There is a wonderful earnestness about artisan products made in the Hudson Valley. It’s not just that they’re lovingly handmade and environmentally conscious; it’s also that they tend to promote self-care, which is something we could all use a little bit of after a bruising year.
Because of COVID-19, this year there aren’t the usual artisan fairs preceding the holiday gift season. Although it’s not as much fun to shop for knit goods and handmade elixirs online as it is to wander around an old-timey market space, it is still possible to go to the web and find handmade candles and soaps and fermented foods to gift to your beloved(s).
This is the 10th anniversary of the Hudson, N.Y., Basilica Farm & Flea Virtual Market, which is usually not virtual and which is usually held at this time of year in the cavernous Basilica. The website describes the site as “a spectacular solar-powered reclaimed 1880s industrial factory on the waterfront of the historic City of Hudson.”
It’s a wonderful experience to wander the tight maze of tables in the Basilica, and to touch hand-sewn and hand-knit and hand-mixed little indulgences, but that just can’t happen this year. Shopping online is second best but still not bad.
There are about 65 vendors on the Basilica Farm & Flea Virtual Market website, including well-known Hudson Valley brands such as Hillrock Distillery, Jacuterie (maker of artisanal charcuterie) and Hosta Hill, source of fermented deliciousness and hot sauces in many flavors.
There is quirky sweetness, with toys and clothes for youngsters from Petit Pilou and Petit Felt, the company owned by Jocelyn Krodman, a beloved regional felt artist whose extraordinarily lifelike felt animals have been a draw for shoppers to many artisan fairs in recent years (www.petitpilou.com).
Far more rugged are the gorgeous leather goods from P.M. Reed, whose photos show him to be a cowboy type you’d expect to see more in the vast reaches of Montana than in the relatively tame Southern Berkshires (Reed lives in Windsor, Mass.; his website is www.pmreedcarrygoods.com).
So that’s one advantage of shopping at the virtual flea market: You can read the bios of the vendors. And in Reed’s case, you can follow a link to see his photography work, which is exquisite and sophisticated, with many of his images shot in Italy in the 1970s.
Another advantage: It’s always fairly chilly in Hudson in winter, with cold winds blowing off the river. Shopping at home is warmer.
Best of all, though, is the chance to find enticing little treasures of all shapes, sizes and prices. You have to pay for shipping, but you don’t have to pay for gas or lunch.
Shop through the holiday season for Hudson Valley artisan goods online at the Basilica Farm & Flea Virtual Market, www.basilicahudson.org/farmandflea/vendors.
AMENIA — A variety of subjects were discussed at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, July 3, including reappointments and hirings.
By unanimous vote, Donna DiPippo was reappointed to the post of Town Assessor, and Robin Schultz was hired as a part-time clerk in the Town Clerk’s office.
Responding to a request from the Ethics Board for legal expertise, the board voted unanimously to hire Ian MacDonald, Esq. of Mackey Butts and Whalen of Millbrook to advise that board as needed.
Pursuing any available grant funding opportunities to assist with the construction of a new town garage and salt shed, the board voted unanimously to ask the project’s engineers, CPL Architects, to write the grant application at an estimated cost of $4,000.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman noted that CPL has the expertise and knowledge of the project to complete the application’s need for technical information and engineering specifics. The application is for a state Water Quality Improvement Grant administered through the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Praising the layout and content of the new town website for ease of navigation and attractive appearance, councilwoman Rosanna Hamm encouraged all residents to visit the site and to register for one of the new features, town-wide notifications. To register, go to www.ameniany.gov and complete the simple form.
Hamm also reminded residents that while they are on the town website, they should click on the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee link to find the “Engaging Amenia” links. Residents can use that site to offer comments and to follow the information being collected there throughout the summer months. Once comments have been gathered, it will assist the work of the CPRC and their consultants seeking to revise the town’s current plan that dates back to 2007.
This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.
Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.
The ride starts and ends at The Farmer’s Wife Café in Ancramdale, a great place for lunch or refreshments after the ride.(The café is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).Parking is usually available between the café and the Ancramdale post office.But be courteous — don’t monopolize parking needed by the café’s guests and staff!
Here are the coordinates for the ride:
Turn left out of the parking lot of the Farmer’s Wife onto County Road 8.
At .5 miles, turn left on Crest Lane
At 1.9 miles, turn left on East Ancram Road
At 6.8 miles, turn left on County Road 3
At 7.0 miles, turn right on Wiltsie Bridge Road
At 7.7 miles, turn right on Empire Road
At 10.7 miles, go straight through the village of Copake onto Main Street.
At 11.1 miles, bear left onto Farm Road
At 11.3 miles, turn left on Mountain View Road
At 12.1 miles turn right on County Road 7A
At 12.3 miles, turn left on Snyder Pond Road
At 13.0 miles turn left to stay on Snyder Pond Road
At 14.2 miles, turn right on County Road 7
At 14.8 miles turn left on County Road 27 (This is where there is short hill.)
At 15.5 miles, make a hairpin turn to the left on County Road 27A.(This can be easy to miss so be on the lookout for it).
At 17.5 miles, go straight across County Road 7 onto Four Corners Road.
At 18.7 miles, turn right on Wiltsie Bridge Road
At 19.0 miles, turn left on Snyder Road
At 20.3 miles, bear left onto Roche Drive
At 20.8 miles, turn right on County Road 3
Follow County Road 3 back to Ancramdale and the Farmer’s Wife.
Jeremy Koch is a Norfolk cyclist.
The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.
MILLBROOK — Summer fun is just around the corner, thanks to the fire department and the return of the Fire Department Carnival scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Saturday, July 12, on the Thorne Building grounds on Franklin Avenue.
Opening night activities will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Carnival will open each night at 7 p.m., remaining open until 11 p.m.
There will be fun for everyone. All activities are free. Visitors can enjoy Bingo, games of chance, rides and games, and a 50/50 raffle drawing each night. Food will be available.
Music will be a feature on Thursday through Saturday. From 8 to 11 p.m. enjoy the sounds of DJ Gourmet on Thursday, Heavy Gauge on Friday, and Rhythm and Blues on Saturday.
Also on Saturday plan to be on hand for one of the largest parades in Dutchess County, starting at 6 p.m., proceeding along Franklin Avenue.
The Smithfield Valley Church on Smithfield Road in Amenia.
AMENIA — As an alternative to three tenors, The Smithfield Church invites music fans to a concert that will feature three cellists in a program called “Three Cello Fellows” to be held on Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m.
Part of the Bang Family Concert series, three acclaimed New York City orchestral/chamber musicians will play a varied program of all-cello works by Luigi Boccherini, David Popper’s Requiem for three cellos, Bela Bartok duos and selections from the cello suites by J.S. Bach.
Arthur Fiacco, Robert Burkhart and Alberto Parrini have been individually in demand for years, playing in New York City’s most illustrious venues, and with distinguished regional orchestras and ensembles. Their personal career experiences include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York City Ballet, and Orchestra of St. Lukes, as well as appearances with Sting, Barbara Streisand, Metallica and others.
Arthur Fiacco is well known to Smithfield audiences as occasionally performing over the past 14 years with noted conductor and organist Kent Tritle at the popular annual Tritle organ recitals.
A meet-the-artists reception will follow the concert. All are welcome. A donation of $20 per attendee is suggested; children are admitted free.
The Bang Family Concert Series presents performances by gifted musicians from the region to Tri-Corner area residents, inviting a warm community of music lovers to gather at the Smithfield Church’s landmark Greek Revival building.
The Smithfield Church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road (Route 83), Amenia, New York. The church is air conditioned and fully accessible. For more information: thesmithfieldchurch.org or thesmithfieldchurch@gmail.com.
