Contact: Gwen Laster

845- 265-2878

THE FUTURE OF SONG: YOUNG ARTISTS SHOWCASE at THE CHAPEL RESTORATION

Who’s writing the songs of tomorrow? Come to the Chapel Restoration on Saturday, June 4 at 2 pm and hear for yourself. The Future of Song: Young Artists Showcase will bring together talented singer/songwriters between 9 and 17 years old to perform their own compositions. The gifted young musicians, who hail from the Hudson Valley, New York City and Connecticut, are students of local musicians Stacy Labriola, Gwen Laster, Kathleen Pemble and Damon Banks. Piano, guitar, violin and voice will be the instruments of the day, filling the historic Chapel with original music and demonstrating that the future of song is alive and well.

The roster of up-and-coming musicians is impressive:

• Matt Chason has been playing guitar and writing songs for four years and plays bass and piano as well. Matt says he plans to make music for the rest of his life.

• Mackenzie Fariel is just 14 but she’s been writing songs since she was 6 and studying guitar with Stacy Labriola since she was 11. A fine vocalist, she was the only Middle School student invited to sing with Haldane’s a capella group, Bluenotes.

• Andrew Feyer has acquired a raft of musical experience in his 17 years. He plays piano, drums, orchestral percussion, guitar and bass; writes music; and performs solo and with several groups across the musical spectrum. He attended last year’s Singer-Songwriter summer workshop at Interlochen and will study music this summer at Carnegie Mellon. Andrew plans a career in music.

• Dashiell Flach is a recent high-school grad who’s been writing songs since he was 12. His piano driven compositions take their influences from a variety of genres. Dash, who also plays guitar and sings, will be attending Bard College in the fall.

• Kyle Guffey is a high school sophomore who has more than a dozen songs to her credit, which she plays along with acoustic folk and country tunes in area venues. Kyle was one of Gwen Laster’s songwriting students at Interlochen Center for the Arts last summer and this spring, as a trombone player, she traveled with her Barlow High School band to Orlando for Festival Disney 2011.

• Shayna Kandel-Zasloff has been playing the violin since kindergarten and now, at 9, is still at it. She prefers improvisation, has an ear for hip hop, likes to invent catchy tunes, and puts multiple moods into every song. A student of Gwen Laster, Shayna sings through her violin.

• Joe Krzyzewski has been performing since age 11. The singer, songwriter, guitarist who studies with Damon Banks at Poughkeepsie Day School has a long list of musical accomplishments. He has organized a successful Hudson Valley benefit concert for victims of the Haitian earthquake, appeared at numerous festivals and celebrations in the NY area and is involved in The Power of Song, a group of young musicians led by Pete Seeger. Music critic Rachel Tinman says of him, “His writing is more poetic and heavy than a lot of musicians three times his age.”

• Lindy Labriola is a sophomore at Haldane High School who has been composing songs since she was 10. Her future plans include study in biochemistry but this budding scientist says she will never lose her love of words and the creative outlet they provide.

• Sara Labriola is a 7^th grade student at the Garrison School who plays classical and electric guitar as well as saxophone.

• Schuyler Press is 12 years old, has been writing songs for several years, and is currently studying guitar. One of her songs, I Am Today, is for sale on itunes with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.

• Aurora Straus is a 6^th grader from Cold Spring who attends Hackley School. She has been studying guitar and songwriting with Kathleen Pemble for three years, also plays the flute and piano, and loves writing and performing her own music.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to hear original songs performed by the songwriters of the future and show support for creative young musicians in our area.

Date : Saturday, June 4, 2011

Time: 2:00 pm

Place The Chapel Restoration, 45 Market Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Suggested donation: $10.00 to benefit the Chapel

Free parking is available at the Metro North Station directly across Market Street.

Stonecrop Gardens

 Just a short drive from Cold Spring on Route 301, the 12-acre garden offers quite walking paths, including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff rock gardens, an enclosed English-style flower garden, gorgeous Hudson Valley views, and secret landscape surprises. 

Stonecrop was originally the home of Anne and Frank Cabot and became a public garden in 1992 under the direction of Caroline Burgess.  With a windswept elevation of 1,100 feet in the Hudson Highlands, Stonecrop enjoys a Zone 5 climate making the area very hardy for many species of plants.  Stonecrop is the perfect place to inspire amateur and professional gardeners alike.  There are plenty of quite places to sit back and relax.  Be respectful of the garden and take all of your garbage with you.

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm
The 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month (April to October)
Starting May 1, the gardens stay open until dusk every Friday.

Admission: $5.00 per person
More info:  845-265-2000 or www.stonecrop.org
Address:  81 Stonecrop Lane, Cold Spring, NY 10516

Want to know what else is going on in Putnam County? [CLICK HERE]

Typical Bloom Calendar at Stonecrop Gardens:

February/March
Indoor Display
Outdoor (Early spring bulbs, Galanthus, Eranthis)
April/May
Bulb display throughout the Garden
Rock Ledge, Raised Beds, Trough Display (Alpines, Saxifraga, Draba, Alyssum, Phlox)
Himalayan Slope, Gus’s Slope (Deciduous Rhododendron, Native Shadblow)
Wisteria Pavilion
Woodland Garden
June/July
Rock Ledge, Raised Beds, Rock Walls (Alpines, Campanulas, Dianthus)
August/September
Pond Garden, Rock Ledge (Aquatic Display)
Autumn Bulbs
Indoor/Outdoor
Flower Garden (Asters, Dahlias, Salvias, Tropicals)
Grass Garden
Systematic Order Beds  
October/November
Autumn foliage and fruit displays throughout the Garden

Spring at Stonecrop

The May 15 performance will focus on music by Scandinavian composers, and is scheduled to include, “The Rustle of Spring” by Sinding, “Finlandia” by Sibelius, “Festive Overture” by Alfven, “A Winter’s Tale” by Lars-Erik Larson, “Norwegian Rhapsody” by Svendson, and Grieg’s “Symphonic Dances Op. 64″.

The Taconic Outdoor Education Center will have Tubbs snowshoes available for use courtesy of Hudson Valley Outfitters, of Cold Spring, NY.  On a first come, first served basis, participants will have a chance to use a pair ofsnowshoes for a short period of time. The back hill will be open for tubing, the lake open for skating (bring your own skates or”boot” skate).  In the Lodge, food will be available along with crafts, Putnam Highland Audubon and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  We will finish the day with a wild life presentation at 3:00 by Bill Robinson.

The Winterfest is a rain or shine (snow, or no snow) event.  Activities will be adjusted to fit the weather.  Food and beverages will be available in Highland Lodge. Sorry,no pets.   Suggested Donation is $2 for Adults  and $1 for Kids.

Watch last year’s video and see all the fun..  Don’t miss out on another activity in Putnam County, sign up for our FREE  “Things to do Guide”  weekly e-newsletter.

The James I. O’Neill Arts and Education Booster Club’s presents  Dinnertainment…a night of dinner, dance, song and skits. Friday, November 12, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm for Pasta Dinner in the JIOHS Cafeteria and 7:00 PM the Cabaret in the Auditorium.  To reserve tickets please e-mail  AIEBCOneillHS@gmail.com. 

To drive to the James I. O’Neill H.S. from Cold Spring and Garrison: Take 9D South to the Bear Mountatin Bridge.  Bear right, first exit at circle to 9W Fort Montgomery-Highland Falls.  Continue straight through Fort Montgomery (1 traffic light) Watch as the posted speed limit changes from 45mph-to-35mph-and then to 40 mph.  Pass Holiday Inn Express on your right. Climb hill (speed changes) and take the first exit on the right, Highland Falls.  Stop at the exit and turn left over Route 9W and up hill (Raider Road) and park on the left.  Walk to the James I. O’Neill H.S. Front Entrance.

Submitted by: Nancy Wareham-Gordon Vice-President, the HFFMCSD Arts and Education Booster Club

Email: warehamgordon@live.com

In the Tour de Putnam, cyclists have the opportunity to choose a route length to suit their own riding ability. Clearly marked and color coded 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100 mile routes take riders through breathtaking Putnam County countryside whose scenic roads weave and wind and are bordered by history itself. Mountain bikers will have their own woodland loop awaiting them as well. 

The SAG supported event will open for registration at 7:30 with staggered starting times beginning at 8. Pre-registration is $25; same day registration is $30. For an on-line registration form visit: http://www.visitputnam.org/. Registration includes a t-shirt, picnic lunch and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

Ride Info:
- Full SAG support
- Clearly marked, color coded routes
- Easy to follow cue sheets
- Bike mechanics courtesy of Bikeway (845) 621-2800
- Route sweeps
- Medical support
- Complimentary massages
- Access from the Southeast Station, on Metro-North’s “Harlem Line”
call 1-800-METRO-INFO
- Free Shuttle service from the Southeast Station with (reservations only),
call 800-470-4854 or 845-225-0381

Times
Check in and same day registration 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Food and water stations are open from 8:30 – 3:00 pm

Ride Start time
- 100 miles, 8 to 9 am
- 75 miles,  8 to 9 am
- 50 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 30 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 15 miles,  9:00 to 10:00 am

- Mountain Bike loops   9:30 am

Fees
Pre-registration $25.00
Same day registration $30.00

Registration includes t-shirt, picnic lunch, and Dixieland band. No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.

Free shuttle service from the Southeast Metro-North Train Station will be available but entrants are reminded to make reservations for the shuttle by calling: (800) 470-4854 or (845) 225-0381.

So strap the bikes onto the car or load them onto a Metro-North train but don’t miss a fabulous ride through Putnam County – where the country begins.

Resource: Marty Collins, The Putnam County Times;  http://www.visitputnam.org/

Photo credit: Tony Mazzariello

Want a million dollar wedding dress but don’t want to pay a million dollars? Today, smart brides are choosing to shop the second hand wedding dress market to maximize their budget and still have a million wedding.

When you stop to think of the savings potential from this decision, it’s truly an eye-opener.  A new, designer, wedding gown can cost anywhere from  $4,500 to  $10,000 or more.  Second hand wedding dresses are a fraction of the cost and there are many to choose from these days.  You just need to do some research and keep an open mind.  Go to bridal stores and try on various style dresses and see what looks good on you.  Remember, a dress on a hanger looks completely different than one on a body.  If at all possible, try the dress on before purchasing or if ordering online, check the return policy.  Make sure you can get your money back if the dress is NOT as described, etc.

Look at old family photogrpahs, maybe you can alter one of your mother’s, aunt’s or grandmother’s wedding gowns?  Just imagine the amount of money you could save by getting a free wedding dress.  You can use the savings as part of a downpayment on a home for your new family or an extra special honeymoon.   Sandra Bullock, in the movie, ‘The Proposal”, walks down in the aisle in a stunning, simple silk gown that was worn by the groom’s grandmother.  When she first puts on the dress, it looks like a shinny potato sack.  But once fitted to her body, the dress was transformed into a perfect dress for her.  The family heirloom was once again brought to life. 

Don’t worry about the alternations.  Take the dress and head over toa local bridal boutique such as  La Sposa Bridal Shoppe, on 957 Route 6 in Mahopac and let their expert tailors custom fit the gown for you.  A good tailor will alter and fit the dress perfectly to your body and it will feel like brand new. 

Finding a Pre-Owned or Sample Wedding Dress:

Family:  As mentioned above, your mother, grandmother, or other female relatives are an excellent source when searching for second hand wedding dresses.

Antique Stores:  Such a place is worth a few minutes of browsing, however unlikely it may seem to you. If you do find a gown here, not only will it be cheap, it’ll be traditional too.

Consigment Stores:  Don’t discard this option – many brides use local consigment stores to try- and sell their dresses.  What’s great about this option is that you can try the dress on first.  On the East Side of Putnam, check out “Karen’s Kloset”, a unique consignment boutique featuring quality, gently worn designer women’s clothing, shoes and accessories located at 988 South Lake Blvd. in Mahopac.  Their number is 845-803-8695.  On the West Side of Putnam, head over to “On Second Thought” another ladies fine quality consignment boutique located at 140 Main Street in downtown Cold Spring.  Their number is 845-809-5650.

The Internet:

I discovered several websites reaching this article that allow a bride to be browse pre-owed and sample wedding dresses and accessories, which every bride knows is an necessity and an additional expense.  The site I liked the most was www.preownedweddingdresses.com.  POWD acts as a listing service connecting buyers and sellers of new, sample, and used wedding dresses since 2004.  They have more than 5000 wedding dresses listed for sale and they are easily searchable by key criteria like designer, size, price, and location.  

Sample or pre-owned dress come in thousands of styles and can be new, from last season or from several years ago, it all depends on when the bride decides that she no longer needs or wants the dress.  When shopping for a pre-owned dress, think about getting one size bigger than usual so it can be tailored to fit your body.  It is much easier to make a dress smaller than it is to make it bigger.

Just think of all the money you will save by choosing a pre-owned or sample gown and then hiring a good seamstress to make the necessary changes.  Remember, with the right changes and modifications, a two hundred dollar dress can easily be transformed into the look and feel of a dress retailing for thousands of dollars.

What’s to note?
Now located at the former Butterfield Hospital, the Market has ample parking, shaded lawns for picnics, and a great roster of regional farms and food artisans. Open 8:30am – 1:30pm every Saturday, rain or shine. Support regional farms while obtaining wonderfully fresh and health food.  (After October, the market continues indoors within the Philipstown Community Center).

Who’s There?

Weekly: All You Knead Artisan Bakers, Bread Alone, Block Factory Tamales, Breezy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill, & Knollcrest Farm, Dutch Desserts, EB’s Golden Harvest, Four Winds Farm, Full Moon Farm, Go-Go Pops–Go-Go Joe, Grammy’s Garden, Kessman Farms, Madura Farms, Morgiewicz Produce, Pura Vida Fisheries, Simply Valley, White Oak Apiary, Willow Ridge Farm, Willow Tree Flower Farm

Rotating:
1st & 3rd Saturdays: Butter Babies Soaps, Wintergreens CSA (quick pickled and vegan specialties)
2nd & 4th Saturdays:  Krazy for Kazu’s (sauces & dressings), Lanza Farm (maple syrup and rel products)
Wineries: one of four Hudson Valley Wineries visit every Saturday (Cascade Mountain Winery, Palaia Vineyards Winery, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Whitecliff Vineyards)

FRESH FISH COMES TO MARKET:

Captain Rick Lofstad of Pura Vida Fisheries has joined the market to provide wild caught seafood, year round, every Saturday. Montauk has nothing on Cold Spring now as local residents have access to a tremendous selection of very fresh seafood (caught the day before).

Captain Rick carries an average of 18 North Atlantic species such as:  squid, sea scallops, blue fish, black sea bass, black fish, striped bass, fluke, flounder, grey sole, skate, hake, swordfish, shellfish (clams, steamers, mussels, oysters)- and more!

New:  Events for Kids starting 10am Saturday, July 3, 2010:

Jonathan Kruk, Storyteller, is visiting to share enchanting tales in the comfortable shade of the market’s shaded picnic area- starting promptly at 10am. Additionally, the Cornell Master Gardeners are in to answer any gardening questions you may have.  Ruth Eisenhower is visiting with her rabbits and a spinning demo as well.

Also: Fresh BLUEBERRIES! (and currants, gooseberries, raspberries…)

Visit  http://www.csfarmmarket.org/ to learn more about the market, and connect to the market’s Facebook page.

This season will take the audience to the Trojan War where love turns to infidelity in the bedroom and on the battlefield.  A cast of celebrated Greek heroes bring intrinsic values of honor and love into question with Troilus and Cressida. From classic war time battlefields to the battle of the sexes, the question ‘who’s taming whom?’ will be answered with classic wit in the comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. And what would a season at HVSF be without an all out irreverent takes on Shakespeare, in this case The Bomb-itty of Errors, a comic hip-hop rapping romp through The Comedy of Errors?

The Bomb-itty of Errors, directed by Associate Artistic Director Christopher Edwards, opens the season on Saturday June 19 (previews begin Tuesday, June 15).  The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Kurt Rhoads opens on Saturday, June 26 (previews begin Friday, June 18).  Terrence O’Brien, Founding Artistic Director of the Festival, directs Troilus and Cressida which opens Saturday, July 3 (previews begin June 16).

Performances begin at 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (grounds open for picnicking at 5pm); 8pm Friday and Saturday (grounds open at 6pm); and 6pm on Sundays (grounds open at 4pm).

“I am very excited about this season. It’s a great mix of plays and a real exploration of men, their views on women and the world. It should offer some interesting dialogue with our audience. As I work on Troilus and Cressida I am struck by the fact that the play doesn’t really seem to fit into any true Shakespeare “categories”. It seems to defy what we’ve come to expect – taking on somewhat of an experimental form said Mr. O’Brien.  “I am also very happy to welcome Festival veterans Chris Edwards and Kurt Rhodes back this season as directors of our two other shows.

Watch the interview with the actor’s from last year’s Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.  Don’t miss this year’s performance, it is sure to be terrific!!

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has inspired and delighted audiences with its vigorously original interpretations of the great works of William Shakespeare for twenty-three seasons to much critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Journal News and numerous other national and regional  publications.  Founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien has maintained a commitment to making the timeless plays accessible to all audiences, relieving the burden of heavy language and over-dramatization that so many equate with Shakespeare.  “We want the audience to feel the same way about the plays as we do,” explained O’Brien.  “The stories are timeless and we work to eliminate the affectation so often associated with Shakespeare.  Our productions are lively, fast-paced and reflect our own excitement.  You know it’s working,” he continued, “when you not only have people return season after season but every year they bring more new friends.”

The region’s only professional resident Shakespeare Company, HVSF, makes its home under an open-air tent theater perched high up on the banks of the Hudson River on the grounds of the historic 19^th Century Boscobel estate in Garrison, New York. Using the dramatic views of the Hudson Highlands and the sweeping vistas from the elegant lawns of Boscobel as near-perfect stage scenery, the critically acclaimed Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presents unparalleled productions with the perfect marriage of theater and nature. Audience members are invited to arrive two hours early in order to enjoy a picnic meal – with one of the most spectacular al fresco views – on the grounds of the estate.

“Populism without pandering: That’s the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s style and I’ve never seen it go wrong.” –—Terry Teachout, the Wall Street Journal

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Ticket prices for all performances are $29-$47.  Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office, which opens May 3: 845-265-9575 and are now available online at hvshakespeare.org.  Discounts are available on most nights for groups, students, senior citizens and children 12 and under. The Festival offers several special packages, including a tour of the Boscobel mansion and Exhibition Gallery plus tickets.  In addition discounts at local hotels and restaurants are also available.  For packages and information visit the Festival website, http://www.hvshakespeare.org/ and are available through the box office.  On-line sales are currently available.

For more information about the 2010 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, as well as information about their ongoing Education and Community Outreach Programs, contact the Festival at (845) 265-7858.