Things To Do, Shop and Eat In Beacon Guides 11/29/2024
/
|
|
|
Support your local shops and markets.
|
"A Call To Truth" :: The Thanksgiving Myth: Celebrating Genocide
/During this time of recognized genocide in Palestine by Israel, largely funded by the United States and protected by some European powers, Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning is becoming more recognized. Below is a statement by Heart of Falastine, who shared this slide deck to illustrate. Beneath the slide deck is a video of an annual recognition at Plymouth Rock of land theft, cultural extinction and normalized dehumanization created by BTNewsroom.
By Heart of Falastine:
“Thanksgiving is not what you think it is. Beneath the myths of ‘peace and harmony’ lies the brutal truth of genocide, land theft, and the erasure of Indigenous peoples. This colonial holiday celebrates the domination of land and the dehumanisation of those who belong to it.
“As millions prepare to gather in blind celebration, let us remember: Thanksgiving is a justification of violence disguised as gratitude. It perpetuates the same colonial mindset that sees the earth as property to be conquered, rather than a sacred relationship to be honoured.
“This season, refuse to celebrate the lie. Stand with Indigenous peoples. Acknowledge the truth. Reject colonial erasure. Choose solidarity over complicity.
📖 Inspired by the wise words of the Kanak people of occupied Kanaky (colonisers call it “New Caledonia” 🇳🇨 )
*******
By BT Newsroom:
“Hundreds marched at Plymouth, Massachusetts in observance of the National Day of Mourning. Organized by the United American Indians of New England, Indigenous people and supporters gather each year on Thanksgiving to honor the holiday’s true history of colonialism.”
Happy TGiving :: Thanksgiving 2024
/
In trying to be true to evolving feelings about Thanksgiving, was going to skip the traditional holiday post that every brand must post on holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Was going to let Thanksgiving-themed articles speak for themselves. But after watching basketball yesterday, a dream floated in overnight, and its message can be the theme of this holiday post from ALBB to you:
In the dream, I (Katie) was on the court, running up and down with my team. On my team were various people from parts of Beacon and Newburgh, like in the Ceasefire group, and people I couldn’t see from elsewhere. We were just there - playing our part - on the court, running very fast, forwards and backwards, turning to catch the ball, each taking turns passing and catching to score. We had deeply different strengths and purposes, but we were grounded. We knew what to do and who we were.
Whenever I leave Beacon, I reflect back on it to see and feel its unique mix of people that foster the environment beneath and above the sidewalk. This microcosm that fosters hands-in nurturing that can be taken with you wherever you go.
This is the Tgiving feeling that I pass to you. In the dream, I was grateful for the players.
In health and honesty,
Katie
Question From An ALBB Reader: "Any places I can volunteer to serve Thanksgiving meals?"
/
Photo Credit: Katie James, Inc
ALBB received this question from a reader: “Are there any places in Beacon to volunteer to serve Thanksgiving meals?”
If you know this answer, please put your suggestion in the comments below.
Beacon Community Kitchen Seeks Turkeys and Ham; Members Of Community Donate All Year
/
Days before this year’s Thanksgiving, the Beacon Community Kitchen, currently located in the Tabernacle Church of Christ at 483 Main Street (the intersection of Main Street and Church Street), put a call out for turkeys and ham for the holiday: “We are in need of turkeys and ham for our holiday meals. We are usually overwhelmed with the amount that we get but this year we have not received any. Spread the word and love.”
Beacon Community Kitchen serves one hot meal to go on Mondays - Thursdays. After this call was made, some turkeys were donated by people in the community, but more may be needed:
“Today we had a generous donation from Tom Kenny who brought us two fresh turkeys for our Guests. Thank you Tom for your generosity. We also want to thank Tina Finkelsten for her generosity. She brought down a turkey and a five pound bag of potatoes. Thank you for thinking of us!!”
Community member JOe (seated) eats a meal with Beacon Community Kitchen. Joe has lived in various locations in the woods of Beacon.
Candi Rivera, spokesperson for the Beacon Community Kitchen, continued to describe what was cooked that day: “Tuesday lunch: [Chef] Joe had to improvise. He rallied through nicely!! He made gnocchi creamy vodka sauce over oven warmed baguette and a fresh green baby kale salad to accompany the meal. Thank you Joe, Janice, Anna, Peggy and Tina.”
Beacon Community Kitchen accepts ingredients for dishes all year round.
On A Monday - In April
As Giving Tuesday approaches (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday consumption), Beacon Community Kitchen celebrated any day a person or business donates food for them to cook. Like this day in April.
Owner Beth George of Bagel-ish Donates bagels on any given day.
In April 2024, Candi reflected: “Most people celebrate Giving Tuesday. Well today (Monday), we celebrate the generosity of many who came forward to donate back.”
Candi listed a few donations in a post at Facebook:
MAX’s of BEACON
“Peggy picked up at Max’s with the assistance of her friend Noah who helped with his truck. We received chicken breast, burgers, salad stuff, cream cheese, French Fries, cod, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, baking powder, corn starch, liquid smoke and more. We can’t thank you enough for consideration.”
PUSH TRANSPORTATION: and their Proprietor’s
“Joe Simmons and Shamikah Jones for their generosity and donation of boxes and boxes of guacamole, tossed salads and sugar snap peas. Thanks for your support and generosity in thinking of us. We also extend special thanks to Elmer Arroyo for his assistance today.”
EGGBERT’S FREE RANGE FARM
“[Farmer Carrie and her brother Tom] surprised us also and bought a case of pork products which included: pork jowls, ham hocks, and more……”
BEACON NATURAL MARKET of BEACON:
“Picked up and delivered by our own TROOPER PEGGY B!! We received spring mix, Dijon mustard, Swiss chard, yogurt, assorted cookies and teas.”
Candi concluded: “Talk about Acts of Kindness! Beacon is it!! We’re so blessed to have the support of sooooooo many kind and loving individuals with great big hearts. We can’t thank you enough for all you do, in one way or another, that keep us serving for 8 years strong.”
To donate money or coordinate food delivery, email or call: incareof.beacon@gmail.com (845) 728-8196.
Middletown, NY Refuses To Call For Ceasefire; Mayor Disputes Facts Of Genocide
/
Organizers and Pro-Palestinian supporters in Middletown, NY have been showing up at 7 consecutive Common Council meetings over the past months, advocating for local representatives to pass a comprehensive ceasefire resolution that calls for the protection of both Palestinian and Israeli lives. Neighboring municipalities including Newburgh, Beacon and Kingston have passed such resolutions. albeit with reluctance and a large amount of pushing from residents.
In October, Middletown’s Common Council passed a resolution calling for “global peace” and a release of all hostages as reported by MidHudson News, but that resolution failed to mention a ceasefire in Palestine, which has now spread to Lebanon. It also lacked mention of an arms embargo of Israel to prevent them from bombing Palestine, Lebanon, and future nations Israel targets. The resolution did not a call for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Palestine instead of being blocked by Israel.
Mayor Joseph DeStefano’s Dismissal of Global Facts
“Why are they targeting Middletown with this message organized by the Democratic Socialists of America and then coming here and lying about it? And that’s where you lose credibility in your argument.”
Middletown leadership is defiant, and now disputing facts about the genocide recognized by the international community. Middletown’s Mayor Joseph DeStefano said this several meetings ago in September 2024 in response to the demands by some Middletown residents for a more comprehensive ceasefire resolution: “Why are they targeting Middletown with this message organized by the Democratic Socialists of America and then coming here and lying about it? And that’s where you lose credibility in your argument,” he said. “You are asking us to accept what you are saying about the Gaza war and the facts as you see them are the facts that nobody else can dispute. Well, people are disputing those facts, and I don’t know which side is correct on certain facts that you present.”
“You are asking us to accept what you are saying about the Gaza war and the facts as you see them are the facts that nobody else can dispute. Well, people are disputing those facts, and I don’t know which side is correct on certain facts that you present.”
It is not clear who the Democratic Socialists of America are in this case, or if they have a newsletter, or other method of organizing. It is unconfirmed if Mayor DeStefano has asked participants at these meetings if they are affiliated with that group, and even if they were, what that significance it has to the genocide on Palestinians, now creeping to Lebanon.
Mayor DeStefano may not be aware of the international community’s view of the ongoing genocide on Palestinian people funded by the taxes of the people of the United States and carried out by Israel. As reported by Now In Palestine (NIP), in one year, the ICJ called Israel an occupying apartheid state; the UN concluded that Israel is committing a genocide; and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has now issued arrest warrants for at least 2 of Israel’s leaders.
Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 has published a widely read report for the UN called “Genocide as colonial erasure,” released on October 1, 2024. However, numerous other reports were published calling attention to the atrocities Israel has been committing, and committing with impunity. The ICC applied for arrest warrants for Israeli leadership in May 2024.
“We cannot look away. Recognition of what is taking place makes it incumbent on us all to take whatever action we can. My relatives in Israel plead with me, please, we are all suffering from Israel’s siege. As Jews we feel this obligation most acutely. Please be aware that Zionism is a political ideology, it does not represent Judaism and Jewish values.”
The report summarizes as: “In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, examines the unfolding horrors in the occupied Palestinian territory. While the wholesale destruction of Gaza continues unabated, other parts of the land have not been spared. The violence that Israel has unleashed against the Palestinians post-7 October is not happening in a vacuum, but is part of a long-term intentional, systematic, State-organized forced displacement and replacement of the Palestinians. This trajectory risks causing irreparable prejudice to the very existence of the Palestinian people in Palestine. Member States must intervene now to prevent new atrocities that will further scar human history.”
People in the state of New York, specifically Middletown, are intervening at every level they have access to, including the micro-local level. The least Mayor DeStefano and other local leaders could do is have the courtesy to acknowledge the findings of the international community, instead of ignore the reality on the ground, as the Biden administration in the United States has done.
Genocide Denial, Defiance, and Chilling Behavior By Pro-Genocide Residents
However, some citizens are are responding with chilling nonchalance to emotional appeals for the U.S. funded bombing to stop.
A video went viral of a woman slowly waving an Israeli flag back and forth while a 13 year old girl wept at the Middletown Common Council podium, telling the public about her family in Palestine. “A 13-year-old Palestinian child shares her emotional testimony on Tuesday evening in Middletown, NY while zionist in attendance disturbingly waves Israeli flag,” Rally Middletown reported.
The post garnered many comments, including ALBB’s, which said: “The slow waving back and forth of that Israeli flag by that woman while the child weeps through her words, grieving for her Palestinian family, waiting for it to end. The icy cool nonchalance of that woman. Wow.”
A report from the UN has stated the massive destruction created by Israel is “consistent with the characteristics of genocide” with Israel’s destruction of water systems, agriculture, sanitation systems, and the production of toxic pollution with the dropping of “25,000 tonnes of explosives - equivalent to two nuclear bombs - by early 2024,” the report found.
For others who doubt the validity of demanding a ceasefire and arms embargo, Al Jazeera Plus collected testimony from White House staffers who resigned over the Gaza genocide. Anna Del Castillo worked in the White House as the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Take a listen to what she has to say in the video below. See a broader list of White House resignations of over the genocide here.
International Criminal Court (ICC) Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Leaders
The Thursday 11/21/2024 after the public’s repeated attempt for the Middletown Common Council to use its voice, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Minister Benjamin Netenyahu and his former Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant. The ICC also issued arrest warrants "for Mohammed Deif, one of the leaders of Hamas, over the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The ICC chief prosecutor withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, after they were both killed in the conflict.” Israel claims to have killed the Hamas leaders.
One of the prosecutors seeking arrest warrants for the Israeli leaders, Theodor Meron, is a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, jurist, and former Israeli diplomat. Read more about him and his decision to pursue these arrest warrants at Foreign Policy.
From the Rally Middletown Organizers:
Rally Middletown sent out a press release about the latest meeting. It has been published below in full:
For the seventh consecutive Common Council meeting, community members gathered at Middletown City Hall, urging local representatives to pass a strong ceasefire resolution.
Building on the momentum of the previous meeting, the community showed unwavering support, with a strong turnout of over two dozen individuals and a robust public comment session that lasted over an hour, underscoring the community's enduring dedication to the cause.
One advocate who spoke, Carol Strauss Sotiropoulos, stated, “We cannot look away. Recognition of what is taking place makes it incumbent on us all to take whatever action we can. My relatives in Israel plead with me, please, we are all suffering from Israel's siege. As Jews we feel this obligation most acutely. Please be aware that Zionism is a political ideology, it does not represent Judaism and Jewish values.”
While one council member stated they had already heard their constituents by passing a recent resolution, participants were quick to correct the fact that the resolution that passed did not include any verbiage for a ceasefire or arms embargo to protect Palestinian and Israeli lives.
Alderman Jerry Kleiner stated, “We passed a resolution supporting global peace in the world and asking for the unconditional release of all the hostages, but that’s not going to happen without a ceasefire.”
While city residents were disappointed that more council members didn’t vocalize their support, participants left motivated knowing that there is still a window to pass a stronger resolution.
Following the meeting, advocate and organizer Amanda Krump stated, “President Biden recently threatened to impose an arms embargo on Israel if they did not ensure humanitarian aid to enter Gaza within thirty days. Despite multiple human rights organizations confirming Israel hasn’t followed through with this request, the U.S. has still yet to act. We need to continue to pressure our government at every level.”
Middletown residents will continue to rally people in the city to show up to the upcoming meetings until a strong ceasefire resolution is passed. With the increased momentum of recent meetings, community members are confident a resolution will pass.
“I have never felt more resolute about the efforts we have taken to unify our city around a ceasefire to protect both Palestinian and Israeli lives,” said organizer, Jason Nietzschmann. “If those in positions of power refuse to act based on their own moral compass, we must persist in our efforts to persuade them to act in accordance with our shared values of justice and equality.”
Although the timeline for passing a strong resolution remains uncertain, one constant is clear: Middletown residents are unwavering in their commitment and will persist in making their voices heard.
Common Council Meetings are every other Tuesday. Contact Rally Middletown for media requests.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Recognized In Beacon By BeaconLGBTQ
/
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 was Transgender Day of Remembrance. One place it was recognized in Beacon was by BeaconLGBTQ at The Yard Beacon. The event featured food, drink and community. The event was designated free, sober, and kid friendly. BeaconLGBTQ described the day as: “Transgender Day of Remembrance: A day dedicated to honoring the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.”
The artwork they used to promote the event was a portrait of Cecilia Gentili by the artist Gabriel García Román who is based in Newburgh. He describes his experience photographing her here. Learn more about Cecilia’s expansive life, community service, and death here.
BeaconLGBTQ listed names on what they called an “official record of community members we have lost this year to anti-trans violence.” However, they emphasized: “Not listed are the countless Trans folks whose lives gone too soon from a million micro-aggressions, trauma and no hope. As well we know that many of our community members are mis-gendered and/or ignored, so the numbers and the names are under reported.” More names and portraits can be found here at www.transremembrance.org
San Coleman
Honee Daniels
Kassim Omar
Redd (also known as Barbie)
Tai Lathan
Vanity Williams
Dylan Gurley
Monique Brooks
Shannon Boswell
Kenji Spurgeon
Pauly Likens
Liara Kaylie Tsai
Tayy Dior Thomas
Jazlynn Johnson
Kita Bee
Andrea Doria Dos Passos
Starr Brown
Nevaeh “River” Goddard
Tee Arnold
Meraxes Medina
Alex Franco
Diamond Cherish Brigman
Reyna Hernandez
África Parrilla García
Sasha Williams
Kitty Monroe
Organizer KkDevina Naimool expanded on more of their thoughts here in their Instagram post.
OPEN: Beacon's New Fire Station - "An Architectural Gem" - State Of The Art Home For Fire Fighters
/
Article by Jean Noack
Photo Credits of Interior Photos: Jean Noack
Photo Credits of Exterior Photos: Katie Hellmuth
Photos may not be re-used without written permission from the photographers.
A standing room only crowd attended the dedication of the centralized City of Beacon fire station on Nov. 16, 2024. Folding chairs had been set up in the massive truck bay of the new facility, which Mayor Lee Kyriacou called an “architectural gem.”
Denise Doring Van Buren, president of the Beacon Historical Society, moderated the ceremony as well as gave a history of the Beacon firefighting. Other speakers were Beacon City Administrator Chris White, Beacon Fire Chief Thomas Lucchesi and Mayor Lee Kyriacou.
The Mayor noted in 2006, a bold recommendation was made for a centralized fire station for Beacon. It was a controversial proposal coming out of a formal study on how to improve the City’s three firehouse situation.
Construction on the Wolcott Avenue site started in 2023 and was finished in Oct. 2024.
According to the Mayor, “The real reason this thing got done was Chris White. Let me just be absolutely clear. He made the key recommendation that we shift (the bays) to 9D, that we build sustainability into this building and that we invest in the façade. Along with those recommendations he oversaw all the construction and brought it in on time and on budget. Thank you.”
The Mayor also noted, “We have here today…a special building, a unique and natural addition to our city. It is state of the art firefighting, designed to keep our firefighters safe. It is a sustainable building. It is all electric with geo thermal heating and cooling.”
He also noted the high efficiency insulation and electric charging stations. The Mayor said: “The last investment in the building was a true brick façade with unique architectural details in harmony with Beacon’s Main St.”
He ended with noting a challenge that still remains. “The ‘people challenge’ is still with us,” he said. He said the city will have to work hard to recruit volunteers to supplement the paid firefighting staff. The decline in volunteers is a national trend that Beacon will have to deal with.
The ceremony was followed by self-guided tours of the facility. The tiny bunk rooms were seen, with views from the single windows of the Hudson River making them seem fitting for the heroes that will rest there. A gleaming kitchen, the chief’s office, a decontamination room, locker areas, exercise room, laundry facilities were part of the tour.
The newly paved public parking lot on 9D next to the fire station is now open. It was used as a staging ground for the construction equipment during the build.
Beacon’s Leaf Picker Upper Truck Is Out - Leaf Pickup - In Effect
/
Leaf pickup is in effect for the City of Beacon. The leaf picker-upper truck is out and is going in quadrants, according to Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White. The truck travels in 4 quadrants of the city, the schedule of which has been posted on the City of Beacon’s website. The last posted quadrant is for November 25, but “will continue until it’s done,” said City Administrator Chris during this week’s City Council meeting.
The City instructs that piles of leaves collected onto the curb for pickup must be leaves only. “Piles with brush and branches will not be collected.” The leaf collector truck has a long tube for suction, and cannot suck up branches.
For leaves with mixed yard waste such as branches and grass, those may still go into a bag which will continue to be picked up as well, but by the regular red pickup trucks of the Highway Department.
Schedule of Quadrants for leaf pickup in the City of Beacon.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon
Leaf Pickup Schedule
Week of 11/4: Mountain South Quadrant
Week of 11/11: Mountain North Quadrant
Week of 11/18: Main St. North Quadrant
Week of 11/25: Main St. South Quadrant
After the week of 11/25, pickup will continue for several weeks, rotating through the quadrants.
Stage 1 Drought Declared For City of Beacon; Burn Ban Of All Outdoor Burns Remains In Effect
/
During last night's City Council Meeting, Mayor Lee Kyriacou issued a Stage 1 Drought Advisory for the City of Beacon, following the Village of Cold Spring doing so on October 4th, which they elevated to a Stage 2 Drought in early November. Cold Spring’s drinking water sources are different than Beacon’s, where they need to pay New York City to draw water if necessary. Cold Spring’s Stage 1 Drought trigger was 79.16% capacity. The Stage 2 was 59.8% capacity, where it had dropped from 67% a week prior. The capacity triggers for the City of Beacon are different, as Beacon pulls from different reservoirs and wells.
The Mayor cited the City of Beacon's Superintendent of Water and Sewer, Ed Balicki, who advised that the city's 3 reservoirs have reached 60% capacity, which is the trigger set in the City of Beacon’s code.
Mayor Lee stressed more than once that there is ample water, but that people should conserve and reduce water usage. Mayor Lee recommended the following:
Fix water leaks.
No washing of cars except at a commercial Car Wash.
No washing of patios driveways and outdoor areas.
No refilling of and drawing City water for fountains, waterfalls, pools, lakes, or ponds on your properties and then the.
No watering of lawns or golf courses.
This would also be a good time to schedule your water meter reader which can detect leaks in your home and alert the City of Beacon.
Mayor Lee educated on where Beacon's water comes from, explaining that water is pulled from 3 wells, which is why he is not concerned with how much water the City has, even though the code is requiring him to issue a Stage 1 Drought and recommend water conservation.
He confirmed with City Administrator Chris White that the City is pulling from 2 of the 3 wells right now. City Administrator White responded that there is a water quality issue with the Melzingah well, which is offline as a result. Further information about the cause of the quality decline was not given in this meeting.
Earlier, the Mayor confirmed that the Burn Ban remains in effect, and will be reissued every 5 days. He was comfortable with extending beyond the November 30 state-wide ban Governor Kathy Hochul issued earlier. However, the Mayor stated, Beacon’s ban is more restrictive in that it bans all exterior open burning. He clarified: “If you have a grill that closes and you're grilling outside, that is okay. But open campfires other open burnings outside are not permitted.”
As lawns and soccer fields remain dry and dusty, Councilmember Paloma Wake asked how the Burn Ban was being enforced. City Administrator Chris advised people to call the police if they see a fire. There is a $1,000 fine for breaking the ban. "We had a fire on Saturday from someone not extinguishing a smoking device. I think it was a cigarette and somebody's deck almost went up and FL so please be really careful. It's so dry out there."
|
|
Moreish New York Is Set To Move To Big Vinny's Old Space
/
After publishing the article yesterday about Big Vinny’s seeming to be closed with scaffolding covering the storefront, Morish New York informed ALBB that they are the ones moving into the space. “Just saw your post about Vinny’s - we are taking over his space :) Doing renovations now and will be opening in Spring 2025.”
Moreish New York opened in Beacon inside of the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a starting place for several food brands offering flavors and inspirations from around the globe. The cafe Elixxr got their start there before renovating and opening in a small storefront a few doors down. The Himalayan spiced Momo Valley moved into the spot that used to be Joe’s Irish Pub when that building sold. Miz Hattie’s BBQ left her vendor spot to do catering only, and gave her storefront space to the dessert specialists Maggie and Ease. And the Nicaraguan favorite El Nica Spot is leaving for another space as well.
Morish New York announced their plans to move last week, saying: “8 months ago we started Moreish with a vision to bring authentic British fare across the pond - challenging the stereotypes and misconceptions Americans have about this often misunderstood cuisine. Today we are thrilled to share some BIG NEWS — Moreish is moving to its very own space on Main Street!! 🎉 While we work on bringing this exciting next chapter to life, you can still find us at the @hudsonvalleyfoodhall, serving all your favorites. We can’t wait to share more details soon, but until then thank you for your continued support - we are truly sooo excited to keep growing with our amazing beacon community! ❤️🤍💙🇬🇧”
Immediately one could speculate on where they were moving to, and now we have the answer.
Indeed, Big Vinny’s Pizza & Donnoli is Boarded Up and Seems Closed For Now
/
A reader wrote into A Little Beacon Blog, asking if Big Vinny’s & Donnoli was closed. A few days after the question, the eatery was boarded up. A few days after the boards went up, scaffolding went up. The scaffolding goes across Big Vinny’s space and halfway across the church By God’s Grace Ministries. The church celebrated 23 years in 2020, as reported by ALBB at the time.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
This is the same row of buildings where Mr. Alvin Bell’s Unisex Barber Shop Salon was, before the storefront was consumed in fire and never re-opened. Neighbor John the Cobbler also endured smoke damage and was closed for several months before being forced to move out (they are currently housed in the affordable housing apartment complex behind Mountain Tops). ALBB reported on it in this article: “That Time A Lease Termination Notice Giving 3 Days Notice Was Taped To The Boards Of John's Shoe Repair Shop After The Fire Months Prior”
Miss Vickie’s Music was also located behind the shops, in a little apartment that endured no smoke damage. However, most if not all of the tenants were forced out of their homes by the landlord, according to letters they received that ALBB reviewed.
Finding apartments for the same rent was difficult for some, who tended to be elderly. Indications of renovations are up where these apartments are, as pictured here with new materials on the ceiling of the tunnel-like hall leading to the residential units.
Miss Vickie still works in Beacon at the Towne Crier managing their sound board for open mic and other performances while keeping the sidewalk clean. The phone number listed for Big Vinny’s is disconnected, and the Order link at Facebook goes to a broken page. Google says it’s open. ALBB reached out to Big Vinny’s last week but received no response.
Big Vinny’s has been popping up on Sundays at the Beacon Farmer’s Market with a vast and delicious spread. ALBB has confirmed that they were not there last week, and not scheduled to be there this week. Looks like we need to keep our eyes open for where we see Big Vinny’s next!
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Wait...What Happened To Famous Footwear And Regal Movie Theater?
/
Upon arriving to the Fishkill Town Center to shop for new and affordable kids shoes at Famous Footwear, the store was gone. And so was the Regal Movie Theater. The Bass shoe-store had left long ago. The Read Scout Reservation Shop is there, as is Dogtopia with all of their dogs, but Olivia’s Barber & Unisex Salon was gone as well.
Photo Credit: Screenshot of photo from WPDH.
Inside the former movie theater, the floor had been ripped up, and renovation work of some kind looked active. WPDH reported on October 4, 2024 that Facebook users of the East Fishkill Community Forum reported that the theater had closed. According to the radio station: “The person that posted the news of the closing, Heather L. Dini, also said that the workers had just found out the week prior. No other information on the closing of the theater was available at the time of this writing.”
On October 3rd, a photo of a man in a truck working on the forever-faded Regal Cinemas sign was taken and published to WPDH, a day before they published their news article about the closure.
ALBB has not verified with Regal Entertainment Group as to when they notified employees of the closure. The media outlet also reported that the movie theater group had announced dozens of closings: “Back in January 2023, Regal Cinemas announced that they would be closing 39 theaters across the U.S. and unfortunately that included a one Hudson Valley theater, the Cortlandt Town Center Regal 'United Artist Theaters' in Mohegan Lake.”
Upon the news of this suddenly almost vacant building, readers of ALBB chimed in with different reactions. Bespoke suit tailor David Reese said: “I remember a time of chaos... ruined dreams... this wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior.”
Wearable art designer Selma Karaca said: “We are bankrupt but we have $ to supply all the wars in the other side of the world.”
Jillian Rotsky aka @therealpurpletutu said: “It's pretty dead. But there is an excellent wine store, Boutique Wines Spirits and Cider, and a great Indian restaurant!” OliveGaza and others agreed: “Gymkhana the Indian restaurant is 🔥 (esp the lunch buffet!)”
Now residents must drive further up to the Poughkeepsie Mall to find Famous Footwear and DSW for a wider variety of lower priced kids shoes. Plato’s Closet is coming to Poughkeepsie, and there are other consignment shops in the area to help with this.
ALBB readers also chimed in to say that Planet Fitness is moving in to the movie theater spot, which has been confirmed.
TOUR: Inside Hidden Rooms Of The Veterans Memorial Building - From Jail Hook To New Kitchen + Bath
/
Photo Credit for all photos: Katie Hellmuth
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Days after the City of Beacon’s Swearing In Ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on Main Street was disrupted by local Beacon residents trying to reach Congressman Pat Ryan about the U.S. funded genocide in Palestine, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Harold Delameter, Commander of the VFW Post 666, requesting a tour of the entire building.
Harold had been sending out press releases to raise awareness about the completion of a major renovation on the building, which ALBB reported on here. Renovations included outside work, as well as major work to the inside to not only bring dignity to the space, but to invest in it to comply with county health codes for the catering jobs the veterans book to bring in income.
Harold accepted, and a tour was set up with himself, John McEnroe, Tony Pulliam and Bob Pucher to walk through the entire building - climbing all of the staircases, seeing the restored fireplace that used to have birds in it; looking at the beams across the banquet hall that hold the roof together; checking out the new podcast studio; enjoying the new kitchen and oohing and awing over the new hood for the new commercial kitchen. “You should have seen it before,” Tony laughed. “It gave you the heebie-jeebies 3 years ago.” Most of the improvements were fundraised by the veterans, using volunteer labor where they could.
Upon stepping into the tavern-like room with the bar and helmets decorating the back, Harold explained: “This is our sanctuary. This is where we kick things around. We feel safe in here. Vets can talk to vets. We can’t talk to family members about some things. Stories have been shared that some in-laws have never heard. Guys feel comfortable.”
On the second floor is an “intake room,” where vets can come in who “need help with Veterans benefits or just need to talk,” Harold said.
“This is our sanctuary. This is where we kick things around. We feel safe in here. Vets can talk to vets. We can’t talk to family members about some things. Stories have been shared that some in-laws have never heard. Guys feel comfortable.”
Guardian Revival moved into the building a couple years ago which added another element of activity, bringing with them therapy dogs and music. “It’s very busy in here,” Harold told ALBB. “It was legitimately empty several years ago. But it is used 25 days a month. From FEMA and the Red Cross during disaster relief; AARP does taxes here; the Scouts come in.”
Funding For Any Improvements
Getting funding for improvements has always been a struggle for the veterans. The City of Beacon owns the building, but it was dedicated to the veterans 100 years ago as a memorial to soldier, sailors and marines who served in the first World War. “We are responsible for everything inside. The City put on windows and doors, put in a new boiler to convert from oil to natural gas, did the roof, painted the building, but it was a big push. It was just lip service over the years.”
The veterans have been budgeted money from the City of Beacon to repair necessities of the building, like the boiler or the roof. However, during prior administrations, deliveries on their requests were delayed.
“We spent our own money on the hood [for the commercial kitchen]. Now we can have a pancake breakfast.”
Harold and the veterans have been fighting for money the City of Beacon allocated to them for repairs and upgrades to the building. In 2018, Spectrum News reported that they came out and into City Hall to respectfully demand that the money that had been budgeted for repairs for things like required reinforcement of a retaining wall, new windows, air conditioning system replacement, replacement of the front landing which was sinking, etc. be acted upon, with repairs completed.
At that meeting, Harold, speaking on behalf of all of the veterans, pointed out to the administration at the time (Mayor Randy Casale and City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero): “Monies have been budgeted throughout the administrations for repairs to the Memorial Building. However, only a fraction of that money has been actually spent."
Spectrum News reported that indeed monies had not been spent: “City Manager Anthony Ruggiero said that in the past, there have been some financial challenges -- such as a project estimate that turned out to be too high -- that have delayed the projects. He said, this time, money is available and the projects will be completed, pending approval from the council.”
The newspaper quoted then City Administrator Anthony as saying: "[We are] bringing these back to the Council. The Council makes the final decision. These are what we're recommending. We hope to have that adopted, but the council makes the final decision."
Years later, renovation projects moved forward. “Years ago, no one even know what the building was,” Harold told the Beacon Free Press. “But now, the words VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING are inscribed at the top on the outside of the building.”
ALBB reported that Nearly $500,000 in improvements have been made to the building, which the veterans have organized. The Department of Veterans Services had awarded $60,000 for additional renovations. Some financing has come from the City of Beacon in years past, but the veterans rely on fundraising to get their work and repairs complete.
Show Us The New Stuff!
The first point of pride was the new kitchen. At first glance, ALBB could see that the veterans were really good at mixing assortments of chips. But they have the tools necessary to make anything. The kitchen was renovated “on our own dime,” Harold said. “We ripped out the old kitchen, made it all electric, nothing from the City came for this. We applied for an received grant money for it. Various companies donated equipment. We provided our own labor.”
Designed for their catering rentals, Harold told ALBB: “The new commercial kitchen and duct work lets us do cool events.” Hall donations went to the new flooring. The hood was a requirement for their restaurant permit. “We spent our own money on the hood. Now we can have a pancake breakfast.” With the permit, it gave them permission to charge for food for fundraising.
Everything is new in the kitchen. “We gutted it. New ceiling, electric, plumbing,” Harold says as he goes down the list. “The sink was used. Stove is new. These upgrades have gone a long way to the moral of the troops.”
The Recording Room From Guardian Revival
When Guardian Revival moved in, they built a sound room and recording studio. Music is part of the programming for the Guardians, called Encore, which is a free program providing opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music.
The sound recording room is located on the bottom floor, opposite of the banquet hall, behind a door you would not suspect. In fact, the door is soundproofed and doubles as a full length window so that the engineer can see performers or panelists on stage in the banquet hall as they are being recorded.
The Encore program offers free classes in Beacon called a Jam Session, where veterans can come in with their instruments or use one of the Guardians and casually play with a trained professional. The Guardians programming is based in the belief that making and hearing music helps process emotions. The studio is also a way for veterans to pursue a professional route to music if they are interested.
Harold told ALBB: “We can set up drums here; record a whole band in here; have a podcast here; lots of things. An engineer runs the podcast, with the microphones on stage and a media team producing it.” Before, Harold said, they rented out spaces which was costly, and they had to schedule a time. The recording studio gives them a place to be a media center for the whole building. “Hopefully we bring in the younger generation,” Harold said.
“For veterans who are stuck, there is Castle Point,” Harold continued. Volunteers love to come and play for the veterans at Castle Point. “Veterans see the volunteers, and they sing along. People from outside are there to experience life with them. Music is a gateway to the soul. Everyone owns it. Volunteers, players, recipients. Everybody leaves feeling better.” Sometimes a dog is in the studio, whose name is Noble.
Pictures below are of the Guardian Revival offices. Please pardon the boxes, they did not know ALBB was coming. In the middle photo, you’ll notice the black beams. These hold the roof together as internal flying buttresses. A person can turn the buckles to adjust. When putting it all together, the walls move and until adjusted. This is 100 year old engineering. Harold told ALBB that this engineering was used in the Pantheon. Before the Guardians got here over 2 years ago, this room was used as a junk room.
Harold’s Office
Once a month, a history presentation is hosted in the room Harold calls his office. This is the room where the birds used to fly out of the chimney that was repaired during the renovation. The banners for the veterans that hang on electrical poles in and around Beacon are planned here and the bios written. That program is run through the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), where the current regent and contact for banner nominations is Nancy Giordano. Banners not hung on the poles are stored in this building as well.
The “Missing Man” chair. “Nobody sits in this chair,” Harold tells ALBB.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
“It’s very busy in here,” Harold said. “The American Legion conducted an oracle contest. Boots and Paws of Guardian Revival were awarded 5 companion dogs. Lifeline screening uses the hall. Scouts come in. American Legion sponsors pack 1001. Troop 45 is sponsored by the Marine Corps League. American Legion Post 203 shares with another summit as a way to get back into civilian life. Some activity is happening here every day.”
While it is busy with people on a daily basis, there is one chair everyone sits around. “This is the Missing Man chair. Nobody sits in this chair,” Harold stated. “Guys that were MIA.” Respect immediately fills the room with this declaration.
Harold reminds any new readers that 12%-13% of Beacon served in World War II, which was about 1,704 people from Beacon who served. The VFW Post Gersi is the commander, and William B. Wilson is the first Beaconite killed in World War 1. The Auxiliary is named after him, which dates back to the Grand Army of the Civil War. “We can trace our lineage back to the Spanish American War with a charter. We have minutes with the Grand Army of the Republic.”
On the fireplace are trophies, and next to the fireplace is a display case of even more trophies. A photo of Francis Gerard Peattie is in the display case, who was a member of the Lewis Tompkins Hose Firehouse. Francis was a Navigator Bombardier whose plane crashed, killing everyone expect for one person. After many years, a group returned to the crash site to retrieve parts of the plane and donated them to Lewis Tompkins Firehouse. Harold told ALBB: “The Pettite group located the crash site and eventually located the aircrewmens graves with the help of the natives.” A plaque honoring him was in front of the firehouse, and has been moved to Beacon’s new firehouse.
When the firehouse was closed by the City of Beacon to open the new consolidated firehouse currently on Wolcott/9D, and then City Administrator Chris White would not entertain ideas on what the firefighters would do with their trophies during a City Council meeting discussing it, the veterans offered to absorb them. “We will find a home for it,” Harold told ALBB.
Bob Pucher, a U.S. Veteran who is the Commander of the Marine Corps League chapter in Beacon.
Tony Pulliam sits in the Marine Corps Meeting Room.
In the Marine Corps Meeting Room, Bob Pucher unlocked the door and took a seat behind the desk. This room used to be the Detective Division. Harold is a retired detective from the Beacon Police Department. Inside this room is also a handcuff ring on the wall. There is one on the other side of the wall as well. The Marines took over this office in 1998. “With Bob’s guidance, we fixed it up. Liberty Funeral Home donated. From December 1990-1995, it was the Detective Headquarters for the Beacon PD.”
Harold doesn’t know what to make of the Old Beacon Police Station steps away from the Memorial Building being turned into a cannabis dispensary called The Station from new owners Kamel and Lena Jamal. The irony breaks his brain a little, but he’s accepting of it.
Harold shows the flagstaff. “The moms. Lots of ladies were employed as seamstresses, and made the flag for Carmen Ramputi Detachment. Carmen was the nephew of a former mayor of Beacon, Jim Frederick, and served as a marine for 2-3 days before he was killed in combat, Harold told ALBB. “We honor his memory by the charter. Usually, the Marine Corps charter is named after a veteran killed in action.”
As for the cannon pictured below: it belongs to the Beacon Historical Society, and is on permanent loan to the veterans. “It had fallen down in grime in a cemetery. It was a wreck. We took it and restored it. We think it came from a foundry in Cold Spring. There is a mention of Robert Parrott Design on the back of the cannon.”
Banquet Hall and New Bathroom
Most people who have been into the Memorial Building for the indoor Beacon Farmers Market, or the Annual Record Store Day for crate diving, or voting, have experienced the hall, and the new bathrooms.
The Chief of Staff of the Guardian Revival, Deneen Kirsten, said about the rennovations: “They [veterans] want to come in and hang out and they realize it’s a safe place. They then ask for help.’ Deneen told the Beacon Free Press that with the various programs the organizations are offering, some of the mental health stigma is lifting.
Tony Pulliam, a US Veteran who is the Commander of the Marine Corps League chapter in Beacon, told the Beacon Free Press that where they did not have a handicap ramp before, they have it now, by raising the front porch.
The Creation Of The Memorial Building
This year, 2024, is the Memorial Building’s 100th anniversary. The Highlands Current reported that the Beacon Historical Society has record of the building being built for and gifted to the veterans in 1924. Harold told ALBB that part of the deed of gift was that the building be in service for those who survived the first World War and beyond.
The cost to build it was $60,000, which was at the time the most expensive war memorial built in the United States to date, reported the newspaper. It was the same year that the federal government opened Castle Point VA Medical Center to care for people with tuberculosis (TB) when fundraising for an opening sanatoriums was the goal to receive patients who had TB and needed fresh air an isolation from their homes, before medicine was developed to treat it. The Elks Lodge in Beacon was recognized as well.
A Little Beacon Blog
GET THE RSS FEED:
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog.
Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
Beacon and the Hudson Valley are filled with really talented people. Reach them now by posting a Job Listing with A Little Beacon Blog.
ALBB IS A MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:
Categories
- A Little Beacon Space
- ALBB Merch
- Activism
- Airbnb
- Art
- Artists
- Beacon
- Beacon City Schools
- Beauty
- Beauty Guide
- Behind the Scenes
- Black and Brown Community
- Books
- Business Directory
- Business in Beacon
- CSA
- City Council Meetings
- City Council Workshop Mee
- Classes
- Classified Ads
- Come In!
- Community Announcements
- Development
- Donations
- Dutchess County
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Events
- Farming
- Film & Television
- Fitness
- Food
- Fundraisers
- Galleries
- Halloween
- Happening This Weekend
- Health and Wellness
- Hiking & Biking
- History of Beacon
- Holiday
- Hudson
- Hudson River
- Hudson Valley
- Human Rights
- In The News
- Job Listing
- Kids Classes
- Kids Events
- Kingston
- LGBTQ
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.