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May 3, 2019 161 Main St., Cold Spring, N.Y. | highlandscurrent.org Beacon Farmers’ Market Must Move Again Also, council to hold hearings on Verizon, signs

By Jeff Simms

he Beacon Farmers’ Market will open on Sunday, May 5, at the T Veterans Place site it has occupied since 2017, but only temporarily. On June 2, the market — unable to convince the Beacon City Council to renew its one-year lease at the site — will relocate to the Department of Motor Vehicles park- ing lot at 223 Main St., about six blocks away. The move will be the market’s third in four years, and that upheaval may confuse casual customers, market organizers argued during the City Council’s April 29 meeting. The market was originally located at Veterans Place before moving to the Beacon waterfront in 2002. After becoming a project of the nonprofit Common Ground Farm, the market in 2017 returned to the FILLING A NEED — Lincoln Wayland and Henry Hedlund were among the Scouts from Philipstown Pack 137 who joined Village Veterans Place block near Main Street and of Cold Spring trustees, Tree Advisory Board members and Highway Department staff on Friday (April 26) in spreading mulch around an Okame Cherry tree planted on Main Street in front of The Highlands Current office to commemorate Arbor Day. The the post office. That allowed more people mulch was made by the Highway Department from recycled Christmas trees. Photo by Jennifer Zwarich access, organizers said, and vendor sales increased 35 percent, with almost three times the number of low-income residents receiving discounted produce. Yet even three years after moving, the Philipstown’s market is still “getting people looking for us at the waterfront,” said Paloma Wake, who manages the market for Common Ground. Spanish News Another move would confuse the custom- ers who have now grown accustomed to the Producer broadcasts Veterans Place location, she said. Some nearby business owners, notably programs around the Phil Ciganer of the Towne Crier Cafe, say world from Route 9 the market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays from May 5 to Nov. 24, disrupts their operations by creating exces- By Michael Turton sive noise, blocking parking spaces and sell- n a small studio in a blue building on ing products other than farm-grown food. Route 9 in Philipstown, Juan Carlos “I’ve shown up at work at 10 in the Salcedo broadcasts to the world. morning and I can’t find a parking spot,” I Salcedo is the producer and host of the said Ciganer, who voiced similar concerns Spanish-language news and commentary Juan Carlos Salcedo in his Route 9 TV studio Photo by M. Turton a year ago when the market renewed its programs La Verdad Internacional and lease with the city. He noted that bands Punto Vida, which are beamed via satellite the DNA of the news.’ ” locally other than soap operas,” he said. playing the Towne Crier have had trouble to Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Episodes of both shows are also posted Locals do watch, he says. “It’s not uncom- loading equipment into the venue when Paraguay, Colombia and Spain. The stories on YouTube, and Salcedo brokered a deal mon for me to go into a deli and have some- its side entrance has been blocked. reach the rest of Europe via a program called with Optimum to show them on the local one say, ‘Hey, aren’t you that guy on TV?’ ” In the winter, the market moves indoors to Aqui Latinos (Latinos Here). cable access channel in Putnam, Dutchess La Verdad Internacional (roughly, The the Memorial Hall building at 413 Main St. “We go deeper than the headlines,” and Orange counties. “I wasn’t seeing Truth International) and Punto Vida (Life (Continued on Page 5) Salcedo says. “Our slogan is ‘We look at anything on Spanish-language television (Continued on Page 7) 2 May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org FIVE QUESTIONS: JEFF PLACE

By Brian PJ Cronin published political protest songs from the 1960s, and eff Place is the lead producer and he also created a political By Michael Turton author of Pete Seeger: The Smithso- music magazine called nian Folkways Collection, a box set J Gazette. He recorded a What trait usually being released today (May 3) on what would bunch of songs for those have been Seeger’s 100th birthday. projects that didn’t get on associated with women The set includes 137 tracks. How did records. I found a couple should men try to adopt? you decide? of songs from the early I was trying to only put stuff on that 1960s where he sang came out of the Smithsonian collections about something that [of folk music]. But Pete did 70 albums for was perfectly timed for Humility. Folkways and a few more on other labels now. For instance, “The we own. And then there’s 300 to 400 tapes Ballad of Dr. Dearjohn” Men tend to be of concerts and outtakes in our archives. is about the battles going more arrogant. I went through all of it, starting with his on in Canada at the time early recordings in 1942 through the end regarding socialized medi- of his life. For the political songs, I wanted cine. There are people in to focus on the ones he wrote, but he was the song who are against involved in so many causes. it, saying, “It’s going to Jeff Place | Photo provided ruin our country if we let What do you think will surprise a this thing happen!” And I casual listener? think about now compared to World War II thought, We’ve heard this before! The diversity. Disc 1 is the greatest hits, and the McCarthy era?” He said this stuff and the other five CDs are songs from Do you think Pete’s work resonates comes in cycles. This too shall pass. We’ll get around the world. Pete was doing multi- in times of political upheaval, such through this, and it’ll change again. culturalism in the 1950s before anybody as now? Do you have a favorite track? else was even thinking about it. Absolutely. I was once sitting in a room “Of Time and Rivers Flowing” — one of How did you find the 20 unreleased with Pete and some colleagues, during a his Hudson River songs. It’s an earworm. ~ Sharon Verardo, Fishkill tracks? time that was nowhere near as crazy as it is Even just mentioning it now, it’s probably Pete was involved with Broadside, which now, and someone asked Pete, “What do you going to play in my head for the next three or four days. Men could be Done more emotionally Next 50 Day perceptive. full color posters -Indoor/Outdoor Quality -Coated 80# Card Stock -12x18” ~ Nikki Polowski, Beacon - Your PDF File + tax Admitting to being vulnerable at times. (1) Relief from the $65 discomfort of seasonal Order by email Empathy. (2) eye allergies is only a or in the store phone call away.

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NEWS BRIEFS

personnel costs ($886,000) and adminis- New Trustees for trative expenses ($129,000). It also plans Howland Library to spend about $44,000 on books; $13,000 on audio, movies and music; $8,450 on Voters approve $1.2 million budget databases, $6,700 on magazine subscrip- eacon voters on April 25 approved tions; and $28,000 on programming. B the 2019-20 budget for the Howland Building and maintenance costs are Public Library and elected two trustees to expected to be $72,000. its nine-member board. In a report, the library said it served The budget passed, 172-15, and Kath- nearly 11,000 people and circulated more leen Furfey and Diane Landau Flayter ran than 101,500 items in 2017-18. It also hosted unopposed to fill two seats left open by more than 250 events and programs for the departures of Prue Posner and Donna adults and more than 300 for children. Haynes. Trustees serve five-year terms. Horses May Return to Tilly Foster The other trustees are Jan Dolan (presi- Boulder Blocks dent), Karen Twohig, Stacy Christensen, Philipstown legislator questions expense Arabella Droullard, Randy Lashua, Mark Breakneck Trail O’Malley and Tom Rigney. State closes to assess potential danger The library’s total spending for 2019- By Holly Crocco and the liability that comes with it. “You 20 will be about $1.2 million, nearly all he popular Breakneck Ridge hiking don’t know how they’re going to act with a of which comes from property taxes. The trail closed this past weekend after a pair of black Percheron horses may 2-year-old,” she said. T board voted in February to exceed the rockslide on Friday (April 26) left a boul- soon be visible from Route 312 Legislator Joseph Castellano (R-Brewster) state-mandated 2 percent tax cap, which der blocking the 8.6-mile trail. A grazing the pastures at Tilly Foster called the purchase a great idea. “It would be would have allowed it to raise its levy Park officials, fearing other boulders Farm in Brewster — a sight missed by many a huge draw to the farm,” he said. However, he by $21,000. Instead, it put a 5.5 percent might come down, closed the trail and, longtime residents who have been awaiting noted that he would like to see an “exit strat- increase, or $58,000, before voters. briefly, Route 9D. The trail remained the return of horses to the historic county- egy” spelled out if the county ever decided it Most of the library’s expenses are for closed as of Thursday (May 2). owned property. could no longer care for the horses. Lou Albano, one of the caretakers at Legislator Nancy Montgomery (D-Phil- the farm, said at the April 18 meeting of ipstown) criticized the administration for the Putnam County Legislature’s Physical not having a master plan for the farm. In Services Committee that while purchasing addition, she said she would not support two horses would cost the county as much the purchase of the horses because she is as $30,000, a resident has offered to sell committed to holding off on any unnec- the county one horse for $5,000 and donate essary purchases that would have a fiscal the other, as well as a pioneer wagon and impact on the 2019 budget. rigging so the horses can be exercised. She noted that a week earlier, legislators The first-year cost of purchasing the had debated whether to change the title of a horses, providing veterinary services, buying position in the Sheriff’s Department based feed (about 12 pounds daily), and purchas- on the fact that it would be “adding” a posi- ing other supplies, equipment and building tion that was not in the budget. materials is estimated at $37,700. The cost in “I look at this the same way,” she said. each subsequent year will be about $15,000, “We’re going to buy some horses, and I don’t he said. have any transportation in Philipstown.” The horses are 10 years old and typi- However, Legislator Neal Sullivan cally live to be 25 to 30. While the animals (R-Mahopac) argued the purchase would are immense, weighing upward of 2,000 be “an investment in the farm,” he said. pounds each, they are known for being “People want horses.” even-tempered and calm, he said. The Physical Services Committee A portion of the front lawn at the farm would approved a fund transfer to purchase the be cordoned off to allow the horses to graze. horses, and the matter was forwarded to Legislator Amy Sayegh (R-Mahopac Falls) the Audit Committee. It will need to go expressed concerns about a suggestion that before the full Legislature for approval. the farm could offer horse or wagon rides,

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LETTERS AND COMMENTS

Second light The seniors, who waited decades to get * Winner: 45 equality with the other towns in Putnam County and have their own taxpayer- Better Newspaper funded center, can now wait even longer for Contest Awards a simple stoplight so they cross the street *New York Press Association, 2013 - 2018 safely (“Does Cold Spring Need Another Traffic Light?,” April 26). NNA* Winner: I applaud Rena Corey for having the cour- age of her convictions to dare to confront the 16 Better mayor and risk his wrath, which, as per usual, Newspaper is directed at the taxpaying-resident who is Contest Awards simply asking government to do its job. It is disgraceful that instead of acting *National Newspaper Association, 2016-2017 like a responsible public official and work- ing for the good of the community and the NYNPA* Winner: seniors who have done so much for Cold 4 Awards for Spring during their lives, the mayor tells Excellence Ms. Corey to take a hike. It’s a mystery how * New York News Publishers Association, 2017 this man can keep getting elected. Why didn’t the mayor and other officials deal with this obvious problem during the PUBLISHER Highlands Current Inc. many years that they were in negotiations 161 Main St. and litigation with the developer? Thousands Cold Spring NY 10516-2818 of dollars were spent by the village for plan- 291 Main St., Beacon NY 12508 ning and traffic studies, well before anyone Caught with The Current — Beacon Pantry, April 20 put a shovel in the ground. Yet nobody could FOUNDER Gordon Stewart (1939 - 2014) figure out that they were going to need a traf- The traffic light would also be useful for speeds sometimes exceeding 50 mph. If our fic light at the main intersection? the many who will be living at the Butter- village’s seniors need help — and maybe they MANAGING EDITOR Patty Villanova, Putnam Valley field site, not just the seniors at Chestnut do! — what about our children? Chip Rowe Ridge, to get to the pharmacy as well as the Evan Hudson, Cold Spring [email protected] I submitted a nine-page public comment Foodtown plaza. A flashing caution light ARTS/FEATURE EDITOR to the Planning Board challenging, among would be wonderful. Looking back Alison Rooney other points, the adequacy and accuracy Donna Anderson, Garrison Was the incident in which someone in [email protected] of this site’s traffic and pedestrian plan. 1944 yelled “Fire!” at the New Hudson Many other residents were similarly criti- Bravo to Officer Larry Burke for offering a Theater in Cold Spring the origin of that SENIOR CORRESPONDENT Michael Turton cal, particularly of the scale of the devel- smart solution that will burden no one. It is common anecdote (“Looking Back in Phil- opment, but the approval process became a dangerous crosswalk. My mom, 93, cannot ipstown,” April 26)? REPORTERS a divisive political football, resulting in a cross there safely — after all, there is a reason Ethan Timm, Cold Spring Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong wound that clearly has not healed. that Downey Oil is a favored stakeout spot to The editor responds: There are new reports Brian PJ Cronin • Joe Dizney of people falsely yelling “Fire!” in crowded Pamela Doan • Deb Lucke Although undoubtedly he had his opinions, catch speeders. But the village police cannot Skip Pearlman • Jeff Simms Dave Merandy was not the mayor at the time patrol that section of road 24/7. The services theaters that date to the 19th century — some- the Butterfield reports and plans were made. available on the east side of 9D should be an times with deadly results — but the anecdote LAYOUT DESIGNER In any case, mayors cannot simply unilaterally easy and safe passage for all, as should be was popularized by a 1919 Supreme Court Pierce Strudler override errors and insufficiencies in a report the westward walk to the village proper. An decision, written by Justice Oliver Wendell ADVERTISING DIRECTOR approved by the Planning Board. Mayors, on-demand traffic light is the answer. Holmes Jr., in which the justices ruled that the Michele Gedney while probably by charter more powerful than John Cronin, Cold Spring defendant’s opposition to the military draft For information on advertising: was not free speech. Holmes gave the exam- 845-809-5584 they should be, are not in the league of kings. [email protected] The pedestrian and traffic issues are While we are on the topic of traffic-calm- ple of “falsely shouting fire in a theater and highlandscurrent.org/ads going to get worse once all the construc- ing measures, what about the crosswalk at causing a panic” as being dangerous and not tion is completed and the Butterfield site the intersection of Route 9D and Craigside protected by the First Amendment. The court is fully occupied. Drive? It is heavily used by children going to ruled that opposing the draft was similarly Frank Haggerty, Cold Spring and from Haldane, and crossed by drivers at “dangerous” to the war effort.

Regarding the construction of Storm The Highlands Current is a 501c3 nonprofit funded by grants, advertising and the King Highway a century ago: During the generous support of our readers. Thank you. summers while I was in college, I worked THE HIGHLANDS CURRENT, with an Italian-American stone mason, is published weekly by Joseph Chirella, who was born in 1900. He Highlands Current Inc. told me stories about working as a “water Vol. 8, Issue 18 (ISSN 2475-3785) boy” for the laborers on the project. He also POSTMASTER: Send address changes to mentioned that there were several fatalities The Highlands Current, 161 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 10516-2818. when workers fell over the side of the road. Mail delivery $30 per year. Also in 1919, you noted that the Village highlandscurrent.org/delivery Board asked the Army to release Dr. Ralph [email protected] Hall so he could return to work in Cold © Highlands Current Inc. 2019 Spring. His house was, for a time, the All rights reserved. No part of this publi- former Montessori school on Main Street. cation may be reproduced in any form, mechanical or electronic, without written Anthony Merante, Cold Spring permission of the publisher. High praise That was the best interview with novelist Tom Boyle ever published (“5Q: T.C. Boyle,” April 26). Bravo. Dan Bloom, via highlandscurrent.org highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current May 3, 2019 5

The board approved the budget at its plish this plan by supporting more academic No Challengers for Beacon School Board April 23 meeting. opportunities for our students, smaller class While the tax levy — the total amount sizes, expansion of the arts and music, and Voters will consider $73.6 million budget on May 21 the district can collect through taxes — more mental health support.” has increased, the tax rate by which indi- Voters will also be asked to approve a By Jeff Simms taxes on a home assessed at $300,000 by vidual homes are charged is expected to $435,000 proposition to buy two buses and about $200 annually in Beacon. decrease for the third straight year when four vans for the district, and to allow the hree years after voters elected them as State aid ($29.5 million) and the district’s the city completes its assessments. That’s district to shift funds to increase the spend- newcomers to the Beacon City Board tax levy ($40.3 million) make up the bulk because Beacon has more housing stock ing on a capital improvement plan approved in T of Education, Meredith Heuer, Michael of revenue, with about $2.5 million coming than a year ago, which allows the levy to be December from $9 million to $9.7 million. The Rutkoske and Antony Tseng will each run from savings and $1.1 million from a variety spread across more homes, Deputy Super- board needs to move the money, the district unopposed on May 21 for a second term. of other sources. intendent Ann Marie Quartironi explained. said, because bids to install lights at an athletic The candidates won easily in 2016, the Expenses include $4.6 million for build- If approved by voters, the budget will field that will be constructed behind Beacon first of three consecutive election cycles ing maintenance, $586,000 for curricu- pay for an additional elementary school High School came in higher than expected. that have seen district voters install an lum development and supervision, $27 teacher, new high school courses such as The board will hold a public hearing on almost entirely new school board. million for teacher salaries, $12 million for Introduction to Italian and a social worker the budget on May 13. In addition to the board candidates, programs for students with disabilities, who will be based primarily at the high District residents who are not already Beacon voters will be asked to approve $2.3 million for computer-assisted instruc- school and specialize in the prevention of registered to vote with Dutchess County a budget for 2019-20 that includes $73.6 tion, $563,000 for sports, $3.3 million for drug and alcohol abuse. but wish to participate in the school elec- million in spending, an increase of about transportation, $2.5 million for teacher “We worked hard this year to create a vision tions may register at the District Office at $3 million, or 4.3 percent. (The state- retirement costs, $9 million for health of what we want to see in all of our gradu- 10 Education Drive on Tuesday, May 7, from mandated tax cap for the district is 4.4 insurance premiums, and $5.8 million in ates,” said Superintendent Matt Landahl. “We 1 to 5 p.m. Residents must bring identifica- percent.) If adopted, it would increase the payments on construction bonds. feel this budget will help us begin to accom- tion and proof of residency.

The City Council will vote on Monday, special-use permit from the City Council. A second public hearing will be held to (from Page 1) Beacon Market May 6, on moving the farmers’ market for The council has received highly disparate discuss a recrafted sign ordinance that dates Market organizers sparred briefly with the the upcoming season. feedback on the proposal, including from to last year, when city attorneys suggested council during the April 29 meeting, calling Public hearings consultants who’ve said the tower would Beacon’s regulations were unconstitutional. the move to the Dutchess County lot “abrupt The council will hold a public hearing on safely address a gap in wireless coverage, and Since then, the council has debated numer- and uncomfortable” for vendors and custom- Monday to discuss a request from Verizon from residents who claim it will emit danger- ous revisions, at times dissecting the drafts ers. But Mayor Randy Casale said Common to install a 52-foot wooden utility pole with ous radio frequencies. The Beacon Plan- line by line. Council Member Lee Kyriacou has Ground staff had dragged their feet after a panel antenna on private property at 110 ning Board has recommended the company suggested adopting regulations that match being notified that the change was imminent. Howland Ave. construct a 6-foot fence around the facility the city’s zoning districts — historic, Main “The market knew it had a lease for one Verizon submitted an application last and plant evergreens to hide the tower. Street, residential, and “everything else.” year,” he said. “They knew the lease had to year to lease about 100 square feet on the The Dutchess County Planning Board, in The most recent draft of the law was be renewed. It was your due diligence to property to erect the wireless antenna, but its review, suggested moving the tower to the expected to be posted to cityofbeacon.org come and get your lease done. It’s not on us.” the company cannot proceed without a east, closer to the Mount Beacon tree line. today (May 3).

HELP WANTED Discover our year-round "Always Growing" SEASONAL LABORER The Depot's Spring Benefit Party CSA shares and farm store. May 5, 4-7pm The Village of Cold Spring is seeking Garrison Landing's Riverfront Park to fill a Temporary Seasonal position USDA Certifi ed Organic Vegetables and Animal Welfare with the Highway Department. Celebrating 20 years of Youth Productions Responsibilities include lawn mowing, Approved Pasture-Raised Meat. Curated Products from maintenance, street cleaning, etc. Innovative Hudson Valley Producers. Nunsense - For more information please contact the Visit glynwood.org to purchase shares, order The Mega Musical Village of Cold Spring at (845)265-3611. meat and  nd current store hours. By Danny Goggin Directed by Christine Bokhour Send Resume and Letter of Interest by Musical director Tood Hulet May 15, 2019 to: May 17 - June 9 Friday/Saturday at 7:30 | Sunday's at 3 Mayor Dave Merandy 85 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516 www.philipstowndepottheatre.org Stonecrop Gardens Cold Spring, NY (845) 2652000 www.stonecrop.org Open Monday Saturday & select Sundays, 10am5pm ~ Admission $10

Spring Guided Garden Walk The Woodland Wednesday, May 8 ~ 5:30pm Admission $10 / Members no charge Garden Conservancy Open Day Sunday, May 12 ~ 10am 5pm Featuring Tea in the Garden (tea & cake available for purchase 12 4pm)

 All About Alpines Workshop Glynwood is a food and farming nonpro t with a mission to ensure Saturday, May 18, 9am1pm, $70 / $50 (members) the Hudson Valley is a region de ned by food, where farming thrives. Everything you need to know about alpines is offered in this workshop… Begin with a lecture followed by an alpine garden walk. GLYNWOOD RD  COLD SPRING, NY €‚ƒ€„  †ƒ ‡„ƒ ˆˆˆ Put your newfound knowledge to work and plant an alpine trough to take home. 6 May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

AROUND TOWN

^ TEARING IT UP — During ^ BIRD WATCH — Ryan Bass of the Putnam a cleanup in Nelsonville on Highlands Audubon Society (holding tripod) led April 27, Michael Young of a bird walk on April 27 at Constitution Marsh in the New York-New Jersey Garrison. Over two hours the 20 participants saw Trail Conference shows or heard 169 birds from 31 species. The group’s a participant an invasive annual Birdathon is scheduled for May 11. species that can be removed. Photo by Ross Corsair The event was hosted by the village with the Hudson < HANDS-ON SCIENCE — Sixth- and seventh- Highlands Land Trust, the grade students from the Manitou School in Open Space Institute and the Cold Spring gave the Hudson River a helping Girl Scouts. Volunteers also hand on April 25 by cleaning up debris at Little installed protective tubes Stony Point. The field trip was part of a science around recently planted native curriculum that includes the study of climate seedlings. Photo by Dove Pedlosky change, the oceans, plastic pollution and other environmental issues. Photo by Michael Turton

JOIN US THIS SPRING STARLAB IN THE INFLATABLE PLANETARIUM Saturday, May 4 9:30am, 11:00am | 45-minute programs CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SECOND SATURDAYS Saturday, May 11 We've hosted, produced, and supported hundreds of Bring the Kids! • 9:30am | two-hour program Landscape and Landmarks Tour • 11:30am - noon programs and events to inspire, educate, connect and activate Cold Spring Farmers’ Market • 8:30am - 1:30pm community — fundraisers, space hosting, planning, technical Pay-What-You-Wish Grounds Admission and creative support for initiatives like…

TEDxLongDock Unity in the Community MEMBERS’ PICNIC Main Street Summit Green Beacon Coalition Saturday, May 25 (Raindate: May 26) Beacon Zoning Forums Showing Up for Racial Justice 5:00 - 8:00pm Project Drawdown Learn Re>Think Social Enterprise for for members and their guests (Re)Fund Planned Parenthood Community Impact Grannies Respond: Witness from Food + Social Enterprise Panel INSIDER TOURS the Texas Border Financing Healthy Communities Wednesday through Monday One-hour tours depart 10:00am - 4:00pm AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED

PURCHASE TICKETS AND BECOME A MEMBER AT BOSCOBEL.ORG beahivebzzz.com 845-265-3638 • Garrison, New York Salcedo (R) speaks live to a producer in La Paz, Bolivia. Photo by Michael Turton

highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current May 3, 2019 7

thanked his U.S. lawyers and forgave his Spanish TV (from Page 1) torturers. “It was pretty moving,” Salcedo recalls. “He said the U.S. judicial system Points) are produced by the Xtotv Enlace- takes a long time — but it works.” Siscriscom network in La Paz, Bolivia. As a Salcedo seems to relish the challenge of field producer, Salcedo works from his desk running a one-man shop but “it was a lot in Philipstown, assisting his South Ameri- easier to write a script and work behind the can counterparts in real time. (Although it scenes,” he says. “Doing news and current is 4,000 miles from the Highlands, La Paz is affairs is almost like studying for an exam in the same time zone.) The audio from both every week.” That’s in part because the shows is also broadcast as radio content. experts he interviews for La Verdad Inter- Much of Salcedo’s work is done behind nacional know their subjects well. “They’re the scenes, but at least twice a month savvy,” he says. “It takes a lot of preparation.” he hosts and conducts interviews for La At the end of each 26-minute show, Verdad Internacional. Salcedo summarizes the news and offers He got his start in media at age 15, writ- commentary. “I don’t pretend that I don’t ing radio scripts in his native Bolivia. have opinions,” he says. Salcedo also worked in television produc- Punto Vida also provides reports from tion in the 1990s and early 2000s. “This is around the world, but unlike La Verdad my first time in front of the camera,” he Internacional has no interest in headlines. says. “I don’t wear makeup, but I keep a Instead, it provides vignettes of day-to- Salcedo speaks to a producer by satellite in La Paz, Bolivia. Photo by M. Turton comb close by!” day life in communities in Japan, Croatia, Since setting up his Route 9 studio in Ecuador, Spain and the U.S., among other 2017, Salcedo has interviewed a number of 757 Max 8; people fly that plane worldwide.” years until his release in 2016. Salcedo says countries. For the show, Salcedo works with important global news figures via satellite. Next week Salcedo has arranged to inter- his was the first Spanish-language inter- “citizen reporters.” Guests are shown with Salcedo on a split view two reporters and the deputy mayor view with Slahi after the former prisoner, Salcedo also contributes content from screen. His stories have included the NASA of Christchurch about the recent killings who wrote a memoir while imprisoned, the Hudson Valley. “I’ll go somewhere live mission that discovered water on Mars; the at two mosques there and public attitudes appeared on 60 Minutes in 2017. with a camera,” he says. “At the Cold Spring arrest of Julian Assange of WikiLeaks; the in New Zealand toward guns. (If a guest Salcedo spoke with Slahi from Philipstown train platform, I explained how commut- Brexit controversy in the U.K.; the influ- doesn’t speak Spanish, Salcedo conducts while the former detainee sat in his home in ers go to New York City or to a deli, to show ence of Google and Facebook; the mari- the interview in English and it is dubbed Mauritania in northwest Africa. how Americans grab their coffee and sand- juana industry; and immigration. over with a translation.) Slahi was tortured at Guantanamo, and wich every morning before going on with “I find common ground in the issues we He says his most compelling interview a U.S. military prosecutor refused to try the rest of their day.” He also narrated a cover,” Salcedo said. “This week it’s a profes- was with Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a Mauri- him for lack of evidence of terrorist activity. program about the building of the new sor in public relations talking about how tanian held in the Guantanamo Bay deten- Salcedo says that he wanted to do the inter- Tappan Zee bridge. Boeing reacted to the problems with their tion camp in Cuba without charge for 14 view after seeing a video in which Slahi

2 Private Lessons Call Us Today! and 1 Dance Practice (845)424-6353 www.fredastaire.com/cold-spring Party for $60 3182 Route 9 Philipstown Square Gift Certificates Available Cold Spring, NY 10516

SUPPORT join us outdoors! Cold Spring FARMERS’ MARKET DONATE TODAY AT: highlandscurrent.org/ Opening Day Saturday, May 4 | 8:30am-12:30 pm support 10 am - MUSIC BY TALL COUNTY BOSCOBEL Highlands Current, Inc., has tax-exempt status as HOUSE & GARDENS a federal 501(c)(3) enterprise, and all donations 1601 Route 9D in Garrison - just 1 mile south of Cold Spring are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Every Saturday CSFARMMARKET.ORG 8 May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

Riverside Art Auction

Saturday May 11th 2019

9:00 –1:00 observe painters at various sites 3:30 viewing & refreshments in galleries 5:00 Live Auction on Garrison’s Landing

Silent Auction bidding through May 19

Art River Plein Air Live Auction

garrisonartcenter.org

Artwork by ChAntelle norton

Arte Povera Giovanni Anselmo Open: 11:00am to 5:00pm Magazzino Italian Art Foundation Alighiero Boetti Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2700 Route 9, Cold Spring, NY 10516 Pier Paolo Calzolari Sunday, Monday 845 666 7202 Luciano Fabro [email protected] Jannis Kounellis Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday www.magazzino.art Mario Merz Marisa Merz Admission is free to the public Giulio Paolini No reservation required Pino Pascali Free shuttle from Cold Spring Giuseppe Penone train station Michelangelo Pistoletto Gilberto Zorio highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current May 3, 2019 9 The Calendar

“Before Avalon,” by Marnie Hillsley

Marnie Hillsley Photos provided A Celebration and Farewell Former resident to exhibit artwork by late wife "Ancient Landscaper," by Marnie Hillsley

By Alison Rooney couple met in New York City after being in Minnesota and I grew up in a small town tracings on plywood that were cut out and introduced by friends. in Wales, and that’s what we were looking painted to form layered objects hung as imon Draper says many people don’t “I was working as a crate builder and a for,” Draper says. They also wanted a prop- grids. Hillsley also worked with The High- realize that his wife, Marnie Hillsley, fine-arts shipper,” recalls Draper. “A few days erty close to the train, with a shed or garage land Studio in Philipstown to create digital S who died this month four years ago, later I got a call at work from a woman saying, they could convert into a studio. prints from her sketches and watercolors so was an accomplished artist. ‘I want to import a Vietnamese pot-bellied Hillsley had followed a boyfriend to New she could manipulate them and add layers. “They knew her as a great neighbor, pig.’ I recommended an expandable crate. She York City after earning a bachelor of fine The couple collaborated and did shows someone who loved singing in the St. Phil- continued to ask me questions, until finally arts from Montana State University and a up and down the river. In her last years, ip’s choir, as a person who helped set up a she broke down and asked me if I knew who master of fine art in sculpture at Virginia as she fought cancer, she began making community garden, as someone they’d see, the voice on the phone was. I said I did. Then Commonwealth. She created what Draper jewelry “because she could work more always smiling, as Aidan’s mom, or just as she asked me when in the conversation I’d describes as “ephemeral installations, made quickly and still use color,” Draper says. a good friend to folk,” he says. figured it out. I told her I knew it pretty much from alternative materials at a time when He says they loved their Church Street To celebrate his wife’s life and work, straightaway, and she couldn’t believe I’d others — mostly men — were making heavy community. “Marnie kept her eye on the Draper curated art and photos from her gone on with it for 10 minutes!” metal sculpture. She held her ground.” street,” he says. “The Virgadamo broth- days as a fine-arts student through the time Among other things, they bonded over In Cold Spring, Hillsley spent more time ers [Joe and Tom, now both teachers at when cancer sapped her energy. They will be their shared affinity for things discarded outdoors than inside, Draper recalls. “She Haldane] were teens when we moved in. We shown in an exhibit at the Create Commu- and together scrounged Brooklyn for scraps was fascinated with land usage and how had the McCann family next door. Mackey nity gallery in Nelsonville that opens with a of wood and artifacts. “She loved detritus, the water moved through the landscape. Budney was the street granddad. When reception from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May rescuing old tables and chairs, exploring Down at the shoreline she saw trees backlit Aidan went to buy pizza on his own for 4, and continues through June 2. rooms full of errant objects, with the idea by the blue water, which inspired her in a the first few times, Mackey would tell me, Draper has moved to California since his that they’d turn into artwork,” he says. new direction with her art.” ‘Simon, we’ve got ’em — you’re good.’ We wife’s death and plans to sell their Church Soon after they married in 1995, the Hillsley started making assemblages, just loved that part of living here.” Street home. They moved into it in 1997, couple moved to Cold Spring with an eye using the silhouetted branches in black- Aidan will graduate from college in a few a few months after Aidan was born. The toward starting a family. “Marnie grew up and-white photos of trees as references for weeks and move to South Bend, Indiana, to pursue advanced degrees in computer “I was working as a science at Notre Dame. “I was waiting to see what Aidan’s next step would be” before sell- crate builder and a ing the house, his father says. “I’m looking forward to seeing lots of people I haven’t seen fine-arts shipper,” in a while, before both Aidan and I head off, recalls Draper. “A few along with getting Marnie’s work back on the days later I got a call walls. So, this is a celebration and a farewell.” Create Community is located at 11 Peek- at work from a woman skill Road. The exhibit will be open week- days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends saying, ‘I want to from noon to 4 p.m. To reach Draper, import a Vietnamese email [email protected] or call pot-bellied pig.’ ” 845-216-3507. Marnie Hillsley and Simon Draper 10 May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org

THEEdited byWEEK Pamela Doan ([email protected]) AHEAD For a complete listing of events, see highlandscurrent.org/calendar.

COMMUNITY SUN 5 SUN 12 THURS 9 Spring Benefit Mother’s Day Bird Walk Short Films SAT 4 GARRISON GARRISON BEACON Riverkeeper Sweep 4 – 7 p.m. Philipstown Depot Theatre 9 a.m. Constitution Marsh 7 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. HUDSON VALLEY 10 Garrison’s Landing | 845-424-3900 127 Warren Landing Road | 845-265-2601 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com riverkeeper.org/sweep philipstowndepottheatre.org constitutionmarsh.audubon.org Jon Bowermaster will screen The annual cleanup, organized The theater’s annual benefit Join a guided hike to look for three new films — Growing with by Riverkeeper, has over the past will celebrate 20 years of its youth nesting birds. Bring water and sun the Grain, Undamming the Hudson seven years removed 228 tons of program and honor pediatrician protection and dress for hiking. River and Source to Sea — and Ron debris from along the Hudson and Dr. Peter Gergely. Cost: $50 RSVP to [email protected]. Free and Mars English will share their PLANT SALES planted 2,228 trees and native short, Beacon Bigfoot. Free grasses while removing tons of WED 8 SUN 12 SAT 4 invasive species. Check online for a VISUAL ART Farm Fest and Plant Sale list of morning meeting sites, which Garden Walk Tours for Moms COLD SPRING BEACON POUGHKEEPSIE include Dockside Park, Little Stony SAT 4 5:30 p.m. Stonecrop Gardens 1 p.m. & 2:15 p.m. Mount Gulian 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Farm Project Point, Garrison’s Landing and Arden Celebrating Marnie Point in Philipstown and Denning’s 81 Stonecrop Lane | 845-265-2000 145 Sterling St. | 845-831-8172 51 Vassar Farm Lane Point and Riverfront Park in Beacon. stonecrop.org mountgulian.org Hillsley farmproject.org/farm-fest The Hudson Valley Brewery and Take a guided tour with a staff Tours of the house, barn and COLD SPRING The sale will include vegetable 2 Way Brewing Co. in Beacon will horticulturist and explore the grounds. Cost: Free for mothers. 3 – 6 p.m. Create Community starts, herbs and flowers, host meetups after the sweep. wonders of the Woodland Garden Otherwise, $8 ($6 seniors, $4 11 Peekskill Road and there will be gardening in spring. Cost: $10 (members free) children, ages 6 and younger free) createcommunityspace.com activities, storytelling, farm The late artists’ painted tours, wildflower walks, food, SAT 4 assemblages and other works will be live music and a craft market. I Love My Park Day FRI 10 on display through June 2. See Page 9. Also SAT 11. Free HUDSON VALLEY Tree Pit Gardening ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day Workshop SAT 4 SAT 11 Volunteer at Cornish Estate, COLD SPRING Verplanck Garden Club Little Stony Point, Fahnestock, Bear 9:30 a.m. Firehouse Time in Wavering Mountain, Walkway Over the Hudson FISHKILL 152 Main St. | coldspringny.gov Water Lies and other state parks. Register online. 9 a.m. – Noon. Town Hall Hosted by the Tree Advisory BEACON 807 Route 52 Board and the Cold Spring Area 6 – 8 p.m. Catalyst Gallery | 137 Main St. facebook.com/verplanckgardenclub SAT 4 Chamber of Commerce, this 845-204-3844 | catalystgallery.com Shop for flowering plants Cold Spring workshop will include a planting Susan Keiser’s photographs and herbs, get advice from Farmers’ Market demonstration at Village Hall. will be on view until May 15. Master Gardeners and bring GARRISON the children, who can make 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Boscobel SAT 11 SUN 5 crafts. 1601 Route 9D | csfarmmarket.org Audubon Birdathon Award-Winning The market moves outdoors PHILIPSTOWN Bird Photos SAT 11 for the season. Tall County putnamhighlandsaudubon.org/ GARRISON birdathon2019 Philipstown Garden Club will perform at 10 a.m. KIDS & FAMILY 2 – 5 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library GARRISON The birdathon is an annual 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. SAT 4 fundraising “competition” to SUN 5 desmondfishlibrary.org benefit the Putnam Highlands Garrison Firehouse | 1616 Route 9 Cupcake Festival Kids’ Fishing Day The library is partnering with Audubon Society. Over 24 hours, philipstowngardenclubny.org the Constitution Marsh Audubon STORMVILLE four teams — the Beakin’ Beginners, COLD SPRING Center and Sanctuary to display Perennial plants from the Noon – 5 p.m. Stormville Airport Garrison Gumshoes, Putnam Valley 8 a.m. Fishkill Road Reservoir photographs of birds chosen from gardens of club members will 428 Route 216 | k104online.com Bogtrotters and Wappingers Creakers The Nelsonville Fish and Fur Club the more-than 8,000 entries in be the center of attention, along Sponsored by K104.7 and held — will seek out as many bird species will host its 30th annual event to the 2018 Audubon Photography with a selection of annuals, last year in Beacon, the festival will as possible from Long Island to introduce children to fishing. Free Awards. Continues through May 20. vegetables, native plants and bring together bakers and bakeries to the Catskills. See the website to baked goods. Consult with showcase their confectionaries. Free donate, or to participate, email WED 8 other gardeners who will be Perry Pitt at [email protected]. Crafternoon SAT 11 happy to share their experience. Riverside Art Auction SUN 5 COLD SPRING Tots Park Cleanup SAT 11 3:30 p.m. Butterfield Library GARRISON SAT 11 Record and CD Fest 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Garrison Art Center Common Ground Farm COLD SPRING 10 Morris Ave. | 845-265-3040 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tots Park BEACON butterfieldlibrary.org 23 Garrison’s Landing | 845-424-3960 BEACON garrisonartcenter.org 4 High St. | bit.ly/tot-park-cleanup 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. VFW Hall | 413 Main St. Bring a T-shirt to make a bag for 2 – 5 p.m. Cross and Main Help tidy the park for the season Browse analog and digital music, your mom, or bring two and make Observe plein air painters commongroundfarm.org by spreading mulch, tilling sand as well as paraphernalia, memorabilia one for yourself. For students in at various sites until 1 p.m., The nonprofit will offer and clearing out broken toys. Bring and stereo equipment offered by grades 3 to 5. Free browse the paintings and enjoy organically grown vegetable, tools and gloves with labels. RSVP 25 vendors from four states. refreshments at 3 p.m. and bid in flower and herb seedlings and online. The event was rescheduled a live auction beginning at 5 p.m. starts. STAGE & SCREEN from April 28 due to rain. SAT 11 Blue Star Marker SAT 4 SAT 11 SUN 12 Member’s Group Show SUN 5 Ceremony Willy Wonka Kids Peekskill Garden Club BEACON Pet Rabies Clinic BEACON BEACON PEEKSKILL 6 – 9 p.m. BAU Gallery | 506 Main St. BEACON 11 a.m. City Hall 7 p.m. Beacon High School 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 845-440-7584 | baugallery.com 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Memorial Park 1 Municipal Plaza | 845-464 -2111 101 Matteawan Ave. Riverfront Green Pavilion The Animal Rescue Foundation beaconperformingartscenter.com The exhibit will include works 914-208-0293 For Armed Forces Day, the by Carla Goldberg, Russell Ritell, will offer rabies and distemper Tioronda Garden Club will dedicate A group of children win a tour of Annuals, perennials, roses, Joan Phares, Pamela Zaremba, vaccinations for dogs and cats. a Blue Star marker — the first the Wonka Chocolate Factory and a herbs, vegetables and hanging Melissa Schlobohm, Eileen Dogs must be leashed and in Dutchess County — to honor lifetime supply of candy. Also SUN baskets will be available. cats in carriers. Cost: $10 5. Cost: $10 ($5 seniors/students) Sackman, Jebah Baum, Elizabeth everyone who has served. Arnold, Ilse Schreiber-Noll, Andrew highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current May 3, 2019 11

Rust Barger, Samantha Beste and SAT 4 captain, will discuss the Fishkill Faith Adams. Nitin Mukul will Murder and MAYhem Supply Depot, a key strategic mount a solo show, Ghosts in the center during the Revolution, its BEACON Machine, in the Beacon Room. Both historical significance and efforts 6 – 9:30 p.m. Beacon Historical Society will continue through June 3. to preserve and study the site. Free 17 South Ave. | 845-831-0514 beaconhistorical.org Learn about Beacon’s history SAT 11 as told by a Victorian gossiper Hudson Highlands in this hourlong walking tour of Poetry Reading sites with a murderous past. Tours GARRISON begin every 30 minutes. Also SUN 1 p.m. Desmond-Fish Library 5. For ages 12 and older. Cost: $20 472 Route 403 | 845-424-3020 ($15 members, seniors, teens) desmondfishlibrary.org T.R. Hummer and Sean Singer will SAT 4 read and discuss their work. Free Civic Pioneers Ernie Sites, May 11 COLD SPRING MUSIC 7 p.m. Split Rock Books | 97 Main St. in Berlin: Searching for the Perfect for Safe Harbors of the Hudson. 845-265-2080 | splitrockbks.com SAT 4 Sound. Cost: $10 ($15 door) The dance party also will feature Gretchen Dykstra will read Michelle Alvarado Aquila y Plata and the Dojo Dance Company. Cost: $35 to $100 from her book, Civic Pioneers: COLD SPRING SAT 11 Local Stories from a Changing 4 p.m. Chapel Restoration Singing the Stories America, 1895-1915, which focuses 45 Market St. | 845-265-5537 of the West CIVIC on lesser-known people who chapelrestoration.org PUTNAM VALLEY Eileen Sackman shaped the Progressive era. Free MON 6 The pianist will perform Eric 7:30 p.m. Tompkins Corners Cultural Center City Council Starr’s Twelve Pieces for Solo Piano. 729 Peekskill Hollow Road | 845-528-7280 BEACON SAT 11 TUES 7 A Q&A with the performer and the tompkinscorners.org 7 p.m. City Hall | 1 Municipal Plaza Tools, Totems, Traps Second Gathering of Cold Spring composer will follow Ernie Sites will sing about his 845-838-5011 | cityofbeacon.org BEACON Laureates the concert. Cost: $20 ($15 students) cowboy life. He will be joined 6 – 9 p.m. Mother Gallery BEACON by poet Mark Munzert. Cost: 1154 North Ave. | 845-236-6039 6:30 p.m. Howland Public Library SAT 4 $20 ($15 seniors/students) TUES 7 mothergallery.art 313 Main St. | 845-831-1134 ’60s Sing-a-Long School Voter This group show will open the beaconlibrary.org COLD SPRING SAT 11 Registration gallery’s new space. See Page 13. Three poet laureates — Peter 6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Church Redemption BEACON Ullian of Beacon, Robert Milby 1 Chestnut St. NEWBURGH 1 – 5 p.m. District Office TALKS & TOURS of Orange County and Bettina The fifth annual community sing- 7:30 p.m. Mount Saint Mary College 10 Education Drive | 845-838-6900 “Gold” Wilkerman, formerly a-long will feature favorites from Aquinas Hall | 845-913-7157 beaconk12.org SAT 4 of Dutchess County, will read the Beatles, Supremes, Monkees newburghsymphony.org selections of their work. and Jackson 5. Bring a shaker Genealogical Research The Greater Newburgh TUES 7 and share a snack or drink. Free Using Local Collections Symphony Orchestra will perform Putnam County THURS 9 BEACON monumental works by Shostakovich Legislature 10:30 a.m. Howland Public Library Public Financing for and Wagner. Cost: $25 to $50 CARMEL 313 Main St. | 845-831-1134 Candidates 7 p.m. Historic Courthouse beaconlibrary.org CROTON-ON-HUDSON SAT 11 44 Gleneida Ave. | 845-208-7800 Discover how to use the resources 7 p.m. Croton Free Library Don McLean putnamcountyny.com and archives at regional libraries, 171 Cleveland Drive | 914-941-1111 PEEKSKILL including the Howland, and the nyassembly.gov/mem/Sandy-Galef 8 p.m. Paramount Hudson Valley Beacon Historical Society. Free Sandy Galef, who represents 1008 Brown St. | 914-739-0039 TUES 7 Philipstown in the state Assembly, paramounthudsonvalley.com Board of Trustees SAT 4 will lead a panel discussion. Free The singer-songwriter known COLD SPRING Sex and the for hits like “American Pie” will 7:30 p.m. Village Hall Suffrage Movement THURS 9 performs his classics and new 85 Main St. | 845-265-3611 COLD SPRING Saving America’s Last material. Cost: $50 to $77.50 coldspringny.gov 3 p.m. Putnam History Museum Great Revolutionary SUN 5 63 Chestnut St. | 845-265-4010 War Site Nightingales in Berlin SAT 11 WED 8 putnamhistorymuseum.org Tito Puente Jr. School Board BEACON BEACON Susan Goodier, a history 7 p.m. Beacon Sloop Club 7 p.m. Howland Cultural Center NEWBURGH GARRISON professor at SUNY Oneonta 8 p.m. Ritz Theater 2 Red Flynn Drive | 845-463-4660 477 Main St. | 845-765-3012 7 p.m. Garrison School who specializes in the suffrage 107 Broadway | brownpapertickets. beaconsloopclub.org howlandculturalcenter.org 1100 Route 9D | 845-424-3689 movement in New York State, will com/event/3913865 David Rothenberg and Rinde gufs.org ask, “What does sex have to do with Lance Ashworth, a West Point Eckert will perform to mark the Puente will bring his Latin jazz voting?” Cost: $10 (members free) graduate and former Army release of their CD, Nightingales ensemble to the city in a benefit

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C. E. Paint Supply, Inc. If you are looking Pruningfor a “natural finish” is and an do notart want to see your & ornamentals cut back severely to dead wood, choose artful pruning. Tools • Hardware • Plumbing & Electrical Supplies Artful Pruning allows your ornamentals to keep looking good. Artful Pruning gracefully brings your ornamentals back to a more appropriate smaller size. Monday - Thursday 8 - 5:30 For an artful, natural finish, call Gregory, the artful pruner, with over 10 Friday & Saturday 8 - 5 years as a career gardener specializing Tel. 845.265.3126 in natural and restorative gardening. 845.446.7465 158 Main Street • Cold Spring, NY 10516 Hudson Valley Auctioneers LLC Antique and Estate Auctioneers 432 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Monthly Public Auctions Mondays 5 p.m. Featuring online and offl ine sessions Sunday Previews • Gallery open daily by appointment Estimates Free consultations Consignments accepted Antiques and estates purchased Estate and insurance appraisals Tags sales Clean outs Neil Vaughn, 914-489-2399, Auctioneer Theo Dehaas, 845-480-2381, Manager Visit www.hudsonvalleyauctioneers.com Offi ce 845-838-3049 and sign up for email notifi cation.

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HAVE YOUR OWN BUSINESS CARD ? You can advertise your business here starting at $20. highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current May 3, 2019 13 Closer to Main The new Beacon gallery hopes to location of Mother draw more traffic Gallery By Alison Rooney on North Avenue other Gallery is on the move. Photo The co-owners of the Beacon provided M art space, which opened a year ago, will relocate from near the Metro- North station to North Avenue, closer to Main Street. Kirsten Deirup and Paola Oxoa hope this will bring more visitors. The new space, which had been a car deal- “It was hard to get local people to come ership and garage, “feels more dynamic,” she down the hill” to the former location, Oxoa says. “We’ll be able to have more sculpture, says. “All of the people who purchased art performances, music. This room feels juicy this past year have been from the city or New with creative influences.” She adds: “It’s all Jersey or Boston. Last month we sold to our about collaboration. It’s like a big spider web, first local. I understand why Matteawan and where we all figure out where we fit best. Theo Ganz closed — it’s hard.” I’ve learned so much by talking to so many Oxoa and Deirup will open their new space artists, visiting so many studios.” with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Satur- On the business side, there has been a day, May 11, for a group show called Tools, learning curve. “We learned a lot about what Totems, Traps. It will include work by Caitlin not to do,” Oxoa says. “We’ve learned how to MacQueen, Joshua Marsh and Carter Spur- work with very tight budgets, such as less rier of Beacon; Jessica Gaddis of Kingston; wine! But at any moment a piece can sell, and and Alessandro Keegan and Yuri Masnyj of that changes the budget in a positive way.” New York City, and continue through June 16. Oxoa says Mother Gallery hopes to Mother Gallery is located at 1154 North engage the community with a “mix of very Ave.; the entrance is at the rear of the build- well-known and less-known artists. That ing. Parking is available at the municipal lot combination has helped us sell the pieces. across the street. It is open Friday through We need a handful of local collectors; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment. "Pursuit," by Caitlin MacQueen perhaps it’s just a matter of time.” See mothergallery.art or call 845-236-6039.

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Roots and Shoots UV light — that made me understand why these plants are so appealing to gardeners. Alpines are known for evolutionary tricks Timberline Vista, that help them survive on mountainsides. The flowers grow close to the leaves, not usually Homemade on stems or stalks. The acaulis species epithet means “stemless,” and denotes some alpine plants, e.g., Gentiana acaulis and Stenotus Trough acaulis. The flowers also tend to be large for the size of the plant, which attracts the fewer By Pamela Doan pollinators found at higher altitudes. ori Chips Hypertufa troughs work in sun or shade. changed my “The only limitation is your imagination L ideas about and making sure the plants’ needs are met,” hypertufa trough planting. A Lori Chips creation planted with alpines: Tsuga diversifolia (Loowit) underplanted with Potentilla Chips says. While hypertufa is a cold-hardy At a workshop at Stonecrop organized hyparctica (Nana) and Silene acaulis (the cushion). In front of the rock: Rosularia; in back, Sedum container, in winter she advises that it by The Garden Conservancy, the author Borchii Sport. The blue flower is Scabiosa japonica var. alpina (Ritz Blue). The peach color is Lewis should be protected from high winds and longipetala (Little Tutti Fruttii), with Lindernia grandiflora at the right edge (the tiny blue flowers) of Hypertufa Containers: Creating and scorching sun. “An open north, northeast or and one rosette of Sempervivum Chick Charms (Gold Nugget). Photo by Jeff McNamara Planting an Alpine Trough Garden recently northwest setting is ideal so it’s not getting demonstrated the art and practice. the harshest exposure,” she says. I was familiar with hypertufa troughs containers are sold commercially, too. spend a few hours mixing fancy cement, take Chips calls this her list of “bulletproof” and had seen a demonstration of how Chips, who is the alpine plant specialist lessons from a pro. Once your materials are plants that would be the easiest for begin- they’re made. My perception was that it at Oliver Nurseries in Fairfield, Connecticut combined, the hypertufa is set into molds ners. Many alpines are native to the U.S.: (I recommend the online tour or a visit, it’s created from boards or other firm materials. took a bit of work but looked interesting Armeria – seathrift; Shade planting-dwarf beautiful!), traces the popularity of hyper- Hypertufa troughs breathe better than and might be an addition to a container Astilbe, Hosta, ferns; Campanula; Dianthus; tufa containers to a time in England when stone and don’t heat up like other materials. garden. I didn’t see their potential as Gentiana; Sempervivum – hens and chicks; stone troughs and sinks were replaced with “It’s a porous substance and frost resistant,” unique to alpine plants. I learned from Penstemon; Micro phloxes; Saponaria – metal and ceramic and people appropriated Chips says. “You’ll have better luck growing Chips that, at their best, hypertufa troughs soapworts; Sedum; Thymus; Veronica mimic the planting conditions of rocky, the stone for planting. “There weren’t enough tiny alpine plants where they aren’t native.” mountain sites and allow a gardener to to go around and hypertufa was invented as a The joy of making your own hypertufa What not to plant? Well, this is your create vibrant landscapes with tiny plants. substitute,” she says. Hypertufa is similar to container is the chance to be creative with choice, but to stay true to the form, annu- Let’s start with the vessel and move on tufa, a rock that’s formed in waterways when shapes and forms that invite close obser- als would be a waste of a cold-hardy trough to the plants. Hypertufa is a handmade minerals build up around organic matter. vation of a palette of plants. Chips says to and non-alpine plants wouldn’t capture the container made from portland cement While you can find instructions on the consider the plants you want before choos- intention of the style. mixed with peat moss, coarse perlite, water internet for mixing your own hypertufa, ing a shape and to make the container at “What you’re trying to achieve is for the and fiber mesh. Anyone can make their Chips’ book has detailed information fine- least 8 inches deep. viewer to suspend disbelief and be in that own as a half-day project and hypertufa tuned through experience; if you’re going to Chips also shared curious facts about little environment for a moment,” says alpine plants — which grow above the Chips. Resources from the North Ameri- timberline or in other similarly harsh condi- can Rock Garden Association (nargs.org) tions with rocky soil, strong wind and high can help you get going, too. HIGHLAND STUDIO

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©2019; forecasts and graphics provided by 7-Day Forecast for the Highlands Pollen Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday High

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Absent Grass Weeds Trees Molds Source: National Allergy Bureau A shower early in the Cooler with periods Warmer with clouds Partly sunny Some sun with a Overcast with a A thick cloud cover SUN & MOON morning; otherwise, of rain breaking for some couple of showers couple of showers Sunrise Sat., 5/4 5:50 AM clearing sun possible possible Sunset Sat. night, 5/4 7:56 PM Moonrise Sat., 5/4 6:01 AM POP: 55% POP: 70% POP: 25% POP: 25% POP: 30% POP: 30% POP: 25% Moonset Sat., 5/4 7:43 PM NNW 4-8 mph NE 6-12 mph NNW 4-8 mph NNW 4-8 mph SW 4-8 mph NNE 4-8 mph ESE 6-12 mph New First Full Last RealFeel 73/47 RealFeel 55/43 RealFeel 75/47 RealFeel 81/52 RealFeel 78/55 RealFeel 72/45 RealFeel 66/44 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. May 4 May 11 May 18 May 26

By SudoCurrent CrossCurrent Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong

ACROSS 1. pester like a ghost 6. non-clergy church person 10. begged or argued for 14. God, in Islam 15. _ _ _ _ facto 16. hardly poor 17. Hawaiian porch 18. grain-grinder building 19. Norwegian capital 20. granted a brand- Answers for April 26 Puzzles store status 22. cat’s scratcher 23. packaged set 24. bedding or paper items 26. fire remains 29. in the lead 31. poet T.S. 32. joys 36. Caesar’s dying query 37. heroic tales 38. cranks up 39. Agatha Christie play 41. update 64. World War I 12. ostentatious promotion 35. opposite NNE 42. mysterious battleground 13. Middle Eastern boats 37. naked college runner 43. meaner; coarser 21. _ _ _ Master’s Voice 40. slippery Hudson-goer 44. Cold Spring avenue DOWN 25. owns 41. lewd 47. Greek letter 1. 50% 26. choir member 43. Beacon gallery 48. Catch 2. banned apple spray 27. in _ _ _ _ 44. hilltop 49. proclaimers 3. arm bone (not relocated) 45. Highlands big bird 56. leer at 4. Indian bread 28. coffee shop’s own mix 46. Otello opening city 57. weirdo 5. dense tree brush 29. pond scum 47. symbolic coin 58. states of 6. restrict 30. pile 50. _ _ _ _ contendere unconsciouness 7. ancient Egyptian 31. Eur. Elec. Market, 51. New Orleans 59. Welsh church site sacred bull initially slang name 60. fashion magazine 8. small island 32. _ _ _ _-mutuel betting 52. chicken house 61. lift 9. arctic oceans? 33. Quebec Premier 53. Arabic official 62. loan out 10. processes Levesque 54. archaic erasure Answers will be published next week. 63. horse color 11. fine thread 34. always 55. speedy, defunct planes See highlandscurrent.org/puzzle for interactive versions. 16 May 3, 2019 For mail delivery, see highlandscurrent.org/delivery SPORTS Follow us at twitter.com/hcurrentsports Beacon Golf Picks Up Two Wins Girls defeat Arlington, Pearl River

By Skip Pearlman

he Beacon High School girls’ golf team picked up its first two victo- T ries of the season, defeating Pearl River, 309–332, on Tuesday (April 30) at the Southern Dutchess Country Club after dispatching Arlington, 287–289, on Beacon Baseball Clinches Share of Title April 25 for the first time in the golf team’s JoAnna Galbo 13-year history. League rival Hendrick Hudson could still tie The team is now 2-5 overall (1-3 league). matches, Balch said. It dropped a 258-302 decision to league Galbo led the way with a 52, and Compa- leader Our Lady of Lourdes on Monday gnone shot a 53. Travis finished at 56 By Skip Pearlman league — and to make the All-State Academic (April 29) at the Casperkill Country Club. ahead of Campos (58) and Herrera (68). Team,” he said. “We’re proud of both.” Coach Rob Balch was impressed with “Not only was that one of our best perfor- he Beacon High School baseball Against Lourdes, Matt Monzoeillo [above] his team’s performance against Pearl mances, but from top-to-bottom it was our team clinched at least a share of the picked up the win, pitching six and two- River, considering conditions were not most complete performance,” Balch said. “It T league title this week with an 11-1 thirds innings and striking out 10. Monzo- ideal. (The two squads played the front was also the closest match we’ve ever had, win Wednesday (May 1) over Peekskill, two eillo also drove in a run with a bunt single. nine of the course, a par 35.) a nail-biter right to the finish.” days after beating Our Lady of Lourdes, DeCandia picked up his first save of the “Often the conditions dictate how the He said that with a core of experienced 3-2, in a nail-biter . season, and Besim Dika had a double and girls play,” Balch said. “There was a tour- players, “this is the first year we can be a Hendrick Hudson could still catch the an RBI. nament before our match, and the rough force to contend with in the conference.” Bulldogs (10-5-1; 5-1 league) to force a The previous week, Beacon defeated Peek- was extra thick, and the greens were The captains are Galbo, Compagnone shared title. skill, 14–3. Long pitched a complete game, incredibly fast. So I was impressed with and Travis. “It’s great for others to see how Against Peekskill, Ty Long (3-1) picked scattering two hits and striking out six. how they stayed focused, given the condi- hard they work,” Balch said, adding that up the win for Beacon, limiting Peekskill The Bulldogs have four games left before tions and cold weather.” “Campos, in her second year, is probably to one run on two hits in three innings of the playoffs. “We’ve won four in a row, so Junior Analiese Compagnone shot a 52 our most improved player, and Herrera is work. At the plate, Joe DeCandia doubled I think we’ve been coming around a bit,” to lead the Bulldogs, followed by sopho- a force in just her third month playing.” and drove in a run, and Andrew Schneider Atwell said. “Our pitching has been dyna- more Brielle Travis (58), junior JoAnna Beacon is scheduled to face Carmel (the and Sean Lise each contributed an RBI. mite all year. We’re getting better defense, Galbo (60), junior Diana Campos (61) and defending state champion) twice next “We knew we had to put pressure on and our offense is underrated. We went eighth-grader Addie Pagones (68). week, away on May 6 and at the Southern them on the bases, and we did that right through a tough stretch earlier, so I hope On Monday against Lourdes (7–1, 4–0), Dutchess Country Club on May 9. away,” said Manager Bob Atwell. “Ty threw we’re playing our best at the right time.” Compagnone again led Beacon with a 54, The following Monday, May 13, the strikes, he challenged hitters and pitched a Beacon is scheduled to play Yonkers followed by Campos (61), Galbo (62), Travis Bulldogs will host the Dutchess County good game. And we played errorless ball.” today (May 3) at 7 p.m. at Dutchess (65), and junior Elizabeth Herrera (67). Invitational, the first high school girls’ Atwell said that along with the league title, Stadium and will honor its seniors. The The week before, Beacon defeated tournament held in the county. Besides his squad earned state academic honors. team will take on Lakeland at 4 p.m. on Arlington for the first time in the 13-year Beacon, Arlington, Lourdes and Wapping- “It’s always one of our goals to win the May 6, also at Dutchess Stadium. history of the Bulldogs program, over 25 ers are scheduled to compete.

Beacon 12, Yonkers 3 Girls’ 1,500 meters Boys’ long jump 1. Hassaan Burnett (1:06.64) Ardsley 8, Beacon 7 10. Shannon Ferri (5:20.46) 2. Tre Smith (20-05) Boys’ triple jump VARSITY Boys’ 2,000 meters Boys’ triple jump 1. Nolan Hillhouse (40-11.5) Softball SCOREBOARD Haldane 8, Pleasantville 2 steeplechase 1. Tre Smith (43-0) Boys’ shot put Putnam Valley 10, Haldane 2 6. Walter Hoess (7:19.94) Beacon Boys @ League 1. Joshua Rivera (40-09) Baseball Beacon 25, Poughkeepsie 10 Boys’ 1,600 meters Championships Boys’ discus North Salem 11, Haldane 0 Beacon 3, Pawling 1 10. Adam Silhavy (4:46.04) 1. Beacon 136.5 1. Joshua Rivera (124-01.5) Beacon 4, Lourdes 2 Beacon 22, Gorton 11 Boys’ javelin 2. Brewster 121 Boy’s javelin Beacon 3, Lourdes 2 Mount Vernon 7, Beacon 0 7. Jake Patinella (92-09) 3. Hendrick Hudson 73.5 1. Mark Guzman (119-0) Beacon 11, Peekskill 1 Beacon @ Jumpfest (Beacon boys win fifth straight Girls’ 100 meters Boys’ Tennis Girls’ high jump league title) 1. Jada Williams (13.02) Boys’ Lacrosse Beacon 5, Mahopac 2 2. Tamar Adams (4-06) Boys’ 1,600 meters Girls’ 100-meter hurdles Haldane 18, Croton-Harmon 10 Beacon 4, Mahopac 3 Girls’ pole vault 1. Ryan Cory (3:35.11) 1. Nathalia Thomas (18.33) Haldane 10, O’Neill 9 Hendrick Hudson 5, Beacon 2 2. Anna Manente (7-00) Boys’ 3,200 meters Girls’ discus Girls’ Lacrosse Track and Field Boys’ high jump 1. Ryan Cory (10:00.08) 1. Sofia Gonzalez (62-04.5) Beacon 14, Yonkers 3 Haldane @ Kingston Tiger Relays 2. Jason Komisar (5-06) Boys’ 400-meter hurdles Illustration by Grego Anderson

Remembering Pete Seeger May 3, 2019 | A By Chip Rowe

1919 Pete is born in Manhattan to Charles Seeger Jr., a Harvard-trained composer with pacifist views, and Constance de Clyver, a concert violinist. He is the youngest of the couple’s three sons.

1920 The family sets out in a Model T ordF hauling a homemade trailer to perform classical music in the rural South. Pete’s mother ends the trip after she stops her toddler at the last moment from walking into a campfire.

Photo by Jennifer Lee Blakeslee

Pete on his father’s lap while mom plays the violin Remembering

1932 Pete buys a used, four-string (tenor) PETE SEEGER banjo while attending a private high school in Connecticut but eventually olk singer and long- realizes he can’t play folk music on it. Freddie Martin Florence Northcutt time Beacon resi- On a Monday evening, Jan. 27, 2014, Little did I think some 35 years ago, the day Pete died at age 94, I opened a while on a ferryboat trip from Algeci- dent Pete Seeger letter from him containing the chord ras, Spain, across to Morocco, hear- 1936 would have been chart and lyrics for a song we had ing a familiar song coming from the Pete hears the five-string banjo when his 100 years old today worked on together for some time, loudspeaker and singing along with father takes him to the Mountain Dance “Peace Will Prevail.” It was based on a number of passengers who knew and Folk Festival in North Carolina. “I F(May 3), and celebrations and an ancient Irish air. it as well as I did, that I would one discovered there was some good music sing-a-longs are scheduled In late 2013, Pete asked the song circle day live in the same community as in my country that I never heard on the at the Beacon Sloop Club to practice the song’s performer. “We Shall Over- radio,” he recalled. across the country, as well as the release of a box set that civil-rights songs for a citizens’ march come” reached to the far corners of the on the upcoming Martin Luther King world, and its message is as powerful spans his career and includes Jr. Day. While rehearsing the songs with as it was that day during the height of 1938 20 unreleased tracks (see Page the Spring Street Baptist Church choir, the civil-rights movement. Pete, a member of the Young 2). We asked those who knew I realized “Peace Will Prevail” needed a I feel privileged to have known Pete Communist League, grows disillusioned and encountered Pete and his gospel ending, so I wrote Pete. and to have seen him right here in our at Harvard and drops out. His From his hospital room, Pete had city working quietly, consistently and stepmother (his parents had divorced) wife, Toshi, to share stories. penned a note atop the song sheet, diligently to build awareness about our tells him, “Peter, you have a talent for referred to a chord change I had made, beautiful river and protecting our envi- song-leading. I think you should develop The contributions have been it.” He spends the summer traveling with condensed for clarity and space. thanked me for “working on it” and ronment. He has raised our conscious- the Vagabond Puppeteers. encouraged me: “You keep on!” It was ness in his modest, humble way, and our For more photos and memo- classic Pete, giving of his spirit and world is a better place, thanks to Pete. ries, see highlandscurrent.org. energy to others, giving until the end.

B | May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current Erin Giunta my late great aunt, Mabel Spinney, to learn in his own way. He took up the In 2013, I found myself in line behind had run a school that he attended job of running the newspaper, and he Pete at the Beacon Natural Market. in Litchfield and that her sister, my felt he had a voice. 1939 After he left the store, he got into his Aunt Milly, had observed, “We never The last time I saw Pete, he was Pete takes a job at the Library of sticker-covered green SUV and sat thought he’d amount to anything.” putting his recyclables at the foot of Congress in the Archive of American there for a while. That’s when I noticed his road. Pete answered his own mail. Folk Song. He meets Woody Guthrie something by my feet: Pete’s car keys! He emptied his own trash. And he when they both play the same benefit. I went outside and said, “I think these amounted to something. are yours, Pete.” “Thank you,” he said. “I thought I was losing my mind.” “Not Linda Richards 1940 yet, Pete. Not yet,” I said. When I was the education director Through a work connection, Pete Later, within a week after Toshi died, I at Clearwater, the nonprofit founded performs on radio programs with Guthrie, let him go ahead of me in line at Rite Aid. by Pete and Toshi, he called the office Josh White, Burl Ives and Lead Belly. The clerk greeted him with a big smile one January afternoon to talk about a and, “Hello, Mr. Seeger!” As he waited tent idea he had for that year’s Great for the prescription to be filled, I said, Hudson River Revival. Pete was always 1941 “I’m so sorry about the loss of Toshi. I thinking about more ways to get more Pete is a founding member with Guthrie know she was a wonderful person.” He people involved in everything. of the Almanac Singers, which releases took my hand and said, “Thank you. As I took notes, Pete asked if I’d like an album, Songs of John Doe, that is She’s the reason I was able to do what I to come over to talk more. “Do you critical of the draft. did. It was all because of her.” have ice skates?” he inquired. “Ummm Photo courtesy Sara Dulaney ... not on me,” I replied. “No problem – Sara Dulaney we have lots of skates here.” 1942 Pete as a boy at the Springhill School So I went over to the Seegers’ and Having been raised listening to After the U.S. enters the war, the The Weavers, I was excited to learn ate dinner with Toshi and Pete and A short time later, I got a postcard Almanac Singers release a new album, about 1981 that they would be sing- their granddaughter, Moraya. After- Dear Mr. President, on which Pete sings: from Pete with a little banjo drawing. ing at something called the Clear- ward, I went over to the wood stove “Now, Mr. President, / We haven’t water Festival. I made my way, solo, He said that Aunt Mabel’s school had and saw a mountain of skates. Each always agreed in the past, I know, / But from Manhattan into the wilds of the been one of the most important expe- winter, Pete would hose down the that ain’t at all important now. / What is Hudson Valley on a drizzly day. riences of his life. circular driveway (at 2 a.m.) to make a important is what we got to do, / We got I felt moved to write fan notes to Pete said that Springhill School rink. Pete put on skates and we skated to lick Mr. Hitler, and until we do, / Other

each of them. To Pete, I wrote that (now Forman School) encouraged him Next Page O things can wait.” … Pete is drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to the Pacific.

1943 Pete marries Toshi Ota. Their first son, Peter, dies at age six months while Pete is deployed. The couple will have three more children: Daniel, Mika and Tinya.

1948 Pete returns from the Army and, with three friends, forms The Weavers.

1949 Pete and Toshi, who are living with her parents in Greenwich Village, buy 17 acres at the base of Mount Beacon and build a two-room log cabin. Pete joins the Dutchess Junction Volunteer Fire Department, and quits the Communist Party. “I thought it was pointless,” he said.

Pete works on the cabin in Beacon, circa 1950. Photo courtesy Gene Deitch

Remembering Pete Seeger May 3, 2019 | C around to the music of steel drums he piped into an outdoor sound system. I remember seeing the moon through the trees that cold evening and think- ing this was one of those nights you cherish for a lifetime.

Tom Chapin It began in 1957, near Andover, New Jersey, where we spent every childhood summer. Our Aunt Happy brought out an album called The Weavers at Carn- egie Hall. We were hooked from the clarion bugle call of Pete’s five-string banjo on the first song, “Darlin’ Corey.” To our amazement, Grandma Chapin had a five-string banjo in her Pete with Woody Guthrie, circa 1950 basement. We bought a copy of Pete’s book, How to Play the Five-String 1950 Banjo. I got a cheap steel string guitar, The Weavers top the charts for 13 memorized chords and started using weeks with a cover of Lead Belly’s fingerpicks because Harry was so “Goodnight Irene.” Within a year, the loud on the banjo. At our first public group has sold 4 million records. Pete performance as the Chapin Brothers, tells Time: “It’s not so much fun now.” we played three songs by The Weavers. In 1975 or 1976, I was backstage at Huntington High School on Long 1952 Island with Pete before a bene- fit concert. A reporter asked Pete: The Weavers are blacklisted after an informant tells the House Un-American “You’ve spent your life doing concerts Activities Committee that three of its for causes. Has it made a difference?” four members, including Pete, are Pete thought a moment, then said in Communists. his calm, measured way: “I don’t know. But I do know that I’ve met the good people, people with live hearts, live eyes 1955 and live minds.” This was a quintessen- Pete at the Clearwater Festival in 2012 Photo by Tom Chapin tial Seeger answer, moving the conver- Pete is ordered to testify sation toward larger issues and the producing an audio tour that included before the committee. Stacy Labriola people he believed deserved credit. Many years ago Tony Trishka was stories about the river. MR. SEEGER: I feel that in my whole recording a banjo retrospective and He drove down from Beacon on a life I have never done anything of any wanted to include Pete. So he invited snowy day with a banjo in his little conspiratorial nature and I resent very Michael Bowman When I was in college, I got lost Pete to come to my husband Art’s black Honda. After about two hours, much and very deeply the implication of hiking between Breakneck and Mount studio at our home in Garrison. Pete we had everything we wanted, includ- being called before this committee that ing a performance of “Waist Deep in in some way because my opinions may Beacon and ended up in some guy’s came down from Beacon and regaled the Big Muddy.” But as we wrapped be different from yours, or yours, Mr. backyard. A tall man came out asking if the group with hours of recorded stories Willis, or yours, Mr. Scherer, that I am I needed help and with a smile pointed and did some banjo playing, as well. up, he asked if we’d like to hear three any less of an American than anybody me down his driveway toward Route After a day of recording, Pete said new verses that Toshi had written for else. I love my country very deeply, sir. 9D. Only later did I realize who it was. his goodbyes and headed out. About “Turn, Turn, Turn.” five minutes later there was a knock There we were, three of us in a tiny CHAIRMAN WALTER: Why don’t you room, and Pete serenading us with one make a little contribution toward Jennifer Blakeslee and it was Pete with a broken headlight of the greatest songs of the 20th century. preserving its institutions? At the 2013 Strawberry Festival, I he had found when exiting the drive- asked Pete if I might take his portrait. way. He handed it to us and asked that MR. SEEGER: I feel that my whole life is Afterward I thanked him for everything we recycle it properly. As he left, the Roger Coco a contribution. That is why I would like engineer on the project, Joe Johnson, to tell you about it. he’d done for Beacon and the environ- In the early 1970s, I led wilderness ment, and he said, “Ahhh, but you don’t said, “There, you have your Pete Seeger trips near the Hudson River for Ameri- CHAIRMAN WALTER: I don’t want to hear know the foolish things I’ve done!” story!” Happy birthday, Pete! can Youth Hostels. The protest against about it. a proposed pump storage plant on Michael Mell Storm King was in full swing. Pete We had just moved to Cold Spring had sent a postcard with a photo of the and my eldest son was in grade school Clearwater to the AYH office asking if at Haldane. At a “Differences Day” cele- “Strider” (my nickname) could guide bration in the cafeteria, Pete Seeger a group of protesters and reporters walked in, banjo in hand, along with two through the woods and valleys with parents who were musicians, as if it were Pete yodeling and singing against the the most natural thing in the world. echoes of the waterfalls of Stag-nun I was gobsmacked. The last Pete Creek, up and over Butter Hill and to Seeger concert I attended was at Carn- the bottom of Storm King. egie Hall. After that I would occasion- I had no idea who he was, and I ally see him, with wool cap and plaid don’t know how he got my name. What shirt, exiting Angelina’s with a pie. I would a peace-loving liberal want regret never having said hello. with an old-time conservative like me? We were lucky that day, there was Robert Cutler no trouble. Instead, we stood victori- In 2012, Toni Bryan and I inter- ous at the bottom of Storm King, and viewed Pete at Boscobel. We were Seeger whipped a monopoly.

D | May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current 1955 The Weavers regroup to play a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall. But Pete leaves in 1957 after the other three members agree to do a cigarette commercial.

1957 Pete is indicted on 10 counts of contempt of Congress. He is convicted in 1961 and given a year in jail but the sentence is overturned on appeal.

1959 At the Newport Folk Festival, writer Studs Terkel introduces Pete as “America’s tuning fork.”

1960 Pete and others popularize the spiritual “We Will Overcome” as the anthem of the civil rights movement. Pete says he changed “will” to “shall” to John Cronin tell you that this is where Pete Seeger accordion player, he wrote Pete a fan make it easier to sing. There we were, in Beacon in 1972, lived. When I moved here, I knew letter, and Pete wrote back on a post- and this big boat comes sailing in, where Pete’s house was before I knew card with a drawing by Ed Sorel show- and, for God’s sake, there’s Pete Seeger where the hardware store was. ing Pete with his banjo outrunning 1962 Although I can’t carry a tune, I the Horsemen of Time [above]. At his on the bow, and he yells to the crowd: The Kingston Trio has a hit with Pete’s organize a monthly adult sing-a-long. “We’re going to be rebuilding this concerts, Pete made every person feel “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” dock, so I’m looking for volunteers.” When I complained to Pete about that they had a good enough voice. and Peter, Paul and Mary with I thought, I get to hang out with my lack of musical leadership skills, “If I Had a Hammer.” Pete! The great thing about spend- he said, “It doesn’t matter if you can Marc Breslav ing time with Pete Seeger is that sing; it matters if you can bring other Pete hated being famous. I ran into being with Pete is pretty much like people together to sing.” him one day at Grey Printing in Cold 1965 being at a Pete Seeger concert. If we Spring shortly after the Great Hudson The Byrds top the charts with Pete’s started slowing down, you know, Pete Steve Sherman River Revival had been closed in the “Turn! Turn! Turn!” would start singing a work song or a I had gone to the parking lot at middle of the day due to lightning. sea shanty to get us all banging away. the 1992 Clearwater festival and I “Hi Pete,” I said. When his back got stiff, he would saw Pete putting something into his He grimaced, avoiding eye contact. 1966 stand up and turn toward the High- car. Toshi drove up in a golf cart (she “How did Clearwater do money- lands and start yodeling. was running the festival) and I asked wise with that storm?” Pete and Toshi found Hudson River Between all these things, he’d give if I could take a photo of them. Unfor- The grimace brightened to a frown. Sloop Clearwater. little homilies. He’d say, “Well, you tunately, Pete wasn’t in the mood. “You know, all we have to do is get a know, if we all work together, we After I said to Toshi that Pete looked quarter-inch thick rubber carpet for the can clean up the Hudson River.” And tense, she grabbed his ass, he jumped, whole site,” he said, still averting his eyes. 1967 I thought, this guy is just out of his and she threw her arms around him. “Just have to make sure it’s recycled The Smothers Brothers ask Pete mind, because this is a damn dirty rubber, Pete!” to perform his anti-war song, “Waist river, and it’s an awful big river, and He looked me in the eye, smiling Deep in the Big Muddy,” during a there’s just no way. broadly. taping of their variety show, but it He’s like a combination of a Pied is cut by CBS censors. Piper and a Johnny Appleseed, and you Ellen Gersh couldn’t spend that much time with Pete Pete was really involved in the without him cajoling you into something. local schools. He played for chil- dren because he was blacklisted and Vickie Raabin couldn’t perform elsewhere. He real- I was lucky enough to have been in ized that social music was dying, that several concerts with Pete so he knew people don’t sing anymore since the me by sight, referring to me as “that invention of the phonograph. little music teacher.” I had bought a People get caught up in the celebrity used banjo and had it sitting in my of Pete, but he hated people fussing over studio on Main Street when Pete walked him. The best way to honor him is to by, stopped, came in and started play- sing and encourage young folks to sing. ing it. He fixed the bridge and asked if Also, to join the fight for equality for all I minded — of course not! To this day, people. If everyone put their energies whenever I get new strings the bridge is James Gurney into fighting the fight that Pete did, we always put back the way he adjusted it. Besides hearing him play at festi- would be on the right track. vals in the Hudson Valley, my family Brent Spodek got to know Pete through a tattered Tink Lloyd If you move to Beacon, or even think copy of his songbook. In 1991, when Pete knew my partner Joziah Pete Seeger performing at Yorktown Heights High School in 1967 about moving to Beacon, someone will my son, Dan, was a 4-year-old budding Longo and me by sight from the many Photo by James Kavallines/LOC

Next Page O

Remembering Pete Seeger May 3, 2019 | E 1969 The Clearwater, a replica of a Hudson River sloop, is launched.

1982 Pete performs at a benefit concert for the Solidarity resistance movement in Poland.

1994 Pete receives the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton, as well as the Kennedy Center Honor.

1995 Pete tells The New York Times: “I still call myself a communist, because communism is no more what Russia made of it than Christianity is what the churches make of it.”

Pete studies posters in 1964 announcing his concerts in Prague. Photo courtesy Gene Deitch 1996 Pete wins the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk concerts we had played together over Pete’s passion to reclaim the Hudson I felt honored when Pete asked me Album for Pete. He also is inducted into the the years [as The Slambovian Circus of River. “Phil,” he said, “if you want to to walk in the woods with him at a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Dreams], so he recognized us one day change the world, you start at home.” Clearwater festival. He wanted to in October 2013 when we walked into One year, I helped book Pete at point out the invasive species and the Foundry Cafe in Cold Spring. He the New Orleans Jazz Festival. As we alert me to events where people in 2009 had gotten off the train and needed a landed in New Orleans, I worried that waders pulled purple loosestrife out Pete and his grandson, Tao Rodriquez-Seeger, ride to Beacon, which we were happy to I had blundered by bringing a folk icon of the water. That was the day I leaned sing Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” provide. As we drove, and at his home, with his banjo to a loud party of a festi- about the mile-a-minute vine. with Bruce Springsteen at Barack Obama’s he gave us an update. val. But sure enough, Pete charmed inaugural concert. He was doing another edit of his them immediately with his spirit and Gene Deitch autobiography and had photos on the won them over with his songs. That’s Pete was an idealist, his mind wall from his whole life. He shared the when I realized how much he had come sharply focused on brotherhood and 2009 history of New York as we drove north to mean to us all. Pete was that rare sisterhood, and would barely discuss Pete wins the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk on 9D, how the quarry at Breakneck person who lived up to his ideals. anything else. He was a pure propa- Album for At 89. Mountain provided the stones for gandist for his ideals. He referred the Brooklyn Bridge, the first trains to himself as a “communist” in the into New York City, the beginnings of purest Karl Marx sense. I loved him 2010 Smithsonian Folkways, the first time for his purity of heart and his ideal- he met Martin Luther King Jr. at the Pete wins the Grammy for Best Musical Album for ism, as much as for his songs. U.N. (and saw J. Edgar Hoover drive Children for Tomorrow’s Children. When he was on a world tour in by in a black limo), being blacklisted 1964, about to come to Czechoslova- and Toshi having to become his book- kia, where I have lived since 1959, he 2013 ing agent (she built the performing felt he would be in a place of like-think- circuit that was the foundation for ers, and would be warmly welcomed in Toshi dies on July 9 at age 91. Baez, Dylan, etc., to tour). a Communist-ruled country. What he When we asked him what he didn’t realize was that he was coming thought we could learn from him and into a country that followed whatever 2013 how to carry on, he said. “If you do was written in the Soviet newspaper, Pete is nominated for a Grammy for Best what is right, it has an effect not only cleverly named Pravda (“Truth”). Spoken Word Album for Pete Seeger: The Storm on the future, but on the past, like Pete and his family were assigned King: Narratives, Poems. ripples in water.” That is the hope he to a hotel restricted to Western “capi- felt just four months before he passed. talist” business people. He never had Phil Ciganer with Pete and a painting by Michael D’Antuono that hangs at a chance to meet any Czech officials, 2014 Phil Ciganer the Towne Crier. and was booked into obscure venues Pete dies in a New York City hospital on Jan. In the early 1970s, when I came to and given virtually no press coverage. 27 at age 94. After his death, he is named the the Hudson Valley to open the Towne Nevertheless, his concerts were packed, inaugural winner of the Woody Guthrie Prize. Crier, I heard Pete Seeger lived in Dar Williams due to word-of-mouth and a few posters. Beacon, and I hoped to meet the Pete and I were doing a fundraiser Pete was perplexed by the lack of offi- great man. Sure enough, when one of and before I asked if he thought a cial support, and I had to explain it to our first scheduled performers was recent biography of him had been him in the most careful way. Ironically, detained by car trouble, Pete showed accurate. He nodded slowly and said, four years later came the short-lived up and volunteered to “fill in.” That, I “Yes, but there was one thing that freedoms of the Prague Spring, and a soon came to learn, was “typical Pete.” didn’t seem right. He said I worried label called Supraphon bought tapes I As we got to know each other, I about my career. I never gave a shit had made of Pete’s concerts so it could became involved with Clearwater and about my career.” release them as an album.

F | May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current Robert Murphy farmworkers or serenading workers In 1965 Pete was asked to perform on the picket line. a concert in the Beacon High School I am proud to have shared a stage gym to benefit the scholarship loan with this gentle man on a hot dusty fund of the Beacon Teachers Associa- Saturday afternoon in coal country. tion. The Vietnam War was escalating and Pete was an early and vociferous Eliza Nagel opponent. A few weeks earlier, Pete Here is Pete with my dad, Fred Nagel had performed a few anti-war songs at [below] in 2007 at a weekly peace vigil on Moscow University in the Soviet Union. Route 9 during the war in Afghanistan Feelings were still raw among some and Iraq. Pete carried the flag when he Longtime residents recall Clearwater set adrift residents about the singer’s failure in crossed Route 9 to sing a few songs with 1955 to assist the House Un-Ameri- counter-protesters. Their favorite was can Activities Committee. Immedi- “This Land is Your Land.” By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong ately after the concert announcement, a committee of 12 civic, fraternal and emembered near and far for language; called the captain and his religious organizations formed to stop his folk music and political crew ‘Communists’ and much more. it, criticizing the board for allowing a R activism, longtime Highlands Peter Seeger got more than his fair “figure of controversy” to appear before resident Pete Seeger nevertheless share of abuse, as usual. When is this impressionable youngsters. encountered hostility on the streets going to stop?” However, the letters that poured of Cold Spring in an era not all Jan Thacher lived in a home on remember and few wish to discuss. into The Evening News were about Market Street at the time; his 5-to-1 in favor of the show. Writers At the time, the environmental and civil family rented rooms to the staff of invoked principles such as freedom rights movements had erupted, there Clearwater, whose office was then on of speech and the right to dissent. were violent divisions over the Vietnam Cold Spring’s Main Street. On the night of the concert, Nov. 27, War, and political differences convulsed “Pete knew he was not wanted in 1965, Police Chief Sam Wood and five communities large and small. The town,” Thacher said. ““Every time he unrest hit the Highlands, too. officers patrolled the gym. There was came, this group [of locals] would no need. No one was there to protest. In 1966, Seeger and his wife, Toshi, make his life miserable. He would Instead, it was filled to capacity. Pete created the environmental group hide his car in our driveway so no one sang 25 songs over two hours, includ- Damon Banks Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, would know he was here.” ing “Old Dutchess Junction” sung to which built a replica historic river When we first moved to Cold Thacher said friends would drive the tune of “Red River Valley,” and the sloop, launched in 1969 to promote Spring, my wife and I didn’t feel Seeger to the Clearwater office rather environmental protection. concert raised $3,000 [about $24,000 entirely comfortable. There isn’t a lot than have him walk the few blocks today]. Perhaps hearts and minds were of diversity and the area has a lot of Barbara Lusk, who lives in in the open. Toshi, who sometimes changed by this concert, and soon a racist/anti-Semitic history. Philipstown, worked in the Clearwater accompanied him, did not generate community was to learn more about Pete and Toshi saw me with my bass office from 1971 to 1973, and sailed similar antagonism, Thacher said. Pete and that … there is a time to every with Seeger. On the water, Seeger on the train platform one day, and Pete Seeger had been blacklisted, along “was absolutely terrific, very patient” purpose under heaven. asked: “Do you live around here? Do you with other left-leaning public figures, and knowledgeable, she said. “He know about the history of this area?” I entertainers, and writers during the didn’t talk that much about himself” political persecutions of the 1950s led Rob Abbot didn’t know who he was, so I rolled my but about the river and sloops, and In the early 1980s, a friend asked if I by Sen. Joe McCarthy and the House eyes and said, “Yeah, I heard about it.” “he did concerts along the way,” Un-American Activities Committee to wanted to play with him at a folk festi- He began to talk about how, because inviting the public to sail with him. val at the Appalachian South Folklife of his music, his political views and his root out alleged Communists. Yet early on, the Clearwater was a Center. I agreed, although I only knew “friends,” this area made it difficult for After Pete got off the blacklist in the target of local animosity. four or five chords. him to live in for many years. He said late 1960s, “one of the first concerts I can’t remember what songs we he stuck with it because of its natural So was Seeger. he gave was in Cold Spring at the played, but I do remember my shock bandstand” along the river, Thacher beauty, his family and the strong friend- On one occasion, several longtime being told we were “opening” for Pete recalled. “After that, Pete basically ships that developed. He thought that residents said, after problems beset came and went as he pleased. Seeger on the makeshift outdoor stage. my presence as a local resident (and an its rudder, the Clearwater tied up at However, there were still times when I’ve since learned that Pete played thou- African-American musician/teacher) the Cold Spring dock. That night, as he’d sneak into the village” because of sands of gigs from such stages, enter- was a very positive development and it the crew rested — but perhaps not opposition closer to home — his wife.

taining college students or playing would be great if I “stayed in the neigh- with Seeger aboard — an angry band from the back of a flatbed truck for O slipped down to the dock and cut the “Toshi had forbidden sweets, cookies Next Page mooring lines, to set the boat adrift in particular,” Thacher said. “I’d often and into potential danger. catch Pete exiting The Main Course with a bagful, saying, ‘You can’t tell Toshi!’ ” The vandalism, recalled Marie Early, was a serious transgression that While Seeger returned to Cold Spring, troubled her father, who was mayor the Clearwater did not, for years. in that period. Because of a village law that banned visiting boats from using the dock, the “Cutting the mooring lines was sloop only returned in 2009, when it, a national offense,” said Early, a like Seeger, came for the Fourth of July. current village trustee. “Why no one was prosecuted, I don’t know. It was Seth Gallagher, who was then mayor, not a pleasant incident. The fortunate greeted Seeger, assuring him that he thing is no one was hurt.” and the sloop were welcome in the village. In a letter to the Putnam County News & Recorder in June 1970, Cold Spring “Seeger was so important,” Gallagher resident Yolande Slater Ogilby described says now. “We were lucky to have a Clearwater concert stop the week him in our community. He did such before when “once again local yokels good, especially for the river. We have caused trouble, cut lines, threw beer him to thank for the much cleaner cans and stones and used unprintable conditions we have.”

Pete with photos he hung on the wall while writing his autobiography Photo by Michael Bowman

Remembering Pete Seeger May 3, 2019 | G borhood.” He finally told me who he was (which blew my mind) and the three of us rode to the Bronx together. That experience inspired us to stay.

Nell Timmer From 2003 to 2008, I owned a coffee shop in Beacon. Although it was pour- ONGOING ing rain on Spirit of Beacon Day in Remembering Pete Seeger 2004, we saw a hunched-over figure in BEACON a yellow rain slicker in the empty lot Howland Library 313 Main St. | 845-831-1134 next door picking up garbage. beaconhistorical.org We went out to see if the person The Beacon Historical Society has needed help and there was Pete. He mounted an exhibit of photos of Pete’s turned to us and said, “You know, life and times that continues through if everyone picked up one piece of May. Open during library hours. garbage a day, the world would be a much cleaner place.” Needless to say, FRI 3 we went back inside and returned with Open Mic our rain jackets and a garbage bag. BEACON Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger performing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963. 7:30 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St. Photo by Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez Nathalie Jonas and 845-855-1300 | townecrier.com Philip Nobel Sign-up begins at 5 p.m. to honor Pete came to welcome The Living [everyone called me that because of role of folklorist in trying to find the Pete’s life and music. Room to Main Street in Cold Spring in my dad], what brings you up here?” I latest hillbilly and race hits. He stood 2011 and, in the course of the conver- told him and he said, “I don’t like that up to things that usually break a man: SAT 4 sation, recited the Gettysburg Address teacher, either; let’s see if we can’t get political assassination at the hands “Oh, My Gosh!” for us. you an A.” And we did. Thanks, Pete. of his own government and offers of BEACON 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Howland Cultural Center big money. He left this world a better 477 Main St. | 845-831-4614 Joe Neville Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez place but inequality and injustice brownpapertickets.com/event/4220280 It was the spring of 1966 and I I liked Pete Seeger. He and I corre- remain in newer, slicker forms. This group show will feature was failing high school English. The sponded on a couple of occasions, and A lot of people think Pete was works by 34 artists interpreting their teacher said, “Even if you pass the once, at my somewhat presumptuous enraged when Bob Dylan “went elec- experiences with Pete, along with a Regent’s exam, I will have to fail you invitation in the early 1960s, he came to tric” in 1965 at the Newport Folk series of 12 paintings by Dan Botkin unless you do something about it.” For my high school in Middletown, Connect- Festival but he said he was actually inspired by “Turn, Turn, Turn.” It the topic of my final report, I chose icut, to give a free concert. He was a big appalled at the sound quality. The P.A. continues through May 27. American folk music. I had a brain- hit with everyone, students and teach- had to be cranked so loud that it began storm (very rare). Instead of spend- ers. The idea to invite him came out of to distort and the vocals were rendered SAT 4 ing hours in the library, I would talk a conversation with my music teacher unintelligible. Pete was pissed that a Celebrating Pete Seeger’s to Pete. My father, Doug, owned the when I asked why she didn’t include folk song as good as “Maggie’s Farm” was Centennial general store at the foot of Mount music as part of the curriculum. being garbled to mush. BEACON Beacon. All the “mountaineers” Another classic Pete moment of 8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center unwavering commitment to quality 477 Main St. | 845-831-4614 frequented the store, including Pete, Al Scorch howlandculturalcenter.org sound is him gently explaining mid- so I knew him quite well. I drove up Pete was born as broadcast radio The tribute will include song to a massive crowd that clapping his hill and he was in his yard, hold- ushered out the player piano and an performances of Seeger’s songs by ing a handsaw. He said, “Hi Dougie infantile record industry played the along at Carnegie Hall doesn’t work. artists such as David and Jacob Bernz, Carolyn Doctorow, Lydia Adams Davis with Annalyse and Ryan, The Rix, R.J.Storm and Old School, and Spook Handy. Cost: $15 ($20 door)

Pete performs at the Clearwater Festival SUN 5 in 2008 with children from Beacon. Pete Seeger Festival Photo by Steve Sherman PUTNAM VALLEY 2 p.m. Tompkins Corners Cultural Center 729 Peekskill Hollow Road | 845-528-7280 tompkinscorners.org The fourth annual event will bring together friends who performed and worked with Pete. Donations will be collected for local organizations that Seeger created. Free

SUN 5 Turn, Turn, Turn! POUGHKEEPSIE 7 p.m. Bardavon | 35 Market St. 845-473-2072 | bardavon.org The Vanaver Caravan dance troupe will be joined by Maria Muldaur, Happy Traum, Tom Chapin and Seeger’s daughter, Tinya. Cost: $35 to $45

H | May 3, 2019 The Highlands Current