The Mountains - Spring Issue 2023

CAROLE RADZIWILL LOVE, LOSS & LEGACY

By Richard Pérez-Feria

Photography by Natalie

Chitwood

SHOCK & AHHH...

Mohonk Mountain House Is Spectacular, Again

BY MARCO MEDRANO

CHATHAM RISING

BY TOM CROWELL

LET’S GO!

HELSINKI’S SEDUCTION

Oh, And Romance Beckons In Antigua, Reykjavík, Marrakesh

BY KATE DOYLE HOOPER

Is This The Prettiest Brewery Of Them All?

BY JONAH BAYLISS

I Love You, Steve Heller

BY MARTHA FRANKEL

The Booze And The Bees: Claire, Cathy, Catskills

BY ANTHONY GIGLIO

J’adore, Ms. Deneuve

BY KEVIN SESSUMS

Spring has sprung in The Mountains and the evidence is everywhere we look: Gorgeous flowers, babbling creeks and chirping birds signal this most welcome change in season. We hope this stunning issue of your favorite magazine captures the magic we all feel in the air. Enjoy.

You are here. We are, too.

Art by Jan Kallwejt exclusively for The Mountains

Albany

Cooperstown New

Boston

By

Pérez-Feria

By Kevin Sessums

over the moon The stunning front desk that greets honeymooners—and all fortunate guests who stay at The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY—is but one of the endless luxe details that abound making it an ideal option for your “mini-moon.”

65 mode

66 Still Hungry: Hal Rubenstein

72 Thirsty: Anthony Giglio

74 Honor Roll: Mary Haddad

Alan Katz FOUNDER | CEO

Richard Pérez-Feria EDITOR IN CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kathleen Gates

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rebecca Hardiman

MANAGING EDITOR James Long

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Erika Phenner

COPY CHIEF | RESEARCH DIRECTOR Sarah Carpenter

ASSOCIATE EDITOR | SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Isabel Hochman

MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL Mia Cárdenas

DESIGNER Linda Gates

EDITORS AT LARGE Jane Larkworthy, Marco Medrano

Hal Rubenstein, Kevin Sessums

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Toni Gerunda

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Greg Calejo, Kate Doyle Hooper, Martha Frankel

Anthony Giglio, Bill Henning, Simon Murray

Todd Plummer, Jack Rico, Tara Solomon

WRITERS Bibiana Álvarez-Gaviña, Abbe Aronson

Jonah Bayliss, Bill Cary, Renee Jermaine

Sandy MacDonald, Sean McAlindin, Mira Peck

Robyn Perry Coe, Mitch Rustad, Dee Salomon

PHOTOGRAPHERS | ARTISTS

Peter Aaron, Fahnon Bennett, Antoine Bootz

Natalie Chitwood, Julia Clark, Sean Davidson

Bryan Derballa, Arielle Ferraro, Jan Kallwejt

Eric Limon, Jonathan Mehring, Michael O’Neal

Eric Petschek, Robert Risko, Matthew Sussman

EXECUTIVE SALES DIRECTOR Amy Smith

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lee Posner, Livi Perrone

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Caryn Whitman

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Betsy Low

MARKETING DIRECTOR Bill Gibbons

MARKETING STRATEGIST Randi MacColl

TEXAS SALES DIRECTORS Ellen Lewis, Michael Stafford LEWIS STAFFORD COMPANY, INC

CANADA SALES DIRECTORS Lori Dodd, Bob Dodd DODD MEDIA GROUP

PRODUCTION Digital Workflow Solutions

PUBLIC RELATIONS Abbe Aronson

ABBE DOES IT

advertising inquiries: advertising@themountainsmedia.com

editorial submissions: editorial@themountainsmedia.com

follow us on social media: @themountainsmedia The Mountains

Shito Outdoor Armchair Design: F. Rota

Marco Medrano is a Bay Area native with a long tenure as a celebrity hairstylist and colorist in Beverly Hills and New York City, a licensed cosmetologist in multiple states and a longtime beauty, grooming and spa editor for numerous magazines and websites including ELLIMAN, Elevate, NowItCounts.com, Saratoga Living, VEGAS INC, Brash.com and more. He’s currently the Beauty & Grooming Editor at Out

“The film The Road To Wellville, with its Gilded Age-meetsboot camp vibe, has inspired my dream spa vacations for years. When I was given the assignment to rediscover Mohonk Mountain House, where the movie was filmed, I was elated and couldn’t believe my good fortune—what a full circle moment. As I learned first-hand, Mohonk Mountain House and I both love treating revival wellness from the inside out, with personal exertion, effort and relaxation.”

THE team

Kate Doyle Hooper is a prolific New York City-based travel writer, event producer, proud American Airlines Million Miler, lover of Britpop and hotel obsessive. Kate’s work has been published in ELLE, Condé Nast Traveler, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Men’s Health and ELLIMAN Her travel philosophy: “If there’s an executive lounge, I want to be in it.”

“My Chickasaw greatgrandmother, Big Soph, started training my ‘eye’ when I was about six. Her training consisted of turning me loose at Wall’s Bargain Center in Ada, OK with a silver dollar in my pocket. The mission was a thrill we both shared: examine everything carefully and find the treasure. She never dictated what the treasure might be; I was free to choose, and I always found it. Such wise training for a writer, editor and shopper. I’ve enjoyed the hunt ever since.”

Robyn Perry Coe

grew up in Oklahoma, was a Master’s fellow at New York University and has written from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. An interviewer of contemporary artists and collectors and a founding columnist for Artillery magazine, she’s currently completing her second novel.

Mitch Rustad has written for The New York Times, Men’s Fitness, Los Angeles, HudsonMOD, TennisMatch and many other media outlets with a primary focus on wellness, self-improvement and living one’s best life. He’s also a certified life coach, a former nationally ranked professional tennis player and says he resonates with the advice he recently got while researching the “Love Coach” story for this issue: “I’m big on the idea of choosing happiness, because it’s a choice every day.” Rustad divides his time between New York City and Scottsdale, AZ.

photography: Natalie Chitwood @natchitwood; hair: Marco Medrano @mrmarcomedrano; makeup:

Alexandria Gilleo @alexandriagilleomakeup; set coordinator: Tracy Lane

wardrobe: Alaia (orange); Sachin & Babi (floral); Jane Motorcycles (jumpsuit)

hair products: Balmain Cordless Straightener; Balmain Thermal Protection Spray; FEKKAI Glass Hair Gloss; CHI Infra Texture Spray; L’Oréal Magic Root Cover Up

makeup products: Wander Beauty; Gucci Beauty; IT Cosmetics; Tarte Cosmetics; Charlotte Tilbury

when i was kid, my parents promised us a puppy and a puppy we got. Hippie was a beautiful Collie, son to a former national champion and a true doppelgänger for Lassie, the most famous canine in the country. As a baby, Hippie was all legs and long nose, with a super skinny frame: think Olive Oyl (Popeye’s girlfriend) with gorgeous blond fur all over. I’d cradle him for hours and endlessly brush his majestic coat. Man, I loved that dog.

A couple of years later, Hippie developed a heart condition and one day he simply didn’t return from the vet. Just like that, he was gone. I remember walking across the street of our Miami home to the park and crying alone as I sat on the swings while the sun disappeared behind the trees. I was gutted. That was my first experience with the nearly intolerable pain love can cause. And I knew then that I’d never feel that again.

Love, with all its myriad iterations, has been analyzed, dissected, broken down, studied ad nauseum. But…why do we—all of us—love love so much even when it comes with (almost) certain pain? And if love is passion, does love fade when the passion invariably quiets? These are some of life’s biggest questions for a reason.

During my fascinating conversation with journalist, author and television personality Carole Radziwill—a formidable woman who’s endured more suffering on the back side of love than imaginable—it transported me back to a place in my own life where I, again, felt the sting of loss due to love. But this time I embraced it, for those are but hazy memories from halcyon days of yore.

Radziwill, a Catskills native, hit the bullseye with her decidedly adult take on romantic love: “I’m old enough to understand that life is long,” she told me. “We all go through phases and meet people who give us something we need in our lives at that precise moment. It

might not last—sometimes it lasts twenty years; sometimes five; sometimes it lasts a weekend. And all of it is OK. It just is.”

As I get older, my own Venn diagram of love and pain is expanding. To live a happy, long life is to experience so much love and so much pain when that love goes away. I’ve loved deeply many times in my life: parents (of course), siblings, romantic partners, friends, pets and, yet, as I write this today, my desire to love and be loved is stronger than ever, never waning, never fading and that need perpetually demands to be fed. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When you read this gorgeous edition of The Mountains, “The Love Issue,” I hope you’ll take a moment and reflect on your experiences with humankind’s most powerful and intoxicating emotion. A condition beautifully explored in these pages by our second-to-none writers Kevin Sessums, Martha Frankel, Anthony Giglio and more. In my own story on Radziwill, you’ll feel the specter of love looming over everything we discuss while inadvertently answering that most relevant of queries: What’s love got to do with it? Everything; love has everything to do with it. As it should.

happy returns Carole Radziwill is the living embodiment of true perseverance after unimaginable loss. Still, her joy persists.

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Photo by Dani Fine Photography, Event Planning by Tara Consolati

Photography by Tom Crowell

street Beacon Burns Bright

Even with fashion, this Hudson River town puts art first.

|

Photography by Julia Clark exclusively for The Mountains

By Todd Plummer

the town of beacon, NY is as historic as it gets in the Northeast. It has been a focal point of the region for centuries—as a logging, farming and hunting area in the 1680s (then known as the Rombout Patent), and then as a trading hub after several business ventures by one remarkable businesswoman Madame Brett—the OG girlboss?—created opportunities for trade in the early 1700s. Later, Mount Beacon played a major role in Gen. George Washington’s system of log and brush pyramids—beacons—atop the nearby mountains to alert local militia of British movements in the area.

The town also has deep fashion roots. By the 1800s, Beacon reinvented itself as a factory town, at one point boasting the title of “Hat Making Capital of New York,” with a dozen millinery factories operating at its peak (only Danbury, CT gave it a run for its money). But with the end of the Industrial Revolution, Beacon, like so many other towns, grew quiet. By the end of the 20th century, Beacon was a glorified ghost town, with a number of its large factory buildings lying empty. That’s when NYC city slickers started to move in. 2003 brought the opening of Dia Beacon, a sprawling contemporary museum which brought one of those abandoned factory buildings (Nabisco) back to life. First came the artists, then the collectors and before long, this once-forgotten town sprang back to life.

Weekdays are still a sleepy affair in town, but on weekends, all paths lead to the charming Main Street for gallery hopping and vintage shopping (Beacon easily has the best vintage shops in the region), where you’re as likely to bump into a big-time artist as you are a local farmer. With the warmer months comes the town’s popular Second Saturday series, when Main Street’s shops stay open extra late, and downtown’s restaurants and bars vibrate with energy late into the night.

Beacon’s style is a study in contrasts where historic meets modern, and crunchy meets refined. Here, you’re as likely to see a person dressed in Patagonia as you are one in PUCCI. In a region where there’s no shortage of historic riverside towns, Beacon manages to stand out with an eclectic flavor all its own. Hats off to Beacon!

the main event

On weekends, all paths lead to Beacon’s charming Main Street for gallery hopping and vintage shopping where you’re as likely to bump into a big-time artist as you are a local farmer.

Dogs’ Day Afternoon

DAYTRIPPIN’ (top) Hazel and Shea; scenes from the Harnicks’ adventurous day in Poughkeepsie ready, pet, go!

Tom and Lauren Harnick always look forward to their road trips from Long Island to visit their daughter Rachel at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. With spring in the air—and big pups Shea and newlyadopted Hazel, a three-year-old Bernerdoodle—they couldn’t wait to go to Poughkeepsie for the Walkway Over The Hudson and stop by Rossi & Sons for lunch (sandwiches for them, chicken cutlets for the furry ones). In the end, love won again— for the entire Harnick clan.

AQWe asked the Berkshires’ Gedney Farm expert wedding planner SAMANTHA SCHAEFFER the one thing all brides should do. “Ask questions. Many people just assume that photographers are going to be able to do a list of 30 photos without talking to them about how much time that takes. Be open with your valid questions and be available for fl exibility.”

breaking

USA Today Ranks Rhinebeck No.2

‘Best Small Town For Shopping’

FUN FACT NO.1 MVB POTUS

#8

Of the 46 men who’ve served as President of the United States, more than half(!) have some level of profi ciency speaking and writing a language other than English. But, only one Martin Van Buren had to learn English as a second language aft er his own native Dutch. fun fact no.2: This is only the fi rst mention of MVB in this issue. Can you fi nd the second? #happ yhunting #InSearchOfMVB

Chillin’ In The 329

Lil’ Deb’s Big Plans

Did you hear, the seven-time(!) James Beard Award nominee is moving to a new location very soon. Wait, what?! Owner/Chef Halo Pérez-Gallardo says he’s relocating the colorful, inclusive restaurant in order to accommodate musical performances and art exhibits. The good news? Lil’ Deb’s just moving down the street (three doors down, in fact). Sign. Us. Up.

| By James Long

Hang on to your 845 phone numbers, Hudson Valleyers. There’s a new number in town.

When I moved to New York City, my angel number—and fi rst lo ve—became my new area code: 212. And while my mobile number has since displaced my defunct landline’s area code with 917, I’m still mystifi ed when I wake up in the middle of the night and see 2:12 on my nightstand’s digital clock. R Area codes can have that enigmatic eff ect. Hudson Valley residents are now contending with their own new entry: area code 329. With its stated purpose to ease increasing demand for residential and business phone numbers, some locals may feel their longheld 845 area code identity is being diluted and will only add confusion. R Fear not, I say. I predict good things are in your future. Numbers never lie.

the independent retail spirit in this New York community.” Stores singled out include fi ne handmade jewelry at Adel Chefridi Studio & Gallery; independent bookseller Oblong Books; Hammertown’s superb selection of gift s and antiques; new and used vinyl records at Rhinebeck Vinyl Vault; and a shop for that special canine in your life, Pause Dog Boutique, among many others. Your next Rhinebeck retail therapy fi x a waits.

It may have a small town look, but it’s garnered a peak ranking. USA Today 10Best , the news giant’s signature coverage of US and global travel destinations, has named Rhinebeck as 2023’s second-best small town for shopping in the entire country

Book Club Alert!

BY REBECCA HARDIMAN

–JAMES LONG

According to 10Best’s panel of experts and editors, the Hudson Valley town was cited for its brick and mortar variety, with “more than 40 specialty shops in the heart of the village that celebrate

Schenectady Gazette Buys Into Hudson Valley Media Brands

Hudson Register-Star and Catskill Daily Mail have been sold to Capital Region media company Schenectady Gazette Johnson Newspaper Corp, who owns and operates both papers, also sold Hudson Valley 360 , a destination website, to the Schenectady buyers. The new owners have indicated their intention of keeping the newspapers’ offi ces in the region they cover.

“Every morning, aft er cleansing my face, I alw ays apply my high-performance cream which locks in hydration and delivers 55 plant-based ingredients that protect and restore the skin. With the high UV exposure in the mountains, I made sure to include DNA repair, antioxidants and powerful restoring actives into the cream. When I’m about to head outdoors for a hike with my son, I use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher on any exposed skin and reapply every two hours thereaft er. (I keep one in my backpack along with electrolyte water and a protein rich snack.) To minimize the need for sunscreen use, I also depend on sun-protective clothing from Solumbra and a broad-brimmed hat. Then I’m all set for that healthy mountain air.”

if distant, photographer boyfriend; and a very bad fi ght with a very good friend. In Old Flame , Prentiss writes with astounding electric, brutal precision about many topics— motherhood, Italy, the pursuit of art, female friendship and, the big one, of course, love. This novel is really good. And its exactly what I needed—on deadline or not. Become the star of your book club for recommending this remarkable novel.

i read Molly Prentiss’ Old Flame very quickly— not because I was on deadline, which happened to be true, but because anytime I had to put the book down to chop salad or answer the phone, I missed the narrator’s voice. I wanted out of my world and right back into hers. And I needed to fi nd out how Emily, a Brooklyn writer fi lled with contradictions and lo ngings (and contradictory longings!), would contend with the soulless corporate job she hates (but also kind of doesn’t); her decent,

Iconic Artist Ellsworth Kelly Celebrated In Spencertown

Un-Sun Hero

How does skincare specialist Dr. Macrene Alexiades—who grows the botanicals for her Macrene Actives beauty line on her Rhinebeck farm—keep the rays at bay?

Vacation Spots

Legendary American painter, sculptor and printmaker, Ellsworth Kelly, who made Spencertown, NY his longtime home, is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of his time. Kelly, who passed away in 2015 at 92, would be turning 100 this May 31 thus a year-long celebration will showcase the artist’s indelible legacy. First up, Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents “Ellsworth Kelly Centennial: An Exhibition of Historic Posters.” The show opens on Saturday, April 29 with a public reception on Sunday, May 7 from 3-5pm, and will remain on display through Sunday, May 14. Kelly’s posters, which date from 1951 to 2018, are from the collection the Ellsworth Kelly Studio. This sounds like the can’t-miss cultural event of the spring.

Makes Top 10

By Rebecca Hardiman

ONOTA LAKE PITTSFIELD, MA

Red Hook author Molly Prentiss’ Old Flame is just fi re.

Gotham Love

From tapas to MoMA, spring has arrived in Manhattan. Cool.

By Jack Rico

after a cozy winter in the mountains, spring in NYC beckons with an eclectic array of possibilities. From snagging reservations at buzzy new restaurants and luxe bars to attending the latest art openings, there seems to be an endless list of new things to do in a city that is quite clearly re-emerging Whether you’re going with your sweetheart or your own rockstar self, we’re adding a few

musts to this season’s trip to the planet’s greatest metropolis.

Bar Tapas in the clouds. Step back into the old-school Manhattan glamour with a Spanish twist at Chef José Andrés’ chic new rooftop bar, Nubeluz, at the Ritz-Carlton NoMad. Sip on a glass of Rioja while taking in unobstructed views of Manhattan from

hombre of the year ( left)

Humanitarian, global

and celebrity

sublime Nubeluz;

is

500 feet as you remember why you love this city so damn much.

Restaurant If you’re craving exotic flavors with a chill vibe in Midtown, don’t miss Tatiana, Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s sleek new Afro-Caribbean restaurant at Lincoln Center. He blends his Nigerian roots and Bronx heritage to create menu standouts including moist jerk chicken with creamy coconut rice and out-of-thisworld plantain fritters. This is the ultimate fusion of food and culture.

hero

chef José Andrés’ latest

the

(above) Afro-Caribbean hot spot Tatiana; (opposite) Manhattan’s open secret awaits on Governors Island; artist Georgia O’Keeffe takes over MoMA.

Art Stop by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to see the buzzy new exhibit, Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time, featuring rarely seen drawings and watercolors, offering a glimpse into the icon’s artistic methods. Go and spend time with your inner artist and grab some cool photos for the ‘gram.

Destination If you want to experience the city’s most romantic sunset views, whisk yourself away to one of the best-kept secrets on Governors Island: Collective Retreats No gatekeeping here—anyone can enjoy this hidden gem. Begin your evening escape by being escorted on a private boat and enjoy a date with Lady Liberty as you admire Manhattan from a different angle.

or...

GREG CALEJO

Founder & Managing Director, AMPLIFY Partners NYC

restaurant: BondST

ar: Temple Bar

culture: Jazz at Lincoln Center destination: Tin Building by Jean-Georges

CHERYL MARKER

Director of Marketing, Hearst Lifestyle Group

restaurant: Raf’s

bar: The Jazz Club at Aman New York

culture: Candlelight concerts at the Church of the Heavenly Rest destination: Freeman Alley

Take That To The (Piggy) Bank!

We’re completely obsessed with these mountains-y accessories. I mean...who could resist?

|

By Mitch Rustad

Pavé Piggy Bank

You’ll feel like a monarch this exquisitely detailed and Pavé Piggy Bank with Crown space. From the Jay Strongwater collection, this one-in-a-million bank is richly detailed; 14K matte gold plated with a light brown antiqued finish and hand-painted enamel. It’s been crafted to last a lifetime. Bloomingdales.com $2,900.

Hightide Hourglass

Give your Apple Watch a rest and keep time the old-fashioned way, with this elegant, handmade hourglass by Hightide. “People use them for everything,” says Laura Huron, owner of Bosco’s Mercantile, a lifestyle store with a focus on organic linens and bedding in Saugerties, NY. “A lot of parents buy them to use for their child, to time their 15 minutes of reading or maybe for a time out. Other people use it for meditation. Comes in clear, blue and amber, 15- and 30-minute sizes. BoscosMercantile.com $45

Everyday Mugs

developing all my own glaze curating color palettes for production potter Alexis these gorgeous color everyday mugs, which are and dishwasher safe with care). “I think mugs really exemplify process.” The unique shape—thick, sturdy with fatty handle, a cross between several different styles from previous collections—is new the self-described designer of functional wares. “I just started experimenting with color block glazing a little over year ago and I’ve really fallen in love with it,” says Tellefsen, who opened her Middletown, NY studio in Each piece is dipped hand, so no two are exactly believe that daily should be beautiful.” TellefsenAtelier.com $55

Prisma Hanging #22

“What I love about them is they feature those gorgeous brass hammered discs, so you get a combination of colors that shoot out, almost like a kaleidoscope,” says Aimée deSimone of the Prisma Window Hanging #22, which is available online and at Berte, her curated home décor and gift shop in Beacon, NY. “We have a bunch that line the windows of our store, and rainbows will just cascade through on a sunny day. It’s a really fun, joyful piece to add to your space. Who doesn’t love seeing rainbows lighting up your room?” These gorgeous prismas—which are available in four variations—are handmade by Sol Proaño, of Ridgewood, NY, and each play with circles and textures, while the slightly curved brass disc further amplifies the light from every angle. ShopBerte.com $118

Modern Luxe, Still Hot

High-quality new-build contemporaries are bucking the trend by selling within days.

By Bill Cary

i keep hearing that high interest rates and low inventory are killing the real estate market up here north of New York City. Not so if you’re the developer or seller of a stylish new-build contemporary with lots of glass and wood and metal. These high-end modern homes with high-quality construction and materials are still selling fast—as in a day or three.

Developer/designer Erika Brown of Bone Hollow Studio had an accepted offer within three days for a really sweet four-bedroom home at 159 Bone Hollow Road in the Ulster County hamlet of Accord. The 3,282-squarefoot new house on 5.2 acres was listed for $2.145 million with Laurel Sweeney, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nutshell Realty in High Falls. With superb construction by local builder Hudson Valley Homes & Renovations, the contemporary offers a bigvolume great room with 20-foot ceilings, a home office with pond views, stylish, blackframed Marvin windows, a two-car garage and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

piece accord This beauty in Accord was listed for $2.145 million. A piece of modernist architecture, the new home sold in three days, bucking a trend.

In the Litchfield Hills, at 31 Robin Hill Lane in Lakeville, CT, Elyse Harney Morris and Jusztina Paksai, of Elyse Harney Real Estate, had a deal on the complete rebuild and expansion of a midcentury modern charmer on 4.3 acres a few days after listing it for $1.985 million.

In the Columbia County town of Ghent, Dan Kessler of Compass had a sale on a threebedroom rebuild at 160 Quinn Lane just a few days after the $5.5 million contemporary hit the market. Lots to like here: 10 miles from Hudson, 7.2 acres, a guesthouse, killer sunsets, custom casement windows, a heated gunite pool and a fire pit.

and…

DON’T MISS: One of the finest estates in the Berkshires, at 7 Prospect Hill Road in Stockbridge, is listed for $12.5 million with Patrice Melluzzo, of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. It boasts nine fireplaces, tiered wraparound terraces, a pool and a three-bedroom guesthouse.

COOL RENO: Dan Ragone, a magazine publishing executive who has worked at Interview, Maxim and Elle Decor, did a fab two-year restoration of a stately but cozy Victorian at 870 Columbia Street in Hudson. It’s listed for $1.275 million with Anthony D’Argenzio and Rachel Haley of Houlihan Lawrence.

COUNTRY SPLENDOR: A 203-acre spread at 126 Shadow Mountain Road in the Greene County hamlet of East Jewett offers an updated 1950s farmhouse, an old-fashioned swimming pond and two big barns—one for the cows and horses and another that’s an event space with a stage and bar. Listed for $2.999 million with Rich Vizzini and Mark McAlpine of Corcoran Country Living.

Talkin’ Golf (And Hiking And Coffeehouses And Pizza)

We like these places. We really, really do. | By Isabel Hochman

Copake Country Club

Hotchkiss Golf Course

48 Interlaken Road Lakeville, CT 06039

860.435.4400

Hotchkiss.org

Designed in 1924 by architect Seth Raynor, this nine-hole course offers views of Lake Wononscopomuc.

Berkshire Hills Country Club

500 Benedict Road Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.447.9429

BerkshireHillsCC.com

This century old Berkshires favorite was designed by architect A.W. Tillinghast.

44 Golf Course Road Craryville, NY 12521 518.325.0019

CopakeCountryClub.com

This public 18-hole course on Copake Lake designed by architect Devereux Emmet offers dining, walks and water sports.

Wyndhurst

Golf & Club

55 Lee Road Lenox MA 01240 413.637.1364

WyndhurstGolfAndClub.com

This historic 18-hole golf course offers breathtaking views of the rolling Berkshire Hills and a fitness club.

Kaaterskill Falls

103 Laurel House Road Haines Falls, NY 12436

CatskillsVisitorCenter.org/kaaterskill

This legendary waterfall hike drops in two tiers, more than 260 feet from top to base.

Hiking

Roeliff Jansen Park

116 Old Route 22 Hillsdale, NY 12529 518.325.5073

HillsdaleNY.com/trails

This scenic spot has a great dog run and farmer’s market.

Mass Audubon’s Lime Kiln Farm Wildlife Sanctuary

113 Silver Street Sheffield, MA 01257 413.637.0320

MassAudubon.org/limekiln

For spectacular views of the Taconic Mountains and Berkshire Hills choose the 1.25-hour hiking option.

Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

472 West Mountain Road Lenox, MA 01240

413.637.0320

MassAudubon.org/pleasantvalley

Trail of the Ledges is where you’ll find amazing views of Lenox Mountain, Mount Greylock, the Taconic Range and the Catskill Mountains.

Sweet William’s Coffee Shop & Bakery

17 Main Street

Salisbury, CT 06068

860.435.3005

Sweet-Williams.com

Treat yourself to an afternoon cupcake with coffee from Barrington Coffee Roasting Company and milk from High Lawn Farm. Yum.

Mansion + Reed General Store

45 Reed Street Coxsackie, NY 12051 518.731.7200

MansionReed.com

Twin sisters Lisa and Justine Post source goods locally from NY state businesses and they have an amazing cappuccino.

The Southfield Store

163 Norfolk Road Southfield, MA 01259

413.229.5050

SouthfieldStore.com

The perfect Sunday brunch, with delicious coffee— try the Shirl’s Granola bowl, it’s the best!

Cook & Larder 2642 NY-23 Hillsdale, NY 12529

518.325.0220

CookandLarder.com

Closed on Monday and Tuesday, this is the perfect weekend go-to spot to sit and catch up with old friends and new, or grab some chicken parmigiana for takeaway.

THE

pic ks

Baba Louie’s 517 Warren Street

Hudson 12534

518.751.2155

BabaLouiesPizza.com

This family-friendly spot specializes in wood-fired pies with sourdough crust and gourmet toppings, with an exceptional gluten-free option.

COFFEEHOUSES

PIZZA

Pizzeria Boema

84 Main Street Lenox, MA 01240

413.881.4936

PizzeriaBoema.com

Owners Molly, David and Roman always offer amazing date night specials (just ask).

Taro’s

18 Main Street Millerton, NY 12546 518.789.6630

This cash-only institution has been a mainstay for my whole life. As a kid, Friday night drives up to Great Barrington from Manhattan meant a stop in Millerton for pizza, meatball subs and ravioli.

BARBARO

3279 Franklin Avenue Millbrook, NY 12545

845.677.4440 BarbaroMillbrook.com

Neapolitan-style pizzas fresh out of the pizzaiolo and crafted cocktails in a warm, intimate setting.

Dreaming In Chatham

Chatham Brewing’s owner spends the perfect day in the perfect spot.

By Tom Crowell

Saturday

6:45 A.M. WALKING THE DOGS

When you live with three dogs, there’s no sleeping in on the weekends. We leash them up and make the short drive to Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond This publicly accessible recreation area is named for the Ooms family, one of the prominent farm families in town who work thousands of acres of corn and hayfields that give Chatham its status as an agricultural community. Managed by the Columbia Land Conservancy, the 180-acre site offers a one-and-a-half-mile trail with 360-degree views of the Berkshires, Catskills and Taconics.

7:50 A.M. BREAKFAST

With the dogs exercised, it’s time to head to town. On arrival, I walk a couple doors down for some breakfast. Sharing an entry way with the eclectic American Pie home goods store, Fiesta Café is a relatively new and welcome addition to Chatham’s Main Street making “real food, not fast food.” It’s always a toss-up whether to get the huevos rancheros or a breakfast burrito, as both come with the house made hot sauce. Food in hand, I head to

Chatham Brewing to restock the coolers with cans and make sure the kegs are tapped and ready for the families who will fill our patio with their kids and dogs, as well as our loyal mug clubbers who will take their appointed seats at the bar discussing cooking, gardening and sports, while artfully avoiding politics.

rainbow connection The popular Chatham Brewing has been a Main Street mainstay for more than a decade.

11:10 A.M. SHOPPING

My wife pops in, having just picked up a necklace she’d had restrung at R.H. VanAlstyne Fine Jewelry I’m somewhat relieved to see she wasn’t tempted by any sparkling rings or vintage pieces from the carefully curated selection that shine in the glass display cases across the street. We head off together to The Chatham Berry Farm to purchase starters for the vegetable garden. While there, we can’t resist grabbing a few essentials for the pantry from their wellstocked farm store.

12:20 P.M. LUNCH

Time to grab a gourmet grilled cheese from Bimi’s Cheese Shop We ask Ellen, the proprietor, when the Canteen, their much anticipated bistro, will open next door. Soon, we’re promised! On our way back to our car we pass The Chatham Bookstore, Browns shoe store, Chatham Wine and Liquor, Joane Cornell Fine Jewelry; Boxwood Linen; and pookstyle While we don’t have time to stop in these or the other independent stores in town, we’re glad to see the village is bustling!

you—a sometimes seemingly contradictory blend of rural traditions and cultural nuance.

4:30 P.M. COCKTAILS

Show’s over and it’s time to refresh ourselves with an expertly fashioned cocktail at The People’s Pub Angus pours a perfect Negroni. Now back across the street to check in with the second shift at Chatham Brewery, before grabbing an early dinner at the Blue Plate.

5:50 P.M. DINNER

You’ll definitely need a reservation at the Blue Plate if you’re in town for the Film Columbia festival in the fall, but in the springtime, we have our choice of front row seats to Chatham’s comings and goings on the glassed-in porch. We decide to head home, rather than walk over to the Crandell Theatre to take in the latest talked about independent release. We’ll save that for another night—it’s been a long day.

7:45 P.M. BONFIRE

The dogs are relieved to have us back at home for the remainder of the evening, barking enthusiastic welcomes as our neighbors arrive to enjoy catching up around a backyard bonfire.

Sunday

9:10 A.M. BIKE RIDE

2 P.M. ARTS

We digest our lunch taking in a matinee dance performance at PS21 It’s amazing that we can see world-class artists perform on this modern stage in an old apple orchard just a mile out of town. But that’s Chatham for

We bicycle to The Gnome Bistro where we map out our ride over a hot coffee and traditional breakfast. Gravel is the name of the game in Chatham. On May 21, 1,200 cyclists from around the country will gather for the Farmer’s Daughter Gravel Grinder, a 65-mile dirt road ride. But today, we’ll have them all to ourselves.

PRESENTS

WE’RE STOKING THE PASSION THAT WE ALL HAVE FOR OUR KITCHEN

Inspiration for Renovation

No room inspires love and obsession the way the kitchen does. From the food fixated who want a culinary lab to the entertainer who loves fashion over function. No matter how you use it, the truth is—the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you’re working with an architect, a contractor, a designer or Williams design pro, we will help you love your kitchen now and for years to come.

LIGHTING

Lighting in a kitchen has to be bright for workspaces and giving off plenty of ambient light. And fixtures are like jewelry in a room, so make sure you tell a story

PAINT

Paint is the easiest and quickest design hack for any room...especially a kitchen. Don’t want to replace your cabinets? Paint them for a new look. Think out of the box. It will make you feel like you have a brand new kitchen.

CABINETS

Cabinets are your biggest kitchen decision. They need to have a relationship with your space and be a balance of your personal style and your home’s décor

SINKS/FAUCETS

You probably use your kitchen sink and faucet the most, so the size of your sink and functionality of your faucet are important. Make sure the sink is big/deep enough for your needs and your faucets fit your style

4 STAGES of Kitchen Love

STAGE 1: ATTRACTION Hmmm…Who’s That?

Don’t want a big change, but you want a little zhush? Change your cabinet hardware and sink faucet. These may seem like small changes, but they make a big impact.

STAGE 2: DATING

It’s Casual

Want that extra sense of design in your kitchen without too big of a commitment? Change the lighting. Adding decorative lighting can transform a room. Hang a long light over an island, pendants over a peninsula, or surface mounted lights in key positions. It will feel like more than a kitchen.

STAGE 3: NONSTOP PASSION

I’m Obsessed

Change the look and feel of your kitchen by replacing the countertops and backsplash: two functional yet decorative items. Consider using the same material for the countertop and the backsplash for a clean, contemporary look, even in a more traditional kitchen.

STAGE 4: THE FULL COMMITMENT

I Do

COUNTERTOPS

There are more countertop choices than ever. Decide what’s important to you: the look? wearability? color? Think about thickness of the counter, edge detail, matte, honed or high sheen finish. Also consider using the same material for countertop and backsplash.

When creating your dream kitchen, design it to relate to the architecture and decor of the rest of your home. A total kitchen renovation is an investment so work with a kitchen specialist, an interior designer or an architect. It’s your opportunity to create your ultimate kitchen and it’s important to nail it right the first time.

Are you casually dating or fulfilling your full kitchen passion?

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YOUR DESIGN MATCHMAKER

Robin Baron, Interior Designer

“The kitchen is the most importan the biggest, investmen inspir

Robin Baron‘s

kiss & tell Carole and Anthony Radziwill’s fairytale romance was the stuff of legends, one could say a sort of latter day Camelot How sad and how beautiful was this perfect forever love?

makers

genius, in human form

CAROLE

RADZiWiLL IS HAPPY.

DEAL WiTH iT.

THE ABSURDLY PAINFUL, FANTASTICAL LIFE OF THIS GIRL FROM THE CATSKILLS KEEPS BLAZING FORWARD.

BY RiCHARD

PÉREZ-FERiA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE CHITWOOD exclusively for The Mountains

deep space “Do you wake up thinking, ‘I’m so happy to be in this space that I’m grateful and joyful?’ I do. So, in that regard, I’m in love, yeah,” Radziwill says of her surroundings; (opposite) on her wedding day in 1994 with husband Anthony Radziwill.

“If I really think about my past, I wouldn’t get out of bed half the time.”

he joys (and pitfalls) of surviving a genuinely interesting life—a life precisely like the one the woman I’ve been entranced by for the better part of three hours in our effortless, deeply satisfying Sunday afternoon conversation has led—is that you’ve set yourself up to perpetually reflect on what was, always forced to look back even as you’re moving forward.

The mesmerizing (and still flawless) Carole Radziwill has had three life-defining eras to reflect upon: her decidedly humble childhood running around her grandparents’ farm in Upstate New York’s Mount Marion, a tiny hamlet in the town of Saugerties near Kingston; her red-hot romance and subsequent marriage to Anthony Radziwill, a bonafide prince whose mother, Lee Radziwill, was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ sister, with all of what that life entailed including being best friends with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, wife to John Kennedy, Jr., Anthony’s favorite cousin and de facto brother; and as a “Bravolebrity,” the term reserved for the most memorable of reality television stars appearing on Bravo, a cable network home to the most zeitgeist-y of shows, including The Real Housewives Of New York City, the high-octane, high-drama program Radziwill co-starred in for a surprising six seasons.

That’s a lot of living right there.

And, yet, as this simply delightful everywoman sitting in front of me continues to prattle on about any number of seemingly disconnected topics—American politics (a passion we share), meaningful relationships, great theater, exciting career projects and, yes, even “Scandoval,” the current millennial cheating kerfuffle heard around the (reality TV) world—Radziwill remains oblivious to her charm. For someone with so much emotional and psychological baggage emanating from her momentous past experiences, her aura, her very essence, is feather light. It’s as if Radziwill decided to put the weight of that past, that old story, away “I’m not overly nostalgic about the past,” Radziwill tells me in her appealing, time-is-money speaking style. “I learned that from my mother-in-law, Lee.”

none of them all at once. How does Radziwill reconcile the overwhelming bigness of her life experiences with the lighthearted, perpetually laughing woman she is today? She simply decided to be happy. And so she is.

“If I really think about my past, I wouldn’t get out of bed half the time,” she says. “Even if things aren’t going great for me, and this could be about any aspect of my life, it’s OK. I’ll always be OK.”

She was more than OK during her decade-and-a-half career at ABC News. Of all the labels Radziwill has worn over the years—lover, friend, author, “housewife”—it’s journalist that still fits her best. And why wouldn’t it be? Her work there, mostly with network giant Peter Jennings, is often glossed over for the more clickbait, gotcha! TMZstyle ridiculous headlines. But make no mistake, Radziwill is a first-rate newshound whose documentary work in Cambodia, India and Haiti have earned her no less than three Emmy Awards, the prestigious Peabody and a GLAAD Media Award (another thing we share). It was while at ABC News that she met Anthony Radziwill, her colleague and soon-to-be love of her life.

scenes from an italian funeral “My friend Robin and I went to the Mount Marion cemetery—which I hadn’t been since 1984 when my grandparents died. They’re buried there. And it’s a big cemetery and we just went row by row by row trying to find Tony and Millie DiFalco. We found it and there’s a ceramic picture of Tony and Millie on the actual tombstone. It’s so them and so hilarious.”

I ask her about the happiest memory she has of the decade she was with Anthony, her prince. “Oh, Richard…I mean, it’s been so long,” she says looking sad for a moment. “Let me be clear, I’d never want to go back to that time, but it was just this moment in time that was filled with so much success and joy and love and also heartbreak, obviously, and real tragedy. But now, today, it’s also kind of melded together into this one feeling of…well, I just feel fortunate and grateful to have experienced that life, to have been with my husband, to have had the friends that I had. I’m truly grateful.”

Of course this accomplished, confident woman regaling me with her witty asides and piercing intellect was indeed Carole Ann DiFalco from the Catskills; as well as Mrs. Radziwill in East Hampton and Hyannis Port; and a “real housewife” going toe-to-toe with unhinged, famehungry, grown ass women. She’s all of those people and

Grateful wasn’t what Radziwill was feeling for years after enduring the worst three weeks of her life. On July 16, 1999, her closest friend, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her husband, John Kennedy, Jr., died in a plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard, MA. The horrible shock and profound sorrow that permeated the country that terrible morning also engendered a disturbing déjà vu parallel to the still unbelievable death of Diana, Princess of Wales two summers earlier in Paris. Here we were yet again, facing the reality of young, privileged and, it must be said, impossibly beautiful beacons of possibility struck down before

GREENE COUNTY Catskill

elle décor “When we purchased this home in Catskill, we did a gut renovation. And we’re not talking your typical Catskills décor: Karl Springer dining table, original Eames chair, a work by Damien Hirst and especially a Fisher & Paykel stove. I made it ‘city girl meets country’ and I love it.”

they ever truly took flight. It was senseless and disorienting. And unspeakably sad.

As if losing her closest friends in such an unimaginable (and public) manner wasn’t enough, Radziwill’s husband, her entire world, was at that precise time also at death’s door, stricken with a resurgence of the body’s most powerful, insidious enemy, cancer. Anthony Radziwill was just 40 years old when he passed on August 10, ten days short of his wife’s 36th birthday. I can’t imagine Carole Radziwill’s heartbreak and despair she was enduring during that time.

“Yes, I was in shock for probably a lot longer than I thought then,” Radziwill says. “It was really important for me to be the person who managed the man I loved dearly who was dying of cancer. To be so present and to be able to manage that whole intense situation, to manage his life, and then his death, in a way that I thought I handled with grace. I certainly didn’t give myself credit back then, but now I look back and think, ‘Damn, I did

that.’ And, yeah, I’m proud of the way I handled myself then.”

the catskills (from top) Radziwill in the late 1960s in Mount Marion, NY near Saugerties; with her siblings in the Catskills; Tony and Millie DiFalco at home near Kingston; “It’s funny…my parents were super straight—they didn’t drink or do anything—but it was all these aunts and uncles at my grandparents’ house all the time who weren’t even related to us at all, whom I just really fell in love with. And as much as the city held this great imagination for me as a kid, Upstate New York was home and I appreciate it even more as I get older. My grandmother actually grew marijuana in the garden of her house—in our vegetable garden—and sold it to the locals as a side hustle. She was the original entrepreneur. She’d sell it to the Woodstock crowd my grandparents knew.”

But, how does one go on when your world is taken away in a flash?

“You know, I started to resent people who said, ‘Carole’s great; Carole’s fine’ because Carole was not fine,” Radziwill tells me, speaking slightly faster now. “I certainly created the expectation that everything was OK, but my world had just blown up—literally. And I remember when 9/11 happened just two years later what I felt like at that moment because I had gone through my own personal 9/11 where my world blew up, and the three people in my life who I was really very close to all died. Now the world was kind of experiencing what I experienced back in the summer of 1999. And it was so horrific, all of it, for all of us.”

When Radziwill returned to ABC News she was assigned six weeks in Afghanistan covering the interminable war from Kandahar, she recounts a visit to the deserted Kabul Zoo that changed her perspective on suffering and survival.

“I remember one Sunday being at the zoo taking pictures of kids with my Polaroid camera, and mind you there were no animals in the zoo,” she says. “I mean, the lion had been killed. It was terrible. But I noticed that all of these families were in the zoo and everyone was just really nice, wearing their Sunday best and I started taking Polaroids of the kids. I gave them the prints and of course they’d never seen a Polaroid photo before, so this photograph developing in front of their eyes was like magic to them. Their excitement and the wonder you could see in their eyes was nothing short of extraordinary. And right then I had an ‘a-ha’ moment. If these families could feel such joy while literally being surrounded by rubble and destruction, that was a big moment for me. When I got back to New York City, I said, ‘OK, you’re allowed to feel joy.’ In the middle of all this rubble, I still had a life to live, fully.”

Her life now has taken Radziwill back to her childhood haunts by way of co-owning (with two girlfriends) a home in Catskill, NY. “When we purchased the house, we did a full gut renovation,” Radziwill says. “We furnished this home as if it’s my fulltime residence, even though we’re renting it out every now and again. But we’re not talking typical Catskills décor: Karl Springer dining room table, original Eames chair, a work by Damien Hirst. I made it ‘city girl meets country’ and I love it.”

Speaking of love…before I can get my question out, Radziwill tells me there’s many kinds of love, besides the romantic connections we’re hardwired to desire. “Look, I have a love of one’s surroundings,” she says. “As I get older, my space becomes much more important. Of course, yes, the love of a romantic partner, or the love of friends and family are always important, but I’ve learned that, for me, the love of my surroundings, the love of where I am physically, spiritually and emotionally has become most important of all. Do you wake up thinking, ‘I’m so happy to be in this space that I’m grateful and joyful?’ I do. So, in that regard, I’m in love, yeah.”

For someone who has had more than her fair share of eyebrow raising, Page Six-worthy romantic suitors—

George Clooney and Ralph Fiennes, anyone?—it was her most recent serious relationship with Adam Kenworthy, a chef more than two decades her junior, who seemed to be her best fit. The relationship, which lasted for several years, was on full display in multiple seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City And it seemed, in a word, sweet.

“Yes, Adam is much younger than me, but I never felt that when I was with him,” Radziwill says. “I like to say, ‘I grew up, but I never got old.’ So when I met Adam, our curiosity level was the same and I was open to learning new things as I always am. And being so much younger, he taught me things about different kinds of music, for example. I love that he used to come to my house on his bike or his skateboard and we’d skateboard around the city. To me, that was a blessing. And that relationship lasted a long time.”

But the relationship I still wonder about was the one Radziwill ultimately agreed to have with reality television. I mean, her everso-slightly shocking decision to join the RHONY cast was as unexpected as it was curious. Two different worlds coming together.

abc news (from top) Radziwill met her future husband when they both worked at ABC News; on assignment in Cambodia in 1994; with a press officer at the US military base in Kandahar; at Charleston Air Force Base en route to Afghanistan; “By the time I met Anthony, I’d been working for Peter Jennings at ABC News for several years, so we met on a more level playing field than if I had just met him as Carole DiFalco from Upstate New York. At the time, he was living on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side and had this big, social, famous family.”

‘I’m so to be in this space that I’m and

anthony & lee Carole, in a Carolina Herrera wedding gown, and Anthony at their 1994 wedding at Lee Radziwill’s East Hampton estate (both mother and son wore Giorgio Armani); “When I met Anthony’s mom, Lee, I was nervous in the way that you’re this new girlfriend. I remember thinking how beautiful and vibrant she was—and so glamorous When she became my mother-in-law, Lee was always quite friendly. And she obviously was very happy that Anthony had found someone. Looking back now, who knows if Lee would’ve preferred Anthony to be with some fabulously glamorous socialite. I mean, I didn’t go to Dalton. I was literally a girl from the other side of the tracks.”

I mean, those decidedly Upper East Side boozy mavens didn’t seem to have much in common with the downtown-living, award-winning war documentarian. Or did they?

“Oh my goodness, I’ve never been around women like that!” Radziwill tells me, laughing. “I wasn’t used to being competitive and all that, but I’d never been around women who would talk like they talked or drank like they drank. I just thought they were very funny. There

& carolyn

John Kennedy, Jr. dancing with newest member of his family; (below) Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is thoroughly enjoying her wedding day with Anthony and Carole Radziwill; “For two summers, Anthony and shared a Bridgehampton beach house with John and that’s when I first met him. I’ll never forget, he walked out of the bedroom very early in the morning, and came over and said, ‘Oh, I’ve heard so much about you. So nice to meet you.’ And then he shook my hand and said, ‘Hi, John Kennedy.’ He actually said his name, John Kennedy. John—as well as his sister, Caroline—never made me feel like they were up here and I was down there. They just never made me feel that way at all. They’re very earthy. They were always lovely to me.

That same weekend, John brought his then new girlfriend, Carolyn, who was a big shot at Calvin Klein and couldn’t be nicer. Carolyn was the equivalent of what they now call a girl’s girl. She connected with women and always had a lot of girlfriends. I just thought she was great. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I love this girl.’ At that moment, I envisioned this whole summer hanging out with this cool girl, since I thought of myself then as a news nerd. Carolyn was authentic before authenticity became a catchphrase.”

was definite comedy to them and the fact that one of my castmates called herself “The Countess’…well, I thought this would be fun to do. But I’d never watched the show. And I also thought that after a couple years, I could leave. I made a mistake in thinking you could join something like this—that you can join the circus and that you could leave the circus at any time. But once you join the circus, and you become a circus performer, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.”

I’ve often wondered, once the all-star housewives leave the playing field, what would they’ve done differently given a second chance.

“My one little regret is I did make myself smaller to be on the show,” she says softly. “I never thought I was above anyone, for sure. I didn’t want to come across like I was above any of the women because everyone had their own different life experience, you know, and so I didn’t want to come across that way at all. And I didn’t feel that way and never did. But there were a lot of times during a lot of conversations where I could have said, ‘Well, you know, I was in Afghanistan during the war’…‘I was in the Gulf War’…‘I used to spend a lot of time in refugee camps in Cambodia.’ I’d been there, I’d seen that. But I never talked about any of that. So my only regret was making myself smaller to fit in with the women. I think I would’ve been considered much more formidable and maybe even more of a target in some ways. But, in the end, I didn’t want to show off.”

Would she ever consider returning to the scene of the crime in, say, as one of the housewives invited to go on the spinoff The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip on Peacock? Who would she want to go with?

“Oh, dear…,” she says, a bit uneasy for the first time in our long conversation. “I’d go on a girls trip with the coolest, most fun chick from each city, but I don’t know who that is because I don’t watch Housewives.”

So, what now? What does the next act in this fascinating mosaic that has been Carole Radziwill’s life look like from here? “Interestingly enough, I’ve been talking to a London-based company about potentially turning my memoir, What Remains, into a one woman play. I’ve never written a play before…I’ve been working on a draft. It’s really very exciting.”

Speaking of What Remains: A Memoir Of Fate, Friendship & Love, that’s how I initially became aware of Radziwill. Reading her powerful yet surprisingly unsentimental account, I became enraptured by Radziwill’s clarity on those pages. I often still think about her conclusion encapsulating all the sadness, all the pain. Radziwill wrote: “Ultimately what remains is a story. In the end, it’s the only thing any of us really owns.” Even now, that passage packs a punch.

The first time I interviewed Radziwill was a decade ago just prior to the release of her latest tome, The Widow’s Guide To Sex And Dating: A Novel (yep, another must-read best-seller). When I ran into her (looking gorg, by the way) about a month later in Lower Manhattan at the launch party for the new season of The Real Housewives, Radziwill told me how much she loved the article I wrote about her, saying, “It was memorable—and that’s everything you should want it to be.” I was flattered and once again taken in by this easygoing mix of smarts and edge having a cocktail in front of me. In that precise moment, I definitely saw why so many bold-faced gentlemen were enraptured by one Carole Radziwill. And it was effortless on her part.

During the recent all-day shoot for this story—we captured the photogenic Radziwill in her chic Catskills home—I looked up at the absurdly perfect, cloudless sky and recalled my favorite passage from The Widow’s Guide I asked Radziwill if she could guess what that quote she wrote more than a decade ago may be. “Blue skies can be misleading,” she said triumphantly, smiling to herself, clearly delighted to be right. At that exact moment, we both looked up at that impossibly blue sky and laughed. Blue skies be damned, there’s a joyous life yet to be lived. And I’m here for all of it. So, yes, what remains of Carole Radziwill today is a woman who’s indeed happy and ready for whatever comes next. And that, too, will surely be epic.

the greatest show

With The Real Housewives Of New York City co-star and Berkshires native, Heather Thomson, on a memorable glamping cast trip to Montana; “Once you join the circus, and you become a circus performer, you can never put the genie back in the bottle.”

WHEN DiD MOHONK MOUNTAiN HOUSE GET SO GREAT?

Hudson Valley’s legendary castle transforms into the region’s crown jewel. Seriously.

BY MARCO MEDRANO

You’ll come for the spa and rebook for the fun. For those who may have experienced Mohonk Mountain House in a different era, the newly updated property with its now excellent farm-totable cuisine and impressive full-bar availability will need a revisit and reassessment of this particularly gorgeous corner of the planet. The scale of the spa, its services, stellar product selection and on-top-of-it management are all Manhattan/world-class worthy. Without. The. Attitude. Period.

Mohonk Mountain House is undeniably one of the most iconic wellness resorts in America. And when you think about the grandeur of this Victorian castle being constructed atop a mountain range in 1869, that level of awe is compounded. The enormous amount of stone and the carved roads that were made to approach this architectural, Swiss Alps-type marvel is utterly mind-boggling. Think Windsor Castle on steroids. Think Julie Andrews after discovering the hills are indeed alive with the sound of music. Think…big

Arriving at the grand porte-cochère, it’s easy to envision footmen, carriages and steamer trunks full of wardrobes—evoking a time when people travelled with a full staff. You then turn around and realize how majestic this castle and its views are and how privileged you are for finding a few days to revel in its vistas. Stare at the view, as far as the eye can see—is that the next state over?—it’s impossibly breathtaking.

This fundamental, foundational development of excellence is important for longevity, and why Mohonk Mountain House has sustained as a must-go destination resort. And the fact that a singular family has maintained this standard is even more rare. As a family of hospitality operators, the Smileys have evolved Mohonk into an all-inclusive resort that boasts some amazing activities and unique on-site, seasonal excursions. And more recently, the overall property’s design, services and overall vibe has been elevated to reflect a more seasoned traveler. Both country and elegant, this summer camp for the lucky is indeed the perfect getaway.

While it was the coldest day of the year on my February visit (30 below zero windchill), I decided not to cancel on the property’s tour guide. What I discovered were the most exquisite views dynamically showcasing what the Hudson Valley is all about. While terms like hiking, snowshoeing and mountain excursions might sound more outdoors-y than one would visit a spa resort for, know this: The location of Mohonk Mountain House is such that within a ten-minute graded hill hike (gently tiered) you’re positioned very well to see all the eyepopping lookout points, “crow’s nest” destinations and Shawangunk Ridge photo opps (Instagram!) without risking safety. This holds true for all age groups and fitness levels. (Expert-level vertical terrain hikes and rock climbing are available as well.) The mountainous walkways have safety features and bar-code audible description guides along the paths while still respecting the ominous nature vibe of it all. Don’t ignore a Mohonk hike as it’ll rebalance and recenter even the toughest of souls—it’s great for morning sun with your breath exercises and the heavenly views will impact your perspective. Trust me.

While there’s so much to do at Mohonk Mountain House, they’re perfectly set up for you to do absolutely nothing—in the most curative

mountain do There’s a reason why so many New Yorkers find Mohonk Mountain House the best staycation ever. Because it is.

way. In fact, I sat on the porch in a rocking chair and read a book in full winter gear, with a view of the frozen lake. Nirvana.

The resort’s chef’s cuisine is excellent and embraces most culinary tastes. While I really enjoyed their semi-formal buffet style for breakfast and lunch in the main dining room, there’s a separate venue for the quick and casual morning rush of baked goods (Lakeview Breakfast), yogurt, berries, waffles, beverages and more. The dinner’s more of an elegant service menu experience and showcases some

fine fare and gorgeous wine list pairings and exquisite desserts. It’s fine dining in the mountains—not a given here, or anywhere near here— for decades. Those days are, thankfully, over.

Mind your time and punctuality. The property is full of “pop-up” wellness events and little indulgences including Campfire with S’mores, Afternoon Tea & Cookies, Drink of the Month (in the lovely Carriage Lounge) where the first round is free, and more. The outdoor ice-skating rink is professional grade and comes with a roaring fireplace and staff, while snow tubing is a must for a few short runs and isn’t just for the kids. Yes, I did that, too.

The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House is, in a word, terrific. The sheer scale of the facility isn’t only spacious, but well equipped, whether you’re working out and enjoying a steam and sauna or going all in with yoga, meditation, Pilates and Tai Chi. I did all of the above and added Singing Bowl Meditation, Qi Gong and Stretch and Relax in the Spa

Motion Room. The OM4Men (Organic Male skincare) regimen’s numbered in order and makes for an indulgent finale when leaving the fancy locker rooms.

I also love that the Smiley family and spa management team share a deep-rooted wellness ethos, bringing global treatment trends local. They know what’s what. So, when I read the best-selling book, The Three Minute Meditator, which is co-written by Nina Smiley, PhD, and David Harp, M.A., I knew I was in good hands. Its narrative teaches the reader “to reduce stress, control fear and diminish anger in almost no time at all. Anywhere. Anytime.” Sounds cool to me. While I’m a work in progress, the book reflects much of Mohonk Mountain House’s DNA. It breaks up and helps de-mystify meditation into little bite-sized pops of cando confidence that help us react (or not) in positive, productive ways via mindfulness, a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. Get a copy in the gift shop. #gamechanger

prime time Mind your time and punctuality. The property is full of exciting “pop-up” wellness events and little extravagant indulgences around the clock.

High and Tight: My first spa treatment was the “Luxe Lift Facial” which includes gentle, enzymatic double exfoliation followed by lengthy hands-on face sculpting which infuses collagen and botanicals to provide facial contouring for days I left transformed with plump, lifted and glowing skin which is part of Swiss Line’s branded “Cell Shock Luxe-Lift” protocol. I used their Face Lifting Complex II serum and the Swiss Cure Day/Night Ampoules under the Luxe-Lift Cream. Amazing!

The second day at the resort I decided to show my body and soul some love with a Contrast Hydrotherapy Massage which incorporates a high-yield steam followed immediately by ice-cold rapid shower. This glacial/thermal shock therapy isn’t only a detoxifying immune-stimulating reset, the body is primed to accept therapeutic plant extracts infused with CBD healing during the customized massage process. I chose to focus on legs, calves and joints to relieve stiffness. The room for this service is terrific. Another must-try is the party-sized outdoor mineral hot tub which is adjacent to the glassed-in meditation lounges hosting beautiful teas, chaises and amazing views. The salon is a well-equipped pied-à-terre offering one of the best selections of haircare and skincare rejuvenation retail.

Honestly, if I enjoyed my long four-night stay during the coldest winter week, you’ll love Mohonk Mountain House even more in warmer weather. With tennis, golf, horseback riding, art showings, lake activities, boating and so much more available, I really can’t wait to return to this crown jewel of the Hudson Valley. There’s a reason why New Yorkers find this the best staycation ever. Because it is. Now, back to the views…

LENOX, MASS.

T

May 26 – July 30

THE CONTENTION: HENRY VI, PART II by William Shakespeare

June 17 – July 15

AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES

July 22 – August 27

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

by William Shakespeare

August 1 – September 10

GOLDA’S BALCONY by William Gibson

August 5 – 20

A Staged Reading HAMLET by William Shakespeare

September 1 – 3

New England Premiere KEN LUDWIG’S DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISEWorld Premiere LUNAR ECLIPSE by Donald Margulies

September 15 – October 22

aking the Eurostar for a recent two-month stay in Paris from my four months in London, I was thinking about all those trips I took on Amtrak from Hudson, New York, to Manhattan and back over the five years I lived Upstate and the geographic love affairs I have had with all four places over the past 48 years since I first moved to New York City as a 19-year-old Mississippi boy to attend Juilliard’s Drama Division. I soon detoured from acting to a magazine career as a writer and editor and now, still writing and working on my third memoir, Beside Myself, I, having shed almost all my possessions, am living life as a pilgrim on a pilgrimage trying finally to love myself without vanity but with fairness. During that magazine career, I interviewed several actors who have homes Upstate with their wives or husbands, the kind of thespians unafraid of the need for a spring thaw even as they froze fame in its place to make the move when they, on kinds of pilgrimages of their own, mindfully decided they no longer had that other need for the star-making machinery of Hollywood and those who hover there to grease the machinery— among them are Bette Midler and her husband Martin von Haselberg, Claire Danes and her husband Hugh Dancy, Alan Cumming and his husband Grant Shaffer, Daniel Craig and his wife Rachel Weisz.

of artful desire manifested as realism. Martin von Haselberg, a multidisciplined artist himself who’s a former commodity’s broker, once playfully (that word again) described for Elle Decor the pool house he designed on their estate as its “mullet—all business in the front, party in the back,” which is rather the inverse of movie stardom, especially his wife’s version which was mothered by a wanton wit and a singing voice that incongruously waved a wand of woeful beguilement over it all and conjured Oscar nominations for her performances in The Rose and For The Boys as well as filled the corporate coffers at Disney with her string of grown-up comedies before she and her husband and lovely, talented daughter, Sophie, returned east to New York where she saved so many of New York City’s derelict parks and helped spruce up the joint because the Divine Miss M always had a determined desire herself to be a doyenne who does good.

LOVE IN THE MOUNTAiNS WiTH BETTE MiDLER AND MARTiN VON HASELBERG (AND SEARCHiNG FOR LOVE–AND

In 1991, I interviewed Bette Midler for a cover story in Vanity Fair She and Martin have planted themselves Upstate on a beautifully designed estate where she can garden amidst the architecturally imagined landscape that enhances the wilder warrens about their property without showing it up, much like she and others of her highly recognized subset enhance the region itself without diminishing what has always been quaintly, quietly charming about it before their arrivals. When Midler described to me how her love for her husband deeply took root instead of arriving thrillingly like a vulgarly beautiful bouquet thrust into her life waiting to die on its stems no matter how expensive the vase she could find to put it in, she could have been explaining the rugged regality of New York’s mountain region, the pleasing playfulness of its light that does not come to play but has been inspiring artists since the mid-19th century when another kind of subset discovered this swath of real estate, where a determined kind

Martin von Haselberg was, long ago, known as “Harry Kipper,” a member of the avantgarde performance duo called the Kipper Kids, whose act consisted of scatological good humor and whose costumes were nothing more than fake noses and chins, jockstraps and shaved heads. Indeed, when I interviewed Midler for Vanity Fair more than 30 years ago, von Haselberg was still shaving his head from time to time, though Midler found it quite unappealing. “It’s so sad,” she confessed. “It breaks my heart. I know it’s going to be another six months before I see his beautiful hair again. But he does it because he loves it—he doesn’t give a shit what I like. This is our relationship: I can’t put him in a corner, I can’t put him in a box.” Midler met von Haselberg in 1981 at a Los Angeles club called The Roxy, where they went with mutual friends to see a concert by King Crimson. Two years later, they ran into each other again at the Lhasa Club in Los Angeles and that time she gave him her home telephone number. One year later, he worked up the nerve to call her and they attended an Eric Bogosian performance. Six weeks after that, they were married by a part-time Elvis impersonator in a Las Vegas wedding chapel to the accompaniment of the soundtrack to Fellini’s Juliet of the Spirits For the next two months, they lived in separate houses. “I hardly knew him!” is how Midler explains such a conjugal curiosity. When I met him, I was 38 years old,” she told me. “I wasn’t getting any younger. What else is there? Are men really that different after you’ve met so many men? After you’ve known so many?

CATHERiNE DENEUVE–IN PARiS)

Love is confounding and magical. Still. BY KEVIN SESSUMS

Love In The MounTains

WiTh Bette Midler and MarTin von haselBerg (and searching For Love–and

How different can they be? I married the best person who wanted to marry me. We are the perfect couple even though we go at it hammer and tongs. We’re solid together. When we were first married, he didn’t know how to fight. He spent his whole life with these Bohemian parents. People just didn’t raise their voice to each other in his world. And I only raise my voice—sometimes I astonish myself. He was not ready for that. We had a lot of trouble the first couple of years. We had a tremendous amount of trouble. He couldn’t understand why I would get so upset by things, and he couldn’t retaliate. But it’s all kind of evened out now. I’ve always said we got married because there was nothing on TV. Maybe deep down we were serious, but superficially we never said that this is forever, this is the ticket, we are committed to each other for life. I still ask him for a divorce every day. It clears the air.”

“Even though I didn’t know her at all,” von Haselberg told me during a lunch the three of us were having, “I remember consciously making the decision that no matter what happens I’m going to keep working at this to make it work. Even if it turns out that she’s not the person I think she might be, I’m just going to keep going through it and making it work.” I asked von Haselberg, the person who has known Bette Midler most intimately for decades now, if her distinctive brassiness was something she could put on like a piece of armor, or a pair of Loro Piana pajamas from the armoire. “What do you mean, ‘put on’?” he asked, surprised at the question. “That’s her! She’s just got a very big range, which makes it pretty exciting to live with. It keeps me on my toes all the time. This is not a languid life that I lead with her, believe me. It’s like being on a roller coaster I cannot get off.”

Midler chimed in, “Sometimes he accuses me of not being…uh…uh… comforting. That’s something I’ve had to learn. If I fail him in any way, that’s how I fail him. I shouldn’t be telling you this—this is so out-ofschool—but the whole commodities thing began to take a terrible toll on him. He started to turn gray overnight. He was saying, ‘I can’t, I can’t, I have to quit!’ Meanwhile, I was saying, ‘When I married him, he had a job!’ I only sort of heard him with half an ear. Finally, he was so upset that I had to stop and pay attention. Sometimes you really have to turn the headlights of your life on... I learned a big lesson. We did this—got married—as a lark, but this is really, really serious. People’s lives are serious. People have needs. I was so caught up in my own…I don’t want to say neurosis, because I don’t like that word, really, but I was caught up in whatever my thing was. My career, my this, my that. Mine, mine, mine! Artists are selfish people, and I had to learn not to be quite so selfish. And I think it helps everything. It helps one’s art, because it brings balance to it and it brings perspective and it makes one quieter and able to judge in a less hysterical fashion.”

Perspective. Quieter. Less hysterical. When I went back and read this section of that cover story it dawned on me—moved me actually— that Bette and Martin are having the languid life in the tranquility of Upstate New York that they so diligently were determined to have together. I find it deeply romantic in the way the romance poets artfully tethered themselves to the sublime, to nature and, most importantly, to emotional balance. As Wordsworth wrote in the preface to Lyrical Ballads, a collection of his poems and those of Coleridge that marked the beginning of the Romantic movement, “I have said that Poetry is the

spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity: the emotion is contemplated till by a species of reaction the tranquillity gradually disappears, and an emotion, kindred to that which was before the subject of contemplation, is gradually produced, and does itself actually exist in the mind.”

As the Eurostar pulled into Gare du Nord and I made my way to my little writer’s garret in the 8th Arrondissement where I now write this very sentence, I was thinking of an earlier visit to Paris when I was still executive editor of Andy Warhol’s Interview and my looking up Catherine Deneuve, whom I had interviewed for the magazine. We had instantly bonded over some childhood memories that involved our mothers’ illnesses and she continued her emotional seduction by giving me an address in Paris where I could visit her and a phone number she told me to call when I arrived. We had met on that once-upon-a-time New York afternoon in her room at the Hotel Plaza Athénée and I had started our conversation by asking her about her happiest and saddest childhood memories. “My happiest concerns my mother,” she told me. “My mother got very ill with tuberculosis when I was quite young. She had to go to the mountains for a year. I suppose my happiest memory is when she came back from the mountains because we really thought it was terrible. They didn’t manage very well to prepare us for my mother’s departure. It was done at night. Hiding. So that was my worst memory, my saddest.”

“So the worst is her going to the mountains but the best is her coming back?” I asked.

“Yes. The worst because they didn’t prepare us, my sister and me. She didn’t say anything. She just said she was going away for the night. But I saw everybody in the corridor crying. And I saw the luggage downstairs waiting by the car. And I shouted. I screamed. It is something I will never forget. But she got cured by going to the snow, going to the mountains. She had to be there for a year. We did go to see her once in the mountains on Easter, my sisters and me. I was seven.”

“Are you afraid of being abandoned now? Of being left?” I asked.

“I am afraid of being surprised. So I protect myself. I do avoid certain things and avoiding is a way of losing…”

“Spontaneity?”

“No, no, no. But trying to avoid situations in which I could be hurt, you know, is protecting yourself in a way that also protects you from the possibility of surprises, or good surprises.”

As I was making my way to my Parisian garret the other day on this part of my pilgrimage, I grinned at the memory of my own surprise when I arrived in Paris all those years ago with the address and phone number Deneuve had deigned to write in her own hand on a piece of Plaza Athénée stationery when she told me to make sure to contact her. The address turned out to be an office building and the phone number was a non-working one.

When people ask me what I have learned about love in all my travels and all my interviews and all my now 67 years of living, I tell them love to me is a lie told to me by Catherine Deneuve I am still longing to believe. Maybe that is why I am even back in Paris for these two months and why I am on the pilgrimage I am now on. But love is also—just look at the deeply rooted sort between Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg—a kind of spring thaw, the need for it, the fearless need.

caTherine deneuve–In Paris)

HELSiNKi LETS THE LiGHT IN

Somewhere between bites of korvapuusti and glimpses of the Baltic Sea, Finland’s capital city stole my heart.

PICTURES AND WORDS BY KATE DOYLE HOOPER

sunshine state With

There are several cities around the globe that live on my personal “obsessed list” and, until I landed in it, Helsinki wasn’t one of them. In the spring, I emerged from the Finnair terminal into a cold, grey dawn, staggered onto a Helsinki-bound train and prayed that I’d at least find the place, um, interesting? Desperate for a change of scenery, I’d come at the insistence of close ex-pat friends, who knew that after more than two years of being all but sealed inside a New York City apartment, a bit of time spent outside it might be in order.

The idea of Finland as a squeaky-clean Nordic ShangriLa—a clean, safe, rational social democracy—seemed, at best, sort of admirable if not exactly high season in Ibiza. I needn’t have worried. Within minutes of checking in at the nine-story high-rise (by Helsinki standards) Crowne Plaza and rolling into room 903 with its unobstructed views of the city and a front row seat to the just-starting-to-bloom Hesperia Park, I was a goner.

What stole my heart wasn’t the wispy greenery budding beneath my window or my usual touchstones of architectural marvels, design museums and outdoor public artworks—nor was it the fun fact that women make up a substantial 45 percent of Finland’s Parliament or that the prime minister is a smart, sassy 37-year-old mom (though major props in the equity department for that).

The real heart-stealer was the light. It was the awe-inducing three rainbows that welcomed me on that Day 1 and the puffy clouds that vanished each morning thereafter to make way for a sun that never quite set. It was the beams of sunlight dancing on the ice-cold Baltic Sea well past 10pm. It was pinpricks of light sneaking past blackout curtains as the sun rose high and bright by 4am. With only a handful of buildings rising higher than 20 stories (and then not by much) it’s like Helsinki is making sure to let the sunshine in—and in startlingly beautiful ways—a phenomenon which my friends tell me doesn’t happen much during their light-starved winters.

In the long days of spring, all that light makes Helsinki buzz, bustle and bloom. Outdoor cafés line the streets and peoplewatching is in full swing. And Strindberg, the town’s see-andbe-seen café, is ground zero, but eventually, it’s time to move on. Walking for hours through Helsinki’s grime-free streets and

its vast network of middle-of-town nature parks, there’s one quality that’s undeniable: tranquility. Horns rarely honk, brakes seldom screech. Calm is king (despite the 800-mile border with Russia). Perhaps all the natural beauty that’s woven into the fabric of the city helps keep anxiety at bay, but I like to think the profusion of korvapuusti (cinnamon bun) purveyors might have something to do with it. Pass on a korvapuusti, particularly the cream cheese frosted ones at the St. George Bakery, and you might as well stay home. Same goes for the ubiquitous comfort food lohikeitto (salmon soup), a must on every menu in town.

Unlike the bombast of Rome and the showy, lookat-me-ness of Paris, the decidedly understated charm of Helsinki sneaks up on you before you know you’re in love. And Helsinki doesn’t mind at all—it just gets on with the business of living life and enjoying it, inviting you to do the same. Here, work/life balance is the norm, with work much after 5pm being frowned upon, all of which leaves plenty of time for enjoying (intown) nature and, of course, a good schvitz. Say “no” to the latter and you’ve missed the heart and soul of an entire nation, as well as the joy of its egalitarian attitude toward total sauna nudity regardless of age, shape or size. Inside the sauna, the normally retiring Finns morph into convivial cocktail party guests, chatting, sweating profusely, hitting their water bottles hard and letting it all hang out, charming even this slightly stand-offish New Yorker into conversation.

Taking another little piece of my heart? The sun-dappled Baltic Sea. Every other day or so, I’d pick up a coffee and wander down the Esplanadi, Helsinki’s 156-year-old garden promenade, to gaze at the sea. At the water’s edge, I’d lose track of time, watching tiny tourist boats making their ten-minute roundtrips back and forth to nearby island parks, weaving around massive car ferries pulling into port. I’d watch as they disgorged hundreds of cars, 18-wheelers and throngs of daytrippers returning from Estonia.

But by far, the most precious cargo emerging from those ships were small groups of Ukrainians, dazed and exhausted, being welcomed with warm smiles, open arms, Red Cross teams and translators, and the promise of safety and refuge. If ever there was a moment to fall deeply and profoundly in love with the fundamental humanity of a city and its people, this was it, no turning back. Helsinki, I’m all yours.

MODERN SOPHISTICATION

Sited on 9 private primarily wooded acres, minutes from Rhinebeck Village.

2,612 SF, 4 BR, 3 BATH, 2 CAR GARAGE

Antigua

Shhh! I’m At The Beach

Seen from 30,000 feet, Antigua is one of the tropical specs in the Caribbean island chain that runs from Puerto Rico to Venezuela’s northern coast. Unlike its more symmetrical neighbors, Antigua, bounded by coves, bays and craggy points, resembles an abstract starfish, jagged arms outstretched. Touch down on terra firma and those arms point the way to 28 miles of opento-the-public, whitesand beaches—365 of them to be exact—that make memories of one’s stressed-out life back home disappear. Maybe I’m a pushover or have been stuck in one place too long, but as soon as my toes curl into the sands of Pigeon Point and my eyes fix their gaze on turquoise waters and Monserrat in the distance, the love affair begins and I’m ready to apply for citizenship (well, in my mind at least). This postcard pretty island nation, known officially as Antigua and Barbuda (its neighboring island), is, blessedly, the land that crowds forgot, so solitude and seclusion are yours for the taking, between dips in the sea and snoozes under a swaying palm. But wait. Is that a tiny beach bar in the distance? Is that the whir of a blender I hear? No hurry, but let’s investigate. Then we’ll nap. And take a dip, then nap again and repeat.

Marrakesh

An Offer I Can’t Refuse

and diesel-belching scooters, I found my haggle grail—an eight-foot-wide storefront with walls covered in a rainbow of handmade, pointy leather babouche (slippers). I began the hondling cage match with an aggressively low opening bid. They waved hands, I waved hands. They shook heads, so did I as we play-fought in broken English and French. With no mic to drop, I staged a walkoff which won me respect, plus a pair of wellpriced, flaming red leather slippers and nascent haggling skills likely to baffle my Galwegian ancestors, but hopefully, make them (and my ex-roommate) proud. So, this is where I leave my heritage—in the souks of Marrakesh. A deal’s a deal.

Reykjavík

Midnight Snacks As Therapy

MODERNIST CABIN

Sited on 5 private primarily wooded acres, minutes from Rhinebeck Village.

2,250 SF, 3 BR, 2.5 BATH, 2 CAR GARAGE

CONTACT: DOUG MAXWELL

Real Estate Broker, Upstate Modernist 212.518.3130 (mobile)

info@UpstateModernist.com

“Promise you’ll hondle!” demanded my roommate. She knew nothing was more foreign to my Irish soul than the idea of paying anything but full retail. It’s just what we do. However, that’s not how the game is played in Marrakesh, where haggling is virtually the national pastime. With my roommate’s words ringing in my ears, I stepped into the exhilarating exotic chaos filling the narrow streets of the souk just off Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, and left a few thousand years of my heritage behind. Wading through throngs of shoppers in flowing robes and men on donkeys

Travel anywhere and certain moments become images that imprint themselves on the camera roll of your mind. Iceland is one of those places where the snapshots come fast and furious, starting the moment the plane breaks through the clouds and you catch a what-planetam-I-on? glimpse of vast black rock lava fields set against a dark choppy sea. Just beyond, there are waterfalls to marvel at, mountains (though modest) to summit, glaciers to climb, hot springs to steep in, whales to watch and geysers to Instagram. Say the word “Iceland” and my mind’s eye fills with a flip book of stark, awe-inspiring images, combined with visuals of things I’d not normally do, like hang off a snowmobile doing 40 MPH across a glacier, slurp down a live sea urchin (when in Rome and all that) seconds after it’s reeled in or make a helicopter landing on a slightly active volcano.

But say the word “Reykjavík” and the heavenly scent of sizzling hot dogs—made from a secret family recipe with lamb and spices—instantly teleports me back. Standing in front of Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand well after 1am in the twilight glow of the midnight sun, savoring our lamb dogs, all is right with the world, at least this corner of it. Heaven can be found eating a hot dog in the late nights streets of Reykjavík. There, I said it.

Reykjavík

Marrakesh

Photo by Murray Engineering

FirsTTime I meT him

he was sleeping under his truck outside The Joyous Lake in Woodstock. His ex-wife was a waitress there; I was the cashier. She took my hand and said, “You should meet my ex. You have the same sense of humor.” It was a Tuesday, dance night. He was taking a disco nap so he could stay up late.

The Joyous Lake was the center of Woodstock in the early and mid-1970s, a bar/restaurant where Taj Mahal and John Sebastian might be sitting at the bar, talking about old blues musicians; where harmonica genius Paul Butterfield would finish dinner and get up and jam with Rick Danko and Levon Helm; where John Hall and Orleans played to packed houses; where Steve Gadd and Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn would just be two guys gigging on a Thursday night; where Peter Max doodled on napkins; where Timothy Leary might stop in for the homemade sangria; where it didn’t seem so annoying to explain to tourists that Woodstock the festival took place 60 miles away in Bethel, while Woodstock the town got the burned-out, tie-dye-wearing kids who spent their time spare-changing each other and generally getting on everyone’s nerves.

So the guy under the truck didn’t really seem that out of place. Until he rolled out. Killer smile. Hair down past his shoulders. Deep brown eyes.

He reached out a hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Steve Heller.”

Later that night we boogied to “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Rock The Boat.” We slow danced to “Killing Me Softly.” He leaned in to kiss me when the Chi Lites sang “Oh Girl.”

I moved in with him the next day. We were opposites in every way. I’m gregarious and outgoing; Steve’s a quiet introvert. I’m wild about sports; he’s never watched a game. I have an addictive personality (I’m being kind to myself); he doesn’t.

Loving Steve Heller

I like to go out all the time; he wants to work and then come home. I can’t wait ’til they implant the internet right into my brain; he still uses a flip phone.

ThaT was ocTober 1974.

The waitresses at The Joyous Lake wore tiny little short-shorts and bandanas tied strategically around their breasts. When they went missing for 15 minutes, you knew they were either getting high in the walk-in or making out in the bathroom.

When the crowds got thick, the tiny waitresses pushed their way through with their trays held high above their heads. Not a drop of soup was spilled.

As soon as you got off your shift you’d head right out onto the dance floor. Everyone would be pressed together— straight and gay, male and female, young and old. You would bump and grind next to a stranger for a few hours, and then, with nothing more than a nod, decide to go home with them. The sex was friendly and dangerous, all at the same time. In the morning, you’d kiss them and try to remember their scent, and then head back into town, sometimes not even knowing their full name.

Being a waitress at The Lake was as good as it got in those days, and being the cashier was all that times ten. I didn’t have to be on my feet all night. I got paid great and didn’t have to worry about squirrelly tippers. I got to go upstairs to the private apartment above the kitchen and get high with the musicians who were waiting to go on stage. And the amazing food was free.

When people say, “my husband is my best friend,” I’m not really sure what that means. Steve is many things, but not that. That’s why I have girlfriends! I don’t want to talk things to death with him. I don’t want him helping me figure out what to wear or what color my hair should be. He doesn’t need to be my cheerleader, although he often is. We’ve been through it all—Fire. Flood. My gambling away more money than we had. Friends overdosing. Parents dying. Raging resentments that had to simmer off. Jealousy. Money troubles. Deep, deep money troubles. Annoyances that just had to be ignored.

And so we learned. I learned to be quiet sometimes. He’s a little chatterbox now. We learned forgiveness and to sometimes just let things slide. We say it aloud; I love you. We’re so lucky. We’ve been blessed.

These past three years have been really special. Just the two of us most of the time. Lots and lots of laughter. Deep talks. Holding hands and sometimes making out like we just met. He was the perfect pandemic mate, praising each dinner. Loving our new dog with abandon. Loving me with abandon. Making me feel safe and cherished. That alone is no small feat for someone who likes to say, “What if… ?”

This is the love story I never expected. I’m shocked and grateful for it every day.

The journey that is life put us together. What a ride it’s been.

BY MARTHA FRANKEL

makers

DRAFT KiNG (& QUEEN)

Lasting Joy Brewery in Tivoli may just be the chicest beer HQ on the planet. Nicely done, Alex and Emily Wenner. | BY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARIELLE FERRARO AND ERIC PETSCHEK

JONAH BAYLISS

craft(manship) beer Lasting Joy Brewery is stunning: A beautifully rendered mixture of wood, glass and steel, the elements were chosen to represent the surroundings.

SIGNS OF SPRING

In New York, a state that ranks second in the country for the number of breweries (462 and counting), how do you stand out from the herd? Simple—do something no one else is doing. In the heart of the Hudson Valley, tucked into its rolling hills of green, where rustic red barns rule the landscape, there stands a structure that, at first glance, may appear out of place. Lasting Joy Brewery, in Tivoli, however, isn’t a needle in a haystack; it’s a shining diamond beaming in the middle of the coal mine.

The vision of owners Alex and Emily Wenner, they say, was born out of a love of community, a deep affection for the region they call home, a joy of craft beer and an important observation that would set them apart from the rest. In an effort to match the craftsmanship of their beer to the design of the tasting room, they turned to a local architect, Aron Himmelfarb, of Auver Architecture and the result was a crown jewel in the craft brewery sphere.

A beautifully rendered mixture of wood, glass and steel, the elements were chosen to represent the surroundings. The wood, a tip of the cap to those omnipresent barns that scatter the landscape; and the steel, an homage to the tractors and farming equipment that work the land. The glass, well, what a waste it would be to not let in as much of the beauty from the backdrop outside to naturally brighten the space and the spirits of the patrons inside. The exterior

fronts a modern, boxy design jutting out from the black barn-shaped brewery structure. The interior boasts natural wood vaulted ceilings, creating a structural openness for sunlight to surround the central tasting bar.

“One of my favorite things is to hang out in the tasting room and watch people’s faces as

love match Owners Alex and Emily Wenner say what sets their brewery apart is their desire to match the craftsmanship of their beer to the impressive design done by local architect Aron Himmelfarb of Auver Architecture.

they come in for the first time,” Emily says. They wanted to create a space for the local community, of course, but they also wanted it to be a must-see destination for out-of-towners.

As for the beer, they say they wanted to find the right blend of classic, worldly beer styles with an Upstate touch of local ingredients. Tapping Alex’s more than two-decade passion for brewing, and with the help of local maltster Dennis Nessel of Hudson Valley Malt, they’ve created a lineup of offerings both traditional and unique.

On tap, you’ll find a traditional Czech Pilsner, a hazy IPA and, of course, their local favorite “I Lov It” lager (that spells Tivoli backward). As for stepping outside the box, Emily says you have to try their English beat stout. They also have a rotating menu of seasonal and occasional choices, and Emily hinted that they have something special up their sleeve for their one-year anniversary this June.

No matter your taste in beer, this husbandand-wife duo has created something in the mountains that they hope will shock your expectations, inspire your creativity, welcome you in and leave you in awe—all at the same time.

When I asked Emily how they came up with the name, “well that’s simple,” she said, “we just wanted to bring lasting joy to ourselves, the community and all of our visitors.” Done and done.

The 10-acre property houses a 4-star restaurant, cozy bar, outdoor pavilion, conference center and has 16 charming and comfortable guest rooms for overnight accommodations.

A micro department store committed to domestic manufacturing and the community it creates. Brought to you by Utility Canvas + Hudson Clothier.

to serbs with love Serbian vocalist and guitarist Ana Popović is set to rock Daryl’s House in Pawling. Check out the all-star roster of musicians heating up stages from Beacon to the Berkshires.

mode

activate, with style

Table For Four, Please

The best dining is intimate dining—no groups allowed.

By Hal Rubenstein

Idon’t like eating out with a crowd. I’m not objecting to being at a celebration, like a gala or a wedding. That’s a completely different vibe. I mean, you start out planning to dine with a few friends and somehow the text goes round, and you wind up at a table of ten. Well, unless your friends are more harmonious than a Mennonite choir, there’s no way to engage everyone at that long table in a single conversation. Instead, you’re likely to speak with whomever is on your left or across from you, keep apologizing to the person on your right, occasionally wink at someone sitting at the other end while making a “call me” gesture with your hand against your ear, get the dregs of a family style pass around platter thanks to one unidentifiable glutton amidst the throng and as the alcohol consumption increases, find yourself at a table whose decibel level now dominates the room and end the evening making apologies to your out-of-earshot tablemates for not getting to say much to each other. I’d rather stay home and eat tuna fish directly out of a can.

I also know I’m in the minority here, because local restaurants are full of large parties of friends and family having the best time, oblivious to the kitchen they back up and the raucousness they generate. So, when going out with my preferred table of four (six max) I either try to recall an acoustically flat area of a dining room (oh, I scout and check) I know, or seek a restaurant whose design and staff is unphased by the challenge.

I’m not merely comfortable at Stissing House, I’d move in if they’d sublet me one

of the rooms. A take-a-breath-and-exhalenow ambience envelops you the moment you walk in and it’s not simply because the structure is 240 years old. There are local museums in buildings equally old and they’re as welcoming as an Urgent Care, so a storied history isn’t the draw. Yes, the beamed ceilings, well-tended fireplaces and upholstered wingback chairs help. But the knowing confidence of the staff is what generates Stissing House’s ease

zen den A serious take-a-breath-andexhale-now ambience envelops you the moment you walk in Stissing House.

and warmth. It’s no different at King, the restaurant owner/chef Clare de Boer co-owns in New York City. Departures magazine describes the room as a “jewel box,” and yet it’s a spare, unfussy and undeniably cramped corner bistro off a very noisy stretch of Sixth Avenue. However, everyone on the floor at King has such a feel for and is invested in the room’s rhythm and unerringly satisfying menu that the compact space somehow feels as romantic as its fare is seductive.

In Stissing’s more imposing, historic setting, the staff’s confidence becomes even more gratifying. The trajectory of your restaurant experience is often set within the first five minutes, ten max. If

I’m not merely comfortable at Stissing House, I’d move in if they’d sublet me one of the rooms.

1. 1 Bog Hollow Road

Wassaic, NY. 6BR. 8 Bath.

$8.99M. Web #21197812.

Joseph Lorino 212-452-4513

2. 143 North Beacon Street

Middletown Col, NY.

$249K. Web #21909746.

Michael Stasi 732-241-1723

Simone Consor 214-588-2115

3. 15 Cox Drive

Warwick, NY. 5BR. 3.5 Bath

$6.5M Web #21797170

Joseph Lorino 212-452-4513

4. 125 Warren Street, APT 2 Hudson, NY. 2BR. 3 Bath

Rental: $5K/Month Web #21964066

Nancy Felcetto 518-660-1301

Robin Horowitz 518-660-1302

5. 1 Manor Falls Drive Livingston Manor. 3BR. 2.5 Bath

$1.25M. Web #22199996.

Michael Stasi 732-241-1723

Simone Consor 214-588-2115

6. 523 Warren Street

Hudson, NY. Commercial. $1.22M Web #21939849

Jean Stoler 518-660-1309

7. 25 South Jefferson Catskill, NY. 3BR. 1 Bath. $449K. Web #22169562.

Steven DiLorenzo 631-944-0520

Debra Flack 518-660-1300

CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY, EMBRACING OUR FUTURE

you think about the good and bad times you’ve had eating out, you’ll discover that’s about all it takes to establish your mood. On each of our visits, we were immediately greeted by people who don’t hesitate to smile while making eye contact, escorted to a handsome table where we were either the only ones in the room or with enough space between diners to accommodate a double wide stroller (though happily, this isn’t a restaurant for kids), offered ingenious cocktails and then treated to wood oven baked bread served with a small tower of luxurious butter that I mistook for a fourscoop lemon ice cream sundae.

Without a false step, the trajectory at Stissing House keeps rising. Even appetizers as simple as potato chips and pickles are worth noting, though excuse me while I reach across to indulge in the crisp zing of another fin de la baie oyster,

a sweet, succulent slice of quince glazed ham and debate whether we should order another portion of sublime day boat scallops bathed in green garlic butter.

Despite my previously noted trepidation for getting short strawed when it comes to passing food family style, it’s my preferred way of dining. That fear will never be

realized at Stissing House. Like that butter tower, portions are impressive, which makes their tasting menu a marvelous, near sinful, well-worth-it feast. First comes the crunchy delight of an endive and pear salad, then the refreshing rush of beets, pistachios and goat cheese tossed in a citrus slaw. The final salad of mixed colored lettuces and winter vegetables is almost too much. Almost.

Too often, appetizers and salads are the most inventive section of a kitchen’s menu. But Chef Roel Alcudia doesn’t slow down. Over the years, many chefs (and critics for that matter) have confided that the dish they use to gauge talent is roast chicken. Everyone makes it. Can you make it special? Well, if that’s the barometer, then it’s a near perfect beach day in July right outside Chef Alcudia’s kitchen. Steak, another dish I hesitate to order when outside my own kitchen, is sumptuous and superior to most red flocked velvet houses that specialize in beef. Pork loin in natural juices brought back such sweet memories of meals at Chef Clare de Boer’s

don’t mind if i do Definitely indulge by ordering sublime day boat scallops bathed in green garlic butter.

alma mater, London’s glorious River Café, that I surprised myself when I reached for seconds of both poached steelhead trout whose nutlike notes were in harmony with clams, white beans and leeks and smoked hake in the lightest of hollandaise flecked with sturgeon caviar.

I like the buttermilk sherbet with kumquat. I like the coconut cake. But the desserts you best leave room for are just about the best apple and pecan crumble in memory and the sticky toffee sundae which will leave you insanely guilt-ridden while grinning. Stissing House leaves you satiated, not stuffed. It’s a meal you’re guaranteed to remember. But better than that, it’s a restaurant you won’t want to wait to go back to. And yes, you should tell all your friends. Just please, sit in the other room.

STISSING HOUSE

7801 South Main Street

Pine Plains, NY 12567

518.771.3064

StissingHouse.com

reservations via Resy

Open Thursday-Monday dinner

Saturday & Sunday brunch

The space is so big, wide, high, open and, except for the dramatic black crossbeams, a fairly blank canvas, that it’s a bit disappointing to walk into The Aviary and not duck for macaws, parrots, ibises and hummingbirds flying about. Not that the room is short of activity. A young, very perky crowd perches here, squawking, chirping, even tweeting away. The first night we arrived, the host attempted to seat our party of six next to a table of 14. Before even laying down the menus, she picked up on the exasperation quickly

settling into every frown line on my face, anticipating the cacophony after their third round of cocktails.

“You know what?” asked the host, with a deliberate lilt in her voice and a radical turn to the left. “I’ve a better idea,” and across the room we went to a table in the far corner, bordered by two deuces. As my brow relaxed, the host assured me, “You’ll be just fine here,” and then walked by our

The Aviary Kinderhook

bird’s-eye view The Aviary Kinderhook is more ambitious than the minimalist rec hall décor leads you to believe.

server, pausing just long enough to say, “Get them drinks now!” In no time at all, we were better than that. Of course, a quick quaffing of nattily named cocktails including Bitter Neighbor, Answered Prayers and Bird on a Wire certainly helped. But what really kick-started our affection for The Aviary was discovering that the restaurant is a lot more ambitious than the minimalist rec hall décor leads you to believe. The Aviary looks like a hangout, but it’s a restaurant that belongs on your list of favorites in Columbia County.

Since it’s so easy to find menus online now, I rarely walk into a restaurant uninformed. Though I had heard good things about the place, I somehow walked into The Aviary cold, without doing any advance diligence. From its clean-lined, unadorned interior, it was logical to expect grilled or farm-to-table American fare. When one of my guests said The Aviary’s website claimed the food would be Dutch- and Indonesian-based, I was less

than elated, recalling student summers in Amsterdam, stoned and constantly eating in scores of cheap restaurants that featured rijsttafel, the smorgasbord-like, combination plate, rice-laden, signature dish of Indonesia.

Indonesia, her vibrant dishes are unlike any cuisine for miles in every direction.

The Korea-born chef, raised by Chinese adoptive parents, has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and her appealingly amalgamated cuisine boasts a unique balance of flavors that get off on sweet vs. spicy, velvety vs. crunch, with no fear of the spice rack.

All it took was one bite of beet cured local trout unflinchingly spiked by leche de tigre (purée of fresh garlic, ginger, cilantro, celery, red onion and jalapeños) to know that I wasn’t going to be wasting time chowing down on bowls of long white grains. While Chef Hannah Wong admits to being inspired by the flavors, spices and marinades of

It’s a small menu, but a smart one. Appetizers as simple as gouda straws garner attention with just enough coriander and cumin to give them an edge. They’re even better if you run them through the smoked mackerel dip with dill and celery. Radishes and pea shoots gleam with the veneer of sesame oil and vinegar. Those got scarfed down so fast we had to place another order immediately. But the runaway favorite starter is duck legs that are shredded after having been marinated in Thai chilies and then bonded with shards of green papaya and tapioca crisps. So much going on but all in harmony.

Ever had a shrimp burger? Try Chef Wong’s. It won’t be your last. How good? Will preface this by saying I will block any vulgarity coming my way with a 516 area code—but I’m happy to match it against any lobster roll you can find in Montauk.

Ever had a shrimp burger? Try Chef Wong’s, topping it with some briny cabbage slaw. It won’t be your last. No additives. Just shrimp. How good? Will preface this by saying I will block any vulgarity coming my way with a 516 area code—but I’m happy to match it against any lobster roll you can find in Montauk.

Wong’s mie goreng brightly blends a yin yang of soy, garlic, ginger and chili, with unexpectedly flavorful ramen noodles. For those who don’t usually take to lamb, this tamarind and ginger braised version may change your mind. The aftertaste that hits some the wrong way is absent. It’s not just the treat of pairing the sweet lamb with the pop of chili and garlic infused in the accompanying collard greens. It’s also that the lamb comes from the estimable Veritas farms. The meltingly good short ribs, however, come from the Bay Area’s famed Niman Ranch. When sourcing the best, not every ingredient can be local, but Chef Wong is determined and has been encouraged to do just that, which is why she has combed the mountains

for so much of her produce, sourcing Veritas in New Paltz, The Chatham Berry Farm, Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, Golden Harvest Farms in Valatie and multiple cheese farms in the Berkshires.

The Aviary has only been open less than a year. Wong and her partners,

restaurateur Yen Ngo and artist Darren Waterston, a painter, are hoping to make their space more of a collective, adding a general store, wine shop and art gallery. In time. Right now, they’re still looking to grow both the menu at The Aviary and Morningbird in Kinderhook, which they also own and whose kitchen Wong oversees. Both places are bustling. In fact, the last time we showed up to dine there, not only was the room rocking, but we arrived, to my surprise, to a table of eight (it’s a long story). “Now, are you going to behave?” my host, who hadn’t forgotten, asked. “We’re going to be watching you.” I promised to try. But after a second round of Bitter Neighbors, I shouldn’t be held responsible. And who knows? After three, I may start seeing birds.

THE AVIARY KINDERHOOK

4 Hudson Street Kinderhook, NY 12106 518.610.8543

TheAviaryKinderhook.com

reservations via Resy

Open Thursday-Saturday dinner

go fish Run the gouda straws through the smoked mackerel dip with dill and celery at The Aviary Kinderhook.

Honey, I’m Home

When Claire Marin envisioned Catskill Provisions she didn’t just Launch a brand, she built a Life with Cathy Leidersdorff.

By Anthony Giglio

When Claire Marin moved Upstate to Long Eddy back in 2003, she wasn’t there to keep bees. She was nearing the top of the proverbial ladder in her career as a national magazine publisher, integrating and managing sales departments in an evershifting media landscape, encompassing print, digital, events and mobile sales for publications including More and later, Women’s Day Born in Madrid and raised in New York City, Marin was an avid world traveler, so her decision to seek relief and refuge from the daily pressure in this then-remote corner of the Empire State, where Delaware and Sullivan Counties converge near the Delaware River and Pennsylvania border, was intentional. “I knew it wasn’t the Hudson Valley—Phoenicia was the hot spot at the time. The Delaware side of things, where we are, was (and still remains) very raw,” she tells me. Then she started keeping bees.

Around the same time, she met Cathy Leidersdorff, a flooring contractor and founder of Architectural Flooring Resources, the second-largest flooring business in NYC. “You have walked on many floors she’s done,” says Marin, “like in Apple stores and Carnegie Hall, even the UN!” Leidersdorff had studied agriculture at Cornell University, so Marin decided to buy her “a big Rolls Royce of a beekeeping kit,” sharing her newfound passion, well, with her newfound passion. “I fell in love with her. I fell in love with this area. I fell in love with beekeeping.”

Leidersdorff reciprocated by setting Marin up with her first proper hive and, eventually, convincing her to jointly buy a spectacular

32-acre wooded lot where they now live in a fabulously restored old home. As Marin puts it, “the right thing happened.” When she was managing sales teams in publishing, Marin says she used a lot of different metaphors to motivate her colleagues. “All for the good of the hive,” she’d say.

The hive, she says, is a visually stunning world that clicks and works perfectly. It’s like scuba diving, she says. “You’re on this planet, but in a different world—I feel transported.”

Beekeeping became her way of understanding the local terroir and climate. As she got more and more into it, digging further and further into her local ecosystem along the way, she gained an intimate understanding of the struggle of farmers and the poverty in her area.

Marin was starting to tune in to a calling that would lead her to quit her fancy job in the city and dedicate her time and energy to supporting all things Catskills. Then she started making honey.

She started giving it to friends as gifts, and everyone kept telling her to make it professionally. Finally, in the spring of 2010, she resigned from Woman’s Day Brand Group and by the fall she had a label designed, her company incorporated as Catskill Provisions and was selling honey to chef friends including Marc Mayer (Bowery Bar, Cook Shop, Vic’s) and Ayesha Nurdjaja (Shuka, Shukette). Today she supplies 300 restaurants in New York and Philadelphia with honey she collects from 300 beehives in Delaware, Sullivan and Madison Counties. Her founding principle is social responsibility. “My business is based on sustainable practices and fair wages, always; I’ve never paid anyone

“My business is based on sustainable practices and fair wages, always.”

minimum wage. I could be more profitable, but I wouldn’t sleep as well at night.”

With the success of her honey, Marin began asking herself what else she could make with honey, and landed on ketchup, now her bestselling product. A year later, she expanded to farm distilling, inspired when nearby Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery started making a Bourbon (under the Hudson Whiskey NY label). She saw this as a way to revitalize farms and began studying what they could grow and distill. “Rye kept coming up. It’s sustainable, it’s a cover crop, it’s efficient, and it grows when nothing else is growing.” Hence, Catskill Provisions NY Honey Whiskey was born in 2013. I have tasted it many times and can attest to its deliciousness and complexity, especially in an Old Fashioned cocktail, which traditionally calls for muddling fruit with sugar as a base; with NY Honey Whiskey, you don’t need the sugar, and it’s healthier than the processed white stuff.

By 2018, Marin had reached a crossroads. She’d been successfully making spirits using other companies’ distilleries, “and it’s really difficult making Pepsi at the Coca-Cola plant,” she quips, “So I said to Cathy, ‘I can walk away, I’m proud of what I’ve done, or I go all in and do what I really envisioned.’ Cathy replied, ‘I’ll follow you straight to hell, so let’s do it!’” With

that, she opened her own distillery on their now 46 acres (they bought an adjacent lot a few years ago), and now she distills 200 feet from her house in an old barn that Cathy’s dad built. In addition to her Honey Whiskey, her portfolio has grown to include a Maple Bourbon, a Pollinator Gin and Bespoke Gin, as well as a Bonfire Rye and Crimson Amaro under her new Pollinator Spirits label.

In 2020, she and Cathy bought an old firehouse in nearby Callicoon—“it’s like an old Western movie set”—and opened what Marin describes as a “gigantic tasting room,” replete with a gorgeous concrete floor designed by Leidersdorff. They weathered the pandemic successfully because the community came together around them. “It’s so attractive to me. I wanted to get more of the local population interested in it.” (They’re interested.)

“And now,” says Marin, “I accidentally opened a restaurant! It’s the last thing I’d ever open, but as you know, when you do a tasting, when you invite the public, you have to feed them—hospitality is so important to me.”

If all of this weren’t enough, Marin’s latest additional project is taking her spirits national with direct-to-consumer shipping.

Claire Marin now celebrates two decades with Cathy Leidersdorff, making honey with her, well, honey. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).

busy bees Claire Marin, owner of Catskill Provisions, with wife Cathy Leidersdorff are all in on mountains living—from beekeeping to ketchup and from goats to whiskey.

mode| honor roll Painting Poughkeepsie

Activism takes root with artist Mary Haddad’s powerful, collaborative creations. |

By Mitch Rustad

At just 20 years old, artist and activist Mary Haddad has already put her creative stamp on the Hudson Valley in a very big way. For several years, her provocative, eye-popping murals—one called “All Black Lives Matter” and the other “We Are Poughkeepsie”—have been showcased at area schools and arts centers, creating awareness and inspiring dialogue, which is exactly what Haddad had hoped for from the start.

“I believe they’ve started meaningful conversations,” Haddad says. She conceived the BLM mural idea when she was a senior at Spackenkill High School, after several BLM signs at nearby Oakwood Friends School were vandalized. “And I also think they created hope for other kids, who see this

and realize they can be a part of something bigger through their actions and creativity.”

While the original vision for both murals was Haddad’s, making those visions come to life was a massive community effort, which included support from the Poughkeepsie City School District, The Art

Protect what matters most

Effect, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, the Poughkeepsie Public Library and Hudson Valley’s artists and art educators.

The BLM mural had 47 volunteers, mostly school kids from Poughkeepsie and Oakwood areas, who helped paint it, while the “We Are Poughkeepsie” mural was crafted with the help of 15 students from the Poughkeepsie City School District.

Haddad says both projects were a huge undertaking powered by collaboration.

“The most exciting part was the act of coming together and watching other people help paint my vision,” she says. “It was a journey. It was very fun to paint with other people, there was always music playing, I always tried to make it as comfortable as possible. This was really about bringing young people together.”

But how exactly did these detail-rich murals take shape? “At first, I just did a lot of research,” she says. “All Black Lives Matter” features Haddad’s renderings of 11 victims of police brutality. “I was looking up stories and photographs and finding details of each person’s life.” She then created her

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design digitally on her iPad and projected it onto a big canvas, with each section delineated in a paint-by-numbers style. “It was like a big coloring book,” she says.

Though she eventually took art classes in high school, Haddad’s initial training as an artist also reveals her ambition and inner drive: “I’m self-taught as a painter,” she says. “I watched a bunch of Instagram reels, YouTube videos, so I learned just watching techniques from other people. I’m very much a product of the internet.”

Today, Haddad is a student at Boston University, majoring in political science, philosophy and painting, and she works

as a teacher’s assistant. “I really enjoy teaching,” Haddad says, and encourages everyone to flex their creative and artistic muscle: “I think anybody can do art, or any fine arts skill—you just need access to the materials and to put in the time.”

Haddad says, for now, she’s just going with the flow: “I can’t tell you exactly what my future will be, it’s very much whatever happens happens—but I definitely want it to be a combination of art and activism.”

Her hope for the BLM movement is that people begin to take initiative to

understand the roots of police brutality. “The root of the solution is education,” she says. “Find a community where you can talk about it. It’s really about creating a conversation.”

“All Black Lives Matter” is currently showcased at Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie. “We Are Poughkeepsie” is displayed at Poughkeepsie Middle School. Haddad has a third mural—which she describes as a “composition piece based on community”—currently on display at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.

wall of fame College student and artist Mary Haddad has two standout murals currently adorning walls in Poughkeepsie: “All Black Lives Matter” and her latest work, “We Are Poughkeepsie.”

| Jane’s Lane

What’s New, Pussycats?

The season for renewal is upon us. At last.

By Jane Larkworthy

Hip Dipping

Curious about cold plunging? You’re in the right place. This region is riddled with nature’s tubs in which to dip like you’re Lady Gaga or Jack Dorsey. “You just lay back and float,” enthuses local massage therapist Beth Rose, who first dipped in October in Great Barrington’s Lake Mansfield, “and when it froze, we moved on to the rivers.” The operative word here being “we,” as nature dips should always be done with a buddy—ideally one who knows CPR?

Their Name Is Mud

It’s too warm for Bogs these days, but it’s not quite slides weather yet—welcome to mud season. Until May finally pulls out its proverbial Swiffer, these hardy rubber clogs will get you from your car to your destination

without the effort of lacing up, bending down or worrying about splatters.

• For the Cotswolds dreamer: Barbour Quinn Clogs $70

• The mood lifter: Fitflop WonderClog $80

• For the dapper dude: Hunter Men’s Play Clog, $85

• The most clog-like: Dansko Kane EVA Clog $85

Just Don’t Call it Japandi

Unassumingly nestled next to SoCo Creamery on Great Barrington’s Railroad Street sits a tiny minimalist’s dream. Curated by Dennis Iodice who was inspired by Cambridge’s erstwhile Design Research and visits to Milan’s Salone del Mobile, Berkshire Dry Goods contains the chicest fill-inthe-blank—watering can, wall clock, cutting board, kitchen towel, even room fragrance— mostly of Japanese or Nordic origins. “My focus is on the timelessness of the designs with the intention of buying fewer but better things,” says Iodice. Though currently open only on weekends, contact Dennis@BerkshireDryGoods. com. I bet he’ll make an exception for you.

Solid References

Who hasn’t unzipped their weekend bag to discover that their sunscreen/shampoo/ moisturizer/whatever has exploded during the trip. These mess-free items will vanquish that buzzkill.

Lather Up Mix a dime-size amount of Everist The Body Wash Concentrate in the shower, then pat yourself on your virtuous back for not adding to that growing landfill of bottle pumps.

The face race You’ll never know how much you needed the soothing sensation of Kate McLeod Face Stone Solid Moisturizer, but once you glide it over your skin, your complexion will be hard pressed to return to its formerly beloved face cream.

Swipe Right Toss Salt + Stone Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 in your ski jacket or hiking pocket for needed touch-ups or extra protection. Also available in an SPF 50 tinted formula.

ice, ice baby “You just lay back and float,” says Beth Rose, on cold plunging in icy Great Barrington.

Dansko Kane EVA Clog

mode| found The Great Escape

Beacon’s Binnacle Books believes prisoners deserve page-turners, too.

By Rebecca Hardiman

We’re book people,” says writer and shopkeeper Mark Trecka of Binnacle Books, a tiny treasure of a new and used bookstore in Beacon, NY.

“We’re curation-forward’,” he jokes. “There’s no filler here.” While its shelf space may be on the smaller size, Binnacle’s reach in the area is mighty: It sponsors a standalone community fridge, a mini food pantry and, most influentially, a thriving initiative called The Beacon Prison Books Project which connects thousands of incarcerated

folks, both locally and across the Empire State, with books.

The project, premised on honoring the dignity of prisoners, was an organic outgrowth of the Beacon Prison Rides Project which provides transport for loved ones visiting inmates at Beacon’s Fishkill Correctional. Now in its third

year, the prison books program is pretty straightforward: The program sends postcards to the prison which inmates, including those in solitary confinement, send back with written requests for titles and Binnacle stocks them in a designated area in the shop. Local customers then sponsor costs and the books are shipped out throughout the state, upwards to 60 tomes per week.

If you’re wondering what materials are in hot demand, the answer, Trecka says, is “Everything! Fantasy novels are popular, long involved series—which isn’t surprising if you’re locked up.” Also popular: romance and poetry, books about specific trades—plumbing, electricians— as well as books on history, racial injustice and incarceration. “It’s a really broad range, which isn’t remarkable—it just reflects the fact that they’re people like anyone else.”

The program’s impact on the incarcerated can’t be understated. For a largely forgotten population with limited access to reading material, the power of books to cope with the isolation and

the good books The power of books to cope with the isolation and boredom of prison is immeasurable. Beacon’s Binnacle Books’ innovative—and compassionate—program confirms that.

boredom of prison is immeasurable—and the recipients are emphatically grateful. Trecka says the store’s “inundated with thank-you notes. There’s so much gratitude.”

He recalls a particular request for a number of young adult titles usually targeted to preteen girls. The bookseller thought it a little unusual, but filled the order without judgment. Later, he received a thank-you letter from the prisoner explaining that the titles were the same ones his daughters had been reading. So when his girls came to visit, he could talk to them about books.

Now that’s definitely a book club even Oprah could get behind.

Spring Forward

As the snow melts and the microbes awaken, it’s (happily) time to prep your garden.

Pictures and Words by Mira Peck

There’s nothing quite like the scent of the air when you walk out your door on an early spring morning. There’s just something different. The sharpness of winter is gone, replaced by something sweet and welcoming. The ability to recognize the scent of spring is a primal experience all of us experience collectively.

Spring is also the time I, as a professional horticulturist, am “living on light.” The delight of seeing fresh new growth coming up from the ground and tiny leaves unfurling from trees is enough to sustain me as I go about my long workday. Spring may be the heaviest season in terms of labor for us gardeners, but as we take in the smell of defrosting soil and the awakening of trillions of microbes underfoot, readying

Leader of the Pack

the ground for the new season’s growth, we do it with lightness and joy. So, what to do? Great question.

Garden Bed Clean-Up

Cleaning up existing beds after the winter storms is a classic ritual. Time to finally cut back any perennials or grasses you left standing up for winter interest. I use a small scythe tool for this, rather than pruners, to cut old stems quickly and ergonomically.

For my formal garden beds where I have existing perennials, small shrubs and specimen trees or where I intend to plant annuals, I remove all leaves and debris by gently raking them out or by using a leaf blower (preferably electric) on a light setting. All collected debris goes straight into my compost pile.

For Renee DeRagon, puppy love isn’t about romance – it’s all about business. Since opening Love Us and Leave Us in 2014, Renee’s Pittsfield-based doggie daycare and boarding facility has become so Paw-pular that she decided to add to her pack with a second location in Lee. So, when looking for a little scratch to run with her expansion plan, she reached out to business’ best friend, The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. We’ve been lending a paw to local businesses for 130+ years and were happy to give this pack leader the push she needed. We always love a good snuggle with our fur babies, but nothing warms us more than helping local businesses unleash their potential!

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Renee DeRagon, Owner Love Us and Leave Us

For my less formal shrub beds, where I purposefully allow leaves on the ground all winter, I rake flat any hills that have been created by wind, pull the leaves over to cover bald areas and fluff up matted spots. This creates a natural mulch layer and an aesthetically pleasing woodland garden feel. The leaves will eventually be broken down by earthworms and other microbes to create a natural humus layer with nutrients to feed your plants. Utilizing leaves from your own site is an easy way to garden ecologically alongside the genius of nature. Bonus benefit: It creates habitat for beautiful beneficial insects including luna moths, woolly bears and swallowtail butterflies to overwinter—that alone sold me!

Weeding

Now’s the time to start getting on top of weeds before they start ruling your life. I use a scuffle hoe to cut up masses of annual weed seedlings, a trowel or soil knife to dig out deep rooted dandelions or second-year garlic mustard and my heartiest spade to dig out hefty burdock roots. My pro-tip: “Never let a weed go to seed!”

If you’re creating a new bed in existing turf or in an unclaimed weedy area, you can smother weeds with a tarp for a period of weeks, or even use cardboard covered with mulch, which will eventually break down.

Edging Garden Beds

Edging a bed always feels like a satisfying accomplishment. It creates a frame around your garden that draws the eye in, creates a delineation that keeps grass from creeping in and gives a boundary for the lawn mower. I use a simple edging tool (one with a bar handle and a halfmoon shaped blade on the end)

and cut a fresh edge every spring. You can also create permanent edging using bricks, stones, wood beams, steel or fencing.

Fertilizer & Compost

I use an organic slow-release granular fertilizer (an Espoma product) mixed with compost and place it in a ring around the dripline of shrubs and trees. I also shake a thin layer of this throughout my perennial beds and where I plant annuals.

Mulching

We use mulch to suppress weed growth among desirable plants and to insulate soil and help it retain moisture. You can use leaves from your site, as I mentioned earlier, or other materials. Mulch can be made of wood chips, shredded bark, bark chips, gravel or even live plants that knit together to cover the soil. I like mulches that are made of composted wood shavings and horse manure such as Sweet Peet because they have a crumbly

texture and are essentially weed-seed free. Two to three inches of mulch is a good rule to go by. Never smother the crowns of your plants or mulch directly up to the trunks of trees in the dreaded “volcano mulching” style; always keep mulch pulled back a few inches from the base of trees (“root flare”) to prevent rotting.

Shrub Pruning

Timing your shrub pruning can seem confusing, but a basic rule of thumb is this: Prune it in the spring if the plant blooms later in the summer or fall and if it blooms in spring, prune it soon after it blooms, in early summer (lilacs and viburnum). If you prune outside these windows, you risk cutting off flower buds.

So, you’ve waited all winter for the signs of spring, and you know in your DNA what they are: sweet air, soft breezes, birds singing and sun shining. Head outside the next beautiful spring day, take a deep breath and get to work in the dirt. Spring is finally here!

Feel The Barn!

The craze for barn weddings shows little sign of waning. So, yeah, you can bet the farm on it.

By Rebecca Hardiman

My wedding took place on a bluff overlooking Cleveland’s Lake Erie on the same weekend, as it happened, that both The International Gay Rodeo Association (fabulous) and the Promise Keepers (scary) were in town (you can imagine the colorful elevator encounters…but that’s another story). The event itself skewed toward the formal, like so many nuptials back then, and the trend for folksy barn settings— playing cornhole during cocktail hour and saying “I do” in a forest—was just burgeoning. Since then, the popularity of these more laid back, customizable, rustic affairs, especially for outdoorsy types, has exploded—and endures. As local wedding consultant Paula Smith of Your Event puts it, “Who doesn’t love the charm, nuances, relaxed nature and often historical aspects of these settings? These

spaces are imperfect in the most perfect ways. They’re usually off the beaten path and more remote and they remind people of so many magical qualities of being outdoors.” Seeing as how there’s no other region that so quintessentially channels this magic, we rounded up some choice area venues where folks can throw a real barnburner.

Owls Hoot Barn

WEST COXSACKIE, NY

“The couples I see want something different,” says Kerri Corrigan, owner of Owls Hoot Barn in West Coxsackie. And she would know: Corrigan’s been throwing barn weddings at her little slice of paradise for 23 years. Her brides and grooms, she explains, love the chill vibe, the natural setting (kayakers and hikers are super common) and “a destination that means something to them. The Catskills

draw people back. They either dated here or grew up here or went to college here. Something significant in their past draws them back to the area.” Nestled in the Hudson Valley with a windy creek and backdrops “that never go out of style,” Owls Hoot lets couples get loose. Newlyweds can create whimsical spaces and vintage furniture vignettes, light bonfires and play lawn games. And with a historic farmhouse on-site that accommodates plenty of guests, the party can, and often does, last for days.

OwlsHootBarn.com

The Barn on Hubbard CALLICOON, NY

“I keep waiting for this not to be a trend,” laughs Sara Diehl, owner of the stunning Barn on Hubbard in Sullivan County. Diehl credits the freedom and flexibility of farm weddings as a major draw to her huge (4000-square foot) and historic former dairy barn. “Couples love the ability to build their own custom weddings as they see fit,” she explains. Set on 28 bucolic acres in the Beechwoods, The Barn on Hubbard is a scenic and lush swath of country with rolling hills and all the nature that entails. As Diehl puts it, “You might just have a bird fly through the barn in the middle of your wedding.”

TheBarnOnHubbard.com

Crissey Farm GREAT BARRINGTON, MA

“Millennials are getting married later in life and their parents aren’t so involved,” says Event Coordinator Chelsea Huff who runs Crissey Farm with her dad, Gary Happ. “They don’t want

gosh, barn it (top) Couples love the chill vibes at Owls Hoot Barn in West Coxsackie; (opposite) custom weddings is the specialty at The Barn On Hubbard in Callicoon.

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nearby shops, restaurants and tons of Airbnb options. Ceremonies take place in Crissey’s pretty courtyard and guests often opt for what Huff calls “casual style,” which translates to a much longer, looser cocktail hour (more like hours) with heavy hors d’oeuvres and folksy, less formal seating. Bonus: Crissey’s on-site Barrington Brewery, housed in the farm’s original barn, frequently plays host to the inevitable late-night after-party.

CrisseyFarm.com

Handsome Hollow

LONG EDDY, NY

banquets and ballrooms. And since they’re often paying themselves, a barn wedding’s an affordable option.” Located in the heart of Great Barrington, Crissey Farm’s barn is a new structure (hello AC!) with easy access to

Barn weddings, Kate Murphy of Handsome Hollow points out, are intimate affairs, their carefree, unfussy vibe emphasizing what matters most to many wedding-planning couples: simply hanging out with friends and family. True to its name, Handsome Hollow in Upstate New York is a beautiful, rustic oasis at the end of a private driveway on a dead-end road. Guests wind their way down paths cut right out of the woods for ceremonies that take place amid a lush fern forest. Before repairing to the 240-year-old barn for dinner and dancing, guests sip drinks and partake in some good old-fashioned farm fun, whether it’s tossing horseshoes or wandering through a cornfield with a hollowed-out center. Unique, in other words. Murphy agrees: “Our couples often tell me, ‘I don’t wanna have the same kind of event I’ve been to 100 times!’”

HandsomeHollow.com

Barn Venues: A LABOR OF LOVE

“To be a venue owner or manager of a farm requires immense dedication of time, energy, resources and finances to make them accessible, safe and functioning celebration spaces,” says wedding consultant Paula Smith of Your Event. “Some even continue to operate as farms despite the event schedule—It’s quite a feat!” Smith, who’s planned the big day for countless couples across our area, shares some of her favorite downon-the-farm venues.

TACONIC RIDGE FARM

Hillsdale, NY

TaconicRidgeFarm.com

THE SABLEWOOD AT HIGHVIEW SPRINGS

Schoharie, NY

TheSablewood.com

CRICKET CREEK FARM

Williamstown, MA CricketCreekFarm.com

THE RUINS AT SASSAFRAS

New Lebanon, NY

SassafrasRuins.com

GLYNWOOD Cold Spring, NY GlynwoodEvents.org

CIRCA 1799 BARN Ancramdale, NY Circa1799.com

HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE Pittsfield, MA

HancockShakerVillage.org

OAK HILL AT LIVINGSTON MANOR Hudson, NY LivingstonWeddings.com

barn storm (top) Crissey Farm and Handsome Hollow are barn-tootin’ fun.

bikes | kayaks | travel clothing footwear | sportswear | camping

Honeymoon: No Airport Required

By Julia Woodbury

As someone with many friends of getting-hitched age, there’s one complaint I hear a lot—like, a lot, a lot: ÒWhy are weddings so expensive?”

Not only are couples these days spending tens of thousands of dollars on their big day—they’re then supposed to drop another large sum on the vacation of their lives immediately afterward.

Today, some to-be-weds are rejecting societal pressures to have a big, fancy wedding and opting for a “micro wedding” or elopement. Meanwhile attitudes toward extravagant honeymoons right after the “I dos” are shifting as well, with many couples taking a shorter, more local vacation—a “minimoon,” if you will—following the wedding, and postponing the larger “real” honeymoon for months or years down the line. “We were planning our wedding for more than two years and it was a lot of work,” says Jill Kahn, who mini-mooned with her husband, Chris, in Stowe, VT last fall. “Because of that, we didn’t feel like we could take on planning a big trip at the same time as the wedding planning.

But we knew we didn’t want to go back to ‘real life’ immediately after the wedding either, so a mini-moon was the perfect way to spend time together but not feel like there was too much pressure to plan something extravagant.” Sound like a mini-moon is in your future? These three iconic hotels within driving distance make for the ideal romantic getaway.

Topnotch Resort (Stowe, VT)

Speaking of Stowe, the glamorous Vermont ski town is where we’ll start. Topnotch Resort isn’t called Topnotch for nothing—it’s been named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s best resorts in New England, not to mention one of Tennis Resorts Online’s top 25 US tennis resorts. And while the mountainside resort has something for everyone, it has a little something extra for newlyweds. “The Gold Brook Suite is favored for honeymoons and romantic retreats,” says

How these nearby luxe post-wedding destinations usher in the era of mini-moons. You heard us, mini-moons.

how suite it is Saratoga Springs’ luxe jewel of a destination, The Adelphi Hotel, has no peer in the picturesque horse racing Mecca. Every detail is perfection.

Topnotch’s senior wedding and event sales manager, Elizabeth Seward, of a secluded suite that boasts a primary bedroom with a king bed, a fireplace, a walkout deck and an en suite bath. “And the Topnotch Spa features a couples suite with a fireplace and a side-by-side simultaneous massage and couples personal training session.”

When you’re not holed up in your mountain-view suite or getting pampered at the spa, swing by The Roost, the resort’s on-site farm-to-table restaurant; book court time—both tennis and pickleball available—at Topnotch Tennis Academy; or venture outside where you’ll find fire pits with s’mores kits, a pool and a jacuzzi (with cocktail service!). Beyond the resort, the village of Stowe, with its shops, restaurants, art galleries and breweries (one four-pack of Heady Topper, please!) is just down the road, and five ski resorts are within 35 miles of your home base

The Adelphi Hotel (Saratoga Springs, NY)

In a city speckled with chain hotels that cater to the influx of tourists who make the pilgrimage to Saratoga Springs for the iconic horse racing season each year, one boutique hotel shines brighter than the rest. Literally. Illuminated with yellow-white

lights by night, the recently refurbished Adelphi Hotel is one of the last surviving hotels of Saratoga’s Golden Age, and, if you’re planning a honeymoon to the Spa City, it should be your first, second and third lodging option. “The atmosphere is really very luxe and a bit Old Hollywood,” says Manhattanite Emily Karcher, who recently celebrated her eighth anniversary at the historic hotel. “Our room was glamorous— from the chandelier light fixtures to the quilted headboard.”

Outside the Adelphi, there’s plenty to do: Saratoga is known for its charming downtown, robust restaurant scene, iconic live music venues, luxurious spas (the Adelphi offers spa packages with nearby Roosevelt Baths & Spa or Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness) and, of course, the Thoroughbreds whose presence triples the population of the city from mid-July to Labor Day. But it’s also OK to

(gear up at Topnotch’s on-site outfitter, MountainOps Outdoor Gear.)

stay inside, where two Manhattan-worthy restaurants, balconies overlooking the Spa City’s main drag and room enhancements such as charcuterie platters, rose petals and in-room cocktail kits will round out your ultimate getaway with your new boo. “We’d like to return during racing season,” Karcher says of her Saratoga getaway, “but the hotel was a destination within itself.”

The Sagamore Resort (Bolton Landing, NY)

If Lake George is the Queen of American Lakes, the Sagamore is the queen of the Queen of American Lakes. Located in the town of Bolton Landing, the less touristy neighbor to the north of Lake George Village, The Sagamore Resort is known for hosting some of Upstate New York’s

most elegant wedding ceremonies. But the island property is also a shoo-in for this list of local-ish mini-moon destinations. “The Sagamore is very romantic,” says resort spokesperson Jennifer Cuomo. “And it has lovely accommodations at different price points to accommodate different budgets.”

If your budget is big—hey, you did save money by not booking a flight—Cuomo recommends splurging on a king Lake View room with a balcony and taking full advantage of the Sagamore’s on-site amenities, including restaurants La Bella

Vita and the waterside Pavilion, the 18-hole, Donald Ross–designed golf course and, of course, The Spa & Salon at the Sagamore. For those couples who want more than a view of the lake, book a complimentary tour aboard The Morgan, a replica 19thcentury touring vessel that’ll take you on a one-hour cruise to the most scenic spots on the lake, or lace up your hiking boots for a short jaunt up the Pinnacle for a bird’s-eye perspective of the majesty.

Mini-moons are all the rage—and they should be. It’s a new day, lovebirds.

great lake The longtime belle of the ball in Lake George, The Sagamore Resort, never fails to stun; (opposite) Topnotch Resort in Stowe, VT, has few peers in their spa and dining offerings— and then there’s the skiing!

Hudson Ghent Kingston Pittsfield

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T

When the sun goes down, Our beautiful terrain is second-to-none. |

Yes, it’s about the light. With sun back on the mountains, there are literally no bad seats for this show. You can pack a thermos of toddies—tea, I said tea—and a basket of cheese sandwiches to go up your local fire tower to experience the high life. (Careful going down.)

Here are a few classic spots to enjoy your, um, tea while you watch the canvas in the sky fill with color:

PORTALS THE VISIONARY ARCHITECTURE OF PAUL GOESCH

MARCH 18–JUNE 11, 2023

“a fanciful dreamworld of speculative design, most of it unseen, that portrays his rich spiritual world tethered, however tenuously, to his vision of the built environment”

–

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS CLARKART.EDU

CHARLES DENNIS

By Robyn Perry Coe

the sunset strip The legendary sunsets with views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains at Olana State Historic Site; (opposite) vistas from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge connecting Hudson and Catskill.

here’s something about the sunsets here—maybe it’s the dramatic combination of high lookout points, broad skies and dynamic waterways—that inspired a group of 19th century artists to study landscape painting.The Hudson River School helped shape an American identity by learning to capture magic hour in the mountains. Lucky for us, the paintings inspired generations of locals to fight to preserve these “viewsheds” as national treasures. Starting in spring, from Beacon to Williamstown, there’s a mountaintop experience waiting for us at the end of every day.

The Boston Globe

This exhibition is organized by the Clark Art Institute and is based on the Paul Goesch collection at the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal. Portals: The Visionary Architecture of Paul Goesch is made possible by Katherine and Frank Martucci. Paul Goesch, Architectural composition (Triumphal arch) (detail), 1921, pen and black ink and gouache on wove paper. Centre Canadien d’Architecture/Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, DR1988:0240

Mohonk Mountain

(NEW PALTZ, SHAWANGUNKS

A.K.A. “THE GUNKS”)

Named one of Earth’s “Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy.

Ashokan Reservoir

(SHOKAN, CATSKILLS) Plein

Air Painters gather here to capture the same high peaks that inspired the Hudson River School. Watch for eagles.

Hudson River Skywalk

(HUDSON TO CATSKILL)

Panoramic views from three viewing decks hundreds of feet in the air.

Monument Mountain

(GREAT BARRINGTON, BERKSHIRES) Sacred to the Mohican people, Peeskawso (“virtuous woman”) Peak’s 1,642foot summit looks out over the Housatonic River Valley.

Walkway Over

The Hudson

(POUGHKEEPSIE) For a stroll right into the sunset…

Mount Greylock

(ADAMS, NORTHERN TACONIC RANGE) Melville’s view from his desk in Pittsfield during the snowy winter of 1850, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, from which you can see five states.

Macricostas Preserve, Meeker Trail

(NEW PRESTON, SOUTHERN BERKSHIRES)

Easily one of the top-rated sunset destinations in all of Connecticut.

Olana State Historic Site

(HUDSON, CATSKILLS) Carriage paths walkable for families,

designed by painter Frederic Church. Views of the river and mountains are at their best in spring, but you can catch Church’s iconic view every day, wherever you are, via the “eye cam” from his painting studio window.

Most sites are open until sunset, of course, but dark drops super fast in the country once the sun goes down, so bone up on your trail safety, be prepared and pop into Dick’s Sporting Goods [see page 94] for a 300-lumen headlamp to keep in your fanny pack for the always tricky downward trail. Here’s to your mountaintop experience, and as the great prophet Elton John once said (and then repeated with George Michael), “don’t let the sun go down on you.” Indeed.

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If the SUPER BOWL was any indication, our electrified future is already here.

There are few things that bring people together like the Super Bowl. I watched the 57th annual occurrence of this gladiatorial championship draw to its epic conclusion at a friend’s house in Poughkeepsie. After the dust had settled and the last piece of red confetti spun slowly to the ground, what I came away thinking about wasn’t the physical prowess of the larger-than-life athletes or the physics-defying antics of Kansas City Chiefs demigod/quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. What left an indelible impression—between mouthfuls of high-end appetizers—was the Big Game’s seemingly unskippable filler, which now goes for a cool $7 million for just 30 seconds of air time.

I’m talking about the ads, of course. Or really, just one: Ram Trucks’ hilariously tongue-in-cheek “Premature

Electrification” for the Ram 1500 REV, marking the company’s first electric pickup truck. And Dodge is no outlier. In the past two Super Bowls, there have been a combined ten commercials for electric vehicles, or EVs. A skeptic would surely point to the abundance of crypto

currency commercials last year, which has since been dubbed the Crypto Bowl—and the dearth, only a year later, following the infamous downfall of FTX effectively cratering the market. Whereas crypto’s future is ethereal at best, EV architecture has already been established. It’s here, in your neighbor’s driveway or in line at Starbucks. Good luck trying to pull the rug out from under a three-ton vehicle.

Which is why there’ll never be an EV Bowl. Instead, love or hate them, these vehicles will slowly become adopted by us all, until the day arrives when a combustible engine seems as unrecognizable as a Model T.

if it ain’t broke There aren’t many differences between the Lightning and a standard gasoline-powered F-150, but for most that’ll be a good thing.

At least, that’s the thought I had somewhere between Jack Harlow ting-tingtinging a triangle and the channel-changing accusatory hijinks of Tubi. To help prepare you for this electric future-turned-present that we now find ourselves in, we went

By Simon Murray

to the trouble of putting together a list of superlatives that cut through the noise and assist you in making the best decision for the road. Not unlike the Super Bowl, pulling up in one of these beauties on wheels will give your friends and family something to really talk about for weeks to come. Game on, sports fans.

MOST ANTICIPATED

2023

Ford F-150 Lightning

MSRP: $55,974

Not even a faulty battery issue can slow down the excitement for the newest iteration of Ford’s inimitable pickup truck. The Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 46 years in a row(!), and the Michigan automaker would like to keep it that way.

You won’t find many differences between the Lightning and a standard gasolinepowered F-150, but for most that’ll be a good thing. Like the regular F-150, you can configure the Lightning in different versions (Pro, XLT, Lariat and Platinum), which add more equipment and features. But the biggest difference maker is the three extended range versions. With longer-range batteries come expensive upgrades—adding another $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the package.

The EPA-estimated driving range varies between 240 miles with the base battery to 320 miles with the larger one, but a towing trailer quickly depletes the battery. If you’re a truck owner that tows infrequently or only for short distances, that shouldn’t be an issue. Just good luck trying to get one. Ford is seeing unprecedented demand, with more than 200,000 reservations already, not surprising for this perennial best-seller.

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

MSRP: $41,450

The first thing you’ll notice about Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 is a distinctive design to go along with a whimsically fun-to-say name. But styling only tells a part of the story. In fact, it’s what you can’t see with the naked eye that’s far more compelling—the Ioniq’s 350-kW DC EV UltraFast Charger enables charging speeds as quick as those offered by far more expensive and luxurious EVs, including the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air. When it comes to charging, Hyundai says the larger battery (you can choose between a 58.0-kWh and 77.4-kWh battery pack) can be replenished from 10 to 80 percent in around 18

seconds to none The decidely stylish 2023 KIA EV6 flies out of the gate to 60mph in as little as three seconds. Wow.

minutes when plugged into an 800V DC fastcharging system. They also said it can add 68 miles in about five minutes.

This paltry down time is entering the realm of doable for families with little to no time to spare. Couple this fast-charging ability with a roomy interior, and the Ioniq 5 makes a compelling choice for anyone taking the first swing at EV ownership.

BEST SUV

2023 Kia EV6

MSRP: $48,700

A slew of new electric off-road capable EVs is something to look out for, as anywhere from a dozen or so automakers are developing a model in the next few years. While we wait for a Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco to be electrified, the lean, zippy 2023 Kia EV6 more than holds its own. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and for some, that’ll be enough—but the allwheel drive models are punchier and can be had with a larger battery pack offering a maximum of 310 miles of driving range. That’s more than enough juice for a local off-roading adventure.

The EV6’s dramatic curves and unsubtle flair also add to its charm. If you opt for the top-spec GT-Line, it’ll come with a little green button on the steering wheel. This button is deceiving, just like the EV6. Press it, and you’ll unlock the propulsion system’s 576hp, which is powerful enough to send the EV6 flying out the gate to 60mph in as little as three seconds. That’s a lot of daring zip for an SUV. And like the Ioniq 5, it too has fast-charging capability to get it from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes.

A co-ed boarding and day school for grades 9-12 & PG. Advanced Math/Science Research, Advanced Humanities Research, Sustainability, a range of arts offerings, and championship athletics on a stunning 400-acre campus in the Berkshires.

this QR code to watch

MOST LUXURIOUS

2024 Lucid Air Sapphire

MSRP: $249,000

Lucid quietly already made the most powerful sedan in the world. The 1,111-hp Air Performance should enjoy such laurels while it still can, because there’s a new king in town. Lucky for Lucid, the Air Sapphire will knock their own car off that pedestal when it debuts sometime this year. At 1,200 horsepower, Lucid claims its new tri-motor roadster can hit 60mph in less than two seconds. If that’s true, it’ll out accelerate a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. That’s no small feat, friends.

Inside, there are sport seats that have large side bolsters and an integrated headrest, which is a good thing, since the torque is going to send your head careening backwards. An Alcantarawrapped steering wheel, and the digital gauge cluster now has a blue hue. Orders have already begun, and customers are required to put down $25,000 for a spot on the list. The Sapphire is expected to debut later this year and is the first of what’s expected to be a performance brand within Lucid.

AUTHOR’S PICK

2024 DeLorean Alpha5

MSRP: $120,000 (estimate)

I think Newsweek said it best in their headline: “What is the DeLorean Alpha5 and How Can I Buy One?” You and me both, Newsweek headline writer person. The Alpha5 looks like the DMC DeLorean of old that Doc Brown infamously outfitted with a flux capacitor, only given a full-blown makeover by 31st century designers. Which is to say, this roadster is indeed back from the future but also from the past, and is satisfyingly bold in all the right ways.

Like its predecessor, the Alpha5 has gullwing doors that Tesla’s Model X appropriated, but I daresay they look better on the sleeker DeLorean. Modern sensibilities, courtesy of Moncalieri, Italy-based Italdesign, like millions of waves over a jagged rock, have rounded the decidedly ’80s DMC’s boxy frame. The result is an EV in a league of its own, with no official MSRP yet released. Its announcement heralds the rebirth of a company that has always gone against the grain. To reserve a production slot, interested customers need only join DeLorean’s Alphas Club by purchasing a lifetime membership for $88. That seems like a paltry sum for what’s assuredly going to be a head turner. Including mine.

The Dating Game: TalkinG Blood, Swipe & Tears

their ideal partner for more than a decade-and-a-half— finding love is an inside job.

Love coach Karenna Alexander guides clients through the Match Game hellscape. |

By Mitch Rustad

In these turbulent times, more and more people are seeking therapists, life coaches, support groups and gurus to bolster their mental health. And for those looking for love, the search can seem especially daunting. The sheer number and scope of dating apps—swipe left, swipe right, on and on and on—can be overwhelming. As a certified life coach myself, I notice that most people just want to be happier, more joyful and fulfilled. Part of that for many, of course, includes finding romance, love connections and ultimately that dream partner.

But according to love and dating coach Karenna Alexander—a certified matchmaker who’s been helping people find

“Self-love is a big thing,” says Alexander, who works with clients throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, Connecticut and even internationally via Zoom, phone or even text message sessions. “The lack of it often prevents people from finding love. That’s why coaching can be really helpful.” Ironically, it was her own romantic troubles that led the former journalist and public relations exec to pursue her rather unconventional profession.

choice words

author of A Woman’s Guide To Understanding Men: Dating Secrets Most Women Don’t Know, “and it’s often because they’re giving too much, too soon and not having healthy boundaries.”

“I had dating problems of my own and I read books and had some great mentors, and that really helped me,” Alexander says. “I had this problem, and I solved it and that made me want to help others. It’s a real passion.”

Is there a common denominator most of her lovelorn clients share? “Many people come to me because they’re getting hurt, and don’t know what to do,” says Alexander,

Alexander suggests the following if you’re hitting a romantic snag: “Give the person space, try to avoid nagging, bossing or telling them what to do and put the focus on yourself.” But how does looking for love involve a focus on yourself? “I’m big on the idea of choosing happiness, because it’s an important choice I make every day,” Alexander says. “That means striving to be your higher self and choosing to focus on happiness now, no matter what.”

Alexander warns of buying into the idea of a partner who’s seemingly got it all: “Stop seeking this fantasy of perfection, that’s one way to self-sabotage,” she says. “My first goal with clients is for them to find someone who treats them right.”

“I’m big on the idea of choosing happiness,” Alexander says of modern-day dating.

hundred bucks How To Spend $100: Dick’s Sporting Goods

By Robyn Perry Coe

Every Season Starts at Dick’s we’re cheekily reminded as we enter the store. So whether your spring sport is baseball, golf or pickleball, stock up on a few necessities now that you’re playing in the country.

No.1: LACROSSE BALLS

Once you spring forward, you’ll be sore. Yes. Grab two of these to roll out the kinks. $8

No.2: PHONE DRY BAG

This time of year, even walking the dog is a water sport. Protect your lifeline. $19.99

No.3: SAFETY WHISTLE

Bear necessity on the trail, or anywhere you don’t have phone service. $3.99

No.4: COMPASS

Print the map, then learn to use this while you still have service. $6.99

No.5: HEADLAMP

Lingering on a mountaintop at sunset with gummies? $19.95

No.6: INSECT REPELLENT

Dick’s, not ticks. $7.49

No.7: CROCS

Wear these all-weather, offroad stream walkers all spring and summer. $27.17

No.8: CARABINER/ BOTTLE OPENER

Clip the Crocs right to your pack. $6.99

Bring an extra bottle of water, tuck your pants into white socks, don’t forget the sunscreen and go play!

Kinderhooked

In with the old, in with the new.

Pictures and Words by Alan Katz

Had dinner at Kozel’s Restaurant in Ghent the other night. As old school Columbia County as you can get (est. 1936). Ordered the David’s “special” burger—a patty melt with American cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onions. Hand-cut fries and chicken rice soup. It was lightly snowing and comfort was the call. Hadn’t been here in two decades. Nothing’s changed, from the wood paneled walls to the wait staff—and that’s a good thing. Comforting, heartwarming and delicious. When I asked if the burger came with fries, my server replied, ‘If ya ask for them.’ Gotcha!

Today, comfort comes in a very different package. At Morningbird, located at the reimagined Knitting Mill, you might order vegetable green curry with sweet potatoes, or Tivoli trumpet mushrooms over jasmine rice. Something warm, nourishing and oh so au courant—that’s Morningbird for you.

Other dishes include an Overlook Farm egg sandwich on milk bun, lemongrass pork sausage, scallion chimichurri and sambal. Beef Rendang, consisting of shredded short rib, Bok choy and again that perfect jasmine rice. Breakfast and lunch in a serene country store setting as designed by modern artists with a larder of groovy sauces, spices and tableware befitting the smart Asian vibe. Desserts and pastries include

another hat tip to the local scene: Dutch sausage roll, citrus olive oil cake, Vietnamese cinnamon coffee cake and mochi donuts. Wow.

Part of the newly refurbished Knitting Mill in Kinderhook are a group of restaurants including The Aviary Kinderhook, OK Pantry and the Kinderhook Bottle Shop selling fine wines and other libations.

The town of Kinderhook—including the villages of Valatie, Kinderhook and Niverville—is the former home of Martin Van Buren, America’s eighth president. His statue and name abound. Old meets new in this sweet, quaint town: Brooklyn-style pizza, fresh hot bagels with more than a schmear and a fanciful beer pub, Saisonnier, serving numerous fantastic beers on tap and more than a dozen cans of other diverse and delicious brews. Awesome pressed (and not) sandwiches. Nearby there’s the world-class art showcase The School–Jack Shainman Gallery.

This 248-year-old Dutch town combines the latest art, design and eclectic cuisine. Definitely my kinda pit stop and I’m guessing, yours.

morningbird soars At Morningbird in Kinderhook, comfort food is deliciously redefined by the inventive dishes they’re becoming quite famous for.

Reported by Sandy MacDonald

CALENDAR

Earth Day Family

themountainsmedia.com

Playdate

Ashokan Center Olivebridge, NY Spend the morning learning to compost, planting a pine tree, making a “seed bomb” and listening to Story Laurie and Uncle Rock. AshokanCenter.org/events

Rita Rudner

The Ridgefi eld Pla yhouse Ridgefi eld, CT

26

The comedy star’s style is dry and sardonic, the eff ect up roarious. Ridgefi eldPlayhouse.org/ ev ent

28-30 Hudson Valley

Tango Festival

22-23

The Director

PS21 Chatham, NY In this internationally acclaimed theatre piece, Scott Turnbull (a former funeral director) and artist Lara Thoms reveal the humorous/ macabre inner workings of “the death industry.” PS21Chatham.org/upcoming-events

april

Scott Turnbull, Lara

APRiL 25 TO JULY 31

Dear Jack, Dear Louise Shakespeare & Company Lenox, MA

Shakespeare & Company kicks off its summer season with the New England premiere of an epistolary WWII play by Ken Ludwig ( Lend Me a Tenor ) in the open-air Roman Garden Theatre. Shakespeare.org

An Evening with Amanda Palmer Bardavon

Garage, Kingston

Senate

The Dojo Dance Company hosts a celebration for salsa fans and “tangonatics,” There’ll be plenty to see; you might even be moved to join in. DojoDanceCompany.com

Chita Rivera in Conversation with Harvey Fierstein

Poughkeepsie Hallowed multi-hyphenate musicianauthor-activist Palmer makes a rare appearance amid preparations for a new Dresden Dolls release. Bardavon.org

Bardavon, Poughkeepsie

No one gives juicier dish than actor/ playwright Fierstein (see his recent memoir, I Was Better Last Night ). You’ll want to be there as he elicits backstage secrets from the indefatigable superstar. Bardavon.org

29 Indie Bookstore Day

The Book Loft Great Barrington Celebrate smart hand-selling with a design-your-bookmark station and enjoy a $1 “blind date” with a book (they promise “love at fi rst line ”). TheBookLoft .c om/events

The Porch

in The Director .

27 Low Lily

Ashokan Center Olivebridge, NY The Brattleboro-based American roots band launches a tour to celebrate the release of their third album. AshokanCenter.org/events

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park

Tivoli, NY

29

Red Hook and Rhinebeck have no shortage of fascinating raconteurs: illustrious locals will hold forth at this Moth-inspired event. Kaatsbaan.org/2023-events

Thoms

Glebe House Museum

6 Opening Weekend

Woodbury, CT This 1740 homestead (enhanced by a rare 100-year-old Gertrude Jekylldesigned garden) welcomes spring with a chuckwagon cooking demo by local reenactors Frontier Mess. GlebeHouseMuseum.org/calendar

Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band

Levon Helm Studios

Woodstock, NY

Not just a captivating singer/ songwriter, Ritter is a capital-W writer, with two novels to his name (to date) and poetry in his bones.

The Temptations & The Four Tops

LevonHelm.com/shows

Ulster Performing Arts Center

10 Graham Nash: Sixty Years of Songs and Stories

Pedrito Martínez

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington

Raised on Havana’s rumba and Afro-Cuban Yoruba traditions, batá drummer Martínez has played sideman to all the greats, and in the process, becoming one. Mahaiwe.org/events

James Taylor & His All Star Band

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel, NY Taylor burst on the scene with “Fire and Rain” in 1970, a year aft er W oodstock—and he sounds better than ever. See you there!

BethelWoodsCenter.org/events

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel, NY A chance to catch up with the ’60s icon, who continues to write impassioned songs. Opt for the pre-show dinner. BethelWoodsCenter.org/events

David Sedaris

The Colonial Theatre

13

Pittsfi eld, MA Not tha t many essayists can boast legions of groupies. They’re sure to be out in force to celebrate Sedaris’s latest bestseller, Happy-Go-Lucky BerkshireTheatreGroup.org/calendar

7 Print Room Pop-up: Dressed to Impress Clark Art Museum

Williamstown, MA Fashionistas will enjoy poring over the Clark’s cache of Victorian fashion prints. ClarkArt.edu/events

TAP New York Craft Beer & Music Festival

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

18-21 Ridgefi eld Independent Film Festival

Bethel, NY Guzzle away while taking in The Wailers (day one) and Blues Travelers (day two) at Bethel Woods, site of a certain legendary music festival in 1969. TAP-NY.com

Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

Ridgefi eld Playhouse and other venues

Ridgefi eld, CT

As of press time, the slate was still pending, but a $150 pass will grant you access to exciting new fi lms o n six screens around town—plus the odd panel and party.

RIFFCT.org

2 The Bacon Brothers

MAY 24 –JUNE 17

Chester, NY

Well-connected Kevin (Bacon) may be more of a household name, but his sibling Michael is an equally talented musician. Folk, rock, soul, country—they do it all, for all ages, with a generous helping of humor.

Kingston Naturally there has been some personnel turnover since the ’60s, but these seminal bands are still going strong delivering beloved oldies. Bardavon.org june

The Happiest Man on Earth

Barrington Stage Company Pittsfi eld, MA Mark S t. Germain’s latest play is based on a memoir by concentration-camp survivor Eddie Jaku, who claimed the title in recounting his “fi rst 100 years.”

SugarLoafPACNY.com/shows

BarringtonStageCo.org

(The Director) BRYONY JACKSON; (Palmer) KENNY MATHIESON; (Tango Festival) TRACY MARTIN

Music Of The Heart

Who’s got the beat? We got the beat. (And it’s awesome).

By Sean McAlindin

Music, friends, is the language of love—poetry and melody woven together in exploration of life’s deepest mysteries. Since the dawn of time, we’ve known the power of sound to soothe, to inspire, to change, to woo. Whether in a secretly sung tryst between Romeo and Juliet or amplified at a world-changing event like Woodstock Music Festival for half a million people to share in the collective human experience, the capacity of music to touch our souls remains unquestioned and unrivaled.

Fortunately for us, Upstate has long been a place of romantic notions, not to mention the land of great date destinations. If you’re ready to feel the power and love of live music, here are

some of our best picks for intimate concerts this spring.

Steal away with your sweetheart to the Catskill foothills where hippies still jam on the sidewalks and street corners of Woodstock hamlet. The Colony Hotel once entertained visitors on their way to the Overlook Mountain House with dinner and a big band show. Now the storied venue hosts a broad range of acts including ’80s New York City rockers The Silos (April 21, 8 pm), Jamaican reggae icon Josh David Barrett and Judah Tribe (April 28) a tribute to Leonard Cohen with Robert Burke Warren and friends (April 29) and soul singer Terry “Superlungs” Reid and the Cosmic American Derelicts (May 21).

Across town, pay homage to the beloved drummer of The Band at Levon Helm Studios. You can easily while away

the evening in this laid-back spot with local lovebirds Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams (April 22, 8 pm), contemporary folk innovators Langhorne Slim and John Craigie (April 29-30), alt-country crooners Drive-By Truckers with Ohioan muse Lydia Loveless (May 2), Americana singer Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band (May 4-5) and indie rockers The New Amsterdams with Kevin Devine and Brother Bird (May 13).

If you’re looking for fine dining paired with live music, go no further than The Falcon in Marlboro where you can enjoy cuisine from a perch above scenic Marlboro Falls as you’re entertained by Brooklyn reggae group SunDub (April 22), bluesman and former Conan O’Brien show bandleader Jimmy Vivino (May 5) and Mexican virtuoso guitarist Gil Gutiérrez (May 14). Dining is from 5 to 9pm with music at 7:30pm.

Or you could ramble over to Daryl’s House in Pawling where Daryl Hall of

cuban pete (clockwise, from left) Superstar Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martínez, Brooklyn reggae group SunDub and Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars are all headlining highly anticipated shows this spring.

LOCATED 90 MILES NORTHWEST OF NEW YORK CITY AT THE HISTORIC SITE OF THE 1969 WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL IN BETHEL, NY ALL DATES, ACTS, TIMES & TICKET PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

A new music festival taking place on the historic Woodstock festival field, featuring live music by The

famed pop duo Hall and Oates has recreated a historic home with a restaurant and music club. Upcoming shows include Jersey rockers The Smithereens (April 20, 8pm), Deep South bluesman Clay Melton (April 30, 7pm), Serbian vocalist and guitarist Ana Popović (May 14, 7pm) and English singer-songwriter Graham Parker (May 20, 8pm).

The Towne Crier Cafe in downtown Beacon offers relaxed dinner and rocking music with pianist Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars (April 22, 8:30pm) and California Celtic rockers Tempest (May 5). And The Egremont Barn is a fabulously cozy room that lives up to its name with wooden rafters and old-fashioned Berkshire County ambience as Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron plays with Katie Herbst (April 15, 7:30pm).

If your idea of a great first date is a dive bar with an incredible, under-the-radar indie band, head to Tubby’s in Kingston for The Van Pelt with Stuyvesant (April 22, 7pm), alt-songwriters Ted Leo and Tami Hart (April 28), Southern sounds of Ibex Clone with Patois Counselors (May 19) and NYC art

rockers Guerilla Toss (May 20). Or you could check out Dogwood in Beacon for acid rockers Cosmokaze (April 21, 8pm), freak folkies Catbread (May 6) and Hudson Valley jam band Slip Groove (May 13).

Perhaps a primal release is more what you had in mind? Then your happy place just might be The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie where Japanese shredders Loudness go crazy with Omaha, NE boogie-woogie glam act The Midnight Devils (May 6) and Rush cover band Limelight hits all the high notes (May 13).

On the other end of the high art spectrum, you could head with your honey to Ulster Performing Arts Center for Der Rosenkavalier Opera (April 15, 12pm) and doo-wop legends

The Temptations with The Four Tops (May 11).

Maybe your musical romance falls more within the classical realm? Then visit Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington for the Manhattan Chamber Players (April 23, 4pm), Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martínez (May 13) and The Escher String Quartet (May 21, 4pm). Tanglewood’s Linde Center for Music and Learning in Lenox also features Boston Symphony Chamber Players (April 16, 3pm).

Last but not least, take a trip to Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT where some of the best acoustics in the land create a true aural pilgrimage as you listen to folk singer Brett Dennen (April 19, 8pm) and jam cover band Pink Talking Fish (April 28).

Love, this spring, is in sonic bloom. So join in the beauty of humanity’s greatest invention and see some live music soon. What could be lovelier than that?

hair raising (opposite, top) Guerilla Toss, (opposite, below) Patois Counselors and (above) Pink Talking Fish are all getting ready to rock.

Rock ‘N’

(Pre)Roll

Heavy Metal, Berkshire Roots Partner in NEW head-bangin’ cannabis brand.

|

By James Long

As part of my rebellious adolescence, I’d listen to music my parents would have, shall we say, characterized disapprovingly—in the 1960s, Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” with its 17-minute biblical-schema-cum-drum-solo; then the hilarious ’70s nod to the fictional Spinal Tap; and on through the ’80s with UK’s Iron Maiden—all part of the formative years of the heavy metal sound and vibrating against pop culture pagans: sci-fi magazine Heavy Metal (my college favorite) and its 1981 film adaptation produced by the late Ivan Reitman and the magazine’s founder, Leonard Mogul.

Four decades later, Heavy Metal is still bangin’ heads. In partnership with Heavy Metal publisher Heavy Metal Entertainment, the cannabis dispensary Berkshire Roots, located in Boston and Pittsfield, MA, has created “Heavy Metal Cannabis,” a collection of cannabis products drawing on HME’s library of stories and characters.

In what Berkshire Roots calls the “Cannaverse,” creations will include vape carts and disposable vapes paired with such Heavy Metal fantasy characters as the sword-wielding and take-no-prisoners Taarna in packaging with collectibles reminiscent of the Heavy Metal film. New flower strains, infused blunts, chews, zombie-inspired concentrates and Dark Wing “’out there’ palate challenging edibles” will round out the cannabis offerings beginning with Berkshire Roots’ soft launch this spring. All awaiting my rebellious 9pm bedtime tethered to my smartphone’s playlists and all, with due respect to my parents, characterized approvingly.

You Wanna Dance With Somebody?

Romance, Latin Style. ¡Vamos!

By Mia Cárdenas

You don’t have to go far to experience the romance of Latin dancing. If your bucket list includes learning to salsa, tango, samba and rumba, now is the time for you to put on your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor right here in Upstate!

Dojo Dance Company

16 Cedar Street, Kingston, NY 12401 (845)475-6006

DojoDanceCompany.com

Argentina-born Maia MartÍnez and David Salvatierra, directors and dance instructors at Dojo Dance Company, offer a range of classes in Argentine tango, Latin rhythms and more! More experienced salsa dancers may join one of their Monday classes, or if you’re just starting out, opt for the beginner classes on Thursdays. ¡Olé!

Passion: The Adult Dance Studio

473 Main Street Suite 4, Beacon, NY 12508 845.206.9306

PassionAdultDance.com

Passion dance studio is made for adults (ages 18 and up) to express themselves through dance. If you’re looking to let loose and leave all your adult responsibilities at the door, their all-level samba movement class is for you!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios

1562 Route 9 Second Floor Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (845) 297-2711

FredAstaire.com/dutchess

Fred Astaire’s legacy and passion for dance continues at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Transport yourself to Brazil and take a samba class, or if rumba is more your speed, you can dance along to the traditional Cuban rhythm Bolero-Son.

right said fred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dance in the 1953 film, The Band Wagon.

| then. now. next.

If You Know, You Know

By Abbe Aronson

Presenting a small sample of what’s hot and happening in the mountains, many of them, dare I say, better than raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens. I know, I know…

Howland House

Roughly 15 minutes outside of Woodstock, Howland House is an inn steps away from world-class hiking and fishing, and it’s on the New York City bus line—so you can escape from New York sans auto and just relax into the mountainside. Close to all the ski mountains and a bevy of succulent farm-totable restaurants (including the soon-to-open Oliver’s tavern on property), Howland nestles right into the “new” Catskills. Note: this is our “Then AND Now” as Howland House is the next incarnation of the venerable La Duchesse Anne (circa 1978)—gone but not forgotten! 1564 Wittenberg Road, Mount Tremper, NY HowlandHouseNY.com

LFESAVR

Gatorade with the crispness of prosecco.

Julia created

In limited stores, but those who’ve sipped already have swooned.This is how new LFESAVR is: The website andInstagram are still works in progress. But, if you’re lucky, you can pick up this electrolyteboosted flavored seltzer (with zero calories, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and prebiotic fiber) at select stores in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Albany and Great Barrington, as well as a smattering of shops downstate. Inspired by sauerkraut brine and pickle juice, think of LFESAVR as an all-natural Gatorade with the dry crispness of prosecco. Husband and wife Stroo and Julia Despot-Olofsson created the beverage in London as a sort of “hair of the dog” elixir. After a move to Hudson (where the couple

house money (top) Howland House in Temper nestles right into the “new” Catskills; the quench is real with LFESAVR.

Get a jump start on what all the cool kids in the mountains will be doing tomorrow today. |

then. now. next.

is now based, operating their

Hairclubbing

Parlour by appointment only), they turned it into a seltzer beverage and found the wonderdrink soothed any number of dehydrationcaused symptoms—from post-gym aches to keto and intermittent fasting cramping issues.

LFESAVR.com

Overlook Mountain Herbs

Inspired by her autistic son’s sensitivity to smells and textures, Hudson Valley’s Kristine Gentile-Smith creates natural products that embrace simplicity. Via her online shop, Overlook Mountain Herbs offers skincare for humans (and pets), along with her ever-popular beeswax candles. Lately, she reports that Warmth, a cayenne and ginger salve with CBD oil, is a brisk seller, and we love her wildflower cuticle oil, as well as Head, a balm for “heads without hair.” As small batch as can be, Kristine also creates fully customizable formulas, so you can make her herbaceous bounty your own. OverlookMountainHerbs.com

Honky Tonk Wednesdays

Like the poster promises: dancing, cold beer and hot pickin’! This brand new offering features guest stars including the legendary Cindy Cashdollar on steel guitar, this homegrown country and western stomp is sure to be foot-tappin’ room only.

Rice Hall VFW Post 1386 708 East Chester Street, Kingston

Welcome To Night Vale

Newbies to the mountains as well as oldtimers know—if you live here, you’re bound to spend a lot of time in your car listening to podcasts. So, why not listen to a local option?

Welcome To Night Vale is the brainchild of authors

Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, both Hudson Valley residents. The twice-monthly podcast, in the style of “community updates” for a small fictional desert town, has more than a touch of noir in the mix—the show’s slogan is “Turn on your radio and hide.” The New York Times raves, “With its uncanny blend of the macabre and the mundane, the news out of Night Vale sounds like what might occur if Stephen King or David Lynch was

a guest producer at your local public radio station.” Additionally, Fink and Cranor tour with a live show around the country. We’re so hooked. WelcomeToNightVale.com

The Catskills Borscht Belt Museum

Soon to make its home in the historic Ellenville National Bank building—a 1928 Beaux-Arts gem with strong links to the community as one of the few financial institutions willing to lend to the region’s Jewish hoteliers and bungalow colony owners in the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s—The Borscht Belt Museum will be dedicated to preserving the legacy of the famed resort era and its history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy and a cultural catalyst that left deep imprints on mainstream America. While we await a summer 2025 opening, visitors can get a taste of what the museum will offer at a pop-up museum this summer in Ellenville, which will coincide with the new Borscht Belt Fest (we hear the proposed lineup for the Fest rivals anything happening on the hip streets of Brooklyn or the East Village).

THE CATSKILLS BORSCHT BELT MUSEUM

Ellenville, NY BorschtBeltMuseum.org

hump day nights Kingston is ready to go country with the latest Honky Tonk Wednesdays at Rice Hall VFW Post 1386.

event planners

Berkshire Wedding and Event Planning

162 Sherwood Drive Pittsfield, MA 01201

413.770.2563

BerkshireEventPlanning.com

Elite Wedding and Event Planning 721 Broadway Suite 265 Kingston, NY 12401 845.430.6394

EliteWedEvents.com

Gina Maloney Events

2357 Glasco Turnpike Woodstock, NY 12498

845.853.4075

GinaMaloneyEvents.com

Rogan & Co. Weddings and Events

Catskill and Hudson Valley areas 845.264.1867

RoganAndCoEvents.com

Offering full-service wedding and event planning, design and styling, your way.

Sprig & Social 21 Green Street

Hudson, NY 12534

518.822.7500

SprigAndSocial.com

White Hall Events 15 Levine Lane Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

845.206.5022

WhiteHall-Events.com

Cathy’s Elegant Events, LLC

Serving the Hudson Valley 518.653.3505

CathysElegantEvents.com

Service Ma ers North East, LLC

490 Main Street #2 Beacon, NY 12508 845.649.2147

ServiceMattersNY.com

Mezze Catering & Events

777 Cold Spring Road Williamstown, MA 01267 413.458.8745

MezzeCatering.com

must-have survival guide

Venues

SPAF 169 Ulster Avenue Saugerties, NY 12477 845.594.3561

SPAF.events

Housed in a reclaimed 1900s industrial notebook factory, SPAF blends timeless character with modern charm, providing a memorable backdrop for your wedding.

The Chateau 240 Boulevard, Route 32 Kingston, NY 12401

845.331.4386

TheChateauEvents.com

Basilica Hudson 110 South Front Street

Hudson, NY 12534

518.822.1050

BasilicaHudson.org

The Greenport 158 Union Turnpike Hudson, NY 12534

518.719.1600

EventsAtTheGreenport.com

The Grandview 176 Rinaldi Boulevard

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845.486.4700

GrandviewEvents.com

Winbrooke 8 Webster Road Tyringham, MA 01264

413.394.5834

Winbrooke.com

The Garrison 2015 US-9 Garrison, NY 10524 845.424.3604

TheGarrison.com

The Kaaterskill 424 High Falls Road Extension Catskills, NY 12414

518.678.0026

TheKaaterskill.com

photographers

Harper Pictures

Harper Cowan Kingston, NY

HarperPictures.com

Focused on providing natural, joyful, authentic documentation and portraiture, both digital and film.

Turnquist Collective Hudson, NY 845.544.3001

TurnquistCollective.com

Married photographer and filmmaker duo “for madly in love couples.”

Avida Love Photography

Amy Inglis Great Barrington, MA 413.238.6143 AvidaLove.com

Sweet Alice Photography

Serving Poughkeepsie, the Catskills, Westchester and the Hudson Valley 617.272.0470

SweetAlicePhotography.com

Aperture Photography

Saugerties, NY 518.678.0176

AperturePhoto.com

Tricia McCormack Photography Lee, MA 413.358.8006

TriciaMcCormack.com

Offers a classic and elegant mix of beautifully posed and candid photos that lifelong memories are built on.

Erik Christian Photography

Serving the Hudson Valley, Catskills, northeast PA and Upstate NY 845.418.4071

ErikChristianPhotography.com

LK Photography

Cold Spring, NY 845.825.1309

LeslieKenney.com

florists

Petalos Floral Design 290 Fair Street Kingston, NY 12401 845.514.2800

PetalosFloral.com

The Flower Garden 3164 Route 9 West Saugerties, NY 12477 845.246.5961

TheFlowerGardenSaugerties.com

Howard’s Florist 11 North Jefferson Avenue Catskill, NY 12414 518.943.4080

HowardsFlowerShop.com

Chatham Flowers and Gi s 2117 Route 203 Chatham, NY 12037 518.392.6414

ChathamFlowersAndGifts.com

Jarita’s Florist 17 Tinker Street Woodstock, NY 12498 845.679.6161

Jaritas.com

Township Four 30 Main Street Stockbridge, MA 01262 413.347.3244

TownshipFour.com

Inside Red Lion Inn at the former Country Curtains location

Floral Fantasies by Sara 6797 Route 9 North (Astor Square Plaza) Rhinebeck, NY 12572 845.876.0400

FloralFantasiesBySara.com

Rosery Flower Shop 128 Green Street Hudson, NY 12534 518.828.9952

RoseryFlowers.com

caterers

Main Course Catering + Marketplace

175 Main Street New Paltz, NY 12561

845.255.2600

MainCourseCatering.com

Birch Hill Catering

1 Celebration Way

Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033

518.732.4444

BirchHillCatering.com

The Stone Pony Catering Co.

963 Kings Highway Saugerties, NY 12477

845.247.4700

StonePonyCatering.com

Bridge Creek Catering

30 Jenkinstown Road New Paltz, NY 12561

845.255.9234

BridgeCreekCatering.com

Excels at creating handcrafted quality food and menus that celebrate your uniqueness and reflect your personality.

Grounded

83 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

845.514.3432

GroundedNY.com

KJ Nosh Catering Company

339 Tyler Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413.464.9582

KJNosh.com

Spice Catering

2600 South Road

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845.471.4603

SugarSpiceCafe.com

Juste Hors D’Oeuvres Catering

Serving Dutchess County and surrounding areas

203.798.7414

JusteHorsDoeuvres.com

bridal shops

Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique

1 East Main Street, Retail 3 Beacon, NY 12508

845.765.2900

LambsHillBridalBoutique.com

Blush Bridal Boutique

292 Wall Street Kingston, NY 12401 845.338.3135

BlushBridalBtq.com

Adriana’s Bridal

19 East Market Street Rhinebeck, NY 12572

845.516.4660

AdrianasBridal.com

Kismet Bridal Studio

32 Bank Row Pittsfield, MA 01201

413.464.0039

KismetBridalStudio.com

CELESTINO

345 Warren Street, Apartment 3 Hudson, NY 12534 646.644.4450

CelestinoCouture.com

Blending sustainability and classic design techniques with modern twists to ultimately create your ideal bridal gown.

Chic Boutique NY 2001 South Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845.632.6050

ChicBoutiqueNY.com

Deidre’s Special Day 2 South Street, Suite 100 Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.499.9959

DeidresOnline.com

Lorraine Tyne Bridal 161 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 845.418.5587

LorraineTyne.com

tuxedo rentals

Prom & Wedding 796 Ulster Avenue Kingston, NY 12401 845.331.1595

PromNWedding.com

Men’s Wearhouse

2020 South Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845.298.2036 MensWearhouse.com

Via Roma 2001 South Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845.297.8700

PoughkeepsieGalleriaMall.com

This elegant menswear shop specializes in formal attire tailored to your individual needs.

Steven Valenti Clothing for Men

157 North Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.443.2569

StevenValentiClothing.com

Tux Express 313 North Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.496.9665

JoS. A. Bank 1083 Route 9 Suite 7 Fishkill, NY 12524 845.297.1257

JoSBank.com

First Class Formal Wear 311 East Broadway Monticello, NY 12701 845.796.1039

FirstClassFormalWear.com

Men’s Wearhouse 1200 Ulster Avenue Suite 200 Kingston, NY 12401 845.336.5394

MensWearhouse.com

DJs / Bands

MSV Entertainment 344 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 845.206-8509

MusicSpeaksVolumes.com

DJ Domenic Entertainment 45 Sleight Plass Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 845.473.0041

DJDomEntertainment.com

Hudson Valley Event Group 41 Transport Lane Pine Island, NY 10969 845.782.3259

info@partywithlb.com

PartyWithLB.com

MusiChris DJ & Lighting Service 81 Wood Avenue Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.442.9854

DJChrisPlankey.com

On1 Entertainment NY Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, serving Hudson Valley 845.674.7587

DJOn1.com

From boogie to box step, you’ll find musical genres for any taste, including club, hip-hop, oldies, pop and Top 40.

DJ Bri Swatek

30 Robinson Lane Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845.235.0080

DJBriSwatek.com

Paris Creative 299 Main Street Kingston, NY 12401 845.605.2738

ParisCreative.com

A Perfect Blend Entertainment

12 North Division Street Suite 304 Peekskill, NY 10566 914.941.0536

APBEntertainment.com

Art by JAN KALLWEJT exclusively for The Mountains

Our Very own Downton Abbey

Hyde Park’s historic Vanderbilt Mansion is a majestic, must-see experience.

By Renee Jermaine

Abiographer once described businessman Frederick Vanderbilt as “a thoroughly good fellow, entirely devoid of any snobbishness of nonsense.” True, by all accounts, the grandson of famed shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt was modest, generous and publicity-shy. But let’s face it: he was a Vanderbilt, a member of the richest and most powerful dynasty in late 1800s America—with a fabulous lifestyle to back it up. Vanderbilt owned multiple yachts, hobnobbed with fellow bluebloods of the day, gave piles of money to Yale University and other lofty institutions—and in 1895, along with his wife Louise, purchased the ultimate exemplar of wealth, the Vanderbilt Mansion (or “Hyde Park” as it was then known for the town its located in), a Gilded Age country palace.

Situated on a bluff with killer sunsets that overlook the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, the Beaux-Arts mansion is the expansive estate to which the Vanderbilts repaired (with the aid of 18 servants) in the spring and summer months, when not yachting or hanging out in their Manhattan digs (or, for that matter, one of their pads in Newport, Bel Harbor and the Adirondacks).

If you’re in any way curious about the history, architecture, décor, art or social mores of early 20th century elites, there’s not a more beautiful spot in our neck of the woods to catch an insider’s glimpse. Set on hundreds of acres, the mansion’s 50-plus rooms have been left, since the Vanderbilts’ heyday, in impeccably preserved condition, its fittings and furnishings, some of which Vanderbilt acquired in France from Napoleon’s final home, Château de Malmaison, virtually unchanged.

Visiting the grounds and gardens of Vanderbilt Mansion is free and it’s an ideal day trip, particularly in the warmer months. You can wander the lovely gardens, take in the famed collections of native and exotic trees, picnic at Bard Rock (to-die-for views) or hike one of the numerous trails that dot the property. But a guided tour of the home in all its ostentatious splendor is the piece de resistance here—and a bargain at $10 a pop (but book ahead—tickets sell out quickly). We dare you not to be blown away by the intricate ceilings and wall designs, gorgeous wood paneling, rich tapestries and abundant paintings and antiques from the 17th and 18th centuries.

maison magnifique Set on hundreds of acres, the mansion’s 50-plus rooms have been left, since the Vanderbilts’ heyday, in impeccably preserved condition, its fittings and furnishings, some of which Vanderbilt acquired in France from Napoleon’s final home, Château de Malmaison, virtually unchanged.

After Vanderbilt’s death at Hyde Park in 1938, he bequeathed the estate to his wife’s niece, Margaret Van Alen who, for reasons difficult to fathom, had little interest in moving in. It might have been sold to the highest bidder were it not for her neighbor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who stepped in and persuaded Van Alen to donate the house and a sizable chunk of land to the federal government. The following year—luckily for future day-trippers like us—Vanderbilt Mansion officially became a National Historic Site. And its majesty awaits your presence.

Gomarry!

We have nearly two dozen suppliers and event planners eager to plan and flawlessly execute your wedding.

Pledge your love, then throw a party.

We’ll make it extraordinary— large or small, formal or casual, traditional or contemporary. Say “I do,” high on a hillside. Celebrate in a restored 19th-centry barn, on the banks of a famous fly-fshing river, or in a grand ballroom. The food is farm fresh. The cocktails are handcrafted. Your love is forever.