Fall Foliage | The OMG Edition in The Hudson Valley 2015

Photo Credit: @danilynphoto

The peak season is here for fall foliage in the Hudson Valley! Anywhere you go, you are getting a glorious view of this beautiful area. To really indulge your imagination in the Hudson Valley, read through the first chapters of Native New Yorkers where the author, Evan T. Pritchard, describes New York City as lush and full of fruit trees, before pavement and buildings. We love pulling photos from our Instagram files, and reached out to each of these sight-seers who shared their photo in their stream. Thanks to these Instagrammers for sharing their visions with their streams and now with A Little Beacon Blog. Each photographer is credited below. Enjoy!

Not a painting, but a real life tractor in the Shawangunk Mountains as spotted by Lauree Ostrofsky.
Photo Credit: @simplyleap

Run through that field and under the trees at Hudson Highlands.
Photo Credit: @hhnaturemuseum

Woa. View from Shawangunk Ridge.
Photo Credit: @kelseykleidman

Slice of yellow.
Photo Credit: @beacon_transplant

Folks from People's Bicycle riding at Beacon's reservoir.
The Reservoir is quite low, and Beacon is in a Stage 2 Drought Emergency.
The reservoir is at 40% capacity and one well is out of service.
Beaconites are encouraged to reduce water consumption by 20%
Photo Credit: @peoplesbicycle

Curiouser and curiouser.
Learn about a hike like this at Madam Brett Park.
Photo Credit: @natalijewel

So spookily beautiful at Ward Pound Ridge.
Photo Credit: @danilynphoto

Could this be you? Get ideas in A Little Beacon Blog's Hiking Series.
Photo Credit: @briannax241

Beacon's Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade for Kids is Biggest Yet in 2015 - With Pictures of Costumes!

Reservoir & Wood was one of many businesses participating in the Hocus Pocus Parade.

Record numbers took part in the Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade of 2015, a signature event of Beacon's Halloween festival, A Very Beacon Halloween (a joint event from the Beacon Chamber of Commerce and the City of Beacon). Ron Iarossi, a board member on the Chamber and owner of Beacon Creamery who led the parade, confirms: "The parade was biggest one we have ever had. We had about 800 kids and just as many adults, for a total of 1,500 to 2,000 people." When the parade paused at Teller Avenue, participants who glanced back could see wall-to-wall people on Main Street, from Beacon Pantry to Hudson Beach Glass. Iarossi says that the number of people concentrated during the parade is normal. What was different this year? More people started at the official line-up of the parade, and still more joined in at different points on Main Street.

The Hocus Pocus parade pauses along Beacon's Main Street for kids to trick-or-treat from businesses. From this stop at Beacon Pantry, paradegoers could be seen all the way back to Hudson Beacon Glass.

Dueling Banjos? Adorbs.

Several duos of Little Red Riding Hood and her Wolf were out, but these two take our first prize!

A very serious wolf.

Cat Woman and Dog.

Little Darth Vader!

Baby R2D2 in the wagon of Tom and Andrea Cerchiara.

Yellow as a primary color in this year's parade!

Ms. Jenny, a teacher at Rose Hill and queen of crafts!

Paul Yeaple, of Poppy's, with kids!

Meet the Abrams/Blair family: The Avengers!

Businesses were ready for the crowd, and eager to give treats to the kids.

Locomotive Crossfit and Oak Vino were ready for the trick-or-treaters!

Beacon Bath & Bubble were happy to fill up pumpkins with treats.

The art gallery Back Room Gallery drew a few characters!

The Beacon Bagel was busy - as usual!

Beacon's 4th Annual Car Show Included Vintage and Muscle Cars - Pictures & Video Here!

A classic car on display at Beacon's 4th Annual Car Show.
Photo Credits: Katie Hellmuth Martin

It was a chilly Sunday for Beacon's 4th Annual Car Show, a joint production of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce and Dutchess Cruisers Car Club. Several thousand people from Beacon, as well as visiting car enthusiasts, attended the daylong event (held October 18 this year), admiring the goods under the hoods of more than 250 cars lined up on Main Street. Attendees rocked out to music from five different bands, covering genres as diverse as beach and heavy metal, including the Judith Tulloch Band, The Costellos, Chowderhead, Bloated Toad and Talking Machine.

A video with this heavy metal band is below!

According to Pat Moore, president of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce and partner at Antalek & Moore, “Main Street Beacon in the autumn is the perfect setting for this event. It brings visitors from far and wide to our town. It is a terrific event for the City of Beacon and is now considered a must-show for car enthusiasts.” The cars have been carefully restored by their owners; those restorations can reach several thousands of dollars! According to Moore, some cars in the show are valued at well over $100,000.

 

Muscle under the hood of a Mustang.

Many of the cars on display have been beefed up with some serious horsepower. However, most of the cars in the show were older and considered classics. Heidi Bernhart, owner of Beacon Pie Company, the little pie cart next to Ella’s Bellas, closed her cart to walk the show. “I love car shows. I used to go to them every weekend before I moved to Beacon, so I'm glad that Beacon does one. Old cars are the best. My favorites are the Bel Airs.”

The East Mountain Boys represented.

The titling sponsor of Beacon's Car Show was the Healey Brothers Automotive Group. Gold and Silver Sponsors were Sukhothai Restaurant, Max’s on Main, Freedom Ford, Antalek & Moore Insurance and the Rutigliano Group. Many smaller businesses were also sponsors.

With more than 250 cars in the show, many styles were represented!

The $10 Halloween Costume Rack at Dance Bag Is Back!

Just in time for Halloween! The Dance Bag, located next to Yanarella School of Dance and only a block from the Howland Library, has rolled out their cart of costumes. But these aren't just any costumes you'd find in a Halloween pop-up section of a big-box store. These are theater-grade costumes for young performers in the area. This rack has been known to yield elaborate gowns with velvet and tulle, as well as costumes for Snow White, Paris Hilton (pink and black checkered dress seen here), cheerleaders and more.

Costumes are $10 CASH. So go now, because this rack won't last.

Chateau Beacon to Offer Delicious Menu, Double-Wide Booths, and Family Friendly Options

Chateau Beacon to open soon in Mary Kelly's former location.

UPDATE: Chateau Beacon has opened! See A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for this and other updates on where you can eat in and around Beacon. Subscribe to A Little Beacon Blog's free newsletter for more updates like this one and stay in the loop!

If you were once devoted to driving north from Beacon, crossing the I-84 overpass, taking a quick left off of 9D at the militia man statue, then parking down at Mary Kelly's for a warm, cozy, and relaxing dinner, then you were probably sad to find out that the restaurant had suddenly closed. But there was good reason behind that sudden closure: New owners are closing a deal on the building, which will remain a restaurant, bar and event space, now called Chateau Beacon.

You know that militia man on 9D?
He's your man for the left turn to get to Chateau Beacon.

Originally from Garrison, the new owners currently live in Hopewell Junction. They were fond of the location, the building, and the family- and art-friendly nature of Beacon. Having a young family themselves, the owners of Chateau Beacon also aim to offer classes, from art to cooking, in the building's large, inspiring space, surrounded by woods in a primarily residential area.

The space will remain family-friendly, starting with seating that includes deep, horseshoe-shaped booths on almost all sides of the restaurant. The chef hails from Epcot Disney, and knows what kids like: food on a stick. Chicken, steak and more will all be available. Even vanilla or chocolate milk!

For adults, oh my goodness, oh my goodness. A Mediterranean-American flavor will inspire the menu. Think mussels, fish, flatbread, grilled octopus, caramelized everything served with many choices of sides.

Watch their very active Facebook page for the minute they open...

Poughkeepsie Nissan: New & Pre-Owned Cars With Great Service

Poughkeepsie Nissan

1445 Route 9 

Wappingers Falls, 12590

www.poughkeepsienissan.com

Today's options of buying a car are abundant. So many choices! Small and fast? Roomy yet sexy? Lease or buy? And who is going to service this car once you buy or lease it? Poughkeepsie Nissan is a full-service dealership who can put you in the car of your dreams or needs at the moment with plenty of financing options. Their friendly staff listens to your priorities about a car, and can match you with a great fit. Not only do they sell Nissans (which has the best-looking and best-packing mini-van out there, starting with the 2012 model - the Nissan Quest), but Poughkeepsie Nissan has an extensive selection of used cars in a range of prices. Chances are, whatever model of a used car you are looking for, Poughkeepsie Nissan has one in their huge lot. Give them a call today to see if they have the car or truck of your dreams, and if they don't, they might be able to find it. Poughkeepsie Nissan offers a guaranteed credit approval and is home of the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on all new and pre-owned vehicles.

P.S.: Did you know that Executive Manager Fran Pomarico is from Beacon? He has a soft spot in his heart for Beacon, NY, and knows that nowhere else is quite like it. Meet their whole staff.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM POUGHKEEPSIE NISSAN

Poughkeepsie Nissan knows you want a great selection in your next car purchase. That is why they have one of the largest inventory collections in the area, with one lot dedicated to pre-owned cars of any make or model, and another lot for new models of Nissan vehicles. If a pre-owned Subaru, VW or even a Ford is the car of your dreams, you will probably find it at Poughkeepsie Nissan. Or drive away with a current-model Nissan!

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LIFETIME LIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRENTY

Poughkeepsie Nissan knows every car that comes into its lot. That's why they offer the Lifetime Limited Powertrain Warranty on used cars with under 100K miles. This covers the Engine, Transmission, Drive Axle and a Towing Allowance. Poughkeepsie Nissan's service station is top-notch and works on imported and domestic cars. Their appointment system will keep all of your records, and even remind you if your car is due for registration renewal. This makes buying a used car a bit more reassuring!

Search for your car now!

 

Wee Play Tot Park At Memorial Park Gets 3 New Umbrella Shade Structures

Photo courtesy Wee Play Community Project
Graphic treatment Katie Hellmuth Martin

Umbrellas were installed over the summer of 2015 to complete a project that has been in the works for years, and was a major wish-list item for parents, family members and caregivers who bring babies and toddlers to the Tot Park at Memorial Park.

The Wee Play Community Project, a longstanding volunteer group that works and advocates for the City of Beacon's playgrounds, as well as youth programming (some of which you can experience at Howland Public Library and at the University Settlement Camp), has been saving every dollar donated by the community as well as funds taken in during their main annual fundraiser, the Ree Play Sale. A total of $7,285 was donated via the Ree Play Sale, held in May. The remaining balance of $12,515 was matched and provided by the City of Beacon Recreation Fund. The Wee Play Community Project also provided funding for two new benches and a permanent ride-on toy, totaling $2,700.

In their press release, Wee Play Community Project thanks the many community members and volunteers who have helped make the Ree Play Sale a success year after year, and states: "Community support has been essential to the completion of this major improvement to the park."

Wee Play also thanks the Beacon City Council, Mayor Randy Casale and Recreation Director Mark Price for their endorsement of the project, and for approving the use of the Recreation Fund to complete it.

Trees planted years ago begin to add shade as they grow.
Photo credits: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Shade provided by umbrellas and trees.

As the sun moves, so does the shade from the umbrellas. Shade from trees is already increasing, as shown in the above picture of the shadow cast on the sandbox from a young tree.

View from under the red umbrella as tree shadows are cast, making patterns.

View from under the yellow umbrella.

The Tot Park at Memorial Park began with a bare landscape, with trees and herb gardens added and maintained by Wee Play over the years. The park has evolved to incorporate nature and permanent shaded structures during very hot days, creating different experiences within one space.

Decorate That Pumpkin With A Power Drill! As Discovered In Pinterest

Pumpkin "carved" with a power drill.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Oh Pinterest, you never fail to make really unique designs actually look easy!

Examples of pumpkin carving with a drill from Pinterest.

One day, while looking for pumpkin decorating ideas, these brightly lit beaded pumpkins caught my eye. They look so different from any glowing pumpkin I'd ever seen, and they actually looked like I could tackle the design! My patience level for carving is very slim. Slim to none. Hence this pumpkin decorating idea on gilding a pumpkin from local artist Deborah Bigelow. I have never carved a pumpkin and have little desire to draw a design, only to struggle with carving it, which most likely results in carving outside of the lines. Unlike these prize-winning pumpkins in the City Of Beacon's Pumpkin Carving Event!

Where can I get more precision? A power drill! And I'm not even that great with a power drill. But hey, by using various drill bits, I got different sizes of perfectly formed circles. Pop a glowing candle inside for glowy Halloween effect, and your friends will surely be impressed.

What follows below is what you need to decorate your pumpkin with a beaded effect using a power drill. My kids and I also made a demo video on Periscope and then published to YouTube, which you can watch at the bottom of this post! The picture at the top is the finished result of our drill bit–carved pumpkin.

MATERIALS
1 big pumpkin
1 big knife to carve top
1 big spoon to scoop out seeds and slimy stuff
1 paper bag to contain pumpkin guts
1 power drill
2 sizes drill bits: use bits that are at least two sizes larger or smaller than each other
1 candle
broom & dustbin

STEP 1: Cut out the top of the pumpkin and scoop out your pumpkin with a spoon.

STEP 2: Get your power drill ready! For the beaded look, you can do 4 or 5 large holes in a line, and then switch drill bits to the smaller size. When you use drill bits that are more than one size different from each other, you will get a more dramatic beading that is more noticeable from the street.
Note: You could draw tiny dots where you want your circles to go. But don't get too precise, because your drill may spin out the first few tries until you get in the flow.

STEP 3: Mess alert! As your drill bit spins, the pumpkin shell spins onto the floor. You can see what I mean in the video below.

STEP 4: Once you have drilled all of your holes, place your candle inside of your pumpkin and enjoy!

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Back in season for Fall, the famous cheese fondue pumpkin! A great party food idea, or order by the slice. Delicious.

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Watch our video that we broadcast live on Periscope! To catch more of A Little Beacon Blog's live broadcasts, follow us at Periscope: www.periscope.tv/alittlebeacon.