HUDSON RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM

January 31st, 2012

The Hudson River Maritime Museum has hired an education director to develop an innovative education program for the 2012 season focusing on the Rondout Lighthouse. Sarah Wassberg, originally from the Midwest, has worked in museum education and program development in the Hudson Valley since 2009, specifically at Historic Huguenot Street and Museum Village. She will receive her Master’s degree in Public History at the University at Albany in May.

The Museum’s partnership with the Clearwater, an extended season and expanded open hours have spurred the museum to evaluate programs, creating innovative methods to teach regional history, better serving schools and the general public.

“The lighthouses are key to understanding our history,” explained Wassberg. “Not only do they provide insight into the everyday lives of working families in the last century, but they tie together the history of commerce, industry, navigation, and ecology.”

The museum is actively recruiting volunteers for this program and others.

“Traditionally, the Maritime Museum counts on volunteers for everything from exhibit design and development to dock management and gift shop sales,” says executive director Kate Mitchell. “A huge part of local history education is working with the community. Volunteers are the frontline learners, the information carriers. Growing our volunteer program is the best way to reach out into the community.”

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is seeking volunteers to help with many aspects of the museum’s work, including tours and educational programs, gift shop and admissions, events, historical research, office work, and construction of the new Clearwater boat barn.

Volunteer interest and orientation meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 15th from 10 AM to 12 PM and Saturday, February 18th from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Hudson River Maritime Museum located at 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY.

Those interested may respond via e-mail to Education Director Sarah Wassberg at swassberg@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 16.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum, a 501©(3) non-profit organization, was established in 1980 to collect, preserve, research, exhibit and interpret a collection of historical artifacts related to the preservation of the maritime heritage of the Hudson River and its tributaries. For more information please visit  http://www.hrmm.org/.

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The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History

January 24th, 2012

The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History is a relatively new institution inKingston,New York, highlighting the social and mercantile history of nineteenth and early twentieth century Rondout,Kingston’s waterfront district.  As most of Rondout’s early residents were immigrants, theReherCenteris also in the process of expanding its programming to explore immigration in its contemporary as well as its historical contexts, to provide for residents, visitors and school groups opportunities for diversity training and to work together cross culturally toward common goals.

 

TheReherCentergets its name from the bakery that once occupied the buildings on the corner of Spring Street and Broadway.  First opened by Frank Reher in 1908, the Reher Bakery served two generations of this Jewish immigrant’s family that lived and worked in the bakery buildings at 99-101 Broadway from 1908 until 2004.  The Reher Bakery building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure within the boundaries of the nationally designated Rondout-West Strand Historic District and the Kingston Urban Cultural Park Heritage Area.

 

The interior of the bakery building is little changed since it was first constructed in 1883, providing an exceptionally vivid window on the past.  Little needs to be recreated to bring to life the story of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries’ immigrant and mercantile life ofKingston.  Shortly before his passing in October 2004, Hyman Reher, the last of the Reher family bakers, deeded the bakery to the Jewish Federation of Ulster County for the purpose of establishing a cultural center to relate the immigrant experience of the Rondout district.

 

TheReherCenterfor Immigrant Culture and History is a project of the Jewish Federation Of Ulster County (UCJF).  The UCJF recognizes that the story of the Reher family is the story of many of the immigrant groups that established roots in the burgeoning Rondout area in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, working on the canal and in the brick yards and boat yards, and operating the many taverns, furniture and hardware stores, groceries, inns, stables, rooming houses and clothing stores that served the population.

 

The mission of theReherCenteris to provide an institution that works to document, embrace, and promote regional cultural history and diversity by:

 

  • providing exhibition space and a depository for educational, historic and archival materials for research and special exhibits and programs with a focus on the nineteenth and early twentieth century immigrant and mercantile history Rondout, Kingston and the Ulster County region;

 

  • operating a cultural center where ongoing community input by representatives of all immigrant groups that have settled in the region can assure honest and balanced programming and provide opportunities for cooperation;

 

  • extending the historical perspective of the mission of theReherCenterto include programming that studies and interprets immigration in its contemporary context; and

 

  • encouraging an increased appreciation of cultural diversity and community by means of its programming.

 

Currently, the Reher Bakery is undergoing restoration and is open by appointment only.  People interested in finding out more about our project can check out our exhibit at theDowntownHeritageAreaVisitorCenteror call the Jewish Federation office at 845-338-8131.

Geoffrey Miller

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Shiver Me Timbers! Pirate Invasion for the Queens Galley Snow Day Program comes to Kingston!

January 10th, 2012

The  Shiver Me Timbers! Pirate Invasion treasure Hunt (auction) is now open!  Run by the auction site Bidding For Good this auction is a project of The Queens Galley in order to support their kids Snow Day Program.

This  local treasure hunt is a city wide silent auction with a twist. When treasure hunters go into one of the over two dozen participating locations to bid they will find a QR code on the bid sheet. Use of a smart phone to scan the code for treasure reveals food and drink special offers and free items offered by local artists. Each bid sheet has a unique QR code and codes will change out during the treasure hunt to entice bidders to return to the stores.

The auction is supplemented Online.  The auction has both local treasure (gift cards to restaurants, boutique items from full circle, Bop to Tottom,) and some not so local like a guitar autographed by Cher and a first class premium package that offers Two tickets to the world series including air travel, hotel and an autographed ball from the game.

The Pirate invasion activities culminate on Sunday 1/15 in the round-out area of Kingston’s waterfront district.

4pm at ASK, 97 Broadway, is professional story teller Maura O’Meara, presenting Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen of Western Ireland – Ruler Over Land & Sea telling tales of sea adventures and 5PM Parrots of Peace demonstration by Gloria Waslyn. 6pm the finale at Dermot Mahoney’s 40 Broadway for auction winner announcements and 7pm performance by 3 Pints Shy (loud songs about rum and beer from a popular NYC native band).

Additional highlight includes a “kids food booty challenge” by 7th grader Mickey Hein (son of county executive Mike Hein and wife Christine). Mickey has sent a challenge to students at other schools to see which class can collect the most food for the kids snow day program. The food drive drop off is also at Dermot’s on that Sunday from noon through 6pm.

Queens Galley chose the day to coincide with MLK day of service, hopeful to remind people that as a nation we do the most good when we remember to do SOMETHING. 16 million kids rely on school lunch and sometimes it’s all they get. When it snows and school closes too many kids go hungry…but not here in Kingston!

The Queens Galley works with the YMCA and Boys and Girls club to bring lunch to about 100 kids EVERY scheduled snow day. The program now in its fourth year enables kids in those drop in programs to be guaranteed a meal when school is closed for inclement weather.

 

Diane Reeder’s husband, Jay is a participating business owner in the treasure hunt. Like many others, his store Knightly Endeavors, 319 Wall street will see a decline in foot traffic in January and welcomes the opportunity to meet new potential customers even if they are stopping into his shop just to place the free bid and to claim the secret treasure from the QR code.

Linda Scevola owner of Full Circle, another business participant says “it’s another way to get feet on the street and that’s what we as small retailers need. It’s also a really good cause and a win-win for Kingston businesses and residents”.

The list of participating businesses:

Parent Teacher Store, Blue 57, Stella’s, Full Circle, Rage Hair Salon, Deisings, Paw Prints and Whiskers, Mario’s Trattoria, Bop to Tottem, Market Basket, Knightly Endeavors, Boitsons, Tonner Dolls, Savona’s Trattoria, On the Hill Antiques, Albrechts Hair Salon, Style Fabrics, Flower Nest, Trend Salon, Mint, Rosita’s, Burgevin Florist, JK Wine and liquor, B3 Burger Bar.

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ZUMBA INTO 2012!

January 3rd, 2012

It’s a New Year’s tradition that most of us could do without…putting on those extra pounds.  This usually triggers an outpouring of resolutions to get back in shape in time for spring.  Here in Kingston there is a mind-boggling selection of fitness programs, but one of the most popular and effective fitness classes is the Latin inspired dance fitness program called Zumba. Any form of lively dancing is aerobic-intensive, but for fun and fitness, absolutely nothing beats Zumba.  A lot of people go to Zumba programs who don’t even need to lose weight, just because they are fun social occasions.

Zumba was discovered accidentally–literally.  In 1986 Columbian dance instructor and choreographer  Alberto Perez was scheduled to lead an aerobics class and he forgot his aerobic music tapes, so he  used the music tapes that he had in his car, which were primarily salsa and meringue.  The results were so positive that he incorporated Latin dance into the rest of his fitness routines.   He came to America in 2001, and brought his  infectious dance mix with him.   As it has presently evolved, Zumba combines elements of almost every Latin dance form from the chachacha and the tango through flamenco and mambo, while mixing in some hip-hop, some belly dancing, and some resistance training.   An average 150 pound person can expect to burn about 535 calories an hour dancing Zumba–and have a lot of fun doing it!   And entire fashion industry has sprung up creating clothing and accessories as lively as the music!   Kingston is a hotbed of Zumbulation, with a class in every neighborhood and for every fitness level.  Best of all, we need no dance training or talent to  step up to Zumba–once  our bodies are in motion they will tend to remain in motion!

 

Over at the Cornell Street Studios at 168 Cornell Street,  Cat Schoch and Alicia Bailey lead classes every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from  5:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon.  There’s no membership to buy, but a 10-class card offers a savings.  During the month of January, Cat is offering a special!  Get to the studio early, at about 5:15 and enjoy a free 15 minute workshop with Cat offering helpful tips for everyone from newcomers through experts.  Cat has been teaching Zumba since 2007, and Alicia has been a certified instructor for over a year, and also offers Zumba for kids.

A few blocks down the railroad tracks at 15 Railroad Avenue , the Center for Creative Educations is one of the locations offering Zumba classes with Bryant  ”Drew” Andrews, Kingston’s own Zumba superstar.  Drew was the driving force behind getting hundreds of people into Kingston’s Deitz Memorial Stadium last summer to “Let’s Move Kingston” an initiative involving the Ulster County Health Department, the Kingston school district and youth organizations that is part of the national push to get the next generation of children away from their TVs and computers.   He is particularly fond of Zumba because the dance music from around the world makes it community oriented.  The focus of Zumba, he notes, is not about dance but to keep us moving, to exhibit positive energy, and to let go of our inhibitions. Drew has classes at the Center for Creative Education Tuesday  nights from 7 to 9 pm and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30.

Drew will also be leading a class in “Intense Zumba” called Kick It Up A Notch, at the Kingston YMCA at the corner of Pine Grove Avenue and Broadway.  The first class is January 7, from 1 to 2:30 in the afternoon.  He holds regular Zumba classes at the Kingston YMCA every other Sunday at 10:30am. These are only a few of the many Zumba classes offered at the Kingston YMCA.  There are six classes taking place every weekday, and special  Zumba Gold for Seniors.  Memberships in the YMCA are not required, and the $10 drop-in class fee also entitles participants to use the other amenities offered by the YMCA such as the whirlpool and track.

In Historic Uptown Kingston. Signature Fitness operates a bright, friendly intimate small gym which offers, in addition to a full range of exercise equipment, two convenient Zumba Classes a week with instructor Toni Hedges, who has been a Zumba instructor for  5 years, and an exercise instructor for 20 years.   The classes are  Wednesday at 6 pm and Saturday at 9:45 a.m..  Membership is not a requirement for the classes, which are suitable for all fitness levels, and the drop-in rate is only $7.

Not only does Zumba burn those calories that were so easy to add during December, but it tones the entire body, and  encourages aerobic fitness–and its fun!    There are seven different levels of participation and one of them is right for “every body” and every age group.  In addition, the next time we have an opportunity to get out on a dance floor, we can bust some impressive moves!

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The Caroline Matzen and George Allen Pioneer Directors’ Fund.

December 13th, 2011

George Allen with from L-R K.J. McIntyre, Kathleen Cloonan, Adele Calcavecchio, Albert Ahlstrom, Margie Menard

The Friends of the Kingston Library has just announced a new effort to build permanent support for the library and to encourage future generations to use its resources with pride.   In fact, a group of former leaders and trustees have committed a down-payment toward this project.  After receiving the initial leadership gifts of $10,000, they are now creating a fund  that would go toward the unrestricted endowment of the Library honoring two of their most deserving leaders over the past four decades: The Caroline Matzen and  George Allen Pioneer Directors’ Fund.

It was Caroline, Library Director from 1969 to 1994, who led trustees and staff to move the library from the smaller Carnegie Building on Broadway to the Sojourner Truth (#8) School on Franklin Street in 1977.   It was George, her successor until 2001, who carried on the leadership when the Kingston Library became a tax-supported special library district with funding from all citizens of Kingston.  While the Library is now a Kingston “property” and not an area library, it serves a wide population of workers, businesses, children, and residents as the largest library in Ulster County.

The Friends of the Kingston Library will continue to recognize these pioneer directors through an endowment which will improve the library every year. The Ulster County Community Foundation provides the investment management over these funds, a portion being designated as “The Caroline Matzen and George Allen Pioneer Directors’ Fund.”

Today the library operates under the dedicated service of Margie Menard, the current director, and her staff, as well as trustees and volunteers in making the Kingston Library a vibrant and welcome resource for all.  They look forward to improvements both outside and within the building as well as enhancing materials and equipment.  A permanent endowment will be well used to benefit all  and recognize the pioneer leaders of the past century.

They are seeking donations toward the future care and service of the Kingston Library from the general public.   They have an online form (http://www.kingstonlibrary.org/friends/pdf/donations.pdf ) to print and return your contribution or an electronic contribution using a credit card (http://www.nycharities.org/donate/c_donate.asp?CharityCode=2957)

All checks should be payable to The Friends of the Kingston Library, which is a 501(c)3 NY State Charity, fully tax deductible.

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Sinterklaas Goes Bi-Coastal – Kingston to Rhinecliff Holiday Celebration

November 8th, 2011

On Saturday, November 26, 2011 Kingston’s Rondout will host the Opening Event of Sinterklaas, an Old Dutch Tradition, the must-see holiday celebration that has been bringing thousands to Rhinebeck for the past three years.  With funding from the New York Council on the Humanities, a full afternoon of events and activities are planned, including music, food, merchant Open Houses and featuring a Crowns & Branches Workshop for children and a special Parade to celebrate the Arrival of Sinterklaas.  Kingston will send off Sinterklaas on a tugboat across the Hudson River to his destination in Rhinecliff in a reenactment of the Dutch Sinterklaas’ annual sailing from Spain to Holland.  This traditional start to the holiday season has been celebrated in the Netherlands for centuries.  While the original inspiration was the old Dutch holiday, this Sinterklaas has been updated and reinvented to directly involve the community in creative activities.  The celebration turns away from the commercialized images of the holiday season and concentrate on hand-made, from-the-heart participation.

Crowns & Branches Workshop

To help children of all ages feel extra special – the young Royalty for the day – they are invited into come to this bustling, artful workshop, hosted and co-sponsored by the ASK,  Arts Society of Kingston at 97 Broadway.  Children will make their own bejeweled Crowns & Branches to wear and carry in the parade. The workshop will be held from 12:30 -2:30pm and all children must be accompanied by an adult.  The workshop is free, but donations are always welcomed.

Workshop shelves will be with all kinds of bangles, beads, ribbons, gems and fabrics to paste and attach to crown forms.   The Branches they make are their Royal Scepters.  The old fashion tool of punishment – The Switch made from a willow branch– is transformed by their imaginations into a symbol of empowerment and joy.  On the branches, children hang strings of beads or ribbon to make an original creation.  Each child will be asked to tie 3 WISHES in their branch—one for their family, for their community and for the World. Be sure to see the Wish Lady!

What is the meaning of the Crowns and Branches that are made by and carried by the Children in the Parade? Since St. Nicholas loved children so much, it makes sense on his name day, that children—who at all other times of the year the least powerful people in the society—are turned into the most powerful for just one day. Children are crowned kings and queens!

The birch rod—the indispensable instrument of medieval education— is transformed by the power imagination and art into a symbol of empowerment and love. The birch rod becomes the Branch—the Royal Scepter—a symbol of creative power in the hands of today’s children.  And so, on this day children are raised up from being those least powerful to the most powerful for one glorious day! The rods are turned to Royal Scepters and the Children are crowned royalty for the day!

Arrival of Sinterklaas Parade

All are invited to join The Arrival of Sinterklaas Parade down Broadway with a crafty boat created by artist Michael Lalicki complete with stars, puppets, music and costumed players, as well as the children sporting their handmade crowns and branches.   Following the parade, there will be a special reception at the Downtown Visitors’ Center with a tree lighting at dusk hosted by Kingston’s Waterfront.

Some form of Sinterklaas has been celebrated in Europe since the Middle Ages.  The character of Sinterklaas is based on a 4th century bishop, Nicolas of Myra (present-day Turkey).  St. Nicholas is now a patron saint of children and mariners.  He, along with many others of that time, was persecuted for his religious beliefs, but he never wavered in his support of children and those less fortunate.  Over the centuries, he has become a universal symbol of tolerance and kindness.  Sinterklaas is his Dutch name and it is in Holland where national celebrations take place today, with millions watching in person or via TV as Sinterklaas rides his white horse on the streets of Amsterdam spreading cheer.

For more information about the Sinterklaas event, contact Susan Linn at 845-339-4280 or visit sinterklaasrhinebeck.com

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ONE STOP FOR ONE-OF-A-KIND

November 8th, 2011

 When artist and entrepreneur Karen Berelowitz visited her friends in Kingston’s Rondout, she thought it would make a great place to open the first retail store to sell her unique line of Karmabee products. Unlike other areas she had considered, she found Rondout to be, “A village.  It is a community in the middle of a larger city.  It has all the conveniences of city living but it has the feeling of a small town.”   When she saw the space at 73A Broadway, with its original tin ceilings above a lofty storefront, Karen knew that she had found the perfect home for her “new” store.

The storefront location is new, but Karen has been retailing her unique line of  Karmabee products since 1997.  If the simple, yet evocative, black drawings on t shirts and note cards seem very familiar, it is probably because we have seen them at the Kingston Farmers’ Market Craft Fair (and over 100 other craft fairs), at the Omega Institute, at the Cornell Studios” “Wild About Butterflies” exhibition, and on line on Etsy and at Karen’s on-line sites at karmabee.com.

People who attended the jam-packed November 5th opening got to see the wide range of available Karmabee products. The storefront features original black & white drawings printed on clothing for babies, kids and adults, as well as notecards, dog tees, winter hats, framed prints, jewelry, and other unique gifts. There are coloring books that are just the right size for tucking into a stocking, with Karen’s bold drawings to inspire original coloring combinations from young artists. For those who would like to send a holiday card that did not come in a pack of 25 identical cards from the department store, Karen’s most popular holiday themes are available in a specially priced packet.  There are also stocking caps and home decorative items.

Now that she has a retail space, Karen is also going to feature framed works and crafts by other carefully selected artists.  The shop will also feature classes, workshops, and special events.  Visitors to the store’s website can sign up for a monthly newsletter listing all the upcoming events.

Karen was born in South Africa and has traveled around the globe, and has lived in California, Costa Rica, and Washington DC before settling in the Hudson Valley, NY.  She received her Master’s Degree and spent 12 years in the field of International Development, with emphasis on development in Central America.  In 2006, she took a “short vacation” to the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck…and she never left!   In fact, she lives at the Institute during its open season!  It was at the Institute that she was finally convinced that her intricate and expressive “doodles” that she’s been doing since her school days might have a commercial future.  As an experiment, she printed a few designs on postcards, and was amazed when they sold out, at the Institute’s craft events.  Karen began retailing on Etsy in 2007.

While some designs, like a gleefully ornate elephant and a festively howling coyote, have become customer favorites, Karen is unlikely to ever run out of new designs, or new ideas for products.  Having a retail store as a “home base” is a new experience she is relishing–her operation has been developed to be portable, since she has been living at Omega from April through October, and then moving to a temporary studio, or traveling around the United States from craft fair to craft fair.  As long as she has music, and “coffee in the morning, chocolate in the afternoon, and wine at night,” she can “doodle” a seemingly endless stream of her unique images of the world around her.  Fortunately she also enjoys the production part of the business, scoring note cards, silk-screening stocking caps, and  filling computer orders.

Shoppers in the Rondout can now have the instant gratification of stocking up on Karmabee originals for the holidays without having to boot up the computer or visit a craft fair.  Karen can even accommodate special orders, for those whose gifts have to be absolutely unique!  Karmabee will be open  Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm for the holiday season!

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High Spirited Investment on North Front Street

October 25th, 2011

The biggest reason why Carmelo DeCicco decided to reopen his family’s building  at 57 North Front Street as a wine and liquor store, was the spirit of investment that he sensed in the Stockade. The city was investing in renovation of the Pike Plan. New restaurants were repurposing historic old buildings and Back Stage Productions had returned their building to its historically theatrical roots, but with a cutting edge flavor.  After 5 hectic months of intensive renovation, what used to be a tailor shop reopened as a trending  potable emporium.

Long-time Kingston residents will remember DeCicco’s Taylor Shop, run by Carmine’s father, which kept Kingston looking sharp from 1968 to 1990.   The building stood empty for twenty years, before Carmelo DeCicco noticed the spirit of optimism and innovation in Uptown and decided to open Blue 57, an upscale wine and spirits store.

Getting the store ready would have been a daunting task, if Carmelo’s brother Sal had not been a master carpenter specializing in fine cabinetry.  Together the two brothers took their dream from the blueprint to the Blue 57, which had its soft opening the first week in October.  A grand opening celebration is scheduled for November 18 with the Chamber of Commerce cutting the ribbon.

One featured wine company will be Dreaming Tree Wines, by the Dave Matthews Band and made  by Steve Reeder.  Dreaming Tree offers wines from sustainably  farmed grapes, with the cheerful philosophy, “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with collecting wine, but wouldn’t you rather drink it instead.?”  Blue 57 will also be featuring 14 Hands Wines among their many selections of wines and spirits.

On October 27, shoppers will have an opportunity to sample the above as Blue57 hosts a wine tasting from 5 to 7 pm.   It may be rather unconventional.  Dave Matthews, discussing his first taste of Crush Red Wine said, “I swallowed it before I put the glass down.  There wasn’t any opportunity to spit.”  (At traditional wine tastings, the participants do not swallow the wine, but  merely experience its flavors and bouquet.)  Since Crush Red Wine is described as having “notes of smokey berry and a pop of raspberry jam”, tradition is probably not going to be followed.

Those who want to follow Carmelo DeCicco’s investment in Kingston’s retail future can do so on Facebook, and there is an intoxicating web page in development.   In the meantime, Carmine probably agrees with Dreaming Tree that “…the best vintage is pretty much right now.”  Wine also makes the perfect holiday gift, and if one over shops, one can always sip the extras!

 

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Ione’s 16th Annual Dream Festival Gala Opening day

September 27th, 2011

 Deep Listening Institute (DLI) in collaboration with Stella May Productions presents the opening of Ione’s 16th Annual Dream Festival with events throughout the day on Kingston’s first Saturday, October 1st at Stella May Gallery Theatre at 101 Greenkill Avenue in midtown Kingston.

The Festival is an international celebration of dreams and dreamers featuring art, music, film, performance and dream telling! Deep Listening Institute’s Artistic Director Ione explains, “I am interested in fostering a Dream Community. Dreams are our deepest source of creativity and dreams are always truthful about our feelings. Since all humans and most animals dream, sharing dreams and dream creations can help dissolve the cultural and class demarcations that keep us separate from one another. Dream awareness can help us lead more authentic lives. ”

From 3 to 6 pm, the Dream Festival kicks off with the Marathon of Dreamers hosted by Ione. The marathon will feature performances, presentations and dream-tellings from the local dream community of artists and performers. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Audience members are invited to share a dream and bring an offering to a potluck feast. Artists schedule to participate include performances by the band Mamalama, authors Rachel Koenig and Bethany Goldpaugh Brown, singer songwriter Jaclyn Heyen, musician C. Lavender, vocalist Lisa Barnard Kelley, musician David Arner and a screening of Jo Andres’ short film “Liquid Tara.” All performances will be broadcast online at Deep Listening’s website, www.deeplistening.org.

Starting at 6:30 pm, the doors of Stella May Gallery Theatre will reopen for the Dream Festival gala reception featuring La Leona Arts’ project 100 Artists/100 Dreams with an exhibit called “Dreamers” showcasing art from some of the project’s participants and the premiere of 100 Artists/ 100 Dreams The Film. The Film screens at 8pm. Tickets at the door are $10 general admission and $8 for students and seniors. Advance discounted tickets are available online at www.deeplistening.org. Each ticket includes a glass of special “Dream Cocktail” created by mixologist Kyle Kelley.The exhibit “Dreamers” is on view October 1 – 27 at the Stella May Gallery. Visit their website www.stellamayproductions.com or call 845-331-7955 for an appointment.

100 Artists/ 100 Dreams is a dream exploration project, curated by Sadee Brathwaite, that features local and international artists and explores the concept of artists as visionaries and keepers of the creative fires. The project consists of a film, an exhibition (scheduled to open 2012) and an installation. Local participating artists include Matthew Maley – New Paltz, Patti Gibbons – Kingston, Lindsey Graham – Pine Bush, Faheem Haider – Montgomery, Lisa Barnard Kelley – Kingston, Moya Marcelino – Kingston, Suzanne V. Paddock – Kingston, Shirley Parker-Benjamin – Poughkeepsie, Joe Pimental & Melissa Toth – Newburgh and more.

Afterparty will be held at MINT, 1 West Strand, Kingston with “Dream Specials” by chef Graziano. For directions to Stella May Gallery Theatre call 331-7955. For more information and calendar of Dream Festival events visit www.deeplistening.org or call 845-338-5984.

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FRESH ‘N’ EASY–The Name Says It All!

September 26th, 2011

The Fresh’n'Easy Bakery at 331 Hasbrouck Avenue in midtown Kingston has only been open since June, but it has already attracted scores of regulars from the nearby Kingston High School and Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals.

Fresh ‘n’ Easy is a lot more than a bakery–it is a family run bistro offering breakfast and lunch specials for less than the area fast-food restaurants–while using the freshest in local and natural products in the preparation!  It redefines “family run”–while daughters Heather and Crissy offer cheerful customer service back of the counter, owner Linda Bang and her mom, Virginia John, whisk together delectable fresh baked goods in the on-site kitchen.  Other family members pitch in as needed.

The ambiance is that of  beautifully preserved country store dining–with a modern flair!   The display cases are well-maintained retro, but there is wifi available so customers can catch up with their email while relishing big hot cups of Mountain Grown coffee in a selection of flavors, including decaf.    The $3 breakfast specials can include everything from cinnamon buns still warm from the oven to eggs and cheese.

The $5 lunch menu of soup and sandwiches attracts customers that want a lunch that is affordable and portable and has the best in locally grown and natural ingredients.  There are hot and cold sandwiches on the menu, and if you want to add a slice of tomato to that pulled pork sandwich on your choice of breads, it is available–with a smile and at no extra cost!  For one-stop shopping convenience, diners can also pick up a copy of the newspaper or a bag of snacks for later enjoyment.  Of course, we can also get a bag of still-warm baked goods ranging from sinfully delicious looking cookies though muffins, crumb cake, flakey little pastries and indulgent sweet rolls. The menu is always changing as the oven wafts forth  tempting scents into the cozy, immaculately clean little bistro with its 1950′s sundae shop decor and luxurious geraniums and petunias waving to outside traffic from the windows.

Customers can also order gluten-free and sugar-free baked goods, carefully prepared from scratch. One recent morning found Linda posting the special of the day–a roasted pork loin sandwich and a sausage and kale soup featuring kale that had been in a vegetable garden that morning!

Virginia, Linda and Heather

The real “special” at Fresh’n'Easy is the genuine “friendly family service”.   Special orders are taken with a genuine smile, the food arrives fresh, hot, and temptingly plated, and the relaxed atmosphere invites lingering luxuriously over a second big cup of Mountain Grown coffee while checking what is going on in the outside world on the laptop!

Fresh ‘n’ Easy Bakery & Cafe
331 Hasbrouck Ave.
Kingston, NY 12401
ph. 845-331-2579
fax 845-331-2578
Hours: M-F 6:00 A.M.-4 P.M.
Sat.   8:00 A.M.-2 P.M.
closed Sundays

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