Published Date: Friday, March 13, 2020

Hiya...
Whatcha doin'?
Yesterday (Thursday) was a big day. The past couple weeks have actually been big weeks in terms of coronavirus takeover, as industry standard across the United States has become the cancellation of trade shows (Architectural Digest's AD Show), medical device companies swamped in backorders and canceling trade shows until October, movie companies halting international premieres until Christmas, talent agencies (such as CAA) mandating that their client meetings happen remotely.

So when a reader wrote in on Wednesday to ask to ask if Beacon's St. Patrick's Day Parade was going to be canceled, we pursued the question but didn't believe that it would actually happen. The answer was that the City of Beacon and the Parade Committee had been meeting about it, and would announce on Thursday morning. This is when our brain broke. What does that mean for businesses? If gathering in a large group outside is being avoided, what does that mean for art gallery openings? This is Second Saturday! Fortunately, it is also Summer Camp Planning Season, so Wednesday night distracted us back to normal as we dove into organizational upgrades to that guide, so that parents would have an easy time searching camp options by week and age range.

Thursday happened. By now A Little Beacon Blog was ready. ALBB published that the parade was canceled. Managing Editor Marilyn Perez began fielding the cancellation emails for other events. Second Saturday Guide Editor Catherine Sweet began thinking about how to address the semi-self-quarantine vibe that was taking over Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Governor Cuomo gave a press conference and recommended (OK, mandated) that gatherings of 500 and more were banned in all of New York State, and gatherings of less than 500 could happen, but the venue's legal capacity of the room should be reduced by 50 percent in the name of reducing density to stop the spread of the virus, in the name of not overloading hospitals. Dutchess County held a press conference, and State Senator Sue Serino then issued an email suggesting that groups limit themselves to 20 people.

One reader response was: "That's family dinner." Right. That's probably the point. The virus is so contagious, and we have seen with others, like with the New Rochelle family, that carriers can be asymptomatic. So, if you feel fine, and go out because you aren't sniffling or sneezing, you still might pass it to someone, and that someone might have a minor lung issue, or a weak heart. And those people are the most at risk. Care for serious patients exists in the hospitals, but not if there are a lot of cases at once.

We have the Second Saturday Guide for you below. We have a few coronavirus articles for you as well. How you balance your social life is up to you - because seeing others is important. Laughing, dancing, supporting businesses who are open - all of these things are very important. Fortunately, we are in a use-your-best-judgment zone at the moment (unlike Italy).

SPONSORED BY:
No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works
WRITTEN BY: Catherine Sweet

Beacon art venues with postponed or closed notices as of 3/13 (check the individual venue for specifics):
Dia Beacon: Closed until further notice.
Clutter Gallery: Closed for the Kaiju Kanibal opening; online-only exhibition will happen.
Gallery at Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries (Clarkson University): Closed until further notice.
Howland Public Library: We Persist! CoMFY show reception is canceled, but the library remains open. You could still see the art.
No. 3 Reading Room and PhotoBookWorks: Closed for now, until this passes.
Mother Gallery: March 21 Jenny Morgan opening canceled; gallery closed until further notice.

Special Note From Catherine Sweet,
Second Saturday Guide Editor:

Hey, Beaconites and any people thinking of visiting town for this month’s Second Saturday! We’re hearing about event postponements and gallery closures as they come in, and we’ll try to keep everything here updated. Please have patience with us, with gallery owners, and with one another if you’re out and about - we’re all just trying to do our best.

In light of Gov. Cuomo’s statements on limiting public contact, and Dutchess County’s strong recommendations to avoid gatherings of more than 20 people (post from county legislator Nick Page on Facebook), there’s a good chance that many more Second Saturday activities will be postponed and canceled. But the art will still be there when we’re on the other side of this virus. If you do decide to go out, please be conscientious about your habits and consider the people around you. If a venue looks like it’s more than half-full, look through the window and scope it out for next time, then saunter on down to the next gallery. Remember, too, that historically, lots of art gets created when people are facing challenging conditions.

GET THE ENTIRE SECOND SATURDAY GUIDE

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance.

Got an event? Submit your event here for consideration.

Parade of Green - POSTPONED
Information >

Maple Fest at Randolph School - POSTPONED
Information >

Beacon Farmers Market - CLOSED THIS WEEKEND
This weekend only. Check their Facebook for next weekend.
Information >

Howland Cultural Center - POSTPONED EVENTS
This weekend and next weekend.

Howland Chamber Music Circle - POSTPONED EVENTS
Information >

Atlas Studios - POSTPONED EVENTS
Information >

Mid-Hudson Children's Museum Closed For One Week - Temporary
Information >

Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.

BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street
www.luxeoptique.com
Now is the perfect time to get your frames adjusted! Are they ready for a tighter fit? Luxe Optique can do it in-store for you! Don't you want to feel this confident in your frames?

BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END

Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3
www.lambshillbridalboutique.com
(near the dummy light)

If you are a bride on a budget, or have a short time frame, be sure to check out this weekend's sample sale at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique!

Don't forget to vote for Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique for #bestofhudsonvalley2020! Visit www.hvmag.com and vote for best Bridal shop (#7) Type in "Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique," in the town of Beacon. ⠀

Call (845) 765-2900, or book your appointment online through their website!

Be sure to check A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide for all of our sponsors! You don't want to miss great discoveries like PTACEK Home and LLTO (Live Light Travel Often).

Thank you to Barb's Butchery, Eat Church, and BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!

For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Adult Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.

For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.

HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS

Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency

Buying a car online might seem like an easy way to get a new vehicle, but the truth is, it's even more complicated than buying a new TV. Consult with Antalek & Moore to find the right auto insurance for your car.

Tin Shingle
Beacon local Patti Devine is a Guest Expert on this Tin Shingle TuneUp, speaking about how to use the confusing world of Facebook Ads, should you want to. This TuneUp webinar is available for you to watch for free for a limited time. Simply visit the page and press play!
Learn More >

Katie James, Inc.
Offering couture branding for businesses, crafting of social media strategy, website designs, and newsletter plans to keep your customer base engaged.
Learn More >

Beacon Chamber of Commerce
Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? It should be. Join here today.
Learn More >

MASTHEAD
Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide

Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog
The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way.

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