On September 19, 2010, the Putnam Humane Society presents is annual, “Stutt Your Mutt” fundraising event at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, NY from 11am to 4pm.

Regristration fee is $10 per dog or $15 for a family of dogs.  People admission and parking are free.  Rain date is September 26, 2010.  There will be several dog contests such as longest hair, sloppiest kisser, softest coat, cutest puppy, mid-aged wonders, pet tricks, and more.  Over 200 raffle pizes will be given away.  There will also be an animal blessing, dog demonstrations, live music, and many vendors offering discounts. 

All proceeds benefit the Putnam Humane Society.  Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a nice day with your dog friends.

Watch last year’s video and see what the doggie excitment is all about

The Hudson River Valley Ramble celebrates the history, culture and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscape, communities, and trails throughout the region.What began as a modest event that was held during one weekend in September, has grown in popularity and in numbers over the years. This year, the Ramble takes places over three weekends in September.  September  11 & 12, September 18 & 19 and September 25 & 26, 2010. Every year, participation continues to grow. ‘Ramblers’ come not only from the Hudson Valley region and New York State, but from other regions of the country as well to discover the riches our Valley has to offer.

Many Ramble events highlight themes such as the Revolutionary War, Great Estates, Hudson River School artists, Greenway Trails and the Hudson River Estuary. Whether you are interested in a challenging hike, bike or paddle, an inspiring walk through the grounds and homes of some of the Valley’s most notable artists, authors, and Great Americans, a trip back in time to experience the significant role the region played in the Revolutionary War, or a family-fun festival or river exploration event, the Hudson River Valley Ramble truly offers something for everyone.

In addition to many historic sites that are participating in the Ramble [CLICK HERE] for their calendar of events. the Fishkill Historical Society will be participating in the Dutch Heritage weekend September 11 th & 12th at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum. On September 11th & 12th at 2:00 PM, Firth Fabend will give a talk on the Hudson River Valley’s Dutch Culture. Guided Tours will be given in the Museum both days.

On September 18th & 19th the Fishkill Historical Societyand the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot will sponsor a Revolutionary War weekend dedicated to the thousands of Continental Soldiers and Militia Regiments who were stationed at the Fishkill Supply Depot (1776 – 1783). On Saturday, September 18th, the 5th New York Regiment – Revolutionary War re-enactors – will have an encampment at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum – from 10:00 AM until approximately 9:00 PM when “TAPS” will be played. Guided Tours will be given in the Museum both days.

Also on September 18th, a dramatization of the Major John Andre – Benedict Arnold Conspiracy (230th Anniversary re-enactment of their September 21st 1780 meeting and plot to allow the British to capture West Point) will be presented at 1:30 PM at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum.  Guided Tours of the Fishkill Supply Depot Headquarters i.e. the Van Wyck Homestead, and guided walking tours explaining the Fishkill Supply Depot, which was the largest supply camp of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, will be conducted until 7:00 PM.

The Van Wyck Homestead Museum located at 504 Route 9, Fishkill, New York, 12524 at the junction of I-84 and Route 9.  For more info call  845-896-9560.

Whatever your interest, the Hudson Valley Ramble has hundreds of activities for everyone to enjoy… so go out and explore the beautiful Hudson Valley.

Chili Lovers get ready for the 2nd Annual Carmel Rotary Club’s Chili Cookoff on Sunday, September 19, noon – 3pm, at Camp Herrlich, 101 Deacon Smith Hill Rd, in Patterson, NY.

Chili cooks, professionals and amateurs, are invited to enter the competition. The professional and amateur classes will be judged separately. Contest entry information is available at www.carmelrotarychili.info

For those who love to eat chili, this event will provide an affordable afternoon of chili tasting, fun, and entertainment. For the non- chili lovers, hot dogs will be served.

Enjoy an afternoon of live music provided by the Acme Acoustical Band in the relaxing setting of Camp Herrlich. Eddie Covelli, the Carmel Rotary Club’s Chili Cookoff Chairman said, “The proceeds from this event will help support the Carmel Rotary Club’s charitable giving to community organizations and projects in Putnam County.”

Tickets for the event are $8 per adult, advance purchase; $10 per adult at the door; $5 per child under age 15; and $25 for a family up to 5 people.

Advance ticket purchase information is available at www.carmelrotarychili.info or call Rose at 845-225-5114.

Event submitted by the Carmel Rotary.

Bicycle enthusiasts across the Northeast are gearing up in preparation for the 13th Annual Tour de Putnam Cycling Festival, the race designed by cyclists for cyclists. Kickstands go up at 8 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Gipsy Trail Road in Kent, NY on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010.

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

Spending thousands and thousands of dollars on an expensive, new wedding dress when you can have a beautiful dress for a fraction of the cost seems silly.  Most brides-to-be don’t realize that second hand wedding dresses are an attractive solution.

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.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 26th, for the 23rd Annual Putnam Hospital Center Reservoir Classic, sponsored by the Carmel-Kent Lions Club. Sanctioned by the Westchester Road Runners, it will start and finish at Putnam Hospital Center on Stoneleigh Avenue in Carmel; the race route will run along the scenic Croton Falls Reservoir. Please CLICK HERE for an application.

Check-in will be held from 8:00 until 9:15 am. At 9:00 am, the PHC Reservoir Classic will kick off with a 2-mile fun run/walk, followed by the 5-mile road race at 9:45 am; the awards ceremony will begin at 11:00 am.

Commemorative T-shirts and race packages will be given to the first 200 registrants. The PHC Reservoir Classic is designed to promote health and fitness, to benefit Putnam Hospital Center and to provide a forum in which heart and/or physically challenged individuals (with physician’s consent) can participate as well.

Applications are available by contacting Putnam Hospital Center at 845-279-5711, Ext. 358

Article submitted by: Putnam Hospital Center

HVCCA is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, After the Fall- Emerging Artists from East and Central Europe.
opening Sunday, September 19, 2010, at 3 pm followed by a round table discussion with the participating artists at 5 pm. Some of the most impressive new art today, especially in painting and video, is coming from Eastern and Central Europe’s former communist countries. After the Fall attempts to understand how this art differs from art in the West and, more importantly, why artists from this region are making such compelling work at this moment.

Countries included in After the Fall are Croatia (Elvis Krstulovic, Marin Majic, Goran Skofic, Josip Tiric, Zlatan Vehabovic) Czech Republic (Josef Bolf, Daniel Pitin), Hungary (ZsoltBodoni, Alexander Tinei, Attila Szucs), Latvia (Janis Avotins), Romania (Leonardo Silaghi, Marius Bercea, Adrian Ghenie, Ion Grigorescu, Serban Savu, Ciprian Muresan) and Slovenia(Matija Brumen). This is a heterogeneous political, social, cultural and religious region, each having evolved differently after the fall of their governmental systems.

For After the Fall, founders of HVCCA, Marc and Livia Straus, visited over 1,500 artists’ studios, galleries, art schools, alternative spaces, and museums.

For more info visit www.hvcca.org

article submitted by: Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA)

Qi Gong is an internal Chinese meditative practice that uses slow graceful movements to promote the circulation of qi within the human body.  This “energy practice” is known to improve mental clarity, emotional equilibrium, and overall health.  An 8-week Tai Chi Qi Gong workshop will begin at the Mahopac Public Library on Friday, September 17, from 10-11:15 am.  There is a $50 fee per person to attend this workshop; register with payment at the Library’s Information Desk.

This is a unique blend of several Tai Chi/Qi Gong systems that have been time-tested for thousands of years.  Participants will discover the most effective Tai Chi/Qi Gong forms for improving health and balancing all of their meridians and acupuncture points.

Learn Two Authentic External forms of Qi Gong consisting of 21 gentle movements and Two Authentic Internal meditation techniques.  They are all easy to follow and participants can choose which one(s) and how many to practice at any one time.  Learning is enhanced by beautiful and heart opening words and music that accompany each movement, helping you to cultivate compassion and love.

Register today to attend the Qi Gong workshop; register with payment at the Information Desk at the Mahopac Public Library.  For further information, please call 845-628-2009, ext 100.

article submitted by: Mahopac Library  www.mahopaclibrary.org

The Garrison Art Center presents its 41st Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair on August 21 and 22, 2010, 10am-5pm

Do not miss the upcoming Garrison Art Center 41st Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair! This fair will  be held on August 21 & 22 from 10am – 5pm and will be located on the river’s edge with fantastic Hudson River and Highland views in Garrison, New York.  Come and see high quality crafts, a new food court with a wide array of food, non-stop live music and free rides on the sloop Woody Guthrie.

This fair hosts more than 90 juried artists and artisans showcasing furniture, wooden kayaks, photography, jewelry, gourmet foods, glass items, one-of-a-kind clothing, fine arts, ceramics, furniture, tableware, and more.

Visitors can enjoy boat building demonstrations, fine art exhibitions by artists Judith Hoyt and Hong-Ling Wee inside the Art Center’s two professional galleries, and hands-on art workshops in the Art Center studios.

Live performances by Tiki Daddy, Eddie Diehl & Lou Pappas, Delta Dreambox, and Baby Soda Jazz Band are made possible through the generous support of Hudson Valley Magazine, The Garrison, and WHUD.

This fair is a longstanding community event and fundraiser that attracts 5,000 visitors each year. Proceeds will fund the Art Center’s acclaimed programming and special arts events and exhibitions for adults and children all year.

Visitors that arrive on the Metro North Hudson Line will receive 50% off admission. Those who wish to come by boat must call the Art Center at 845.424.3960 regarding docking. There is also convenient free parking with continuous shuttle service from all parking areas.  Admission is purchased at the gate. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 Seniors, children 18 & under (with parent) free. To find out more about the FAIR and Garrison Art Center visit www.garrisonartcenter.org, or call 845.424.3960.

Don’t miss this year’s Book & Media sale at the Desmond-Fish Library.  This is not your typical book sale!  Thousands of books are collected all year long for this event. Find great books, videos, CDs, DVDs, games and records. Don’t be surprised if you find a rare or signed book in the Specials section. The profits made from this sale are used to support the Children’s Programs at the Library and to buy new books, DVDs and audiobooks on CD.

The Friends of the Library preview of the book and media sale will take place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm on Friday, AUGUST 20 . You must be a member of the Friends of the Library to attend, but you can join at the door.  The sale opens to the general public from 10 to 5 on Saturdays, August 21 and 28, 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays August 22 and 29, and2:00pm to 5:00pm on Monday through Friday, August 23 – 27. Prices begin at $2.00 for hardcover books and increase in the “specials” section. On Saturday, August 28, prices are slashed in half, on Monday, August 29, an entire bag goes for $5.00, and any books still left on Monday, August 30 are free from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. While Friday evening is not child-friendly, each child is welcome to a free book beginning Saturday, August 21.

This book sale area is FULL! Thanks to your generosity, they have so many books to sell that they couldn’t fit another book.

The cornucopia of offerings includes specials such as a first edition of Charles Dickens’ “Nicholas Nickelby ” a two volume set of “The Documentary History of New York” published in 1951 with plates intact, and rare find of Anias Nin’s “Cities of the Interior.” Fiction ranges from classics to current best sellers in paperback and hard covers. Some stellar titles include: David Lipsky’s “Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point”, T.C. Boyle’s  “The Women” ( in the life of Frank Lloyd Wright), and Rita Mae Brown’s “Animal Magnetism.” There is an astonishing compendium of vinyl – records from Pete Seeger and the Rolling Stones, as well as Broadway plays (Godspell) and old favorites likePerry Como and Liberace. Newer media, on DVD’s and CD’s, are also available,  A sailing collection includes the novels of Patrick O’Brian and pirate sagas, as well as technical tomes. The children’s section is abundantly stocked with non-fiction, board books, fiction for any reading level and even games. A new section includes graphic novelswith selections from Archie and the Simpsons to Inio Asano’s “Solanin”. Ivan Chermayeff, a local graphic artist, has generously donated boxes filled with greeting cards and brand new editions of some of his magnificent books such as“The Hole Story“and “Furry Facts.”

To escape the doldrums of humid days do visit the air conditioned Desmond Fish Library, 472 Route 403, Garrison, NY 10524.  What better place to gather your supply of books and media with which to curl up in the darkening fall hours? Gifts for holidays can easily be wrapped up early or mailed out immediately. This community offering should not be missed.

Click here to view the embedded video.