Today is Cyber Monday, and your inbox is lighting up with email after email of cyber deals you could score with your favorite brands now. If you have the budget to spend, YAY! If you have the budget to buy products or supplies for your favorite non-profit, YAY! If you don’t have the budget to spend, and you do have some money somewhere, you may be able to pay that money in a long-term beneficial way, and that is a double-YAY. This article takes a different approach to Cyber Monday, to focus on what you can do during your normal day to make your money work for you, if you do spend it.
Over at Tin Shingle, Mondays usually mean Money Monday. Tin Shingle is an empowerment and education platform for business owners who are learning how to get the word out about their businesses and innitiatives. A good amount of Tin Shingle’s programming is dedicated to money issues, because people usually go into business for financial and creative freedom. Money issues exist both in the personal and business side of things for business owners. This money tip focuses on the personal side.
Here are suggestions you can do on a Money Monday to feel good about money progress. Being in a pandemic is a great way to remind yourself and others around you to be financially responsible. It’s so easy not to be. Most of us are not. Even celebrities! Most people spend all of their money. Here’s how we can take a check on that, and apply what money we do have to forward progress with money health.
Money Monday is a good day to address things like medical bills, car payments, paying invoices, sending invoices, etc. During the pandemic, your holiday gift list and donation list may be stretched or non-existent. Thankfully, some of you still have jobs or other income, and are spending on Main Street and non-profits. YAY.
Here are some tips on what to do to increase your money health overall, which can make you feel great for more days of the year:
Pay Credit Cards. This is an annoying one, because it always feels like there is no money to pay the credit cards. Vow to not add to them, and pay money toward them. Once you pay money to them, and not add to them, this will feel like money well “spent” (even though you already spent it via the loan that the credit card gave you).
Don’t Add To The Credit Cards. This is a hard answer to give to a life partner or children who want things for the holidays. If this is your habit each year - adding to the credit cards - break this cycle. Adding to them will not end the cycle of debt. Talking to your kids directly will help their understanding, and may decrease the intensity with which they ask you for things.
Say “No” To The Credit Card Bonus Point Cash: Credit cards get you to spend on them by dangling 5% discounts on your total. But this only works if you pay that balance in full in a couple days after your purchase. If you wait for months or years, you are paying 29% interest rate additional on your balance (maybe you have a 16% interest rate if you have a great credit). If, after years and years, you are not paying that balance in full in a couple of days, then stop using the card and use your cash, because you are not saving any money and that 5% is just a mirrage.
Cycle The Credit Cards By Tiny Amounts: If you stopped using a card because of the above reasons, you may get a threatening letter a year later saying: “Hey, you need to use your credit card really soon or we are going to close your account.” This is all part of the game. The game that banks don’t want us to win. But we will win! You want that credit history for a good credit score. Don’t let your account close, do use it a tiny amount (Maybe $5? Or $20?). But be careful. Once you use the card that you have successfully stopped using for a year, it is easy to get sucked back in, by thinking “Oh, I can use this card just a little bit…” Pay that card exactly 100% in a couple of days.
Look At Your Dividends: If you have dividends from stocks (free money sent to you every now and then from your stocks if your stock issues it) or Whole Life Insurance policies, look at if you want to keep that cash, rather than reinvest it in your Whole Life Policy or stock. Tin Shingle published an article on this today. The article focuses on the benefit of buying Whole Life Insurance for your kids while they are healthy, as it locks in their low rate. This is important for times during pandemics (like right NOW) where if they test positive for COVID-19 and have long-term problems in the recovery, they could be denied coverage, or have a higher rate. Or for yourself, if you don’t have life insurance. This is a time to consider having it. This article explains more.
The best thing you can do during a pandemic is to reclaim your financial health. Even with the lowest budget, and no additional income coming in, choices can be made. At Tin Shingle, business owners try to hustle it up to earn more money and raise their incomes. Always a challenge, but usually a challenge that fuels a small business owner to wake up every day.
Editorial Note For Sponsorship: Tin Shingle is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and a sister company of A Little Beacon Blog. Tin Shingle teaches how to pitch the media and work your social media in order to get the word out about your business. This article was developed in partnership with A Little Beacon Blog. To learn about how to develop a paid partnership for an article with A Little Beacon Blog, please see here.
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and props to those of you who did it for the first time - If you usually travel, and hosted it yourself this year! Word on the street is that kitchen and food stores like Utensil and Key Food were giving out lots of last minute advice.
Today is Black Friday, and it's not always about the sales (see Beacon Mercantile's approach below, where she donates a portion of a purchase during the weekend instead of offering a discount).
This year, it's about the business - keeping our shops in business because they are people just like you. Running their business is their job. This is a time when Retail Therapy feels as good for you as it does for them. Pays their rent, pays their bills, pays their paychecks.
Even if you go to the mall (we are not mall-shamers!) you are keeping someone employed who goes to work there every day or every week, stocking the shelves, answering customer's questions.
If you don't have the budget to buy this year - don't you worry! You being you here in Beacon is all that matters. Keep smiling, and keep in touch with your people. Light a candle, and have a relaxing evening.
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Grand Opening Holistic Living with Dr. Dardano
Day: Friday to Sunday, November 27-29 Time: 11am-7pm (Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun) Location: 520 Main Street, Beacon, NY
A uniquely holistic-based approach that fully encompasses the mind, body, and spirit, the Holistic Living Store offers chiropractic, nutrition, reiki, massage therapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, thermography, cranio sacral therapy, homeopathy, holistic skin care, meditation, infrared therapy, sound therapy, and ionic detoxifying foot bath therapy.
2020 Tree Lighting Goes Virtual
Day: Saturday, November 28, 2020 Time: 5pm Location: Online
On behalf of our community, the Traditional Tree Lighting Committee volunteers, and the City of Beacon Recreation Department invites you to the 2020 Virtual Tree Lighting. Most years Beacon has an annual lighting at Pohill Park, but this year’s event cannot be held in a traditional sense. Join the City starting Saturday November 28th at 5:00pm for the release of their virtual lighting video. Information >
SAVE THE DATE! In addition to any amazing sales you will find on Main Street this weekend (starting today!), Hop & Shop Beacon is a GO for 2020 and will take place this coming Thursday and Friday, December 3-4th.
Howland Cultural Center Holiday Small Gift Show
Day: Friday to Monday, November 21 through December 23, 2020 Time: 1-5pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
Shop Local and celebrate handmade local artists every Friday through Sunday and the Tuesday and Wednesday before Christmas Eve - December 23rd. Information >
SallyeAnder Small Business Saturday Factory Sale
Day: Saturday, November 28, 2020 Time: 10am-3pm Location: SallyeAnder, 18 W Main St, Beacon, NY
SallyeAnder is opening their workshop doors for Small Business Saturday! Fill your holiday shopping sacks and pick up a little something for your post-Thanksgiving self-care from 10am-3pm on Saturday, November 28th. DEAL: 15% off on all purchases up to $100 and then 25% off on all purchases $100+. Enter door between Brett's Hardware and Two Way Brewing. Information > SallyeAnder is an ALBB Sponsor!
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Eat Church continues to take their much needed break this weekend. They will be back at Marbled on Route 9 in Cold Spring December 4th and 5th. Stay tuned and keep updated by following them on Instagram @eatchurch. Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY New Salad Alert!
Check out this roasted local beets from @fieldandlarder with feta, hazelnuts, currants, baby kale and ginger vinaigrette. You can order food online by clicking here, and get it delivered! No delivery is too short or close. Please wear your mask for the delivery person. More > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
Behold! All the ingredients you need for a Hot Cider Cocktail from @homespunfoods . Hot Cider for here or to go with amazing products from @varnelli1868@orchardhillny@minardfarms#valdespino#nymaplesyrup They add star anise, ginger, a bit of clove, green cardamom and a cinnamon stick to garnish. HOT TIP: Buying wine and beer from Homespun has helped their business very much. Stock up this weekend! View Menu > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
It's been getting quite chilly outside so Himalayan Dumpling Soup is on! @momovalley2018 is back open! Stop by today and try this savory dish! (open at 12). Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Baja 328 invites you to come see Bones playing the guitar and enjoy an ice cold Modelo with some of their amazing Southwest creations: Baja Nachos, Korean BBQ Wings, Empanadas’s and many more delicious choices. Open all weekend and practicing safe distancing protocol.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Lewis + Pine is known for very large, signature styles. However, their collection of small stud earrings cannot go unnoticed. From plain silver hoops in various sizes - large, medium to tiny - there is also this collection of stones in the small settings. Designed for big impact. Do browse the small earrings at Lewis & Pine online if you can't get to the store, which is open Friday-Sunday. Shop Now > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Live Light Travel Often (LLTO)
464 Main Street, Beacon
This soap, carried by LLTO is the most slipperiest slope-y soap you will ever find. Adorable on a dish,
the Erode Soap Summit Series becomes one of desire and play, adding a different kind of beauty to the daily ritual of bathing. Each organic soap is poured and cast by hand, so that the organic scents and botanic ingredients are revealed in layers, carefully chosen to blend together. The design’s luscious and unique shape suggests its own obsolescence—the slopes are meant to be rubbed, the ridges meant to be worn off. Made in Oakland, CA. Pink grapefruit essential oil, purifying rose clay, goji berry extract, and clarifying papaya enzymes combine forces to make abrilliant bar soap. The lather is creamy, moisture rich and gentle and the scent is delicately tart and fresh. Vegan, cruelty free and wonderful for all skin types. The soap pictured here, White Grapefruit, is spotted like a dalmatian. See it in person, or Shop Now > LLTO is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK Home
464 Main Street, Beacon
This little pop-up store by Beacon Realty and Beacon Bagel Shoppe is just waiting for you to discover it. You will see the items on the tables - but know this - the table pictured here could be in your home or office. Yes, PTACEK Home has put some of their pieces into this seasonal pop-up shop for you to discover and buy. Or, custom order your own piece. But taking home this coffee table made of reclaimed wood is easier. Our hunch is, this will be your first piece... Shop Now >
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon THIS JUST IN: Puzzles for your fidgety fingers. Memory Matching. Make A Pie Fractions. Women's Suffrage. Brett just got these on the shelf - and it's a restock. Customers were buying the puzzles and games as they were placed onto the shelves. Give your game-bin a refresh. Do you have many games that are missing pieces or incomplete? Consider discarding or re-purposing them, get a new system for keeping pieces, and add these to your collection. Information > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
What might be under the tree for you from Luxe Optique? They are holiday ready for you, with a Johnny Cash carol playing in the background as you finish your eye appointment or browse the styles. Like these high-concept Rigards. Or go with something more casual from La Font. Most frames have been handmade for your face. Now, you just need to get your face to Luxe Opituqe. Shop Now > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon
Available at Binnacle Books - “Feminism for the 99%” by Cinzia Arruzza, Tithi Bhattacharya, Nancy Fraser. “Unaffordable housing, poverty wages, inadequate healthcare, border policing, climate change—these are not what you ordinarily hear feminists talking about. But aren’t they the biggest issues for the vast majority of women around the globe?
Taking as its inspiration the new wave of feminist militancy that has erupted globally, this manifesto makes a simple but powerful case: feminism shouldn’t start—or stop—with the drive to have women represented at the top of their professions. It must focus on those at the bottom, and fight for the world they deserve. And that means targeting capitalism. Feminism must be anticapitalist, eco-socialist and antiracist.” Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
Check out La Mére Clothing And Goods Black Friday Deals! Their hours this weekend are:
Friday 11am-7pm
Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
You can also always and keep supporting small, local business --> shop online! Also PS: They are moving!! Starting Sunday, La Mére will be moving into the former Echo space (honoring and missing that space). Information > La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON MERCANTILE
493 Main Street Beacon Mercantile is donating 10% of their online sales from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday to Feeding America, who Beacon Mercantile has been working with and donating to during the pandemic. Donation dollars to their organization go a long way ($100 provides 1,000 meals to individuals and families in need) + they have great community outreach. Learn more about Feed America at https://www.feedingamerica.org/
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
313 Main St. The Howland Public Library & book drop will be closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. They will reopen on Monday, November 30th. While the library is closed, their digital library is always open at www.beaconlibrary.org.
BEBHAKTI YOGA CENTER
89 DeWindt St.
Help keep beBhakti Yoga Center alive! If you can, please make a small donation to keep their doors (virtual and physical) open.You can make a donation through Venmo - click here. Please also check out their online store. They have many on-demand classes, mala beads, clothing, mats and props available for sale. Perfect for holiday gifts!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is proud to support Rebuilding Together Dutchess County. What started as a simple act of helping neighbors has now turned into serving over 900 homeowners. Learn more about their story from Executive Director Christina Boryk in their November Spotlight. Click here to watch their video. Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle's advice to their business community as they market to their newsletter lists is: "Words matter, and saying the right words helps fight denial of actual events." The next time you write a blog post, share on social media, send out a newsletter or podcast, be mindful of the words you choose to define your message. Read All About It >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Katie James, Inc. finished the design of the painter Stanley Lindwasser's website. He did pass away in 2020, and Katie James, Inc. has been working with his manager and wife to feature more of his work on the website, in order to reach the public for private sales or licensing. In making these website design updates, Katie has been making videos of her work under-the-hood of the SquareSpace website at their new Instagram account: @katiejamesdesign. Watch a couple - you might get a fresh idea for your own website! Watch Now >
When my 10-year old daughter brought down the tinsel tree from the attic - two weeks ago, so that puts us in mid-November - I won’t lie to you by sharing that instead of sheer holiday joy, I hyperventilated and cried. It was a Monday morning. We were on a roll with getting dressed, having enough breakfast to satisfy a morning belly during a Remote Morning Meeting for school, and I was methodically making a dent in the 4 baskets of laundry while making my work to-do list.
There is always talk of decorating for Holiday right after Halloween, and I pushed it off, kicked the can down the road, begging them if I could pick up and organize the house and attic enough before the Christmas decorations came down. So when I saw the tinsel, the amount of loss of control of what was about to happen was overwhelming. The Holiday Season is here, and that means many things, but most physically, it means spending money and existing in pure consumerism. Which as a kid is really fun! But as an adult, has formed an emerging outlook. But the season is so beautiful! And it’s fun to give gifts! But you may not have money. Oye, the agonizing toll. I first wrote about this over at the Highlands Current in 2018.
So here’s the deal. Here’s how we can make it through the holiday season during a pandemic, making it a lot of fun, even if you have no budget. And if you do have a budget, yay! If you don’t have a budget, we are going to yay this too!
ALBB As A Marketer
You’re going to see A Little Beacon Blog go bananas on Instagram for shopping. We usually do anyway, but we will during this season too. Keeping in mind that many of you may not be able to spend on anything at all. We are fans of small business and entrepreneurship, so we like to be a part of keeping people in business, which can give them financial and creative freedoms.
Shops On Main Street Need The Sales
At this point in the pandemic, shopping from the stores is a good deed. Where once retail therapy felt good for you, it is more of a mutual feeling than ever. These shops make our walking and driving experience in any town. If you want that experience to stay, then you need to buy something from the store. If you went into a store one time, and had a bad experience, or someone said or did something to make you mad, and you never go back again, you’re just hurting the vibe in which you live. So give them another try.
Wrap What You Recently Purchased
Holiday gifts don’t need to be purchased after Thanksgiving. That is not the rule. The rule is a feeling of giving and appreciation. If you recently bought a couch, or some shoes that you loved because they were on sale 2 months ago, wrap them. Remember what you have and recently invested in. It all counts!
Schedule Purchases After December 25th
You may need things, like fitness clothing. You may want this to be your gift. But, it goes on mega-sale in the big-box stores after December 25th. Like the Annual Sale at Victoria Secret, where their PINK line includes leggings, sweatshirts, etc. If these are the things you are asking for, let your people know, budget the money, and go after December 25th. If you all know this up front, waiting to make this purchase might make this easier.
Gently Push Back On Those Who Insist On Spending
Yes, we at ALBB encourage people to spend (doing so is our job sometimes!). But for those with no budget, not spending is real. One may either not have cash, or might go back into a cycle of debt. And those are not things we want to do. No debt! Try your best (speaking to the choir, here). Visualize a life with budget buckets, and your life with a pile of savings that you can live from long after you stop working. This doesn’t mean not spending. You can spend! The mindset just needs to shift into when we spend.
There may be people in your life who insist on spending on you, or your little ones. If it’s your own shared budget, and you don’t want to perpetuate the cycle of debt, or take from your safety net, keep talking about the progress of your debt diet, and how having a safety net is important. People build safety nets for emergencies, like when there is a pandemic. And there is a pandemic right now!!
People Who Insist On Spending Their Budgets On You Or Your Kids
Long ago, after donating many, many clothes from my kid’s over-stuffed drawers (we had a great hand-me-down source), I asked some gift-givers to not give us clothes, but to contribute to their college funds. When I bought clothes, I bought them from consignment stores or sale racks, and knew exactly what we needed when we needed it. So I didn’t want heaps of outfits. This did not go over well. The retail itch is strong in people, and wanted to be scratched.
Respecting that the retail itch in someone else is something that I cannot control, I try to direct the gifts to be part of the magical flow for my kids.
Talk About Your Debt Diet Or Money Savings and Growth Plans
Talking about savings - and financial planning - is not part of our normal dialogue. It could be. Showing and celebrating when we make dents in our debt can help keep the debt diet on track. Telling your people about how you want to pay off your car or your home or your outstanding bill somewhere will help them respect your wishes, and either direct their gifts there, or help you yourself not spend.
Making The Magic For Little Ones
Honestly, the holiday season is all about warmth, surprises and thoughtfulness. Surprises can come in many forms. Where once I was a hard “No” on the Elf on the Shelf, I came to terms with it because it brings my kids such joy, to wonder about the Elf and what it will do. We have 3 elves now (one for each child). And they even made an accidental appearance in September! Everyone was very confused. But it added to some fun.
Think of little surprises you can do for your little ones, that make them feel magic around them, that don’t cost anything, or are a part of what you need to get your kids anyway (like gloves). Ignore Instagram trends on what other parents are doing, if those overwhelm you. Do what you feel like is fun for your in your house. Use the elf to translate what you need to.
Teaching Your Little Ones To Make Magic - Activate Elf Magic
I’m not comfortable with the concept of lots gifts showing up without a budget. This is so unrealistic for kids to watch this in movies, and sets their expectations for a pile of presents just showing up. That’s a lot of financial pressure on parents! Instead, I share with my kids the concept of them being elves, and going to get things for people. Then put them in a secret place, because (ok, a little bit of magic is happening) the actual elves will do something to make them show up under the tree.
But this way, we all know what is coming.
Feeling “Enough”
When there are so. many. Instagrams and TikToks and commercials around us, suggesting we get this and that (and ALBB is a part of that), practice feeling “enough.” That feeling of calm, and that you have enough. Look at something around you - a piece of furniture, a journal, groceries, the heat coming out of your heater - and remember that it’s amazing. As for your little kids coming up to you wanting more more more, all I can tell you is….show them your bank account LOL.
Start paying them to clean your house so that they have their own budgets, and start buying their own things. I have different jobs with different rates, like sweeping and wiping down the stairs; Windexing the mirrors; spray-mopping the floor. They need to seek approval each time - because sometimes they just did it and it’s not dirty - but this is good training for a business mindset.
When they can or cannot afford something from their own bank account (if that’s their wallet or an actual bank account), they will truly learn the feeling of enough. And you won’t need to say “no” anymore or as much.
Feeling Sheer Holiday Joy - Feel The Love
During this time in the pandemic, we all need to feel happy. We do! There is a lot of sorrow around us. And those of you with budgets, you are wanting to contribute your means to help other people with their means. That is AMAZING.
Feel OK to feel joy. And keep on with being aware of others and what they need, and helping them and you get there.
Lots going on this Friday! The sun is shining, and hope is restoring, despite important news on all topics that continues.
First of all, there is pie. Readers want to know where to buy pie in Beacon, and we did the research. Turns out, pie order deadlines have passed, though some are going until November 22nd. We have the list for you here!
Next, there is COVID. Dutchess County joined with Putnam County and Ulster Counties, and many governors across the country, to ask you not to travel for the holidays. The Mayor of Beacon also issued a robo-call encouraging social distancing. According to data shared by the 3 County Executives in a tri-county Zoom update to the public yesterday (Thursday), the COVID spread is mainly coming from personal spheres of people letting their guard down with neighbors and friends at their homes (and not in businesses or schools), according to county's contact tracing efforts. We have the article for you here with more details. If you feel awkward wearing a mask inside of a friend's house, it's time to push past the weirdness and just wear it when visiting friends - if you must visit. Consider limiting playdates to outside only, and closing your sphere to no kid playdates in homes, no matter if friends are constantly dashing between the same houses.
Many are asking where to donate food or money to Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens (hot meals). A Little Beacon Blog keeps a list of resources in Beacon that includes email addresses of coordinators, and direct lines to churches or organizations that you may not have heard of otherwise. We are in the process of updating it, and in fact, are always updating it as new coordinators come on board and opportunities created. At moment, are are getting several updates from Fareground, a deeply resourced group here in Beacon that distributes food and takes donations. Please visit ALBB's Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen Guide when considering where to donate. And reach out and email someone if you don't see a donation link. Thank you!
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Community Forum on Policing and Public Safety
Day: Saturday, November 21, 2020 Time: 10am Where: Zoom
Hosted by Human Relations Commission Chairperson Pastor John Perez & Reverence and Former City Council Member John Rembert. Both forums will be streamed live on YouTube (comments will be turned off).
Rally To End The New Jim Crow
From Beacon4Black Lives
Day: Saturday, November 21, 2020 Time: 1:30pm Where: Memorial Park
From the Organizers: "Decarceration. Human Rights. End the New Jim Crow. Bring Signs. Wear Masks."
If you need a refresher on what Jim Crow laws were, in order to learn more about what people mean when they saw "New Jim Crow," they were segregation laws. PBS describes it: "The segregation and disenfranchisement laws known as 'Jim Crow' represented a formal, codified system of racial apartheid that dominated the American South for three quarters of a century beginning in the 1890s. The laws affected almost every aspect of daily life, mandating segregation of schools, parks, libraries, drinking fountains, restrooms, buses, trains, and restaurants. 'Whites Only' and 'Colored' signs were constant reminders of the enforced racial order...It would take several decades of legal action and months of nonviolent direct action before these efforts achieved their intended result."
Renegades Holiday Craft Fair
Day: Saturday, November 21, 2020 Time: 10am-3pm Location: Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls, NY
The Renegades will be hosting a Holiday Craft Fair at Dutchess Stadium on Saturday, November 21! Get your holiday shopping done early! There will be a wide variety of vendors offering many different crafts & products, food trucks & music! Information >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Eat Church is taking a much needed break this weekend and next. They will be back at Marbled on Route 9 in Cold Spring December 4th and 5th. Stay tuned and keep updated by following them on Instagram @eatchurch. Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Tis the season for a tasty Hot Toddy! You can enjoy this tasty beverage with a burger for lunch. Don’t forget you can also get any of drinks to go. You can order food online by clicking here, and get it delivered! No delivery is too short or close. If you can't get out of the house or apartment, just dial it in and have it delivered! If you are going out, do order this hot drink, as it won't last. More > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
Homespun Foods was featured in the Highlands Current! Pictured here are their amazing cooks Fabiola Diego Herrera & Hannah Ashburn, preparing Fabiola’s empanada special.
With cold weather on the way, local businesses and their employees are grappling with how to navigate winter during a pandemic. Joe Robitaille of @homespunfoods is planning to revamp his takeout menu while looking into delivery. They will be making an announcement soon. HOT TIP: Buying wine and beer from Homespun has helped their business very much. You can't go wrong with any of their bottles, from a Prosecco to a Côtes du Rhône. Stock up this weekend! View Menu > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Have you tried the French Fries from Barbs Fry Works yet? It is even easier now that online order is available! Go to www.barbsfryworks.com and follow the link! They are also open 12pm-10pm. Fries are warm. Days are cold. Get warm. Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Tell someone they're "Burritoful" today! Although @baja328 will not be open for dine-in services late-night due to mandatory restrictions, they are still open for takeout and delivery service.
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So, get your burritos, tacos, empanadas, and more! Because you deserve it & are Burritoful yourself! Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon GIVEAWAY ALERT! Who wants to win a free diffuser? Lewis & Pine just announced on their Instagram (@lewisandpine) their newest fragrance collection. All you have to do to win is leave a comment in their IG post of the five fragrances made, share which is your favorite? Fjellvant, Hygge, Komorebi, Xia or Xenia? Post your favorite in the comments and tag a friend who would like it for a chance to win a free diffuser.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell them now! > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Live Light Travel Often (LLTO)
464 Main Street, Beacon THEY'RE BACK! LLTO was a victim of the pandemic, opening on Main Street just months before the shutdown happened. They waited it out, and closed soon after. But LLTO is popping up in a new location on Main Street, next to the new Bagel Shoppe! This gives you one more chance to visit their tightly curated collection in person (always available online).
Featured this week is the crane grater. An exquisite combination of function and beauty, this grater is designed by Ooya Seisakusho. Every "tooth" of this palm-sized copper grater is carved out and pointed upwards by craftsmen using the same technique developed in the Edo period. This technique cuts as opposed to crushes like other steel and ceramic graters (aka, is great for grating ginger). If that's not enough, the crane is a symbol of long life and happiness, bringing good luck into the home. No time to get to the store? You can order it online. ⠀ Shop Now > LLTO is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK Home
464 Main Street, Beacon THEY'RE BACK! PTACEK Home is back with LLTO sharing the space at 464 Main Street with their custom designed and built wood furniture. But not just any wood. Reclaimed wood always. If you dream of succulent hanging from wooden boxes in your window (or was that our dream?!) then PTACEK is where you want to buy that plant holder from. Shop them for tables, benches, bed frames, store counters, and more. Visit their website, but see the pieces in person in the store! Shop Now >
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Check it out! Brett's Hardware has the hand sanitizer you need! In all different shapes & sizes. Get yours now! As one reader, @rexhill said: "That's the good stuff too, not the sticky stinky random kind you might encounter out in the world these days!" Another reader, @britt_vrossie, reminded everyone that Brett's usually has Lysol spray as well. Go get it! PS: Brett's is hiring an Assistant Manager in their New Windsor location! Get details here. Shop Now > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
Yeah baby, it's sunny! You need sunnies to coordinate with your mask! Luxe Optique has so many styles that can go prescription, or regular. Go in and try some on, and tag us in your pictures that have your friends voting for their favorites. Shop Now > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Binnacle Books recently celebrated their 5 year anniversary in the Beacon. They could not have reached this milestone without YOU. Thanking their customers and the greater community, they say "We have been deeply moved by the support of our customers and community during this difficult year, both while our doors were closed and since we reopened. We appreciate both your patronage and your understanding as we adapt to this new reality." Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
La Mére Clothing and Goods has got a big selection of jeans. And not only that - they have the stylists to tell you what to wear with them. Go into La Mére for ideas on tops and dresses you might not have considered for yourself. And rings! Lots of stacking rings. And necklaces. And candles. And a water cookbook. Yes. A recipe book of how to drink water.
As you check off your holiday shopping list, remember to support small businesses. By supporting a small business you are supporting a dream, a family and so much more. Check out their website and shop online! Information > La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON INSTITUTE FOR RIVERS AND ESTUARIES
The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries is now offering programs for homeschool groups at our Water Ecology Center on Dennings Point. The programs are STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) oriented with a focus on environmental themes. Information >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is proud to support Rebuilding Together Dutchess County. What started as a simple act of helping neighbors has now turned into serving over 900 homeowners. Learn more about their story from Executive Director Christina Boryk in their November Spotlight. Click here to watch their video. Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Wondering what the heck happened to your Instagram? You go to check your Comments or Likes, and the button is gone! The Heart/Comment was replaced by a Play button (aka Reels). What's going on? Read All About It >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
The digital branding agency, Katie James, Inc., the creators behind ALBB and Tin Shingle, have a new Instagram account! Once only available in Katie's personal Instagram, now it has its own, proper, business account. Come follow for design tips, behind the scenes, client highlights, and new website launches! Learn More >
Dutchess County joined surrounding counties including Orange County (Newburgh), Putnam County (Cold Spring) and Ulster County to declare that most COVID-19 cases were coming from people’s homes as they get lax in social circles. “Case investigations in each of the counties show that the majority of new positive cases are transmission from family, friends and close acquaintances in casual settings as opposed to public settings such as schools, workplaces, retail or other businesses where prevention mitigation including mask wearing, physical distance and hygiene are strictly adhered to.”
In Beacon as of today, there are 35 cases. Just yesterday, there were 26 cases. There are 95 cases pending address confirmation. See the Dutchess County Dashboard here.
“Already, 4 children who attended that small gathering were COVID-positive, unbeknownst to themselves or their families. Since then, 15 positive cases have been traced back to that casual get-together, impacting a local college, elementary school, middle school and high school, proving the wide impact of “living room spread.””
— Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan
A joint, public call was held today by the three counties to implore citizens to not get casual about COVID-19, and to not get together with family or friends for Thanksgiving. Yesterday, when the joint call was announced, Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou issued a robo-call, urging people to socially distance.
Governor Cuomo’s nightly message this evening was the same, and bore down on travel, stating: “Travel is a real concern because New York State has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. If people travel here from states with higher infection rates, that poses a great risk.The CDC is strongly urging Americans, as are we, to avoid Thanksgiving travel. Celebrate this American tradition with just your immediate household to help ensure the safety of your loved ones and your community. Love is sometimes doing what's hard and this year, if you love someone, it is smarter and better to stay away. It's tough to hear but it's better to be safe than sorry—and we can still spread thanks without spreading COVID.”
Dutchess County Urges Residents To Not Cross-Mingle With Households
County leaders are urging people to socially distance from each other on days other than Thanksgiving as well. They made a big plea today via telaconference over Zoom. Presenting leaders included:
Dutchess County:
Marcus Molinaro, County Executive
Dr. Anil Vaidian, Behavioral & Community Health Commissioner
Orange County:
Steve Neuhaus, County Executive
Dr. Irina Gelman, Health Commissioner
Putnam County:
Tom Feighery, Deputy County Executive
Dr. Mike Nesheiwat, Health Commissioner
Ulster County:
Pat Ryan, County Executive
Dr. Carol Smith, Health Commissioner
County leaders are asking residents “to remain vigilant in the coming weeks and curtail small social gatherings. Such parties or “hangouts,” even among friends and family members, have led to a recent increase in local COVID-19 cases, raising the Mid-Hudson region’s positivity rate, affecting the ability of schools and businesses to remain open and further stressing the region’s healthcare resources.”
Mid-Hudson Region’s Rate Rises To 4.6%, Attributed To Casual Settings
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in the past week, 2 COVID-19 deaths in his county were residents in their 20s, proving the virus can affect every individual differently, regardless of age or underlying condition, according to the County’s press release.
Putnam County’s Deputy County Executive Tom Feighery noted that Putnam saw a direct correlation between people ‘letting down their guard’ (not following safety measures in casual, social settings) and COVID-19 transmission in the six days following Halloween when positive case doubled in that county.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan described a small Halloween party attended by just 3 families in late October. Already, 4 children who attended that small gathering were COVID-positive, unbeknownst to themselves or their families. Since then, 15 positive cases have been traced back to that casual get-together, impacting a local college, elementary school, middle school and high school, proving the wide impact of “living room spread.”
Many Cases Strain Contact Tracing
Contract tracing is key to keeping Beacon schools open. Once a student or staff member is identified as positive, the district staff goes to work immediately to contact trace to see who else may be impacted, and to ask them to quarantine.
“COVID-19 cases stemming from casual gatherings have a ripple effect on counties’ contact-tracing efforts, by creating an increased workload for contact tracers, which slows down the entire tracing process for all infections,” said the Dutchess County press release. “Leaders today asked residents who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to please reach out to possible contacts so they can get tested and begin the quarantine process.”
“We know that this is a make or break moment for us as a county and a community,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “As we see our numbers increase to levels that we have not seen in months, we must remain proactive to blunt a much more significant second wave. We will be doing everything that we can to remind residents to continue to social distance, wear masks, and take all precautions necessary.”
County Executive Molinaro concluded, “We have been battling this pandemic for 8 months, and we don’t want our best efforts to go to waste. COVID-19 remains a deadly disease, and we must not become complacent and casual in our efforts to fight it. Even when you gather among your immediate family, please wear a mask, wash your hands and remain at a safe distance. The pandemic doesn’t let up for the holidays – neither can we.”
County Executive Molinaro’s father did die of COVID-19 early on in the discovery of the pandemic. From a personal perspective, this blogger’s husband’s best friend in Ohio has been doing his best to avoid COVID by not visiting us in NY. Recently, his father passed away, and they had a funeral for family and friends. A family friend attended the funeral, with no symptoms, who was positive, unbeknownst to her. Since then, the best friend tested positive, and was in bed for a week without being able to take calls, and his sister-in-law (his wife’s sister) has gone to the hospital with breathing problems. Others tested positive from the funeral as well.
And just like that, Thanksgiving is one week away! Although it might look a little different this year, the Hudson Valley is filled with the best places to get the most delicious pies. Plus, what a better time than now to shop small & support locals! Right?!
See below for the list of businesses near Beacon that are selling pies! Some places already closed their pre-order window. Pies are going fast! Can ya blame people?
Meanwhile, the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) really needs your help, as all of their in-person fundraisers have been canceled due to you-know-what. Donate here to their latest fundraiser, which is at 30% of its goal.
For humans who need groceries, ALBB just updated our Food Pantry Guide with the PayPal info to donate to Mutual Aid Beacon. They have been working since the beginning of the pandemic to bring people food and connect them with resources, and are always involved in projects.
And for this week's biggest news, the 10pm curfew imposed on the late night scene of restaurants and bars. As one 8 year old said: “Everybody knows that COVID cases are coming from people kissing at bars.” The truth may be that infections are spreading at home as people get lax in their social circles. Regardless, how are Beacon restaurants and bars dealing with it? We interviewed a bunch, and got some answers.
PS: Beacon has 8 COVID cases at moment, but there are 234 cases who are pending address confirmation according to the Dutchess County Dashboard.
THE SECOND SATURDAY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Catherine Sweet
You guys, we need your help! A Little Beacon Blog keeps the most comprehensive Second Saturday Guide around. That is because it is actually hard and time consuming to find info from the artists! But our editor Catherine sleuths around for it, and finds it. Basically, exhibits are usually announced a day before they open LOL so this is always a crunch-time type Guide for us. But the artists LOVE it, especially those who are popping up in unusual places, like Twins Barber Shop.
Trouble is, we need at least 5 Corporate or Individual Sponsor for it. Are you in? Details are HERE for Business or Individual Subscription Sponsorships, and they are on sale now. Artists and Galleries can have their own advertising package too, for a lower price. Details on artists pricing are HERE, and includes extra photo and Instagram options.
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
March For Education
Day: Saturday, November 14, 2020 Time: 3pm Location: Delano Hitch Stadium in Newburgh NY
From the organizers: "Bring a mask, bring a sign, bring a friend! The initial March for Education last month on the 24th got the ball rolling and has attracted Albany’s ear. The plan is to keep raising awareness about the C-RS framework and keep applying pressure! Event starts at 3 PM, and as it is getting darker earlier we strongly recommend bringing flashlights/headlamps/reflective gear as well as layers!"
Pro-Tip: Get your head-flashlight and reflective gear at Brett's Hardware. Information >
Decolonizing Education Webinar
Day: Monday, November 16, 2020 Time: 3-3:45pm and 7:15-8pm Where: Google Meets
A workshop to explore Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework in New York State and participate in a letter writing campaign to your State Representative regarding education policy. There are two sessions so students, parents, and the community can participate. To get the Google Meets link, please fill out this form: ll out form for link https://forms.gle/5SiqXK4BS9e7PjgS8 Information >
SAVE THE DATE:
Community Forum on Policing and Public Safety
Day: Saturday, November 21, 2020 Time: 10am Where: Zoom
Hosted by the Human Relations Commission. Questions can be submitted to the Mayor. From the flyer: "Seeking input from voices not previously heard." Information >
SallyeAnder November Pop-Up
Day: Friday & Saturday, November 13-14, 2020 Time: 10am-3pm Location: 18 W Main Street, Beacon, NY
Swing on by the SallyeAnder Workshop Friday, November 13 or Saturday, November 14th 10-3, to shop their complete line of handmade, all-natural soaps, balms and more! Mask required for entry. Four (4) customers at a time. Information >
The Yard Holiday Pop-Up Market
Day: Saturday, November 14, 2020 Time: 10am-8pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY
A holiday pop up market with local makers and vendors including LNJ Tech, Bow Glass Works, Beetle & Fred, Theresa Gooby, Inner Beauty Effects, Fishkill Landing, Lost & Found Flag Company, and more.
The Yard is an outdoor space and socially distancing and masks will be required. Information >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Double Double Bang Bang Menu is back! Look at Eat Church at Marbled Meat Shop in Cold Spring Friday and Saturday, 4-8pm. View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com. If you order online, pickup time slots are limited, so secure your spot! Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
If you haven’t tried the crispy chicken sandwich from Meyers Olde Dutch, you're missing out! Paired with house made pimento cheese, coleslaw and bread and butter pickles it might be the only thing capable of distracting you from checking your phone compulsively right now...or is that just us? More > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
BREAKING NEWS! This weekend, you can order the Empanadas with lime crema, fresno peppers & espelette. Available in chicken, pork and vegetarian, $12. Come see Homespun tomorrow. The back courtyard is going to be nice! View their all day menu View Menu > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Mix it up! A glass of Malenchini Chianti, a Buffalo Blue Cheese Salad & a Virginia Beer Company Elbow Stout. And if you get a second round of drinks, you may need some more fries to split! Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Spacious eating awaits inside BAJA 328, and their to-go options are just as fresh. Baja offers spacious indoor seating with their flexible garage door front wall, to keep you safer and ventilated. Tuesday - Thursday: 4-9pm Friday - Saturday: 12pm-10pm Sunday: 12pm-8pm Follow on Instagram > Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
EAT CHURCH
511 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon, NY
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
You know you need to paint something gold and shiny right now! Brett's has all the colors of the rainbow in stock in their Beacon location. You need matte or glossy? Brett's has then moth. Silver or gold? Yes. Get your craft on. PS: Brett's is hiring an Assistant Manager in their New Windsor location! Get details here. Go Shopping > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
Meet the team behind Luxe Optique! The Luxe Optique team is dedicated to providing their customers with the highest level of service to bring you the ultimate eyewear experience. Stop by or schedule your appointment to experience it for yourself. Go Shopping > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
We love to see a young one discovers a new book, like this one by Kai Kalia Yang, Khoa Le, “The Most Beautiful Thing”.
From Binnacle Books, “Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang’s childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia’s story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family’s early years in the United States. When Kalia becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it is her grandmother—a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth—who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this inter-generational tale to life.” Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
Time to get cozy? Don't mind if we do! Especially if it involves wearing these adorable lace trimmed socks. Find this pair and much more brand new goodies at La Mére Clothing and Goods. Check out their website and shop online! Information > La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Lewis & Pine has their exclusively designed line of jewelry of course, but the tiny shop is filled with other treasures as well. Like one of the best greeting card collection in Beacon. See here for cards you can buy right now online. Or go into the shop to discover other gems.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shop > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON INSTITUTE FOR RIVERS AND ESTUARIES
The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries is now offering programs for homeschool groups at our Water Ecology Center on Dennings Point. The programs are STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) oriented with a focus on environmental themes. Information >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is acknowledging Terry Williams on her 28 year anniversary with the agency. Terry is licensed agent, and personal insurance team leader. She also happens to be the insurance agent of ALBB's Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez! Congratulations Terry! Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Did you know that The Associated Press has made its official recommendation on if the "b" in Black is capitalized when referring to Black people? It is. As well as the "I" in Indigenous. But not the "w" in white, due to its past history and connection. Learn More >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Designing a website is exciting and involves new possibilities. It can also be overwhelming to conceptualize. Katie James, Inc. wants to be on that journey with you, and wants to put together the puzzle that is your business or venture, so that people can experience it for a strong impression of your brand. Learn More >
At first blush, this seems to target canoodling. As one 8 year old observed: “Everybody knows that COVID cases are coming from people kissing at bars.” The truth may be that infections are spreading at home as people get lax in their social circles. With Thanksgiving coming up, Governor Cuomo just decided for you on if you were merging with another family, depending on the size of yours. Which may be good, as family table talk could get fiery with the election still in the rear view mirror.
For some restaurants in Beacon, the surge in take-out, delivery, parklets (seating in the street) and new safety measures have helped keep their businesses alive. We checked with business owners in Beacon to see how this curfew will impact them, interviews with some are below.
The eateries most impacted will most likely be Hudson Valley Food Hall, with the limitation of the Roosevelt Bar, Barb’s Fry Works, who just opened a stall inside HV Food Hall to cater to the late night drinking crowd, and The Beacon Hotel, who is known for their late night lounge service.
Max’s On Main, one of the original a late-nighters in the game, pivoted already to focus on food and take-out. The Eat Church Food Truck used to be hunkered down at Industrial Arts Brewing on Rte. 52, but long ago pulled up the pins and was serving from Marbled Meat Shop in Cold Spring, and will bounce to Kingston next. Sadly, Joe’s Irish Pub, announced their permanent closure and retirement in early November 2020.
We interviewed several owners below, and heard from others as well.
Some Restaurants Already Started Closing At Or By 10pm
MEYERS OLD DUTCH Meyers Old Dutch (MOD) owner and chef Brian Arnoff used to have a weekend late night crowd, but stopped when he re-opened during the pandemic. “Since COVID started, we’ve been closing by 10pm anyways. We used to stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Thankfully, this shouldn’t impact us. At least for now anyways.”
CHILL WINE BAR Jim Svetz, owner of Chill Wine Bar, is also able to proceed, saying: “Thankfully this won’t impact us that much, since we reopened with already limited hours Friday and Saturdays, from 5pm-10pm. So no change here. I think most places with limited indoor seating will have a difficult time this winter. But we will get through this together.”
HOMESPUN New owner of Homespun, Joe Robitaille, who is a wine expert (aka sommelier), has increased the amount of wine bottles and specialty beer they sell from the store, which “has helped us so much,” he told us when mulling over Thanksgiving and catering options. Look for a possible fire-pit and heaters in the back garden, but that is not confirmed yet.
BANK SQUARE COFFEE HOUSE Bank Square Coffee House is a coffee house that caters to a beer crowd for day-drinking and lightly into the evening. Says their manager: “I do believe it might impact our weekend crowd. Now with winter coming along, we depend a lot on our weekday regulars and our occasional busy weekends. Now with not many people being able to stay out late, I think we might see a little less of a weekend crowd. Fortunately, we close at 8pm even on weekends, so we won’t get too impacted.”
Late Night Bars With Food Who Pivoted With The First Re-Opening
QUINN’S Quinn’s was one of the last restaurants in Beacon to re-open, waiting until summer. For this latest restriction, Quinn’s manager, Stamper, was feeling prepared: “After our hiatus between May and August, we re-opened understanding that we would not be a late night place again for a long while. With this in mind, we shifted our hours to incorporate lunch and closing at 9pm. With the removal of Main Street parklets, losing our outdoor dining, we’ve recently opened up indoor at an exclusive capacity, and with new hours: 5pm-11pm. This change was so fresh, that most customers still assume our kitchen is only open until 9pm, and so orders taper off around then. Ultimately, we’re losing an hour, but the bulk of our business is kept between the 5pm-9pm hours, and I’m certain as word spreads, folks will hang at Quinn’s until 10pm. Thank you!”
MAX’S ON MAIN Max’s on Main is where you go where everybody knows your name, at practically any time of the day. You need a Blondie dessert at 11pm after having a great dinner at Dogwood? You go to Max’s. However, after the re-opening, they too shifted their late night bar scene to be heavy in food. We caught up with Jesse Kaplan, son of co-owner Richie Kaplan, and bar tenders Stephanie and Mary.
Said Jesse: “We were one of the business that served food the latest. Our customers know that we are available here later than some other places, and they have been very supportive of that. We are going to take a hit for that. But, we care about everybody being safe. If this is what we have to do to help the community be safe, then we are all in favor. I would never want to put the community at risk. We have been very careful here about everything. Face masks. Sanitation. Temperature. If we have to close at 10pm, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Will alcohol sales hurt Max’s? Jesse explains: “Our identity changed a little bit as a result of the pandemic. We made the decision to operate the business more as a restaurant once the pandemic hit, with an understanding that we would lose those alcohol sales, but our customers and our staff would feel more safe.”
Delivery is now available at Max’s. Right now, the crew is driving. “We all have been pitching in. Richie takes a delivery. I have been known to take a delivery or two. Stephanie (a bartender and former reporter and student in cyber crime) will take one one the way home at the end of her shift. The staff has really stepped up to pitch in.”
Stephanie chimed in to say that right away after the pandemic started, the community was very supportive and ordered a lot of food. Jesse recalls phone-in orders, where people will say: “Hi, I’m calling in an order, and I ordered from Brother’s earlier, and the Diner yesterday. I want to do my part to support restaurants in town. We are very thankful for that.”
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL VIA THE ROOSEVELT BAR Owner of the Hudson Valley Food Hall (HV Food Hall), Marko Guzijan was cruising right along with the bar business at the Roosevelt Bar until 1am, which was doing so well that Barb’s Butchery, who enjoys popping up on Main Street at the Farmer’s Market from time to time from her home base of Spring Street, had just opened a stall inside the food hall called Barb’s Fry Works, which catered to the hungry late night crowd. HV Food Hall is very spacious inside, with tall ceilings, and has a generous patio on their corner lot.
Said Marko, who was looking forward focusing on his 40th birthday: “The late night crowd has been very good for us. Barb’s Fry Works just opened, and her business model is based on staying open with the bar. So it’s a big hit. Everyone in the Food and Beverage business wants to do the right thing. If shutting down helps end the pandemic, then let’s do it. But it feels like the Governor just keeps punching down and hurting Food and Beverage businesses.
“We try to follow the rules. We implement new business models, and then the Governor changes it all up and offers us nothing in return. We have to help out with overhead and bills. Central Hudson still charges the same rate, Optimum charges the same rate, our insurance is based on the size of the business, but our business is cut by over half. I think all small businesses will do what is best for the greater good, but it feels like we are the ones taking the larger hit on our business.”
What new things has HV Food Hall done to accommodate the pandemic? Marko describes: “The food hall bar business model for us is fast/casual and self-service. With the new restrictions, we have had to hire more staff (2 hosts, 2 servers, a barback, and 2 busboys). Now we need to figure out if we need that staff anymore. I really don’t want to lay people off in a pandemic, but might not have a choice.
“We have limited our seating because of the 6 feet rule, which has forced us to turn people away at times. Because of the food rule, the bar will buy food for patrons instead of forcing them to spend more money on something they don’t want. We have 25+ staff in the whole food hall, and have not had a single positive test. When someone doesn’t feel well, they stay home and close the stall. We then pay for a commercial cleaning company to come in and deep clean everything, at a cost of almost $1,000. Five guys in hazmat suits spend 4-5 hours going over every inch of the food hall. We do these things and we’ve never had a staff member test positive.
“As the rules keep changing, we start running our business in fear. At any point, the Governor can send people in and take away the liquor license. I would love to have live music for Saturday and Sunday brunch, but can’t get clarification on if it is allowed or not. So I don’t let it happen, even though a few of the chefs have pushed for it.”
THE BEACON HOTEL The Beacon Hotel was fully renovated a few years ago by a different ownership team. Jon Lombardi started as the general manager there, and is now co-owner. Under his management, The Beacon Hotel has become an eatery for all times: brunch, lunch, dinner, and operates as a lounge in the evening. Jon was walking past his restaurant when we caught up with him. When asked about the change, he didn’t flinch. “We’re ready. I’ve got my flyer. I’ve got my to-go glasses.”
Jon is never one without ideas, and has inspired his pandemic survival package with a “Last Call: 10pm” theme. Patrons can order to-go shots with group discounts, different cocktails in cute mason jars, and perhaps the best part: if you bring back your mason jar for a refill the next day or days later, you get a discount. Food has always been available to go at The Beacon Hotel, and continues to be, which includes rotating specials and themes for whatever is going on.
There are other bar/restaurants in town, but we did not get their definitive plans in time for this article. Wishing everyone the best, and to keep on ordering.
After last week’s reaction to news, we are running an article to remind everyone about the Comment Policy at A Little Beacon Blog. As a result of the insults being thrown around throughout the pandemic, which peaked during election week, and will continue as we cover racial and pandemic topics, and quote people (any people), the insult darts from neighbor to neighbor are going to continue. This is how we deal with them at A Little Beacon Blog:
Comments Are Privileges, Not Rights
Back in the days when print media was the only way to get the news delivered to you in some format that was not word of mouth, people had the opportunity to write in a Letter to the Editor. Of the letters received, only a few could be selected. So it’s a big deal to be printed. Now with website platforms, people can publish comments usually un-moderated. Some websites thrive on this activity. ALBB does not. We do not relish in discomfort, hurt, punches through words.
While a news story might hurt someone’s feelings, it is usually a reflection of what happened. In a news story, reading the truth might hurt, or reading yourself quoted when you spoke at City Council Meeting or other public meeting might feel awkward, but that’s another matter.
The following types of comments will be deleted if left on our Instagram or Facebook, and will not be accepted to be published here on this blog:
Name Calling, like “They are stupid!” Phrases that disrespect people, especially those phrases that combine a word that implies a mentally disabled person. No matter what side you are on, or if you are blended into both sides, if you imply others as being stupid, your comment may be deleted.
False Accusations. When an implication is made in a comment, sometimes we will know who the person is, and if the claim is true. If we cannot validate an event mentioned in a comment, usually we use the comment as a lead to follow up on with the proper authorities, or get more information from that person.
First and Last Names Required, usually: When publishing a comment here at the blog, you need to include your first and last name, and your actual email. If you include just your first name, and your correct email, we may consider publishing it. But really, if you stand behind what you say, you won’t be afraid to include your first and last name. If you use a false email, we won’t publish it. Emails are kept private. They are not published, and we do not add them to our newsletter list.
Try to contribute a thought. If you’re making a comment, please try to contribute a thought that we all can benefit from, as we consider different angles.
Time to disengage. If a comment conversation gets too heated, with insults piling up, we will ask you to stop. Please respect this and move on.
Facebook Alias: If you use an alias at Facebook, and we find out, we may delete your comment. Already we have corresponded with people who do use aliases for various reasons. Those who do use an alias have so far left the most bully-ish comments. If you want to be a bully, do it under your full name with your face for us all to get to know you better.
Instagram Alias: Instagram is a different vibe than Facebook. It was not designed to be like a moving yearbook. If you use a cute name at Instagram, we are fine with this, and may quote you using your Instagram handle.
Quoting from Instagram or Facebook: When you leave a comment at Instagram or Facebook, it is public for the world to see, so we will not ask your permission to quote it if we lift it for an article.
Exceptions to these rules: If you leave a horrific comment, we may actually leave it up, so that others can learn more about you.
Grammar Shaming
What has become clear during the 2020 election is that one group is being implicated as stupid, while that group despises the other group for being elitist smarty-pants types. While one group viewed the 45th president as a great leader, others viewed and experienced him as a bully.
Grammar Shaming is an act of bullying. It is taking the distraction of one’s error in using a official word - either spelled or pronounced - and discarding them based on a spelling error or grammar flub. We discussed this with former mayor Randy Casale in a podcast episode on “What, What Is That?” Randy uses his own diction in pronouncing some words, and for years has been discounted and cut down for it in Facebook. And he’s not the only one who is grammar shamed. It happens all of the time in social media when someone spots a misspelling, etc.
Cutting someone down for the way they speak is wrong. If a white person did that to a Black person, it would be racist. If a white person does it to a white person, it is rude and hurtful. Both versions are an act of being a bully and are hurtful.
People love finding misspelled words. It basically makes them feel better about themselves, because they also make mistakes. But there are several things to consider here:
Ideas are not discounted just because someone spelled something wrong, or uses their own diction. If you see an error, and you want to snicker, keep it to yourself, and do not use ALBB’s social media to point it out.
The English language really is not logical. For those who are professionals at it - good for you. The logic just isn’t consistent. Why are “dove” and “love” pronounced with a soft “o” and “move” is spelled with a hard “o”?
Why does “y” sound like a “y,” except when it’s at the end of a word like “happy?”
There is probably a grammerly type answer for these questions, but that doesn’t mean they are logical or contribute to an easy life :)
So give everyone a break, and don’t use Grammar Shaming if you disagree with someone.
Editing For Spoken and Written Word
There are times when people speak in their style, and their grammar is unique, or part of a dialect of their community. We tend to not edit for that, especially when we transcribe a speech. The speaker loves the way they speak, and we want to respect that. If a speaker asks that we edit a pronunciation, we can do that.
Usually in press releases, if we feel that there needs to be an extra comma, and we really want to add one, we won’t. We love commas! And run-on sentences. If a press release forgot a word, like “not,” then we reach out if the context doesn’t make sense.
Holding Ourselves Accountable Too
There are lots of times we want to reply to a comment, but don’t, as it’s mainly a conversation space for you. We also know that you like your media on the neutral side. But sometimes we dip in. Know that we too are sitting on our hands and biting our tongues if a really snarky or sarcastic comment is trying to come out. We try to follow a guidline of not responding after 7pm, as that’s when words can get really spicy. We try to give it a minute.
Bias In The Media
Every single media outlet is biased, because it is run by humans. Even if the media was created by a computer, the machines learn, right? So they eventually lean in a certain direction. When a writer has an idea, they have an idea for a reason. From the genesis of their idea, or their clue that they are onto a good story idea, they are biased with that idea.
When they pitch it to their editor, their editor gets to make the choice of if the writer can pursue it or not. That editor is also biased. Everyone putting the publication together has a bias. Even the layout artist who is arranging pictures and words and headlines, to find what stands out more. You can’t not be, because you are alive and process information around you.
To accuse a media publication of being “biased” and that being the reason you stop reading is … a sign that you don’t like that one article. Everyone likes to hate on the Poughkeepsie Journal, except when that newspaper breaks a great story that proves your opinion.
Of the two people who unsubscribed from our last newsletter digest, one person had moved, and the other person, an avid reader and inspiration for our Where To Buy Easter Egg Stuff On Main Street Gift Guide (she DMed us from Target, where she put everything back and wanted to buy on Main Street), unsubscribed to say that the publication had become too biased.
That newsletter digest contained the article about the truck train, and article about the second Black person to be appointed onto Beacon’s Board of Education, and how Beacon’s Superintendent was committed to keeping the theme of Undoing Racism in the school’s curriculum.
So if this publication is biased because it is writing about Black people, and making a point to do so more, then yes, that is how we lean into our bias.
“But I’m not racist.”
That’s great!! This comment has been circulating a lot by people who say they are not racist. One of the first steps of not being racist is to be anti-racist. That little word, “anti,” means that you are putting out an extra effort to not be racist.
Part of not being racist is to believe people. If someone tells you a story, or shares a video of someone shouting “white power” in front of the Beacon Post Office, the comment that shows you are not racist would be: “Oh my gosh. That is dreadful. I am so upset he was part of our rally.” Or “Oh my gosh. I know him. I am ashamed that he did that in our rally. I am going to speak to him later.”
But if you say: “I did not hear that from the car I was in.” or “Did you it see coming out of his mouth? Did you see his mouth move?” This will signal that you are in denial. An person in denial contributes to racism. Which brings us back to being anti-racist. Several people who supported the Trump caravan did say these statements - stating that they did not hear anything and wanting more proof than it captured in a video - and it fueled the tension because it was denial. It also stunned a lot of fellow readers.
Ultimately, all of the readers wanted no racism. Anti-racism is how we get there. If you hear a story told to you, and then you respond by telling a story that counter-balances the testimonial given to you, you have denied that person’s testimony. That is not an act of being anti-racist. That is an act of being in denial, and contributing to racism.
You can also know, that our readership has grown with our racial coverage. White people reading are wanting to know more about Black people and their culture - a culture that exists within this very white community but isn’t covered that much - if at all - by the media. So we are trying our best to increase that.
In between breaking news stories about the pandemic or police or whatever else keeps happening.
Thank you for reading, and for your support. This community wants the same thing. Getting there is a unique journey, and never ends. It is a journey we will always be on, so is daily work.
From Beacon Arts: Gwen Laster and Creative Strings Improvisers Orchestra, 2019 Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts Grant Recipient.
Reminder: Applications now being accepted for the Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts 2020 Grants
Deadline: November 15, 2020
The goal of the Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts is to fund Beacon projects not generally supported by other area arts organizations, including individual artist’s projects, unique exhibition, performance or public art projects, arts education programs, and community projects that promote area artists and arts activities and that draw attention to the valuable role of arts and culture in our community.
To honor Clara Lou Gould upon the occasion of her retirement after 18 years of service as Beacon’s Mayor, and in recognition of her support of arts and culture in Beacon, BeaconArts created a special Fund for the Arts named for Beacon’s former Mayor. Because Mayor Gould was born and raised in Cold Spring but spent most of her adult life in Beacon, the arts fund is designed to support arts and cultural projects and activities in the Greater Beacon community, including projects that may be initiated outside Beacon but benefit the arts community in the Beacon area of New York.
The Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.
The 2020 round of applications for the Clara Lou Gould Fund for the Arts is now open, for projects taking place between December 1, 2020-November 30, 2021.
Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or be fiscally sponsored by one. If you would like information about fiscal sponsorship through BeaconArts, please visit Beacon Arts website.
With COVID-19 cases rising in the nation and in New York, Governor Cuomo announced today via press conference that any establishment with a State Liquor Authority license must close by 10pm. The Dutchess Business Notification Network reported the news quickly. The Executive Order is to come, but you can watch the announcement here.
Hospitalizations in New York are up overall, as are deaths. While the average number of deaths over the summer was at around 4, lately it has been climbing, with yesterday reaching 32. While this is very sad, and overall low compared to New York’s death number in the spring, the increase is notable. Governor Cuomo in his daily emails has been stressing to limit private gatherings, and did remove the liquor license from a wedding venue in Long Island who hosted a wedding that exceeded reduced capacity, and ended up being a super spreader.
From his 11/9/2020 nightly email: “A Long Island country club lost its liquor license after hosting an illegal, super-spreader wedding. As we have seen time and time again, large gatherings can unfortunately turn into super-spreader events. The State Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license for the North Fork Country Club following a wedding which violated pandemic-related guidance. A total of 113 guests attended—more than double the number allowed—leading to 34 COVID-19 infections, and scores of people in quarantine. New York will not tolerate illegal and dangerous mass gatherings.”
Said Governor Cuomo Tuesday evening: “In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 5.59 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.56 percent.” He has always indicated the “tighten the valve” method as numbers increase, and this is one of those measures, without fully shutting things down.
The Dutchess Business Notification Network also reported that while the physical location must be closed, restaurants and bars may continue to serve take-out and delivery options for food items.
Gyms are also required to close each night at 10PM.
Gatherings at private residencies must now be limited to 10 individuals maximum.
As winter is coming, and extended outdoor dining in parklets (aka designated areas in parking spots on the streets) has ended as of November 1, 2020 in Beacon, restaurants are facing an incredible challenge to stay open. Some restaurants are able to keep their sidewalk dining open, and some have courtyards in the back. Some have been able to succeed through delivery options. Trax Coffee Roasters, based in Beacon, just opened a second location on Rte. 52, at the boarder of Fishkill and Beacon. For a list of which ones, see A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide.
The radio station WPDH, ‘The Home of Rock and Roll’, has shared a list of at least 35 restaurants that are closing in the Hudson Valley. Some that have been in business for over 30 years! Reasoning for some closures are unknown, and others are due to COVID-19. Visit WPDH for more reporting they did on each restaurant regarding thier reasons for closing, most of which are pandemic-related.
WPDH also shared that, “Dunkin' is set to close at least eight New York locations. Dunkin' confirmed plans to close 450 locations, mostly on the East Coast, by the end of 2020. All of the Dunkin' closures are stores located inside Speedway gas stations. In the Hudson Valley, there are Dunkin' stores inside Speedway locations in Highland, New Windsor, Saugerties, and two in Kingston according to Google Maps. In New York, there are also locations in Hudson, Norwich and Margaretville. Click Here to read more.”
Dunkin’ Donuts, on Rte. 52. Other Dunkin’ Donuts inside of Speedway gas stations will also close, as walk-in foot-traffic has diminished.
Fishkill
Il Barilotto (on Main Street)
Wappingers Falls
Stewart’s Shops on Route 9D Cousins Ale House, which includes the entire brewery, not just moving to a new location. Michael's Rita’s Italian Ice
Poughkeepsie
Sweet Obsessions Nic L Inn Cellar Bistro & Market Bonefish Grill Table Talk Diner Ruby Tuesday at the Poughkeepsie Mall (the Fishkill location had already closed months prior to pandemic) Amici's
Newburgh
Cena 2000 (on the Newburgh Waterfront) Waterfront Lounge and Grill (on the Newburgh Waterfront) Union Square
Wallkill
Zoghby's Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream
Napanoch
White Wolf Restaurant
New Windsor
Sweet Peas Cafe
Kingston
TCBY Duo Bistro Dunkin’ Donuts
Irvington
Dexter’s Den
Scarsdale
California Pizza Kitchen
Montgomery
88 Charles Street Cafe Garrison's Tavern & Restaurant
Beacon’s Memorial Building at 413 Main Street. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
As is tradition in Beacon, a ceremony was held at 11am at the Memorial Building at 413 Main Street to lay a wreath in honor of those who served and are serving, hosted by VFW Post #666. Normally a large group gathers outside to witness the ceremony, but due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings, Dutchess County instead offered a county-wide convoy of emergency service vehicles including police, fire, county, armed services, and local municipal vehicles to drive through every municipality in Dutchess County, “to safely recognize and celebrate the sacrifices of local veterans,” according to the City of Beacon’s website.
Said County Executive Molinaro about the day: “On Veterans Day we honor our nation’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good. In their honor we will travel every corner of the county, heralding their service and once again celebrating these brave and heroic individuals. I encourage everyone to safely enjoy this convoy or any of the other community events happening throughout Dutchess. We are better, stronger and safer because of their service and sacrifice.”
Veterans of the VFW Post #666 help their fellow veterans whenever possible. A recent event was “helping a fellow member and Korean War Veteran, with some house repairs and upgrades to enable him to safely remain in his home,” according to a post on their Facebook page.
Members of VFW Post #666 helping a fellow member with upgrades to his home to improve the safety of his house. Photo Credit: VFW Post #666
Saturday started a stunner of a weekend, with the sunshine and warm weather. The stunner of a surprise happened mid-day Saturday, when the 2020 election results were declared and just over one half of America began celebrating. Locals and visitors were already out and about to enjoy shopping on Beacon’s Main Street, which grew enhanced with joyful honking of passing cars.
As cars passed, some people walking on the sidewalk clapped and cheered. Twins Barber Shop had a DJ spinning beats, and Joy, the owner of the Subway franchise, stepped outside to film what was developing on Beacon’s mile long Main Street. She wasn’t alone. Several shop owners and staff also stepped outside to look at the cheers, take pictures, and step back inside for the hustle and bustle that is Saturday in Beacon.
While not organized, this demonstration of horn honking was impromptu and was done by drivers as they drove from Point A to Point B of their Saturday errands. Patrons outside of several eateries like Homespun, Zaitun, Max’s On Main, Amacord, Towne Crier Cafe, and others, lifted their arms when someone banged a drumb, clanged a pot, shook a tambourine, or sounded a horn. A few cars drove around several times, like one vehicle who was playing the National Anthem.There was very little if any police vehicle presence, as this was not a demonstration, but people reacting while going about their days.
Strangers gave socially distant high fives, people listening to different music in their ear buds joined rhythm and danced together while passing each other. The reaction was not isolated to one area of Main Street, or to one time of the day. This lasted the entire length of Main Street, from the mountain to the train, into the evening. There did not seem to be many fireworks that were ignited.
Later in the evening, at 8:30pm when Kamala Harris and Joe Biden addressed the nation and the world, horns were honking in their TV audience as well, as trucks had been orchestrated to pull up to their drive-in speech that was held outside, to honk in support.
Shopping was in full force this weekend. Below are a few pictures of the shops we stopped into. As for volume of sales, some owners are reporting healthy buying from the uptick in Beacon’s visitors. Brenda from Beacon Bath and Bubble observed that the sales are close to what they are at around Christmas time. She observed this back when the Cupcake Festival was hosted in Beacon, which became one of her best sales days of the year.
Anne from the Chocolate Studio was happy with the amount of people making it around the bend to her end of Main Street, she confided to us as we ate a delicious vegan strawberry ice cream that is quickly becoming a famous flavor for dairy lovers as well.
And of course we had to stop into the Snooki Shop! Snooki, who’s name is Nicole, opened the shop in Beacon, returning to her roots of the Hudson Valley to expand her business. We learned that she also has a line of makeup, and other goodies you’ll find inside the shop.
For those who are fans of the annual Hop and Shop, event, a date has been set! Reserve December 3 (Thursday) and December 4 (Friday) for extra long nights of shopping.
Below are videos of different areas of Main Street and the joyful noise sounded.
The Chocolate Studio, on Beacon’s East End of Main Street, near the mountain. Try their vegan strawberry, a favorite with dairy lovers.
LLTO is back! Once in the tiny shop near Mountain Tops, this decor shop has opened mid-way down Main Street. Very selective inventory that from around the world, you’ll want to stop in.
Bath salts, bubble bath, bath bombs, all you need to brighten your bathroom are in Beacon Bath and Bubble, along with childhood favorites candy and soda.
New journals and towels are in at Beacon Mercantile, a perfume store in Beacon, where the scents are made in the shop.
Makeup from Snooki in the Snooki Shop, which includes a glitter pallet. You’ll even find stick-on eyelashes!
Velour is in this season, and you’ll find it at La Mere right now, with this velour halter. Wear it under a tank. And don’t miss the stackable rings to bling up your fingers.
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By: Marilyn Perez and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Story Screen RE-OPENING
Day: Friday, November 6, 2020 Location: Story Screen Beacon, 445 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Wwwwwwat!!!?? Beacon's movie theater, Story Screen, is opening their doors to the inside! What's playing? Who knows! Does it matter? Just kidding. Here is the lineup. More importantly, here's how the Story Screen folks are running things to ensure safety. And they are being very strict! Like, stricter than usual. Basically: buy tickets online only, but if you can't buy online. You can email them for other ways of buying. Speaking of emailing them, there's no congregating in the lobby with questions for the staff. You can call them! And absolutely, positively, no sneaking in food. The End, Period. Get The COVID-19 Guidelines >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Attn Curry Lovers!! This is the last weekend that @eatchurch is serving the Curry menu inspiration at @marbledmeatshop in Cold Spring, NY. If you haven’t tried the “Curry Kult Revue” yet, this is your last chance! Pre-order is open now!!
Eat Church’s food truck is still pulling up to Marbled for new menus, so don’t you worry!! Chef Mark just likes to keep us on our toes with his menu switch ups! Next weekend the menu will be inspired for the Holiday run up! Days: Friday & Saturday 4-8pm
View all dishes and full menu at eatchurch.com Information > Eat Church is an ALBB Sponsor!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
and the Cafe at the Dia : Beacon
This is what talking to a sommelier sounds like. We will let Joe describe this wine in his own words. Before we do, make note that as of now, Homespun is really only open on the weekend (Thursday - Sunday) so buy your wine, beer, and cookies now. Dine in for lunch and dinner. Here's Joe in his own words about this weekend's featured bottle:
"Les lendemains qui chantent... the tomorrow’s that sing... ‘Le temps des cerises’... The time of cherries... a French song that was a metaphor regarding what life will be like after the revolution will have changed social and economic conditions to create fairness and prosperity for all. Here’s to you. And the wine...Grenache doing what it can do with a restrained, deft touch, and also a cooler vineyard site located at 450 meters above sea level, in the forests of the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut-Languedoc." Information > Homespun is an ALBB Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
POP-UP ALERT!
We just got word of a🧁Sweet & Salty POP UP 🥨 happening this weekend at the Hudson Valley Food Hall! Stop by Saturday or Sunday for a Salty Pretzel, a Sweet Cupcake or BOTH! Information > Hudson Valley Food Hall is an ALBB Sponsor!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
OMG sweet potato fritters from @meyersoldedutchbeacon are back!!! And only for a limited time. Get them while you can
PRO TIP: We had some Reader Questions on these: they are not gluten free or vegan. But they are really good. As is the cocktail. Tap To Order > Meyers Olde Dutch is an ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
BAJA 328 is always serving up something different! Check what's on draft. It was blueberry season in the special craft beer season. See what they have this weekend! Tuesday - Thursday: 4-9pm Friday - Saturday: 12pm-10pm Sunday: 12pm-8pm Follow on Instagram > Baja 328 is an ALBB Sponsor!
BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Bounty Alert!!
Brett's has this brand-name paper towel it in stock, but maybe not for long! ALBB featured it this week in our Instagram, and already a customer was in the store, saw the feature, and Insta-storied us a message of him stocking up at home. Go Shopping > Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
It's not a left-over Halloween costume! These are the prescription checkers once you're all done with your eye exam at Luxe Optique for contacts or frames. In this picture, the glasses are being used for a special prescription for close-up reading only. Not progressives, but a different pair of glasses only to be used at the computer, for those of us who have great vision with glasses, but go cross-eyed after typing at the computer for too long. Schedule Your Eye Exam > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
From Binnacle Books, regarding their popular and innovative book project: "100 BOOKS! As of today, the Beacon Prison Books Project has sent 100 books to people incarcerated throughout New York State!" Not quite a year old, and the Beacon Prison Books Project is really picking up steam! There are more and more requests coming in all the time. What this means is that there are lots of books to choose from, so if you're able to, come to Binnacle Books to sponsor a book in person and write your own postcard, please do so! Open until 6pm and then closed Tuesday and Wednesday. If you’re not able to come and do it in person, keep your eyes on their Instagram at @binnaclebooks for the forthcoming return of our online sponsorship process. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
436 Main Street, Beacon
Necklace chains are all the rage for face masks, and La Mere is delivering. Word is from the kids in school, is that they wear chains attached to their face masks, for short breaks, eating lunch, going on recess, that sort of thing. Pretty chains are in stock now, as are other rings and accessories. What is your favorite Fall look? Stay on or ahead of the trends and pick up some new pieces at La Mére Clothing and Goods today or visit their shop online 24/7. Free Pickup is available for locals! La Mere is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LEWIS & PINE
133 Main Street, Beacon
Lewis & Pine is the tiny but mighty shop at the beginning of Main Street (on the train side), nestled between a new pottery shop and a smoothie store, with a coffee shop just beyond that. Look in the window and you'll see the most delicious looking cups (or mugs? no handles...is a coffee cup without a handle still called a mug?). The mugs look like ice cream cones. Go down there and tell us what you see! And go inside, of course. For the jewelry, paper stationery, and mugs.⠀⠀⠀ Shop Online > Lewis & Pine is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
Salon Dae
1820 New Hackensack Road
Suite 6
Poughkeepsie, NY
(located just beyond Dutchess Air Port)
Danielle Pitts, owner and lead stylist at Salon Dae, had a great newsletter for her clients this month. She titled her newsletter "No"vember.
Repeat after Danielle:
"Why 'No' vember? We all are feeling an added level of pressure with the news, social media , politics and the list goes on. So it's more important to say NO to the people, places and things that drain our energy.
'No'vember sounds like
NO self-hate
NO being lazy
NO excuses
NO unhealthy foods (in large quantities)
NO sugar drinks, have water instead
NO regrets
NO quitting
Salon Dae braids, cuts and colors hair for all people, Black and white. Especially women who feel empowered. Make your appointment today >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
The team at Antalek & Moore is here for your business and home insurance needs. Are you a new business in town? The easiest thing you could do for yourself is to call Antalek & Moore and let them handle your business insurance, event insurance, car insurance, and more. They do the homework on the best rate for you, and they research and answer your insurance coverage questions. How much risk and exposure are you opening yourself up to? Antalek & Moore will let you know - if you ask them. Information > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE Work From Home Tip:
Need a good lighting idea for your work from home space? We have the lighting idea for you. An affordable too! Watch This >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Need a beautiful website with ecommerce right now?
Need to fix your existing website with ecommerce to make it look modern, fresh and beautiful? Katie James, Inc. can help with all of these things. And train you in how to run your website all by yourself. Katie James, Inc. aims to empower clients to do things on their own. Learn More >
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.
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.
Howland Cultural Center Holiday Small Gift Show
