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November 13, 2020 Celebrating 10 Years! Support us at highlandscurrent.org/join

Dear Reader... B November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

... The Highlands Current is Your Village Square

When The Highlands Current lands on the newsstand every week – or in your inbox or mailbox – the news it is conveying brings our readers to a common place.

Just as people gather in a village square to greet others, share stories and exchange views, The Current is where readers meet fellow citizens, dis- cover their adventures and hear many community voices on topics that range from Main Street to the mountaintops.

This is The Current’s 10th Anniversary serving our Hudson Valley com- munities, and we have sought to broaden and deepen our coverage every year. Our reporters tackle issues that matter to you, including in the latest three editions the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on many aspects of our lives in Philipstown and Beacon.

The paper is free to allow all in the community to share in the news that shapes the community. And that can happen because of the support of readers like you.

Last year, The Current began a membership program that is now our primary means of support. With a gift of as little as $2 a month, you can become a member, and the benefits you receive will help you engage more actively with us and us with you. Those benefits, plus details for making your membership donation online, are on the next page of this special four-page section of your Current.

The Current is fortunate this year to once again participate in the News- Match program funded by major foundations in support of nonprofit journalism. We will also receive a generous match from a local donor who believes in the value of quality community journalism. With these matches, membership gifts totaling$50,000 will mean $100,000 for our newsroom operations.

The role of a local newspaper is, indeed, a vital one, writes media col- umnist Margaret Sullivan in her recent book Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy, for the local newspa- per “ties a region together, helps it make sense of itself, fosters a sense of community, serves as a village square.”

By becoming a Current member today, you help us in that role – inform- ing our readers, engaging them and making their voices heard. We look forward to welcoming you as a new or renewing member!

With gratitude,

Christine Bockelmann, Kyle Good, Board Chair Development Chair Reader-Supported News for Philipstown and Beacon Cat Cafe Page 19

November 13, 2020 Celebrating 10 Years! Support us at highlandscurrent.org/join Virus Surges in Dutchess, Putnam State orders business On Tuesday (Nov. 10), Dutchess recorded 65 cases, the county’s highest daily total curfew, limit on gatherings since May 18; it had 59 on Wednesday. Putnam had 30 cases on Monday — the By Leonard Sparks highest of any day since May 6, when Putnam ith COVID-19 cases surging state- was testing about twice as many people — 26 wide, including in Dutchess and on Tuesday and 29 on Wednesday. W Putnam counties, Gov. Andrew Dutchess and Putnam’s positivity rates, or Cuomo on Wednesday (Nov. 11) ordered the number of cases divided by the number Business as Unusual bars, restaurants and gyms to close of tests, are also rising. Dutchess’ daily between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and restricted rate has averaged 2.1 percent in Novem- gatherings at private residences to 10 ber after averaging 0.8 percent in October. Local merchants hunker down for winter people as Thanksgiving approaches. (Continued on Page 20) By Jeff Simms and bars to close to diners, permitting only takeout and delivery. year ago tomorrow (Nov. 14), Unsure that he could keep his Joe Robitaille finalized his employees or customers safe, Robitaille A purchase of Homespun Foods opted to close entirely. He recalled in Beacon after its longtime owner, “sleepwalking” out of the bakery Jessica Reisman, retired to Seattle. Homespun rented across the street By taking over the restaurant in the from the restaurant and pretending fall, Robitaille, who had worked for to take a phone call so he could walk nearly a decade at high-end Manhattan outside in silence. restaurants, knew he had several slow “It was absolutely terrifying,” he winter months ahead. His approach said. “One of the things that scared me was to take things one day at a time, was knowing that all the businesses in he said this week, noting that he set no Beacon were at the lowest point of our goals other than to make it to the first cash flow for the year because we’d just anniversary. used our resources to get through the The first four months went well, he wintertime. I had no idea what to do.” recalled. The staff of seven full-time The timing wasn’t good for anyone. and three part-time employees — many “April is the first month that things of whom had stayed after the sale — start turning up for businesses,” said knew the business. Eliza Starbuck, the president of the VICTORY LAP — Supporters of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, including these “The team was in a great place,” Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce noisemakers on Main Street in Beacon, took to the streets on Saturday (Nov. 7), Robitaille said. “I was excited for the and co-owner of Flowercup Wine in when unofficial results showed Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, busy part of the year.” Cold Spring. “People couldn’t even securing enough electoral votes to defeat the Republican incumbent, Donald Trump. Then came the shutdown because respond. If your business isn’t online, Photo by Alejandro Lopez of COVID-19. On March 16, the same you can’t just throw a website up and day schools shuttered statewide, Gov. start selling in a week.” development deals with the Renegades and Andrew Cuomo ordered restaurants (Continued on Page 6) the Somerset Patriots, a team in central Upgrade for New Jersey, while ending their affiliations with minor-league teams in Trenton and n ABOUT THIS SERIES Renegades Staten Island. The Renegades, who have played at COVID-19 has upended the world, the nation, our state and the Highlands. In the nearly Team will join Yankees Dutchess Stadium on Route 9D just outside eight months since the pandemic began, New York residents managed to bring the of Beacon for 26 seasons, had been part of infection rate under control, with statewide infections on average at less than 2 percent, system and play full season the Class A, short-season league, the fifth of among the lowest in the nation. six levels in the minors. They had partnered By Chip Rowe As we approach the cold winter months, we decided to take a closer look at the effects of with the Rays since 1996, but their most the pandemic on three important aspects of daily life. he Hudson Valley Renegades will recent contract expired this year. There change their affiliation starting in were no games played in 2020 in the minor On Nov. 6 we examined its impact on mental and physical health, specifically the T 2021 from the Tampa Bay Rays to leagues because of the pandemic shutdown. psychological effects of isolation, damage to relationships and the prospects for a the New York Yankees. The Renegades also The Renegades will now play in April and vaccine. Last week we looked at the effects on education by checking in with local will move up a level in professional base- May for the first time in their history, jump- schools to see how their hybrid and virtual models were working six weeks into the year. ball’s minor leagues, from short-season to ing from about 75 games beginning in mid- (See highlandscurrent.org for both.) Single A, and begin their season in April June to something closer to 140. The season This week we explore how the pandemic is affecting the local economy, including instead of June. will still end in early September. employment rates, how businesses such as restaurants and gyms will fare and whether The Yankees made the announcement on The changes are part of an agreement the commuting culture will ever be the same. Saturday (Nov. 7). The team signed player- (Continued on Page 21) 2 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

FIVE QUESTIONS: LAVONNE COOPER

By Michael Turton be from one to five years, they don’t go to Do any cases stand out? jail. We ensure that clients obey the orders I remember one young man who over- By Michael Turton Lavonne Cooper of Beacon recently and conditions set by the court, including dosed and died. I had been at his house retired after 32 years as a probation offi- regularly reporting to a P.O. almost every day trying to help him. It was cer in New York City and Dutchess County. very hard on his mom. We’ve had a lot of What was last Did you ever feel threatened or in people overdose and die. There are success movie you watched What led you to become a probation danger? stories, but not as often as we’d like. I’ve officer? I never felt threatened, though some had doctors, psychologists, prominent in a theater? I always wanted to do something that clients might have tried to intimidate me. people on probation who had good careers would help people. I wanted to be a nurse, Some people are more difficult to but who made just one mistake. With those but the science was more difficult than deal with. They don’t want people, you know they’ll be successful. They I cared to tackle. I earned a bache- to change or don’t want had a foundation to work with. For some The Joker at Story lor’s degree in criminal justice from someone telling them younger people it can be hard to succeed if Screen in Beacon Elmira College. That made me what to do. And some- they don’t have that foundation, don’t have — way before the eligible to take the civil service times they didn’t want a support network. The highlight for me exam and to become a probation a woman telling them was when the lightbulb went off in some- pandemic. officer. what to do, let alone one’s head, when they realized they are in a Black woman. control of their life, that their decisions What does a probation officer That’s something I can help them change and be on a differ- do? encountered more ent path. That was fun; that was good when We supervise individuals who in Dutchess than in you’d see that lightbulb go off. need a little guidance, a little encour- New York City. agement to get on the right track in What does it take to be an effective at life. Probation is a sentence issued by the job? the courts, as opposed to parole, You need to be flexible, sensitive to people which is for people who have who need sensitivity, firm with people who served time in prison. need that. You cannot be gullible. They will When someone try! I had someone forge a doctor’s note is sentenced to saying she had cancer, so we shouldn’t put ~ Louisa Uribe, Beacon p r o b a t i o n , her in jail. You can’t let clients think you which can want them to be your friend. You’re not their friend. I tried to let people be who I watched Once Upon a Time they are, meet them where they are. My big thing was to get them to understand that, in Hollywood late last year while I’m not the enemy, we have rules they at Story Screen. It started must follow, things they need to accom- slow but got exciting. plish. I think clients would say I was fair. Even when I had to take them back to court for noncompliance, they understood it was based on their actions, not because I was trying to jam them up. And don’t take your work home with you, which can be hard here in Dutchess because you see your clients on the street.

Visit highlandscurrent.org for news updates and latest information.

~ Meghan E, Beacon

In October I saw The Blair Witch Project at Story Screen’s drive-in.

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at the schools stand because the test scores cited by the state are several years old. Two Beacon Schools Flagged for Improvement In addition, the rate at which parents State says test scores show Both schools must now create action The schools and district will each receive and guardians decline to have their chil- plans using data culled from surveys and $50,000 (for a total of $150,000) from the dren take the annual state tests is more insufficient growth focus groups, while the district must design state to help cover the cost of the work. than 30 percent at Rombout and between a plan to support that work, Superinten- There were 118 African American 20 percent and 30 percent at Sargent. The By Jeff Simms dent Matt Landahl told the Beacon school students at Rombout, or 18 percent of its Education Department canceled year-end wo Beacon schools — Sargent board on Monday (Nov. 9). enrollment, during 2018-19, and 22 African tests last spring but said they will resume Elementary and Rombout Middle The school board must approve the plans, American students at Sargent, or 8 percent in 2021. If they do, Landahl predicted that T School — have been targeted by the which may include measures such as staff of its enrollment. opt-out rates would be high. state as needing improvement based on the development, new learning materials or Statewide, the Education Department has There will be Zoom meetings to go over year-end test scores of African American assisting specific students, before they are identified 125 schools, including several others next steps for Sargent on Nov. 16 and for students in 2017-18 and 2018-19. submitted to the state in January. in Dutchess County, for the program, and Rombout on Nov. 17. The principals of both The schools were identified by the state If you look at the district’s diversity 245 schools for its Comprehensive Support schools are expected to attend the Dec. 14 Education Department in February, but the statistics, “we have disproportionality in and Improvement program. Schools in the school board meeting to discuss the test- Targeted Schools for Improvement (TSI) just about everything we do,” Landahl said. CSI program are monitored by the state; TSI ing data. program, which was launched in 2019, was “We’re starting to close the gap in some schools are self-monitored by their district. paused a few weeks later at the onset of the areas, but we have a long way to go. This is On Monday, Landahl said it’s challenging Visit highlandscurrent.org for news COVID-19 shutdown. an opportunity to get some help with that.” to gauge where African American students updates and latest information. Putnam to Consider $45K to Study Sheriff Overtime County executive and the overtime issue did not originate with expensive to pay overtime because of the the current sheriff, Robert Langley Jr. cost of benefits such as health care for new sheriff spar in dueling “We’ve been going back and forth regard- employees. He also said a national standard statements ing Sheriff’s Department overtime” since for a suburban county is to have one offi- at least the days of Sheriff Robert Thoub- cer for every 1,000 residents, while Putnam By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong boron, who left office after being defeated has one officer for every 8,567 residents. (A in 2001 by Sheriff Don Smith. (Langley beat 2016 study by the U.S. Justice Department n a meeting punctuated by Putnam Smith in 2017 and faces reelection in 2021.) found that police agencies serving 50,000 to County legislators’ clashes with each “We never seem to get past the arguing and 249,000 people have an average of 1.7 full- Iother and the sheriff, the Protective bickering about what is right. So we thought time officers per 1,000 residents.) Services Committee on Tuesday (Nov. 10) we’d bring in an independent analysis.” Sheriff’s Department requests for the fund endorsed spending $45,000 to examine Carlin said the move meshes with Gov. Odell Langley transfers for overtime pay from July through law-enforcement overtime practices. Andrew Cuomo’s order that municipalities ment overtime budget always seems to be September consistently listed the reasons Meeting by audio connection, the three- and counties review their law-enforcement a very large number,” said Legislator Carl that deputies were racking up extra hours: person committee also approved the trans- practices. Albano of Carmel. “It’s very possible that Two deputies recalled to military duty, two fers of $28,320 from county jail accounts Legislator Nancy Montgomery, who maybe it’s the way it has to be. But we can’t in police academy training, COVID-19, staff- to the Sheriff’s Department for overtime represents Philipstown on the nine- go wrong having an outside group give an ing demands during street protests and a paid from July through September. But it member Legislature, and is its only Demo- opinion. We might find some surprises. We cut of $104,000 to the department’s budget blocked another transfer from one account crat, said that “while it’s a good idea to look might even find that there is no answer, request for 2020. In addition, new police to another to cover overtime anticipated for at efficiencies in the Sheriff’s Department,” that this is the way it has to be.” union contracts provided for salary raises. the remainder of 2020. the county might also look at other depart- Legislator Ginny Nacerino of Patterson The discussion intensified when the On Nov. 4, the Legislature had declined ments’ finances. She questioned spending said lawmakers should be receptive to “any committee weighed a Sheriff’s Depart- to act on the $28,320 transfer, triggering an $45,000 during the economic downturn overture to improve efficiencies.” ment request to transfer $101,192 from its additional go-round at the committee level. and COVID-19 threat and recommended Langley said he looks forward to work- accounts at the jail, which Langley over- County Executive MaryEllen Odell the county instead spend the money on the ing with Bonadio. However, he said, “there’s sees, to cover patrol deputies’ overtime recommended both the $45,000 study Sheriff’s Department marine unit, which one solution” to the overtime crunch: “Hire through the end of the year. and the consultants to conduct it, public was eliminated in the 2021 budget. more deputies.” “Your choice, as a legislator, is to approve accountants Bonadio & Co., of Pittsford. Montgomery also raised concerns about Legislator Neal Sullivan of Carmel- the transfer or go on the record as cutting According to Finance Commissioner Bill the hiring of the consultants. “It’s clear that Mahopac urged Langley to provide a patrols to areas in Putnam that have no police Carlin, who participated in the committee during the budget process this was a done cost-benefit analysis on doing that, but coverage” without his department, he said. “Is meeting, the county had previously hired deal, and we weren’t aware of it,” she said. Montgomery noted that Odell had forbid- it the intention of the individual legislators to Bonadio to uncover Medicaid fraud. Several legislators expressed their den any new county hires in 2020. reduce police services to those communities? Carlin and some legislators observed that support for the study. “The Sheriff’s Depart- Langley remarked that sometimes it’s less (Continued on Page 21)

existing country club, which once had been home to a mansion-like training center for Philipstown Clears Path for HVSF Relocation wealthy physical-fitness buffs. Plans for donated site now the country club property, and HVSF offi- rehearsal space; rental cabins for artists Davis told the board that when he moved cials shared their plans with the Town or visitors; a box office; a concession; a to Philipstown, he realized it had “somehow go to Planning Board Board during its Nov. 5 meeting at the production-rehearsal facility; administra- escaped the suburban sprawl and the vitriol Recreation Center. tive headquarters in a converted cottage; and all sorts of things that plague the world. By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong The requested zoning change would allow an outdoor pavilion; gardens, trails and I wanted to do everything I could to protect he Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festi- HVSF to build a theater arts complex and parkland; and parking lots. or preserve but also to celebrate this pecu- val took the first step on Tuesday (Nov. park. The festival has operated at the Bosco- When Davis announced the donation in liar place.” He said he had envisioned the T 10) toward relocating to 53 acres on bel site in Garrison since 1988 but would like August, the nonprofit HVSF said it would golf club as a “self-sustaining, functional the Garrison Golf Club property when the to move in 2022 to land donated by Davis, create a for-profit company to run the club nonprofit” and “resource in the community.” Philipstown Town Board agreed to consider whose property contains an 18-hole golf restaurant and facilities, and expand a The COVID-19 crisis prompted him to zoning revisions to make it possible. course that would be reduced to nine holes. four-room inn into a hotel. seek “a permanent solution of how this The board acted at a workshop meeting. On the property, bordered by Route 9 and On Nov. 5, Davis said he bought the tract [property] could go on” long-term. At HVSF’s plans now go to the Planning Board Snake Hill Road, HVSF wants to construct in 1999 to save it from developers who the same time, HVSF was pondering its for review. an open-air, 530-person theater, as well presented “terrifying schemes” of “the options. “They needed a permanent home, Five days earlier, Chris Davis, who owns as an indoor theater with 225 seats and worst suburban sprawl.” He retained the (Continued on Page 20) 4 November 13, 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 Legislator Ginny Nacerino asked, “Is it ees, particularly (though not exclusively) in [email protected] Putnam budget In attempting to defend their self-serving not incumbent on this Legislature to save the vital area of public safety. SENIOR EDITOR budget proposals, Putnam County Execu- money?” The answer is yes, but apparently Bob Ridpath, Verbank Leonard Sparks tive Mary Ellen Odell and Legislative Chair in every area except when it comes to legis- Toni Addonizio, both Republicans, revealed lators’ salaries. I want to be clear that the raise given BEACON EDITOR the mantra that the Legislature will wield Legislator Carl Albano noted, “The to me by the county Legislature was not Jeff Simms against Sheriff Robert Langley, a Demo- Hudson is not in this county, it is next to requested by me. It was put into the budget crat, when he runs for reelection next year it.” And yet the Legislature in the past by the county executive. I believe no elected ARTS EDITOR has expressed opinions about things well official should receive a raise for 2021 and Alison Rooney (“Putnam Legislators Lock Up Sheriff’s outside the county purview, such as CSX that all raises for elected officials should [email protected] Funds, Give Themselves a Raise,” Nov. 6). Addonizio accused Langley of “budget ethanol trains traveling along the west be done in the form of a public referendum. SENIOR CORRESPONDENT mismanagement” and Odell attempted to shore of the river. Robert Langley Jr., Philipstown Michael Turton paint a portrait of sheriff’s deputies as over- Be consistent. To do otherwise suggests Langley is the Putnam County sheriff. paid, overtime-grabbing police officers. you are looking to use the defunding of REPORTERS Overtime in law enforcement is not public safety agencies in order to fund the Voter death Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong planned. When stuff happens in law enforce- raises you voted for yourselves. How dare you report the address of the Brian PJ Cronin • Joe Dizney ment, you better be ready to plug the holes Unlike the Legislature, public safety is deceased (“Voter Dies at Polls,” Nov. 6). If Pamela Doan • Deb Lucke if you wish to maintain proper public safety. not a part-time obligation. Police patrols the house is burglarized, I hope the family Skip Pearlman You do not send one less fire engine to a and corrections staffing, along with sues you. blaze because you might be down a driver. support from 911 and dispatchers, must be Tom Ciero, Cold Spring LAYOUT DESIGNER maintained at every hour of the day, every Pierce Strudler These two Republican politicians, along with their cohorts on the Republi- day of the year. I know this from firsthand Family photos experience of some 15 years. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR can-dominated Legislature, do not seem Nancy LeVine, thank you for this beauti- At the same time, staff are contractually Michele Gedney able to recognize the fact that a Democrat ful project (“Beacon in Quarantine,” Nov. permitted days off, the use of vacation and For information on advertising: can perform a superior, competent job in 13). And thank you to The Current for sick days. Shifts at the jail, on the road or 845-809-5584 Republican Putnam. In the process, these publishing it. It’s great journalism. During [email protected] in support of same, must be covered 24/7, folks put us on a much less safe founda- this long quarantine, we’ve all been stuck in highlandscurrent.org/ads 365 days a year. And a legislator actually tion with their budget cuts and party-over- our respective bubbles. We can only imag- claimed not to know why “overtime is county perspectives. ine how others are getting along. These required.” We need to perceive the partisanship for touching sketches humanized the impact of If these are indeed difficult financial what it is and how it should have no place the virus for me. I wish I could give every- times, forgo your own personal gain and THE HIGHLANDS CURRENT in the application of law enforcement in one a giant hug. (USPS #22270) / ISSN 2475-3785 benefit to at least the same degree you ask our county. Peter McFadden, Nelsonville November 13, 2020 Phil Bayer, Carmel it of your constituents and county employ- Volume 9, Issue 46 is published weekly by Highlands Current Inc., 142 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516-2819. Periodicals Postage Paid at Cold Spring, NY, and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Highlands Current, 142 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516-2819. Mail delivery $30 per year. highlandscurrent.org/delivery [email protected] Distribution audited by the Circulation Verification Council © Highlands Current Inc. 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, mechanical or electronic, without written permission of the publisher.

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NEWS BRIEFS St. Mary’s to Organize Beacon City Administrator Where to Find Thanksgiving Dinner to Leave Volunteers will deliver food or provide Accepts job with Dutchess health at drive-through department t. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Cold nthony Ruggiero, the Beacon city SSpring, with support from other local A administrator, announced on Nov. 5 congregations and community groups, that he plans to leave the position in 2021 to plans to serve a community Thanksgiving become assistant commissioner for admin- Pick Up Your Free Copy dinner on Nov. 26 through home delivery istration with the Dutchess County Depart- and a drive-through lane. ment of Behavioral & Community Health. The community meal, which was first He will continue as city administrator Garden Cafe, 116 Main Each Friday afternoon, organized by Tina Merando at the Our until Jan. 29, he said. NYP/Hudson Valley Hospital, 1756 Route 9D we distribute copies Moo Moos Creamery, 32 West* Lady of Loretto parish more than 20 years Ruggiero was hired by Beacon in 2015, to these locations: Tourist Information Booth, foot of Main* ago, continues under the leadership of succeeding Meredith Robson, who became Yannitelli Wines, 55 Chestnut Tara Flagler and Vinny Tamagna, a senior the Ardsley village manager in Westchester Beacon warden at the church. County. Ruggiero previously was the city Artisan Wine Shop, 180 Main Nelsonville “This year may be different, as we ask you manager for Peekskill and Putnam Coun- Bank Square Coffeehouse, 131 Main Juanita’s Kitchen, 289 Main Beacon Bread Co., 193 Main* to bring a [donated] cooked turkey to the ty’s commissioner of planning, develop- Beacon City Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza Philipstown Parish Hall,” Tamagna said. “The need is ment and public transportation. Beacon Natural Market, 348 Main* Allstate Insurance, 3182 Route 9* there and we will deliver.” The menu will Beahive, 291 Main B&L Deli, 3182, Route 9 include stuffing, soup, cornbread, cranberry Big Mouth Coffee, 387 Main BP Station, 3188 Route 9 sauce, mashed potatoes, green vegetables Clothing Shed Reopens Glassbury Court, 3370 Route 9 BJ’s Restaurant, 213 Main and dessert. Reservations are required by Round-up Texas BBQ, 2741 Route 9 Drop-off had closed due to pandemic Forrestal Heights lobby, Route 9D noon on Nov. 22 at bit.ly/cs-thanksgiving. Vera’s Farm Market, 3091 Route 9 Key Foods, 268 Main* Volunteers will deliver meals from 10 he clothing shed at St. Mary’s Episcopal Mr. V’s Deli, 297 Main Garrison a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving Day and T Church in Cold Spring, which closed Towne Crier, 379 Main 123 Food Stop, 871 Route 9 there will be a drive-through pick-up from due to concerns at the spread of COVID-19, Trax, 1 East Main Appalachian Market, 1467 Route 9 noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. is again accepting donations. Garrison Cafe, 1135 Route 9D* Cold Spring Besides cooked turkeys delivered to the St. Pauly Textile, the company which Garrison Gulf, 1122 Route 9D Cold Spring Farmers’ Market church on Thanksgiving morning, orga- provided the shed, partners with a network of Cold Spring Pizza, 120 Main Garrison Post Office, 1145 Route 9D organizations to distribute items in 44 coun- Garrison Restaurant, 2534 Route 9 nizers are looking for drivers and coor- Country Goose, 115 Main dinators, as well as financial donations. tries, including the U.S. Residents can also Current Office, 142 Main* Fishkill To volunteer, call 845-337-0236 or email donate shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, Doug’s Pretty Good Pub, 54 Main Hometown Deli, 812 Route 52 [email protected]. curtains, pillowcases and stuffed animals. Drug World, 55 Chestnut* Maya Cafe, 448 Route 9 Foodtown, 49 Chestnut Foundry Cafe, 53 Main *Look for our blue box CURRENT CONVERSATIONS

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C VID2021 Closer to the Edge For many, shutdown has made bad situation worse

By Victoria Shannon

ith unemployment in the Hudson Valley much higher than it was a W year ago because of the ongoing shutdown, state and federal bans on evic- tions imposed earlier this year have allowed many tenants to stay in their homes even if they can no longer afford the rent. But that won’t last. Housing advocates fear a flood of evictions after state and federal moratoriums expire next month, possibly causing a large spike in home- lessness in early 2021 while the pandemic still rages. It’s another consequence of the high cost of living in Putnam and Dutchess counties, where more than 33 percent of residents were one emergency away from Fabiola Diego Herrera and Hannah Ashburn fill empanadas at Homespun made from Fabiola’s recipe. financial ruin even before COVID-19, according to research by the United Way. In a series called Living on the Edge rants will utilize outdoor heaters to keep published last year, The Current reported patio dining spaces open as long as possible. on Highlands residents who were living Robitaille isn’t sure that would work at on “survival budgets” despite being Homespun, so he’s planning to revamp his employed. Two in five residents of Beacon C VID takeout menu while looking into delivery, and Cold Spring, according to the data, as well, although that would add insurance did not have more than $400 in savings. costs. Selling frozen prepared foods could According to the most recent United Way be another option. report on “asset-limited, income-restrained, He plans later this month to reopen on employed” residents, which relies on data 2021 Mondays (Homespun was open seven days from 2018, a family with two adults and two WHAT LIES AHEAD? a week, pre-pandemic) to allow employees children in the Hudson Valley needs to earn to pick up extra shifts. at least $99,242 annually to get by, while a At Beahive, the state’s phased reopen- single adult must earn $35,510. (Continued from Page 1) ing was challenging this summer “because To support those budgets, a single Scott Tillitt, the founder of the Beahive none of the guidelines apply” to coworking person would have to earn at least $17.55 coworking space in Beacon, said that rent- spaces, Tillitt said. Fortunately, some long- an hour, far more than the $11.80 mini- als for meetings and events “went to zero time members have continued to pay rent mum wage in this part of New York state. overnight,” dropping monthly revenue by even while they haven’t been in the building. Beyond the ban on evictions, another 10 percent to 15 percent. “Flex” desk rent- With that level of commitment, Tillitt buffer could disappear at the end of the als to freelancers and remote workers Joe Robitaille Photos by Meredith Heuer said, “I’m confident that we’ll rebound year when two federal pandemic unem- decreased, as well. strongly, it’s just a matter of when.” ployment programs are scheduled to expire Beahive attempted virtual member getting us reopened,” he said. “And it just Starbuck hopes Beacon and Cold Spring’s unless Congress acts. More than 1.9 million lunches, coffee breaks and other gatherings, wasn’t busy. We were nowhere near break- Main Streets can make it to Christmas New York residents receive payments from he said, but Zoom fatigue quickly set in. even numbers.” without another shutdown. the two programs, which were designed to “We’re so physical space-based,” he said. As the Mid-Hudson Region neared Phase “Holiday gift sales are the bread-and- extend benefits offered by the state. “I don’t know any other way to pivot. We’re 3 of its reopening, which would allow indoor butter that get independent retail busi- As of September, about 11,600 people biding our time until people feel comfort- dining at 50 percent capacity, business nesses through the winter,” she said. “The in Dutchess County and 3,800 people in able coming back.” suddenly turned around for Homespun. best thing people can do to support small Putnam were receiving state jobless benefits Robitaille reopened Homespun for four Robitaille decided to stay cautious and stick retailers is start their holiday gift shopping — far fewer than in April at the height of the days per week on June 19. By then, Beacon with outdoor dining, while permitting no now, under the assumption that another shutdown but far more than in September officials were allowing Main Street restau- more than seven people inside for pickups. shutdown could happen in December.” 2019, when only 1,100 people were receiving rants to place tables in curbside parking That was at the end of June. But with Even though Robitaille knows business benefits in Dutchess and 500 in Putnam. spots to create “parklets” for outdoor dining. cold weather on the way, restaurants will slow once he cuts outdoor dining, he Homespun put three tables on the side- and their employees and customers must insists he’s not dreading the winter. HOUSING walk, each 8 feet apart, and kept eight now grapple with how to navigate winter “I came into this expecting a struggle,” Paying for a roof over your head, of tables in an enclosed backyard. during a pandemic. he said. “If anything, it’s pretty amazing to course, is usually a large expense, eating But reopening wasn’t as simple as drag- “Restaurants, which require a full staff to be here still and to be in the position we’re up nearly half of the income of a single ging a few tables out front, Robitaille said. operate, have struggled to find employees in now. Any feelings that I’m feeling are person on a survival budget in Dutchess, Every aspect of the business — from food brave enough to take on the kinds of safety cautious — that you don’t know what to according to the United Way study. prep to delivery to customers and cleanup demands basically taken by essential work- expect; to check yourself when you think That has people like Maureen Fox, chief at the end of the night — had to be revised ers,” Starbuck explained. “Their incomes you know what’s coming. development officer of Legal Services of to meet state health protocols aimed at are partially made up of tips. What happens “It’s sincerely how I feel,” he added. the Hudson Valley, concerned about bills slowing the spread of the virus. when the tables are reduced?” “In the summertime, it wasn’t the same, that will come due in January. “I was completely exhausted from Starbuck said she thinks some restau- though. I thought we were going down.” (Continued on Page 7) highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 7 Unemployment in the Highlands

SEPTEMBER 2019 APRIL 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020

RATE RECIPIENTS BENEFITS PAID RATE RECIPIENTS BENEFITS PAID RATE RECIPIENTS BENEFITS PAID DUTCHESS 3.5 1,100 $1,410,000 14.2 15,700 $20,250,000 6 11,600 $12,770,000 PUTNAM 3.6 500 $580,000 14.4 5,300 $7,400,000 5.6 3,800 $4,450,000 HUDSON VALLEY 3.6 19,000 $13,210,000 14.4 117,600 $154,600,000 6.5 103,200 $118,400,000

Source: Department of Labor

open up their homes as much as they might open Saturday mornings, said it has seen up (from Page 6) The Edge have in the past.” to a 150 percent increase in demand some “Although the rental moratorium is in The groups suspect the Dutchess facil- weeks. Lines have formed hours before the place, it doesn’t mean you don’t ever have ity is serving clients from Putnam County, 9 a.m. opening as people try to get the first to pay your rent,” Fox said, noting that the as well, which doesn’t have any shelters. crack at limited supplies of fruits and vege- moratorium on evictions is not the same “Because our shelter provides good services tables, although pantry organizers say they as forgiveness of overdue rent. “That’s our and we don’t turn anyone away, we wonder have discouraged that. fear — that there will be this tsunami of if folks come up here from other counties,” “What is striking to me are the people people who get eviction notices all at one Hines said. “It’s something that we’re look- who come who I always thought were in time because they haven’t been able to pay ing at.” my peer group,” Richter said, referring the backlog.” At the start of the shutdown in March, Where is to middle- and higher-income levels. “It’s Christa Hines, executive director of Hudson River Housing began dispensing scary. Many, many are those who lost jobs. Hudson River Housing, which manages $90,000 it had received from a federal ‘The Edge’? What we hadn’t seen before was a lot of affordable housing and homeless shelters in grant to help people with their rent, Hines single men. People in the arts have lost jobs, Dutchess County, said her group estimates said. Unfortunately, they had $350,000 and we’ve seen them here. that at least 36 percent of renters across the worth of requests. $35,100 “People are doubling up,” she said. “There state are at risk of eviction. Based on data collected by the organiza- This is what a single person in Dutchess are extended families living together who “It’s given people false hope,” she said tion, most renters in Dutchess are “severely or Putnam needs to earn annually to weren’t before.” of the moratoriums. “They’re using that cost-burdened,” which means they spend survive, according to the United Way. It She said the donations to the pantry so [unpaid rent] money to pay for other things, more than half of their income on hous- equates to $17.55 per hour. far have kept up with the demand. and they’re getting deeper and deeper in ing. Renters would need to earn an aver- “We’ve had a huge influx of money and the hole. That’s the case even if their income age wage of $26.87 per hour, or work 2.3 food items from the community,” Rich- hasn’t changed because of COVID.” minimum-wage jobs, to afford the average ter said. “We are able to serve everyone Homelessness in the area is already on two-bedroom apartment. $101,724 who comes, and then some. But about 70 the rise, Hines said. The Dutchess County At the same time, the vacancy rate This is what a family with two adults percent of our clients are Latino, and we’re shelter in Poughkeepsie has been averag- in Dutchess apartment complexes was and two young children in Dutchess constantly running out of things like white ing about 100 people a night, up about 20 1.5 percent last year, the lowest it’s been or Putnam needs to earn annually to rice.” percent from a year ago, and she estimates since 2000. (In Beacon, the rate was zero survive. It equates to $50.86 per hour. Because of financial donations and the that around 20 percent come from the percent.) In addition, the median home work of the Philipstown Town Board, the Beacon and Wappingers Falls area. price in the county jumped by more than Source: ALICE in New York: pantry was able to distribute gift cards A Financial Hardship Study, 2020 “Anecdotally, we’ve always known that 20 percent between 2015 and 2019. from Foodtown in Cold Spring, as well as some people live precariously, with family fresh and packaged foods. or friends or couch-surfing,” Hines said. FOOD number of people. “People were hurting so much that they “The pandemic presented a lot of chal- After the shutdown began, food pantries Amy Richter, an assistant at the Philip- began to cry when I handed them the gift lenges with that. People were scared to in the Highlands began to serve a growing stown Food Pantry in Cold Spring, which is cards,” she said.

have continued working out at home. C VID2021 Zoned Fitness in Beacon and Cold Spring Fitness in Philipstown dropped group classes to focus on private training. Keith Laug, the Will It owner of Zoned Fitness, located on Main Street, said this week that his schedule was about 70 percent full, enough to pay the bills. Work Out? Business at Cold Spring Fitness is down Gyms struggle as clients 90 percent from a year ago, said owner Dawn Scanga. She reopened on Oct. 1 but exercise on their own said many of her clients are older and hesi- tant to work out indoors. By Leonard Sparks “It’s been a struggle to just pay my rent,” ym owners around the state launched said Scanga, who has sublet half of her a vigorous lobbying campaign — space to Flex Physical Therapy. “People G as well as a class-action lawsuit — aren’t as eager as I thought they would be before Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration to come to the gym. If it doesn’t start open- allowed them to reopen as of Aug. 24, five ing up, it’s not going to be sustainable.” months after the shutdown began. Preparing to reopen involved “redesigning But three months later, local gyms are our entire business model,” she said. “We had struggling to get clients to return and facing to figure out 33 percent capacity for physical a winter when the virus is expected to surge distancing and we had to close the shower. All as people are forced indoors by the weather. our trainers and instructors are wearing face During the shutdown many of their clients coverings and maintain 6 feet distance. Dawn Scanga, the owner of Cold Spring Fitness on Route 9, reopened on Oct. 1 but is purchased their own fitness equipment and (Continued on Page 8) struggling to keep her business going. Photo by L. Sparks 8 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

C VID2021 From Chords to Discord Musicians, venues squeezed Milonovich, by contrast, immediately felt the pain. On the eve of the shutdown she was as pandemic marches on substituting as a violinist for the Broadway show Come From Away and looking forward By Leonard Sparks to a year of gigs both as a freelancer and a member of the band Daisy Cutter, which had ara Milonovich, a Beacon resident who finished a tour in November 2019. is a professional fiddler and violinist, She last played on Broadway on March Shas survived the shutdown with the 10, two days before theaters announced help of a part-time job at a wine store, while their closing for what initially was to be singer and songwriter Dar Williams, who month. Musicians then watched as gigs at lives in Cold Spring, has delayed for at least venues and festivals were scuttled, as well a year the release of a new album because as summer music camps where they had she cannot tour to support it. planned to teach. Phil Ciganer has reopened his Towne “It was immediate and catastrophic,” Crier Cafe in Beacon, but under state guide- said Milonovich. “Financially, it’s been lines cannot advertise the performances nothing short of devastating.” or sell tickets and the music must be “inci- Ciganer, with the Towne Crier’s restaurant dental” to dinner service. The Howland and two performance stages closed, in June Cultural Center in Beacon has shifted to launched an online fundraising campaign livestreaming performances that must take that has brought in about $31,000. place without an audience other than the The restaurant has reopened for indoor performers and technicians. and outdoor dining, with musicians play- The Judith Tulloch Band performs on the small stage at the Towne Crier on Nov. 6. Musicians have recorded performances ing several nights a week on a small stage Photo by L. Sparks at home that they post online, but it’s a far located just inside the entrance. Ciganer to livestreaming performances with a — they couldn’t come because the time was cry from the atmosphere of a live show, said noted that pandemic restrictions are hurt- production outfit handling audio and not right for them or they don’t drive at Williams, who believes the music indus- ing not just venues and musicians but video. The Beacon duo Annalyse McCoy night or they can’t get a babysitter,” he said. try is facing an “existential threat” as the sound and lighting technicians, agents and and Ryan Dunn are hosting The Valley While Williams had been able to survive pandemic continues. managers. “It’s a devastating blow to the Hour, a monthly music series, and the through 2020, “next year, if it continues, When performing live, “you feel the industry,” he said. center on Saturday (Nov. 14) will stream a that’s going to be a different conversation energy of the audience, you feel their mood, The Howland Cultural Center has turned performance of The Artichoke, a storytell- and if this goes through 2022, that’s also a you feel the material more, you feel the ing series. Craig Wolf, who is president of different conversation,” she said. message of it more,” she said. the nonprofit’s board, said in some cases Milonovich has played a few livestreamed Williams was finishing a tour when the You feel the energy the venue has been able to sell more tickets shows and has another scheduled for Nov. 22 shutdown began in mid-March, and consid- of the audience, you to online viewers than it would have with from Cafe Lena in Saratoga Springs. She is ers herself lucky because only the last two a live audience. also a member of the Wynotte Sisters, who shows were canceled. Income from that feel their mood, you feel the That demand demonstrates that finished recording an album of “obscure tour, plus an advance for a book she is material more, you feel the livestreaming has legs, he said, and that holiday music” that will be released through writing, cushioned her from the immedi- the technology will be part of Howland’s the streaming site Bandcamp. “These reve- ate financial toll the pandemic inflicted on message of it more. future. “We’ve always known that there are nue streams are important now that we’re other musicians. ~ Sara Milonovich people who couldn’t come to a live concert not able to tour,” she said.

Gyms (from Page 7) “We needed to install a new air- handling system to meet [state] stan- dards; disinfect every surface while documenting the time and scope of cleaning products; post signage and complete the safety plan, including daily screening conducted for employees plus members, with a log of everyone who enters, including a designated site safety monitor to ensure compliance. “We were pushed so far and expected to comply with so much,” she said. Scanga said she surveyed her Weekday ridership on Metro-North is down about 80 percent from before the shutdown. File photo by M. Turton members and found they had two concerns: working out while wearing a what in recent months, but the number of mask and exercising indoors. C VID2021 passengers across the system is still down Laug said he has gained a few clients nearly 80 percent on weekdays and about who belonged to larger gyms but felt What Happens to the Commute? 57 percent on weekends from a year ago, more comfortable exercising in a private according to the railroad. space. Both he and Scanga hope the Workers grow accustomed Spring and Garrison. Metro-North has instituted 24-hour off- winter months will bring more people Last year, Metro-North recorded 1.84 peak fares to lure commuters back, but indoors when outdoor classes end. to being home million round trips from Beacon, 382,220 a representative for the railroad said the from Cold Spring and 220,722 from Garri- “I do see a lot of people, though, stick- By Michael Turton impact on ridership is not yet clear. ing with what they did when we shut son. A month into the COVID-19 shutdown The Metropolitan Transportation down — doing a lot of home training,” ince March, there have been plenty of in April, those numbers had fallen by 98 Authority, which operates Metro-North, said Laug. seats on the rush-hour trains to and percent. the Long Island Railroad and the New York Sfrom Grand Central and Beacon, Cold Ridership has bounced back some- (Continued on Page 9) highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 9

Working remotely has affected them (from Page 8) Commute differently. City subway and bus systems, has asked the Travis said he works more hours but is federal government for $12 billion in aid to more available to his family. “I can take Through the Roof offset what the state comptroller has called my daughter to school, pick her up and stay the worst financial crisis in the agency’s connected to work by phone,” he said. “It’s When the shutdown began, many looking farther afield. “We used to be history. a small amount of time with her but a huge New York City residents fled to a very narrow, Philipstown brokerage; Last month, Patrick Foye, the chief execu- plus for me.” second homes in the Highlands or we’re not anymore,” he said. began looking to buy. That pace has tive officer of the MTA, said that, without Being in the village more has also enabled Now, if a suitable house isn’t available slowed, but the market “continues to federal funds, the agency may have to elimi- him to join the Cold Spring Fire Co. “Work- in Philipstown, Hussung said, buyers outperform anything we could have nate more than 7,000 jobs and cut service ing at home means I can respond to calls,” are increasingly willing to relocate expected,” said Bill Hussung, the owner on Metro-North in half. Travis said. “If work gets interrupted, I get anywhere within the Hudson Valley. For people who bought homes in the it done later.” of McCaffrey Real Estate in Cold Spring. In Beacon, broker Daniel Aubry Highlands just before the shutdown, “it By contrast, Molly said working remotely The initial alarm has given way to said things have quieted slightly never occurred to them they were buying has not translated into more family time, careful thought. “People are no longer after “the craziest summer I’ve ever a house that would become a remote work- noting she now works 12- to 16-hour days. in a rush,” he said. “There’s no panic experienced,” and, like Philipstown, place,” said Bill Hussung, the owner of Both believe that once COVID-19 is to purchase a house before the next inventory there is limited. McCaffrey Real Estate in Cold Spring. conquered, they will resume working full wave. It’s now a well-thought-out “They had assumed they’d commute — and time at their jobs. lifestyle change; buyers see this area While a number of houses are “for now they just don’t.” But Neal Zuckerman, a Garrison resident as having a better quality of life.” sale by owner,” Aubry said they are Travis Fyfe and his wife, Molly Admana- who is Putnam County’s representative on often overpriced, causing buyers to Demand for houses in Philipstown and Fyfe, who moved to Cold Spring 13 years the MTA board, wonders if commuting shy away. “When properly priced, a limited supply have pushed prices up. ago, both commuted before the shutdown. patterns will ever be the same. properties here go in one weekend,” Properties that sold for $400,000 last Travis took Metro-North daily to Manhat- “We may not work in New York City five he said, pointing out that standard year now go for $500,000, Hussung tan for his job as a construction project days a week the way we used to,” he said. He ranch-style homes can receive said, adding that sales volume in manager. Molly, an apparel designer, drove wondered if Putnam County offers enough multiple offers. to Secaucus, New Jersey. office space, coworking opportunities, digi- dollars has increased by 40 percent When the shutdown began in March, tal access and ways to gather and socialize over last year while the number of sales Beacon has a considerable supply of Molly began working from home, while “that can make up what was the commut- has remained about the same. new condominiums, ranging in price from $350,000 to more than $1 million, Travis changed his commute to driving er’s work life.” “Sellers are happy but inventory is although Aubry said until 51 percent into the city once a week. By July, Molly Putnam, he said, has “a great opportu- down,” Hussung said. had returned to work in New Jersey twice a nity to reinvent and blur that line between of a building’s units are sold, lenders week and Travis began driving to his work- ‘work’ and ‘home’ for the betterment of our Agents who usually only dealt with require a down payment of 25 percent site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. community.” properties in the Highlands are now to 30 percent, which slows sales.

HIGHLAND STUDIO

November 20 – 29

Open daily 10 – 5pm Closed Thanksgiving PRINTMAKERS Member Discount Day and Opening Reception Friday, November 20, 1 – 7pm FINE ART PRINTING See website for COVID precautions and procedures garrisonartcenter.org SCANNING LARGE FORMAT BOCHNER BOETTI FONTANA

HUDSON VALLEY’S Curated by Mel Bochner In collaboration with ARCHIVAL PRINTING Magazzino Italian Art Foundation SINCE 1997 October 3, 2020 - January 11, 2021 Magazzino Italian Art, Gallery 8 PICTURE FRAMING print & map gallery

845-809-5174

31 STEPHANIE LANE COLD SPRING, NY www.thehighlandstudio.com 10 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

¢ The Garrison School closed on Thurs- Farm, Dutchess Outreach and Hudson Coronavirus day (Nov. 12) and Friday (Nov. 13) after an River Housing. In Putnam, recipients individual who had been on-site earlier in included CoveCare Center, the Ecological COVID-19 by Update the week tested positive. Superintendent Citizen’s Project, Garrison Art Center and Carl Albano said the closure allowed time Second Chance Foods. the Numbers ¢ State health officials said that, as of for contact tracing and to clean and disin- Wednesday (Nov. 11), 2,059 people had fect the building. ¢ Cuomo on Nov. 2 questioned a require- PUTNAM COUNTY tested positive for COVID-19 in Putnam ment by the federal Centers for Disease Number of confirmed cases: County; 6,003 in Dutchess; 43,292 in West- ¢ Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended his state Control and Prevention that all states chester; 19,414 in Rockland; 2,717 in Ulster; of emergency order through Dec. 3, allow- agree to provide the name, address, date of (+163) and 14,803 in Orange. Statewide, there have ing public meetings to continue to be held birth, ethnicity, race, gender and a unique 2,059 been 545,762 positives, including 276,976 remotely. personal identification number for anyone New Cases in Philipstown: 4 in New York City. Statewide, 26,055 people who receives a COVID-19 vaccination if and Tests administered: had died as of Nov. 11. ¢ Cuomo announced on Oct. 28 that coun- when one is available. ties, through their health departments, (+4,000) ¢ Beacon had 10 active cases as of Nov. can impose mask mandates in public and ¢ The state on Oct. 31 announced new 69,294 11 and Putnam had 71 for the week ending private schools. rules for travelers coming into New York to Percent positive: Nov. 5, with four new cases reported in allow them to “test out” of the mandatory Philipstown, which has had 148 since ¢ The Story Screen Beacon Theater is 14-day quarantine. Travelers who were in 3.0 (+0.1) March. There were also 26 new cases in again showing films. Tickets are avail- another state for more than 24 hours must Number of deaths: Carmel, five in Kent, six in Patterson, four able only online, patrons must wear masks obtain a test within three days of depar- in Putnam Valley and 20 in Southeast. Two whenever they are not seated and social ture from the other state and quarantine (+0) people were hospitalized at Putnam Hospi- distancing will be maintained between for three days. On Day 4, they must obtain 64 tal Center in Carmel. each party attending a movie together. another test. If both tests are negative, they may exit quarantine. DUTCHESS COUNTY ¢ In Dutchess County, there were 2,240 ¢ Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Number of confirmed cases: tests conducted on Nov. 11, with 59 positives Poughkeepsie said it would limit visitors ¢ The nonprofit Correctional Association reported, and in Putnam, there were 701 for adult patients effective Nov. 6 because of New York on Oct. 22 released a report (+334) tests and 29 positives. The percentage of of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the from two days its representatives spent 6,003 positive results in the Mid-Hudson Region Hudson Valley. in July visiting the Fishkill Correctional Active Cases in Beacon: 10 was 3.7 percent. Center in Beacon. “Many of the incarcerated Tests administered: ¢ The Community Foundations of the people [we] spoke to seemed unaware of how ¢ The number of people with COVID-19 Hudson Valley awarded $258,600 in COVID-19 tests are administered, proper 245,044 (+13,906) who are hospitalized in New York state as of Pivoting to Respond grants to nonprofits mask usage and even the signs and symp- Nov. 11 stood at 1,677; the number in inten- contending with COVID-19. In Dutchess, toms of COVID-19,” the report said. “The Percent positive: sive care was 308; and the number of intu- the recipients included the Beacon Volun- Department of Corrections and Community bations was 136. teer Ambulance Corps, Common Ground Supervision has made some good progress 2.4 (-0.1) in keeping people safe through a variety of Number of deaths: policy changes, but overall, incarceration itself undermines those outcomes.” 173 (+7)

¢ Questions? Dutchess County posts Source: New York State Department of Health, updates at dutchessny.gov/coronavirus with weekly changes in parentheses, as of and has a hotline at 845-486-3555. Putnam Nov. 11. New cases in Philipstown for the week County posts info at putnamcountyny. ending Nov. 5. com/health. New York State has a hotline at 888-364-3065 and a webpage at ny.gov/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus. The state also created an posts updates at cdc.gov. To find a test site, email list to provide updates. The federal visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov.

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Detail from “In Our Hands,” a copper etching by Eliza Fichter Linoleum prints by Fichter The Artist Next Door That has helped me notice, in theater, how small a choice can be that will have a big impact on the audience.” Fichter, who has shown her work at the Atlas Winter Market and the Garri- Eliza Fichter son Art Center’s Riverside Crafts Fair, will By Alison Rooney have some of her designs in the Howland Cultural Center’s Holiday Small Gift Show eading up on printmaker Eliza Fich- that begins Nov. 21. ter, whose work was included in this Growing up in Cambridge, Massachu- R year’s Beacon Open Studios, I got setts, Fichter took her first formal print- “Joy,” a linoleum print by Fichter confused, thinking maybe there were two making classes while attending Boston people by the name, one of them an actor University. By then, theater had become a real level of visualization, and it engages and the other a visual artist. A few more an equal focus — she earned a BFA in acting the imagination — the specificity is what clicks revealed they are one and the same, there. Then, as now, she continued creating allows for that honest engagement and and an arts educator to boot. in both forms. response in the body.” Visual arts came first: Printmaking was a “Printmaking is generally pretty isolated, Fichter’s career as an actor began right family tradition, something “always present while theater is really collaborative,” she after college, when she spent a year travel- in my house when growing up. We’d make observes. “Financially, they have strengthened ing with the National Players, the education prints which we’d send out various times a each other and have helped me see things in arm of the D.C.-based Olney Theatre Center. year. They were strewn one that I hadn’t seen “Ten of us traveled with three plays in rep, all over the kitchen. in the other, in a moving every three nights or so, bring- Fichter in The Crucible Photo by Nile Scott Printmaking feels balanced way.” As ing theater to places like South Dakota more like something an example, Fich- and West Virginia, where it’s presumed I’ve always done, ter cites her process that great theater doesn’t take place and who worked in health care and in end-of- rather than anything during rehears- also that great theater doesn’t need to take life systems and support, and learned from formalized,” Fichter als for the Bedlam place,” she says. them how they help folks come to terms says. theater company’s Fichter and her partner, David Keohane, with their mortality.” Now, as then, she 2019 Cambridge moved for four years to Chicago, before With the success of the Boston produc- appreciates that production of The returning to Cambridge, where Fichter tion of The Crucible, it was set to open off- “every time you roll Crucible. earned a master’s in arts in education at Broadway in March. Keohane is also in that paint onto the “In that produc- Harvard, with a focus in “death education.” the cast, and the couple spent a couple of paper it’s a slightly tion, there is this “I had, as we all have, by that point some months housesitting in Cold Spring before different tint, or section of text close experiences with death and dying in moving to Beacon just before rehearsals something else indi- where the charac- my family and I was thinking about how began. On March 12, the pair found them- vidualized.” Fichter’s ter I was playing art can connect with our relationship to selves unemployed. woodcut, linoleum was imagining a mortality,” she says. “I had worked at a Fichter says she initially found it hard and copper-etching profoundly devas- printmaking studio in Chicago, as well as to meet people until she joined the protest prints, which she sells tating image,” teaching theater, and I noticed students marches. “I’ve become involved with at heartwoodprints. she says. “I was grappling with big important questions Beacon 4 Black Lives, which is a joyful com, are done by having difficulty about living in the present, what it means organization but one that is holding our employing a process in visualizing such a to grieve and how to use art to mend our community responsible. I am imagining which she “will often go into traumatic and pain- relationship with death. and reimagining what the future will look an environment new to me, ful loss but when I “With so much medicalization of death, I like, and hopefully will come to it with a walk I haven’t done before, spent hours looking entered grad school with a focus on explor- a renewed sense of intention. Finding or just sitting in my garden, at a tree or a grass- ing our relationship with end of life through connection between far-apart endeavors observing small things. hopper — that takes art. I spent a lot of time being with women is where I feel most alive.” 12 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

KIDS & FAMILY MUSIC

SAT 14 SUN 15 Teen Mandala Workshop Jesse Mills and THE WEEK AHEAD COLD SPRING Rieko Aizawa Edited by Pamela Doan ([email protected]) 1 p.m. Butterfield Library BEACON 845-265-3040 | butterfieldlibrary.org 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center For a complete listing of events, see Pick up paint and tools after howlandmusic.org registering and learn how to make As part of the AliveMusica series, highlandscurrent.org/calendar. a mandala using rocks. the violinist and pianist will present a livestreamed program that includes TUES 17 Messiaen’s Theme and Variations, Genre Teen Book Club Beethoven’s Sonata No. 10 and Chihara’s Storm and Ravel’s Violin COMMUNITY GARRISON Sonata No. 2. Cost: $20 donation 4 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library SUN 15 Artist Market Festival 845-424-3020 | desmondfishlibrary.org This month the group discusses SAT 21 BEACON their horror selections. Jamie Saft 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Lofts BEACON 18 Front St. | rivervalleyguild.com THURS 19 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center The River Valley Guild presents Teen Book Club 845-831-4988 artisan crafts with live music. our.show/howland-cultural- BEACON center/75277 5:30 p.m. Howland Public Library THURS 19 The pianist, producer and Public Trust in Science 845-831-1134 | beaconlibrary.org composer will perform via Email community@ livestream. Cost: $15 GARRISON beaconlibrary.org to register for a 11 a.m. The Hastings Center Zoom discussion of Eleanor and thehastingscenter.org Park, by Rainbow Rowell. SAT 21 Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top Tall County infectious disease official, and Mildred SUN 22 GARRISON Solomon, the center’s president, will Turkey Tales 8 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library discuss via Zoom the ethical issues 845-424-3020 | desmondfishlibrary.org CORNWALL raised by the loss of trust in science Garrison residents Liz and Ned 10 a.m. Outdoor Discovery Center and explore how to improve public Rauch will perform on violin and understanding. Register online. 120 Muser Drive guitar via Crowdcast. Register online. 845-534-5506 x204 | hhnm.org THURS 19 Learn about how to spot signs of Remote Work Mario Merz, Nov. 20 wild turkeys and then take a guided hike to test your knowledge. Cost: GARRISON $8 to $10 (members $6 to $8) 8 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library FRI 20 allies, British boats and Hessian 845-424-3020 | desmondfishlibrary.org Bad Lucky Goat ghosts” via Zoom. Editor and writer Sarah Crow, VISUAL ART GARRISON who has worked remotely for 7 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library SUN 15 SAT 14 nine years, will discuss via Zoom 845-424-3020 | desmondfishlibrary.org Bountiful resources to find an office-less job, Chairs Re-Created the benefits and how to set up a An accident with their father’s GARRISON GARRISON home office. Register online. truck and a goat takes teen siblings 4 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Garrison Art Center on a journey. Register online to 845-424-3020 | desmondfishlibrary.org 23 Garrison’s Landing watch this 2017 film via Zoom. bit.ly/charityshumway SAT 21 garrisonartcenter.org Holiday Craft Fair Charity Shumway, who lives in Chairs donated by supporters Garrison, will discuss her new novel and re-created by 44 artists as a WAPPINGERS FALLS over Zoom with Melissa Inouye. fundraiser for the art center will be 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dutchess Stadium on exhibit. 1500 Route 9D TUES 17 milb.com/hudson-valley CIVIC How to Get Your Photos SAT 14 Shop from dozens of artisans and vendors while enjoying live music into the Media Transposed MON 16 and refreshments from food trucks. GARRISON BEACON City Council 7 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library Noon – 8 p.m. BAU Gallery BEACON SAT 21 bit.ly/DFPLpress | 845-424-3020 506 Main St. | 845-440-7584 7 p.m. City Hall Small Gift Show desmondfishlibrary.org baugallery.org 845-838-5011 | cityofbeacon.org Doug Cunningham, editor of the Pamela Zaremba’s photographs, BEACON Putnam County News & Recorder, created during the pandemic, MON 16 1 – 5 p.m. Howland Cultural Center will give a tutorial over Zoom on explore domesticity. 477 Main St. | 845-831-4988 how to choose and submit the best Village Board howlandculturalcenter.org NELSONVILLE photos to media outlets. SAT 14 Find handmade and artistic 7:30 p.m. Via Zoom jewelry, ceramics and other gifts Kik.Kake Toys 845-265-2500 | nelsonvilleny.gov TALKS & TOURS WED 18 priced at $100 or less. Also SUN 22, BEACON FRI 27, SAT 28, SUN 29. Continues SAT 14 Current Conversation 6 – 9 p.m. Clutter Gallery TUES 17 through Dec. 23. BEACON 163 Main St. | 212-255-2505 Make Your Own School Board Grapevine Wreath 7 p.m. Via Zoom shop.cluttermagazine.com/gallery highlandscurrent.org/current- COLD SPRING STAGE & SCREEN BREWSTER conversations 7 p.m. Haldane School 10 a.m. – Noon. FRI 20 SAT 14 Dr. Anil Vaidian, commissioner of 845-265-9254 | haldaneschool.org Cornell Cooperative Extension the Dutchess County Department of Mario Merz The Artichoke putnam.cce.cornell.edu/events BEACON Behavioral and Community Health, WED 18 BEACON Register to pick up materials and will discuss the fight against 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Dia Beacon 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center join a Zoom workshop. Cost: $10 to COVID-19 and answer questions. 3 Beekman St. | 845-231-0811 School Board 845-831-4988 | artichokeshow.com $30 Register online. diaart.org GARRISON Drew Prochaska will host this This exhibit by the Arte Povera 7 p.m. Garrison School livestream of the storytelling series SUN 15 THURS 19 artist is his first institutional 845-424-3689 | gufs.org with John Blesso, Kambri Crews, Revolutionary Tarrytown show in the U.S. in three decades. Christian Finnegan, Jim O’Grady, Fiction Book Club Register online to visit. THURS 19 Michele Carlo and Martin Dockery. TARRYTOWN COLD SPRING Cost: $15 2 p.m. Warner Library | rw250.org/events 7 p.m. Split Rock Budget Town Hall Erik Weisberg, the historian for 845-265-2080 | splitrockbks.com 6 p.m. Dutchess County Revolutionary Westchester 250, will Join the Zoom group to discuss facebook.com/DutchessCoGov discuss “traitors, spies, patriots, The Other, by Thomas Tryon. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 13 Zip Ono, Buddhist Detective TV writer introduces sleuth you’re chanting,” he explains. “You’re observing your mind. with audiobook “In some of the jobs I do, we create an By Alison Rooney outline which we revise and revise before going to script,” he adds. “But outlines don’t rom grizzled and hard-boiled to allow me to listen to the characters and sarcastic and cheeky, fictional inves- follow them. I didn’t know ‘whodunit’ when Ftigators come in all stripes, and I started the story. It’s so much more fun now there’s a new one in town: Zip Ono, that way. Let the characters talk — they Buddhist detective. tell you things. I have come to learn that That the sleuth is “in town” is literal, what comes out at the end is much better because the newly released audiobook in and more truthful if I allow the process of John Christian Plummer Photo by Will Marsh The audiobook which Zip Ono stars is set in Philipstown. uncovering and discovering. If I know the Available exclusively through Audible. way it’s going to end, I’m not as aligned or com, the novel is the first by John Chris- allied with my character. In this book, she national landscape. I was interested in Does it feel like an ax to grind?’ ” tian Plummer, a Cold Spring resident who and I joined.” investigating how you deal with a person He says there were few changes to the is better known as a writer for television, The Philipstown setting is more than just like that, especially if they died ignomini- manuscript when it was recorded by narra- including his series Granite Flats. He’s local color, Plummer says. “It’s so generative ously, or at the hands of another human tor Alison Hiroko. “Maybe it’s because I currently a writer for Hallmark Signature to me, this environment. Cold Spring and being. That was part of it for sure. I’m inter- read the book aloud when I’m writing and Mysteries and a theater director. Garrison aren’t merely the backdrop; they ested in humanity, fundamentally, and not rewriting,” Plummer says. “The voice tells “I wrote this to be published, but my are embedded deep into the characters. For just the parts of humanity that I might the truth. The voice does the Buddha’s TV background gives me a strong ear for locals, it’s fun to hear a story where you’re disagree with.” work; you can tell if it’s overwritten or dialogue, which translates well to audio,” talking about 9D and South Mountain Pass, Plummer took a leap creating Zip Ono, confusing. Dickens, Twain and many other Plummer says. “For me it’s all about how Indian Brook, the Hudson Valley Shake- whom he describes as a 24-year-old who is authors would go on book-reading tours to can we reach the most people, and Audible speare Festival, the single traffic light in three-quarters Japanese American. “I gave supplement their income, so they would [which is owned by Amazon] is massive.” Cold Spring. It tickles me to hear it spoken the manuscript to some young women to have to know that it sounded good. I think Plummer hopes the book will promote — how people hearing it in, say, California, read,” he says. “I gave it to a lot of friends. Audible is based on an old idea: tell me a Soka Gakkai International Buddhism, will become familiar with it. From the Buddhists I wanted to know, ‘Do story. With Zip Ono I was able to lean into a form of the international Nichiren “I love this place,” he adds. “It’s not you think I got it right and do you find the all these things I love: whodunits, myster- Buddhist system that he practices. “And perfect, but in a lot of ways this book is a characters true?’ From the non-Buddhists, ies, the Hudson Highlands. It all wound what better way than through a mystery? low-key love letter to our wonderful low- I wanted to know, ‘Is the terminology too itself together.” The protagonist is this openly spiritual key place.” [Full disclosure: According to confusing, and is it too much Buddhism? person. The kind of Buddhism we practice Plummer, The Current “gets a favorable is a process. It’s practical and pragmatic, mention.”] and you apply it to your work. Zip Ono uses Though the only actual person named it to be a better detective.” in the book is Juanita Rincon of Juanita’s The plot centers on the death of a media Kitchen in Nelsonville, “Big Bill” — a media ONLINE AUCTION BENEFIT mogul, “Big Bill” Argosy, which appears to mogul living in a small village — may strike be a suicide. But his widow, Laila, is suspi- many locals as familiar. Live-viewing Nov.11-14, 10-5pm cious, and when authorities decline to “Obviously this is a refraction of Roger investigate, she turns to Zip Ono. Ailes,” the late Fox News chairman who Garrison Art Center Plummer says the broad strokes of the lived in Garrison, Plummer says. “I never story came to him while chanting. “They met the guy, but he was, of course, a big came in a flash, which happens a lot when figure in this community and in the Bidding online only until CHAIRS Nov.14, 5:00pm sharp re-created I have come to learn that what comes out at Participating Artists

the end is much better and more truthful if I John Allen Lisa Knaus Justin Allen Martee Levi allow the process of uncovering and discovering. Emil Alzamora Cecile Lindstedt Marc Bernier G. Ray Mak ~ John Christian Plummer Emily Brown Sascha Mallon Kit Burke-Smith Friedrike Merck Chuck Burleigh James Murray Peter Bynum Chantelle Norton Diana Carulli Irene O’Garden Michael Piotrowski Renee Curci-Ivanoff Kim Pitt-Foster Marylyn Dintenfass Diana Polack Kringle’s Thomas Donahue Hildreth Potts Susan English Kelly Preusser Christmas House Justin Feimer Sheila Rauch Marcy B. Freedman Melissa Schlobohm Is now OPEN Barbara Smith Gioia Ursula Schnieder Kyra Hazou Patricia Schories for the season Julie Heckert Betty Stafford Thomas Huber Tracy Strong bringing you the finest in Carla Rae Johnson Carinda Swann Irene Karlen Coulter Young imported ornaments Use phone 134 Main St Beacon camera here 765-0444 to see auction garrisonartcenter.org 14 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Small, Good Things Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarry- town. The Badger Flame is absolutely capable Beet Surrender of being eaten — and enjoyed — raw. I came By Joe Dizney across them at Stone Barns and have seen them offered from Baldor Foods’ home rwin Goldman, delivery. The thought of these beauties raw a horticulture reminded me of a recipe by another “vege- I professor at table whisperer,” chef Joshua McFadden, the University of in his cookbook, Six Seasons: A New Way Wisconsin, recalls with Vegetables. bringing his children In his recipe, a slaw of raw grated red to agriculture field trials. and yellow beets and carrots is brightened He would cut pieces of raw beets for them to by lemon and sweet garlic-and-vinegar- taste, begging for a positive verdict. macerated raisins. The kick of dried chile What he heard instead was: “It’s like flakes is modulated by mint and parsley, eating the playground!” or “It’s like eating and McFadden allows the beets to absorb mud!” all these flavors before adding any oil. Beets do have a dirty secret: that distinc- The surprise is a slathering of pistachio tive, earthy aroma and taste —a major turn- butter on the salad bowl just beneath the Badger Flame Beet Salad with Mint, off for many people — is the result of an slaw. As juices from the salad dissolve the organic compound, geosmin, produced by butter’s nutty layer, the result is a wildly Golden Raisins and Pistachio Butter bacteria in the soil. satisfying vinaigrette, crossed with a From Six Seasons, by Joshua McFadden But what Goldman discovered in his creamy Asian peanut sauce. Toasted and research on beets was that the roots of chopped pistachios scattered over all Serves 4 the plants were also making geosmin. To accentuate taste and texture. appease picky kids and adults, he began Badger Flame beets were made for this propagating low-geosmin variants. treatment, but to be sure, a more garden- The result was the fire-hued Badger variety beet and carrot (see note at the 1. To make the pistachio butter, chop Flame Beet, which was bred for sweet- end of the recipe) is more than satisfying. Pistachio Butter pistachios as fine as possible in a ness, color and texture. It was brought to There’s so much tasty goodness going on Makes 1 cup+; store refrigerated up to food processor. With motor running, market in 2018 by Row 7 Seed Co., a cross- that a little geosmin is not going to spoil about 10 days add water, vinegar and salt. Process, pollination between Goldman and chef Dan the party. scraping sides occasionally, until 1 cup lightly toasted pistachios, smooth. With motor still running, 1/3 cup water drizzle in oil. Blend in salt and more oil or vinegar as needed, adjusting to 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar taste. Reserve. (Can be made ahead.) 3 tablespoons pistachio oil 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (or extra-virgin olive oil) Combine garlic, raisins and vinegar in a large bowl and let sit 1 hour. Remove and discard garlic from raisins; reserve. Spread out pistachios on a Salad small rimmed baking sheet; toast in preheated oven, stirring occasionally, ½ cup pistachio butter until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool and chop coarsely and ½ cup shelled pistachios reserve. Grate beets on large holes of 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled a box grater, in a food processor with a medium shredding disc, or cut into ½ cup golden raisins fine julienne. 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 3. In a mixing bowl, lightly toss grated 11/4 pounds Badger Flame Beets, beets, 3/4 of the mint and parsley peeled* (saving the rest for finishing), chile flakes, reserved raisins in vinegar and ½ cup (packed) flat-leaf parsley leaves lemon juice. Season with about ½ 1/4 cup (packed) mint leaves teaspoon salt and lots of black pepper. Toss and let sit about 5 minutes and ½ teaspoon dried chile flakes then taste — the slaw should be tart, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice spicy, peppery and sweet. Adjust seasoning, if necessary, then add a Kosher salt and freshly ground healthy glug of oil (about 1/4 cup). Toss black pepper and taste again. Pistachio or extra-virgin olive oil 4. To assemble, using a flexible to finish spatula, coat a wooden salad bowl with ½ cup pistachio butter. Mound the salad into the prepared bowl, * If you can’t find Badger Flame beets, garnished with the reserved mint substitute a combination of 3/4 pounds and parsley. Scatter the chopped grated regular beets (red, yellow or both) pistachios over all and finish with a and 3/4 pound grated carrots. Be sure to light drizzle of more oil. At table, toss keep them separate until tossing to keep to incorporate the pistachio butter the colors as separate as possible. with the other ingredients; serve. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 15 The Harp Finds Its Space

Maeve Gilchrist Photos by J. Goodman Cold Spring musician her instrument as “an ancient version, much connection to that part of the world.” different backgrounds to come together in smaller, with a brighter tone, using levers at Above all, Gilchrist says, “I’m more inter- a space.” stands up for instrument the top, whereas with the classic harp you ested in building an aesthetic than being By Alison Rooney use pedals at the bottom.” In North America, known as a technically masterful musi- The Harpweaver is available on stream- “there is no traditional harping culture, so cian, though you can and should be both. ing services and vinyl. To view a video of the hough most Americans think of the people come to it here usually from classical I love the idea of creating a space full of album’s title track, “The Harpweaver,” that harp as a large instrument played routes. The price [of the instrument] elimi- new colors and sounds. Especially in the features the Aizuri Quartet and Kyle Sanna T while seated, in Scotland and nates whole groups of people. In Ireland and current climate, sometimes we lose focus and was filmed in part at the Chapel Resto- Ireland it’s a different instrument in name, Scotland, it’s much more accessible. Often of the power of art to allow for people of all ration in Cold Spring, see bit.ly/harpweaver. size and sometimes stance. in North America people aren’t aware of the If the musician is playing a smaller Celtic harp as a separate instrument, with instrument that resembles a lyre, it’s likely its own repertoire.” a Celtic harp, aka a Gaelic harp, or clarsach Gilchrist attended Berklee School of HOME HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. (Scotland) or clairseach (Ireland). Music in Boston to study voice but explored All of these terms resonate with Maeve many musical subjects. “They allowed Gilchrist, a Cold Spring resident and Celtic me to take the harp into guitar labs,” she harpist of Scottish and Irish parentage who recalls. “I was surrounded by unique musi- has just released her fifth album, The Harp- cians who came from all sorts of cultural weaver. backgrounds. It taught me to learn to listen deeply to others and listen for the space for me and my instrument.” She says of the harp, “it can do ethereal well, but it also has a range similar to a piano and it can produce driving, rhythmic sounds. The golden age of harp is yet to come.” Gilchrist often stands while she plays. 529 Route 9d, Garrison, NY 22 Valkyria Cold Spring, NY “My spine feels free and also it gives $1,995,000 $3,300,000 the harp presence onstage,” she says. “I often stamp my boot when I play — in an unthinking way, I’m keeping time. I’ll admit, though, that since COVID, I’ve been a lazy lump and sitting.” The album takes its name from a 1923 She was drawn to Cold Spring, like many poem, “The Ballad of the Harpweaver,” by others, because of its trails. “I grew up hill- Edna St. Vincent Millay, and far from being walking — that’s what we call it in Scotland. wholly ethereal and lulling, it pulls in elec- It’s a way to think in an uncluttered way,” tronic manipulation and Millay’s own reci- she says. “I was hiking in September [2019] tation of her poem, which is about a mother on Storm King when I got a Zillow alert and son facing bleak circumstances. about a cottage available in Cold Spring.” “This poem described beautifully how After moving in, she wrote most of the string 20 Forest Farm Rd Garrison, NY 58 Philipse Brook Rd, Garrison, NY the mother sat down and wove from the arrangements for the album there. strings,” Gilchrist explains. “I found an “The release does feel different — a project $4,900,000 $1,499,000 archival recording Millay made, in her of my heart,” she says. “A lot of the melodic wonderful charming transatlantic accent, material was inspired by old melodies my and it evoked the same nostalgic feelings grandparents might have had on the radio — The Locally Owned Market Leader as the melodies I was playing. In this time melodies I’ve loved, often dripping in senti- of pandemic, I hope it can give everyone a mentality. I’m interested in honing in on OFFICE: 140 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY suspended reality for a little while.” the idea of a nostalgia inherent in the music www.mccaffreyrealty.com Gilchrist, a native of Edinburgh, describes of the Celtic, even if you don’t have a literal 16 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Babyand Dog

Morning Math requires heat be turned on and blankets for occasional Morning Naps on the floor (he’s waking up too early) Photo by K. Martin

Kid Friendly I retreat to my bedroom office or studio shed or attic space. Or I bounce around the house cleaning, mitigating toddler wars or his feature is designed as a counterweight to all the bad Quiet Time scheduling the kids’ appointments. T news in the world that weighs people down. We could share During Remote Learning hours, I am a photo of a baby, or a photo of a dog, but we are giving you both. tech and emotional support to my two By Katie Hellmuth Martin How many newspapers can say that? Joe Gilmore and Rachel older ones and failed keeper of the calen- Thompson of Beacon shared this photo of their grandson, Jack n college, I was not the dar for classes that rotate every other week, Fernando Galeas, with Leo. If you have a photo of a baby and a type of person with all while the toddler pandemic pod runs I 30 friends. I was around downstairs with plastic swords. dog, submit it for consideration to [email protected]. a solitary type who When our Pack Leader goes home, I don’t fiercely loved those close any door. It’s not safe. What if I can’t friends that I did hear when someone needs me? What if have, even if they were someone climbs onto the counter? What if connected to other webs someone’s hair is being pulled out? of friends. And I needed alone time. That I started to realize that I’m not sure if meant that sometimes I closed the door to I’m cut out to live with all these people. C & E Paint Supply regain peace in the day. But in a pandemic I want to live alone! But I’d be lonely if Orders can be placed by phone or in-store. with Remote Learning, working from home my house weren’t sometimes busier than We provide in-store or curb-side pick-up. with three little kids and a private childcare Grand Central, or if I weren’t there when Masks must be worn in the store and, until social person for my toddler (we call her our Pack my toddler pinned me to the couch with distancing is no longer required, no dogs please. Leader), that’s not possible. his tiny arm and warm hand so that we can At the College of Charleston, living watch kid warriors hunt each other with NEW STORE HOURS: off-campus was the norm, so three of my Nerf guns on YouTube. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. friends and I rented an affordable house We had a mom friend hang out this week- in a “crime-watch zone,” which I now end for the first time in forever. She told me: Closed Saturday and Sunday recognize is a racist designation that does “I don’t have any brain space. We are all here something weird to the neighborhood. all of the time. They always need something. 158 Main Street As a solitary person, I lived well with my Why do we need to eat three meals every friends; we all closed our bedroom doors day?” What a relief. I wasn’t the only one. (845) 265-3126 when we needed to, and carried on. So I write this for you — the parent with I love doors. However, the following year, younger children whom you seem to bump after I moved to a beach house on Folly into constantly throughout the day. We Beach, my roommate across the hall was need to designate Quiet Time in front of offended when I would close my door at the our children so that they, too, can learn to dimming of the day. carve their own boundaries. We worked through the conflict. Closing Mornings used to be my safe zones. I my door wasn’t intended to offend her. It didn’t need to block anyone out — until my had nothing to do with her. I just needed 8-year-old began asking that I wake him so peace and quiet to realign. he can do his math homework. He uses the Later that year, I visited her home in New time to recount to me all of his dreams, his Orleans. There were no doors! Her bedroom realizations about the world, everything. didn’t have a door, nor did her brother’s Hearing this is important, but… bedroom. No doors on her parents’ room. My 10-year-old daughter used to rise No wonder she couldn’t handle the door! early, too, about three years ago. When I I continue to have trouble setting bound- told her about Morning Time and Quiet aries for my alone time, which today we Time, she didn’t like the concept, but I held would call an ingredient of “self-care.” fast. And she got to used it. Now, if I ask Working from home with my little ones, I something of her in the morning, she tells rarely close the door. When the Pack Leader me she is in her Quiet Time. I blow her a is here and Remote Learning is done, kiss and bow out. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 17

A twin-engine Beechcraft similar to the one that crashed on Mount Beacon in 1945. John Wayne and Fishkill Landing native Robert Montgomery in They Were Expendable (1945)

Robert Montgomery, a Fishkill Landing succeeded Wheaton Avis, who decided not native and Oscar-nominated actor who left to run for re-election but was one of four Looking Back in Beacon the industry in 1941 to become a naval offi- Republican candidates who won seats on By Chip Rowe was not working properly as he prepared cer, returned to his family farm between the five-member City Council. to leave a ferryboat to Highland, he stood in Pawling and Brewster. He said his first Three Beacon residents were the first Editor’s note: Beacon was created in 1913 the front of the vehicle to crank the engine. postwar film would be They Were Expend- searchers, at 3 a.m., to locate the site of a from Matteawan and Fishkill Landing. It started, and then plunged through the able, with John Wayne. plane crash on Mount Beacon that killed boat’s gates and into the river, taking Scho- An agricultural census found that six Navy men and officers. The twin-engine 150 Years Ago (November 1870) field with it. Schofield, who worked at the Dutchess County had the largest increase in transport had crashed about noon the previ- The Odd-Fellows of Matteawan “were Merchants Saving Bank in Beacon and was farms in the state since 1940, with a gain of ous day (Nov. 11) in heavy fog on Bald Rock sorely exercised,” according to The New on a hunting trip, was pulled from the river 668. Beacon had 39 farms, which was more ridge. More than 200 Navy men arrived in York Times, “by the receipt of a letter from as he struggled to swim in his hip boots and than Fishkill (22) or Poughkeepsie (25). buses to clear a path through the under- a prominent brother who was supposed to overcoats but lost his two hunting dogs and J. Lewis Bolton was elected mayor of brush to carry each body on a stretcher 2.5 have died some time previously and for whom guns worth $250, along with his vehicle. Beacon, defeating Reginald Conklin. He (Continued on Page 18) they had gone to the trouble of hanging their Ferdinand Hoyt, of Beacon City Court, lodge room with emblems of mourning, and said he believed he had set a Dutchess engrossing elaborate resolutions, etc.” County record for officiating at marriages after performing 48 in 13 months. 125 Years Ago (November 1895) A jury awarded real-estate broker John Oliver Curtis Perry, a notorious train Knox Sr. $425 after he filed suit against the robber, was returned by train to the owner of a Beacon home, Samuel LaMont, Matteawan asylum for insane criminals who sold the house on his own but refused from the state prison in Auburn. He had to pay the 5 percent commission. been sent upstate the previous June after James Eroh, who had served in the Small being judged to be sane. But at the prison, French army for four years, returned to he attempted to put a needle into his eye Beacon with a French wife. in an apparent bid to be returned to the Because of a shortage, John Cronin, the FFERINGSth th asylum. He was brought in a sleeping car commissioner of public safety, ordered the NOVEMBER 7 to NOVEMBER 29 ,2020 attached to a mail train watched over by city attorney to draft an ordinance restrict- O two guards and shackled by his hands and ing the sale of coal. One firm, the Long feet to another inmate on his way to Sing Dock Coal Co., had refused to cooperate in Sing. The group changed to the local train rationing. Cronin said coal could only be John Allen Lucille Tortora at Poughkeepsie. “Perry was on his good sold to residents and that no one could buy behavior, but was peevish, and the curious more than 1 ton at a time. Grey Zeien Tim D’Acquisto crowd that stared at him on the platform The Decker Press at 537 Main St. was annoyed him,” reported a Buffalo paper. offered for sale, including its machinery Martee Levi Grace Kennedy O.V. Sage, the warden at Sing Sing, said and stock. he would replace the kerosene lamps in John Gantvoord, a Glenham resident and cells with electric lights to prevent inmates president of the National Oven Co., was Pat Hickman Nancy Steinson from setting fire to their beds in an attempt towing a car with his 14-year-old son at the to be judged insane and sent to a hospital or wheel when the boy lost control on Fishkill Bill Kooistra Ursula Schneider the Matteawan asylum. He said the system Avenue and struck two pedestrians. would allow guards to turn the lights off The Glenham Embroidery Co. near Eleni Smolen Maria Pia Marrella and on rather than relying on prisoners to Beacon announced it would close its stitch- light and extinguish their lamps. ing department because of the decline in Ada Pilar Cruz Barbara Smith Gioia demand from New England woolen mills. 100 Years Ago (November 1920) The decision was expected to put 200 The day after the general election, the people, mostly girls, out of work. Poughkeepsie Eagle-News reported the vote GALLERY HOURS: SATURDAY TO SUNDAY 12:00 -5:00 pm totals for Dutchess County with the excep- 75 Years Ago (November 1945) BUSTER LEVI tion of Beacon, where it reported that as of Police said a 12-year-old boy was respon- 121 MAIN ST. COLD SPRING, NY 10516 G A L L E R Y 3 a.m. the count was still “badly muddled.” sible for splashing black printer’s ink on WWW.BUSTERLEVIGALLERY.COM When the self-starter on a touring car Halloween on the freshly painted white owned by Howard Schofield of Beacon doors of a Verplanck Avenue merchant. AD_PRINT_NOV_2020.indd 1 11/9/20 2:56 PM 18 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

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Commodore Dixie Kiefer identified as a fugitive. In July, Famiglietti Kathyrine M. Tomann (from Page 17) Looking Back was shot dead after he wounded a highway HOULIHAN LAWRENCE miles down the mountain. Among the dead patrolman in Tennessee.] ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER was Commodore Dixie Kiefer, 49, who had The Forrestal Heights housing project office 845-265-5500 X326 | cell 914-204-0415 been so frequently wounded in two World filled the last of its 71 high-rise apartments. [email protected] Wars that James V. Forrestal, a Beacon Lionel Frank, a director of the Beacon native who was then secretary of the Navy, Chamber of Commerce, said a “sensible called him “the indestructible man.” compromise” was being pursued on the Police recovered a gold retirement watch fate of the Van Wyck house near Interstate presented to the late City Judge Thomas 84. Frank said the Chamber felt the home Ann McBride-Alayon Hassett that had been stolen during a should be moved away from the freeway but HUDSON RIVER LINE REALTY | REAL ESTATE BROKER burglary in August, but the inscription members of the Fishkill Historical Society inside had been removed. wanted it to remain. 718-637-3143 | [email protected] The Beacon Patrolmen’s Benevolent Robert Musgrove, superintendent of the www.hudsonriverlinerealty.com Association held its 15th annual dance on Beacon school district, said the most likely a Wednesday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at site for a new high school was a 65-acre tract the Beacon High School gym, featuring Bob on North Road across from the Fisherman’s Cronin and his NBC Orchestra. Inn. The district considered an area near the A 27-year-old Beacon man was arrested by Rombout School, to the left of the entrance Donna Francis state troopers on charges he stole $20,000 gates of the Matteawan State Hospital, but JON CAR REALTY | ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER worth of diamond rings and other jewelry Matteawan said the property was not for from a Glenham home where he had been sale. A 20-acre parcel the district owned 845-522-1298 | [email protected] hired to paint. Police said they found spots of adjoining the Craig House property was not www.joncarrealty.com paint on the dresser drawers in the bedroom. large enough, Musgrove said. A 31-year-old Beekman Street resident The Beacon school board voted to create who had recently been discharged from the girls’ sports at the high school, starting with Army was killed when a pot stove exploded basketball and volleyball. It also voted to ask in his cellar. His father-in-law survived the state Education Department for permis- Abbie Carey with head injuries. The medical examiner sion to allow girls to compete with boys in HOULIHANABBIE LAWRENCE CAREY Associate Real Estate Broker said the victim died of shock after his left “non-body contact sports” such as tennis, ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER leg was blown off. Police said that the men skiing, cross-country, track, golf and bowling. Cold Spring Brokerage • O .. Ext.  845-661-5438 | [email protected] apparently neglected to open a valve in the Murray Milligan, a former Beacon High www.abbiecarey.houlihanlawrence.comM .. • [email protected] stove after lighting the wood inside. School football standout, was leading the Thank you to my amazing clients for helping me earn the undefeated Marist College club team in rush- honor of a HoulihanLawrence Gold Award Winner. 50 Years Ago (November 1970) ing with 550 yards and seven touchdowns. Two prisoners described as “extremely The City Council approved the construc- dangerous” escaped from the Matteawan tion by the Beacon Urban Renewal Agency Charlotte Brooks State Hospital after sawing through the bars of a 123-unit low- and moderate-income ROBERT A. MCCAFFREY REALTY in the dining hall window. (A third patient housing development at South and Davies ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER was captured after he fell while scaling a avenues. The proposed rents were $102.90 917-951-2241 | [email protected] fence and broke his leg.) Robert Barteski, 38, to $157.02 per month. www.CharlotteFBrooks.com of Long Island, was a convicted rapist charged Planners said as many as 200 homes and in the shooting of a New York City police offi- 60 businesses could be displaced by a north- cer, and Joseph Famiglietti, 32, of the Bronx, south arterial highway being proposed to was an accused robber. [After their escape, the run from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to men stole a car and drove to Atlanta. Barteski Dutchess Junction. The Poughkeepsie Jour- Advertise your real estate business here. was arrested in December after a gunfight nal noted that conservative residents such with police, but mistakenly discharged from as H. Mortimer Brockway and liberals such CONTACT: 845-809-5584 | [email protected] the hospital; he was re-arrested in January. as Pete Seeger joined forces to oppose the Famiglietti was arrested in Florida in Janu- plan. “If a cyclone wiped out 200 homes, Michele Gedney highlandscurrent.org/ads ary while using an alias — and with $42,000 it would be called a disaster,” Seeger said. in cash — but released on bail before being “Now we’re asked to call it progress.” highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 19

Jessica Cruz-Strika with Marley Charlie at the Bean Cat Cafe Photos by B. Cronin

Rescue Sanctuary in Poughkeepsie, which The women shriek like teenagers and pull handles any adoptions. Cruz-Strika says out their phones to take pictures. Where the Cool Cats Go her goal is to help 300 find new homes by “This is why I opened this place,” says New coffee shop combines In March, about a week before the this time next year. Cruz-Strika, watching the scene. “I would COVID-19 shutdown, Cruz-Strika quit Since the cats moved in earlier this week, have 100 percent been those girls.” the best things in life her job to focus on opening the cafe. The the display windows have often been filled pandemic slowed that process but also with the faces of passersby. As Uptown Boy Beans Cat Cafe will be open from 9 a.m. By Brian PJ Cronin gave her time to navigate the regulatory continues his rigorous cleansing, two young to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call lthough Beacon’s latest cafe hasn’t and logistical challenges of opening up an women pause at the window and point at 845-630-9195. Customers can make reser- opened yet, owner Jessica Cruz- eatery populated by animals, she said. him. He stops and bounds up to the ledge, vations at bit.ly/beans-cat-cafe to visit the Strika has the regulars figured out. First up was finding a landlord willing to inches from the women on the other side cat lounge, although there will also be walk- A of the glass, kneading his paws on a pillow. in slots. There’s Charlie, who’s warming up after a allow multiple cats in a commercial space, hard life on the streets of Newburgh; Marley, and then convincing the city to permit it. who’s smart and outgoing; Autumn, who’s The “cat lounge” is separated by a glass shy and prefers to hang out in the back of wall, keeping the felines away from the the cafe. Louisa is a runner, along with the food and beverage operations. The space, one nicknamed Uptown Boy who is sitting formerly the Sexy Nails salon, already had HOWLAND in the corner, quietly licking his butt. a robust ventilation system. CULTURAL These five — along with Becky, a dead After making a purchase, customers will CENTER ringer for Louisa — are the founding cats of be able to sit at a table outside the lounge if they want to observe the cats. If they want Beans Cat Cafe, a combination coffee shop Sat. Nov. 14 – 8 pm* and cat adoption agency that opens Satur- to hang with the cats, it’s $7 for a half-hour LIVESTREAM: THE ARTICHOKE Storytelling series day (Nov. 14) at 325 Main St. or $12.50 for an hour, with a limit of six Tix: www.artichokeshow.com (*includes on-demand access) The concept isn’t unique; Cruz-Strika people and health restrictions in place, estimates there are least 120 “cat cafes” in including masks. The brave or foolish can the U.S. But it’s a perfect fit for the former bring in their laptops and attempt to work restaurant manager, who was smitten in — just like at home. When a cat needs a 2017 when her husband brought home two break, it can retreat to an “employees-only” kittens. section of the lounge. “I wasn’t allowed to have cats as a kid,” A bulletin board has details about the she explains. “So I dove headfirst into crazy history and personality of each cat, who cat lady.” come from the Hudson Valley Animal

Sun. Nov. 15 – 8 pm STREAM: JESSE MILLS and RIEKO AIZAWA Classical violin and piano www.howlandmusic.org, sponsored by ALIVEmusica Sat. Nov. 21 – 1 to 5 pm HOLIDAY SMALL GIFT SHOW 25 artisans’ creations for sale! Continues each Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon thru Dec. 21 plus 22 and 23 Sat. Nov. 21 – 8 pm LIVESTREAM: JAMIE SAFT, piano Presented by Elysium Furnace Works Avant-blues, improvised musics of all kinds Tix: howlandculturalcentertix.com AND MORE Fri. Nov. 13, 7 pm – Hudson Valley Poets pre-reg for recording session: [email protected] Sat. Dec. 5, 8 pm – LIVESTREAM: The Valley Hour Musical Variety Show HCC will NOT be open for in-person audience during performances 477 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 www.howlandculturalcenter.org (845) 831-4988 facebook.com/howlandcenterbeacon howlandculturalcentertix.com 20 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

higher over 10 days and 15 or more new that we will have a ZIP code or two that book town hall on Wednesday that 30 cases (from Page 1) Virus Surge cases per 100,000 residents (i.e., about 15 exceeds the state threshold,” he said. have been confirmed among residents and Putnam has averaged 3.2 percent this month cases) on a 7-day average. On Tuesday, nearly 5,000 people tested staff at the Fishkill Center for Rehabilita- compared to 1.5 percent in October. On Wednesday (Nov. 11), the 7-day rolling positive for COVID-19 statewide, a thresh- tion and Nursing in Beacon, and that two On Oct. 17, Cuomo announced a “micro- positivity rate in Dutchess was 2.4 percent old last reached in late April, although the people have died. cluster” strategy to identify COVID-19 and the average in Putnam was 4.1 percent. state was testing far fewer people then. Marist College in Poughkeepsie is also outbreaks and target testing and enforce- One of the restrictions for counties in the The number of people hospitalized state- battling an outbreak, with 80 cases, he ment of masks and social-distancing. yellow zone is a requirement that a school wide has been rising steadily since Sept. 5; said. The college said on Tuesday that it was Hot spots are designated by their average test at least 20 percent of its students and the 1,677 patients admitted on Wednesday extending until today a campus-wide “pause,” positivity rate and number of cases, with staff weekly. At the Garrison School, Super- constituted the highest total since June 13. with all classes held remotely and all other metrics differing by size of the county. If intendent Carl Albano said the district does On Sept.14, Cuomo announced that New activities, including sports, canceled. cases increase, the area progresses through not have the capability to do that, so that York had its 38th straight day with a posi- By Wednesday, Dutchess’ active case yellow, orange and red zones. school would go to 100 percent virtual tive rate under 1 percent. On Wednesday, total had grown to 381, compared to 107 There were eight yellow zones in the state learning if Putnam enters the yellow zone. the rate was 2.95 percent. on Sept. 15. The total included 10 cases in as of Nov. 11, including one in Orange County, Other restrictions in the yellow zone The governor and local officials say the Beacon. and four orange zones, in Brooklyn and Rock- would include limiting worship services to increase has been expected as the weather The majority of the cases in Dutchess, land, Westchester and Chemung counties. 50 percent capacity and restaurant dining cools and people spend more time indoors. Molinaro said, are from “ordinary socializa- In Dutchess, a yellow designation would to four people per table. The restrictions get “If you do the contact tracing, you’ll see tion,” particularly family members infect- be triggered with a seven-day rolling average tighter in the orange and red zones. they’re coming from three main areas: ing each other. “We’re moving toward the case rate of 3 percent or higher over 10 days Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County establishments where alcohol is served, same pace of new cases that we were expe- and 12 or more new cases per 100,000 resi- executive, said the county is preparing for gyms and indoor gatherings at private riencing earlier during the year,” he said. dents (i.e., about 36 cases) on a 7-day average. a rapid response to any areas that appear homes,” Cuomo said, explaining his restric- Putnam County, which updates its dash- In Putnam, it would be a seven-day roll- on the verge of becoming a micro-cluster. tion order. board weekly, showed 71 active cases as of ing average case rate of 3.5 percent or “That’s what we are prepared for next: Molinaro said during his weekly Face- Nov. 5, compared to 20 on Sept. 25.

Councilor John Van Tassel observed that of “how sad I am not being able to access ¢ Shea and Nancy Montgomery, who repre- (from Page 3) HVSF a play staged “from that spot, with that Constitution Marsh” and the Audubon sents Philipstown in the Putnam County and I needed a permanent solution” for view [of the Hudson River valley], is going preserve. She said the lack of nearby park- Legislature, reported meeting with a represen- maintaining the site, Davis said. “It was just to be spectacular, unreal.” ing makes visits with children difficult and tative of Optimum after customer complaints this incredible confluence. I’m delighted to suggested that a van or trolley might run about spotty service. Montgomery said they be gifting them the land.” Other business from Cold Spring. learned that Optimum plans to bring fiber- Calling HVSF “a community institution,” ¢ Resident Greg MacGarva reported that Shea said that, “ultimately, it needs a optic systems to Philipstown, although it said Philipstown Supervisor Richard Shea said since the town banned parking on Indian pedestrian-friendly solution,” such as a other areas are higher on its list. that “it’s incredibly exciting to see all the Brook Road in Garrison, “we’re seeing just sidewalk from the village, although that synergies” in the project. He predicted it hikers, which we welcome.” would require state Department of Trans- Visit highlandscurrent.org for news would have little impact on its surroundings. But another resident, Krystal Ford, spoke portation involvement and take time. updates and latest information.

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and corrections officers received $2.8 (from Page 3) Sheriff Overtime million in overtime, that 48 of the top 100 Are we cutting patrols: Yes or no?” highest-paid county employees in 2019 “We all want police protection,” Nacer- were deputies who earned an average of ino responded. “I take offense to this scare $128,430 with overtime and that three tactic.” She argued that Langley should deputies made more than the sheriff. return with comprehensive data on over- “I am not disparaging the efforts of the time needs through Dec. 31. “It’s just keep- hardworking men and women of the Sher- ing a vigilant eye on where the money is iff’s Department, but overtime costs need going and how it’s being spent,” she said. to be managed in every department or they Sullivan added that “the taxpayers are continue to grow,” she said. electing us to do what we’re doing.” Noting that the Sheriff’s Department Legislator William Gouldman of Putnam operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Valley echoed Langley’s comment that Langley responded that “to ensure public some towns rely on the Sheriff’s Depart- safety and the safety of our deputies, a The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium on Route 9D outside Beacon. HVR ment. He also reminded his colleagues that minimum number of patrols” must be Langley’s request simply moves dollars maintained, which often means deputies from one place to another, at no additional work overtime. (from Page 1) Renegades cost to taxpayers. He urged the committee Addressing supposed salary anomalies, between major- and minor-league base- Yankee to “please put this through for a vote” by he said “the fact that deputies made more ball that will shrink the number of minor- Minor-League Teams the full Legislature. than the sheriff,” an elected official who league teams from 160 to 120 nationwide, Legislator Paul Jonke of Southeast, who holds a salaried position, “says that these with many short-season and rookie teams AAA: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, chairs the committee, attempted to do so outstanding members of the department being absorbed into what will be known as Pennsylvania, since 2007 but neither Nacerino nor Sullivan, the are dedicated to serving the community the Prospect Development Pipeline. other two members, supported the motion, AA: Somerset Patriots, Bridgewater, and this agency.” The short-season New York-Penn League, New Jersey, beginning 2021 and the $101,192 transfer failed. Langley also claimed his administra- in which the Renegades played from 1994 Outside the Legislature, Odell, a Repub- tion follows the same practices as his through 2019, has been eliminated. High A: Hudson Valley Renegades, lican, and Langley, a Democrat, issued predecessors but “it seems that standard The Renegades in 2018 agreed to a five- Dutchess Stadium, beginning 2021 dueling statements. The county executive business practices acceptable under past year extension of their lease with Dutchess asserted on Monday (Nov. 9) that she and Low A: Tampa Tarpons, Florida, since 1994 administrations now raise questions by County of the 4,500-seat stadium after the the legislators must “see that taxpayer the county when the duly elected sheriff Legislature approved $2.4 million in bond would have to transition into a full-season funds are spent wisely. Our focus on does not share the same party line.” The funding to make repairs and upgrade the Single-A affiliate,” it said. overtime spending has never been more Sheriff’s Department “puts the people first facility. In 2019 the club unveiled new “The determination was made that the necessary, especially due to the devastat- to ensure their safety and constitutional stadium chairs with backs and, in some Hudson Valley would be best for our play- ing economic effects resulting from the rights,” he wrote. “This sheriff does not sections, seat cushions, and the concrete ers, especially given the long-term and COVID-19 pandemic.” play personal politics with public safety or seating bowl and other surfaces were tremendously beneficial relationship we She said that last year, deputy sheriffs any aspect of the office of sheriff.” repaired throughout the ballpark. have had with Marvin Goldklang [owner The Beacon school district, which owns of the Renegades], who is a longstanding the 21 acres of land beneath the stadium, partner and associate of the Steinbrenner earlier this year extended its $29,000 annual family and the Yankees,” the team said. lease with the county through August 2021. “The Goldklang Group operates Charles- The board is expected to discuss selling the ton — our Low Single-A affiliate from property, which it has rented to the county 2005 through last season — which will for more than two decades. no longer fall under the Yankees’ minor- The Yankees, in a statement, said they league umbrella. Additionally, Rookie- considered moving their High Single-A Level Pulaski [Virginia] will not be part affiliate to Staten Island instead of the of the Yankees’ minor-league system.” Hudson Valley. “However, as the number The Yankees will keep their affiliation of our minor-league affiliates have been with their top-level minor-league team limited, we did not have the confidence in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. THANKSGIVING PLANNING that the organization could continue to At the Double-A level, the Yankees are allow us to develop our players in the best moving their affiliation after 18 seasons CONTINUES AT ST. MARY’S possible way, especially since the team from Trenton to Somerset. The calls have been overwhelming, and the community has come together once again to assist one another. We need more help and appreciate your efforts this year as we plan NEWS BRIEFS for a drive-by and delivery gift of a Thanksgiving Feast. Riverview Restaurant is again at the helm and steadfast support of Jimmy Ely will be roasting them to perfection. Last week we asked for cooked turkeys, but with Jimmy in the kitchen for the community once Granite Mountain to Dutchess Names again, we are asking for frozen, or fresh turkeys. Close Nov. 21 to 29 Inclusion Officer On the menu for the day are donated turkey’s (please call Tara, we need 12-14 fresh or Will allow deer hunters to cull herd Tasked with increasing diversity in frozen turkeys delivered to the Riverview Restaurant on or before November 18th). Also, workforce on the menu is Riverview’s butternut squash soup. Now it is your turn and where we need he Granite Mountain Preserve in community support. All the holiday trimmings are needed; yes, mashed potatoes, sweet T Putnam Valley, which is owned and utchess County on Oct. 30 announced potatoes, frozen peas, your favorite stuffing recipe, and pumpkin and apple pies. All will be managed by the Hudson Highlands Land Dit had named a new equal employment picked up and delivered from your kitchen to the community to share thanks and giving Trust, will be closed to visitors from Nov. 21 with your friends and neighbors anonymously. Please call Tara to discuss our remaining opportunity and inclusion officer. needs for food donations, an, of course cash contributions are always welcome. to 29 for its annual deer-hunting program. Josayne Anderson-Tejera, who began Nov. Only deer hunters with a valid state 2, is responsible for increasing the diversity of Please contact Tara Flagler at (845) 337-0236 to offer your services; or to make dinner Department of Environmental Conserva- the county government’s workforce and at the (meal) reservations, which are required. Reservations and donations can also be made tion license and a permit from the land 73 municipal workforces the county oversees. on-line at: trust will be allowed access during the She succeeds Jody Miller, who will closure. Much of the preserve is experienc- continue as chair of the county’s Human bit.ly/cs-thanksgiving ing deer-browse damage to its understory Rights Commission. Most recently, Ander- vegetation. For information, email nicole. son-Tejera was the acting equal opportu- by Sunday, November 22nd at 12 noon. Turkeys need to be delivered no later than Friday December 19th. Please call ahead to confirm all participation or donation of food; we are [email protected]. nity specialist in the Office of Diversity already over limit with cranberry sauce, thank you again for your generous support. and Inclusion at the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 22 November 13, 2020 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

OBITUARIES Ray Champlin (1931-2020) She was born May 29, and a great-granddaughter, Olivia. 1932, in Garrison, the A funeral service took place on Nov. 8 at Current Raymond H. Champlin, daughter of John and White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral Home 89, a lifelong resident of Maria Immacolota in Newburgh, followed by burial at Mount Nelsonville, died Nov. 4 at (Devarti) Verlingieri. St. Mary Cemetery in Queens. Classifieds the New York State Veter- Rose worked for Sono- Memorial donations may be made to the ans’ Home at Montrose. tone/Marathon Battery in Cold Spring for Vails Gate Fire Co., P.O. Box 101, Vails Gate, He was born April 30, many years. She was a longtime parishioner at NY 12584. FREE STUFF 1931, in Cold Spring, the son of Norman and Our Lady of Loretto Church, a member of the Mabel (Mekeel) Champlin. He is survived by Philipstown Senior Citizens and a poll worker. OAK CHAIRS — Used for pews at the St. his wife of 59 years, the former Anne Hopper. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Mary Ellen Scofield (1959-2020) Andrew-St. Luke Episcopal Church, 15 Ray graduated from Haldane High Immorlica, her children, Mary Gumina Mary Ellen Scofield, 61, who grew up in South Ave. sanctuary in Beacon are free for the taking. Small donations welcomed. For School in 1948 and attended the University (Paul), Joseph Immorlica Jr. (Bridget), Beacon and worked at information, call 845-831-1369. at Albany, where he majored in education. Angelo Immorlica (Lisa), 10 grandchildren Gallagher Deli, Fisch’s After earning his degree, he joined the U.S. and 10 great-grandchildren. Jeans, Beacon Sneaker Army and served as part of the peacekeep- A Mass of Christian Burial was cele- and Bob’s Corner Store, REAL ESTATE ing force in Germany after World War II. brated on Nov. 10 at Our Lady of Loretto, and was known for her After returning home in 1955, he began with burial at Cold Spring Cemetery. Halloween parties and LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE — To share teaching math and science at Haldane. He Memorial donations may be made to the holiday decorations, died Nov. 5. 2-bedroom with private patio, first floor. also was an assistant football coach for 15 Alzheimer’s Foundation (alz.org). She was born June 23, 1959, the daughter All ages welcome; shares only for honest seasons and launched the tennis program of Michael and Maryann (Antalek) Davis. roomies. Call 914-258-9856. in 1964, coaching for 26 years until his (1952-2020) Mary Ellen had a deep love of the arts, retirement. Rich Lucchesi her family said. In her youth, she was a SERVICES In 1989, after 34 years at the school, Ray Richard J. Lucchesi, passionate fashion designer. During her retired on the day his son Jon graduated. 68, of Cold Spring, and downtime, she enjoyed tending to her PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR WRITING formerly of New Wind- In 2018, he was elected into the Haldane garden, sitting by her pool in the screen AND STUDY SKILLS — Local expert Athletic Hall of Fame for his coaching sor, died Nov. 3 while house that her sons built for her, and going coach in writing and study skills offers tenure. Not being one to sit around, after he waited outside the to the beach any chance she could get. guidance to students from middle school his retirement he taught part-time at Methodist Church for She is survived by husband, Kevin through graduate school. NYU MA, editor, Marist College and IBM and conducted SAT the polls to open. Scofield; her sons, Jason Fisch (Chrissy) writer, educator, experienced with kids preparation classes and tutoring. He was born in New York City on Jan. 24, and Jack Fisch (Faye Guarneri); and her and adult learners. Remote for now. Email He was a lifetime member of the Cold 1952, the son of Anthony and Ann Marie grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Michael, Naomi and [email protected]. Spring Baptist church (now Church on the (Barresi) Lucchesi. Nathan. She is also survived by her siblings: CARETAKER AVAILABLE — Caretaker with Hill) and served for many years as a trustee Rich, who was known to co-workers as Michael Davis (Ann), Kevin Davis (Karen), 20+ years’ experience available to: manage for the Butterfield Library. “gadgetman,” was a retired master electri- Timmy Davis (Terri Anne) and Terry Davis operations of property; maintenance; In addition to his wife and son, Ray is cian with IBEW Local No. 363 in Harriman. (Andrea), as well as an uncle, Fred Antalek. repairs; gardening; landscaping; pool care; convenience services (errands); pet care, misc. survived by his grandchildren, Michael He enjoyed hiking, kayaking and riding his A Mass of Christian Burial was held Nov. Flexible to a variety of needs. Resume and Champlin and Matthew Champlin. Harley Davidson. 13 at St. John the Evangelist Church in A service will be held in December at the He is survived by his mother; his wife, Nanci references available. Contact Greg at 914-618- Beacon. Memorial donations may be made 2779 or [email protected]. Church on the Hill. Memorial donations may Sobier-Maier; his children: Thomas Lucchesi to a charity of choice. be made to the Blue Devil Booster Club, 15 (Elizabeth) of New Windsor; Dawnmarie Craigside Drive, Cold Spring, NY 10516 or Busweiler (Michael) of the Town of Newburgh TAG SALE? Car for sale? the Butterfield Library, 10 Morris Ave., Cold and Maryann Williams (Dennis) of Highland; Other Recent Deaths Space for rent? Help wanted? Spring, NY 10516 (butterfieldlibrary.org). his former spouse and the mother of his chil- Place your ad here for $4.95. dren, Kathleen Lucchesi of New Windsor; Beacon See highlandscurrent.org/ his brothers, Michael Lucchesi (Patricia) of Fr. Pius Caccaville, 97 (1932-2020) classifieds. Rose Immorlica East Meadow, New York, and John Lucchesi Betty Durlacher, 77 Frederick Rosa, 65 Rose M. Immorlica, 88, a lifelong resident (Laurine) of Sea Cliff; his grandchildren: Kris- Ruth Gallagher, 89 Mike Solicito, 78 of Cold Spring, died Nov. 4. tina, Joseph, Faith, Katelyn, Landon and TJ; Doris Riccoboni, 73 Maria Stephens, 97

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Answers for Nov. 6 Puzzles                        Puzzle Page Sponsored by           Country Goose  115 Main St. Cold Spring, NY 10516 1. PADS, 2. CLASHES, 3. KIEV, 4. HERBIVOROUS, 5. GOULDING, 6. SKIPPING, 7. SASS 845-265-2122 Answers will be published next week. See highlandscurrent.org/puzzle for interactive sudoku. 24 November 13, 2020 For mail delivery, see highlandscurrent.org/delivery SPORTS Follow us at twitter.com/hcurrentsports Girls’ Tennis Beacon Defeats Hendrick Hudson for First Time By Skip Pearlman Haldane’s O’Hara and McBride, 8-3; and Gretta Anderson and Tamar Adams he Beacon High School girls’ tennis defeated Isabella Crofts and Shields, 8-0. team, with a come-from-behind, Brianna Moleano and Lina Ahmed of T 4-3 victory on Tuesday (Nov. 10), Beacon won at fourth doubles, 8-4. defeated rival Hendrick Hudson for the The Bulldogs (4-4) were scheduled to first time. The match was finished after play their final match on Thursday (Nov. being suspended on an earlier date. 12) against Brewster; the team did not send Hendrick Hudson won a second match anyone to last week’s regional tournament. The Ketcham keeper corrals a loose against the Bulldogs also played on Tues- “We had a tough schedule, but we split ball in the box during Beacon's win. day, 5-2. with Hen Hud, and that’s good,” Coach In completing the suspended competi- David Ryley said. “Lourdes is on another tion, Beacon fell behind 3-1 before winning Boys’ Soccer level, but we’re gaining on them. I’m happy the final three singles matches. Junior with how they finished.” He noted that Maura Lane won at first singles, 8-5; soph- Farah Jaafar most of the team will return next season, Beacon Suffers omore Farah Jaafar won 8-6, and sopho- and Beacon has a strong junior varsity. more Isabelle Ray won 8-7 (10-6). Amanda Johnson, 8-2. “This year the wins and losses didn’t First Two Losses On Nov. 6, the Bulldogs defeated The doubles team of Lindsay Darcy and mean nearly as much as getting to play,” Haldane, 6-1. In the singles matches, Lane Emma Sanderson picked up an 8-4 win Ryley said. “I’m so glad for the girls that we By Skip Pearlman defeated Mairead O’Hara, 8-6; Jaafar lost over Maya Osborn and Fiona Shanahan; got to have some kind of season.” to Caroline Nelson, 8-1; and Ray defeated Kelly Murphy and Alex Moroch defeated he Beacon High School boys’ soccer team suffered its first two T losses of the season last week against larger schools but picked up a 3-1 Girls’ Soccer win over Ketcham on Monday (Nov. 9). The Bulldogs, who are in Class A, fell at home on Nov. 5 to Class AA North Rock- Haldane Gets land, 2-1, and on Nov. 6 to John Jay of East Fishkill, 1-0. First Win Against Ketcham, the Bulldogs (7-2) trailed 1-0 at halftime but Chase Green By Skip Pearlman scored for Beacon 12 seconds into the second half, converting a pass from he Haldane High School girls’ Warren Banks to tie it. Banks scored 10 soccer team picked up its first win minutes later, assisted by Green, and T of the season Tuesday (Nov. 10) at Dillon Kelly closed out the scoring on a Beacon, avenging an earlier loss to the corner kick off a pass from Miguel Ruiz. rival Bulldogs. Coach Craig Seaman said that while his Sydney Warren’s second-half goal, team dominated possession in the first assisted by Bianca Harmancin on a corner half, “we adjusted our alignment slightly” kick, was the difference in the Blue Devils’ in the second half by using two forwards. 2-1 victory. Beacon had defeated Haldane Ruiz moved to defensive midfield and in Cold Spring by the same score on Oct. 24. sophomore Jack Philipbar “gave us some The Blue Devils (1-7-1) scored first, just good minutes off the bench,” the coach under 15 minutes in, when Chloe Rowe said. finished a pass from Maddie Chiera. Gabby The 1-0 loss to John Jay was “proba- Del Castillo answered for the Bulldogs bly our best game of the year,” Seaman (4-5) on a free kick. “It was great to pick up our first win said. “It could have gone either way; we Haldane's Essie Florke (5) controls the ball with Beacon's Devyn Kelly (21) in pursuit. missed a penalty kick that would have against a solid Beacon team,” said Haldane Photos by S. Pearlman tied it. I was pleased knowing that we can Coach Steve Schweikhart. “When Beacon scrambled for opportunities. whom Schweikhart called “probably the compete with them.” equalized in the second, the girls didn’t “We pressed and pressed, but couldn’t best squad we’ve faced all year — very tech- In the game against North Rockland, hang their heads, they kept fighting. break through,” Alzate said. “They nical, very organized and lots of speed. We Green scored, assisted by Banks. Lucas Beacon had just suffered what looked like defended us well.” gave up a goal in the first two minutes and had 10 saves in goal for the Bulldogs, who a serious injury, and I think their minds On Monday (Nov. 9), Beacon lost at never recovered.” were playing their first game in nine days. were with their teammate a bit when play Walter Panas, 2-0. “It was a pretty even The Bulldogs were scheduled to face Beacon was scheduled to face Hendrick restarted.” game, we possessed phenomenally and Ketcham on Thursday (Nov. 12) and Hudson on Thursday (Nov. 12) and Arling- Del Castillo, a team captain and top outshot them,” Alzate said. “The mask Hendrick Hudson on Saturday. Haldane ton today (Nov. 13) to finish the season defender for the Bulldogs, broke her fibula break [midway through each half] has is set to close its season at North Salem before the playoffs begin. The Bulldogs and will miss the rest of the season. “I been killing us at times. We’ve been play- on Saturday. will likely receive a first-round bye in the thought we had momentum on our side,” ing well and have to stop and the opposi- Beacon will play in the sectional playoffs five-team Dutchess County bracket and said Beacon Coach Hugo Alzate. “But the tion gets to regroup.” next week in the Dutchess County division advance to the semifinals on Wednesday girls were devastated after the injury.” Haldane lost to Arlington, 2-1, on Nov. and Haldane against other Putnam and (Nov. 18). After Haldane took the lead, Beacon 6, and on Wednesday fell 6-0 at Lourdes, upper Westchester teams. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current November 13, 2020 C your MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

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