A Sunday Morning Poem

Coffee and OrangesI was looking for a poem to post on this glorious Sunday morning. Came across these moving stanzas in the poem “Sunday Morning” by Wallace Stevens one of America’s most respected poets.

I evokes exciting thoughts and imagery. And leaves me so very grateful for this day.

An annotation suggests “Stevens relates the metaphysical reflections of a woman who is skipping church. While relaxing over a cup of coffee on a sunny Sunday morning, she entertains the blasphemous idea that a world with no heaven might actually be a better one. If we aren’t always focused on the hereafter, she reasons, we might actually learn to appreciate the paradise we already inhabit. As Stevens so memorably puts it: ‘Death is the mother of beauty’.”  Sunday Morning Read by the Author Genius.com

Continue reading A Sunday Morning Poem

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A Visit to Manitoga for the 2015 Artists in Residency Exhibition

Manitoga Appreciation

Today we all know how important great design is to our everyday life. Not so much the case some generations ago.  But visionaries like Russel Wright did know. A forerunner of what many of us take almost completely for granted, as we handle our beautiful iPhone.  Wright believed that “good design was for everyone.”  He embraced and forwarded the empirical axiom that art is not just a part of life. Art is life!

There are few places where this consciousness is more discernible than here at Russel Wright’s former home and design center, Montioga. A place of striking yet gracious beauty, a place where art, nature, and human habitation reside in utter invigorating harmony.

Today exciting initiatives to share the magnificence of this place are underway, one such program is the  2015 Artists in Residency Exhibition, ” a celebration of Russel Wright’s legacy of creative experimentation and celebration of place. Continue reading A Visit to Manitoga for the 2015 Artists in Residency Exhibition

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Weekend Fun May 16-17th

Girl on Bench 1

Have Some Fun This Weekend at One or All of These Select Events Around the Hudson Valley

Outdoors

Mountain Laurel Outdoor Rec Fest

Celebrate and enjoy National Get Outdoors Day with Mountain Laurel Outdoor Rec Fest

Unplug your family and participate in the National Get Outdoors Day. Learn about kayaks, orienteering, outdoor skills, adventure challenges, birding and nature. Food and beverages are available.

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015 Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Taconic Outdoor Education Center, 75 Mountain Laurel Lane, Cold spring, NY    Donation: Adults $2 Kids $1 More Info

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Bannerman Castle Cruise Tours

Hudson River Adventures and the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. in cooperation with The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offer exclusive guided tours on Bannerman Island via the Pollepel. The tour is 2.5 hours long. Costs is $30 per person for adults and children (11 and under) $25.00. Advance ticket purchase suggested. Groups are limited to 46 persons for a more personalized tour. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Pride of the Hudson Boat Tours

Art

Manitoga A View From the House

Stephen Talasnik’s Sanctuary: A temporary installation of aquatic architecture

The Artist Residency program was initiated in 2014 to foster creative responses to Manitoga that invoke Russel Wright’s legacy of creative experimentation and celebration of place.

On view from May 1 until November 9, 2015 with Tour Reservation  More Info

Beacon Open Studios Beacon Open Studios is a weekend-long event where the artists of Beacon NY open their studios to the public.

Beacon Open Studios

  • May 8 – June 11 Kickoff Show, at 2 Way Brewing Company, 18 West Main Street, Beacon, New York
  • May 15 Kickoff Party, 6-9pm at 2 Way Brewing Company, 18 West Main Street, Beacon, New York
  • May 16 – 17 BEACON OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND noon-6pm all around town
  • May 17 Closing Reception, 5-9pm at KuBe Arts Center, 211 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon, New York

More Info

More Art Events Beacon Arts

Theater

Phillipstown Depot THeater

Philipstown Depot Theater Presents a Classic On Golden Pond
An aging couple, Ethel and Norman Thayer, continue the long tradition of spending each summer at their cottage on a lake in the far reaches on northern New England called Golden Pond.  Now through March 24th More Info

Food, Wine, Art, Music

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2015 Historic Newburgh Wine, Art and Jazz Festival

May 15, 2015, Grapes on the Grass Soiree
sponsored by Janice Miller’s ERA First Advantage Realty

May 16, 2015, Wine, Art and Jazz Festival
presented by Evansville Living Magazine with T.R.U. Event, Inc. Rental as Title Sponsor

Tickets for Friday and Saturday are on sale now for 2015! Click below to purchase, call (812) 853-2815 to purchase or for additional information, or just drop by the HNI Visitor’s Center!

Friday, Grapes on the Grass, includes hearty hors d’oeuvres, wine judging, wine and beer sampling, live music by the Second Street Band, and live artist showcase.
Saturday, Wine, Art and Jazz Festival, includes entrance fee, free wine education class (60 seat max), wine and beer sampling, and nonstop jazz.   More Info

Wine-Trail-Passport-2015-698x393Shawangunk Wine Trail Wine Tasting Passport

The Shawangunk Wine Trail Passport lets you visit each of the 14 unique wineries at your leisure over the course of five months. I’ve been to three so far and it is very worth the trip. The passport to a self-guided tour of 14 of the Hudson Valley’s finest wineries is only $25 per person.  More Info 

Whitecliff Tasting Room

Hudson Valley Wine Cocktail Weekend 

Whitecliff Vineyard and Tuthilltown Spirits in Gardiner join together this weekend to show you the perfect Wine Cocktail pairings. Whitecliff Tasting Room,   Tuthilltown Tasting Room ant Tullihouse Restaurant  will each have a different offering on the theme. Taste and learn how to make your own Wine Cocktails at home! Each stop will have free recipe sheets and cocktail makings available for purchase.  Friday through Sunday, May 15th to 17th 12-5 PM More Info 

While you are in Gardiner  you might as well take a bite of the Gardiner Cupcake Festival is a popular annual event, to be held at Wright’s Farm in Gardiner, Ulster County on Saturday, May 16 from noon-6pm. Lot’s of fun here. More Info

Up in the Air

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome museum of World War I and pioneer aircraft and antique automobiles opens it 57th season on May 16.

You can charter a biplane for  four and get a bird’s eye view of beautiful Hudson Valley.

Norton Rd.
Rhinebeck, NY
845-752-3200

 

Later in MayMayfest NY Music Art Yoga

Mayfest NY Music – Art -Yoga May 22nd-24th – MAYfest is proud to present the 2015 lineup of internationally acclaimed musical acts, yoga instructors, art programs and activities.  More

In July

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Visit a Hudson Valley Winery

Benmarl Winery

There are so many great wineries to visit in the Hudson Valley.  You can find lots of information and listings on these sites:

Hudson Valley Wine Trails

More Great Hudson Valley Winery Directories and Guides

More Hudson Valley Event Listings

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Two Hudson Valley Stars in this Negroni Cocktail

Gin is the Thing IngredientsTwo Hudson Valley stars take a part in this excellent Negroni.  The well known Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery with their Rustic American Dry Gin and a new upstart Stockade Farm and Apothecary with their delightful Orange Clove Bitters.

In this Negroni we let the gin take center stage and a beautiful performance it was.  With a exciting accents of Stockade Orange Clove Bitters. Read More

Continue reading Two Hudson Valley Stars in this Negroni Cocktail

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Yes, Sir, That’s Some Mighty Fine
Texas BBQ!

Roundup Texas BBQ Cold SpringWe’ve had a hankering to try the local BBQ place our friends have been raving about.  Located outside of town a bit south of 301 on Route 9 Cold Spring, Roundup Texas BBQ & Tumbleweed Saloon looks a lot like a place you find down south.

We enjoyed our dinner which included a tasting of several meats and sides.  Continue reading Yes, Sir, That’s Some Mighty Fine
Texas BBQ!

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Sunday Driving

From Beacon South on 9D, hikers are out, people are enjoying the sun.

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What an Evening of Entertainment and Celebration!

Garrison Art Center Riverside Art Auction Cocktails

Cocktails on the River

So many invites this Saturday night, luckily they were spread out so we could enjoy them all.

The first was Riverside Art Auction at Garrison Art Center, where the devotees of the center turned out in numbers, young and old all walks of life, all lovers of art. As were those at the Manitoga event, to celebrate the opening of the 2015 Artist in Residence works of Stephen Talasnik. And then another gathering of art lovers at The Pantry Cold Spring for an evening of  music by Tall Country. Three very different events with one common denominator, a love of the Hudson Valley and art. Continue reading What an Evening of Entertainment and Celebration!

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Hudson Valley Weekend Fun
May 9th & 10th

Colds Spring Farmers Market at Boscobel

Lots of fun things to do this weekend in the Lower and Mid Hudson Valley and beyond.

We are excited that one of our favorite farmers’ market moves outdoors on Saturday, Cold Spring Farmers Market. The Hudson Valley Fair continues this weekend, 2015 Hudson Valley Fair. It is Mother’s Day weekend which does traditionally mean flowers. Check Out this great listing from our friends at Good Homes Hudson Valley, Mothers Day.

Continue reading Hudson Valley Weekend Fun
May 9th & 10th

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The Gates of Garrison NY


We started to collect these a month or so ago. Will be adding more with descriptions soon.  And here is a controversial yet beautiful poem “Unguarded Gates” by Thomas Bailey Aldrich  (1895) Continue reading The Gates of Garrison NY

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Back to Constitution Marsh

Constitution Marsh Garrison NY Trailhead Sign

A walk to Constitution Marsh is perfect way to transition from the work day to a relaxing evening.  During the week there are few people here, none at all on this day.

The walk is a little strenuous at points especially back up the road to the parking area.  You’ll be ready for dinner at the end of  the trail.

Spring is appearing slowly. Continue reading Back to Constitution Marsh

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