Black Bear Sighting in Beacon: What's Going On and How to Stay Safe

According to Beacon Chief of Police Douglas Solomon, an adolescent black bear cub has come out of the woods into our people-populated area. Chief Solomon confirms that the last report of anyone seeing the bear and reporting it to the police was at 8:30am Friday on Sargent Avenue near Wodenethe Drive, on the "town" side of Fishkill Creek (away from the mountain), near the Beacon Board of Education.

 

Local parent Erin Giunta, who lives near Sargent Elementary, was getting her young daughter ready for school and just happened to look out the front door when she saw the bear crossing the school playground this morning at 8:20am. Her eye-witness account: "The bear ran across the large field near Sargent Ave. and Knevels, then crossed the gravel path, then ran on the grass between the playground and the stone wall." Giunta called Sargent Elementary School to report it, and staff acknowledged they were aware of the bear.

 

Right at 8:30am, a robo-call was delivered from Interim Superintendent of Beacon Schools Ann Marie Quartironi, alerting parents of "walkers" (aka kids who walk to school) that buses are out and about to pick walkers up, to bring them to school.

 

Chief Solomon explains it's not uncommon to see bear cubs in the springtime in this area. "Every two years, the mother bears kick their cubs out. The cubs get confused and disoriented and end up in populated areas. At some point, it will go back into the woods," he says. To aid in that effort, the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) will come down to assist police with guiding the bear back into the woods. Chief Solomon says that efforts the police department may employ are using rubber bullets or bean bags to hit the bear and encourage it to go back into the woods. Black bears are known to be docile, and are looking primarily for trash to eat.

 

Both Chief Solomon and local survival and tracking expert Shane Hobel, founder of Mountain Scout Survival School, say that black bears are not aggressive, but if anyone should see it, one should not engage it. Instead, says Hobel, quietly and slowly back back away without showing aggression. Hobel says that black bears are generally scared of clanging pots and pans and bells and whistles, which is why hikers often wear the latter when they are taking on mountain trails. Black bears can be skittish, and if you encounter one in your yard, Hobel says, take the approach of a docile dog on the retreat:

  • Back away slowly.
  • Don't show your teeth - it's a primal sign of aggression.
  • Don't raise your arms.

Bear sightings are also a time to raise awareness to contain trash and to keep it from blowing around. Press it down into your garbage can so as to reduce overflowage. Perhaps weekly recycling pickup will happen in Beacon, which would contribute to contained garbage cans. If you have a food compost pile in your yard, look into ways to seal it. Zero to Go are the food compost experts, and they include plastic bins that seal tightly in their food compost pickup program.

 

If you do have a bear sighting, make sure you're safe, then call the police to report where you saw it. This will help them guide the bear back into the woods. The information hotline to the Beacon police is 845-831-4111.

Summer Day Camp Guide - Ages 3-17 for Beacon and Hudson Valley Kids

Being that the Hudson Valley and Beacon in particular are so rich in the arts, agriculture and a great outdoors scene, options for summer day camps are plentiful. Most camps offer weekly themes with daily projects and activities that reinforce that theme. You can definitely give your child a well-rounded summer that not only keeps them entertained, but very busy. Ages and times will vary throughout the summer, and several camps are offering early drop off and late pick up for working parents, or for families with more than one child going to different camps. The tough part will be making a decision between themes and pulling the trigger! You can use this Summer Day Camps Guide to mix and match for your family's schedule. If you know of a camp that you think would fit within this list, email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. If you want to enhance your listing in our "Stand Out!" program, or to sponsor this Guide,

click here for details

.

Let's start with what you'll need for most every camp:

  • Medical forms
  • Packed lunch (fun with lunch boxes! Play has a bunch of cute metal ones)
  • Water shoes
  • Bathing suit and towel 
  • Sunscreen
  • Big Bag to pack all of this stuff in

We've started the Guide with summer day camps that offer the longest option of hours per day, followed by more niche camps with shorter days.

The Summer Day Camp Guide is Sponsored By:

Eva Deitch Photography KIDS

View her photos also at Instagram:

 @edp_kids

www.evadeitch.com

Beacon Craft Workshop

Beacon Craft Workshop is offering 4 weeks of hands-on nature play and art work time for children ages 4-10, at Ilana’s home in Beacon, right near Sargent School. Rain or shine, we go outside, explore in the eco-garden, and get creative! As we delve deeply into each week’s special theme, we make art with clay, paint and drawing materials, fabric, wood, and found objects. Field games, tie-dye, song-singing, and other classic activities of summer will also contribute to the community-spirit from June 27 until July 21.

Great For:

Fun with education thrown in, lots of arts and crafts.

Ages:

4-10 years old

Swimming:

No.  But there will be Sprinkler time!

Dates:

June 27th - July 21st

Times:

9am - 3pm

Early Drop Off and late Pickup Available: 

send email

Price:

$240/per child

Flexibility:

send email

Click for registration and details>

Fishkill Recreation 

Mad Science Enrichment Summer Camp

Ages: 

Grades 2-4

Dates:

 July 11-15, July 18-22, 

Times:

 9am-4pm

Price:

 Half Day $175 or Full Day $315/per child

More Details and registration online

 (space is limited)

Sports Camp

Dates:

August 8-12, 2016

Times:

8:30-12:30pm 

Price:

$125/per camper ($25 late fee after May 13)

More Details>

The Artist Corner

Ages

: 5-12

Dates

: August 15-19, 2016

More Details >

 or visit 

www.TheArtistsCornerNY.weebly.com

Snapology LEGO Summer Camp

Price:

$165/child

LEGO STAR WARS: July 25-July 29- 9:30am-12:30pm (Ages 5-12) 

LEGO MINECRAFT: July 25-July 29- 1:30pm-4:30pm (Ages 5-12) 

LEGO ROBOTICS: August 8-August 12- 9:30am-12:30pm (Ages 8+)

LEGO MASTER INVENTORS: August 8-August 12- 1:30pm-4:30pm (Ages 5-12)

More Details> 

Junior Day Camp @ Fishkill Elementary 

Grade:

K - 5th Grade

Dates:

June 29 - August 12 weekly (no July 4)

Times:

8:30-2:30pm

Pre-Hours:

7:30-8:30 am (optional for fee)

Extended Hours:

2:30-5:30 pm (optional for fee)

Location:

Fishkill Elementary School

More details for prices>

Senior Day Camp @ Maurer Geering Park

Grade:

6-9th

Dates:

June 27 - August 12 weekly (no July 4)

Times:

 8:30-2:30pm

Pre-Hours:

  N/A

Extended Hours:

 2:30-4:30 pm (optional for $40 fee)

More details for prices >

Rose Hill Manor Summer Day Camp

One of the most active summer camps and known for its daily adventures off-campus into the Hudson Valley. Every day is a designated type of day which includes a trip to Bear Mountain State Park, Bowdoin State Park, Memorial Park, the Beacon Pool at the Settlement Camp, the Liberty Science Center, Splashdown, and

Museum Villag

e (an 1800 village in Monroe where the kids make homemade candles, go into an old classroom, etc.). Friday's are down-time back at the school for crafts and projects. Children are bused to all off-campus activities. Field trip fees are required for attending certain destinations like Splashdown, etc.

Great For:

Parents love field trips and activities with friends.

Swimming?

Yes. Kids will play in the water at Beacon's summer pool at the Settlement Camp, at Splash Down and at various state park. All children are supervised and swimming lessons are not required.

Ages:

5-12 years old

Dates:

Weeks Starting June 27th - August 26th

Times:

Full Day: 9am - 5pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price:

$195/week and a day rate is available at $45/day

Extra Fees?

Yes, for field trips

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

All Sport Summer Day Camp (Camp FIT & Tennis Camp)

www.allsporthealthandfitness.com/camp.html
www.allsporthealthandfitness.com/camp.html

This fitness club has an Outdoor Park that is loaded with activities. There are three pools, a basketball court for little and big kids, soccer, tennis courts, and a scenic area for exploring and picnics. Kids stay on the premises during the day, but there is plenty to do, including jumping in a bouncy house slide, and entertainment from magicians, etc. Kids are divided into age groups. All Sport's day camp also includes the option of Tennis Camp and a special Teen Camp. Teen Camp includes 2 field trips per week to Bear Mountain Zoo, Splashdown, and more locations. Add Ons are available for extra hours of care ($40/week), swim lessons ($35/week) and lunch from their grill if you don't want to pack your own ($35/week).

Great For:

Kids who love moving to the next activity and learning new skills. Plus, you could tack on swim lessons during the day.

Swimming?

Yes. For small kids, the kiddie pool is used, and for older kids, the regular pools. There is an option of additional swim lessons for $45.

Ages:

4-14 years old

Dates Camp FIT:

Weeks Starting June 27th - August 29th (the final camp day is September 2th)

Dates Teen Camp:

Weeks Starting July 11th - August 5th

Dates Tennis Camp:

Weeks Starting June 27th, July 11th, July 18th

Times:

Full Day:

9am - 4pm   

Half Day:

9am - 12pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price Camp FIT: Full Day:

Member $215, Non-Member $245 

Half Day:

Member $115, Non-Member: $145

Price Tennis Camp:

Members $255, Non-Member $285

Price Teen Camp:

Members $265, Non-Member $295

Extra Fees?

Not really. Field trips are not extensive here. Fees come into play for swim lessons and early/late care.

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want. If you are commitment-phobic and don't want to sign up for a week, you can call ahead to select and schedule days. But you need to commit to those :)

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Kids Place Summer Day Camp

Kids Place is known for their ability to accommodate different schedules, and for their activities. The children enjoy a wide array of traditional camp offerings including group games, arts and crafts, sports, drama presentations, cooking, and Theme Days. Each week of camp follows a theme that carries through in the activities offered during the week. The children attend weekly field trips as well as swimming and water fun. Kids Place Summer Day Camp Tuition is all inclusive. There are no additional fees for trips or swimming. Previous summer camp trips include Fun Central, Jump’n Jake’s, Stony Kill Farm, and a sail on the sloop Woody Guthrie. When the children are not on trips or out swimming, they enjoy activities in the center’s air conditioned rooms or full-sized gymnasium!

Great For:

Parents who love field trips and activities with friends.

Water Play?

Yes

Ages:

5-12 years old

Dates:

Not posted on website yet

Times:

Full Day: 9am - 5pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price 5-12 year olds Liberty Street (includes field trips):

$195/week with options for 4 day and 3 day weeks.

Price Grades 1st-5th West Center Street (no field trips, but takes a weekly trip to Beacon's Public Pool at the Settlement Camp):

$125/week

Price Grades 6, 7, 8 West Center Street (includes field trips):

$195/week

Extra Fees?

No, field trips are included with camp tuition

Flexibility:

Yes. Sign up for the weeks you want at the number of days you want (shorter weeks available for the 5-12 year old age group only)

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Mill Street Loft Dutchess Arts Day Camp Beacon at Scenic Hudson

If you want your child to think big, paint big, act big, all while enjoying the outdoors at Riverfront Park on the bank of the Hudson River, than this is the camp for you. Mill Street's camp should help in deciding your schedule because it's only offered for 2 weeks. With Full Day and Half Day options, you have schedule and price differences to consider. The age range is wide, and the children are divided into age groups and are engaged in different projects for their level.

Great For:

Artistic children who love the visual and theatrical arts as well as being near the Hudson River

Water Play?

No

Ages:

4-12 years old

Dates:

Weeks of July 25 - July 29 and August 1 - August 5 (2 sessions total)

Times: Full Day:

9am - 4:30pm  

Half Day:

9am - 1pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price: Full Day:

$350

  Half Day:

$190

Early Bird Pricing:

$330 for full day, $180 for half day, ENDS APRIL 1.

Extra Fees?

$10 for early or late pick up.

Flexibility:

Sign up for either week you want, or both!

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Randolf School Summer Day Camp Program

The Randolph Summer Program is designed to offer a diverse group of creative, fun and educational activities for children ages 3-11. The camps focus on exciting new themes each week and are an extension of the progressive education that occurs all year. A playful, cooperative work environment is created in which each child experiences a sense of accomplishment and a love of learning. Most of the week-long workshops culminate in an end-of-the-week exhibition or presentation.

Great For:

Parents who like a progressive program for their children

Swimming?

No, but kids do play in water

Ages:

3-11 years old

Dates:

Weeks Starting June 27th - August 12th

(weekly breakdown here)

Times: Full Day:

8:30am - 4pm  

Half Day:

8:30am - 12:30pm (ages 3-5 only)

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Call for info

Price Ages 3-5: Full Day:

$300

  Half Day:

$200

Price Ages 6-11: Full Day:

$300

  Half Day:

$200 

Extra Fees?

Yes, for older kids, $25 for rocket materials

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Common Ground Farm Day Camp

(at Stony Kill Farm in Wappingers Falls)

Give your child the experience of being down on the farm. If they love books and TV programs about barnyard animals, they may love this camp. There is a strong focus on the soil, trees, sun and water and how they work together to grow food. Kids' lunches are bring-your-own, but will be supplemented with harvested vegetables. Sessions for older kids include making a cookbook. Each week has a different theme that teaches different skill-sets. Your child just may come home and teach you about composting! Thanks to a grant from the Dyson Foundation, scholarships are available and are limited. 

Great For:

Kids who love dirt, animals, rivers, and planting and tending to gardens

Swimming?

No, but kids do play in water

Ages:

3-12 years old

Dates:

Weeks Starting July 18th - September 2nd

Times: Full Day:

9am - 3pm  

Half Day:

9am - 1pm (ages 3-6 only)

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price: Full Day:

$260

  Half Day:

$210

Extra Fees?

Yes for before/after care.

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

BCAP (Be Creative As Possible) Day Camp

This popular Pre-K program provides a nurturing environment that encourages social, motor and creative experiences that excite a love for learning, music, sculpture, painting, drawing, language, and creative movement.  Their program room looks and feels like a children's museum with different activity stations to immediately occupy young minds. Has your child ever painted while lying down, like Michael Angelo did? Well they just might get under a table to simulate the experience while at BCAP.

Great For:

Kids who love building, drawing, dirt, animals, rivers, and planting and tending to gardens.

Swimming?

No, but kids do play in water

Ages:

3-6 years old

Dates:

Weeks of June 27th, July 4th, July 11th (3 weeks total)

Times:

9am - 3pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Price:

$250/week

Extra Fees?

No

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Hudson Hills Montessori Day Camp Program

Summer Camp at Hudson Hills Beacon campus will be a challenging and fun experience for campers. Their morning will be spent in the Montessori classroom. Current Primary students will continue to receive new lessons on Montessori materials and have the opportunity to practice lessons they have already been taught. This will allow the children to progress in all the areas of the Montessori classroom throughout the five week summer camp. New students will be introduced to the first introductory lessons that will lay the foundation for their time in the Montessori classroom.

Great For:

Parents who love the Montessori approach, and naps for 3 year olds

Swimming?

No, but kids do play in water

Ages:

3-6 years old (call to confirm)

Dates:

Weeks Starting June 29th - July 27th

Times:

Full Day:

9am - 3pm  

Half Day:

9am - 12pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

Yes

Price: Full Day:

$300

  Half Day:

$250

with options for 4 day, 3 day, and 2 day weeks.

Extra Fees?

No

Flexibility:

Yes. Sign up for the weeks you want at the number of days you want.

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Summer Workshops from Compass Arts

This year, Compass Arts is giving you several options, but you need to carefully plot them into your calendar because they will come up quickly, and you could miss what could be a nice enhancement to your free-flowing, commitment-free,

not-very busy camp schedule.

Great For:

Children who love music, movement and naps after class. Kids who are not enrolled in full-day camps, but need stimulation during the first part of the day.

Swimming?

No

Ages:

3-6 years old

Times:

9am - 12pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Extra Fees?

No

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

It's Not Camp!!! Camp

This week of camp with a silly name is going to be full of music, art, movement, Spanish, puppets and more! The kiddos will have a rockin' good time with Romina Robinson, Lisa Martinez, and Gina Samardge all week long!

Price:

Half Day:

$155

Dates: 

June 13th-17th, 9am-12noon (

Week I)

Register >

June 20th-24th, 9am-12noon (Week II)

Register >

Tactile Explorers

This 45 minute class for toddlers and a caregiver will provide an opportunity for play and socialization, as well as a chance to explore fun and frequently messy new art materials that won't wind up on your couch! Materials will be thoughtfully presented to provoke curiosity and interest, allowing for open ended exploration using all the senses. In keeping with the tactile, hands-on spirit of young children, all materials will be natural, often home made and food/plant based...just in case any children are curious to sample a little taste!

Price:

Half Day:

$45 

Days:

Tuesdays

Date:

June 14th - June 28th, 10am-10:45am

Register >

Tri-Arts Summer Workshop

Throughout the week, children will explore a folk tale through music, creative movement, art and yoga, then share their creation with their families at the end of the week.

Price:

Half Day:

$155

Dates:

June 27th to July 1st, 9am - 12noon (Week 1)

Register >

August 22 to August 26th (Week II)

Register >

S.T.E.A.M Lab

(S.T.E.A.M. stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)

This is an exciting interdisciplinary program, influenced by the STEAM movement in education. Each week, children will collaboratively design and build immersive, physical environments filled with music, art, movement and discovery. Tuesday/Thursday and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday options. Taught by Kate Daley and Gina Samardge

"Mazes, Marbles and Machines” 

Compose a musical maze, paint with moving marbles, and invent a machine!

Price:

Half Day:

$75 (2 Day)  or $95 (3 Day)

Date:

August 2nd-4th (Week I)

Register >

“Obstacle Courses, Oceans and Objects” 

Create an obstacle course, make music in oceanic habitats, and print masterpieces with everyday objects!

Price:

Half Day:

$75 (2 Day)  or $95 (3 Day)

Date:

August 9th-11th (Week II)

Register > 

“Buildings, Bubbles and Bugs” 

Design and construct 3-D fantastical cities, move to music like a bug, and experiment with bubbles!

Price:

Half Day:

$75 (2 Day)  or $95 (3 Day)

Date:

August 16th-18th (Week III)

Register >

Beacon Pantry Cooking School

Food Art 

They say we eat with our eyes first...In this camp, kids will play with their food!  Create art projects on the plate and then enjoy eating it all up.  Incorporated will  be safe knife skills (using nylon kid friendly knives), cooking techniques, kitchen safety and etiquette, along with making delicious food and having fun! Cooking camp will take place in Beacon Pantry's back patio outside

(which we captured here in an Instagram moment),

and ends with a lunch.

Ages:

5-8

Date:

August 22nd-26th, 2016

Time:

10am - 12:30pm 

Location:

382 Main Street

Beacon NY, 12508

Price:

$195

Registration  >

(Not This Year) City Of Beacon Summer Camp

Plenty of activities are in the works for initiatives from the City of Beacon, but this year they are hunkering down on planning and will not be offering Summer Day Camp.

Do get a pool pass at the Beacon Pool, though!

Stony Kill Farm Summer Camps

Stony Kill Farm Camp provides a fun, creative and enriching hands-on, nature-inspired adventures for kid campers in two camps: Summer Explorers Camp, and Nature's Theater Camp.  Stony Kill Farm Summer Camp is a place where your child will explore and discover the wonders of the outdoors while instilling a sense of respect and appreciation for the natural world.  The aim is to to inspire your children to become environmentally responsible and conscientious citizens of the future, to spark a lifelong love of learning, and to develop a deep and enduring connection with the natural world...all while having some good old fashioned fun in our beautiful setting.

Summer Explorers Camp:

Explorers' Farm Camp will explore nature through enjoyable themes for each day.  Each day, campers will enjoy visiting the animals, hiking one of the many trails at Stony Kill Farms and many varied hands on experiences (scientific, environmental, arts & crafts) that relate to each day's theme.  Some sample daily themes are: farm life, pond ecology, tracking wildlife, survival, food we grow, art in nature, hiking safety, bird watching, composting and going green, the mighty Hudson, and much more!

Ages:

5-12

Dates:

June 27 - July 1, and July 5-8

Times: 

9am - 3pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Price:

 $175 for members, $200 for non-members

Families who sign up for two or all three weeks, receive a $50 reduction per family.

Registration & Camp Details >

Nature's Theater Camp: 

Last year's new addition of Nature's Theater Camp was so popular and successful, Stony Kill Farm is offering it again this year. This year's presentation will be entirely new, and once again written by the campers.  Besides writing an environmentally themed presentation to be acted out by the campers, they will also create all scenery, props and costumes for the big show, presented on our outdoor stage the last day of camp. Campers will also visit with the animals daily, and take some beautiful nature hikes for inspiration.

Ages:

7-15, but younger children will be considered if they are the sibling of an older camper

Dates:

July 11-15

Times: 

9am - 3pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? 

Call for info

Price:

 $175 for members, $200 for non-members

Families who sign up for two or all three weeks, receive a $50 reduction per family.

Registration & Camp Details >

Dutchess County Gymnastics Center

Located in the neighboring town of Fishkill, Dutchess County Gymnastics Center is a convenient location for Beaconites who want to enroll their children in a program dedicated to the sport of gymnastics, guided by committed coaches. Their summer camp is divided into weekly themes like "I Love the USA," "Artful Antics," "The Games in Rio," and "Disney Week."

Great For:

Kids who love moving, jumping, stretching, and wearing legwarmers (not required).

Swimming?

No

Ages:

Call first

Dates:

Weeks of: June 27th, July 11th, July 18th, July 25th, August 1st, August 8th, August 15th, August 22nd, and August 29th.

Times:

9am - 4pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Price:

Full Day:

$235/week (or $65/day)

with discounts available on multiple weeks 

Half Day:

$160/week (or $45/day)

Extra Fees?

No

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

Location: 

986 Main Street, Suite 9

Fishkill, NY 12524

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Studio-B 4th Wall Theatrical Productions - The Beacon Theater

A entertainingly diverse

theater program on Beacon's Main Street in the Beacon Theater. Join 4th Wall Theatrical Productions for high levels of fun in acting, singing, dancing and set building. Pick from weeks themed as Camp Glee, where kids learn to incorporate popular music and focuses on the basics of cappella and harmony. Musical Theater camp comes next, where the kids put on a musical in just one week. Teachers come from the industry and have backgrounds at MTV,  CBS, Cruise Lines and Theme Parks, and more.

Great For:

Kids who love acting, singing, dancing, moving, and collaborating.

Swimming?

No

Ages:

5-17 years old

Dates:

Weeks of July 5th, July 11th, July 18th, July 25, (4 weeks total)

Times:

9am - 3pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Price:

$208-$260 (prices vary by themed week)

Extra Fees?

No

Flexibility:

Sign up for the weeks you want.

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Beacon's Howland Public Library

Beacon's public library offers so many great events throughout the year, and summer is no exception! Join in on fun activities for babies, toddlers and middle school kids. Sessions include Come & Play Wednesday, Battle of the Books, Summer Reading Performers, Brain Games, and more. Some activities do require pre-registration with a simple form, so be sure to visit the library's website first.

Price:

Free

Dates:

Vary by event

Times:

Vary by event

Click for Registration & Library Events >

***************   OLDER KIDS   ***************

Beacon Art Studios Summer Camp

Beacon Art Studios, located in the old Beacon High School, offers "Project Funway" Summer Fashion Sewing Program.

Project Funway Summer Sewing Camp:

Fashion designers-in-training will spend the week testing their fashion design skills in daily challenges, designing their own fashion line through sketches, putting a new spin on old and creating unique clothing and accessory items by using their newly acquired skills of upcycling and reusing for the end of the week fashion show!

Ages: 

9-16

Dates:

June 27th - August 12th (broken up into 7 Five-Day Sessions)

Times:

9:30am - 2:30pm

Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available?

No

Price:

$275 (except session 2 which is a 4 day session)

Extra Fees?

No. All materials included in tuition

Click for Registration & Camp Details >

Beacon Pantry Cooking School

Cooking Around the World in 5 Days 

During this week-long camp, kids will cook their way around the world! Each day there is a different focus on a country and cooking in traditional dishes from that country, getting to know different cultures through food. Countries in the curriculum are China, Mexico, Italy, France and the Caribbean. Cooking camp will take place in Beacon Pantry's back patio outside

(which we captured here in an Instagram moment),

and  ends with a lunch.

Ages:

9-12

Date:

July 11th - 15th, 2016

Time:

10am - 12:30pm 

Location:

382 Main Street

Beacon NY, 12508

Price:

$195

Registration  >

Counselor in Training (CIT) Program

for 13-16 year olds! This year Common Ground Farm is offering a very special camp experience for teenagers! Our CITs will participate in their very own week of summer camp from July 11-15.  Throughout this week, CITs will work with farm camp staff and will work in the garden, will create a lasting legacy project, will meet and help our farmers, will gain wilderness experience, will participate in team building exercises and will learn how to be valuable members of the Farm Camp Staff! CITs will then assist in all aspects of Farm Camp for the rest of the summer, from July 18 through September 2. Each CIT can take one week off during this time, if the program conflicts with summer vacations.

Ages:

13-16

Date:

July 11th - September 2nd, 2016

Time:

9am-3pm

Location:

Ballet Arts Studio

107 Teller Avenue

Beacon, NY 12508

Price:

$600 for 8 week program

Registration  >

Ballet Art Studio - Dutchess Dance

Musical Theater Intensive 

Ms. Katie Bissinger leads a 5-day intensive to get everyone ready for the 2016-2017 theater season. Mornings will be devoted to warm-up and dance training. In the afternoons, the dancers will workshop a performance piece.

Ages:

12 +

Date:

August 15th - 19th, 2016

Time:

Mon-Thurs 10am - 4pm  Friday 10am - 7pm for a workshop performance starting at 6pm. 

Location:

Ballet Arts Studio

107 Teller Avenue

Beacon, NY 12508

Price:

$375

Registration  >

Storm King Art Center

Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists 

In this week-long class offered by Storm King in partnership with the Hudson Valley Writing Project (HVWP), students engage in place-based writing surrounded by sculpture, rolling hills, meadows, and woodlands. Storm King staff and HVWP teachers share behind-the-scenes discoveries and inspiring insights, launching students into a fun and creative world of writing and art making.

Ages:

10–14

Date:

July 11th - 15th, 2016

Time:

9am–3pm 

Location:

Storm King Art Center

Price:

$295

SOLD OUT but has a Waiting List

Registration  >

The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture 

Offered in partnership with the Black Rock Forest Consortium. Throughout history, both scientists and artists have used field journals to note their observations of the natural world and develop their ideas. Effective visual and written notation require keen observational skills, and the practice of creative recording in journals can engage and develop critical and lateral thinking capabilities. Weaving together science and art, this class offers students a unique opportunity to combine field ecology and artistic practice at Storm King Art Center. Through explorations of Storm King’s forests, fields, ponds, and sculptures, the class introduces students to observational and notational methods through creative journal making. Students will engage with a variety of techniques including sketching, collaging, and writing. Daily investigations will include field analysis of plant and animal life, as well as sculpture and landscape architecture. Students will leave the class having created their own experimental field journal. A neighbor to Storm King, the Black Rock Forest Consortium is a non-profit research, education, and conservation organization with membership of 22 prominent universities, schools, and research institutions from the Hudson Valley and the New York metro area.

Ages:

High School Students, Grades 9-12

Date:

July 18 - 22, 2016

Time:

9am–5pm 

Location:

Storm King Art Center

Price:

$400

Registration  >

Spark Media Project 

Spark Media Project aims to create opportunities for all young people to develop the communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills and habits of mind they will need to become active participants in the 21st Century. They have several summer camp options to choose from:

Rhinebeck: Mini-Movies Summer Intensive

In this two-week filmmaking intensive, teens learn the entire process of filmmaking, from brainstorming and scriptwriting to editing and adding special effects. Youth use professional filmmaking equipment and editing software to produce their own original narrative shorts.

Ages:

11-15

Dates:

July 11th – July 15th & July 18th – 22nd, 2016

Times: 

10am-4pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays

10am-2pm Wednesdays and Fridays

Location:

Upstate Films Rhinebeck

6415 Montgomery St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Price:

$600 for two weeks

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

Rosendale: Kids Call the Shots

In this camp taught by a team of media professionals, youth learn all about the filmmaking process, from scripting and storyboarding, to filming with different shots and camera angles, to trying their hands at editing. Youth will also learn to use lights and sound kits. Students will create a “behind the scenes” video as well.

Ages:

7-11

Dates: 

July 18th – July 22th, 2016

Time:

10am - 4pm

Location:

Rosendale Theater

408 Main St, Rosendale, NY 12472

Price:

$350

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

FDR: Kids Call the ShotsHyde Park Summer Camps

In this camp, youth learn all about the filmmaking process from media professionals, from scripting and storyboarding, to filming with different shots and camera angles, trying their hands at editing. Youth will also learn to use lights and sound kits. Students will create a “behind the scenes” video as well.

Ages:

7-11

Dates:

July 25th – July 29th, 2016

Time:

10am - 4pm 

Location:

Discovery Center at The Home of FDR Historic Site

Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Price:

$350

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

Rosendale: Multi-Media Animation

In this camp, youth will learn all kinds of different animation techniques, from flip-books to stop-motion animation, to computer animation with Adobe Premiere and Character Animator. Youth work collaboratively to create animated narrative shorts, making the characters, movements, voice-over, music, and sound effects themselves, as well as a live action “behind the scenes” video.

Ages:

10-14

Dates:

July 25th – July 29th, 2016

Time:

10am - 4pm 

Location: 

Rosendale Theater

408 Main St, Rosendale, NY 12472

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

FDR Multi-Media Animation

In this camp, youth will learn all kinds of different animation techniques, from flip-books to stop-motion animation to computer animation with Adobe Premiere and Character Animator. Youth work collaboratively to create animated narrative shorts, making the characters, movements, voice-over, music, and sound effects themselves, as well as a live action “behind the scenes” video.

Ages:

10-14

Date:

August 1st – August 5th, 2016

Time:

10am - 4pm 

Location:

Discovery Center at The Home of FDR Historic Site

Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Price:

$350

Click for Registration and Camp Details >

All Sport Health & Fitness Class Schedule and Special Programs - Fishkill, NY

www.allsporthealthandfitness.com

All Sport Health & Fitness
17 Old Main Street
Fishkill, NY 12524
(845) 896-5678

All Sport is more than just a gym. It's an experience. From the moment you walk through their doors and are genuinely greeted by team members behind the front desk, you begin the feel the involvement between people, activities and a mindset of tapping into opportunities around you. Designed around your lifestyle, All Sport has something for everyone, from indoor/outdoor basketball courts, racquetball, soccer camp, dance lessons, indoor/outdoor pools, saunas, massages, a huge room for weight lifters, a calming room for women's strength-building, an "express circuit" machine set-up with a free lesson on how to use it all. For those who need a more creative workout, there are over 90 free group exercise classes for members, including Zumba, Barre Fusion, Yoga, and many more. Got kids? Enjoy All Sport's most thoughtful move of all - a fully staffed 2-room childcare center aka "Kids Club" with a jungle gym, slide, baby exersaucers, and coloring. And if the kids need a break from the room, All Sport schedules different classes such as Kids in Motion, where kids tumble to music in a racquetball court and then can be walked back to Kids Club by the teacher.

Click for larger view

Dates You Don't Want to Miss

  • 2016 Family Fest June 11: At Dutchess Stadium with the Hudson Valley Renegades - FREE Family Community Event.
  • Pool Opens May 27: Outdoor Pools open!!! Yes, they have 3 pools. Enjoy swimming, tennis, basketball and more at the Outdoor Club
  • Live Music At The Outdoor Club:  All Summer music events are free for members, with a discounted guest fee of $15.
  • H2O Body Blast begins June 8th
  • Aqua Boogie begins June 28th



http://www.allsporthealthandfitness.com/camp-registration.html


Register now for All Sports Camp FIT this Summer!  Swimming, tennis, friends and fun!  Camp also available for teens. 




Special Fitness Classes For Adults


H2O Body Blast
Date: Wednesdays, 5:00-5:45 pm
High intensity outdoor aquatic class at the outdoor park. Ages 12 & up.
Details> 

Eat Fat, Get Thin
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Nutritional workshop with Kim Knauf.  Learn about the immense health and weight-loss benefits of a high-fat diet rich in eggs, nuts, oils, avocados, and more.
Details>






Adult Classes & Programs

Adults have dozens of classes to chose from, several of which are included with membership.
Click here for a Full Class Schedule That Are Included With Membership* >
*Exact times may vary, so please call ahead.  

In addition to multiple rooms of cardio, machines and free-weights, All Sport offers several specialized programs for adults. For more information about these programs or to register, call the Programs Desk: (845) 896-5678. A few of those programs change and currently include:

Tai Chi
Beginner & Advanced Tai Chi for adults. This introductory level Tai Chi class will help you learn form and movement sequencing. Each week builds on the previous week.
Day: Mondays   Time: Beginners: 6:30 - 7:30pm     Time: Advanced: 7:30-8:00pm
Price: Members: Free  Non-Members: $150
Details >


Boxing
The beginner level boxing clinic has a 6:1 teacher ratio. Learn moves, footwork, punches and more with instructor Fred Rosa.
Day: Saturdays   Time: 10-11am  
Price: Members, $72  Non-Members: $96
Details >

Barre Fusion
An exercise class using components of ballet, yoga and movement.
Click here for the schedule.

Zumba Classes
Zumba Classes happen regularly at All Sport.
Click here for the schedule.
SPECIAL! Check back for our next special Zumba Class!


Country Line Dancing
Intermediate Level - Perfect your moves! Learn Baby Likes to Rock It, Long Legged Hannah, Tush Push, Foot Loose and more!
Day: Wednesdays    Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Price: $50   Non-Member $60   Drop-In: $15
Drop-Ins Welcome
Details >


Spin Classes 
Spin Classes happen regularly at All Sport.
Click here for Cycle schedule.


Pool Volleyball
Enjoy this team sport in the pool for adults and seniors.
Click here for other water exercise classes.
Next Date: Check back for our next date!


Heartsaver AED/CPR
American Heart Association CPR. This is snot the level needed for lifeguards.
Date: TBD   Time: 6-10pm
Price: Member: $50 (includes manual), Nonmember: $60 (includes manual), Special non-member firefighter rate: $50


Racquetball Classes, Courts & Leagues
If you play racquetball, this is the place for you. Classes include a focus on forehand, backhand, servers and returns, as well as rules and strategies. Recreational games are played during the second part of the hour so that participants can use what they learn.
Day: Saturdays     Time: 1-2pm
Price: Members: $72   Non-Members: $96
Details >
SPECIAL: Doublemania!
Date: Check back for next date!    Time: 6pm
Price: Members: $25  Non-Members: $30   Guest: $5


Small Group Training 
All Sport offers several opportunities to get training from one of their professionals in a group setting.
Schedules & Videos >


Boot Camp
Get back to fitness with small group training bootcamps. Lead by personal trainers, your limits will be pushed, leaving you feeling accomplished!Boot Camp is part of Small Group Training and is always available to be booked at All Sport.
SPECIAL! 
Check back for our next special theme Boot Camp session!
Details >


Basketball Courts & Leagues
If you enjoy shooting hoops or a game every now and then, this is the place for you. There are a few leagues you can join, or just play by yourself or with some friends when courts are available.



Holiday/Vacation/School's Out Camp for Kids

When school is out for a Monday holiday or a long seasonal holiday and you want to keep your kids active and entertained, All Sport is an option. All Sport offers kids ages 5-12 a safe, fun place to be while parents are working or just working out. Bring a lunch, snack, sneakers, bathing suit and a towel. Camp activities may include:
  • Sports & Games
  • Swimming
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Fun with friends
Dates:
Friday May 20
Friday May 27

Click here for details.
Time: 8am - 5pm
Ages: 5-12
Price: Member: $50/day 2nd Child Discount: $45/day  Non-Member: $60/day 2nd Child Discount: $55/day

Coming September 2016, All Sport Health and Fitness will be providing school age child care in their Before and After School Program for children in Kindergarten to 5th Grade in the Wappingers Central School District.




Kids Classes & Programs

Swim Lessons
Group or Private lessons available throughout the year. See A Little Beacon Blog's Swimming Lessons Guide for dates and details. Several days are available.
Dates: Summer 1 Registration is June 1st


Toddler Time
Open play time. An opportunity for you and your toddler to enjoy some playtime together. Play with balls, tunnels, mats, hoops, scooters and more.
Ages: 1-4yo    Day: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays    Time: 10am-12pm
Price: Member: Free Non-Member $10


Martial Arts
Anthony Quatrochi's Martial Arts Institute comes to All Sport, with the best training and techniques.
Ages: 4-7yo    Day: Wednesdays  Time: 5-5:30pm
Ages: 8-11yo    Day: Wednesdays  Time: 5:30pm 6:15pm
Price: Family Plus: $55  Member: $110 Non-Member $132


Boxing for Kids
This beginner level boxing clinic works on footwork, conditioning, defensive moves and punches using the heavy bag, speed bag & focus mitts. Class size is limited to 6:1 student teacher ratio, so sign up soon! Students must provide their own gloves and wear wraps.
Ages: Boys and Girls ages 9-14   Day: Saturdays   Time: 11am-12pm
Price: Family Plus: $36  Member: $72 Non-Member $96


Fencing
Introduction to fencing. Students will learn proper stance, basic footwork, blade work and techniques.
Ages: Boys and Girls ages 7-14    Day: Tuesdays
Times: Beginner 6-7pm  Intermediate  7:15-8:15pm
Price: Family Plus: $36  Member: $72   Non-Member $96



FIT for Kids
A fun and active cross training workout for kids. The program uses a variety of exercises and equipment to improve athletic ability and general fitness levels.
Ages: 8-13  Time: 5:15-6:15pm   Day: Thursdays
Price: Family Plus: $36  Member: $72   Non-Member $96

FREE Swim Assessment
Ages: 3 & Up Time: All Day (15 min intervals) Day: TBD
Members & Non-Members


Kids in Motion
Gross motor development class that includes activities utilizing an assortment of equipment to fun, upbeat music. The focus of this class is on structure, eye-hand coordination, balance and listening skills.

Ages: 1-2yo   Day: Tuesdays (parent/child class)   Time: 10:15-10:45am
Ages: 3-5yo    Days: Tuesdays   Time: 9:15am-10:15am
Ages: 6-10yo    Days: Saturdays   Time: 10:30-11:15am
Price: Member: Free Non-Member $10
Dates: January - June  Drop-Ins Welcome


Kids Night Out
These nights out are an opportunity for kids to have fun in a group while parents enjoy the night out or a night at the gym working out.
Next Date: TBD
Click here to register or find out their next date >


Youth Soccer
A non-competitive soccer clinic for Boys and Girls promoting skill development, games and fun. Children should wear comfortable clothes, sneakers and shin guards.
Ages: 3yo     Day: Wednesdays   Time: 4:30-5:15pm
Ages: 4-5yo     Day: Wednesdays  Time: 5:15pm 6:00pm
Price: Family Plus: $30  Member: $60 Non-Member $72
 

Tumbling
This class both introduces and works on perfecting a wide variety of basic tumbling skills. Kids will have fun learning tumbling skills even if they have never tumbled before! Emphasis will be on developing coordination, flexibility and self-confidence.
Ages: 3-5     Day: Thursdays   Time: 9:00-9:45am
Price: Family Plus: Free  Member: $60   Non-Member $84


Recreational Gymnastics
Recreational Gymnastics provides training of the basic gymnastics skills - flexibility, balance, strength, coordination and agility. These skills are important to learn for all future sports and activities. Students in our classes will continue to develop attributes that are stepping stones for advancing through more complex gymnastics movements. Children enrolled will also achieve success in key developmental areas such as concentration, confidence, creativity and self-discipline.
Ages: Boys and Girls 6-12yo    Day: Saturdays   Time: 10-11am
Price: Family Plus: $30  Member: $60   Non-Member $84


Racquetball for Kids
This is a group beginner level clinic that will teach the basics of racquetball including: Forehand, Backhand, Game rules and strategies, Serves and Returns. Recreational games are played during the second half hour of the clinic, so the participants can use what they learn.
Ages: Boys and Girls 8-14yo     Day: Saturdays    Time: 10-11am
Price: Family Plus: Free  Member: $50   Non-Member: $60



Yoga for Kids
Playful themes, breathing techniques, and postures to encourage balance, grounding and flexibility. Taught by Beacon's own Alice Sipple, Certified Children's Yoga Instructor.
Ages: 2-5yo   Day: Saturdays (parent/child class)    Time: 9:30-10:15am
Ages: 5-9yo    Day: Tuesdays    Time: 4:30-5:15pm
Ages: 6-10yo   Day: Saturdays    Time: 10:30-11:15am
Price: Family Plus: $55  Member: $110 Non-Member $132


Babysitting Preparedness Course
Ages: 12 and up  Day: TBD Time: 9:00 - 4:00 pm
Are you ready to Babysit? Learn about handling emergencies, treating a wound or burn on a child/baby, how to change a diaper, CPR, and much more. Successful completion of course will get you a 2 year certification from the American Safety and Health Institute.
Click here to register and for their next date >



School's Out Program

Serving children in the Wappinger's School District, choose from before or after school daycare from 3 to 5 days a week.  All Sport Health and Fitness provides a safe, fun and supervised care program for school-age children before and after school.  Hours are 7:00 am until school begins to dismal until 6:00 pm and for children from Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Activities include sports and games, swimming, arts and crafts, and homework assistance.  Transportation provided by Wappinger's School District.
More Details>


Summer Kids Programs 

Summer Day Camp, Camp FIT ages 4-14
It's all about the fun in the summer at Camp FIT. All Sport's traditional day camp offers an action-packed adventure filled summer experience. Campers are divided up into age appropriate groups and participate in daily activity periods that include swimming, sports & games, arts & crafts and special theme activities. Special events and guests make for more fun. Can include daily swimming lessons. Many more details about this camp are in A Little Beacon Blog's Summer Day Camp Guide.

Teen Travel Camp, Camp FIT ages 12-14
Teens will have an opportunity to travel and take part in new and exciting activities outside of camp. Under the guidance of our camp staff, campers will take two trips during regular camp hours to local recreation sites and still have time to enjoy traditional camp activities when they are on site. Trips may include :Bounce, SplashDown, Quassy Amusement Park, Bronx Zoo, Castle Fun Center.

Teen Tennis Camp, Camp FIT ages 7-12
Quickstart tennis camp is the fast, fun way to get kids into tennis. The program utilizes ball, racquets, nets and courts that are sized just right. During the morning, campers will focus on the fundamentals of the game while learning and developing all tennis strokes, basic strategy and positioning and sportsmanship. Afternoon hours are spent participating in our regular Camp Fit activities. Our instructor, Linda Edgar is a USPTA & PTR Certified Tennis Professional.



Birthday Parties

Birthday parties at All Sport make the day easy on parents and FUN for kids! Let All Sport take care of the details, from set-up to clean-up and everything in between with a personal party host assigned to your party. Includes 2 large pizzas, choice of juice or soda, paper goods including table covers, plates, napkins, cups and utensils, invitations/thank you cards, and setup and cleanup. With a variety of new parties and activities, kids of all ages will have the party they've been dreaming of! Themes include the following and can be indoors or outdoors:
  • Nerf Dart Tag Party
  • Sports Party
  • Pool Party
  • Kids in Motion Party
  • Fun & Games Party
  • Martial Arts Party
  • Tennis Party
Price: Members: $259  Non-Members: $279. Add-ons are available for extra time, pizza, birthday cake and a bouncy house.



Yoga Classes
All Sport offers numerous yoga, pilates and tai chi classes to integrate your mind body and spirit, feel total balance - and simply get in tune with your body head to toe. Also check out Elevate Yoga & Barre Studio at its new location in Wappingers Falls. All classes at Elevate are open to the public.Friday evenings are a special offering of free classes to cancer survivors and caregivers.





Full List of Events at All Sport
All Sport is more than fitness, it's a lifestyle destination. The Fishkill location is a hub for numerous activities including Weight Watchers Meetings, an Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, CPR Class, Comedy Night, and much more. And with their childcare option, Kids Club, parents have even more fitness options for classes and working out.



Sponsored Page: All Sport Health & Fitness is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog. Please read our Editorial and Advertising Policy for more information. 

Black Bear Sighting in Beacon: What's Going On and How to Stay Safe

According to Beacon Chief of Police Douglas Solomon, an adolescent black bear cub has come out of the woods into our people-populated area. Chief Solomon confirms that the last report of anyone seeing the bear and reporting it to the police was at 8:30am Friday on Sargent Avenue near Wodenethe Drive, on the "town" side of Fishkill Creek (away from the mountain), near the Beacon Board of Education.

Local parent Erin Giunta, who lives near Sargent Elementary, was getting her young daughter ready for school and just happened to look out the front door when she saw the bear crossing the school playground this morning at 8:20am. Her eye-witness account: "The bear ran across the large field near Sargent Ave. and Knevels, then crossed the gravel path, then ran on the grass between the playground and the stone wall." Giunta called Sargent Elementary School to report it, and staff acknowledged they were aware of the bear.

Right at 8:30am, a robo-call was delivered from Interim Superintendent of Beacon Schools Ann Marie Quartironi, alerting parents of "walkers" (aka kids who walk to school) that buses are out and about to pick walkers up, to bring them to school.

Chief Solomon explains it's not uncommon to see bear cubs in the springtime in this area. "Every two years, the mother bears kick their cubs out. The cubs get confused and disoriented and end up in populated areas. At some point, it will go back into the woods," he says. To aid in that effort, the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) will come down to assist police with guiding the bear back into the woods. Chief Solomon says that efforts the police department may employ are using rubber bullets or bean bags to hit the bear and encourage it to go back into the woods. Black bears are known to be docile, and are looking primarily for trash to eat.

Both Chief Solomon and local survival and tracking expert Shane Hobel, founder of Mountain Scout Survival School, say that black bears are not aggressive, but if anyone should see it, one should not engage it. Instead, says Hobel, quietly and slowly back back away without showing aggression. Hobel says that black bears are generally scared of clanging pots and pans and bells and whistles, which is why hikers often wear the latter when they are taking on mountain trails. Black bears can be skittish, and if you encounter one in your yard, Hobel says, take the approach of a docile dog on the retreat:
  • Back away slowly.
  • Don't show your teeth - it's a primal sign of aggression.
  • Don't raise your arms.
Bear sightings are also a time to raise awareness to contain trash and to keep it from blowing around. Press it down into your garbage can so as to reduce overflowage. Perhaps weekly recycling pickup will happen in Beacon, which would contribute to contained garbage cans. If you have a food compost pile in your yard, look into ways to seal it. Zero to Go are the food compost experts, and they include plastic bins that seal tightly in their food compost pickup program.

If you do have a bear sighting, make sure you're safe, then call the police to report where you saw it. This will help them guide the bear back into the woods. The information hotline to the Beacon police is 845-831-4111.

Big Update to the Summer Day Camp Guide - Time To Schedule Up!


/www.alittlebeaconblog.com//p/summer-day-camp.html

Summer is happening, and this year's schedule proves to be another one of flexibility and switching things around to take advantage of Summer Camp opportunities in the Hudson Valley to vacation with friends or send the kids to an awesome week of camp, like writing and kayaking, or writing at the Vanderbilt mansion with SUNY's program for young writers of all ages. Even the teachers and business owners are percolating with new ideas and creating programs that will appeal to families in the area.

Therefore, after a flurry of submissions over the past few weeks since we launched the Summer Camp Guide, we are issuing an update with more options you want to consider in your grand planning! Because if you're like most parents, you haven't committed 100% to all of your camp intentions. Some programs have filled up, some have expanded, and some are totally new.

Highlights you'll find in this update include more short term morning options, great for those who are not committing to full days of camp, but want their children stimulated during the day. Also great for grandparents who are in charge of kids for a week, and are looking for something to do.

Mornings are especially prevalent at the new location of Compass Arts with a variety of teachers in music, Spanish, building, and more. Compass Arts is in the middle of town near the Yankee Clipper Diner, nestled in with music destinations like Beacon Soundworks, a new recording studio on Main Street, Lord of the Strings, a repair shop for string instruments, and Main Street Music, a guitar store (and more) and a source of lessons.

Cooking camp is also in the mix now, in the lovely back outside courtyard of Beacon Pantry. Another short day option for kids learning to cook and at minimum, learn to make their own snacks! But possibly also the family dinner.

Budding writers of different ages have a plethora of weekly options from the Hudson Valley Writing Project. Classes have been designed around different destinations for different weeks, like a week at Storm King Art Center (sold out already but has a waiting list) to inspire the mind, and a week for “Courageous Writers” in Hyde Park to “explore the power of history” as kids visit FDR’s Presidential Library, his family home, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-kill, and the Vanderbilt estate.

Musical theater enthusiasts can take a summer intensive at Ballet Art Studio on Teller Avenue for a mixture of dance training and workshopping of a performance piece.

We have a new recommendation for gymnastics camp, and that is at Dutchess Country Gymnastics Center in Fishkill, who has a different theme for every week, including "Disney Week" and "The Games in Rio".

If there are waiting lists for any option, do get on them! You never know who will pull out at the last minute.

This update was made possible by:
View her photos also at Instagram: @edp_kids   

Eva is booking kids and family photo sessions now for Summer.
Get creative and have Eva and her camera to your favorite park or summer destination, or in your home or backyard!

www.evadeitch.com


All Sport's Outdoor Pool and Park Opening This Friday May 27th! (Sponsor Post)

It's the day we've all been waiting for! Don't worry if you do not have a pool in your backyard this Summer, you will always have a place to swim at

All Sport Health & Fitness

in Fishkill.  Their outdoor pool opens for the Summer season this Friday at noon and we can't wait! You can see a full listing of their Summer outdoor hours 

here

.

Have you been there before? It's an oasis! With two adult pools and one kiddie pool with a sloped depth for little ones and toddlers, All Sport offers refreshing room for everyone. Dry off while playing ping pong, or enjoy the summer bands that are scheduled all summer on their covered deck. Plus, the rumors are that Pool Volleyball for all adult ages gets pretty popular there too. Lounge by the Tiki Bar and enjoy an iced tea or something on tap.

Hungry for dinner and hot and tired at the end of the day? The kids won't mind if you buy them dinner of chicken nuggets and yogurt strips, a favorite on the menu.  Don't worry about packing a dinner for your family while you take a dip. You can enjoy some fresh air and stay well fed and hydrated with All Sport's food menu.

If your kids are in

All Sport's Summer Camp,

extend your kid-pickup for a quick swim! You know how hot it can get later in the day. Check out All Sport Health & Fitness for their

Outdoor Club membership

. If you haven't seen the Outdoor Club yet, ask to be taken on a tour.

All Sport

is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and this article was created with them as part of our

Sponsor Spotlight

program. It is with the support of businesses like this, that A Little Beacon Blog can bring you coverage of local happenings and events. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us! If you would like to become a

Sponsor or Community Partner

, please

click here for more information

.

Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency

Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
340 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 831-4300
www.antalek-moore.com

Insurance is a big, wide industry. There are a lot of faces you could talk to when deciding what agent to use when purchasing your insurance. Antalek & Moore is a local Independent Insurance agency located in Beacon. NY, and licensed in several states. Located right on Main Street, the agents at Antalek & Moore have been serving the people of the Hudson Valley with personal, homeowners and business insurance for over a century. In addition, they are a leading resource in the community for educating business owners and homeowners about what kind of insurance they need and why. Antalek & Moore specializes in Personal, Homeowners, and many types of Business Insurance.

Antalek & Moore is a local insurance agency right on Main Street, and is happy to review your policy to see how you can save. Click here to contact them, or just call (845) 831-4300.
A Little Beacon Blog thanks Antalek & Moore for being a sponsor, which helps make our coverage of the amazing people and things to do in and around Beacon possible!

Flooding From Upstairs Apartments Closes Main Street Businesses. WhatInsurance Covers That?

In the last two years, a few of your favorite businesses on Main Street have temporarily closed due to damage caused from flooding from residential apartments above them. Mountain Tops was one when their inventory got wiped out last summer, and Style Storehouse (pictured here) was almost another, but fortunately the owner Michele was in the store that day and could move her racks of clothing as the drips came from the ceiling.

Accidents happen, bath tubs are left on, sinks are left on, or maybe a pipe bursts. If this happens in your home, water that floods from your bathroom by leaving the shower curtain out of the tub, or by very wet children getting out of a full bathtub, may drip into the room below and possibly ruin nothing (or your floors), and perhaps only cause an inconvenient cleanup. But watch out for that invariably soggy ceiling that will need replaced. For a business located below a residential apartment, water can damage inventory, kitchen equipment, flooring that the business owner installed, and more financially devastating examples. When this happens, who pays for the damage? Who is responsible?

Pat Moore, partner at the local insurance agency on Main Street in Beacon,

Antalek and Moore

, provides insight: "Water damage insurance claims can be very expensive, but can also be in a 'gray area' of insurance coverage.  Even the most comprehensive of insurance policies do not eliminate the coverage 'gray area'."

What is the gray area? In Pat's words: "One requirement of all insurance coverages is that the damage needs to be caused by something that is sudden and accidental.  For example, a deep freeze in the winter causes pipes to freeze and ultimately burst causing water damage.  The act of freezing is generally considered to be sudden and accidental and most comprehensive insurance policies the business owner has will cover these damages."

So what about an apartment dweller who starts to fill the bathtub with water, gets distracted or forgets? The water overflows and now the business owner on the first floor has a small lake in their place of business.  Says Pat: "This is certainly a gray area.  Some insurance carriers may just decline to cover these kinds of incidents due to the lack of a sudden and accidental event.  Others may decide to cover the damage with the hopes of making a recovery from the apartment dweller.  If the apartment dweller has no homeowners insurance, this is not an attractive option to an insurance carrier.  Some carriers may just cover the claim outright.  How an insurance company will react is unpredictable."

Pat and the entire staff at

Antalek and Moore work with a number of insurance carriers

to find their clients the best coverage for competitive prices, and they have seen it all. Says Pat, as he recalls examples that have defined his years of experience in the insurance business: "It is important to understand what happened in this case.  Unfortunately, the business owner sustained damage because the apartment owner was negligent.  The relevant insurance policy for this case is the liability part of the apartment owner’s homeowners insurance."

When and if you ever lived in an apartment, did you carry

renter's

or

homeowner's insurance

? Chances are low that you did because no one required you to, as you are required by a mortgage company to carry homeowner's insurance when you own a home financed through a bank.

Which brings Pat to an issue he is passionate about: "When a business owner seeks to occupy a commercial space, most landlords require the business to secure a

liability insurance policy

and to provide the landlord with written proof that insurance is in place.  This is a common practice.  A less common practice is the landlord making the same requirement of apartment dwellers.  The cost for this coverage for an apartment dweller is typically $150 per year or less.  Having an apartment dweller on the floors above who has an insurance policy in force should be a must have for any street level business.

"What does this do? In the case of the overflowing bathtub, the business can make a claim against the apartment dweller and his or her insurance policy.  It mitigates the gray area." Also, a landlord might file a claim for the damage, and that may or may not be paid out by the insurance company. Further, says Pat, "The claim could be denied by the landlord's insurance carrier and will almost certainly not cover the damage to the business owner's property."

Consider this flipped way of thinking before you sign the lease on your commercial space. Chicken Little ran around warning his friends that the sky was falling, and while your inventory is inside and locked behind freshly installed locks and protected by a security system, the sky - and a lot of ceiling plaster - just may fall on and ruin all that is important to you and pays the bills for your family. If you are a person renting from an apartment above a business, consider getting

renter's insurance f

or several reasons, accidents like this being one of them.

Antalek and Moore

is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and this article was created with them as part of our

Sponsor Spotlight

program. It is with the support of businesses like this, that A Little Beacon Blog can bring you coverage of local happenings and events. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us! If you would like to become a

Sponsor or Community Partner

, please

click here for more information

.

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 5-22-16


Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!


  • Line Dance For A Cause: Special charity event to benefit The Grace Smith House at Poughkeepsie Nissan next month on Thursday, June 23rd.
  • 2nd Annual Local Cider Market & Tasting:  Held at the Deyo House Lawn across DuBois Fort in New Paltz. There were will be many tasty goods from local vendors to sample.
This date and more are in the Events Guide, organized by month. Take a look to get a big-picture view of your month ahead!


  • Mid-Hudson Valley Infertility Support Group:  Added to our new "Support Group" category.  
  • BeaconArts Member Meet-Up: at 2 Way Brewing Company this Wednesday, May 25th, you can still sign up to join.
Find direct links to this item and more in our Adult Classes Guide.





You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!






Find more ways to pamper yourself in our full Beauty Guide



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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Sponsor Spotlights

Thanks to these businesses for sponsoring A Little Beacon Blog and helping us to bring feature stories and Guides to you! If your business is interested in advertising, please see our Advertising Packages for all of the different, fun and involved ways to show your support for our community and reach readers in Beacon, the Hudson Valley at large, and even New York City day-trippers!





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A huge thank you to these advertisers who have supported A Little Beacon Blog so far:

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Ob...sessed With Beacon Open Studios - Which Studios We Are Visiting

Two of my favorite weekends in Beacon are

Beacon Open Studios,

and the

City Wide Yard Sale.

This is an opportunity to explore all of Beacon to find interesting things you have never seen before - and probably never will again. Beacon Open Studios has opened today through Sunday, May 21-22, 2016, so get your walking shoes on because you have a lot of exploring to do. If you're looking for a place to park all day, we made this

Free Public Parking Lot Guide

for you, with pictures and addresses of all of Beacon's free lots.

Beacon Open Studios is the reason why you're seeing the big red dot everywhere - from people's yards to galleries or storefronts. Artists of all kinds - painting, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media - open their homes or takeover a space to let you meet them and view their work. To find these studios, pick up a brochure from most any shop or restaurant in town, or the studio's headquarters,

2 Way Brewing Company

down on Beekman Street on the way to or from the Beacon train station.

Anna Bergin

is my current obsession. Pictured here in layers of color, Anna has popped up in a

PopUp Shop

this past winter with chocolate baker 5 Hens, which was a perfect match because Anna's paintings look like cupcake frosting that you could eat. The texture of the paint she mixes herself is thick and chalky - like sugar frosting. Painted with oil and ash in shades of pastel, these paintings are captivating. Hold on a minute - "Ash?" you ask? Yes, Anna mixes the paint with actual ash from her fireplace. Says Anna: "

I take the ash from my fireplace during winter and campfires during summer months. It's part of what I think is neat about it using what we burn." See her work now at 2 Way Brewing Company and Spire Studios. And be sure to

be on our newsletter

in case she pops up in another PopUp Shop.

https://www.facebook.com/annaberginart

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Beth Weintraub, a printmaker, has eye-catching artwork on display. This piece on the left currently hangs in 2 Way Brewing Company right now as part of the Beacon Open Studios exhibit, and at Spire Studios.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

There is usually at least one hands-on art event for the kids, and this year, one of them includes an

opportunity to play with clay

from Beacon Craft Workshop, another regular in our

Kids Classes Guide.

Find it on Saturday in the upstairs classroom at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFjnhSLLsDD/?tagged=beaconopenstudios

Photo Credit:

Beacon Craft Workshop

This beautiful

wood scrap sale from Wickham

down at the very end of Main Street by The Hop is a not-to-be-missed sale. If you are a collector of wood to make anything - shelves, tables, surfaces of any kind - this is one wood workshop you need to stop into.

Photo Credit:

Wickham

Working in the studio, artist Joe Radoccia

gives you a taste

of what it's like to walk into one of these live-action studios.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCa7DfpHOjR/?tagged=beaconopenstudios

Photo Credit:

Neg Kalfou

Breathtaking. David Swoop will be at 22 High Street. One can only look forward what else he has on display.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFkbc2NqdmW/?tagged=beaconopenstudios

Photo Credit:

Beacon Open Studios

For all you romantics out there,

Anna West captures the moment.

She will also be at Spire Studios at 45 Beekman Street in Studio 2.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFoah1iKdtU/?tagged=beaconopenstudios

Photo Credit:

Beacon Open Studios

And for the jewelry collectors in the house, there are several in-home or jewelry studios open this weekend, a rare occasion indeed. This work space from

laiannaferruggia.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFcRFmpq0GB/?tagged=beaconopenstudios

Photo Credit:

laiannaferruggia

Tag #beaconopenstudios in Instagram while you are  out and about so that we can see what you see!

Guide to Free and Easy Parking Lots in Beacon - There's a Spot in the Municipal Lots!

As of today, all parking in the City of Beacon is free (aside from any ticket you get from going beyond a two-hour parking limit). Street parking is free, and the City of Beacon owns and maintains several free parking lots throughout town. Other parking lots that you see, like the one behind Bank Square Coffee, belong to those buildings, and those buildings have a certain number of parking spots that they reserve for tenants living in apartments above, or for their own customers shopping temporarily.

This Parking Guide is Sponsored by Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency, located on Main Street Beacon who can save you money on car insurance.

This Parking Guide is Sponsored by Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency, located on Main Street Beacon who can save you money on car insurance.

There are several parking opportunities that do not involve risks of tickets or time limits, if you know where to go. In our instant-gratification mindset, it is easy to look for parking on Main Street directly in front of your destination, and slide into a spot via whichever parallel parking maneuver you have perfected. Main Street, however, is quite slim, making getting out of the car risky business. A passing truck may swipe your side-view mirror right off of your car. Or, if you folded in your mirror when you park, you may forget to look behind you and open your door - right into an oncoming car - causing you to lose a door and have to deal with damage on someone else's vehicle (and hopefully everyone is unharmed). You can imagine what it is like getting out of the car, and then opening the back door to reach into unfasten a child from a car seat. Nerve wracking. What about getting out a stroller in the space between your car and the car behind you? Or what if you were in a wheelchair, or needed a wide-open door and plenty of space to slowly get out of the car in a handicapped spot (there are only a few directly on Main Street)?

Depending on the time of day, hopping down Main Street to complete a collection of errands and finding different parallel parking spots to park in can be easy. But swinging into a big giant parking lot could be even easier and less stressful. May we present A Little Beacon Blog's Free and Easy Parking Lot Guide!

FOLLOW THE SIGNS

To start our tour of free parking lots in Beacon, NY, we need to get familiar with the signs. Unless you have just taken your driver's test, you may not remember what official free parking signs look like. They look like this:

A Free Parking sign is green with a giant P and an arrow pointing in the direction of the parking lot. It is posted near most free parking lots in Beacon, but not all, or not in both directions.

Take note of the other style of a sign that has the big "2" on it. This part of the sign also means free parking on the street itself, but the "2" stands for "2 hour parking" and the time limit of 9am - 5pm means that you are limited to 2hr parking basically during work hours. After 5pm, you can park on the street all night without risk of getting a ticket. If you park on the street for longer than 2 hours, you are at risk for getting a ticket.

We know that enforcement of this rule is a current hot topic among residents and business owners, as it is not usually enforced. When a recent debate about parking meters coming to Main Street was awakened this year, however, this rule has moved into the spotlight, so don't be surprised if you do start getting a ticket for parking longer than 2 hours on Main Street. Which is why ample parking in free, city owned parking lots comes in handy!

We begin our tour of free parking lots with the west end of town, near the Metro North Train Station, and will end it on the east side of town near the mountain.

The official map of free parking lots and 2hr parking areas from the City of Beacon.

1 MUNICIPAL PLAZA

A little known fact is that parking at 1 Municipal Plaza is available to the public from 5pm - 11pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays.

CROSS STREET & MAIN STREET

Next is the small parking lot behind Hudson Beacon Glass, on Cross Street right off of Main Street.

Parking behind Hudson Beach Glass, and across the street from the popup garden from One Nature and Green Teen.

A close-up of that paring lot on Cross Street.

PARKING LOT ON CLIFF STREET NEAR BEACON BREAD COMPANY

Easy parking for dining at Beacon Bread Company, dropping of a dog at Paw's and Mittens, picking up dog food at Beacon Barkery or wine Artisan Wine, or swinging by Poppy's for a burger.

Parking at Cliff and Main, entrance on Main Street.

The parking lot next to Beacon Bread Company. The Free Parking sign is shows on one side of the street only, so you may have missed it going the other way.

PARKING LOT NEAR PLEASANT RIDGE PIZZA & THE GAS STATION

One may think this lot is private, but it is free and open for you to use. And here's a hot tip: this gas station has some of the lowest priced gas in Beacon. #justsayin

Parking lot near Diamond Fuel gas station and Pleasant Ridge.

DMV PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM HOMESPUN & VOGEL PHARMACY

Across the street from this gas station, and near Homespun and AccuPrint, is a giant parking lot owned by the county, but free for you to park in - on the weekends only. You may not have noticed this because the sign telling you about it has been covered up with graffiti.

Understandable if you missed this memo.

The DMV parking lot is rarely used on the weekends, as you can see from this picture, and is convenient to use for learning how to ride your bike. Unless you all start parking there, of course.

CHURCH STREET AND N. CHESTNUT BEHIND RITE AID

Another huge parking lot that is convenient to get to thanks to a rare two-way side street giving you access, is the lot behind Rite Aid, Quinn's, BAJA 328 and Antalek & Moore. Although it seems like this parking lot is far away from a quick trip into Rite Aid, or lunch at BAJA, it's actually right around the corner. Quinn's also has an entry door from the back. Additionally, there are more on-street parking spots on the far edge of this parking lot, across from the residential houses. Skateboarders usually use these empty parking spots, but you can too!

Follow North Chestnut down toward Church Street, and you'll be able to pull into the large municipal lot.

Handicapped parking spots are in this parking lot, and on the street.

HENRY STREET BEHIND YANKEE CLIPPER DINER

Next we go to the Yankee Clipper Diner. If you frequent this diner for a weekend waffle or dinner with a milkshake, you'll know this parking lot well, as the Yankee Clipper has two entrances that include ramps for wheelchair access. The Towne Cryer is also located here, which is easy parking for attending dinner and a show.

Parking behind the Yankee Clipper Diner.

HENRY STREET BEHIND COMMUNITY MEDIAL CENTER & POST OFFICE

Next to the parking lot behind the Yankee Clipper Diner, and across the street from Veteran's Place (the cross street where you will find the Post Office and Towne Cryer), is this parking lot behind the Community Medical Center. On Sunday's, this parking lot becomes the location for the Beacon Flea.

Parking lot behind on Henry Street and Veteran's Place, behind the Community Medical Center.

Look! The Beacon Flea got an official sign about no parking on Sundays!

This parking lot is great for runs to the post office when on street parking is full.

VAN NYDECK AVENUE BY BROTHERS TRATTORIA

Picking up pizza can be tricky if street parking is full (and you cannot sneak into The Vault's parking lot because that is private), but you can take a right down Van Nydeck right next to Brother's Trattoria and park in that free parking lot.

This parking lot does have 3 handicapped parking spots adjacent to this building.

This view of the parking lot is stretched out in order to get the panned view, but it still offers several parking spots.

A more normal view of this parking lot behind Brother's.

CHURCHILL STREET  BY THE NEW HUDSON VALLEY BREWERY BY FISHKILL CREEK

Beacon's newest parking lot, still freshly graveled, is down near the Fishkill Creek right next to

Hudson Valley Brewery,

Beacon's latest factory renovation project that restored a building for use as a brewery and event space. This ample parking lot does require walking up a short hill to get back onto Main Street, so is not ideal for those who need handicap access. However, for large dinner parties and easy shopping parking, just turn down Churchill, park, and think no more about it!

The walk up Churchill to get back on Main Street. Vintage Beacon is waiting for you at the top of the hill.

MAIN STREET & VERPLANK NEAR THE GREEN ROOM

We are now almost to the end of Main Street. If you get your hair done at The Green Room, this parking lot is very convenient. However, it is often full. The front half is city-owned and free parking, but the back half is for tenants of the building you see in this picture on the left. Parking on the east end is difficult to find in part because of the amount of stores that have opened up there. I call this end "Boutique Row" (do check our

Shopping Guide

for a full listing). If you're looking at this parking lot for dining at The Hop, you should instead look across the street and parallel park along the Fishkill Creek side of Main Street, or down Churchill Street in the new, as yet unpaved parking lot.

On this bench, you may have noticed guitar players or others relaxing near the creek.

The Hop is in this building near this street sign and the free parking lot.

All of the free parking lots are owned and maintained by the City of Beacon, which makes doing anything in any part of Beacon's mile long strip of Main Street convenient.

/www.alittlebeaconblog.com//p/things-to-do-in-beacon-ny.html

This Guide is brought to you by the

Things To Do In Beacon Guides,

and by

Antalek & Moore,

your local source for car insurance with a variety of national carriers including Progressive and Travelers. We thank them for their support, which helps make articles like this get researched and produced! All photos for this article were taken by Katie Hellmuth Martin, and the design of the ad for

Antalek and Moore

done by

Leigh Baumann

from A Little Beacon Blog's design agency,

InHouse Design Media.

ARF's First Annual 5K Run with Dogs and People Who Love them - to Benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation

ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation), located on Wolcott Avenue, or 9D,

tucked back in the woods by the Fishkill Creek,

is unleashing their

First Annual 5K Run/Walk with the Dogs,

held this Sunday, May 22nd at 9am at Memorial Park. All proceeds go to ARF, which is a home for dogs and cats without homes and in need of care - from all over the country. ARF has a partnership with the

Pilots n Paws

program, which is a program made up of pilots who fly dogs and cats scheduled to be euthanized to shelters who can care for them and help to find them homes. ARF is one such shelter who receives and cares for these animals.

The

course is easy

- just a lap around Memorial Park, then up to the Beacon High School, then back through some residential streets, finishing back in the park. You've got this!

Registration is $30, and walkers and runners of all levels are welcome. Even strollers! Dogs who get along well with other humans and dogs are encouraged to participate. Major sponsors include Roosevelt Vet and AARauctions.com, as well as DJ Vybe and Pet Supplies Plus in Fishkill. Many other businesses from throughout the region have contributed as sponsors, including Beacon-based friends The Vault, Yankee Clipper, and Drink More Good.

See you Sunday to cheer on the runners and ARF for their continued great work!

Click here for details about the event.

At any time, you can always

donate to ARF,

and donate supplies like food, brushes, leashes, etc. ARF is even hooked into

shopping affiliates,

where if you click on a link to Amazon from their website, ARF gets a small commission. If Amazon is where you do your shopping, then ARF can be where you start your web browsing, and

they get a donation

from your order of paper towels.

http://www.arfbeacon.org/events/5k-run-with-dogs/#!prettyPhoto

Beacon Citizens Vote Today for 2016-2017 Beacon City School's Proposed Budget and 3 Board Members

The highly anticipated day has arrived - the vote for the proposed 2016-2017 Budget for Beacon City Schools, which includes a salary increase for teachers, the purchase of three buses and a van, and the vote for three open seats on the Board of Education, who include incumbent Tracy Antalek Everett; Meredith Heuer, chairperson of the Beacon Arts & Education Foundation and professional photographer; Antony Tseng, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and volunteer for the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and for the River Pool at Beacon (floating rainbow pool that sits in the Hudson River in Riverfront Park); and Michael Rutkoske, a capital asset program manager for Entergy Corporation.

Follow the signs to know where to vote at the Beacon High School today, Tuesday May 17, 2016.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The Highlands Current published an informative article about the budget contents from Beacon beat reporter Jeff Simms that covers the bulk of what is in the budget increase for the following school year. Interim Superintendent Ann Marie Quartironi, who has worked within the district on the budget since 2005 as former Assistant Superintendent for Business, says that the budget maintains all existing programs and staffing levels, while delivering modest salary increases for teachers. She also notes that the proposed increase is the lowest it has ever been.

To achieve this, Quartironi says, whose career in the private sector includes being an Auditor for Earnst and Young, which means she likes a good budget, the District needs to dip into its reserves by $2 million, a trend that several schools are following due to state tax caps that limit property tax increases to 2%. Additionally, the District is losing a $50,000 grant it once had for being on the Focus List, the status of which has now been lifted due to improvements in carefully measured and targeted areas of students and curriculum by the state, or a $50,000 grant for school improvement. On the other hand, "the state legislature, increased its overall aid to the Beacon district by 2.5% — about $650,000 — over last year," according to the Highlands Current article, of which includes a lot more budget numbers that you should check out.

Signage helping citizens know what to expect when voting.
To learn more about what is in the proposed budget, read this article, and take a look at the budget itself.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Voter information can be found at the Beacon City Schools website, and is as follows:

Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.  There are two voting locations:
Beacon High School
For citizens who reside within the city limits of the City of Beacon.

Glenham Elementary School
For citizens who reside within the portions of the Town of Fishkill and Town of Wappinger that are within the Beacon City School Distict.

For assistance on determining your voting location please call 845-838-6900 ext. 2032.

Early morning at the Beacon High School, moments after the polls opened.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin