The Adventures of Cider

Reader-Supported News for Philipstown and Beacon Nunsense Page 15 MAY 10, 2019 Support us at highlandscurrent.org/donate Beacon Pivots on Farmers’ Market Council approves one-year lease at current spot By Jeff Simms he Beacon Farmers’ Market will remain at its Veterans Place location T at least for the 2019 season after the City Council pivoted on Monday, May 6, and voted not to force the vendors to relocate. That outcome seemed like a long shot a week earlier, when the council, during a workshop meeting, agreed that the market should be moved to the Depart- ment of Motor Vehicles parking lot at 223 Main St., about six blocks west. The market, which will operate outdoors HARD WORK — Volunteers, including members of Girl Scout on Sundays through Nov. 24, when it moves Troop 2039 helped clean up Little Stony Point on May 4 as , inside, has had a topsy-turvy tenure since part of the annual Riverkeeper Sweep along the Hudson River. relocating in 2017 from the waterfront to For more photos, see highlandscurrent.org. Photo by Ross Corsair the busy Veterans Place block. While sales and the distribution of discounted produce to low-income households increased, Phil Ciganer of the neighboring Towne Crier Cafe The Adventures of Cider Man (Continued on Page 21) Cold Spring Ciderworks part of growing trend Philipstown By Michael Turton On the other hand, Sussman, who studied agricultural economics at Cornell Univer- Seeks Injunction eography played a big part in Bill sity, believes alcoholic cider produced in Sussman’s switch from wine to New York has tremendous potential. Against Business G hard apple cider — not just as a In 2017, he produced 40 gallons at the beverage, but for what he hopes will be a Slyboro cidery in Granville with apples from thriving business. Fishkill Farms. But the 163-mile drive north Wants rock-crushing “I wanted to make really good wine,” the proved impractical and last year Sussman operation to cease and desist Cold Spring resident says, recalling how in moved his Cold Spring Ciderworks label to his 20s he made wine in his parents’ base- Orchard Hill Cider Mill in New Hampton, By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong ment on Long Island. The problem, he real- 37 miles west of Philipstown. ized, is that New York’s climate is not ideal Using 13 apple varieties from three sources, he Philipstown Town Board voted for fine wines. “Riesling can be good, but Sussman upped production in 2018 to 300 5-0 last week to seek an injunction overall the wine will never be great. “ gallons, enough to fill 2,400 16-ounce bottles. T to shut down a rock-crushing busi- Most will be sold at Orchard Hill’s tap room. ness that has lost multiple court decisions “It’s the easiest way to get started,” Sussman over zoning violations. Using 13 apple varieties says. He and Orchard Hill will also share a The vote came during the board’s from three sources, booth in August at the Putnam County Food monthly meeting on May 2, a few days & Wine Fest at Mayor’s Park in Cold Spring. after the town issued a new stop-work Sussman upped Cold Spring Ciderworks is dry — which order against the firm, RNV Green Sussman prefers — and 6.7 percent alcohol. Processing & Supply Corp., owned by production in 2018 to Sussman says he is learning as he goes. At Ricky and Mark Ventura at 1 Lane Gate 300 gallons, enough to fill a cider production course at Cornell last Bill Sussman with the raw ingredients and Road, near the intersection with Route 9. final bottling of his Cold Spring Cider 2,400 16-ounce bottles. (Continued on Page 22) Photo by M. Turton (Continued on Page 21) 2 MAY 10, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org FIVE QUESTIONS: FLORENCE NORTHCUTT By Michael Turton buildings. I’d love to see more live theater here. I like dramas, although many people lorence Northcutt, who has volun- prefer musicals. By Michael Turton teered at the Howland Cultural You had a career in education. Did Center in Beacon for 33 years and F that help with your work? What trait usually is a longtime member of its board, will be I was a speech therapist, but no matter honored on Wednesday, May 15, as part of a associated with men should what you do in education you have to be gala to celebrate its 40th anniversary. well-prepared, structured and creative. women try to adopt? What have been the main They say teaching is a combination of art accomplishments at the center? and science, and the same is true of running Two things. We’ve taken good care of the the Howland Center. It’s important to be Be more assertive building [which was built in 1872], although involved in the creation of programs here, when a man is to see what the community needs. there is more to do. It’s a gem; you could being overbearing never grow tired of this building. We’ve also Is there a program you’re especially expanded the city’s cultural and artistic proud of? about his opinion. life. There are other places that show art One dear to my heart is the marionette or host music, but the Howland Center has show we put on each Christmas. It’s a everything. That’s why people call it “the husband-and-wife team who studied with jewel of Beacon.” Jim Henson [the creator of the Muppets]. How does the Beacon cultural scene It’s wonderful to see a roomful of children compare to 1986? totally immersed. On a scale from 1 to 10? It’s at least a 25. What’s the biggest challenge for the When we started, Main Street was in bad center? shape; the buildings across the street were We live a hand-to-mouth existence, which boarded up. After the library moved out of is why we don’t have a full-time executive the center, the group that saved the build- director. We’re not subsidized by the city. We ing began exhibiting art and hosting a few depend on grants, membership, donations, concerts. It was on its way. Main Street has program revenues. I’d like to see the center ~ Liam Gallagher, Cold Spring undergone such a metamorphosis since become much more financially secure. But, Florence Northcutt Photo provided Ron and Ronnie Sauer restored the first we have a good board. We get things done. Decisiveness. Women Done have been more willing Next 50 Day to doubt themselves. full color posters -Indoor/Outdoor Quality -Coated 80# Card Stock -12x18” ~ Barry Wells, Beacon - Your PDF File + tax More independent. A good marriage is two $ independent people. (1) 65 Less concerned with Order by email material items. (2) or in the store Grey [email protected] 37 Chestnut Street Cold Spring, NY ~ Tim(1) & Connor(2) Brennan, 845/265-4510 Cold Spring highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current MAY 10, 2019 3 Building Support for New Freeze Beacon council members weigh another moratorium By Jeff Simms “we’re constantly racing against the clock,” she said, “and that’s not fair. If we pass a law eacon’s building boom is still going and it’s no good, the next council can change strong, with developments containing the law, but once a building goes up, it’s up.” B more than 80 new apartments sched- Council Member Lee Kyriacou made uled for review at next week’s Planning Board similar comments several weeks ago, meeting, including a request to add a partial saying he is open to another moratorium fourth floor and an additional unit to a project while the council reconsiders regulations in at what was formerly a pizzeria at 208 Main St. the riverfront-to-Main Street linkage zone As that and other proposals move forward, and how to protect scenic viewsheds. however, members of the City Council could The 2017 building freeze came after soon consider a moratorium on new build- concerns were raised about the city’s long- ing permits while they complete a review of term water supply. But after a consultant’s the city’s zoning codes. That review has so report concluded in March 2018 that the The former pizzeria at 208 Main St. will become an apartment complex. Photo by J. Simms far lasted 18 months; it began shortly after city had sufficient water to sustain its the council in September 2017 imposed a six- projected population through 2035, the she believes are slipping through the cracks On May 14, the Planning Board — in addi- month moratorium on most residential and council did not renew the ban when it of the State Environmental Quality Review tion to reviewing the request for changes to commercial development. expired later that month. (SEQR) that each development must pass. the approved plans for 208 Main St. — will Jodi McCredo, who represents Ward 3, Under state law, a building freeze can While SEQR laws require Beacon offi- continue its study of a proposed microbrew- said during the council’s May 6 meeting only be enacted to address a specific situa- cials — in most cases, the Planning Board ery and event space at 511 Fishkill Ave. It also that she hopes her colleagues will discuss tion, such as lack of water, where the public — to consider the impact each development will hold public hearings on developments another freeze. “There are a lot of things that good is “substantially” being affected. will have on schools, parking and roads, the proposed for 248 Tioronda, 23-28 Creek we still need to work on,” she said, includ- Mayor Randy Casale said he doesn’t believe process looks at proposals individually, rather Drive, and a 9-unit complex at 53 Eliza St.

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