Highlands Current Inc., 142 Main St., Cold Spring, an excuse for not stopping the building NY 10516-2819. Periodicals Postage Paid are carrying the largest pail! It’s a lawsuit at Cold Spring, NY, and at additional Beacon can win to save its future. The offices. POSTMASTER: Send address City Council should listen to the people changes to The Highlands Current, 142 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516-2819. they represent, almost all of whom want it Mail delivery $30 per year. stopped. Go ahead and take a poll. highlandscurrent.org/delivery Dennis Moroney, Beacon [email protected] Distribution audited by the Circulation Verification Council Continental Commons The Continental Commons development © Highlands Current Inc. 2020 on Route 9 threatens recognized, potential All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any and unidentified archeological resources form, mechanical or electronic, without for which the Fishkill Supply Depot site was written permission of the publisher. listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 (“Revolutionary War Battle * Rages in Fishkill,” Jan. 31). Winner: 45 Better The developer has not committed to Newspaper Contest Awards precautions to protect these resources as * New York Press Association, 2013 -18 required under the New York State Environ- mental Quality Review Act. Further, there NNA* Winner: has been no commitment for an advanced 31 Better examination of the development site using Newspaper ground-penetrating radar to ensure that all Contest Awards remaining structural and associated arti- * National Newspaper Association, 2016-18 facts are identified. The most recent discoveries include a burial NYNPA* Winner: site with human remains and potential man- 8 Awards for made structures. Earlier archeological reports Excellence have concluded that significant resources lie * New York News Publishers Association, 2017- 18 below grade, but the resources are summar- (Continued on Page 5) highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 5

LETTERS AND COMMENTS

(Continued from Page 4) ily dismissed on “speculation.” An advanced archeological examination proposed to a previous owner of the site was ignored by the Town of Fishkill Planning Board. In addition, The Current story quoted me as asking, in a video: “Were you there when we reburied bones along the foundation that’s exposed?” The tape is, to me, nearly indeci- pherable, but I believe along should be and, that is, “Were you there when we reburied ARE YOU READY? bones and the foundation that’s exposed?” FEB. 14 Martin Byster, Fishkill Deadline to change party registration before primary votes I have lived in Fishkill for close to 30 years and I am a neighbor of Marty Byster, who, APRIL 3 in my opinion, is one of the most honest, Deadline for new voters to register humble human beings I have ever met. His for presidential primary only goal, in all the time I have known him, APRIL 8 is to learn and preserve the rich history of Deadline to change your address our country in this area. He is like a David Cold Spring for presidential primary to the Goliath who wants to bulldoze real history and create faux history to make APRIL 18 TO 26 himself and his company money. Early voting for presidential primary Rising Waters Marty has spent so much of his own money, APRIL 28 has been accused, ridiculed and outright lied Using data from federal agencies including the National Weather Presidential primary about by the Goliath(s) whose real interests Service, and Columbia University, FloodIQ.com allows visitors to are financial and by no means preserving MAY 29 type in their address to assess the risk of flooding in the next 15 history. God bless men and women like Marty Deadline for new voters to register years because of rising sea levels due to global warming. in groups like Friends of the Fishkill Supply for primaries for Congressional and Depot. They are not “anti-growth” but pro- Projections by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers show that tides in state legislative seats our country and pro-history. the Highlands could increase by as much as 1.8 inches within five JUNE 3 Jane Walker, Fishkill years, 4 inches within 10 years and 6 inches within 15 years. Those Deadline to change your address for levels don’t account for rainfall, which can make flooding worse. Congressional and state primaries Hate-group fliers Thanks to your article (“More Hate-Group JUNE 13 TO 21 The maps shown here display the 15-year projections that presume Early voting for Congressional Signs in Beacon,” Jan. 31), we were able to climate change continues unabated. Turquoise represents 1 foot of and state primaries identify four hate-group stickers when out flooding, while darker blue and purple are more than 1 foot. for a walk at Dennings Point. We recognized JUNE 23 them as promoting the Neo-Nazi, white Congressional and state primaries supremacist group described in the paper. For information and forms, see the Putnam County We took photos of the stickers and took Board of Elections (putnamboe.com) or the Dutchess them down. We also reported the incident County Board of Elections (dutchesselections.com). to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which is keeping track of these events. Thomas and Aimee LaBarr, Beacon Corrections Galloway family I want to say thank you to The Current and A story about a proposed genealogy columnist Valerie LaRobardier for development, Continental Commons, the fine article on my search for information on Route 9 (“Revolutionary War about the Galloways of Philipstown (“Family Battle Rages in Fishkill,” Jan. 31), Trails: Finding Thomas,” Jan. 17). stated that the planned Visitors’ I would also like to thank all the wonder- Center would be designed to evoke ful people I met on my visit to the area in Boscobel in Garrison. In fact, its October who assisted me in my quest. Every- design is meant to resemble the one was truly gracious with their time, and Madam Brett Homestead in Beacon. their information has helped answer many The same story identified Fishkill of the mysteries surrounding my family’s Beacon Town Board Member Louise Daniele history. Anyone with info about the Gallo- as a Democrat. Although she way family of Philipstown is welcome to received the most votes on the email me at [email protected]. Democratic line of the November Glynn Galloway, Las Vegas ballot (2,318 votes versus 200 for Independence and 187 for Working Speeding in Beacon Families), she is registered as a I share Kim Beller’s concern about speeding member of the Independence Party. on Verplanck Avenue (Letters and Comments, Jan. 31). The city also could make a fortune In a story about Putnam County ticketing people who blow through the stop considering the creation of a Human signs as they cut through to avoid Verplank. Rights Commission (Jan. 31), we Orchard Place and all its cross streets from misspelled the surname of James North Avenue to North Elm might as well not Hyer, an administrative law judge even have stop signs — people just don’t stop. with the Westchester Human Rights Joe Manglass, Beacon Commission. (Continued on Page 5) Garrison 6 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

LETTERS AND COMMENTS

(Continued from Page 6) to Philipstown. passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. newly enacted state law that allows people Nancy Montgomery, Philipstown Rather, they were charged and convicted of to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of Looking ahead conspiracy to commit espionage, not actu- immigration status “inundated” Dutchess Thank you for a chance to look back! These items from the past help put today ally committing it. A big difference. DMV offices. It applies to anyone using (“Looking Back in Philipstown,” Jan. 24). in perspective. The more things change, the And for that they were executed, their Form MV-44, which is the application for I love to look ahead and follow the trail to more they are the same thing, to borrow an sons orphaned and Ivy Meeropol never got new, revised, updated and replacement where some of these stories lead us, such as observation from the French. to know her grandparents. licenses, driver’s permits and non-driver from Helena Livingston Forster, who died Sara Dulaney, Cold Spring Rob Okun, Amherst, Massachusetts identification cards, although many trans- in 1970 at age 76 after serving in World War actions can be completed at dmv.ny.gov. I and being active in the suffrage move- Roy Cohn film DMV restrictions “We continue to process registration trans- ment, to her grandson, my friend Nick In its otherwise engaging story about The Current reported on Dec. 20 that the actions, insurance-related transactions, Forster, bass player for the bluegrass band Ivy Meeropol’s new documentary, “Bully. Dutchess County DMV offices, including in plate surrenders, enforcement transac- Hot Rize and founder of eTown, a nonprofit, Coward. Victim.” (Jan. 31), The Current Beacon, will no longer process license appli- tions, title transactions, driver responsi- nationally syndicated radio broadcast/ repeats an often-made mistake, reporting cations from out-of-county residents, such bility payments and civil penalties and podcast, multimedia and events produc- that the filmmaker’s grandparents, Julius as those from Philipstown. Is this restric- other miscellaneous transactions for all tion company in Boulder, Colorado. and Ethel Rosenberg, were “executed as trai- tion still in place? Does it apply to renewals? customers,” Kendall wrote in an email. “I Like his ancestors, Nick has created a tors in 1953 after being convicted of relaying Steven Gazzola, Philipstown will continue to analyze the workflow and hub for social, environmental and commu- details of the atomic bomb to the Soviets.” County Clerk Brad Kendall said the look forward to the time when we can lift nity events. I wish he’d bring it back home The Rosenbergs were not accused of restrictions were necessary because a the restriction.”

a laugh. His first two marriages ended in (from Page 1) Decatur Myers divorce but the three wives were known to his Peekskill home. Joining us were Deca- get together on occasion. tur Jr.’s wife, Joanne, and, by phone, Deca- He loved family and family outings. He tur Sr.’s sister, Virginia, in Michigan, and enjoyed watching baseball, football and golf, his daughter, Sakura, in Yonkers. especially Tiger Woods. In his younger days It was a raucous conversation, with all he followed the Brooklyn Dodgers and was five of us sometimes talking at once. heartbroken when they moved to Los Angeles. Born in West Virginia, Decatur spent Decatur was generous. “He put others much of his life in Yonkers, working in ahead of himself,” his son said. “He’d give maintenance. Around 1991 he moved to you his shirt even before he’d worn it.” Peekskill. Soon after, he “retired” to take His sister Virginia said he always gave her up newspaper delivery, which continued a special Christmas present. This past year nearly every day for the next 28 years. it was a bubblegum pink linen jacket and Besides The Times, he delivered The scarf. “He said ‘You gotta hook this up with Wall Street Journal, The Korean Times, some navy blue — it’ll knock that pink out!’ ” The Journal News, the New York Post, the He brought his last gift to her early. He New York Daily News, the Financial Times, was losing weight; something was wrong. Barron’s and The Observer. In September, Decatur had been diagnosed His route took from midnight until 11 with stage four pancreatic cancer. a.m. and included as many as 500 custom- He worked his route into November. He ers from Croton to Philipstown to Carmel. lived his last days with Virginia, on her When I sheepishly asked about Deca- Michigan property, one of his favorite places. tur’s driving, I was greeted by thunderous Sakura Myers, Decatur Myers and Decatur Myers Jr. in 2014 Photo provided In one of their last conversations, Decatur laughter. suggested a “black-and-white party,” with “He was the world’s worst driver!” Joanne sions,” Decatur Jr. said. doctor’s orders couldn’t stop him. He’d even live music and formal attire, to remember concurred. His son said his dad was known His father survived one serious accident, eat and sleep in his car. “His route was like him. “I told him we’d do that,” Virginia said, to fall asleep at the wheel. He confirmed the he said, suffering two broken ankles that a drug; he had to have it,” Decatur Jr. said. but it never happened. senior Decatur went through vehicles like required surgery and a painful recovery. He Decatur was married three times, to Decatur’s family plans to spread his Tiger Woods goes through golf balls. “He also had shoulder surgery and a small stroke. Shirley, Cecelia and June. “If nothing else, ashes on Father’s Day, on a mountaintop was especially hard on brakes and transmis- But he loved the 11-hour route, and he was a ladies’ man!” Joanne said with in Philipstown, another favorite spot.

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NEWS BRIEFS

way, when you’re done with that section Loliware also announced that Nishan If the proposal went through, the Thru- Free Tax Prep and there’s still time, you can go back and Degnarain, an economist and founder of way Authority board would add an eighth Open to low- to-moderate-income families work on it. Other than that, just make sure Breakthrough Ocean Ventures, has joined member to represent the Hudson Valley. you’re well-rested on test day.” the company’s board. The five-member Bridge Authority board he Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition in December approved gradually raising the T and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide are $1.25 EZPass and $1.50 cash toll on its bridges offering free federal and state tax-return Haldane Foundation Garrison Institute Has over the next three years until they reach $1.65 preparation and filing for low- to moderate- Awards Grants New CEO and $2.15. A public hearing is scheduled for income working families, individuals and March 9 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. seniors in Dutchess and Putnam counties. Digital art lab, D.C. field trip among Former chair for International Rescue Jonathan Jacobson, whose district in Last year the organizations processed 5,129 beneficiaries Committee the state Assembly includes Beacon, said returns in Dutchess and Putnam. Residents in a statement that he opposed any merger, in the two counties received $4.6 million in he nonprofit Haldane School Foundation he Garrison Insti- announced nearly $47,000 in grants to tute has named calling the Thruway Authority “notoriously net refunds and tax credits and saved an esti- T T troubled” while the Bridge Authority is mated $1.5 million in filing costs. fund 19 programs, trips and activities. Jonathan Wiesner as In addition to class trips to Washington, its chief executive offi- “highly regarded for its efficiencies.” In the Highlands, volunteer tax aides are available for appointments at the Howland D.C., Boston and Frost Valley, the grants cer, succeeding Marc Public Library and the Southern Dutchess will fund an outdoor classroom and audito- Weiss, who will become Veterans Sought for Community Action Agency, both in Beacon. rium, a digital art lab, a sustainable schools managing director. Honor Flights To schedule, call 800-899-1479 between 9 program, Model UN, Poetry Out Loud and Wiesner spent 35 a.m. and 7 p.m. other trips and assemblies. years as an executive and entrepreneur in Scheduled for May 2 and 30 In addition, residents who earned less The foundation has raised more than $1.1 the apparel industry and 25 years on the udson Valley Honor Flight is seeking than $69,000 in 2019 can file their federal million since its creation 20 years ago. Lisa board of the International Rescue Commit- veterans for two day-long trips in May and state tax returns free online by visiting Quartin, the grant committee’s co-chair, tee, which responds to global humanitar- H to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. tax.ny.gov and clicking on Free File. said it welcomes proposals for funding from ian crises. faculty, students, parents and community The Garrison Institute “is exception- The May 2 flight will leave from Stewart members for its spring grants. See haldane- ally appealing to me because of its smart International Airport and the May 30 flight Haldane Junior Nearly schoolfoundation.org. and unique approaches addressing both from Westchester County Airport. The veter- Aces SAT of my priorities: helping refugees and ans will travel in D.C. on chartered buses. aid workers, and protecting our planet,” Any World War II, Korean, Vietnam or In top 1 percent of 2.2 million test-takers Beacon Firm Raises Wiesner said in a statement. Cold War veteran who has not yet taken an Wiesner also chairs the board of the New Honor Flight is eligible, along with veter- ouglas Donaghy, $6 Million for Straws York Region of the Trust for Public Land ans who served between World War II and a junior at D Loliware expects demand to reach and is a past chair of the Westchester Land the Korean War. World War II and termi- Haldane High School, billions Trust. nally ill veterans are given priority. See scored 1550 of a possi- hvhonorflight.com/veterans. ble 1600 points on the ive years after the co-founders of Loli- Scholastic Aptitude F ware pitched their edible cups on the Governor Proposes Test administered by ABC reality show Shark Tank and received Bridge Changes Dutchess Re-appoints the College Board for a $600,000 investment from Dallas Maver- Poet Laureate use with higher-education applications. icks owner Mark Cuban, the Beacon firm Says Hudson Valley authority should More than 2.2 million students take the has again wooed investors. merge with state agency Raphael Kosek will serve another term SAT each year, according to the College Loliware announced on Jan. 19 that it has aphael Kosek, appointed last year as Board. The score put Donaghy among the raised $6 million to increase production of ov. Andrew Cuomo last month the Dutchess County poet laureate, top 1 percent; only 7 percent of students its drinking straws made from seaweed. It G proposed that the New York Bridge R will serve another one-year term. score more than 1400 and only a few said it expects demand for the biodegrad- Authority, which owns six Hudson Valley County Executive Marc Molinaro hundred students achieve a perfect score. able straws, introduced in 2019, to reach bridges, including Bear Mountain, re-appointed the Hopewell Junction resident, When asked for advice, Donaghy said in a into the billions this year. Newburgh-Beacon and Walkway Over the who will continue organizing readings and statement: “Go with your gut. The test is way “Seaweed is a miracle replacement wait- Hudson, should be absorbed by the New events, beginning with Molinaro’s 2020 State too long to just sit and stare at one question. ing for us,” CEO Chelsea Briganti said in York State Thruway Authority. of the County address on Feb. 20 in Hyde Park. Chances are if you thought one answer was a statement. “All across our blue planet, The New York Bridge Authority maintains Nominations for the 2021 poet laure- right the first time, you’re probably right. there is an incredible collection of massive the five vehicular bridges with $60 million ate will be accepted by Arts Mid-Hudson “Also, if you’re stuck on a question, pick aquatic forests, in some cases dwarfing in annual proceeds from tolls. Cuomo beginning this summer. an answer and mark that question. That land-based resources.” says a consolidation would reduce costs.

NOTICE NOTICE

Haldane Transportation Requests Due by April 1st Philipstown Planning Board - Public Hearing Feb. 20 Haldane Central School District is accepting applications for Private/ The Philipstown Planning Board for the Town of Philipstown, New York will hold a public Parochial School Transportation for the 2020/2021 school year. hearing on Thursday, February 20, 2020 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Philipstown Recreation Completed applications should be mailed to: Department, 107 Glenclyffe, Garrison, New York to hear the following appeal. Haldane Central School District David Marzollo, 189 Lane Gate Road, Cold Spring, New York TM#49.-3-17-4. The applicant 15 Craigside Drive is seeking minor site plan approval for the construction of a new 1800 square foot, 4-bedroom single family residence to be served by private septic and well. The property Cold Spring, NY 10516 is approximately 5 acres located in a “RC” (Rural Conservation) zoning district. Lane Gate ATTN: Transportation Dept. and received not later than April 1st, 2020 Road lies along a “scenic corridor” showing on the Town’s scenic overlay mapping. A site visit was performed January 12. Contact Elisa Travis at the Haldane Transportation Department at At said hearing all persons will have the right to be heard. Copies of the application, plat 845-265-9254 ext. 171 if you have any questions. map, and other related materials may be seen in the Office of the Planning Board at the Applications can be found on the haldaneschool.org website Philipstown Town Hall. Dated at Philipstown, New York, January 16, 2020 8 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

An organizational meeting will be held She began assembling a team of volun- Holistic Healing in Beacon — For Free at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, also at the teers and practitioners last year using Holis- Recreation Center, 23 W. Center St., where tic Health Community, an Ulster County Organizational meeting to can’t consistently afford them will meet attendees will have a chance to ask ques- nonprofit, as a model. “It was immensely next week to plan three “community holis- tions and to meet the practitioners. helpful not to have to reinvent the wheel,” she be held next week tic healing days.” Mariel Sol Nathan, a former Beacon resi- says. Meeting with the staff at HHC “started The Hudson Valley Healing Project is plan- dent now living in Newburgh, is one of the to shift my thinking from having just one By Jeff Simms ning four-hour events at the Beacon Recre- organizers. She says she is convinced of event to creating an ongoing project.” ation Center for March 12, April 14 and May the efficacy of alternative healing but that Fareground, the nonprofit that maintains group of Highlands residents who 14. A team of practitioners will donate their many people “need to have a budget to take Beacon’s Tiny Food Pantries, has stepped in want to make massage, acupunc- time; medical advisors will be available, as advantage of these modalities consistently. as a sponsor, and, if all goes well, the Heal- A ture, homeopathy, energy work and well. Participants will be asked to pay what That can end up being something some ing Project hopes to eventually offer a free, other techniques available to people who they can, but no one will be turned away. people cannot do, and that felt unfair.” hot meal before or after the sessions.

NEWS BRIEFS

Rattana V. Phimmavongsa was taken into Putnam Names custody at about 5:30 p.m. following a call Medical Services Director from a Southeast woman who reported a tres- passer. She told police that she and the man Paramedic will lead agency play a game called Ark Survival but that she he Putnam County Bureau of Emer- had stopped interacting with him about two T gency Services has hired a new director years ago. She said that two days earlier she for its emergency medical services. discovered he had hacked into her gaming Casey Quake, a paramedic with EMStar account and that she feared for her safety. Ambulance in Putnam County, is a faculty The suspect was located at a nearby motel member for the National Association of and transported to the Putnam County jail. EMS Educators. After being arraigned on a misdemeanor “Over the years, he has held progressively stalking charge, he was released until his responsible positions in EMS as a clini- next court date. cian, educator and administrator,” said Ken Clair, commissioner of the Bureau of Newburgh Receives Emergency Services, in a statement. “He is also known nationally as an educator, and $10,000 Arts Grant will bring that presence to our office.” City to inventory cultural assets Quake will be responsible for the oversight of county EMS agencies and EMS education he National Endowment for the Arts programs. He succeeds Bob Cuomo, who T has awarded Newburgh a $10,000 retired. Quake’s service dog, Teddy, will be grant to support an inventory of the city’s joining him at the bureau. arts and cultural assets. Newburgh’s newly re-launched Arts and Cultural Commission will lead the proj- Man Arrested on ect, which will gather data and create an Stalking Charges inventory of the broad range of arts and JUDGE HONORED — Dutchess County Court Judge Peter Forman, at cultural activities and destinations in the left, was thanked on Jan. 20 by the Southern Dutchess Coalition for his Traveled from New Hampshire to Putnam city. It will then develop recommendations service to the Beacon community at the 42nd annual Martin Luther King he Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said to strengthen the arts. Jr. birthday celebration. Forman also received recognition from U.S. Rep. For more information, email newburghny- Sean Patrick Maloney and Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou. The judge is shown T it arrested a New Hampshire man on [email protected]. A project website is with Bonnie Champion, who helped organize the event, and the Rev. Ronald Jan. 18 after he allegedly stalked a woman Perry Sr. of Springfield Baptist Church. Photo provided he knew through an online gaming app. expected to launch this month.

ARTISTS INVITE FEBRUARY 7th to Send a message to MARCH 1st, 2020 Grey Zeien / Gary Jacketti your sweetheart: Grace Kennedy / Lael Morgan

Tim D’Acquisto / Simeon Lagodich

Pat Hickman / Nancy Koenigsberg

Ada Pilar Cruz / Katrina Bello Opening Reception: Friday, February 7th Nancy Steinson / Insun Kim 6pm to 8:00pm Maria Pia Marrella / Robert Braczyk Email [email protected] Gallery Hours: Saturday to Sunday, BUSTER LEVI with a message of up to 25 words and 12 to 5pm G A L L E R Y we will print it free in our Feb. 14 issue. 121 MAIN ST. COLD SPRING, NY 10516 BUSTERLEVIGALLERY.COM highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 9

The Beacon Engine Co. No. 1, Lewis Tompkins Hose Co. (now Hudson Beach Glass) and Willard Mase Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 in the early 20th century Beacon Historical Society (3)

bond funding to pay for the projects, he said. Voorhis said. “There’s not many fire depart- took the council to task following Kyria- (from Page 1) Firehouse Consolidation will allow the city to have ments around the country that operate an cou’s announcement Monday night. Elementary School campus. Last year two firefighters on duty at both stations at apparatus with only one firefighter.” “I would like the people in the 4th Ward the council agreed that closing one of the all times, Fire Chief Gary Van Voorhis said. Beacon received a federal grant last year and part of the 3rd Ward to know you’re not stations was the best option, with Beacon The city’s full-time, or “career,” firefighters to add three firefighters, bringing its total going to have good service,” he said. “Trust Engine the likely candidate. currently train at Tompkins Hose during to 16. One hire was made in December — me. After all these years we’re shortcutting In December, however, the council the day. During emergency calls, one career Christopher Baum, who had been laid off ourselves, and why? I don’t know.” approved a new lease for the use of the firefighter is typically on a truck. by the Newburgh Fire Department six days In response, Van Voorhis noted on facility, two-thirds of which is owned by the With two active stations, “instead of one earlier — and two others will begin after Wednesday that Mase Hook and Ladder is private Beacon Engine Fire Co. The other person on a fire truck, there will be two, completing an 11-week training course. only four-tenths of a mile from the Beacon third is an addition owned by the city. and there’s so much more production that Lou Amoroso, a retired Beacon fire- Engine station. “Response times will be But Kyriacou said Monday that he can be done with two firefighters,” Van fighter and former City Council member, adding seconds, not minutes,” he said. was providing 90 days’ notice to the fire company that the city is exercising its right to leave the lease agreement, with the switchover to the other stations expected by the end of April. “We will find ways to preserve that history and to honor the proud legacy of our first responders — while also modern- izing the city’s fire protection facilities for the 21st century,” he said. “And while the city does not own the larger portion of the Beacon Engine building, we will collabo- rate with the private volunteer company in determining an appropriate future for the entire building.” On Wednesday, the mayor said he expects the upgrades to Mase Hook and Ladder and Tompkins Fire Hose to cost more than $1 million, which would be a fraction of the cost A closet at the Beacon Engine station holds marching caps once worn by Fire Chief Gary Van Voorhis File photo by Michael Turton of building a new station. The city may utilize its members in parades. File photo by J. Simms

Seed-Sowing at Stonecrop Gardens

Please join us for our first workshop of the season... Part 1 Saturday, March 7, 9 am1 pm (Snow date March 8) Learn the basic principles of seed propagation and seedsowing techniques to sow a variety of annuals. Part 2 Saturday, April 11, 9 am1 pm Learn how to prick out the germinated seedlings into larger rounds to take home and grow in your garden. Space is limited. Participants must attend both workshops. Registration and prepayment required. $80/$60 for members. Register online at www.stonecrop.org or call (845) 2652000 10 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Moving from Brooklyn Jamel Gaines of Garrison (top right), the founder, artistic director and choreographer for the Creative Outlet Dance Theater in Brooklyn, brought some of the troupe’s dancers to Garrison’s Landing on Feb. 1 for an afternoon workshop and evening performance as part of the Philipstown Depot Theatre’s new Flipside series. Photos by Ross Corsair

HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER

We're Raring to Go!

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 Sat. Feb. 8 – 8 pm * Mike + Ruthy 9 HORSES in CONCERT Chamber jazz w mandolin, violin and bass

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Sat. Feb. 8 – 1:30 pm Open Mic at Poets’ Corner HELENA HERNMARCK, TAPESTRY ARTIST Featuring Bill Buschel Tix: HudsonValleyYarnTrail.com/events Tues. Feb. 11 – 7 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 14 OLD-TIMEY SOUTHERN FIDDLE TUNES “Song” Art Exhibit JAM SESSION String players, or just listeners, welcome and Reception Fri. Feb. 14 – 7 pm A Celebration of Irish Music HUDSON VALLEY POETS with Brian Conway & Brendan Featured: Bob Phelps + open mic Dolan hosted by Neil Hickey Sun. Feb. 16 – 4 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 21 PIANIST ZOLTAN FEJERVARI Howland Chamber Music Circle Arte Povera Just Jim Dale www.howlandmusic.org

Open: 11:00am to 5:00pm SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Wed. Feb. 19 – 7 pm * Thursday, Friday, Saturday, JOAN HENRY and band, SPIRITED Sunday, Monday “From Book to Tribal Harmony concert series Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday Box Office - Fairy Tales AND MORE Found in Films” Fri. Feb. 21, THOM JOYCE’s OPEN MIC Admission is free to the public Storytelling for Families Your chance to sing and play No reservation required with Jonathan Kruk Sat. Feb. 22 + 23, Howland Playhouse: HV Theatre Initiative’s Free shuttle from Cold Spring station “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” * Fri. Feb. 28, Howland Playhouse: Romanian Cultural Institute Magazzino Italian Art Foundation 729 Peekskill Hollow Road presents, “Why the Child is Cooking in the Polenta” * 2700 Route 9, Cold Spring, NY 10516 Putnam Valley, NY 10579 | 845 528-7280 Visit: www.tompkinscorners.org 477 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 845 666 7202 www.howlandculturalcenter.org (845) 831-4988 www.magazzino.art facebook.com/howlandcenterbeacon *Brownpapertickets.com, search Beacon Howland highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 11 The Calendar

From SPAIN to MAIN

Maria Lago in her studio

me back to that period of time when I was so a back studio and a front gallery. The studio Beacon artist fills and manages gallery sensitive and digesting everything.” is crammed with the tools of her trade: over- Lago’s studio — named Maria Lago Studio flowing tables of paint tubes, and sculpture By Alison Rooney “They say the first seven years of your life 502, for its owner and street address — has fragments, and tacked-up paintings vying give you the knowledge of the rest of your been open for eight years following a move for space on the walls. The white-walled ow many people can say they grew life,” says Lago, who owns a studio and gallery from Mamaroneck. “My family wanted to gallery displays Lago’s large color paintings. up near Paleolithic caves? on Main Street in Beacon. “One of the earli- turn a new page,” she says. “We had always A door, often ajar, separates them. The H Maria Lago can. A native of the est memories I have is walking through the loved the Hudson Valley and were looking setup allows Lago to work in her studio, Asturias region of Spain, she says the caves caves, as young as age 3. They gave me such for a more artistic place to live.” then shift into gallery-owner mode at the there continue to influence her as an artist amazing power. Even though I forget the Finding her current work space aided the sound of the front door. many years and an ocean away. details, somehow they return later, taking cause. Lago divided a single large room into (Continued on Page 14)

Two works in Lago's studio: At left is a forest made from burlap and bark collected at Paintings from Lago's Ideographic series, along with sculptures and smaller works Little Stony Point. At right is a woman caring for a garden in the Amazon. Photos by A. Rooney 12 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org THE WEEK AHEAD Edited by Pamela Doan ([email protected]) For a complete listing of events, see highlandscurrent.org/calendar.

COMMUNITY SAT 15 War and the Spanish American Celebrate Washington’s War artifacts that were found SAT 8 Birthday there and are on display. Free Hudson River EagleFest NEWBURGH GARRISON Noon – 4 p.m. Washington’s SUN 9 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Boscobel Headquarters | 84 Liberty St. The War Before the War 1601 Route 9D | 914-762-2912 x110 845-562-1195 | parks.ny.gov HYDE PARK boscobel.org Re-enactors will portray the 2 p.m. FDR Library (Wallace Center) Celebrate the bald eagle general and his troops. Create a craft, 4079 Albany Post Road | 845-486-7770 migration to the Hudson Valley learn about the Revolutionary War fdrlibrary.org/events-calendar and watch them feed on fish in the as it was fought in the Hudson Valley Andrew Delbanco will read river from viewing sites set up by and hear performances of period from his book, The War Before the Putnam Highlands Audubon songs. Also SUN 16, MON 17. Free the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Society. Cost: pay what you wish Struggle for America’s Soul from SECOND SATURDAY the Revolution to the Civil War, SAT 8 in this event organized by groups Winter on the Farm SAT 8 that include the Jewish Federation WAPPINGERS FALLS Black History Month of Dutchess County and the Mid- Hudson Antislavery History Project. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Stony Kill Farm Exhibit Online registration required. Free 79 Farmstead Lane | 845-831-3800 BEACON stonykill.org 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Howland Public Library Get a tour of the barn and take 313 Main St. | 845-831-1134 SUN 9 a horse-drawn sleigh ride. There beaconlibrary.org Survival by Degrees will also be an open greenhouse, Beacon resident Barbara GARRISON crafts, a campfire, snowshoe McCaskill organized this exhibit 2 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library rentals and a pancake brunch. of artwork, political posters and 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 historic ephemera. Through Feb. 27. desmondfishlibrary.org SAT 8 Members of the Philipstown Community Valentines SAT 8 Garden Club and the Putnam BEACON Helena Hernmarck Highlands Audubon Society will discuss Audubon’s recent report on Noon – 4 p.m. NY Textile Lab BEACON birds, which shows 389 species on 146 Main St. | newyorktextilelab.com 1:30 p.m. Howland Cultural Center the brink of extinction. The talk will Create Valentine’s Day cards using 477 Main St. | 845-431-4988 include how to create habitat and thickened, natural cochineal dye, hudsonvalleyyarntrail.com Reach by Rosaire Appel, Feb. 8 food for birds in your yard. Free handmade paper and textile scraps. The tapestry artist and weaver Drop in anytime. Children welcome. will discuss her decades-long Cost: $15 ($12 students and Work by BAU members will be TUES 11 Online registration required. Cost: career using wool, sourced from seniors; free for children under 12, on exhibit in the Beacon Room. $30 ($27 members) for 5 valentines farmers in her native Sweden, that members and Beacon residents) Preserving and Sharing Family Memories absorbs rather than reflects light SAT 8 THURS 13 to tell stories. Cost: $15 ($20 door) SAT 8 [In]Action Figures 8 GARRISON Hudson Valley Reach 6 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library BEACON 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 Healing Project SAT 8 BEACON 6 – 9 p.m. Clutter Gallery desmondfishlibrary.org BEACON Barry Le Va 5 – 8 p.m. No. 3 Reading Room 163 Main St. | 212-255-2505 Learn about library 6 p.m. Beacon Recreation Center BEACON 469 Main St. | photobookworks.com shop.cluttermagazine.com/gallery resources and tools that can 23 W. Center St. 2 p.m. Dia:Beacon Rosaire Appel’s drawings and The gallery’s eighth installment help you digitize your slides, facebook.com/hvhealingproject 3 Beekman St. | 845-440-0100 artist books will be on exhibit. of this annual show will feature videotapes and documents. Ask questions and meet the diaart.org the art of the action figure, whose practitioners for a series of community As part of the DiaTalks Series, heyday was the 1970s and 1980s. SAT 8 WED 12 holistic healing days being planned curator James Meyer will interview 3 Artists: Faulds/Flaitz/ Through March 6. for March, April and May. The Queen’s Fortune the sculpture artist about his work Morgan and installation at the museum. TALKS & TOURS GARRISON BEACON 6 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library 6 – 9 p.m. RiverWinds Gallery SAT 8 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 172 Main St. | 845-838-2880 Estate Planning Seminar desmondfishlibrary.org riverwindsgallery.com GARRISON Allison Pataki of Garrison will This group show includes 10:30 a.m. Desmond-Fish Library read from and discuss her latest works by artists who use “basic novel, which is set at the time of 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 elements to express unique the French Revolution and follows desmondfishlibrary.org visions,” says gallery director Napoleon Bonaparte’s lover, Desiree Mary Ann Glass — photography Attorney Michael Martin Clary, and his confidant-turned- (Nancy Faulds), encaustic (Carol will cover the options available rival, Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. Flaitz) and glass tiles (Heidrun to protect your assets. Free childcare will be provided. Morgan). Through March 8. SAT 8 SAT 15 SAT 8 Whispers from the Weather Time Castle Keep BEACON BEACON BEACON 7 p.m. Binnacle Books | 321 Main St. 6 – 9 p.m. BAU Gallery 2 p.m. Beacon Historical Society 845-838-6191 | binnaclebooks.com 506 Main St. | 845-440-7584 17 South Ave. | 845-831-0514 Jenny Offill will read from baugallery.org beaconhistorical.org her new novel and join in a This juried exhibit was curated Neil Caplan of the Bannerman discussion with author Lynn by Elizabeth Haskin on the theme Castle Trust will share stories about Steger Strong. See Page 15. Allison Pataki, Feb. 12 of how one experiences time. life on the island and the Civil highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 13

SUN 16 VISUAL ART wine, chocolates and the comic Audubon Field Trip genius of Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph as best friends whose BEACON SUN 9 relationship is tested by a wedding 8:30 a.m. Dennings Point Erotic or Not? Sex in Art in this R-rated comedy from 2011. 199 Dennings Ave. PEEKSKILL Meet in the parking lot at the end 3 p.m. Hudson Valley MOCA of Denning Avenue for a morning of 1701 E. Main St. | 914-788-0100 SAT 15 bird watching. Register by emailing hudsonvalleymoca.org Three Chaplin Shorts trip leader Jim Van Gelder at info@ In this lecture, which is part COLD SPRING orangecountynyaudubon.org. of the Art History with a Twist 7 p.m. Butterfield Library series, artist and art historian 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 KIDS & FAMILY Marcy B. Freedman will discuss butterfieldlibrary.org sexual themes through history. The library, as part of its Silent SAT 8 Cost: $20 ($10 members) Film Series, will screen Charlie Middle School Night Chaplin’s “The Floorwalker” (1916), GARRISON SAT 15 “Easy Street” (1917) and “The 7 – 10 p.m. Philipstown Recreation Center Winter Weekend Adventurer” (1917), with musical 107 Glenclyffe Drive | 845-424-4618 NEW WINDSOR accompaniment by Cary Brown. Free philipstownrecreation.com 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Storm King Art Center The rec center will organize 1 Museum Road | 845-534-3115 sports such as soccer, basketball, Beacon Rising Choir, Feb. 8 stormking.org volleyball, table tennis and Enjoy the outdoor sculpture park billiards, as well as cupcake- SAT 15 SAT 8 in a wintry landscape. Also SUN 16. decorating contest and karaoke, Love Your Library Daniel Kelly and David Cost: $18 ($15 seniors, $8 ages 5 to for Philipstown residents in 18 and students, free under age 4 grades 6 to 8. Cost: $5 Day Party Rothenberg and members) GARRISON COLD SPRING SUN 9 1 – 3 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library 7 p.m. Cold Spring Coffeehouse STAGE & SCREEN Valentine’s Day Craft Party 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 92 Main St. | 845-591-2073 desmondfishlibrary.org The first performance of a monthly COLD SPRING SAT 8 Celebrate the library and bring Hudson Line series will feature 1 – 2:30 p.m. Butterfield Library Matilda, The Musical games and puzzles you want to trade. the Cold Spring composers and BEACON 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 improvisers, with Kelly on keyboards butterfieldlibrary.org/calendar 1 & 7 p.m. Beacon High School SUN 16 and Rothenberg on clarinet and All ages are welcome to make producing nature sounds. Free 101 Matteawan Road | 845-850-2722 unique gifts for someone special. When Presidents Were beaconperformingartscenter.com Register online. There will also be Kids Based on the Roald Dahl SAT 8 a letter-writing party for the Be a children’s novel, this musical GARRISON 9 Horses Friend project, which makes cards 2 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library follows a precocious young girl with for children who have been bullied. 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 BEACON psychokinetic powers who takes on 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center the evil headmistress of her school. desmondfishlibrary.org SAT 15 477 Main St. | 845-431-4988 Also SUN 9. Cost: $12 ($5 students) WED 12 In this President’s Day Sinbad Battle of the Books Info celebration, storyteller Jonathan howlandculturalcenter.org PEEKSKILL Meeting Kruk will perform Brawling, Brash, The trio — mandolinist Joe SAT 8 Bashful & Bad Boy: Washington, Brent, violinist Sara Caswell 8 p.m. Paramount Hudson Valley COLD SPRING Met in HD: Lincoln, Roosevelt and More. and bassist Andrew Ryan — 1008 Brown St. | 914-739-0039 3:30 p.m. Butterfield Library will celebrate the release of its Porgy and Bess paramounthudsonvalley.com 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 most recent album, Blood From POUGHKEEPSIE The comedian and actor — butterfieldlibrary.org/calendar MUSIC a Stone. Cost: $20 ($25 door) 1 p.m. Bardavon | 35 Market St. ranked by Comedy Central as one of Learn more about the books 845-473-2072 | bardavon.org the top 100 comics and known for SAT 8 and expectations for either the The high-definition simulcast Beacon Rising Choir SUN 9 his many specials — returns to the middle school or high school Prognosis of the Gershwin’s masterpiece Paramount. Cost: $47.50 to $67.50 teams. Register even if you can’t BEACON stars bass-baritone Eric Owens attend but would like to compete. 1 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. BEACON and soprano Angel Blue in the 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com 7 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. title roles from the Metropolitan CIVIC 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com FRI 14 This community choir, which Opera House. Cost: $21 to $28 MON 10 After Hours emerged from a singing circle and This Pink Floyd tribute band’s School Board the Resistance Choir in 2017, will multimedia show uses lighting Pizza & Paint SAT 8 BEACON perform songs of inspiration, peace and video to create a memorable Tournées French COLD SPRING and protest. The concert benefits experience and includes music 7 p.m. Beacon High School 6 – 8 p.m. Butterfield Library Compass Arts Creativity Project, from The Wall and Dark Side of Film Festival 101 Matteawan Road | 845-838-6900 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 the Beacon Community Kitchen, the Moon. Cost: $20 ($25 door) POUGHKEEPSIE beaconk12.org butterfieldlibrary.org Newburgh LGBTQ Center, Beacon 6:30 p.m. Vassar College (Taylor Hall) Tania Dirks will lead this event Prison Rides and the Love Quest MON 10 124 Raymond Ave. | vassar.edu MON 10 for middle school students. Free Foundation. Cost: $15 ($20 door, David Torn and This month-long festival of six City Council ages 12 and under free with adult) Dean Sharp films continues with The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (2018), followed by BEACON BEACON The Wild Boys (2017) on THURS 13. 7 p.m. City Hall | 1 Municipal Plaza 8:30 p.m. Quinn’s See website for the full schedule. Free 845-838-5011 | cityofbeacon.org 330 Main St. | 845-202-7447 facebook.com/quinnsbeacon SUN 9 TUES 11 The guitarist and percussionist Academy Awards Board of Trustees will perform as part of an ongoing COLD SPRING jazz series. Cost: $10 donation Viewing Party BEACON 7:30 p.m. Village Hall | 85 Main St. 845-265-3611 | coldspringny.gov SUN 16 7 p.m. Story Screen Beacon Zoltán Fejérvári 445 Main St. | storyscreenbeacon.com Watch the Oscars with WED 12 BEACON champagne, photos on a red School Board 4 p.m. Howland Cultural Center carpet, trivia rounds and live GARRISON 477 Main St. | 845-765-3012 commentary. Cost: $15 7 p.m. Garrison School | 1100 Route 9D howlandmusic.org 845-424-3689 | gufs.org The Howland Chamber Music THURS 13 Circle will continue its piano festival with a program that Bridesmaids WED 12 includes works by Beethoven, GARRISON Village Board Haydn, Bartók and Janácek. 6 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library NELSONVILLE Cost: $30 ($10 students) 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 7 p.m. Village Hall | 258 Main St. desmondfishlibrary.org 845-265-2500 | nelsonvilleny.gov Dean Sharp, Feb. 10 Celebrate “Galentine’s Day” with 14 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

A painting from Lago's Exodus series Maria Lago's gallery is located at 502 Main St. in Beacon. Photos by A. Rooney

She began one series, Exodus, eight years time. Most series consist of 10 to 20 paint- that anywhere else. Spain to Main (from Page 11) ago, as a “personal thing, thinking of the ings. “When I’m done I know I’m never “I have two kinds of people who buy my “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure I wanted exodus of my life. This is different from going to come back to that,” she says. work,” she says. “The first happens more the public in,” she says. “I was private, but the stories we see on the news every day. I Lago’s personal exodus occurred because often and is random. It’s usually just one it’s turned out to be good. The best thing didn’t need to escape Spain. I left because of an American — her husband, whom she person who comes in, looks at one painting, about having the gallery is hearing people’s I wanted to, but you still miss your roots. I met in Madrid. “He traveled for a year asks how much is it, then says ‘I want it.’ comments. Nobody sees the same thing. It started with small figures and a huge land- through Europe. We met, and I’ve been here “The others are people who come back opens whatever it is in your mind — what scape, and at that time my thoughts were for 35 years,” she recalls. three or four times. They tell me they don’t you want to see, need to see.” that the landscape would be here forever, At the time, Lago was a fine arts student have the money, then buy a smaller work. A For the past 20 years, most of Lago’s but not the people. Now that has changed; at university, taking classes in printmaking, year later, they come back and buy bigger. paintings have been parts of series. The it could be reversed.” sculpture, drawing and painting. “It was very The thing is, I’m not a salesperson, but it’s themes generally come to her before she Because she uses multiple paint layers, intense, which I loved,” she says. “I started not important because people love to talk paints, although sometimes it happens and makes large works — “the material is taking special classes in art at around 12, but to the artist.” spontaneously while she paints. heavy, so I can’t do small paintings,” she in high school I wasn’t exposed to anything. As one of the few longtime gallery “When I start, I know it’s not enough,” she explains — Lago’s paintings take a long For me, university was a chance to explore owners remaining in Beacon, Lago has says. “It’s like writing one time to dry, so she usually works everything. It’s great to do different things, been through ups and downs. poem, needing more.” on more than one at a because when I’m stuck in a painting, I turn “The first three years here were great,” to sculpting or etching. I she recalls. “People were looking for art. also mix materials. Paint- Then the city grew, but the galleries started ing is more crazy, more to close because they couldn’t afford the physical, but I must keep rent. In the last three years it’s started working.” coming around again, but still, people come Arriving in the U.S. in, usually from the city. They’ve come up at age 23, Lago fell in for the day to Dia and ask me where all love with New York City. the other galleries are. They tell me they “Coming from Madrid, expected more. What can I say?” there was a lot of life there, but here! The The Maria Lago Studio is located at 502 galleries in Soho, the Main St. in Beacon. It’s typically open from graffiti, so many foreign- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, ers made me so comfort- but it’s best to call ahead (914-844-8739). able. I started meeting The studio is usually closed for parts of people from around the July and August, when Lago travels to A table in Maria Lago's studio world. I’ve never found Spain. See marialago.com.

MEETING ROOMS + EVENT SPACE IN BEACON

845-418-3731 beahivebzzz.com highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 15

after the election. Then, in a short A Chat with Jenny Offill section near the A Few Offill-isms, end, it jumps a bit from Weather roll along, accumulating more dimen- forward, into the Bestselling novelist returns ** sion as the book progresses. Is this how future. I hope if to Highlands you compose the books, or are they the book was set He’s a copywriter now for some low-rent greeting card company. It’s pinned to a structure you map out? four years later those cards that are very long and I’m not much of a mapper-outer — more it would reflect a By Alison Rooney very specific about all the things the of a magpie who gathers lots of little objects radically differ- recipient has done for the sender. enny Offill, who read from her second that seem shiny to me, then builds a nest ent world. Deep- novel, Dept. of Speculation, in around them. For a long time, I collect seated change is Jenny Offill To A Step Aunt Who Was Always There… J Cold Spring in 2017, will ideas and images; at a certain point needed. To A Hospitalized Second Cousin return to the High- I start to see what the book is going Sometimes they rhyme but mostly lands on Saturday, to be. You also have written children’s books. they are free verse. Henry gets paid Feb. 15, to read from Does your writing process change? by the word so the more flowery the her third, Weather, Are you surprised how so many Well, I’m a lot faster with the children’s better. Even so he already got into which received a glow- disparate people identify with books because they are very short. But in an argument with his boss about the ing review from The New your take on the world? both cases I’m trying to compress as much difference between sentiment and York Times last week and It is astonishing and, frankly, as possible into a small space. sentimentality. inspired a long profile of thrilling to have people who ** the author that will appear I might not run across in Weather pivots between what people It is better in the Quiet Car. In the this weekend in The New my day-to-day reading my spout as factual, particularly in rela- Quiet Car everyone is calm. Ben York Times Magazine. novels. One of my favor- tion to “New Age-isms,” and the hard presses his leg against mine. We The reading will take ite things about readings science one might encounter at a read side by side as Eli builds many- place at Binnacle Books in is getting to talk to other library such as the one where your roomed mansions. A person across Beacon, which promises that bookish people. protagonist works. Are these beliefs the aisle who is not observing the “wine and literary wit will be that different? rules of the Quiet Car is asked to served,” along with a conversa- Do people tend to assume that your Religion and science can seem like oppo- leave by the conductor. “Right now?” tion between Offill and Lynn Steger Strong, protagonists are autobiographical? sites but what they have in common is a he says. “While the train is moving?” a novelist who lives in Cold Spring and has Sometimes they do. Both share emotional desire to transcend the known world. I’m ** her own new book coming this summer. autobiographical details with me. not drawn to New Agey stuff, but I also One thing that’s becoming clear to Offill responded by email on Feb. 4 to don’t know much about it. me on my travels with Sylvia. People questions posed by The Current. In Weather, you reference the 2016 are really sick of being lectured presidential election. How did that It’s easy to envision illustrated char- to about the glaciers. “Listen, I’ve Dept. of Speculation and Weather moment influence the book? acters spouting your takes on life. heard all about that,” says this red- consist of anecdotal passages which The novel splits in half in a way, before and Have you ever thought of working faced man. “But what’s going to with an illustrator on an adult book? happen to the American weather?” That sounds fun, but I’m a lousy collabo- ** rator because I’m so slow as a writer. Sylvia always wants to go see • Best Brunch in Beacon • things, some nearby, some far away. Dept. of Speculation and Weather are The requirement is that they are ingrained in Brooklyn neighborhoods. disappearing faster than expected. The going, going, gone trips I call 379 Main Street, Beacon Now you live upstate. Do you have a them. She picks me up early then Jenny Offill upstate observation? FRIDAY, FEB. 7 we drive and drive until we reach We moved up here eight years ago. One 7 pm Rob Daniels - No Music Cover the designated place. Then we walk of the things I have noticed up here is that 8:30 pm Yarn around and look at things and I try to when a guy visits another guy’s house for feel what she does. Once I took Eli. SATURDAY, FEB. 8 the first time, they go outside and look at 1 pm Beacon Rising Community Concert We stood and looked at some kind the woodpile. This was not a Brooklyn thing. 7 pm The Costellos - No Music Cover of meadowland. He waited patiently until we could go back to the car. SATURDAY, FEB. 8 Your novels are deceptive. They 8:30 pm Seamus Egan Project (of Solas) OPERATIONS appear, at first, to be fast reads, with “Children cannot abide a vista,” Sylvia said. SUNDAY, FEB. 9 little morsels. But I’ve found them akin 7 pm Prognosis - MANAGER to eating a rich slice of chocolate cake. The American Pink Floyd Show for Clean Energy Events The fork has to be rested regularly, but assessments at themselves. Are you a Peter Gabriel Genesis Experience Company, Beacon, NY is always picked up again. Is this inten- tional? tough re-drafter? THURSDAY, FEB. 13 I tend to like to read short books because I am a bit extreme as an editor of my own 7 pm Film Night - No Cover New Energy Events is an organizer of international clean I can come closest to reading them in one work. Lots of things become less interest- FRIDAY, FEB. 14 energy events with an opening sitting or day, which is the way I loved to ing to me as time goes by. 7 pm Annie Mash Duo - No Music Cover for a part-time Operations read when I was a child and would check 8:30 pm Genticorum Manager. This is an opportunity out stacks of books from the library. But You once noted, after the publication of Maeve Gilchrist to join a growing team and I try to make my novels have a density of Dept. of Speculation, that you “heard SATURDAY, FEB. 15 make a significant contribution experience and emotion so that a different from quite a few unhappy young men 6 pm Christopher Brown - No Music Cover to the operation of world-class layer might be revealed if you came back to who work in bookshops.” Whom do you events promoting investment 8:30 pm Mary Fahl one on a different day. expect to hear from most with Weather? in clean energy. This role also former lead singer of October Project No idea. That’s the beauty and mystery of it. offers the unique opportunity SUNDAY, FEB. 16 for travel throughout Latin Your protagonists don’t spare them- When you write a novel, it’s a bit like putting 11:30 am The Edukated Fleas - No Music Cover America and the Caribbean. selves from sardonic critiquing. In a message in a bottle and throwing it to sea. 4:30 pm CJ Chenier & fact, they frequently direct piercing I never know what shore it will wash up on. The Red Hot Louisiana Band Mardi Gras Party For more information, and to apply: It is astonishing and, frankly, thrilling to have people who I Townecrier.com • 845.855.1300 newenergyevents.com/careers/ might not run across in my day-to-day reading my novels. Closed Mon. & Tues. ~Jenny Offill 16 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Local Bestsellers

Based on combined hardcover and paperback sales reported for January by Binnacle Books, 321 Main St., in Beacon, and Split Rock Books, 97 Main St., in Cold Spring.

PositionPosition last month TITLE AUTHOR 1 1 No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference Greta Thunberg 2 - The Eating Instinct Virginia Sole-Smith 2 4 How to Do Nothing Jenny Odell

ADULT 3 - Austerlitz W.G. Sebald 3 - Anti-Diet Christy Harrison 3 - On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Ocean Vuong 1 1 Dog Man: Fetch 22 Dav Pilkey 2 - Karen’s Witch Ann Martin 3 - New Kid Jerry Craft CHILDREN 4 - Diana: Princess of the Amazons Shannon & Dean Hale

Gary La Tour at the Shakespeare Monument in Beacon Photo by M. Turton All the City’s a Stage The story behind Beacon’s Shakespeare monument By Michael Turton La Tour said Laing, who died in 1993, saw the Shakespeare monument as a or the past 50 years, William Shake- message to the community. “He was speare’s unyielding gaze has been trying to bring an appreciation of culture fixed squarely on City Hall in F to Beacon,” he says, recalling the day it Beacon — the old and the new. was unveiled — but in a different location. The bard’s countenance and his iconic The monolith, which La Tour estimates quote from As You Like It — “All the cost $2,000 (about $13,000 today), was world’s a stage” — are part of a monument initially installed at 427 Main St., then the erected by the Beacon High School Drama site of City Hall. Council in 1970. Peggy Wood, who received Acad- Gary La Tour, a former emy Award and Golden Globe member of the council who nominations for best support- still lives in Beacon, knows ing actress in 1966 for her role the meaning behind the gran- as Mother Abbess in The Sound ite monolith. “We all want to of Music, assisted Mayor Robert leave our mark,” he says. Hill with the ceremony. (In In part, La Tour was refer- 1953, Wood had also received ring to himself and his an Emmy nomination for best fellow high school actors of The young actor Gary actress for her role in Mama, five decades ago, but he was La Tour in 1970 a popular TV series that aired also paying tribute to John Courtesy George Conrad from 1949 to 1957.) Laing, who taught English At Laing’s request, Wood at Beacon High School from served as the drama club patroness 1955 to 1987 while mentoring the drama from 1965 until her death in 1978. She council and drama club and producing and supported its productions and lent her directing two plays each year. name to annual acting awards. In the Poughkeepsie Journal’s coverage of “It was a big deal when she showed up to the 1970 dedication, Laing decried the small present the Peggy Wood Drama Awards,” number of monuments in Beacon, adding, “Ours is not elaborate, but is very sincere.” (Continued on Page 17) highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 17

The monument includes an engraving of Shakespeare and one of his most famous lines

The Philipstown Garden Club and The Putnam Highlands Audubon Society Presents Audubon Report - SURVIVAL BY DEGREES

Changes to the environment and climate are reflected in current bird populations.

The former site of Beacon City Hall Photos by M. Turton

(continued from Page 16)

La Tour recalls. “I won one for my perfor- mance in Personal Appearance in 1969.” He still has the trophy. La Tour also has fond memories of the Feb first time he acted in a play directed by 9 Black and White Warbler Laing, who he says “brought the creative Photo by Kyle Bardwell spirit out of people.” That was when he was in the seventh grade and Laing needed a younger student for a part in I Remember Mama. La Tour laughs as he recalls his We have time to help if we get to work today! “big line”: “Damn, damn, damn it to hell!” Desmond Fish Public Library, Garrison, NY 10524 Glenn Casale, the brother of former 2:00 - 4:00 PM Mayor Randy Casale and another Beacon Free to members and the public High drama club alumnus, credits Laing Snow date February 16 @ 2:00 PM for his career as a stage and television Hannah Waters - Senior Associate Editor for Climate Change at Audubon, will director. “John Laing changed my life by share the findings of this 2019 report: giving me my love for the theater,” he says. Survival By Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink In 1997, Beacon sold the property at 427 Main and moved City Hall to a newly John Laing, from the 1970 Beacon High Kyle Bardwell - is a published author and recognized photographer. This part of constructed building at 1 Municipal Plaza. School yearbook Courtesy George Conrad the workshop is interactive using computers. A few laptops are available at the library, or you can bring your own, or just come & listen. We will learn how to However, no one thought to move the identify birds in our zip code that are at a risk, advocate for birds, & design garden bard. About a year later, La Tour says he the new City Hall,” La Tour says. habitats that are for the birds and use native plants. realized the slab had been left behind. On Aug. 25, 1999, Mayor Gould was

“I had to persistently lobby the City pictured in The Hudson Valley Black Press If y love birds and gardening, y have to a end work op! Council and then-Mayor Clara Lou Gould welcoming the Shakespeare monument to ou For more information contactou Karen Ertltt 845-424-3343this sh to reclaim the monument and install it at its rightful home. 18 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Roots and Shoots nator-friendly plants with a vibrant color palette spread out over spring, summer, and fall. My intention is to mix the plants Eat Your Yard in a flowerbed design, not in rows like a vegetable garden. Ideas for edible landscaping Here is a list of plants I’d love to see together in a sunny area that can all be By Pamela Doan found at Hudson Valley Seed.

enerally speak- Sow in April ing, garden- Check catalog for details. G ing is treated Magnolia blossom snap pea — This pink as two distinct groups blossomed vining pea can hit 8 feet and of expertise. There has notably sweet peas. I appreciate how are the vegetable grow- its form adds some wildness to a planting. ers who can feed their families fresh food Wild bergamot — While you’ll have to year-round or the flower specialists who wait until next season for flowers, it will be dive into their own landscaping projects. worth it. The leaves can be used as tea or as There are levels of experience and expertise an herb to flavor food, and the foliage will on both spectrums, but I’d argue that it’s stand out. Sow indoors and then transplant possible, even necessary, to do both. it after the frost date. This is a favorite of As more research demonstrates the posi- pollinators. tive impacts our yards can have as places Chives — These check all the boxes for for bird, insect and wildlife habitat, I’ve me: edible, perennial, ornamental and been envisioning intersections of vegeta- pollinator-friendly. The purple blooms have bles, herbs and perennial flowers for every- a pom-pom look. one’s betterment. Less lawn equals less Mint — I love both the blooms and mowing and more available habitat and making tea or adding it to a summer salad. food for all. Be cautious, though. It spreads quickly. As an experiment, I chose Hudson Valley Seed from the seed catalogs piled on my Sow in May desk. I appreciate the company for its open- Check catalog for details. pollinated seeds, growing trials done in Scarlet emperor runner beans — These similar conditions to my own, and commit- can grow quickly into an 8 foot tall mound ment to biodiversity of the seed bank. covered first in bright red flowers and then I wanted to see if I could create a mixed large bean pods that can be eaten dried or planting of edible, bird-friendly and polli- fresh. Add mint for both flavor and flowers and watch the monarchs appear. Photo by P. Doan Purple peacock broccoli — The gray- green-purple hues and lace-edged leaves, HIGHLAND STUDIO which can be eaten like kale, add contrast purple ears on tall stalks can rise above and Hopi red dye amaranth — This heat-toler- to yellows, reds and greens. blend with herbs and other plants, contrary ant green can be used in salads all summer Martian jewels sweet corn — In order to to a typical field of rows. long. Set it next to the corn or beans, and produce ears, corn stalks need to be able Bronze fennel — Think of it like a grass in then add a pop of white with boneset. to cross-pollinate, so you’d need at least landscape. This one grows up to 24 inches Boneset — This medicinal herb may not be four adjacent to each other. Use as many and has feathery leaves and a rich color. Use needed by your household to heal a broken or as few as you like. The strands of silk and it in soups, roasts and salads. bone but it’s a lovely perennial otherwise. It needs cold stratification, so it will require a few extra steps before planting. Mammoth Long Island dill — This flow- ering dill can grow up to 3 feet tall and be used for cooking all year round. I can attest to its popularity with butterflies. I’ve PRINTMAKERS planted it in mixed containers with annual flowering plants. Glorious gleam nasturtium — These low- FINE ART growing multi-hued edible flowers can be PRINTING used in salads. I would plant them around SCANNING the edges of the taller plants for pops of color rather than clustering them. LARGE FORMAT Flashback calendula mix — These bright and many-colored blooms are cold-hardy HUDSON VALLEY’S and can add vibrancy even in fall. Keep ARCHIVAL PRINTING sowing them a few weeks apart all summer. SINCE 1997 Consider this list a starting point or guide for your own mixed bed. In a future PICTURE FRAMING column, I’ll share ideas for mixing in berry- print & map gallery and-nut-producing shrubs and trees into an edible landscape.

845-809-5174 Pamela Doan, a garden coach with One Nature, has grown ferns in Seattle, corn on a 31 STEPHANIE LANE Brooklyn rooftop and is now trying to culti- COLD SPRING, NY vate shitake mushrooms on logs. Email her at [email protected]. www.thehighlandstudio.com highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 19

Indian Point (from Page 1) Have Your Say Becker said that a slide in the presenta- tion that detailed Holtec’s rapid interna- Proposed Transfer of Indian Point tional expansion seemed intended to show Operating Licenses the company’s financial strength but had NRC Proceeding (NRC-2020-0021) the opposite effect. regulations.gov “In my experience, businesses get into trouble two ways: One, when they don’t Search for “NRC-2020-0021”; click on have enough business, and two, when they “Comment Now” have too much business,” he said. Deadline: Feb. 24 Becker was also not assured when the representative said he did not know Proposed Amendment re: Cessation anything about the expansion of the Algon- Program Funding Mechanism quin Pipeline near Indian Point, as well as New York State Energy Plan how that would affect decommissioning. energyplan.ny.gov One of the plant’s two reactors is sched- The Indian Point facility File Photo uled to be shut down at the end of April, Select “Comments will be accepted…” with the remaining reactor scheduled to be that’s south of here down to Yonkers will federal agencies. “But we can certainly put Hearings: Feb. 27 (Albany), March 2 (New taken offline in 2021. If the license trans- want to know more about that,” he said. public pressure on them.” York City) fer is approved by the NRC, Holtec would State Attorney General Letitia James also No matter who ends up decommission- Deadline: March 8 be awarded the plant’s $2.1 billion decom- has expressed concern about the proposed ing the plant, state and federal leaders are missioning fund. transfer, asserting in a statement that working on a variety of strategies to coun- Proposed Transfer of Indian Point At the Jan. 15 meeting, the Holtec repre- Holtec has “absolutely no experience in ter the loss of jobs after the plant closes. Energy Center sentative said the company would be respon- such an enormous, complex and consequen- Patricia Keegan, a representative from New York PSC Proceeding (19-E-0730) sible for any budget overruns. If the fund ran tial undertaking. I am committed to ensur- Rep. Nita Lowey’s office, announced at the low, he implied that, the firm would stop ing — through legal action, if necessary meeting that, as part of a recently approved www.dps.ny.gov work until it could be replenished with the — that the State of New York is granted full federal spending bill, Lowey had created a Select “Indian Point Sale Review”; click interest earned on its balance. participation in this application proceeding $15 million program for economic devel- on “Post Comments” At the Jan. 30 meeting, Sandy Galef, and all other decision-making related to opment in the form of competitive grants Deadline: April 7 whose district in the state Assembly includes Indian Point’s decommissioning.” restricted to communities that are directly Philipstown, disputed those claims. James and 12 other state attorneys general impacted by nuclear plant closures. “I don’t think that’s acceptable to us,” she have protested the NRC ignoring multiple In addition, Buchanan Mayor Theresa There is also a state bill that has passed said of the plan. Galef went as far to say that requests by the state of Massachusetts to Knickerbocker, working with other mayors both the Assembly and Senate designed she did not believe the particular Holtec hold a public hearing over Holtec acquir- across the country who preside over munic- to protect the jobs of plant employees, representative should be conducting any ing the license to decommission the Pilgrim ipalities with shuttered nuclear power although it has not yet been signed into further presentations on the matter. Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth. plants, is lobbying for a federal law that law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While Holtec George Latimer, the Westchester County At the Jan. 30 meeting, Galef said she would be referred to as the STRANDED officials have said that the company plans executive, said he would like to see more didn’t want to see a similar process play Act, for Sensible, Timely Relief for Amer- to hire Indian Point workers for the decom- Holtec public presentations, including in out in New York. “We’re kind of limited as ica’s Nuclear Districts Economic Develop- missioning, some people remain skeptical. south Westchester. “The discussion of trans- to what we can do as elected officials in ment. The bill would award municipalities “I would just like to get that in writing” porting radioactive material out of the plant, getting to have hearings,” she said, noting $15 per kilogram of nuclear waste that’s left said Lou Picani of Teamsters Local 456. down the river — every single river town that state legislators have little sway over at a closed nuclear power plant. “People tend to get amnesia.”

right” compared to the intimate experience (from Page 24) Nastasi she had at Haldane and in A.A.U. basketball remember a heck of a lot of praise like that.” playing with friends and neighbors. She did Brooks did make a go at playing college ball not return to the team as a senior. with the Division III William Smith Herons She has many great basketball memories during her junior year but “it just didn’t feel but had little trouble choosing her favor- ite. “It was that first state championship as an eighth grader” in 1996, she says. The team had lost in the Final Four the previous Powerhouse season, which “made the win a bit sweeter ¢ Named to the Class D All-State and probably the most exciting.” team in each of her six seasons Does she have any regrets, 20 years later, about her decision to give up the game? ¢ Played in six state Final Fours “Not a one,” she replies. “I truly don’t.” and won three state and two She pauses, then adds: “I often think I Federation titles; also went to should have applied to Duke, to go from one the Final Four three times with Blue Devils team to another.” She says she the volleyball team, which won and her father watched all the games. “It the Class D title in 1998 would have been cool, although I don’t think ¢ As a senior, named MVP in state I would have gone that far away from home.” and Federation title games After graduating magna cum laude from Hobart and William Smith and teaching ¢ Reached 1,000 points scored in Orange County, Brooks landed a teach- Aaron Nastasi hugs teammates Stephanie Spear and Brittany King on March 25, 2000, as a sophomore ing position at Myers Corners Elementary after the Blue Devils won the Class D final at the NYS Federation Tournament in Glens ¢ Hit 209 three-pointers, School in Wappingers Falls in 2014. Falls. Photo by Stuart Bayer/Journal News - USA TODAY Network including 55 as a senior She still plays basketball, but only in her driveway with her two young sons or With the perspective of two decades, heart, because you’re the one who has to live ¢ Inducted into the Haldane at practices with the varsity girls’ team at what would she tell a talented student- with your decision.” Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 John Jay High School, where her husband, athlete who finds herself at a crossroads? As for life away from the basketball ¢ The Blue Devils were 136–19 Larry, is the coach. “It still feels good while “I’d tell her to weigh her options carefully, court, Brooks says: “I’m perfectly happy during her career I’m playing, but it takes a much longer time and block out what others feel is best for and content; I made the best choice for me.” to recover afterward!” she says. you,” she says. “Go with your gut, with your 20 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org SPORTS Current Classifieds

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By Skip Pearlman antville (11-7), with Bela Monteleone scor- Done ing 16. Liv Monteleone added nine points Next he Haldane High School girls’ basket- and 10 rebounds, and Molly Siegel had eight Day ball team had a strong second half points. 50 T Wednesday (Feb. 5) at home, erasing Haldane is scheduled to host Keio Academy a five-point halftime deficit and rolling to a (4-12) on Saturday (Feb. 8) at 4 p.m., followed 48-36 victory over league rival North Salem. by its last regular-season game on Monday in Haldane (8-10) trailed by as many as 12 in a rematch at North Salem (9-9). The Section 1, full color the first half, but cut the lead to 19-14 with a Class C tournament begins Feb. 24. run before the break. The team came out in the second half with more energy, outscor- ing North Salem, 34-17. posters “In the first half we had some good shots -Indoor/Outdoor Quality but they weren’t falling,“ said Coach Jessica Perrone. In the second half, “the energy in the -Coated 80# Card Stock gym helped us, and our seniors were great.” -12x18” Bela Monteleone led Haldane with 12 - Your PDF File points, while Abigail Platt had nine points + tax and six rebounds, Liv Monteleone added nine points and five rebounds and Maddie Chiara had nine points. On Senior Night, “all four seniors played $ well” Perrone said. “Abigail had two huge 65 steals and great all-around play. Shianne Order by email [Twoguns] hit some big free throws late and gave us smart defense. Bela lit a fire for or in the store us in the third with a couple of threes and set the tone for the second half. And Liv is always a force on defense.” A day earlier, the Blue Devils came up on Grey the short end of a 64-29 decision against Class B powerhouse Putnam Valley (14-3). Liv Monteleone led the team with 10 points. P “We played them better the second time [email protected] around [Haldane lost at Putnam Valley, 37 Chestnut Street 65-18, on Jan. 30], but they have some Cold Spring, NY phenomenal shooters,“ Perrone said. “That’s a tough game for us.” Molly Siegel shoots in the first half against North Salem. Photos by S. Pearlman 845/265-4510 Haldane also fell Feb. 1, 61-40, to Pleas- highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current February 7, 2020 21 SPORTS Follow us at twitter.com/hcurrentsports BEACON VARSITY ROUNDUP Boys’ Basketball was fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke Beacon picked up a 49–45 victory on and second in the 200-yard freestyle; and Tuesday (Feb. 4) at Peekskill behind a James Patino was fourth in the 100-yard 17-point, 13-rebound effort from senior backstroke. The 200-yard freestyle relay forward Quazir Hayes. Tristen Reid team finished second and the 400-yard added 11 points, and Shane Green had freestyle relay team was third. At the nine points, five rebounds and three Section 1 championships, Quintero took steals. 10th in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.97. The Bulldogs were up by 12 points at halftime but Peekskill fought back. Bowling “Ian Bautista came up big for us,” said The boys’ and girls’ teams each Coach Scott Timpano. “He had seven defeated Poughkeepsie on Feb. 2, 7-0. rebounds and three huge charges. Kam The girls’ sectional team and individual Torres also played his butt off, and tournament begins on Feb. 10 and the Quazir was a monster on the boards.“ boys’ on Feb. 11, both at Fishkill Bowl. On Saturday (Feb. 1), the Bulldogs dropped a 58-55 decision to Red Hook Boys’ Soccer at Dutchess Community College. Beacon Freshman Derek Bilyeu (below), who (7-12) was scheduled to close out its won All League honors this past season regular season Thursday (Feb. 6) at for the Bulldogs and also plays for the home against Lourdes (10-6). Accord- Westchester Flames travel club, was ing to projections by sports writer one of 72 players selected nationwide to Kevin Delaney Jr. (KDJblog.com), No. 18 attend a three-day United Soccer League Beacon should play No. 15 Lincoln (8-8) camp in April in Birmingham, Alabama. on Feb. 15 in a tournament qualifier. The selection came as a result of his play in the National Super Y League last Girls’ Basketball summer and the league’s North Ameri- Beacon dropped two games last can finals in December in Tampa. week, falling to Poughkeepsie, 44-40, on the road, and Hendrick Hudson, 58-30, at home. The Bulldogs (7-12) will end their regular season on Monday (Feb. 10) hosting Nyack (8-9) at 4:30 p.m. Beacon is ranked No. 18 of 20 teams that will qualify for the Class A sectional tournament.

Boys’ Swimming Soren Holmbo drives to the basket against Dobbs Ferry. Photo by S. Pearlman Beacon finished fourth of 12 teams in the conference championships, behind Pelham, a combined Peekskill-Croton- Hendrick Hudson team, and Lourdes. Haldane Boys Take Two, David Paschal took fifth in the 200-yard individual medley and the Drop One 100-yard freestyle; Stephen Quintero Improve to 13-4 with victories that was a dagger. I’m hoping the game gets us better for sectional [tournament] time.” By Skip Pearlman Santos had 24 to lead Haldane, and Mame Diba added nine. he Haldane High School boys’ On Saturday (Feb. 1), the Blue Devils basketball team picked up victories rolled past Edgemont, 85-48. Matt Cham- T in two of its three games last week, plin — who will play for Utica College next with the loss coming Monday (Feb. 3) at year — led Haldane with 23, Santos added home to Dobbs Ferry. 20, Diba had 18 and Matteo Cervone had The Blue Devils (13-4) played well in the 10. On Jan. 30, Haldane defeated Putnam first half against the Eagles (14-5), and the Valley, 83-63. Champlin led with 17, Diba game was tied 35-35 at halftime. It stayed and Santos each had 14, Holmbo had 13 and close until the fourth, when Dobbs pulled Cervone added nine. away. The final was 69-55. “I thought we played well in both games,” “Dan Santos got hot in the first half and Virgadamo said. “We shared the ball, got kept us in the game,” said Coach Joe Virg- four guys in double figures.” adamo. “We did turn the ball over a bit Haldane hopes to clinch a league title with more in the second half. We didn’t shoot wins over Pawling (8-9) at home today (Feb. well from the line, and we didn’t capi- 7) and at Putnam Valley (2-13) on Monday. talize on key possessions. They also out- The Blue Devils will then have three weeks rebounded us in the second half. off before they face Tuckahoe (8-10) on TO THE HOOP — Elias Moran shoots for one of the two fifth-grade Loretto Knights boys' “Still, we cut it to eight,” he added. “They March 2 in the Section 1, Class C semifinals teams in a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) game at the Garrison School gym. For hit a three with around two minutes left at the Westchester County Center. complete Knights results, see highlandscurrent.org. Photo by Dan Dillon 22 February 7, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

SPORTS Bulldogs Forever Rayvon Grey was named the Southeastern Athletic Conference’s athlete of the week on Feb. 4 for the second time this year. The 2016 Beacon High School graduate, who is a senior long jumper for Louisiana State University, also won the honor on Jan. 15. Grey, the 2019 NCAA indoor long-jump champ, began the season with an NCAA and world-best long jump of 26 feet and 4.5 inches on Jan. 10 to win the title at LSU’s Purple Tiger Invitational. He stretched that to 26 feet and 6.5 inches at the Arkansas Razorback Invitational, his personal best and the fifth-best jump in school history. Grey still holds the New York State high school record in the long jump. Meanwhile, Terrel Davis, a 2016 Beacon graduate who competes for the University of Hartford, hit 25 feet in the long jump to set a personal best and win the New England Championship. Another 2016 teammate, David Adams, who runs for Northeastern University, also competed at the New England Championship, winning the 60-meter hurdles in 8.02 David Adams Northeastern Athletics seconds. He set his personal best (7.92) earlier this year. Rayvon Grey LSU Athletics

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wenty years ago, Aaron Nastasi — one of the greatest female basketball players T in the history of Haldane High School — completed her Blue Devils career with 1,675 points and three state championships. Nastasi had started for the Cold Spring school since the seventh grade, when she became the youngest player, at age 12, ever named to a state Final Four all-tournament team. Six years later, coaches from Princeton, Harvard, Providence, Boston College and other schools came calling, asking the senior guard to play for them. Instead, she walked away.

hat decision caught much of the T community by surprise, most of all, Ken Thomas, who coached the Blue Devils to seven Final Fours and four Class D state championships in 13 seasons and retired after Aaron’s senior year. He was sure she could have gotten a full ride. A hint that his star player was hedging came the summer before her senior year. For the first time since age 11, she chose not to play A.A.U. travel ball. After five seasons of varsity and five summers of A.A.U., “I needed a bit of a break,” says Nastasi, who is now Aaron Aaron Nastasi drives to the hoop for Haldane on March 18, 2000, in the Class D state Brooks and lives in East Fishkill. semifinal in Troy. Photo by Peter Carr/Journal News - USA TODAY Network In retrospect, Brooks said college coaches probably noted her absence. But when the fall Instead of a prominent basketball program, rolled around, the 5-foot-6 playmaker came she enrolled at Hobart and William Smith back full bore. She led the Blue Devils to the Colleges in Geneva, New York, to study All in the Family psychology and education. (In addition to her Class D state championship, was named MVP Haldane basketball was a family athletic prowess, she was the salutatorian of Aaron Nastasi Photo by M. Turton in the state and NYS Federation Tournament affair for the Nastasis: Aaron’s her Haldane class of 49 students.) title games and received the Isabella Costa parents, Anthony and JoAnn, both Brooks says her parents could not have Award as Player of the Year in Putnam, West- played for the Blue Devils, and been more supportive. “If they were shocked, chester, Dutchess and Rockland counties. her younger sisters, Ryan (2001) they did a good job of hiding it,” she says. Then the bombshell. Aaron was done with and Olivia (2005), each made the “They let me make my own decisions.” the game. varsity as middle-schoolers and The New York Times took note of her unorth- “It was a combination of things,” she went on to star for the team. recalls. “I had played since I could hold a odox departure in a story it headlined “Turn- Go with your gut, basketball.” She also played soccer, Little ing Her Back on a Sport She Loves.” What In February 2000, during its League, softball and varsity volleyball, Brooks remembers from the article is a sports sectional title run, Coach Ken with your heart, including on the 1998 state title team. psychologist who commented: “This is just an Thomas put all three sisters — as a Down time was nonexistent. With a college amazing kid making a decision for herself.” senior, junior and seventh-grader decision looming, “my priorities shifted a bit,” That was Robert Schleser, who died in 2015. — on the floor together for the first because you’re she says. He also told the Times: “What the literature time at the end of a win over Blind Brooks knew she wanted to become a shows is that when you’re paid to do it, some- Brook. how it decreases the enjoyment. She plays for the one who has teacher but realized the heavy course load Ryan scored more than 1,000 intrinsic reasons: the love of the game.” would leave little time for high-level basketball. career points and went on to play Not everyone in Philipstown was nearly She also wanted the freedom to travel, and if for Concordia College in Bronxville. as understanding, Brooks says. “I don’t to live with your enmeshed in a hoops season, “you can’t just Olivia chose Manhattanville College take off for four months and see the world.” (Continued on Page 19) in Harrison and scored more than decision. 1,000 points for the Valiants. ~Aaron Nastasi Story by Michael Turton