AN ICY MORNING ..

It is an icy morning on Thursday, December 11. The first major storm will soon hit the upper Hudson Valley. So many random thoughts. Where do I begin?

This morning on WAMC, the local National Public Radio affiliate, I listened to a news item about NPR laying off 7% of their staff of 800, citing declining corporate gifts to the non-profit national radio service. Not good! I listen to WAMC constantly, especially in the morning, and late at night. At 11 p.m., WAMC features "As It Happens", a very entertaining and informative program produced by the CBC, Canada's public news broadcasting service. "AIH" has a global perspective that often touches on what is happening in the US. This program is followed by a four-hour broacast from the BBC, offering an unparalleled update on world news. WAMC is available throughout upstate eastern New York, western Massachusetts and Vermont, and northwestern Connecticut.

THIS WEEKEND .. On Saturday, December 13, people are invited to elebrate the season at Beattie-Powers Place from 3 to 5. This mid-19th century historic merchants house overlooking the Hudson River has undergone major restoration in recent times. Bequeathed to the Village of Catskill in the early '90s, a wide range of public programs are sponsored throughout the year by the Friends of Beattie-Powers. At a time of shrinking resources, this community effort deserves public support. Beattie-Powers Place is located at the northern end of Bridge Street. Refreshments will be served. Ask about membership!

The monthly "Second Saturday" evening stroll commences at 5 p.m., and continues until 9 p.m. From my own personal observation, the weather never dampens the spirits of hundreds of visitors who stroll along Catskill's historic Main Street. Most shops, galleries and restaurants will be open. Expect to be served refreshments at most businesses. Main Street, Catskill is the continuation of Route 23B (exit #21 of the New York State Thruway), just turn left as you exit the Thruway.

Rockwell Kent Will Open At New York State Museum

Albany, N.Y.- Nov 18th, 2008
:The next exhibition in Bank of America's Great Art Series, "Rockwell Kent: This is My Own," will be on view at the New York State Museum through May 17 in the West Gallery.
The exhibition will feature works from the collection of the Plattsburgh State Art Museum, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, the most complete and balanced collection of Kent's work in the United States.
The collection was established by a gift and bequest from Kent's wife, Sally Kent Gorton. This exhibition is curated by Cecilia M. Esposito, director of the Plattsburgh State Art Museum.
An artist who provided the illustrations for such classics as Moby Dick and the Canterbury Tales , Kent succeeded in multiple endeavors during his lifetime. He was a painter, muralist, illustrator, print maker, book designer, graphic artist, architect, builder, writer and editor, lecturer, navigator, world traveler and political and social activist.
This exhibition offers a breadth of materials on display, including hundreds of items that chronicle Kent's life and work, reflecting intensely personal experiences and a deep sense of moral and political principle.
On display will be paintings, drawings, prints, books, bookplates, photographs, dinnerware, advertising art and more. "Rockwell Kent," a documentary produced by Frederick Lewis, and the book, Rockwell Kent: The Art of the Bookplate will be for sale in the Museum Shop.
Born in Tarrytown in 1882, Kent experienced a comfortable, upper middle-class lifestyle until the sudden death of his father in 1887. As a young boy he developed a resilience and strong work ethic that was evident in all of his future endeavors.
Kent achieved both critical and financial success as an artist during the 1920s and 1930s. He became well known for his book illustrations, bookplates and commercial work. Private collectors and major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquired his paintings and prints.
Between 1918 and 1935, Kent traveled to remote parts of the world, often staying for long periods of time to learn about the people who lived there and to express and record his experiences through his paintings and books.
While editor and publisher of Northeast, I visited the extraordinary collection of work by Rockwell Kent in Plattsburgh years ago. I strongly recommend this exhibit now at the State Museum.

Let's Make a Deal in N.Y.

The doors at Mark McDonald Ltd. originally adorned a 1930s-era movie theater in nearby Saugerties, N.Y.





From the Washington Post
By Annie Groer
Sunday, September 7, 2008; Page P06

Make no mistake about it. You go to Hudson, N.Y., a slowly gentrifying, semi-shabby city of roughly 7,000 souls, to feather your nest.

Sure, you can admire splendid Hudson River and Catskill Mountain vistas 125 miles north of Manhattan, check out four centuries of architecture, eat and drink well in a Starbucks-free community and even take in local culture.

But the main draw, which has been evolving over 20 years, is antique furniture, art, rugs, sculpture, books, funky tchotchkes and, increasingly, new home furnishings. Feel the need for some George III or Louis XVI chairs? A Murano glass chandelier? Japanese erotica, garden sculpture, 1970s psychedelic barware, elaborate quilts, primitive paintings? How about decorating advice on pulling this stuff together?

It can all be yours along an eight-block stretch of Warren Street and a few adjacent byways. The mile-long main drag boasts about 60 antiques dealers, whose merchandising style ranges from meticulously curated to annoyingly jumbled, and 100-plus flea-market-style vendors sharing space in two large old buildings nearby.

Read Full Story

REMEMBERING .. 7 YEARS LATER

When I first arrived in New York City, in the early 1960's, I was interviewed and employed by a long-gone prestigious Wall Street firm, Eastman Dillion, Union Securities & Co. The man who hired me was handsome, bright and incisive, only a few years older than me. He became my "mentor", his speciality, the beginning phenomena of mutual funds as a tool for investing. It was a fascinating experience for me!

In recent weeks, I sought to find out his current association, his whereabouts. It is with great sadness that a search on Google revealed that he was among the thousands who died on September 11, 2001. He was reportedly in his office on the 92nd floor of a World Trade Center tower that fateful morning. I regret it took me seven years to learn of this tragedy.

My very belated condolences to his wife Marianne and his children. I will always remember the role Robert Cruikshank played in my life.

‘10 Coolest Small Towns’

Catskill named as one of ‘10 Coolest Small Towns’ in America
As featured in ‘Budget Travel’ – September 2008

These towns all have fewer than 10,000 people—but they can rival larger cities when it comes to good food, culture, and quality of life.
Laura MacNeil - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Catskill, N.Y.Population: 4,340 Nearest City: Albany, 35 miles.

Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School of landscape painting, was so enamored with the area that he moved to Catskill in the 1830s—his former home and studio is now the Thomas Cole National Historic Site (218 Spring St., 518/943-7465, thomascole.org, $7). After a period of neglect in the 1980s and '90s, Catskill is attracting artists again, as much for its affordable Victorian homes as for the surroundings. In 2005, musician Frank Cuthbert turned a crumbling 19th-century building into the Brik Gallery, which hosts exhibits as well as classical-music concerts and readings (473 Main St., 518/943-0145, brikgallery.com). Down the street, Argentine artist Dina Bursztyn and her partner, Julie Chase, display their works—some made from river driftwood—at their three-year-old gallery, Open Studio (402 Main St., 518/943-9531, potatospirit.com). Another foreign transplant, Israel-born Yael Manor-McMorrow, and her husband, Keith McMorrow, cook an excellent brunch at Bell's Café-Bistro (387 Main St., 518/943-4070, bellscafeny.net, omelet $9). Catskill's diversity is part of what inspired David Miles to move here to set up his furnishings store, Hood & Company (432 Main St., 518/943-1891, hoodandcompany.com). Well, the town's architecture certainly played a role, too. "When I first turned on Main Street, I fell in love," he says.

ONE OF THE TOP FIVE!

'Associated Content' recently published five top Hudson Valley park destinations, with Dutchmen's Landing ranked #1!

Dutchmen's Landing Park in Catskill, New York. Located in Greene County in the mid-Hudson Valley, Dutchmen's Landing Park is a short drive from Catskill's Main Street area. This peaceful mid-Hudson Valley park is right on the Hudson River, and the park's four launch ramps make it a mecca for boaters. There's a lot to see at Dutchmen's Landing, and on a summer afternoon you can spot a variety of interesting boats of all sizes making their way up and down the Hudson. Dutchmen's Landing is an ideal spot for that family reunion or summer get together.

The park is fully equipped with barbeques, picnic tables and benches, and a playground for the kids. The snack bar at Dutchmen's Landing serves the usual summer fare like hamburgers, sandwiches, French fries and onion rings, as well as ice cream and cold drinks.

Also check out the summer concert series at Dutchmen's Landing for great live music by popular local bands and performers. While visiting Dutchmen's Landing in Catskill, don't forget to look across the river to Olana (on the east side of the Hudson). The Persian castle that was the home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church is visible in the distance.

Historic Catskill Point - just a few steps away from Dutchmen's Landing, is also a hub of summer activity in Catskill. Located at the bottom of Main Street and just a short walk from Dutchmen's Landing, The Historic Catskill Point is host to a number of fun, warm weather events, including a Farm Market every Saturday morning.

BEATTIE-POWERS PLACE

For the past two years, on a voluntary basis, I've helped promote events taking place at Beattie-Powers Place, a historic house overlooking the Hudson River .. a spectacular place! If you're interested in rich architecture and a sweeping view of the upper Hudson River, visit this unique setting. H. M. Hanson

Catskill, NY – Beattie-Powers Place, bequeathed to the Village of Catskill in the early 1990s, is maintained by the Friends of Beattie-Powers, a non-profit community organization. Extensive renovations have been underway over recent years, architectural and landscape enthusiasts are encouraged to visit .

Beattie-Powers Place is the continuation of Bridge Street, with easy access from Main Street, Catskill. From exit #21 of the New York State Thruway, turn left onto Route 23B, Main Street, to Bridge Street in Catskill, turn left onto Bridge Street, continue to Prospect Avenue; or from the east, cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Route 23, to the first traffic light, turn left onto Spring Street, Route 385, to Bridge Street, turn left again to Prospect Avenue and Beattie-Powers Place.

For information, call (518) 943-4764, or visit: www.friendsofbeattiepowers.org

Boston Globe Trumpets Hudson

VIEW OF THE RIVER FROM HUDSON NEW YORK
©Greg Howell
A favorable article about Hudson recently appeared in the Boston Globe, a
very good newspaper. Apparently many months ago a free-lance writer strolled
the streets of Hudson, a major antiques and art destiantion. Not everyone
remembered the visit, but .. an interesting report. Here is the link ..


Headline: Life on the river blends old and new in hip little Hudson
Date: January 27, 2008

"HUDSON - The numbers tell the story: Along this one-mile stretch of Warren
Street there are 65 antique dealers, 28 restaurants and cafes,
27 gallery and exhibition spaces, 15 architectural styles, plus gift shops,
clothing boutiques, houseware emporiums, thrift shops, junk shops,
convenience stores, bookstores, and one vacuum cleaner retailer.
Add it all up and you have a good idea ..."
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View Full Boston Globe Story