Nancy Brownell Has Passed Away; Will Be Honored During Beacon's Parade Of Green 2024

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Nancy Brownell, wife of former auto dealer owner on Rte 52 Rick Brownell, passed away on February 7th at age 58 surrounded by family. She and Rick have two sons, Tyler Brownell and Justin Brownell. Nancy could be seen in Beacon often, and was known for her fashion and stylish shoes. She was involved with the Parade of Green, which this year, shares her birthday of March 9th, 2024. Her husband had posters created in her honor to celebrate. The parade kicks off at 12pm and goes down Main Street starting at Pohill Park.

Nancy was a lifelong Hudson Valley resident who devoted much of her time to servicing others. Nancy was an active philanthropist and held volunteer positions at organizations including Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Estate Planning Council of Putnam County, the Powelton Club and Ithaca College.

She earned a BS in Broadcast Journalism, Business Administration and Political Science from Ithaca College. After graduation, she joined her father’s company, Rossi Walling X-Ray Corporation, in Peekskill. She was an avid chef, gardener, skier and entertainer.

Click here to read Nancy’s full Obituary.

Beacon Is The Pot Of Gold During Parade Of Green 2023 - For Most Who Still Live Here

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A Text between Parade of Green ComMittee Member Richie Kaplan and ALBB.

Beacon’s Parade of Green 2023 was a great success, said most people who came out to support and cheer from the sidewalk, as well as those participating in the parade in cars or walking. With a threat of weather, Parade Committee Member Richie Kaplan said that of the 50 parade participants who signed up, only 5 canceled for fear of snowflakes.

Snow dust melted in Beacon by 12pm, and the sun was shining. Groups gathered on Wolcott Avenue to begin the journey down Main Street, which for this parade, went completely around the bend and ended at the Dummy Light, giving exposure to several businesses and art galleries on that end of town. Usually, parades end earlier at Tioronda Avenue (Howland Cultural Center).

Before we get to the gold nugget photos of the day, A Little Beacon Blog must pay homage to the friends and neighbors who no longer live in Beacon who would usually attend the Parade of Green. Several of them casualties of new landlords - both local to Beacon and from other counties - who buy property and increase the rent dramatically on current tenants.

Parade of Green Committee Members Reuben Simmons and Richie Kaplan.

More than once over the years, A Little Beacon Blog has heard from readers who lament that they cannot live here anymore. Maybe they work in the service industry in restaurants. Maybe they are nurses. Maybe they are artists. Maybe they are young families who live in apartments who cannot move out of them because homes in their price ranges - $350K - are being purchased for cash by local and out of town house flippers who beautifully make over the house and sell it for $550K. Which is above the price range of a young family.

A Beacon Police Officer at the end of the Parade of Green, making sure the Parade cars exit correctly.

Not of a young family from Beacon. Maybe a young family from NYC. No offense to NYC. Welcome! Many of you love this city town and love digging into the community. Beacon is just in a rocky road right now of originals who can’t afford to stay or return. But some returned yesterday just for the parade.

That Said - The Sidewalk Audience Makes The Parade! OG Beacon Turned Out!

Mount Beacon dusted in snow, with Beaconites down below coming out for the parade.

If you have a parade in the street and nobody comes, does it make a sound? Beacon came out and showed up at this 2023 Parade of Green! Another thing A Little Beacon Blog has heard over the years from OG Beaconites is: “I walk around, and I don’t know anyone anymore.” That is true on the weekend, when the sidewalks are packed with different destination visitors. It is not as true during the week, when several of us are out on errands.

But yesterday (Saturday), the sidewalks were overrun with neighbors who dug down to find their green, and cheer on local businesses and organizations who got out to represent. So many cheers from both sides - the cars and the people. Richie said that the highlight of his entire busy day was when one of the Boy Scouts rolled down their window from their parent’s car on their way home to say: “Thank you.”

A Jeeper from the Beacon Jeep Club, getting ready to pull out as the parade steps off.

The Parade of Green has represented many things. Recently, it represented the first parade to be shut down by the City of Beacon for the pandemic. Next it was the first parade to be permitted to ride again. Now, it is representing Beacon neighbors coming out to see each other, some for only once per year.

Lots of candy was thrown. A Little Beacon Blog handed out stickers and next year we will tape Tootsie Rolls to them so that they fly.

The Jeeps were there. Malouf’s Mountain Campground. The Bottini truck was a hit. Key Food with all of the kids. The Beacon Dog Park. Kearns Electric, Inc., where they have that alternative spelling of quality on their trucks, with a phrase like “If it starts with a K, you know it’s Kwality.” At the very least, it’s an interesting word puzzle to figure out when you’re stopped at a light on Rte. 9 headed to Poughkeepsie. Kilowatt Kwuality? Something to think about.

Grand Marshal Bobby Palisi

Bobby (Robert) Palisi was born in St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie in 1955 and is a lifelong resident of the City of Beacon. He attended grade school at St. Joachim’s and went on to graduate from Beacon High School in 1973.

Bobby started his career working for Shaw Motors (currently Healey) with this father when he got out of St. Joachim’s in 1969. From 1975 to 1977 Bobby worked for Ward’s Auto Body until he joined the crew at Secor Auto Body from 1977 to 1979.

In 1979, he started his family business, Palisi Auto Body & Auto Glass on Main Street in Beacon, which in 1984, moved to a newly constructed state-of-the-art auto body shop on West Main Street. He has been performing high-quality vehicle repairs for over 40 years at that same location. Bobby continues to proudly own and operate this business today.

Bobby is also a partner in Fulton Avenue Realty Restoration Company, which over the last 28 years, has done a multitude of building renovations and constructed several new houses in and around the City of Beacon.

In his early years, Bobby was the drummer with the band “Spiral” that provided fun, local entertainment for over 32 years.

For over 26 years and to this day, Bobby’s passion truly lies in his active role with Beacon Girls Softball. This organization’s goal is to build character using the sport of softball as a tool to improve girl’s self-esteem and confidence.

Beacon Girls Softball (BGS) educates 4-18 year-old girls on the skills and rules of softball. It imparts life lessons that include working as a team, spirit of giving, camaraderie and good sportsmanship. He is pivotal in running both the Recreation League, and Travel League known as “Beacon Extreme.” Bobby works endlessly on raising funds, recruiting team members, running practices, and organizing tournaments each season. This includes an annual fund raising tournament whose proceeds are dedicated to a local family in need.

In addition to this, Bobby has been a volunteer member of Beacon’s Board of Assessment Review for 10 years. This board meets once a year to hear residents’ challenges to tax assessments and requires training from the New York Real Property Services.

Bobby is a 50-year member of Beacon’s Mase Hook & Ladder Fire Company, 37-year member of the Beacon Elk's Club Lodge #1493, and over 30-year member of the Beacon Knights of Columbus Chapter #445.

Bobby’s loyalty and dedication to the Girls Softball organization and endless volunteer hours he donates makes him one of Beacon’s brightest.

Beacon's Parade Of Green Is On - Remember Last Year's Blizzard? Look For ALBB Again!

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Do you remember that blizzard last March 2022? Beacon’s Parade of Green was the first parade out the gate down Main Street after the cancellation of all events due to COVID. The Committee was so excited to be back, that they did not call a weather delay, and marched on.

In fact, it was the Parade of Green in 2020 that was at the root of all parade cancellations back when the pandemic was referred to as “coronavirus,” before even the health crisis was labeled a pandemic. Waiting to hear if the Parade of Green 2020 was canceled or not was one of the first memories of that chaotic time.

Here we are in 2023, and the annual parade will roll again. Pictures are below from 2022.

See you next weekend, Saturday, March 11, 2023! A Little Beacon Blog will be driving in the parade again, handing out stickers.

The Malouf’s Mountain camping bus was front and center. Prepared.

The Parade of Green Committee, staying warm and dry in the Visitor’s Center while organizing people.

The Parade of Green’s Grand Marshall, Tony Lassiter. Tony was also honored for the Beacon of History event later in the year.

Beacon's Parade of Green is On - Rain, Snow, Sleet or Shine - Honoring Anthony Lassiter, Grand Marshall 2022

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Parade of Green committee volunteers painting the town with green, yellow, orange and blue shamrocks. Pictured from left: Rick Brownell, Bitsy, and Annie McElduff.

DAY: Saturday, March 12th
TIME: 12noon for the public (floats and cars line up earlier at 11am)
LOCATION: Starts at Pohill Park (near Bank Square) ends at Dummy Light (1 East Main near Trax)
RAIN OR SHINE

With weather apps calling for 100% chance of something wet this Saturday, March 12, 2022, Beacon’s Parade of Green is on with no rain date. Said one of the parade organizers, Kimberlee Markarian in response to Councilmember George Mansfield’s question of if the parade is rain or shine during this week’s City Council Meeting: “It is rain or shine! Which is so amazing! We went through a whole lot of things in the last couple of years. A little rain…we got it!”

The parade route is from Pohill Park (the corner of Main Street, 9D and South Avenue at Bank Square), runs down Main Street, and ends at the Dummy Light (near 1 East Main near Trax Coffee and the Chocolate Studio). Main Street will be closed (but all shops and restaurants open!), so the parade floats, cars and walkers will have full access to roll through. The parade starts at 12pm from Pohill Park.

Be sure to visit Meyers Old Dutche for their special “Shamrock” drink inspired by the parade. Later on, find a calm and cozy spot inside of Two Way Brewery for their live music, featuring the TMcCann Band starting at 7pm (food also available from the Flying Jibb)

Honoring Anthony Lassiter, Grand Marshall For 2022 Parade Of Green

Photo Credit: Parade of Green

The Parade of Green is honoring Anthony Lassiter, was born February 1947 in Beacon. He attended Beacon High School where he was on the football, wrestling, and baseball teams. He graduated high school in 1966 and was drafted into the US Army in the spring of 1967.

Private Lassiter was trained to be an Army electrician. His primary responsibilities included building helicopter landing pads for Cobra gunships. Additionally, Specialist Lassiter was assigned to the "burial detail firing squad" where he performed the 21-gun salute at the funerals of fallen heroes.

Ultimately, Specialist Lassiter was sent to Republic of South Vietnam. Shortly after being promoted to Sargent, Lassiter and his Company were attacked by hostile forces. Lassiter was injured in that attack and was awarded a Purple Heart. He received an Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished service and was honorably Discharged from the Army in November 1969.

In January 1970, he went to work at IBM in East Fishkill. After several years, he became a manager. One of his favorite assignments was recurring college students to work for IBM. He worked at IBM for the next 30 years. Anthony married Patricia Lassiter. Together they raised 2 sons: Justin and Aaron, and have 8 grandchildren. Mr. Lassiter is now retired.

Anthony Lassiter serves his church and assists throughout the community in multiple volunteer activities. Anthony served on the City of Beacon Planning Board for 15 years, and continues to serve on the City of Beacon Housing Authority Board of Directors. He is a member of the American Legion Post 203, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 666, the Beacon Community Lions Club, and is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Anthony is a long standing volunteer at the St. Andrew's / St. Luke's Food Pantry. For many years, he has served on the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee, and in 1991, was chosen as the Spirit of Beacon Volunteer of the Year.

Anthony is registered with Donate Life Organ Donation, and actively encourages others to register. As a civic minded individual who strives to serve this community and is dedicated to his fellow veterans, Anthony's commitment is limitless. This list only touches on his accomplishments.

The Army Commendation received by Lassiter proclaimed: "The loyalty, initiative, and will to succeed that Specialist Anthony V. Lassiter demonstrated at all times, undoubtedly made him one of the finest soldiers in this command." It can be concluded that Anthony Lassiter's loyalty, initiative, and will to succeed make him one of the finest citizens in this City of Beacon.

Beacon's Annual Parade of Green 2022 Is Happening! Was The First Parade To Shut Down In The Pandemic

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The 2022 Parade of Green flyer, on the counter at Luxe Optique. For months after the cancellation of the 2020 version at the beginning of the pandemic, the flyer was kept up in storefront windows, as time had stopped.

The time was March 2020, and Beacon’s Parade of Green was scheduled to happen. News kept breaking about this thing called the coronavirus, which was then called COVID-19, which caused very serious symptoms for some, and no symptoms for others. The virus was a mystery, but seemed to spread in large crowds. In California, Disneyland shut down and their governor created restrictions on public gatherings. California was always one step ahead of New York in what was to become “the pandemic.” Events in other Hudson Valley communities were being canceled, and there was a rumor that Beacon’s Parade of Green would be canceled as well.

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the City of Beacon, and to one of the parade organizers, Richie Kaplan, co-owner of Max’s On Main, to find out. He didn’t know for sure. He said that the City Council members hadn’t given him an answer yet. Then City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero told ALBB that a decision would be made in the morning. When the answer came, it was to cancel. New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade also canceled. New York City Schools closed days later.

Moments amid Beacon’s parade canceling, the restaurant Dogwood, owned by City Council Member George Mansfield, announced that it would be open for any parade people looking for Guinness. Dogwood would be one of Beacon’s hardest hit restaurants when it closed for the winter when others were scraping by doing takeout. Dogwood would reopen again in the spring. Councilmember George became a vocal proponent of virus safety.

Back in 2020, ALBB reached out to Mayor Kyriacou seeking a quote from him about the new concept of social distancing, and how to support businesses who were voluntarily closing down in order to stay physically healthy. His response at the time: “All the experts say that the most important thing that we can do is slow the transmission of COVID-19 (‘flatten the curve’), so that our emergency services are not inundated. What that means in practice is canceling large crowd events, and practicing ‘social distancing.’ It does not mean shutting everything down.”

The unimaginable of shutting everything down did happen. As did a pause on several economic factors, including the collection of mortgage payments, and the creation of an eviction moratorium. Some car insurance companies issued tiny refunds just to be nice. The City of Beacon launched its first online bill payment system to encourage people to pay their water bills to avoid coming into Town Hall to pay.

Hurrah For Vaccine Progress So That We Can Convene

Horrific virus variants later, several adults and a growing number of children in New York State have been vaccinated, assisting in creating an environment of safety for shopping, eating and gathering together again. During this week’s 2/22/2022 City Council Meeting, one of the creators and organizers of the parade, Richie Kaplan, addressed the council, giving thanks for their approval of the parade.

“Can I come back next week for the parade?”
— Little Girl, after attending Beacon's Parade of Green

“Two years ago almost on a Wednesday night,” Richie said, “I get a phone call from the City of Beacon that 3 days from now, I will not be allowed to have 1,000 participants and 5,000 people during the City of Beacon celebration.

“Almost 2 weeks ago [and 2 years later], we have an approval. Thank you. I'd like to thank the City of Beacon and the Community of Beacon for allowing us to do this. This a family parade. High School, the Elks Club. So many happy faces. I'm very happy to be here to thank everyone involved. The Highway Department. The Police Department. Chris (Beacon's current City Administrator), you did a lot of work. Everyone else. Hopefully everyone will come out. Hopefully we will have all of the happy faces.

“From our first parade, I had a very nice family come in [to my restaurant, Max's on Main]. A little 6 year old asked me 'Can I come back next week for the parade?' Please, please please come out to the parade."

The parade starts at 12pm and will roll down Main Street. Organizations and businesses are invited to participate with a “float,” which can be a car or people walking or rolling behind a banner or some signage. Participation is limited to 60 organizations which must fill out an application form. Rules include no politicking, no drinking alcoholic beverages before or during the parade (Beacon has a history with St. Patrick’s Day parades), and a limit on the size of the float. Participants are encouraged to hand out packaged candy, but cannot throw it.

Businesses and organizations wishing to participate can contact Richie at Max’s on Main.

Beacon's Parade Of Green Postponed To A Later Date

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Published Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

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The official word has come in from the Mayor’s Office of the City Of Beacon via City Administrator Anthony J. Ruggiero:

 

“It is with an abundance of caution and care for our community in the midst of this health crisis, that the difficult decision to postpone the 5th Annual Beacon’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Green on March 14th to a date to be determined.

“The City of Beacon and the Parade Organizers take this decision seriously and the number one commitment is to the safety of both our marchers and our spectators.

“The City and Parade Organizers look forward to celebrating this great parade in the near future. This was an extremely difficult decision for the parade committee and the City, and we ask that you look forward to the future date and stay safe and well.”

 

A Little Beacon Blog was in contact with the City of Beacon last night (Wednesday) and a parade organizer to get official word, which we were told would come Thursday morning (today), which it did. We urge all people to wait for official word on city events, as there is a way to release information in times like this, when word spreads like a brush fire.

Says Richie from Max’s on Main, who is one of the parade organizers: “We are just going to need to worry about the weather on another weekend.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City has also been postponed.

It is important to remember, that people who are testing positive for COVID-19 are at times not showing symptoms. So even if you feel good, you still might be a carrier. People with respiratory issues - or heart conditions - are at the highest risk for the virus to get worse in their bodies, versus others who will recover.

The American Hospital Association has requested additional funding from Congress to increase supplies at hospitals for items like respirators and personal protective equipment, if there are a large number of people at once who need care. The MD and Editor-in-Chief at MedPage Today explains his concerns based on what is developing in Italy with regards to the preparedness of their health care system.

As for New York City’s parade, Governor Cuomo made this statement (as reported by Gothamist):

 

"Following those conversations [with organizers prior to making the decision], I recommended, and the parade's leadership agreed, to postpone this year's parade due to the high density and the large volume of marchers and spectators who attend. While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade's leadership for working cooperatively with us."

He added that, "While the risk to New Yorkers remains low and we want to avoid social and economic disruptions, we have an obligation to take action to contain the spread of this virus."

Parade Committee Chair Sean Lane said, "We look forward to celebrating the 259th St. Patrick's Day Parade with the entire city of New York at a later date."

 

Parade Of Green in Beacon on Saturday: Canceled Or Not?

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UPDATE 3/12/2020: The parade has been postponed. Details here.

Regarding the Parade of Green on Saturday: A Little Beacon Blog has inquired with the City of Beacon and has received the answer from Anthony J. Ruggiero, M.P.A., City Administrator for the City of Beacon, that a decision will be made in the morning.

We are awaiting official confirmation from that office (versus social media comments) or the Parade of Green Facebook page before posting anything.