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December 20, 2019 Support us at highlandscurrent.org/join Former Cold Spring Trustee Arrested by FBI Charged with attempted child enticement

By Chip Rowe

harles E. “Chuck” Hustis III, a former two-term Village of Cold Spring trustee and recent mayoral A sampling of LIC Rocks (above) and Rock Girl places a rock on the bench outside The Current office in Cold Spring. Photos by M. Turton C candidate, was arrested by the FBI on Monday (Dec. 16) and charged with Current tracked down the mother-daugh- both “hidden in plain sight.” One was attempted enticement of a minor to Mystery Rocks ter team behind the secretive stones. They simply painted beautifully but the other engage in sexual activity, according to agreed to meet on the condition they be contained a welcome message. “I found a federal officials. Mother-daughter team referred to only as Rock Mom and Rock rock inscribed with ‘You are Strong’ at a Girl because no one in Long Island City has moment when I needed the sentiment, at a pays it forward been able to identify them. low point in my day,” Currelley said. “The By Michael Turton “That’s part of the fun,” Rock Mom said. idea of LIC Rocks is wonderful: Giving The team, which calls itself LIC Rocks, without reward, encouraging people to ast year, residents of Long Island visits the Highlands often and recently open their hearts and paying forward.” City in Queens were mystified when decided to make its mark here. Stones have Both mother and daughter admit to asking L hand-painted stones, many bearing been placed at Garrison Landing, on Main neighbors who they think is behind the rock messages, appeared in their neighborhood. Street in Cold Spring and on Main Street and conundrum, as a bit of misdirection. Now, these mysterious rocks are showing at the waterfront in Beacon. The adventure began last winter when up in Garrison, Cold Spring and Beacon. Cold Spring resident Ed Currelley found the two were looking for a project to work Acting on a tip from a reader, The two rocks at Beacon’s Long Dock Park, (Continued on Page 8) Yes, Beacon, There is a Santa Claus Plastic Bag Ban Hustis, 36, appeared before a federal Members of Facebook group Stephanie Dignan, a city resident. judge in White Plains on Monday on Dignan said she realized that she had the Coming — in the charge, which carries a mandatory spread a little holiday cheer means to buy presents this year for people minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. beyond her family and friends but wasn’t March, not He was represented at the initial court By Brian PJ Cronin sure how to find those in need. So she created appearance by a federal public defender a Facebook group. The idea was to identify January and released to home confinement anta Claus came early to Beacon this families, learn what they needed for the on a $150,000 bond, according to the year — and he did it 61 times. holidays, and distribute requests to group Dutchess enforcement U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern S That’s the number of families who members. She invited people she knew to District of New York. benefited from a Facebook group called join and made posts elsewhere on Facebook unlikely until state law The 2002 Haldane graduate, who could Beacon Santas created last month by (Continued on Page 8) takes effect not immediately be reached for comment, served on the Village Board from 2010 to By Jeff Simms 2014 and also ran unsuccessfully for the Haldane school board in 2015. He chal- Dutchess County law banning lenged incumbent Mayor Dave Merandy plastic grocery bags takes earlier this year. effect Jan. 1 but is unlikely to be A According to the complaint filed with enforced because a statewide measure the court, a 16-year-old male teenager noti- effective March 1 will supersede it. fied the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office The state regulation, signed into law that Hustis on Dec. 8 and 9 sent him sexu- on Earth Day (April 22) by Gov. Andrew ally explicit photos over Facebook Messen- Cuomo, bans single-use, carry-out plastic ger and solicited him to meet for sex. bags at any store that is required to collect The teen told police that Hustis had sales tax. New York joins seven other states been one of his substitute teachers. that have banned single-use plastic bags. Hustis was certified by the state as a Becky Fraioli (left) and Madison Lee (with Oliver the dog) played Santa to Takiya Mitchell The ban passed as part of the state and her two children. Photo provided (Continued on Page 9) (Continued on Page 8) 2 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org FIVE QUESTIONS: RACHEL LEVIN

By Chip Rowe do have chances with content to correct a job when I moved to New York was oversee- first impression, if you’re not aligned visu- ing a $6 million department for them. But achel Levin of ally, it’s going to distract. I missed working with clients one-on-one. Garrison, a former By Michael Turton R director at Saks You spent 10 years in luxury retail. A woman comes to you for styling. Fifth Avenue, is a personal What kind of markup is there? What is the first thing you ask? What’s your favorite stylist. She blogs at You mean, are customers paying a What’s going on in her life and in her rachellevinstyle.com. premium for luxury? Whether you’re closet, and what motivated her to call. I holiday tradition? talking moderate or luxury, once stores usually hear from people in the midst of Why does style hit the first major markdown they’re a personal or professional change that matter? making pennies on the dollar. Some prompts them to think about other things It’s a powerful companies, such as the Doen Collection that have to shift. I love to start in the closet I love Christmas tool for communi- and Tibi, are trying to maintain their because it’s a way to understand the edit- Eve, the [Feast of cation. While you margins and pay a living wage and be ing and re-evaluation that has to be done. sustainable instead of being part of My favorite scenario is where I say, “It’d be the] Seven Fishes the markdown culture we live in. great if you had X or Y,” and we find the and midnight Mass. piece stuffed in the back. If there’s been Were you fashionable as a kid? complete neglect and I have to start from I like to think so, yeah, but I was scratch, it’s incredibly stressful for myself more interested in other people and the client. wearing the clothing. I had my first job in fashion retail What is usually the first thing to go? at age 14, helping to run Anything “well-loved.” Listen, I appre- a boutique at a tennis ciate that you have your favorite black club. At age 19 I went sweater, but life is too good to wear things to work for Saks in with holes. But I understand. After I moved Cleveland as the to New York, I had to downsize and had a company’s young- girlfriend and my mother help me with my est designer first closet cleanout. It took a week, and I sales associ- felt physically ill. I tell clients, “If it’s truly ~ Danny Alos, Cold Spring ate, and sentimental, keep it. But never leave the my first house wearing it.” Photo by Karen Seifert Being with family for a good Spanish HIGHLAND STUDIO gathering and dinner with pernil and tostons.

PRINTMAKERS FINE ART ~ Xio Mia, Beacon PRINTING SCANNING Our family comes from all over LARGE FORMAT — Italy, Texas, California — lots of heavy food, meatloaf, Greek HUDSON VALLEY’S salad and red wine. ARCHIVAL PRINTING SINCE 1997

PICTURE FRAMING print & map gallery

845-809-5174

31 STEPHANIE LANE COLD SPRING, NY www.thehighlandstudio.com ~ Eddie Burke, Cold Spring highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 3

MORE PARKING — The Beacon City Council on Dec. 9 authorized city officials to buy this lot at the corner of Wolcott Avenue and Beacon Street from the Lewis Tompkins Hose Co. for $325,000. The city plans to open the lot, which is being used by the department and the adjacent St. Andrew's Church, to the public. Photo by Jeff Simms

NEWS BRIEFS

number of people in our jail.” In addition, Dutchess DMV because bail reforms scheduled to go into Restricts Services effect in 2020 may further reduce the jail population, he said he was concerned that Will no longer process “the county administration appears set to licenses for Philipstown move forward with jail construction before he Department of Motor Vehicles office we have clarity” on their impact. T in Beacon will no longer accept or The budget reduced the property tax levy process applications for driver’s licenses, for the sixth consecutive year and lowered the driver’s permits or non-driver ID cards for property tax rate for the fifth straight year, residents of Philipstown under a new regu- from $3.45 to $3.27 per $1,000 of true value lation issued by Dutchess County. assessments. As of Dec. 17, Dutchess County DMV Legislators added amendments that offices only serve Dutchess County resi- included $50,000 to the Division of Veter- dents for licenses, permits and IDs, the ans’ Services to serve homeless veterans; agency said, although there are no resi- $575,000 to the Department of Planning dency restrictions on other transactions. and Development for competitive grant Philipstown residents can use the Putnam programs; $200,000 to the Municipal Inno- County DMV at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster. vation Grant Program; $20,000 to the Office In addition, state residents must upgrade for the Aging to fund senior home care; and their driver’s license, permit or non-driver $20,000 to the Department of Behavioral ID to an enhanced or REAL ID by Oct. 1 to and Community Health for additional opioid use it as identification on domestic flights awareness, training and education. or to enter military bases or certain federal The budget, with the amendments, buildings. A U.S. passport can be used for was forwarded to County Executive Marc ID if a license has not been upgraded. Molinaro for review and approval. Dutchess Passes Haldane Hires New 2020 Budget Facilities Director Beacon legislator votes ‘no’ Most recently at Westchester Community College he Dutchess County Legislature T adopted a $514 million budget for 2020 he Haldane school board last month by a vote of 22-2 on Dec. 5. Nick Page, whose T approved the appointment of a new district includes Beacon wards 1, 2 and 3, director of facilities. voted no, and Frits Zernike, whose district Timothy Walsh was most recently super- includes Beacon’s Ward 4, voted yes. intendent of buildings and grounds within Page said he was concerned that “there the Physical Plant and Operations Depart- isn’t enough attention being paid to envi- ment at Westchester Community College. ronmental issues or to overruns on capi- He also is a commander in the U.S. Coast tal projects, including the second phase of Guard Reserve and holds a degree in engi- the Dutchess County Stabilization Center, neering from the U.S. Merchant Marine which is now on hold.” Academy and an MBA from Marist. He also said he was worried about the Walsh succeeds Nabil Botros, who was status of the Dutchess County jail project, hired in October 2018 but terminated by which “has been downsized because we the school board in August. have already seen a significant drop in the 4 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

LETTERS AND COMMENTS Maloney: Tell us what you think * Impeachment Winner: 45 he Current welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and local issues. Submissions Better Newspaper T are selected by the editor to provide a variety of opinions and voices, and all are subject ‘Necessary’ But to editing for accuracy, clarity and length. We ask that writers remain civil and avoid personal Contest Awards attacks. Letters may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Editor, The *New York Press Association, 2013 -18 Highlands Current, 142 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516. The writer’s full name, village or city, and ‘Heartbreaking’ email or phone number must be included, but only the name and village or city will be published. NNA* Winner: Congressman votes to 31 Better impeach President Trump Newspaper Four stories recession of the 1980s and how that affected I just read the article about a developer’s the economy: jobs were lost, businesses By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong Contest Awards request to construct a four-story building on closed, and some people never recovered ep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Phil- *National Newspaper Association, 2016-18 Main Street in Beacon (“Three-Story Limit what they once possessed. Are we willing to ipstown resident whose House on Main?” Dec. 13). Unfortunately, that cow put ourselves, as a city, in that position again? district includes the Highlands, NYNPA* Winner: left the barn long ago. When the three four- Charles Dunn, Beacon R on Wednesday (Dec. 18) termed twin votes story buildings that now exist on Main were 8 Awards for to impeach President Donald Trump “as in the planning stages, I assume that the I’m all for progress — just make it afford- Excellence necessary as they are heartbreaking.” powers-that-be (Planning Board, City Coun- able. I’m just not seeing the space to fit this * New York News Publishers Association, 2017- 18 The House voted along party lines, cil, et al) saw dollar signs … oh, so many proposal. 230-197, to impeach Trump for abuse dollar signs. As a result, the view of Mount Cynthia Simmons, via Facebook PUBLISHER of power and 229-198 to impeach him Beacon — that symbol of the city and all it Highlands Current Inc. I can’t even manage to walk down Main for obstruction of Congress. The presi- stands for — has been lost forever. Stand 142 Main St. Street on the weekend, and I live on Main! dent now faces a trial in the Republican- on the corner of Main and Cross Streets Cold Spring, NY 10516-2819 Don’t get me started with creative parking. controlled Senate. and take in the magnificent view of brick, 291 Main St., Beacon NY 12508 Karen Spivey, via Facebook Maloney, of the 18th District, and Rep. mortar and glass. Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, from the FOUNDER The developer proposes a four-story build- Gordon Stewart (1939 - 2014) A park? Where will they put a park? We 19th District, were among 28 Democrats ing with retail space on the ground floor. don’t need any more housing on Main Street. who voted for both articles of impeach- How many more businesses does Beacon MANAGING EDITOR Donna Idema, via Facebook ment and represent districts where Chip Rowe need before it collapses under the weight of Trump won the race for president. [email protected] the promises of retail gold? How are people Sheriff overtime In 2-minute speech before on the House going to support all of these retail businesses, ARTS/FEATURE EDITOR There is clearly an additional factor to floor before the vote, Maloney attributed especially in that area of town, considering Alison Rooney be weighed, in addition to finances, when impeachment to an obligation “to support the parking crunch we are experiencing? [email protected] considering overtime in the Putnam County and defend the Constitution” and to How many more people are expected to Sheriff’s Department, and that is the fatigue Trump’s own “mendacity” and misdeeds. SENIOR CORRESPONDENT re-locate to Beacon before the water, sewer, Michael Turton factor (“Putnam Legislators Deny Request “It’s the president, not any member of road and educational systems collapse? from Sheriff to Shift Funds,” Dec. 13). Police this House, who has brought us to this sad When the developer proposed a four-story REPORTERS officers who might be called to make split- place,” said Maloney, a member of the House Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong unit, did he include the height of the ceilings second, life-or-death decisions should not be Intelligence Committee, which investigated Brian PJ Cronin • Joe Dizney for each floor? A four-story unit with 12-foot expected to work excessive overtime, which Trump’s actions. Pamela Doan • Deb Lucke ceilings will be significantly higher than one Skip Pearlman • Jeff Simms is the case here when some deputies’ over- “Today is about right and wrong and with nine-foot ceilings. (As an aside, how time earnings exceed half their salaries. whether we still know the difference,” LAYOUT DESIGNER many of the units in the building across The Putnam Legislature’s denial of Maloney said. He emphasized that the Pierce Strudler from the post office are occupied?) hiring requests by Sheriff Robert Langley House holds the president accountable, It sounds as if the developer is playing ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jr., who is in the best position to know what because failure to do so would allow Michele Gedney on his home court: If I don’t get my way, I is needed, is reckless and dangerous. The future presidents to regard “corruption For information on advertising: won’t include the public benefits, or I’ll take warning signs are obvious and it’s time to as without consequence. And there our 845-809-5584 my ball and go home. [email protected] assess staff needs before it’s too late. The democracy goes to die.” Beacon has come a long way since I moved highlandscurrent.org/ads worry factor is human fatigue, not the Maloney’s position has evolved in recent here in 1968. I am proud of this city, its devel- money the county has already had to pay months. In May, he said he preferred voting opment and its vision. But it is time to hit the for the overtime. Trump out of office as “the biggest and best brakes regarding the building boom that has Michael Leonard, Philipstown opportunity” to remove him. Two months taken place over the past few years. Like the Leonard is a member of the Philipstown later, he said he would support impeach- stock market, there is going to be a correc- THE HIGHLANDS CURRENT Town Board. ment if the House compelled a vote but (USPS #22270) / ISSN 2475-3785 tion, and the bubble will burst. Recall the still considered an electoral victory and December 14, 2019 “aggressive oversight” as preferable. Volume 8, Issue 51 (2475-3785)

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. Correction Mail delivery $30 per year. highlandscurrent.org/delivery [email protected] In the Dec. 13 issue, we provided an incorrect online © Highlands Current Inc. 2019 address to order tickets to All rights reserved. No part of this publi- cation may be reproduced in any form, the Dec. 22 reading at the mechanical or electronic, without writ- Howland Cultural Center ten permission of the publisher. of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.” It is christmasmemory.bpt.me. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 5 Civic Volunteers Village of Cold Spring Philipstown Planning Board John Gunn (chair) Zoning Board of Appeals Planning Board David Burke Aaron Wolfe (chair) Kim Conner (chair) Richard Muscat Laura Bozzi Dennis Gagnon Jill Reynolds Donald MacDonald David Hardy J. Randall Williams John F. Martin Peter Lewis Vacancy Erik Werth Neal Tomann Vacancy Neal Zuckerman Historic District Review Vacancy Zoning Board of Appeals Board Robert Lanier (chair) Al Zgolinski (chair) Zoning Board of Appeals Jordan Haug Carolyn Bachan Robert Dee (chair) David Jensen Andrea Connor Vincent Cestone Judith Smith Sean Conway Paula Clair Vacancy Kathleen Foley Granite Frisenda Leonard Lim Board of Ethics Planning Board Joe Galbo (chair) Matt Francisco (chair) Conservation Board Scot Arnold Lara Eldin Mark Galezo (chair) Andre Richards Stephanie Hawkins Jan Baker Montos Vakirtzis Sue Meyers Krystal Ford Vacancy Fred Martin of the Little Stony Point Citizens' Association and Evan Thompson of the Vacancy Andy Galler Hudson Highlands State Park discuss with the Cold Spring board the state's desire to Dave Marion (Alternate) Lew Kingsley Recreation Commission MJ Martin Danny Hairston (chair) tap into the village water and sewer systems. Photo by M. Turton Recreation Commission Bob Repetto Jeb Berry Ruth Ann Barr (chair) Max Garfinkle (natural Will Hough court prosecutor for minor traffic viola- Stephen Etta resource officer) Brooke Simmons Reorganizing a tions. In the new year, Putnam County pros- John Merante Vacancy ecutors will no longer handle such cases. Jeff Phillips Recreation Vacancy Mayor Dave Merandy said no local lawyers Vacancy Commission Vacancy Village have expressed interest in the job, which last Joel Conybear (chair) Code Update Committee Ben Cheah Human Relations year involved 17 cases for such offenses as Karen Doyle Cold Spring makes annual Aric Kupper Commission driving with a suspended license. Paul Henderson John Maasik Michael Deane (chair) Burke praised officer Bill Bujarski, who Michael Reisman appointments Claudio Marzollo Kim Faison worked his last shift on Nov. 19 after serv- Tree Advisory Board William Mazzuca Helena Laurino ing in the department for 25 years. The By Michael Turton Jennifer Zwarich (chair) Lydia McMahon LaVonne McNair board approved hiring officer Scott Morris Tony Bardes Ricardo Pacheco Board of Assessment t is a formality, but one that ensures the to succeed him. Burke said he would like Taro Ietaka Paul Sund Review nuts and bolts of running a village are to make one more hire to bring the total Kory Riesterer Gordon Casement (chair) in place for another year. number of officers to 15. All Cold Spring Charles Day (tree nursery Conservation Advisory I Melissa Carlton The Cold Spring Village Board held its reor- officers, including Burke, work part-time. manager) Committee Dorothy Gilman ganizational meeting for 2020 on Dec. 10, Brian DiFeo (chair) In other business … Irene McGrath Sam Adels approving more than 30 appointments, sched- Kathyrine Tomann ules and policies ranging from the selection ¢ The state parks department wants to Village of Nelsonville Holly Bogdanffy Benjamin Cox of board representatives to Putnam County connect facilities at Little Stony Point to the Cold Spring sewer system. Little Stony Planning Board Danielle Levoit and the Cold Spring Fire Co. and naming of Steve Marino (chair) Beacon Antony Tseng Point, located just north of the village legal counsel to the approval of village fees Sue Branagen Board of Assessment Nicole Wooten and meeting dates. boundary, is part of the Hudson High- Ezra Clementson Review Vacancy The reorganization underscores the elected lands State Park. If approved, the cost of Paul Helbock John Stella (chair) board’s dependence on volunteers to do much the sewer line would be paid by the state. Dennis Meekins Tree Committee John Berry Rob Lieblein (chair) of the month-to-month work of village govern- (See highlandscurrent.org for story.) Zoning Board of Appeals Nancy Musacchio Sarah Elisabeth ment. Trustees approved the reappointment ¢ The Code Update Committee has William Rice (chair) Robert Palisi Paul Markwalter of five, 5-member volunteer boards: the Plan- completed revisions to the village code. Harold Akselrad Michele Rios Norm McCleod ning Board, Recreation Commission, Historic Deputy Mayor Marie Early, who served as Chris Keeley Victoria Raabin District Review Board, Zoning Board of liaison to the committee, said the Village Steve Merando Appeals and Tree Advisory Board. Board must now accept or modify the Judy Meyer (For a list of volunteer boards in the High- recommended changes to the 500-page lands, see right.) document and submit the revised code Police report to New York State by the end of 2020. The Cold Spring Police Department Committee members met with the Village HELP WANTED responded to 58 calls for service in Novem- Board on Dec. 11 to begin a detailed review. ber. Three arrests were made, including one ¢ The board approved two beer fests to for driving without a license. be held at Mayor’s Park, on June 27 and GARRISON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT The other arrests stemmed from an inci- Sept 19. Hops on the Hudson organizer P.O. BOX 193, GARRISON, NY 10524 dent on Nov. 3 in which two pedestrians John Sherer requested approval to sell ignored barricades and entered the pedes- 1,500 to 2,000 tickets for each event but • CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT trian tunnel beneath the Metro-North tracks Burke asked that attendance be capped Confidential Secretary to the School Superintendent wanted. Full time, competitive salary & benefits. Five years responsible clerical experience & excellent computer skills required. when it was closed to foot traffic. Officer-in- at 1,500, citing parking and police staff- Charge Larry Burke said when the pedestri- ing issues, and the board agreed. • SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK – PART TIME ans fled, an officer went to the other end of Sherer also proposed a Hometown School District Clerk to be appointed by and report to Garrison Board of Education. Stipend the tunnel and arrested them for trespassing. Heroes project in which veterans would position calls for mature judgement in independently carrying out School Board policies and The department also issued 75 park- be honored on banners hung from Main legally required procedures. Minimum three years responsible clerical experience required. ing and 55 traffic tickets, including 20 for Street utility poles. Merandy asked him speeding. to submit a detailed proposal for the Both positions beginning 3/2/20. Send letter(s) of interest & resume to Superintendent of Garrison Union Free School District via email to [email protected] by January 10, 2020. Burke reminded the board that the village project, which has been adopted by a must soon hire an attorney to act as justice number of Hudson Valley communities. 6 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org Changing Hands at Indian Point? Riverkeeper objects to Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Holtec plans to do it in 15. (Holtec did not respond potential transfer to a request for comment for this story.) The accelerated timeline doesn’t concern By Brian PJ Cronin Richard Webster, the legal director for Riverkeeper, the Ossining-based environ- ntergy is looking to the future of mental group. Many decommissioning proj- Indian Point and hoping that it no ects start with a process called SAFSTOR, E longer includes Entergy. in which the plant is monitored for up to 45 Last month, the energy company filed years to give the radioactive materials time an application with the U.S. Nuclear Regu- to decay and lower the amount of hazard- latory Commission to transfer its licenses ous material. By skipping SAFSTOR, “15 to operate Indian Point to Holtec Interna- years is a reasonable amount of time to do tional after the shutdown of the last reac- it,” said Webster. tor at the nuclear plant, which is scheduled Nevertheless, Riverkeeper has asked the for April 2021. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (or, fail- Holtec would then begin mothballing ing that, Gov. Andrew Cuomo) to deny the the facility, using a $2.1 billion decommis- transfer to Holtec. sioning fund that has been accumulated by “Our objections can be summed up as: Entergy during the life of the plant. Holtec Bribes, lies, poor safety record and under- also has said it would hire about 300 Indian capitalization,” said Webster. The Indian Point nuclear plant in Peekskill Photo by B. Cronin Point workers. Holtec is no stranger to controversy. In “Entergy is in the power-generation 2010, the inspector general for the Tennes- Then, when applying for tax breaks in New ration. We just don’t have much informa- business, and decommissioning is a line of see Valley Authority, a federal agency, found Jersey in order to bring a facility to Camden, tion about the financial viability [of the work that we’re not involved in,” said Jerry that Holtec had funneled $54,000 to a TVA the company claimed that it had never been company]. If you were running a huge Nappi, an Entergy representative. “Holtec manager to secure contracts. The firm was barred from working with federal agencies. international business that was making specializes in the management of used fuel fined $2 million and barred from federal To push New Jersey to grant the tax breaks, money, you shouldn’t be so desperate to get and its affiliates have special expertise in contracts for 60 days. Holtec said Ohio and South Carolina had tax breaks that you have to lie on a form.” decommissioning. They can decommis- In Ohio, Holtec was awarded tax credits made generous counterproposals, an asser- At Entergy, Nappi said that Holtec’s sion the plant decades sooner than Entergy following a 2009 promise to bring 200 jobs tion both states denied. recent approvals from the Nuclear Regula- would be able to.” to its facility in Orrville. But the jobs never Last year, a contractor at the San Onofre tory Commission show that the issues raised Entergy’s original plan had been to take appeared — in fact, the plant lost four posi- nuclear power plant in California, where aren’t of concern. “The NRC has approved 60 years, the maximum time allowed by the tions — and the tax credits were rescinded. Holtec has been contracted to manage the transactions for two previous nuclear spent fuel, brought to light an apparent power plants to Holtec, and that only near accident involving a dry cask filled happens if a company can demonstrate that with radioactive fuel. (Plant officials said it has the technical and financial qualifica- there was never any danger to the public.) tions needed,” he said. “We feel confident CHEERFUL The worker also alleged the site was under- that Indian Point will receive approval.” staffed and its supervisors often replaced If that happens, Webster said he hoped STRENGTH with less experienced managers. that it would at least come with certain Opportunities for growth in Finally, on the financial side, Webster conditions, such as the creation of a citi- Consciousness & Community said he was alarmed at Holtec’s decision zens’ oversight committee with the power

at the Oyster Creek nuclear plant in New to (1) audit the decommissioning fund, (2) Make a Jersey, which has been decommission- subpoena documents, (3) have specialists 20pointed ing for less than a year, to transfer money look at difficult situations, and (4) transfer Star from the decommissioning fund to spent questions of safety to the NRC.

Saturday fuel management, a move that Holtec has At the least, Webster said, Holtec should December 21 signaled it would also do at Indian Point. not be allowed to keep anything that 10 am — 1 pm “That’s not what that fund is for,” he remains in the decommissioning fund at said. “And there’s a complicated set of LLCs the end of the project, as it might encourage $25 [limited-liability corporations] designed to the firm to do the job as cheaply as possible NEW shield Holtec International, the core corpo- at the expense of safety and other concerns. MOON YOGA Thursday December 26 7 pm — 8 pm $10 Bring a notebook and a yoga mat to set Wishing you a merry your intention for the coming year and focus the energy of a new Lunar cycle. and bright holiday

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Southern Dutchess Eye Care See our full schedule at

CHEERFULSTRENGTH.NET 3182 US Rt 9, Cold Spring, NY Looking forward to helping you see 20/20 in 2020! [email protected]

(845) 723-1314 969 MAIN ST. FISHKILL (845) 896-6700 sdec2020.com Optometrists Dr. Brian Peralta | Dr. Gary Weiner | Dr. Brian Powell | Dr. Weixun Wang highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 7 Dutchess Marketplace to Close Community college to help 140 outside, Sabia said. Sabia said the owner of the building, the fill Route 9 space Brooklyn-based firm JW Mays, told him in May it would be ending the lease. The firm By Arvind Dilawar hired Rob Hebron, a real estate agent with Ingram-Hebron, to find new tenants. he holiday spirit appears to be in full “Look, my wife and I are big antiquers,” swing at the Dutchess Marketplace Hebron said. “We love the market. But T on Route 9 in Fishkill, next to Home hopefully it’s going to become something Depot. Holiday music is piping through that’s going to lift the community up the cavernous flea market. Hundreds of further, instead of just a shopping venue.” vendors hawk everything from new cloth- One tenant has committed to the space: ing to antique furniture. In the back, Dutchess Community College signed a between the stalls offering Mexican food, 15-year lease to move its Wappingers Falls Santa and Mrs. Claus are posing for photos. campus into 50,000 square feet on the But beneath the surface, the mood is second floor, with classes expected to begin somber. Many retailers and customers are in August. The school said in a statement saying goodbye, because this weekend and that the move “would better accommodate Bill Sabia and Roy Lobosco outside the Dutchess Marketplace Photo provided next will be the market’s last days after six the needs of those who live and work in years in the space. The indoor market will southern Dutchess and Putnam counties.” with it all myself, so I get to enjoy it here.” ing a birthday,” she said. “That’s what we’re be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Satur- Hebron said he also hopes to find a day They learned of the closure, along with going to miss.” day and Sunday and the outdoor market, care, gym and restaurant, which he believes the other vendors, over the summer. The Another vendor, who also declined to be weather permitting, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. would make the building into “kind of a couple have moved some of their inventory identified, works with a real-estate agency Bill Sabia and Roy Lobosco opened mini-Google campus.” to the Newburgh Vintage Emporium, but to clean out homes for resale or rental, sell- Dutchess Marketplace at the largely vacant That hasn’t appeased many Dutchess because it sells on consignment, there’s no ing the goods secondhand. He said “outdoor Dutchess Mall in 2013 in a two-story, Marketplace vendors. One, who declined space for them, only their wares. shows are plenty. It’s the indoor shows that 220,000-square-foot building that had been to give her name, responded that “we need She said she and the other vendors have are hard to find. Very rare.” a post office, an IBM office and a department another gym, day care center and restau- become friends over the six years. Because He said he’s heard there is another indoor store. They also operated the market from rant like a hole in the head.” the market was only open on weekends, she market set to open about an hour west, in 1997 to 2004 in a former Service Merchan- She said she and her husband, who sell said it typically attracted sellers who were Middletown, but the waiting list is already dise store next door, before the building was ceramic figures and collectible toys, have retired or semi-retired. Some supplemented 20 vendors deep. demolished to make way for Home Depot. been vendors at the market since it opened. “I their income, but the market also provided Sabia said he and Lobosco are search- At its height, the latest marketplace had love my stuff,” she said of the figurines lining an opportunity to socialize. “Tonight, ing for a new venue and volunteered that more than 300 indoor vendors and another her stall. “I have a small house and I can’t live we’re going out to dinner, we’re celebrat- “something’s in the works.”

The elevator on the northbound platform at the Cold Spring station is expected to be closed for months. Photo by Michael Turton Cold Spring Train Elevator Closed Repairs expected to take months access to use the Garrison or Beacon stations. The northbound platform is connected by a By Chip Rowe ramp from Main Street and the southbound platform by a ramp from the parking lot. he elevator on the northbound track Neal Zuckerman, a Garrison resident of the Cold Spring train station will who represents Putnam County on the MTA T be out of service until the spring, Board, said he had not been notified that BRING THE KIDS! WINTER BREAK Metro-North announced this week. the elevator would be shut down. Metro-North said that a recent inspec- “I am frustrated that the MTA didn’t inform Kid-Friendly Tours with Crafts tion found the floor beams in the elevator me and elected officials, as far as I know, in were so badly deteriorated that the entire the community,” he wrote in an email. “That cab needed immediate replacement. A new this is happening in the winter months, when A new activity each day! cab will take about four months to design, the elevator is a useful alternative to often- Thursday, 12/26 - Candle Dipping review, fabricate and install, it said. slippery stairs, is a further challenge. Pete Smith, a Cold Spring resident whose “In our Metro-North committee meet- Friday, 12/27 - Pomander Ball Creations wife uses a cane and takes Metro-North ing yesterday [Dec. 16], in the elevator 9:30am and 1:00pm | two-hour programs into New York City twice a month, said the status report, there was no mention of elevator has been closed since early Decem- any months-long outage at Cold Spring,” PURCHASE TICKETS AND BECOME A MEMBER AT BOSCOBEL.ORG ber. “She can manage the stairs but it’s slow he wrote. “If it was, I would have certainly 845-265-3638 • Garrison, New York and difficult,” he said. communicated that as widely as possible.” Advance reservations recommended. The agency directed those needing elevator Michael Turton contributed reporting. 8 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

able to provide a nice Christmas,” she said, (from Page 1) (from Page 1) (from Page 1) Beacon Santa so he’d been hoping to help a young family Trustee Arrested Rock Girl where she had seen people ask for help. in the same way that so many Beaconites teaching assistant from February 2012 to on together that didn’t involve plastic. To Within 15 minutes, she had a “match” helped his own. January 2015, and, in a statement issued date they have painted and placed more between a Beacon Santa and a family, she Searching through the stories in the group, Dec. 17, the Haldane school district said he than 1,000 rocks, usually eight at a time, said. the couple found a request from a widowed had worked there as a substitute teacher some with graphics, others with messages. “I was pleasantly surprised by the mother with twins. A fellow Beacon Santa, as recently as 2016. When Rock Mom learned a neighbor was warmth with which people received the Becky Fraioli, and her husband pitched in. “Please be assured that we will actively battling cancer, a “Stay strong — you can do idea,” she said. “But I’m never surprised by The three families got together to share gifts monitor” students’ reactions, Superin- this” stone was left at the person’s doorstep. people’s willingness around here to come and eat cookies with the children. tendent Philip Benante said in a letter to together for good.” Similar meetings played out 60 times faculty and parents. “Out of an abundance Word quickly spread online among teach- over the past two weeks, Dignan said, with of caution and respect for the emotional ers and social workers, and soon Dignan was Santas pitching in with clothes, toys, gift safety of our students and families who Sometimes we use receiving referrals from shelters and schools. cards, electronics, and a holiday tree or may be directly impacted by this matter, I There were homeless families, families deal- two. am seeking your assistance in encouraging ‘secret agents’ to ing with the loss of a job or car, families with With Christmas less than a week away, our children not to engage in any specula- help place rocks. They medical emergencies, single parents, widows, the project has finished for the year, tion about who may have been involved.” or any combination of circumstances. The Dignan said, but she is already planning In a Facebook exchange quoted in the say placing them is requests were all the same: Parents wanted for 2020. Santas can join by searching complaint, Hustis initiated an explicit to give their children a memorable Christmas Facebook for “Beacon Santas,” and those conversation with the teen, asking him almost as much fun as at the end of a tough year. in need or who work at shelters, schools how his school year was going and stat- One of the people Dignan invited to the and churches can email Dignan at beacon- ing that he (Hustis) was “getting hit on by finding them. ~Rock Girl group as a Santa was Madison Lee, who [email protected]. sugar daddies all the time” at the Foodtown said her fiance had shared stories of his “If we were able to help 60 families with grocery store in Cold Spring, where he is own tough holidays while growing up in no planning, no infrastructure, no notice, no a manager. He also told the teen that he The biggest drop was on Easter, when Beacon when his large family was depen- anything, then next year we could easily help was “cute,” called him “sexy boy” and said they placed 150 “eggs” around Long Island dent on the generosity of churches and 100,” she said. “Who knows what we could that he had watched him playing sports at City. Other holidays also have themes. At neighbors. “His parents weren’t always do with a little knowledge and experience?” school, according to the complaint. Thanksgiving rocks may have a “Grateful Hustis allegedly asked the teen how old you are my friend” message. Skeletons were he was, to which he replied, “16.” He also featured at Halloween. This year’s Christ- told the teen that there were job openings mas offering includes seasonal graphics. I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth with at Foodtown, “but since you are 16 you Some rocks even have eyes that glow in can’t legally work grocery till you are 18,” the dark. “We always experiment,” said Rock which people received the idea. But I’m never according to the complaint. Mom. “It’s never the same; we never plan.” On Dec. 12, an FBI agent took over the Others are painted but left blank in the surprised by people’s willingness around here Facebook account to continue the commu- hope the finder will add a message of his nications while posing as the teenager, or her own. “We encourage finders to pass to come together for good.” ~Stephanie Dignan according to the complaint. Hustis alleg- their rock on to others — or simply keep edly sent photos of his penis to the teen it,” Rock Mom said. Many new rock owners and later to the special agent, as well as acknowledge their discovery by posting NEWS BRIEF photos of his face, including one that had messages at LICRocks.com, Facebook or been posted on his Facebook campaign Instagram. (The rocks include contact of generous donors whose contributions page during his run for mayor. information.) “People even post videos of Foundations Award made this year’s grants possible.” In addition, Hustis solicited photos from themselves with their rock,” Mom said. $117K in Grants In the Highlands, grants were awarded After the team’s visit to The Current to Highlands Current Inc. ($1,000 for staff the agent (posing as the teen) and at one Program invests in local nonprofits point wrote, “When you are off from school, office, 25 stones were added in Beacon and training), the Philipstown Depot Theatre Cold Spring, with some discovered as early he Community Foundations of the I’ll invite you to my place for fun,” the ($2,000 for a donor management system), as the next morning. Hudson Valley last week awarded complaint said. It also alleged Hustis said T the Putnam History Museum ($1,000 for a A large number of rocks is occasionally left $117,000 in grants to nonprofits in he wanted to meet at his apartment because historic kitchen exhibit), Beacon Community in one place on the Long Island City water- Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster counties. “it’s illegal to have sex with a minor” and “I Advancement Corp. ($3,150 to connect public front. “We should do that in Cold Spring and “As a capstone to our 50th anniversary want to play this by the letter of the law to housing residents with tablets and the inter- Beacon too,” Rock Mom mused, adding she year, we are proud to award more than protect both of us.” (The legal age of consent net), the Howland Chamber Music Circle sometimes puts hints online to aid searchers. ever before to these worthy programs and for sex in New York State is 17.) ($2,700 for pop-up concerts), the Howland While the pair primarily work alone to projects,” said Nevill Smythe, the interim Cultural Center ($3,600 for an upgrade to The agent, posing as the teen, agreed keep their identity secret, they occasion- president and CEO. “The Foundations is LED track lighting), and Hudson Valley Seed to meet Hustis in the Foodtown parking ally accept help. “Sometimes we use ‘secret enormously grateful to the community ($3,000 to support school gardens). lot at 10 a.m. on Monday, which the agents’ to help place rocks,” Rock Girl said. agent told Hustis was during the teen’s “They say placing them is almost as much “free period” from school, and walk from fun as finding them.” there to Hustis’ apartment. Agents said The shared secrecy is a big part of the Quality Work they arrested Hustis in the parking lot satisfaction for both mother and daughter. Reasonable Prices when he arrived for the meeting. “I like that we connect with people, but The FBI said anyone with relevant without them knowing who we are,” Rock Since 1989 information should contact the agency at Mom said. 800-225-5324. “I don’t even tell my friends!” Rock Girl, Reaching your goals within your budget who is in elementary school, added. Her mom said they have been asked to Working for over 30 years in consider sponsorship. “We wouldn’t want a sponsor; it’s our own little thing,” some- Cold Spring and Beacon thing she said costs next to nothing and Get Mail Delivery of can be shared even on a rainy Monday. “It’s On time and on budget. Small jobs Welcome fun the way it is.” Asked if anything has surprised her YOUR FRIENDS IN CONSTRUCTION about the project, “people’s kindness” was Rock Mom’s quick reply. “People are very 845.849.4458 [email protected] www.rrshea.com highlandscurrent.org/md respectful of the project and only take one rock; they’ll often give one to a small kid.” highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 9

Local Bestsellers

Rankings are combined hardcover and paperback sales reported for November by Binnacle Books, 321 Main St., in Beacon, and Split Rock Books, 97 Main St., in Cold Spring.

The Plastic Bag Business PositionPosition last month TITLE AUTHOR 1 - Heart of Darkness Peter Kuper 3,000 12 23,000,000,000 2 - Encyclopedia of Political Record Labels Josh MacPhee Number of people Percentage of plastic One estimate of the 2 - Emergent Strategy Adrienne Brown ADULT employed in New York bags and films that number of plastic 2 4 The Overstory Richard Powers state by the plastic bag are recycled each year bags used annually in business, according in the U.S., according New York state 5 2 Year of the Monkey Patti Smith to the American to the Environmental 5 - Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century Nate Chinen Progressive Bag Alliance Protection Agency 1 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid 14 Jeff Kinney 2 2 Guts Raina Telgemeier 3 4 Boy-Crazy Stacey Ann Martin

CHILDREN 4 3 Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls Dav Pilkey packaging (packing peanuts) by 2022. A (from Page 1) Sofia Valdez, Future Prez Andrea Beaty Plastic Bag Ban year ago, the Putnam County Legislature 5 - budget. Sandy Galef, whose Assembly considered a ban on the use of foam plastic district includes Philipstown, and Jona- cups and cartons by chain restaurants but than Jacobson, whose district includes did not vote on the measure. Beacon, both Democrats, voted for all 10 The Dutchess County law, adopted by bills that comprised the budget, while Sen. legislators a year ago by a 23-1 vote, will Sue Serino, a Republican whose district ban disposable plastic bags but does not includes the Highlands, voted against all 10. include a surcharge. CLEANER & CHEAPER ENERGY FOR ALL Once the state law goes into effect, plastic Frits Zernike, a Democrat whose district will only be allowed in select circumstances, includes part of Beacon, was the only Dutchess such as for bulk items, to bundle fruits or legislator to vote against the ban, saying the vegetables, or to hold uncooked meat and bill had been stripped down too much by not food sliced to order. Single-use paper bags including a bag fee, allowing the county to may be available but stores will not be “lurch toward some progress” instead of shift- required to stock them. Otherwise, consum- ing in a larger way “from disposability toward ers will be encouraged to bring their own a more sustainable outlook.” reusable bags or to carry small purchases. Before being amended, the Dutchess No one wants coal (or fossil fuels) in their stocking. The law exempts newspaper bags, proposal would have added a 10-cent per garment bags, plastic bags provided by bag surcharge to paper bags, with retailers restaurants and plastic bags provided by keeping the proceeds. Much like a measure Give yourself the gift of lower your pharmacies for prescription drugs. approved in Ulster County earlier in 2018, energy costs and help your community According to the state Department of the fees would have been waived for seniors Environmental Conservation, New Yorkers or customers paying through federal food create a more sustainable future! use more than 23 billion single-use plastic programs. bags each year. Many inadvertently enter Because state law supersedes local legis- glass or aluminum recycling streams, where lation, and the measures are so similar, they’re considered one of the worst contami- Dutchess County won’t enforce its law Subscribe to a local solar farm to: nants because they clog sorting machines during the first two months of 2020. or force workers to remove them by hand. “There aren’t going to be penalties,” said • Support clean energy The state law allows counties and cities Colleen Pillus, a county spokesperson. • Save on electricity to impose a 5-cent fee on paper carryout “We’re trying to be realistic for businesses bags, with 40 percent of the revenue kept and to not make things confusing.” • Help fund local projects by the county or city to buy and distrib- Legislator Nick Page, who represents ute reusable bags and the remaining 60 much of Beacon and was part of a group of percent contributed to the state Environ- lawmakers that introduced the county law, For your wallet, your town & your world! mental Protection Fund. Purchases made said Wednesday that he supports imple- using federal programs such as food stamps menting a 5-cent paper bag fee but doesn’t Central Hudson customers welcome to enroll, regardless of whether they participate in would be exempt from paper-bag fees. think it has enough support to be enacted the Hudson Valley Community Power CCA program. Cuomo has also proposed banning in Dutchess. Fees have “been shown to be single-use polystyrene foam containers the prime driver of a shift to bring-your- Sign up today: (“Styrofoam”) and polystyrene loose fill own-bag,” he said. hudsonvalleycommunitypower.com/solar a division of Joule Assets

TO THANK YOU OUR We are grateful for your support and encourage our readers to shop local. ADVERTISERS Contact us: [email protected] 10 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

AROUND TOWN

t HONOR FOR HASTINGS — The Hastings Center in Garrison and its late co-founder Dan Callahan were honored by the Collaborative for Palliative Care at its annual conference on Dec. 12 at Iona College. Hastings President Millie Solomon gave the keynote speech, noting that the U.S. and other wealthy nations are “aging societies” with more people over 65 than under 15. “But neither our individual families, nor our societies, are ready,” she said. Solomon, right, is shown with CPC founder Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey and Hastings fellow Joseph Fins.

t NEW OFFICER — The Beacon Police Department on Dec. 5 welcomed its newest member, Ryan Murphy, p MILESTONE — Badey & Watson, the Philipstown-based surveying firm founded in 1973 by shown with Chief Kevin Glennon Watson and the late George Badey, recently completed project number 25,000. As it Junjulas and Mayor had done with project 10,000, the firm surprised the client — in this case Maria Ricapito of Cold Randy Casale. Spring — by waiving its fee. From left are principal Stephen Miller, Ricapito (with Amber), president Photos provided Jennifer Reap, and Watson.

HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER

Sat. Dec. 21 – 8 pm * RUSSELL CUSICK & TONY DePAOLO ‘Tis the Season,’ popular and holiday songs Sun. Dec. 22 – 6 pm * TRUMAN CAPOTE’s “A CHRISTMAS MEMORY” Scott Ramsey reads the classic WE WISH YOU ALL A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON! Sat. Dec. 28 – 8 pm * CIRQUE DE LA LUNE Hayden Wayne’s engaging circus-themed musical Sun. Dec. 29 – 2:30 to 4:30 pm RECEPTION for “INCLUSION” SHOW ARTISTS Join the party; meet the artists Sat. Jan 4 – 2:30 to 4:30 pm OPENING RECEPTION “THE SYMPATHETIC EYE” January show: Four photographers Sat. Jan. 4 – 8 pm “LIFE IS AMAZING” with ABBY FELDMAN Stand-up comedy + songs on meditation, Latin men and potato chips Fri. Jan. 10 – 7 pm HUDSON VALLEY POETS Your chance to read, or just enjoy AND MORE Sat. Jan. 11, Classics for Kids concert, Fei-Fei, pianist Sat. Jan. 11, “The Artichoke,” storytellers par excellence Sun. Jan. 12, Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Fei-Fei Fri. Jan. 17, Thom Joyce’s Open Mic

477 M ain S t r eet , Beacon, N Y 12508 www.howlandculturalcenter.org (845) 831-4988 facebook.com/howlandcenterbeacon *Brownpapertickets.com, search Beacon Howland highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 11 The Calendar

Hot Takes hosts Jack Kolodziejski (left) and Robby Anderson (left), Jennifer Clair (right), of Kitchen Radio, with Meredith Heuer with their trusty pod mike Photo provided Photo by Meredith Heuer

“Recently, I experimented with having especially with the rise in development and my guest teach me how to cook something. the impact on people and business. I host an Greg Cayea’s podcast nook It allowed me to be a curious student. I may unrelated podcast as part of my day job [as give equal play in the future to being the editor of a trade publication] and the medium Listen Up! student, because it’s more about teaching is great for conveying specialized information Why Do People A guide to local podcasts, listeners and using me as the vehicle.” in an on-demand format. My hope is that it Where is it? will be a platform for people who are doing Listen — and from cooking to movies to homecookingny.com/podcast cool, interesting and important things. It will travel and careers be a point of entry to learn, engage and help Produce? Hot Takes create the next version of Beacon.” By Alison Rooney Hosts: Robby Anderson and Jack Kolodziejski, Beacon What is it? Ryan Biracree, the digital “The first episode will be an interview services coordinator at the y one estimate, there are more than Why do it? with outgoing Mayor Randy Casale and Desmond-Fish Public Library in obby “We were producing podcasts 700,000 podcasts in more than 100 R : subsequent weekly episodes will feature Garrison, believes podcasts have for three years when Mike Burdge, the languages drawing 32 million Amer- a range of local figures, including artists, thrived because “they offer an B founder of Story Screen Beacon, asked us to ican listeners each month — including a business owners, naturalists, elected lead- intimate, personal connection — spearhead an effort to get podcasts for his number produced, and heard, in the High- ers, developers, educators, musicians, most listening is done through website. It now has many shows, all centered lands. Here are six. religious leaders and other characters earbuds or alone in the car — on conversations about movies between telling their stories and helping to articu- while demanding little from the Kitchen Radio friends. What struck me about the format late a vision for the city. The episodes are listener. was how casual yet informed it was.” recorded at the Beacon AV Lab, a recording Host: Jennifer Clair, Beacon “They’re also inexpensive to Jack: “Robby and I were close friends studio and audio/video workshop at the old produce and often free to Why do it? long before we started podcasting, and Beacon High School.” “I run a cooking school and have we bonded over long chats about games, distribute, so there’s a lot of published a cookbook, so this was another movies and television, so having the same Where is it? freedom for niche interests beaconites.com avenue to reach people to teach them how conversations in front of a microphone and marginalized voices to to cook. It’s a ton of fun and gets me out came naturally.” find an audience,” he added. of my own space and back into people’s “The audience need not be What is it? Simple Eats home kitchens, where I started. Most of the Host: Tito Dudley (“Chef T”), Beacon enormous to make the podcast Jack: “Robby and I go to see a movie and worthwhile.” expenses were one-time — recording equip- we share our first impressions. We wanted Why do it? ment, logo design; the only ongoing cost is to capture the kind of energy you have “Podcasting started Biracree recently led a team a sound engineer who helps me make the when you leave the theater and turn to your as a voice diary, which of students from the Garrison kitchen recordings sound vaguely profes- friends and say, ‘What did you think?’ Often grew into repurposing School which, over six weeks, sional.” we find ourselves working out how we feel the content and sharing produced “a truly fun and What is it? about a movie in real time; our feelings can it as a podcast. Voice truly hilarious” podcast called “For each episode I go into my guest’s evolve over the course of the show.” technology will be Flamingo Dogs. “As they sat in home kitchen to teach them a dish they’ve massive in the future. Where is it? front of the microphone, with always wanted to learn. [The Dec. 24 We’re already experi- storyscreenbeacon.com/podcasts Tito Dudley no camera to worry about, their episode will be “Lamb Chop-Off” recorded encing it with Alexa (“Chef T”) brilliant and delightfully unhinged in Beacon with photographer Meredith and other devices.” personalities shone in ways I Heuer.] I love focusing on how to make Beaconites What is it? don’t think they would have if Zach Rodgers, Beacon something listeners can’t see into some- Host: “It’s focused on food, cooking, recipes, they hadn’t had the freedom to thing palpable and hunger-inducing. The Why do it? nutrition tips and cannabidiol, cannabis and just use their voices,” he said. kitchen itself is filled with so many great “I’d been thinking about doing a Beacon hemp. Each episode is 5 to 30 minutes. I’m a sounds: Chopping, sizzling, stirring. podcast and 2020 felt like the right time, (Continued on Page 19) 12 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org THE WEEK AHEAD Edited by Pamela Doan ([email protected]) For a complete listing of events, see highlandscurrent.org/ calendar.

HOLIDAY SERVICES SAT 28 Holiday Open House SUN 22 FISHKILL Lessons and Carols 6:30 – 9 p.m. Van Wyck Museum GARRISON 504 Route 9 | fishkillhistoricalsociety 10:30 a.m. St. Philip’s Enjoy 18th-century music by Episcopal Church Clara Schuman and contemporary 1101 Route 9D | 845-424-3571 music on guitar and mandolin by stphilipshighlands.org Steve Kelman, with mulled cider and snacks, a poem-reading and SUN 22 activities for children. Hosted by Lessons and Carols the Fishkill Historical Society. Free COLD SPRING 4 p.m. Methodist Church KIDS & FAMILY 216 Main St. | 845-265-3365 facebook.com/csshumc SAT 21 Santa Run BEACON SUN 22 Christmas Concert 8:30 – Noon. Various stops. Firefighters will escort BEACON Santa around the city in a 5 p.m. Tabernacle of Christ fire truck — including down 483 Main St. | 845-831-4656 Main Street — while his elves tabernacleofchristchurch.com hand out candy canes.

SUN 22 Illumin 8: Beacon Menorah Lighting , Dec. 22-29 SAT 21 Hanukkah Celebration Nutcracker, Short and COLD SPRING Sweet 5 p.m. St. Mary’s Parish Hall TUES 24 TUES 24 COMMUNITY PEEKSKILL 1 Chestnut St. Candlelight Service Christmas Eve Service 3 p.m. Paramount Hudson Valley philipstownreformsynagogue.org COLD SPRING COLD SPRING SAT 21 1008 Brown St. | 914-739-0039 6:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 9 p.m. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Beary Merry Holiday paramounthudsonvalley.com SUN 22 10 Academy St. | 845-265-3220 1 Chestnut St. | 845-228-4167 Party This hour-long, narrated Illumin8: Bicycle presbychurchcoldspring.org stmaryscoldspring.org BEAR MOUNTAIN version, presented by the Hudson Menorah Lighting 10:30 a.m. Trailside Zoo Valley Dance Theatre, is designed trailsidezoo.org to hold the attention of the BEACON TUES 24 TUES 24 youngest ballet fans. Cost: $15 6 p.m. Polhill Park Candlelight Service Christmas Eve Service Make and wrap snacks for Main Street at Route 9D the black bears, who will receive BEACON BEACON SUN 22 beaconhebrewalliance.org their presents at 11 a.m. Parking 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 10 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is $10 per vehicle and zoo Make Felted Ornaments Also daily MON 23 to SUN 50 Liberty St. | 845-831-5322 850 Wolcott Ave. | 845-831-1369 admission is $1 per person. Allow BEACON 29 (4 p.m. on FRI 27) beaconpresbychurch.com beacon-episcopal.org 20 minutes to walk from the lot 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to the zoo. Snow date SUN 22. Beacon Farmer’s Market TUES 24 TUES 24 WED 25 Christmas Eve Mass Veterans Place at Main Christmas Eve Service Menorah Lighting SAT 21 commongroundfarm.org COLD SPRING BEACON COLD SPRING Cold Spring Aglow Common Ground Farm invites 4 & 8 p.m. Our Lady of Loretto 7 p.m. St. Andrew’s Church 5 p.m. Cold Spring COLD SPRING families and children ages 5 24 Fair St. | 845-265-3718 15 South Ave. | 845-831-1369 Main Street near Cold Spring Depot 5 – 9 p.m. Main Street and older to create handmade ourladyofloretto.org standrewsbeaconny.org putnamchabad.org Take a stroll on the longest night ornaments from naturally dyed of the year while the sidewalks are wool taken from Hudson Valley TUES 24 lined with candle-lit paper lanterns sheep. Register online. Cost: $7 Christmas Eve Service in an event organized by the Cold per ornament ($35 unlimited) GARRISON Spring Area Chamber of Commerce. 5 p.m. Family Service SUN 22 11 p.m. Service SUN 22 Santa Run St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Sunday Tea & Knitting PHILIPSTOWN 1101 Route 9D | 845-424-3571 COLD SPRING Noon – 3 p.m. Various locations | stphilipshighlands.org 1 – 3 p.m. Butterfield Library nhfd21.org 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 The North Highlands Engine TUES 24 butterfieldlibrary.org Co. No. 1 will escort Santa to Christmas Eve Service Pat Angerame will lead an all- stops around Philipstown. See schedule on Facebook. COLD SPRING levels knitting roundtable, and 6 p.m. Methodist Church participants can learn how to create texture with knit and purl. 216 Main St. | 845-265-3365 Materials provided. Also SUN 29. facebook.com/csshumc Beacon Santa Run, Dec. 21 highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 13

Hoff, will read Truman Capote’s both sacred and secular. Cost: nominees will perform their story based on his memories $15 ($20 door, $10 students) signature rock, blue and R&B of sharing holiday adventures blend. Cost: $35 ($40 door) with his best friend and cousin, Sook. Cost: $10 ($15 door) SUN 29 California Dreamin’ SAT 28 BEACON Cirque de la Lune 7 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. BEACON 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center The band will cover music 477 Main St. | 845-831-4988 popular in Southern California in cirquedelalune.bpt.me the 1960s and 1970s. Cost: $20 ($25 Hayden Wayne’s original musical SAT 21 door) features Kelly Ellenwood, Rhiannon Joy to the Dawg and Rowan Parsaca, Leah Siegel Roomful of Blues, Dec. 28 BEACON VISUAL ART and Michael Bonanno. Cost: $15 8:30 p.m. Dogwood | 47 E. Main St. ($20 door, $10 students) SUN 29 MON 23 make a seasonal craft (candle 845-202-7500 | dogwoodbar.com Stephen Clair and His Effin Great Inclusion School Break Mini-Camp dipping). Also FRI 27 (pomander MUSIC balls). Cost: $12 ($8 members) Band and Liz Kelly and Her Better BEACON CORNWALL Half will perform to celebrate 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Howland Cultural Center SAT 21 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. the seventh anniversary of the 477 Main St. | 845-831-4988 THURS 26 Outdoor Discovery Center Handel’s Messiah Dogwood restaurant and bar. howlandculturalcenter.org 100 Muser Drive | 845-534-5506 Youth Open Mic POUGHKEEPSIE This is the closing reception of an hhnm.org BEACON 2 p.m. Bardavon | 35 Market St. FRI 27 exhibit of works by Latino-American Children ages 6 to 9 can meet an 7 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. 845-473-2072 | bardavon.org Ellis Paul artists who live in the Hudson Valley, animal each day and learn about its 845-401-4062 | townecrier.com The Hudson Valley Philharmonic such as Jose Gonzalez-Soto (below). winter survival tricks. In addition, Youth ages 18 and younger can will perform with Cappella Festiva BEACON there will be hiking, games and show their talent with two songs. under the direction of Christine 8:30 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. crafts. Also THURS 26, FRI 27. Register in advance by calling Miss Howlett. Cost: $40 to $58 ($36 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com Cost: $50 per day ($45 members) Vickie. Free to $53 seniors/members) The singer and songwriter is known for his storytelling. He will be joined by Laurie MacAllister of THURS 26 SAT 21 STAGE & SCREEN Red Molly. Cost: $20 ($25 door) Bring the Kids ’Tis the Season SUN 22 GARRISON BEACON SAT 28 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Boscobel A Christmas Memory 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center Roomful of Blues 1601 Route 9D | 845-265-3638 BEACON 477 Main St. | 845-831-4988 boscobel.org 6 p.m. Howland Cultural Center theseason.bpt.me BEACON During a flashlight tour of 477 Main St. | 845-831-4988 Tony DePaolo (guitar, piano) 8:30 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. the mansion, children will hunt christmasmemory.bpt.me and Russell Cusick (vocals) 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com for gingerbread kids and then Scott Ramsey, directed by Barry will perform holiday classics The five-time Grammy

Everyone • Best Brunch in Beacon • Welcome Saint Mary-in-the-Highlands 379 Main Street, Beacon Episcopal Church To access the accessibility FRIDAY, DEC. 20 WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME! tools at highlandscurrent.org, 8:30 pm The Costellos Christmas Show +Open Book, Dimitri Archip select CTRL-U or click on SATURDAY, DEC. 21 the blue circle at the bottom 8:30 pm. The Slambovian Circus of Dreams right corner of any page. “A Very Slambovian Christmas” SUNDAY, DEC. 22 11:30 am Dan Stevens - No Music Cover

THURSDAY, DEC. 26 7 pm Youth Open Mic - No Cover

FRIDAY, DEC. 27 7 pm Jim Pospisil - No Music Cover 8:30 pm Ellis Paul +Laurie MacAllister of Red Molly

SATURDAY, DEC. 28 6 pm Lucky Luna - No Music Cover CHRISTMAS EVE 8:30 pm Roomful of Blues

SUNDAY, DEC. 29 7 pm California Dreamin’ FESTIVAL MIDNIGHT MASS

TUESDAY, DEC. 31 7 pm New Year’s Eve Salon AT 10:00 PM with Judith Tulloch Band Music Begins at 9:45pm TUESDAY, DEC. 31.

9:30 pm New Year’s Eve Celebration Slam Allen Band & Dan Brother Band RECEPTION FOLLOWS IN THE PARISH HALL

FRIDAY, JAN. 3 8:30 pm Adam Ezra Group Corner of Routes 9D & 301 in Cold Spring (845) 265-2539 Townecrier.com • 845.855.1300 www.stmaryscoldspring.org Closed Mon. & Tues. 14 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Small, Good Things the Riverview Restaurant. At last check, alas, Riverview was out, so in offering this recipe it occurred to me to East to West and return to the original couscous and make a slight modification. Israeli couscous, which is also known Back Again as pearl or giant couscous, is a relative By Joe Dizney culinary newcomer. Known in Hebrew as ptitim (“flake”), it was created in the 1950s t all started in Israel as a replacement for rice during with a David times of austerity. It was originally called I Lebovitz recipe Ben-Gurion rice in honor of David Ben- for roasted squash Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, and preserved lemon. and extruded in rice-like shape and size, Israeli couscous was the much like Italian orzo. specified basis for the dish, in this case a It later came to be made in the more cinnamon-scented layer that supported the familiar small, dense spheres of durum vegetables and amplified the fragrance of the semolina. It is also toasted, like fregola, to preserved lemons — in other words, a nice give it a similar nutty flavor. dish for a vegetarian meal or holiday side. I find that fregola is a bit denser and The first version seemed a bit insub- usually more toasted. The easy fix is a stantial. The thought occurred: why not quick toss in a hot skillet to further color substitute fregola? An uncommon Sardin- the couscous. And thanks to Bob’s Red Barn Fregola with Preserved Lemon, Roasted ian pasta, it’s made by rolling moistened Mills, even more niche varieties of pearl durum semolina into pea-sized orbs that couscous are available in a traditional pearl Squash, Dried Cherries and Pistachios are dried and toasted in the oven before or whole-wheat version. For this recipe, stay being boiled and drained like pasta. away from the “golden” couscous, which is It is a practical shape traditionally used a smaller North African variety. 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring a large pot of liberally as a medium for seafood or meat sauces. It That brings us back to the recipe at hand 8 to 10 servings salted water to boil for the fregola. Toss squash with a lends a particularly toothsome texture and and a realization that it doesn’t make that generous glug of olive oil; season with salt and pepper and spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan. toasty bite, it’s useful in soups or salads, much difference which you use, and in • 1½ pound butternut Roast on top rack of preheated oven for 20 minutes. and it’s small enough to substitute for further retrospect the thought that the spices squash, peeled and risotto. It can be difficult to locate but in here will stand up well to a variety of other seeded, cut into 2. While squash cooks, heat about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in ½-inch cubes Cold Spring you can sometimes find tradi- substitutions: spelt, kamut or even wild rice a skillet over medium-high heat; when hot, sauté onions until tional Sardinian Casa Del Grano Fregola would more likely create respectable takes • Olive oil translucent. Remove from heat, season with salt and reserve Sarda at the Riverview Home Chef behind on the formula. in a large bowl. Cut preserved lemon into quarters; scoop • 1 large onion, peeled flesh from the rind, reserving the inner flesh in a separate and diced bowl. Dice rind and add it to the onions. Press the reserved • 1 preserved lemon lemon flesh through a strainer to extract any juice, adding it to the onions. Add cooked squash to the bowl when done. • ½ cup golden raisins 3. When water boils, cook fregola with the cinnamon stick • ½ cup dried cherries, for about 10 to 11 minutes until al dente. Drain, but don’t coarsely chopped rinse. Remove cinnamon stick (it can be rinsed, dried and used again for another recipe) and add pasta to the squash- • 2 cups fregola or onion mixture. Add raisins, cherries, ground cinnamon and Italian couscous* toss all to mix. (The recipe can be prepared to this point up • 1 cinnamon stick to a day in advance and reheated.) When ready to serve, correct seasoning, drizzle with a bit more olive oil, add nuts • ¼ teaspoon ground and chopped parsley, tossing again to mix. Serve warm or at cinnamon room temperature. • 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped fine *To further accentuate the similarity to the fregola, heat a skillet • ¾ cup pine nuts or over medium-high; add the couscous to the dry pan and swirl shelled pistachios, it around, keeping and eye on it until it begins to color slightly. toasted Don’t let it burn. Remove toasted couscous from the pan and cool before cooking as per recipe. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 15 16 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

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The Empire State Express No. 999 raced past Cold Spring in 1894.  This 1958 photo of Haldane cheerleaders at a football game was taken from a Looking Back in Philipstown negative that sold on eBay this month for $10 (and was watermarked by the seller).  LOST AND FOUND — On By Chip Rowe the source until he put his hands in his Monday (Dec. 16), contractor pockets and found some matches there Sammy Pavic was picking up 150 Years Ago (December 1869) with his pocketknife and keys that had construction debris from the The Rev. Henry Pah-tah-qua-hong Chase burned the pocket and his pants and were renovation of St. Philip’s Church (Coming Thunder), a member of the Ojibwa starting on his drawers. in Garrison when he spotted [Chippewa] tribe of Canada who had a carved wooden stick under converted to Christianity some 20 years 125 Years Ago (December 1894) the porch outside the sacristy. earlier, visited Cold Spring as a guest of the Gov. Roswell Flower commuted the A plaque on its handle reads: rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The sentence of John Trumpboar, who was “Used at the Consecration Anglican priest was raising money to build convicted in 1871 for killing a man during of St. Philip’s Church in the Highlands A.D. 1862.” Designed a chapel for the Oneidas near Syracuse. a bank robbery in Cold Spring. Trumpboar, by architect Richard Upjohn, William Wells of Cold Spring wrote from who was 20, threw red pepper into the eyes the stone structure was Savannah, Georgia, to say that “the weather of a National Bank of Fishkill messenger consecrated on May 1, 1862 here is delightful. I am writing with the at Main and Rock and grabbed his deposit by the bishop of New York, windows up and no fire. Savannah is a bag, which had $8,000 in receipts collected Horatio Potter. “We had no idea thriving city and a large amount of cotton from village merchants. When a coach- this crozier existed,” reports is shipped from the port. Business is good man, Elijah Jones, gave chase, Trumpboar Jan Anderson, co-chair of the in the South and everything quiet.” turned and shot him dead. He was serving restoration committee. “Its In a quick trip, Capt. Bowne, of the schoo- a 40-year sentence but years earlier had appearance now, when we have ner at Furnace Dock, left on Monday with applied for clemency for good behavior. His just celebrated a major renewal a cargo of pig iron, unloaded at Brooklyn release was endorsed by 11 of the jurors who of this beautiful church, feels like a true blessing.” Photo provided on Tuesday, shipped coal at Weehawken on convicted him. Wednesday and returned to Cold Spring on Thursday at noon. The first snow allowed Mr. Goodsell’s horse to pull a hand sled with three boys aboard who fell off every few rods but didn’t seem to mind. A loaded pistol was found in the snow and taken to the post office for its owner to claim. A man who had been pelted with a snow- ball on Main Street got out of his sleigh and chased down one of the Curry boys on Furnace Street, bringing him back to Main Street by his collar. George Purdy, taking pity, intervened. Gov. Roswell Flower The Rev. David Gibson of the Highland Church and David Haight of Fishkill Road Meg Merril [Merrilles], the “famous each came out in the morning to feed their woman reporter of the New York World,” horses and found them gone. The minister waved her handkerchief from a window of also lost his harness, blanket and wagon, the Empire State Express No. 999 [claimed and a neighbor of Haight’s, James Boyce, to be the fastest in the world] as it sped past lost his wagon. A hypothesis was formed Cold Spring on its way from New York to that the thieves took the preacher’s gray Albany. Merrilles was writing a story about and his trappings and swapped wagons the experience. [Meg Merrilles was the at Boyce’s and horses at Haight’s before byline given to “girl” reporters at the World heading north. A search party found the who did “stunt reporting” by editors who did horse and wagon under a hotel shed at not want any of them to achieve the singu- Channingville [Wappingers Falls], but the lar influence of their predecessor, Nelly Bly.] thieves had fled. Mrs. William Nelson’s home on Fair Henry Knapp of Breakneck Hollow Street received a new coat of paint, and the smelled burning cloth but could not locate (Continued on Page 18) 18 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Looking Back (from Page 1) big doll and a red slay and a doll carriage, 75 Years Ago (December 1944) some candy, nuts and an orange. I have so Harold Post, the proprietor of W.L. Post residence of James Ladue on Chestnut was many sisters; that is all I want. I have the & Son’s Garage, died at 56 of a heart attack. improved by raising the second story. same baby I had before. I am 9 years old. He opened the garage after running a The Cold Spring Village Improvement I have no more to tell you. I will close my blacksmith shop for many years. Association placed wire guards around the letter now. Your friend, N.” An assembly was held at Haldane Central trees on Main Street. After a year of fundraising, St. Joseph’s School in which Sgt. James Hoffman, a J.G. Southard handed out 1895 calendars Church in Garrison purchased a new organ 1942 graduate, gave an account of his 50 advertising the fire insurance companies for $500 [about $15,000 today]. missions as an aerial gunner. The assem- for which he was an agent. bly also featured a film about how to win The large chimney at the old blast 100 Years Ago (December 1919) basketball games. furnace was demolished with dynamite. The Rev. J. Inman of the Methodist Church Technical Sgt. Willard Lusk Jr. of Beacon, The Musical and Literary Circle of the presented two sermons on consecutive the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Lusk of Methodist Episcopal Church presented a Sunday evenings: “The young man for whom Cold Spring, was awarded the Bronze Star. musical drama, The Merry Milkmaids, at the sensible girls are looking” and “The wife Lusk was the crew chief of a B-26 bomber Town Hall. who is worth more to a man than a fortune.” that completed 74 missions without any Matthew Quinlan was appointed as the Putnam County Sheriff Henry Stevens mechanical failures. Haldane truant officer at a rate of $50 annu- reached an agreement to board prisoners Lt. Gerald Dale of the Army Air Force, the ally, a position mandated by a law effective at the Elmsford penitentiary in Westches- son of Capt. and Mrs. Francis Dale of Chest- Jan. 1, 1895, requiring every child between ter for 57 cents a day. The going rate was nut Street, was killed in action in Belgium. 8 and 16 years old to attend school, and, 60 cents a day, but Elmsford charged less The estate of the late furniture manufac- further, that no child between 8 and 12 be because it put the prisoners to work. turer Louis Ferguson, who lived in Garri- employed while school was in session. Maj. Joseph Fogarty, who was with two son, was appraised at $2.7 million [about It was noted during a Haldane school Cold Spring men who died during the $25 million today]. board meeting that Cora Ellison, who Argonne offensive in France, visited the A German helmet sent from France by Sgt. taught the primary department, instructed village. He told Margaret Casey, the mother James Peattie was on display at his father’s 90 students, but state law only allowed 50 of Sgt. George Casey, that his company had store in Beacon. It was inscribed by Peattie scholars per class. suffered a direct hit from a large German and the men serving with him, including Philip Reilley, a director of the National shell during a 6 a.m. advance on Sept. 27. Maj. Donald Berrigan of Cold Spring. Bank of Cold Spring-on-the-Hudson, died Casey died at 3 p.m. the following day and Lt. The Rev. Elbert Floyd-Jones observed his at age 35 of peritonitis. Charles deRham was also mortally wounded. 50th Christmas as rector of St. Mary’s Epis- The flags were flown at half-mast at Perry & Reilley removed the gas system copal Church. Haldane following the loss of its principal, in their store and connected with the elec- LeRoy Z. Collins, 52, who dropped dead at tric light system. 50 Years Ago (December 1969) home while taking off his overcoat. He had Robert McCaffrey was severely injured The friends of author Cora Hardy Jarrett, attended Philip Reilley’s funeral earlier in when a horse kicked him in the mouth and who lived in the area for a number of years, the day. loosened all of his upper teeth, which had donated a collection of her books to the The Cold Spring Recorder quipped that to be extracted at Peekskill hospital. Butterfield Library. Jarrett wrote six novels “an inventive minister has devised a contri- A shortage of coal led the National Rail- and two books of short stories, some under bution box in which the quarters and halves road Administration to cut 131 trains for the pseudonym Faraday Keene. land on a piece of velvet while the pennies five days on the East Coast, including three Veterans held a “Peace with Honor” march strike a gong.” daily northbound and two daily southbound through Cold Spring and Nelsonville. The wife of Duncan Phyfe gave birth to a trains operated by the New York Central. The Marathon Battery Co., which makes 15-pound baby boy. The husband, at least, Jesse Starr and William Conklin pleaded Sonotone nickel-cadmium batteries, was reported to be “all smiles.” guilty to assaulting John Caray in 1917 and consolidated its operations into a location John McClary, an engineer at Thomas were each sentenced to three to four years on Kemble Avenue in Cold Spring. Edison’s concentrating iron works in New in prison. Jersey, was at home in Cold Spring for a The Village Board gave permission to holiday visit. J.G. Southard, president of the Cold Spring Albert Ireland of the Sunk Mines asked Light, Heat and Power Co., to place a The Recorder to correct its earlier report Christmas tree on Main Street.  A brainteaser that appeared in the that he was dead. Parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Dec. 7, 1894, issue of the Cold Spring Floyd Barrett, a fugitive since he sawed Church surprised the Rev. Joseph Bergen Recorder. Does it still work? his way out of the Carmel jail, was discov- on the 25th anniversary of his ordination 25 Years Ago (December 1994) ered in the Kingston jail after being with 25 roses and a silver purse contain- The Garrison School held a student debate accused of stealing chickens there. ing $50 in gold coins. When he visited the competition on the topic: “Resolved: Should Postmaster Timm was given a letter that Loretto school, the 34 children shouted in there be censorship in the music industry?” read: “Dear Santa Claus, please bring me a unison, “Happy Jubilee, Father!” Index Design of Garrison donated to the Garrison Volunteer Fire Co. two emergency rescue tools it had received from the Hurst Tool Co. for evaluation. A 22-year-old Beacon man was arrested on charges of assault in the first degree after a stabbing at 22 Market St. Tracy Johnston, the daughter of Jim and Susan Johnston of Garrison, was selected as a Rhodes scholar. The Wellesley College student met Bill Clinton during her first semester and became the youngest staffer, at age 19, on his presidential campaign before returning to her studies. The Garrison Volunteer Fire Co. installed a “dry hydrant” on Route 9 connected to a pond north of Papa John’s Restaurant [now Garrison Restaurant & Pizzeria]. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current December 20, 2019 19

to them on the road. I have a podcast studio Kerouac and beatnik literature — the idea of Listen Up! (from Page 11) I made in my apartment that came out pure freedom. When I was 16, I ran away and cancer survivor and my goal is to provide kinda cool.” lived on the road, hitchhiking. Travel was listeners with tools, knowledge and ideas What is it? the place I went to clear my head and get my that inspire them to become skillful eaters.” “I published a book last month called life on track. I’ve been a traveler my whole Where is it? Vagabond Secrets: A Beginner’s Guide to life and hold the Guinness World Record for simpleeats.com/podcasts Traveling the World. On the podcast, which the longest journey by car in a single country will debut Feb. 1, I will interview famous [the U.S.]. It’s the one thing that has always Vagabond Secrets travelers and ask them how they do it. We’ll been there for me: hitting the road.” Host: Greg Cayea, Beacon chat about everything travel. Where is it? Why do it? “I love travel because I was stuck at an vagabondsecrets.com “Podcasting is the perfect method to infamous ‘therapeutic boarding school’ conduct interviews because you can listen when I was kid and became obsessed with See highlandscurrent.org for links. Greg Cayea Photo provided

Strings Attached Dan Baginski and Barbara Paulson of the Vermont-based Strings Marionette Co. returned to the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon on Dec. 8 for two shows. Even Elvis showed up (below). Photos by Ross Corsair 20 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

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Why is anyone surprised when a child loses his or her cool when meeting Santa Claus for the first time? Sure, the old man takes requests, but he also has a beard so thick you can’t see most of his face, he wears a blood-red suit and he lives at the mall. Last year we asked readers to share their photos of children who were none too happy to meet Santa, and this year we did it again. Happy holidays to all who responded, and good luck.

Liam Hussung, Garrison

Charles Rowe, Garrison “All the world is happy when Santa Claus comes.” - Maud Lindsay, Theo Peters, Cold Spring Sutton Mae Rink (niece of Stacy Dedring, Beacon) Santa Claus, A Wonder Story for Little Children

Emelia and Olivia Lusk Gretchen and Jack Smith, Cold Spring 22 December 20, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org Current Classifieds SPORTS

(Continued from Page 24) to the first team of the Class C All-State screws $20. (2) Danby 3.2 Cu. Ft. Compact SERVICES Croton-Harmon High School last week- squad selected by the New York State Refrigerator – Black $100. (3) Walker Edison end but couldn’t keep up with the host in Sportswriters Association and was also Glass Solo Computer Desk with keyboard A PLACE FOR MOM — The nation’s largest the championship game, falling 69-32. The honored as the region’s co-player of the year tray $50 19.75” by 32”, 29” high. Email senior living referral service. Contact our Blue Devils will take on Beacon at noon by the Poughkeepsie Journal. [email protected] with interest. trusted, local experts today. Our service is on Dec. 28 in a tournament at Spackenkill. The paper named Steve Schweikhart of free/no obligation. Call 844-887-7006. Haldane as the region’s coach of the year and included freshman Chloe Rowe of Haldane NOTICES BOWLING Both Beacon boys’ and girls’ teams swept and senior Analiese Compagnone of Beacon FOR SALE Poughkeepsie, 7-0, on Dec. 18. Last week on its first team. DONATE YOUR CAR — Your donation helps against Carmel, the boys lost, 7-0, and the Compagnone joined Jade Villella on the the United Breast Cancer Foundation with ITEMS FOR SALE — The Current moved girls won, 5-2. All-Section team, which is selected by the to our new offices and have some items education, prevention & support programs. Section 1 coaches. The All-League team Fast, free pickup; 24-hour response; tax available for sale. (1) Philips VIC WK1016A5B BOYS’ SWIMMING included Jade Villella, Bela Monteleone, Liv deduction. Call 855-821-1830. large-screen television stand with assorted Beacon defeated Port Chester, 99-62, in Villella, Bianca Harmancin, Ella Ashburn a home meet on Dec. 13 to improve to 4-1. and Mazzie Maxwell, with honorable TAG SALE? Car for sale? Space for rent? Help wanted? mentions to Sara Ferreira, Allie Ferreira, Place your ad here for $4.95. See highlandscurrent.org/classifieds. GIRLS’ SOCCER Abigail Platt, Anna Rowe and Chloe Rowe. Haldane senior Jade Villella was named

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©2019; forecasts and graphics provided by 7-Day Forecast for the Highlands Snowfall Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Past week 2.4” Month to date 10.9” 33/18 42/23 46/27 44/29 41/23 35/26 38/26 Normal month to date 2.3” Season to date 10.9” Normal season to date 4.2” Last season to date 4.9” Record for 12/20 0.0” (0)

Increasing Partly sunny and not Mostly sunny Periods of clouds Times of clouds and Sunny to partly Plenty of sunshine SUN & MOON cloudiness as cold and sun sun cloudy Sunrise Sat., 12/21 7:18 AM Sunset Sat. night, 12/21 4:29 PM Moonrise Sat., 12/21 2:03 AM POP: 0% POP: 0% POP: 0% POP: 10% POP: 25% POP: 5% POP: 0% Moonset Sat., 12/21 1:37 PM SW 4-8 mph WSW 4-8 mph N 6-12 mph SSW 4-8 mph WSW 4-8 mph NW 8-16 mph NW 7-14 mph New First Full Last RealFeel 34/14 RealFeel 42/23 RealFeel 44/27 RealFeel 44/28 RealFeel 41/23 RealFeel 31/15 RealFeel 32/20 POP: Probability of Precipitation; The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature® is an exclusive index of the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day. Dec 25 Jan 2 Jan 10 Jan 17

SudoCurrent By CrossCurrent King Features   ACROSS   1. Grill fill     6. Easily split rock 12. Give in   13. Beer gut  14. Fitting 15. Camelot role    16. First victim   17. Bullets and such 19. Big bother    20. Director Kazan 22. Unruly group Answers for Dec. 13 Puzzles 24. Trouble 27. Taj Mahal city 29. “— Misbehavin’ ” 32. New Orleans neighborhood 35. Criterion 36. Yanks 37. Sauce source 38. That girl 40. Send forth 42. Raw rock 44. Sheltered 46. Capri, e.g. 50. Swiss city 52. Country 4. Whopper 23. Scull need moon  54. TV’s Superman 5. Unwavering 24. Sternward 42. Storybook baddie  portrayer 6. Unwanted email 25. Anger 43. Stagger 55. Nasal qualities 7. Ricochet, in billiards 26. Diminished 45. Survive  56. First-born 8. Shack 28. Increases 47. Deadly septet          57. Have a hunch 9. Occupies 30. Ultramodernist 48. Playgoers’ box  10. Gulf War missile 31. Have a go at 49. Type measures DOWN 11. “Comin’ — the Rye” 33. Ultimate 51. Previous night  1. — Your Enthusiasm 12. Masseur’s workplace 34. “— was saying ...” 53. Shock and —          2. Reed instrument 18. Theater canopy 39. Icicles’ homes  3. More than enough 21. Fond du —, Wis. 41. Saturn’s largest  © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers will be published next week. See highlandscurrent.org/puzzle for interactive versions. 24 December 20, 2019 For mail delivery, see highlandscurrent.org/delivery SPORTS Follow us at twitter.com/hcurrentsports Haldane Board Votes to Fire Coach Accusations of racism comments following the vote, a number of audience members questioned the deci- leveled at members sion. A Haldane parent, Jennifer Gordineer, By Chip Rowe claimed there had been teachers “in a lot more trouble than this” who were not fired, he Haldane school board voted compared the termination to “an old-fash- unanimously on Wednesday (Dec. ioned lynching” (Searight is African Ameri- Baseball Stadium T 18) to fire girls’ varsity basketball can) and said Searight had a bright future coach Tyrone Searight, who pleaded guilty because “any school district in the Hudson to a violation this month related to allega- Valley will be happy to have him.” In Holding Pattern tions of workers’ compensation fraud. Another person called the firing “racist” Searight had coached the Blue Devils and others expressed surprise the board Needs lease agreements from for 11 seasons. After being arrested on was hearing comments only after it had county, Beacon schools Oct. 29 and charged with three felonies, already voted. he pleaded guilty on Nov. 26 to disorderly Searight, who was not an employee of By Jeff Simms conduct and paid nearly $17,000 in resti- the district but was set to receive a $6,081 tution to the Metropolitan Transportation stipend this season for coaching the team, he long-term future of Dutchess Tyrone Searight on the sidelines of a Authority, which had employed him as a demanded board members “tell me what Stadium and its tenants, the Haldane game on Dec. 18, 2016, a month bus driver. you’re firing me for.” after he filed a worker's compensation Hudson Valley Renegades, remains T Following his claim in November 2016 After a number of interruptions from claim with the MTA. uncertain pending a new agreement that he had injured his knee on the job and audience members, Superintendent Philip File photo by Richard Kuperberg Sr. between Major League Baseball and its could not work, investigators said Searight Benante told Searight he would receive 162 minor league teams. continued to coach at Haldane and did not “something from me in writing.” Benante who was coaching both teams. Char- The agreement ends after the 2020 appear seriously injured in game videos. had recommended to the board that Searight kowsky will be paid a stipend of $4,307. season, and one proposal would elimi- Following his arrest, Searight went on be fired. Charkowsky, a Haldane graduate, teaches nate 42 teams in the Single-A, short- leave and the junior varsity coach, Jessica During the meeting, the board also physical education in the Carmel school season leagues that begin play in June, Perrone, was elevated to succeed him. approved the appointment of Will Char- district. He played varsity basketball at which includes the Renegades, to stream- Unlike most school board meetings, kowsky as the junior varsity girls’ coach Haldane and baseball for Mitchell College. line travel and cut costs. Another proposal this one drew a packed house. In public for the 2019-20 season to succeed Perrone, would promote the Renegades to Single- A ball, extending the team’s season into April and May. The Renegades, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, have been based at Dutchess Stadium for 26 seasons. On Dec. 6, Base- VARSITY ROUND-UP ball America named the Renegades the By Skip Pearlman top Short-A operation of 2019, an award the team last won in 1998. BOYS’ BASKETBALL Haldane (3-1) defeated The Leffell The Renegades last year agreed to a five- Beacon played in the Dan Dinan Tour- School, 89-43, on the road on Monday year extension of the lease with Dutchess nament last weekend at Tappan Zee, (Dec. 16), and was scheduled to travel to County for the 4,500-seat stadium after falling to a team from Virginia, Forest Chester on Dec. 27 and face North Salem the Legislature approved $2.4 million in Hills, 74-59, in the consolation round on Jan. 4 at Carmel High School in the bond funding to replace stadium chairs after dropping a 61-47 decision to the Putnam Challenge tournament. and repair the concrete seating bowl and host Dutchmen a day earlier. other surfaces. Renegades ownership at the Senior forward Tre Smith led Beacon GIRLS’ BASKETBALL time said that a long-term agreement was (1-5) with 15 points against Forest Hills, Beacon (4-4) defeated Roosevelt High contingent on a second phase of improve- and Dillon Kelly added 13. Shane Green led School, 64-32, on Wednesday (Dec. 18) at ments that the club would help pay for. the Bulldogs against Tappan Zee with 12 home. Lejdina Gecaj led the team with Those discussions are ongoing, but with points, and Tsamaj Powell had nine points, 11 points, and Grace Affeldt and Enita possible minor league realignment loom- five rebounds and two blocks. Smith was Rodriguez each scored nine. “It was ing, “no one wants to sign anything that named to the All-Tournament team. nice to get the younger girls in and have could be changed,” said Colleen Pillus, a “We played against some big, physical everyone play,” said Coach Christina representative for the county. teams, and our inexperience showed,” Dahl. “Every player on our team scored, A second agreement that is important to said Coach Scott Timpano. “It was a good and we hope to carry this momentum to the team’s future involves the Beacon City learning experience.” Friday [Dec. 20] at Gorton.” School District, which owns the land under Beacon was set to play Wednesday The Bulldogs also rolled past Keio, Dutchess Stadium and leases it to the county. (Dec. 18) at John Jay Cross River, but a 46-28, on Dec. 14 but came up short on In 2018 and this past October, the school power outage pushed the game to Thurs- Dec. 12 against Walter Panas, 51-29, in board approved one-year extensions of the day. The Bulldogs will compete next a tournament hosted by Panas. Beacon $29,000 annual lease while the sides negoti- week in the Dutchess County Coaches opened the tournament with a 61-56 ate a long-term deal. The county and district Tsamaj Powell, shown here in a game against Rye, had nine points, five Tournament at Ketcham High School in win over Lakeland. are waiting to receive an appraisal of the rebounds and two blocks for Beacon in a Wappingers Falls, with its opener sched- Haldane (2-2) edged Carmel, 55-54, land beneath the stadium and 21 undevel- loss to Tappan Zee. File photo by S. Pearlman uled for 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26. in the first round of a tournament at oped acres adjacent to it before proceeding, (Continued on Page 22) said school board President Anthony White.