Beacon Burns Bright

Even with fashion, this Hudson River town puts art rst. |

By Todd Plummer

Photography by Julia Clark exclusively for The Mountains

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 a er 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 glori ed 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 a air 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 re ned. 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 avor all its own. Hats o 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

No.2

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.”

FUN FACT NO.1 MVB

#8

POTUS

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

Chillin’ In The 329

breaking

Rhinebeck

USA Today Ranks

Lil’ Deb’s Big Plans

Small Town For Shopping’

‘Best

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.

hen I moved to New York City, my angel number—and 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 mysti 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 e ect.

WHudson 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 ne handmade jewelry at Adel Chefridi Studio & Gallery; independent bookseller Oblong Books; Hammertown’s superb selection of gi 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 x awaits.

–JAMES LONG

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 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’ o ces in the region they cover.

“Every morning, a 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 therea 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.”