* Winner: 13 Better Newspaper Contest Awards *New York Press Association, 2013 & 2014 FREE! More Autumn Photofest See Page 20 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015 161 MAIN ST., COLD SPRING , N.Y. | philipstown.info Merchants Happy County Faces to See Seastreak Deadline on Visitors Ailes’ Money for Crowds are a challenge Senior Center By Michael Turton Odell and Scuccimarra old Spring’s autumn economy is urge legislature to act booming, and weekend cruises Cthat bring hundreds of shoppers to By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong Main Street are a big part of the surge in business. Last Saturday alone (Oct. 17), hile clearing another legisla- 800 passengers disembarked from two tive hurdle, plans to create a Seastreak catamarans that traveled up WPutnam County senior citizens the Hudson River from Highland, New center at the Butterfield redevelopment Jersey, and lower Manhattan. Another became ensnared in fresh complications 500 came on Sunday. this week. They included both fears of Having several hundred people de- losing $500,000 pledged by the Ailes scend on Main Street presents challeng- family if the County Legislature fails to es, especially for restaurants. But no one soon approve a Butterfield lease and ex- was complaining. pressions of both enthusiasm and doubt “The Columbus Day weekend was my about locating the senior center in the best in 15 years,” said Caryn Cannova, existing Lahey pavilion, which currently owner of the Kismet gift shop. “The Sea- (Continued on Page 3) streak is absolutely vital to fourth quar- ter sales, especially with no Cold Spring by Candlelight,” she said, referring to the popular annual tour of historic homes, traditionally held on the first weekend in December but cancelled for 2015. Shops get a big boost Craig Muraszewski, owner of the Cold Spring General Store, used the word “ecstatic” to describe his reaction to the Seastreak visits. “I’m thankful and blessed that they want to come to our little town,” he said. Muraszewski noted the cruises have helped strengthen ties among local busi- nesses. Last week Main Street business Part of the old Butterfield Hospital owners circulated emails to provide no- Fall color near Garrison Dock Photo by Lucy Freilich awaits demolition. Photo by L.S. Armstrong tice that 800 passengers would land on Saturday. That sort of cooperation, Mu- raszewski said, “is what really brings Beacon Voters to Decide on Six City Council Seats people together.” Entire council along with mayor on ballot address the consolidation of Beacon’s three firehouses and Leonora Burton, who operates The police presence on city streets, among many other issues. To Country Goose, said her sales have been By Jeffrey Simms help readers familiarize themselves with the candidates and “very good” as a result of the cruisers. races, The Paper sent four questions to the 10 candidates. The “The trip up (Continued on Page 14) leven candidates are vying for the six seats on the Beacon questions and the candidates’ answers are printed below. Some City Council. Voters will decide on Nov. 3 on races that— answers were edited slightly due to space constraints, but ev- Ealong with the mayoral contest between Randy Casale ery effort was made to retain the essence of the candidates’ and Ron Ray — will set the agenda and tone for their city. responses. Council members are elected to two-year terms, and every 1. (Ward candidates) If elected, what is the single biggest seat is contested at the same time. One representative is elected issue that you will address in your home ward? from each of the city’s four wards, and two at-large members round out the council. In Wards 1 and 3, Democratic incum- 1. (At-large candidates) Explain why the City Council has bents Margaret E. “Peggy” Ross and Pamela Wetherbee are de- at-large members, and what, if anything, can they offer that a fending against Republican challengers Diane Spiak-Pisanelli ward representative cannot? (Continued on Page 6) and William Irizarry, respectively. In Ward 4, Dem- ocratic incumbent Ali T. Muhammad is opposed by Samantha A. Tseng, who belongs to the Beacon Works party—while Ward 2 presents the most un- usual race. Democrat Omar Harper defeated longtime Ward 2 Councilman Charles P. Kelly in the September primary, so Harper is the official Democratic can- didate. Harper, however, has also been endorsed by the Dutchess County Republican Committee and will be listed on the ballot as the Republican candidate. His opponent next month, once again, is Kelly — his name on the ballot now as the candidate for the Working Families and Green parties. Republican Chris Olson is challenging the two Sidewalks quickly filled as visitors Democratic at-large incumbents, Lee Kyriacou and poured into shops and restaurants. George M. Mansfield. Photo by M. Turton During the coming term, the council will likely Margaret E. “Peggy” Ross Diane Spiak-Pisanelli 2 October 23, 2015 The Paper philipstown.info Cook On: 1 part chaos, 2 parts calm Roots and Shoots and our two food columns will share this A Toast to France page going forward. By Mary Ann Ebner to taste where a wine comes from. short but food-filled visit to see Co-proprietor Mei Ying So, who along friends in France over the summer with Buzinski is a Culinary Institute of A centered on art, architecture and America graduate, developed an appre- history in Paris and Normandy, but the ciation for French wine during their six long days of trekking around with muse- weeks of mandatory wines course work at um passes were sustained through meals the Culinary Institute, but she credits her of all sorts. Yes, Notre Dame ranks as a partiality to an even earlier experience. remarkable creation, but after checking “I got my degree in literary studies out its wondrous attributes, our family of with a concentration in French litera- four was eager to step around the corner ture and I spent my junior year in Paris,” to sample Berthillon’s praised ice cream. she said. Though she dedicated far more Counting calories never seriously time to studying in Paris than sampling crossed my mind, and somewhere around wine, Mei Ying recalls her time in France 5,000 per day it seemed as if a transla- Rich and creamy sliced potatoes Photos by M.A. Ebner fondly. “I do favor French wine in gener- tion issue could be used as an excuse to al, and once people taste our wines, they disregard any sense of keeping track. at its October Second love it. One of our best- Whatever the calorie cost, from enjoying Saturday tasting, which selling reds is the L’effet an assortment of delicate macarons or prompted even more Papillon. People come a fine coffee, proper protocol called for French-inspired cooking back for it.” sampling with appreciation. in my own kitchen. Shop We sampled the L’effet I can’t speak for the rest of my family, owners Tim Buzinski and Papillon at home and at but the afterglow of France and its food Mei Ying So stock more a modest price it made a and drink remains with me. Not long than a few French wines, welcome companion to after our return home, we hosted a teen and they poured several dinner, which mirrored student from Paris for two weeks. Igor for tasters to try. one of our Paris meals thanked us with an artisanal box of luxu- “The Mee Godard (Do- — bistro fare with a 50- rious chocolate, classic pralines and silky maine Mee Godard Mor- cl carafe of red. Along truffles that tasted so rich and indulgent gon AOC Grand Cras 2013 with a suggestion that that I was tempted to sign up to host France) is from Morgon Mei Ying recommended, another student. And over the last few which is a Cru village in a vegetarian shepherd’s months, each bottle of wine that we’ve Beaujolais,” Buzinski ex- pie loaded with tons picked up as a hosting gift or to share at plained. “This is the kind of mushrooms, we’ve home seems to boast a French label. of gamay that’s not a guz- Artisan Wine Shop stocks a broad range of French wines. found a little comfort in Now that autumn has arrived, cool zling wine. It’s sophisti- a starchy serving that weather delivers the optimal climate to cated. You want to have ing the shop on Main Street now and in appeared on our plates recreate the hearty dishes served with red it with food — a roast chicken or pork.” the weeks ahead will be ready to drink with roast duck at a restaurant near Nor- wine that we discovered as affordable spe- At this time of year, selecting wines be- and won’t have a chance to age much. mandy. It may be a distant cousin to your cials of the day in France. Artisan Wine comes food focused. Many wines stocked “Most people buying right now are go- great aunt’s scalloped variation or Gratin Shop in Beacon offered several French at Artisan will age well for a couple of ing to be drinking the wine in the next Dauphinois, the paper-thin potato slices wines and a lineup of California selections years, but a high volume of bottles leav- few weeks,” Buzinski said. For an occa- with a crusty baked finish championed by sion like Thanksgiving, with an array Julia Child. This dish is a simple stovetop of food selections around most tables, preparation, perfect served as a side to RESERVE guests will appreciate a wine with struc- just about anything but also so full of first ture and character that will enable them warmth that the creamy sauce and thick Dine.