Shows
Beaconites!Are the little kids alright? With pre-K educator Meredith HairstonEarly childhood learning is pretty fraught at the moment. The lingering effects of Covid-era learning challenges, an epidemic of teacher burnout, and a rise in autism spectrum diagnoses have all contributed to a simmering crisis in education that we're probably not talking about enough. But there are bright spots. One is the Tioronda Learning Center, a longstanding pre-K program serving Beacon, led by executive director Meredith Hairston. Meredith talks about her journey from Vermont to New York City to the Hudson Valley, TLC's place in the community over many decades, and how to help kids thrive creatively, emotionally and...2024-12-1940 min
Beaconites!Ordinary Devotion, with Kristen Holt-BrowningKristen Holt-Browning is a poet, editor and (now) novelist. Her debut work of fiction, Ordinary Devotion, juxtaposes the lives of two women separated by 700 years. Kristen grew up nearby in the hamlet of Stone Ridge, spent some years in New York City (Manhattan, then Brooklyn) before moving back to Beacon 15 years ago. In this interview, she talks about her experience growing up in the Hudson Valley, raising kids in Beacon, the literary scene here and the pile-up of thoughts and memories in middle age. And she reads two poems and a passage from her novel. T...2024-11-2747 min
Beaconites!Sam AndersonSam Anderson is a master of the essay form whose work spans a huge range of human experience and culture. As a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, Sam has interviewed and written about Weird Al Yankovic, writer John McPhee, NBA point guard Russell Westbrook, travel guru Rick Steves, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami and the people trying to rescue Michaelangelo’s David from ruin. He has spent time with the last two white rhinos on Earth and visited the bat volcano in Calakmul, Mexico. And he wrote a book, Boom Town, about Oklahoma City which is...2024-11-0952 min
Beaconites!Meet Yvette Valdes Smith, the Democrat trying to flip NY State Senate District 39Yvette Valdes Smith knows firsthand how spiraling housing costs have made Beacon unaffordable to many. Yvette and her husband rented in Beacon for years, but moved to Fishkill when they realized they couldn't afford to buy a home here. “Housing is a huge issue. It’s going to require us not being NIMBY about things. We have to increase housing stock," she tells Beaconites. Raised in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, Yvette went to college in New York, became a public school teacher and started a family before winning a seat on the Dutchess County Legislature, where...2024-10-0445 min
Beaconites!Beacon Occultism! With Amy Wilson, owner of Otherworldly WaxesAre you into the weird, the magickal and the macabre? You’re going to like this week’s interview with Amy Wilson, owner of the Otherworldly Waxes spellmaking shop as well as the Moon, Serpent and Bone “night markets.” Otherworldly Waxes produces customized spells in the form of candles that are inscribed with the intentions of her clients and burn for seven days. Meanwhile her night markets are haunted events — spooky, sexy, a smidge Satanic — full of makers who offer unique and weird items. These happenings are scheduled throughout the Hudson Valley during October and early November. In our interview, A...2024-09-2042 min
Beaconites!America vs. Amerikaland, with author Danny GoodmanDanny Goodman is the author of Amerikaland, a new novel that presents a twisted mirror-image of America and New York City. It centers on two characters, both professional athletes, ensnared by dark forces unleashed by a national white power movement. Danny started writing Amerikaland in 2017, in the wake of Donald Trump's election. In our interview, Danny talks about his upbringing in Danbury CT, his 20 years in NYC and how he and his wife made a snap decision to move to Beacon in the early days of the pandemic. Amerikaland is published by Leftover books. Copies a...2024-08-2841 min
Beaconites!Firefighters of BeaconIn this joint interview, fire chief Tom Lucchesi and veteran firefighter Pat Kelliher talk about fires and firefighting in Beacon. Not so long ago, volunteer firefighting in Beacon was a generational tradition. “When I started, there were 200 volunteers,” says Pat. “Your grandfather was one. Your father was one. You were one.” In those days the city’s three firehouses had as many as 75 volunteers each. By contrast, today’s fire department has 18 career firefighters and just five volunteers. The downward trend in volunteerism is not unique to Beacon. Across New York and the United States more broadly...2024-08-0534 min
Beaconites!How to become who you are, with Taylor Jackson (aka Black Satin Venus)Taylor Jackson’s introduction to astrology and the tarot was casual and fun, but quickly grew into a more dedicated practice. In our interview, she talks about the evolution of Black Satin Venus and how she supports her clients' spirtual, personal growth and mental health journeys. Taylor was raised Baptist, educated at Stanford and worked for a time in marketing before pouring her energy more fully into astrology, reiki and the tarot. Much of her work involves helping people articulate what they want and achieve harmony with their own “blueprint.” “To me, someone making progress on their m...2024-07-1039 min
Beaconites!Transitioning, with Lucy Sante and Hannah BrooksLucy Sante is the author of “Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York,” “The Other Paris,” and many other works. Her latest book, “I Heard Her Call My Name,” is a memoir that examines her life through the lens of gender and details her decision to transition from “Luc” to “Lucy” in her 60s. Hannah Brooks is an organizer of Beacon LitFest and a former surgeon. She had an Orthodox Jewish upbringing in Queens, and as a child and young adult grappled with her mother’s bipolar disorder. She moved to Beacon a few years ago and is an organizer...2024-06-1349 min
Beaconites!The amazing and true adventures of Bob BozicBob Bozic’s life story reads like pulp fiction. After a tough upbringing, Bob ran away at 14 and lived on the streets of Toronto. A gangster bookie took him under his wing and taught him to fight. Bob won bout after bout, eventually becoming the amateur heavyweight boxing champ in Canada and fighting Larry Holmes at Madison Square Garden (Bob didn't fare well). After retiring in his 20s, Bob got mixed up in smuggling and attempted to rob a bank, among other crimes. He eventually married and had a child, earning money as a bouncer and bartender — including 25 years behi...2024-05-2945 min
Beaconites!Shane Killoran, dramaturg and performing arts curatorShane Bly Killoran is the force behind a crazy assortment of film, theater and literary arts programming in Beacon — many under the banner of Hit House Creative. To list a few... She has curated movie screenings, documentary series’ and comedy standup nights at the Beacon Movie Theater. She’s about to kick off a series of play readings at Reserva, in which Hudson Valley playwrights (and other writers) will workshop their plays-in-progress in front of a supportive live audience. She has acted in plays including Red Silk and the Vagina Monologues. And she is a co-curator of Beacon LitFest. ...2024-05-0136 min
Beaconites!Fifty-plus years of music, with the Towne Crier owner Phil CiganerThe Towne Crier, founded by Phil Ciganer in the early 70s, has a long history staging folk acts in the Hudson Valley. As a young man, Phil prowled the folk scene in Greenwich Village, a wellspring of American music during the 60s. He initially based his venue in Beekman and has moved twice, most recently to Beacon 11 years ago. Among the first musicians to play the Towne Crier was Pete Seeger, and this interview contains some great lore about Beacon's favorite late native son. Speaking of which, the Crier will host its annual celebration of Pete's life o...2024-04-1235 min
Beaconites!Adam McKible on his book, ‘Circulating Jim Crow’Adam McKible is an associate professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He grew up in Newburgh and moved to NYC, where he met his wife Julie and started a family before moving back to the area. “We spawned then swam upstream,” he says. Adam’s new book, “Circulating Jim Crow,” examines how The Saturday Evening Post advanced a racist ideology that supressed Black modernity through dialect fiction authored by white writers. In our interview, Adam talks about his research, the major themes of this book, and the freakish popularity of black minstrelsy in the first h...2024-03-2938 min
Beaconites!Ruth Danon, Poet and Literary InstigatorRuth Danon grew up on the grounds of a mental hospital where her mother was a psychiatrist and many neighbors were European immigrants fleeing the devastation of World War 2. She forged a winding literary path, publishing four poetry collections and developing a style of teaching that treats writing as a studio art. She moved to Beacon in 2020 and now teaches privately and curates literary events such as the Spring Street Reading Series at Atlas Studios in Newburh and the Beacon Lit Fest, In this interview Ruth talks about her life and reads a cluster of poems from h...2024-02-2242 min
Beaconites!Should we build vertically or protect the view? With council member Pam WetherbeePam Wetherbee grew up in Newburgh and moved to Beacon in 1986 for an almost unfathomable reason: affordability. In this episode, she talks about changes to Beacon in the 38 years since she moved here and her hopes for the city now. In this episode... Affordability. Pam also shares her perspective on housing affordability, including a recent study that found the city needs more of both lower income and luxury homes, but not necessarily middle-income homes. Can this be believed? Views. And, Pam wants to preserve views of Mount Beacon for as many residents as possible. “Looking at t...2024-02-0626 min
Beaconites!Confronting Beacon's housing crunch, with Ward 1 council member Molly RhodesAs she kicks off her second term, Molly Rhodes comes on the podcast to discuss the major issues facing Beacon and her Ward. Molly grew up in New York City, the child of UK immigrants. Her first exposure to the Hudson Valley came when she was young and her family rented a house in Cornwall. This episode includes a lengthy discussion of the Fishkill Avenue Corridor zoning process, which could have a huge impact on Beacon's future building stock.2024-01-1241 min
Beaconites!Art, archeology, and the 'neolithic package,' with Greg SlickGreg Slick is an artist whose work reflects a fascination with late stone age art. In this interview he shares childhood memories of neolithic ruins and how their “muteness” provided fodder for his creative practice. Greg also shares memories of Beacon’s gallery scene in the years after Dia:Beacon opened and assesses the Hudson Valley art scene today. Greg was the co-owner of a celebrated gallery, Go North (2006-2009), and his wife Karlyn Benson operated her own gallery, Matteawan (2013-2018). Learn more about Greg and his art at his website. 2023-12-0641 min
Beaconites!Zandy Mangold, ultrarunner and coachZandy Mangold is an ultramarathon runner, running coach and high-spirited guy who has completed — and in some cases won — some of the world's toughest endurance races. Zandy shares experiences running the Spartathlon (153 miles), Western States (100 miles), Badwater (135 miles) and the Atacama Crossing (155 miles). In his coaching life, Zandy works with people of all ability levels at any stage of their running journey. On the side, he has a business baking plant-based cookies. Even if you aren’t an endurance athlete, you’re likely to gain something from this episode and be drawn in by Zandy’s worldview. Zand...2023-10-2837 min
Beaconites!Episode 100! With Beacon High School principal Corey DwyerCorey Dwyer has just started his second full school year as principal at Beacon High School. Corey attended BHS himself and has an interesting story to tell about his journey as an educator and administrator. In this interview he talks about many facets of the high school experience - including academics, clubs & extra-curriculars, mental health support, college advisory services and more. Corey has a hearing impairment and has worn hearing aids most of his life, and I think this makes him a great leadership figure in particular for students who may face physical and other challenges as t...2023-10-0439 min
Beaconites!Soon Is Now, with Eve Morgenstern and Gary HilderbrandEve Morgenstern is the founder of the Soon Is Now festival, taking place Saturday September 23 at Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park. Gary Hilderbrand is a renowned landscape architect and founding partner of Reed Hilderbrand, which oversaw the design and construction of the park. In this episode, Gary, who grew up in Wappingers Falls and whose dad worked at the Nabisco box plant, shares memories of Beacon's waterfront from the 1960s and 1970s. And Eve and Gary talk about how artists, landscape architects and others are responding to the environmental violence wrought by climate change. For...2023-09-2041 min
Beaconites!George Mansfield moves on from Dogwood and city councilGeorge talks about his decision to sell Dogwood to Brendan McAlpine nearly 11 years after opening the bar. Going forward, George plans to spend more time making art and focus on his other two ventures: Quinns and Untouchable (a new bar set to open in Newburgh), both in partnership with Tom and Yukie Schmitz. He also discusses his seven terms on city council, his proudest achievements and the work that remains to be done. Dogwood's closing weekend (September 16-17) will feature upwards of 35 bands. Be there!2023-09-0732 min
Beaconites!Twenty years of change, with Beacon beat reporter Jeff SimmsThe Highlands Current recently published a series of features on the profound changes to Beacon, including demographic shifts, surging tax revenues, crime and policing, spiraling housing costs and other aspects of civic life. The package culminated in a conversation between Beacon's four living mayors: Clara Lou Gould (Beacon's Moses), Steve Gold (the recession mayor), Randy Casale (our first ever guest on this podcast) and current mayor Lee Kyriacou. To recap that coverage and share his perspective on all the dizzying changes to our city, we're glad to welcome reporter Jeff Simms back to the podcast. Jeff has at...2023-08-2240 min
Beaconites!A passion for movement, with Calli RothbergCalli Rothberg is the owner of Passion - The Adult Dance Studio on Main Street. Calli grew up in Beacon as part of a big family. When the pandemic hit, she and all her siblings moved home to Beacon, living again in the house where they all grew up (which happens to be the second oldest home in Beacon, after the Madam Brett homestead). This disruption of her life led to a period of soul searching that in turn inspired her to open her studio in early 2022. 2023-07-3138 min
Beaconites!Singer-songwriter Noga CaboNoga Cabo is a talented songwriter and guitarist who grew up in a family of dedicated musicians. She has been writing songs since she was a young child, and still collaborates musically with her brothers Adam and Zohar and her mother Dassi. Her music straddles the line between folk and jazz. Noga released her first single “Catch Me,” in June and will release her debut EP “Lady Sun” in July. Her upcoming performances include an EP release show on Sunday June 30 at the Howland Cultural Center. Learn more about Noga and hear her music at NogaCabo.c...2023-06-2730 min
Beaconites!Building a pollinator highway through Beacon, with One Nature’s Blair PattersonOn the surface, One Nature is a landscape design business and nursery, but that doesn’t fully describe it. Its real work, as you’ll hear in this interview with Blair Patterson, is the engineering of outdoor spaces that build community and biodiversity. Blair started working at One Nature in 2016 as a temporary nursery hand after deciding that her career in metal fabrication was not worth the physical toll. In the years since she joined, One Nature has designed more than 100 gardens in Beacon, helping to create an interlinked network of pollinator friendly zones full of native plant...2023-06-2139 min
Beaconites!Building a climate movement in Beacon, with Thomas Wright and Erin AshokaIn March, Beacon's city council passed an electrification law that will eliminate the use of gas hookups in new construction. Thomas Wright and Erin Ashoka, two founders of Beacon Climate Action Now, discuss how this legislation came to pass and what it will mean for the city. They also share BCAN’s mission and talk about which sustainability issues theroup plans to tackle next. After recording this interview, NY state passed similar legislation taking effect in 2026 so this interview offers a nice overview not only for what the law means for Beaconites but also for residents across the state. ...2023-05-3041 min
Beaconites!George Atkinson, 96-year-old lifelong BeaconiteGeorge Atkinson still lives in the same house on Locust Place where he was born in 1927. In this episode he shares memories and historical anecdotes spanning nine decades, recounting the city’s changes through the Great Depression, World War 2, the economic doldrums of the 70s and 80s, and eventual renaissance. George talks about the factories that employed his father and brothers, two plane crashes on Mt. Beacon that shocked city residents, how it felt to ride the old incline railway and more. And he grapples with the meaning of “progress” as Beacon absorbs new residents and revenues. A must-listen for an...2023-05-0332 min
Beaconites!Chocolatier Håkan Mårtensson (Interviewed by Alana Semuels)Håkan Mårtensson is a Sweden-born confectioner and pastry chef who opened his Beacon storefront Håkan in 2021. At age 15, Håkan (pronounced Ho-kan) enrolled in the Culinary Institute in Kristianstad, Sweden. At 22, he was recruited as a sculptor on the Swedish National Culinary Team. Despite competing against chefs with decades of experience, Håkan brought home gold medals from the World Cup in Luxembourg, and the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt. He moved to Beacon by way of New York City, where he was master chocolatier at FIKA NYC before that company went under. In this interv...2023-04-0435 min
Beaconites!The life of Harry Van Tine, with Diane LapisDiane Lapis, former president and current trustee at the Beacon Historical Society, comes on the podcast to discuss the life of a notable native son of Beacon. In the process she offers a deep-dive on the importance of postcards to the study of Beacon's history. Harry Van Tine grew up in Beacon, the son of Robert Van Tine, who founded and operated the Van Tine stationery store. His early photographs were printed on hundreds of souvenir postcards and sold by the thousands at the family business. Harry worked as a photojournalist for the Hearst Corporation and was s...2023-03-2138 min
Beaconites!Helping queer youth and other people, with Kk NaimoolKk Naimool was born in Trinidad and Tobago and followed a winding path to Beacon. Kk, who uses all pronouns, has worked closely with Newburgh's LGBTQ Center and the Cornwall school district to support gay and trans people. She is also on Beacon's Human Rights Commission and helped found a consulting group called Collective Justice that works with mutual aid pods and other community nonprofits. “Wherever you start is a good place to start,” Kk says in this surprisingly hilarious interview.2023-02-2148 min
Beaconites!Barnaby! With Mimi Sun Longo and Mike RasimasMimi and Mike, two members of rock trio Barnaby!, talk about the band’s formation, how its sound has evolved and what it means to live a life dedicated to music. Sadly missing from this interview is bassist Harrison Cannon, who was out of town on the day we recorded. Follow and listen to Barnaby!: Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp. Live show: Catch Barbaby! at Boughton Place in New Paltz on Saturday, February 11. Tickets. Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who might enjoy it. And subscribe here to receive occasional email newsle...2023-02-0434 min
Beaconites!Beacon in 2023, With Mayor Lee KyriacouIn this "state of the city" episode, Beacon's senior-most elected official offers a preview of key issues that are bubbling up this year. The interview is broadly grouped into four areas: affordability, sustainability, infrastructure and community. Additionally, Lee discusses the house fire at George Washington's head; his interactions with a younger, more progressive city council; proposals to ban or restrict gas hook-ups; a major roads project that will replace Teller Ave and Route 52 all the way to the Fishkill border; prospects for a community center; the ghost bridge at Madam Brett Park and more. And...2023-01-1942 min
Beaconites!Donna Minkowitz, Queer Activist and Multiple MemoiristDonna Minkowitz is a journalist, activist and memoirist who has written extensively about LGBTQ politics and culture. She covered gay issues and AIDS activism for The Village Voice from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. In her book “Ferocious Romance: What My Encounters With the Right Taught Me About Sex, God, and Fury,” she describes how she went undercover as a 16 year old christian evangelical boy to investigate Focus on the Family and other anti-gay groups on the Christian Right and surprisingly found she had a lot in common with them. Donna was a lifelong resident of New York C...2023-01-1041 min
Beaconites!Emily Murnane Channels Eliza HowlandEliza Woolsey Howland was a Civil War nurse, philanthropist and historical writer who was a member of the upper crust in Beacon during the middle of the 19th century. Among other contributions to the city, she co-founded the Howland Library, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year. In honor of that anniversary, historian Emily Murnane comes on the podcast to talk about Eliza’s life and legacy in this community. Emily is a lifelong Beaconite who has worked as a teacher, gardener and historical reenactor, among other things. She portrayed Eliza in a recent presentation at the How...2022-12-0739 min
Beaconites!The Beacon Bonfire Festival, With Jeremy SchonfeldThe Beacon Bonfire music & arts festival is coming up on Friday Nov 4 & Saturday Nov 5. This is a citywide event featuring upwards of 100 performers at venues across the city. This week's episode features Jeremy Schonfeld, one of the festival’s organizers and an accomplished musician and composer. Jeremy grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, the child and grandchild of holocaust survivors, and made his way to NYC as a young man before moving to Beacon with his family. To learn more and buy your pass, visit BeaconBonfire.com and follow the festival on Instagram. The handle is...2022-10-2636 min
Beaconites!Documentary Filmmaker Anne AlvergueAnne Alvergue’s film The Martha Mitchell Effect, now streaming on Netflix, a funny and fascinating documentary centered on the wife of Nixon attorney general John Mitchell. In this episode Anne describes how she got into non-fiction TV and film and how Nixon-era politics connects to our current discourse. Plus: Craig House anecdotes, Beacon's filmmaking community.2022-10-1336 min
Beaconites!Julie Shiroishi Wants More Than Your VoteJulie Shiroishi is running to represent New York’s newly created 39th Senate District. Dismayed by the 2016 election outcome, Julie began attending meetings of the Beacon Democrats and quickly rose through the ranks in Dutchess County progressive politics, volunteering her time to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot. In this episode she tells her story and makes an appeal for more community involvement in the electoral process.2022-09-0332 min
Beaconites!Mountain Running, With Greg BuzulenciaGreg Buzulencia is a backcountry skier and trail runner who has explored wild places around the world. He’s also a startup founder who runs a travel company called ViaHero. In this episode, Greg tells the story of an alpine skiing expedition outside Tehran and offers advice for those curious about the trail running experience in the Hudson Highlands. 2022-08-1832 min
Beaconites!Interdisciplinary Artist Steve RossiSteve Rossi is an interdisciplinary artist and the sculpture program head at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Among other topics, we talk about Steve’s time at the Tallix art foundry in Beacon, a fine art metal fabrication business that was one of this city’s last connections to its industrial past before it merged with Polich Art Works and moved away in 2006. Steve established the scuplture program at St. Joseph's with the goal of building hooks into other departments. And Steve has brought digital fabrication technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital rendering into th...2022-07-2336 min
Beaconites!Talking Trash (And Composting) With Amber GrantAmber Grant is a two-term former city council person and an advocate for local sustainability initiatives. We talk about Beacon's trash and waste streams, and we learn more about a new citywide composting pilot program that's giving Beaconites access to subsidized compost bins and new dropoff sites that will accept things you probably don’t want to throw in your backyard - including bones, dairy and meat.2022-06-3032 min
Beaconites!Zakiyah Maynard Is Looking For A HomeZakiyah Maynard moved to Beacon in 2014 and lived here until last summer when she was forced to move and wound up living in a shelter. Nine months later, she's still in search of permanent housing. Special guest interviewer Kara Dean-Assael talks with Zakiyah about her often frustrating journey, including minimally useful Section 8 vouchers, social workers who sometimes have little to offer and harrowing stays at a series of temporary residences. 2022-06-0236 min
Beaconites!Understanding Beacon’s Good Cause Eviction Law, With Councilman Dan Aymar-BlairIn March, Beacon’s city council passed “good cause eviction” legislation, written to protect renters in an increasingly vicious housing market. Councilman Dan Aymar Blair, who authored the law, joins us this week to talk about what it does and doesn’t do and what may come next in the high stakes battle over housing affordability in this city. 2022-05-0342 min
Beaconites!Into The Woods, With Beacon Players Officers Jonah And ShepThe Beacon Players are about to stage their spring show, Into The Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Cast members Jonah Mensch and Shep Rodgers talk about what went into the production. 2022-04-1518 min
Beaconites!Asher Pacht, Program Director at the Beacon Institute Test your knowledge of our river's (ahem estuary's) natural and human history, and learn about upcoming community outreach programs at Clarkson University's campus at Dennings Point. 2022-04-0936 min
Beaconites!Melissa McGill's Sweeping Public Art Projects Melissa McGill is an artist who creates large and collaborative site-specific artworks. Her Constellation project created a new LED constellation in the airspace over Bannerman’s Island from 2015-2017. And her Red Regatta project staged four regattas in the waters of Venice, featuring 52 boats with red-painted sails.2022-03-2139 min
Beaconites!New Beaconites Jaime Levitt Corry And Benjamin LieberThe pandemic washed a wave of refugees up the Hudson River. We hear from two people who moved to Beacon during Covid times. 2022-03-0120 min
Beaconites!Laura Leigh & Sam AbbyLaura Leigh and Sam Abby are co-owners of The Studio @ Beacon, a spinning and boxing fitness studio on Main St. They describe how they met and married after pledging the same sorority, and why they decided to start a gym in Beacon.2022-02-1128 min
" The KiddZack Podcast"AARON RODGERS LOSES AGAIN!!!Wassup guys in today's episode we discuss aaron rodgers losing, the grizzlies looking a championship team, and my georgia bulldogs winningthe national championship. All this and more on the kiddzack podcast #BEBLESSED2022-01-2853 min
Beaconites!Vicki VergolinaVicki is a radio professional who co-founded a Beacon-focused internet radio station called The Ground, which aired from 2015 to 2020. She talks about that experience as well as her years making radio for WBAI, Air America and SiriusXM.2022-01-2832 min
Beaconites!What Is The Foundation For Beacon Schools? With Anna SullivanA new nonprofit that was founded during the dark days of the pandemic will direct funds toward innovative curriculum in the school district. 2022-01-1229 min
Beaconites!Air Nonken RhodesAir Nonken Rhodes is wrapping up their time as Beacon’s city council person representing Ward 2. Ahead of a planned move to Maine, Air discusses the council’s role in Beacon’s affairs and key challenges facing the city in 2022. 2021-12-1638 min
Beaconites!A Centuries-Old Tanning Tradition, With Pergamena Owner Jesse MeyerJesse Meyer traces his family's history of leather tanning back to Renaissance Europe. He worked in his father's tannery as a teenager before heading off to study fine art at SUNY New Paltz. He later returned to run the business, introducing new ideas and processes including a method of parchment making from animal skins that dates back thousands of years.2021-11-1941 min
Beaconites!Compass Arts Founder Gina SamardgeGina Samardge is a performer, music educator and the founder of Compass Arts, a nonprofit music and arts school. As you'll hear in this interview, Gina radiates positivity and total dedication to Compass's mission of collaborative learning. 2021-11-0447 min
Beaconites!Feeding Beacon’s Students, With BCSD Food Services Director Karen PaganoThe school district serves 2,000 meals a day across its six cafeterias. But this fall, supply chain bottlenecks are plaguing the big food suppliers it has traditionally relied on. Food services director Karen Pagano has responded by building stronger connections to local food growers. 2021-10-2231 min
Beaconites!Imam Abdullah Wajid Of Beacon's Islamic Teaching CenterImam Abdullah talks about his path to Islam, the Muslim community in Beacon and the evolving place of Islam in American culture. 2021-10-1432 min
Beaconites!Rachel Saunders, Candidate For Dutchess County Family CourtWe're back! Beaconites returns to regular episodes with this interview with Rachel Saunders, who is running for Dutchess County Family Court Judge. Rachel describes how her local upbringing and legal career have prepared her for the often wrenching cases that come before our county's family court system.2021-10-0640 min
Beaconites!Obsidian Soundsystem, With Jonny Taylor And J Brooks MarcusJonny Taylor and J Brooks Marcus compose and record music together under the name Obsidian Soundsystem. Among their music creations is the Beaconites podcast theme - a tune called Heliographs. On August 6, they are releasing Heliographs along with a bunch of other new music.2021-08-0547 min
Beaconites!Nerds With KnivesMatt and Emily Clifton are home cooks and life partners who publish original recipes, give food advice and write cookbooks – including a new one on dutch oven cooking. A funny episode about life, work and scotch eggs. 2021-07-2247 min
Beaconites!Singer, Songwriter & Fiddler Sara MilonovichSara MIlonovich had her professional debut at the age of 12. Along with her band Daisycutter, she's just released her seventh album, "Northeast." The songs are sad, yet instrumentally textured and uptempo “That’s the bluegrass formula. You play horrifically sad stuff, but if you do it really fast nobody notices.” 2021-07-0841 min
Beaconites!Singing In Church Choirs And Pete Seeger's Folk Group, With Sharlene StoutA gifted singer in church choirs, Sharlene Stout was recognized by Pete Seeger who recruited her to join his folk group. She toured with him for more than six years, from the age of 14 into her 20s. Later she formed the Southern Dutchess Coalition mass choir, an interfaith vocal group drawing from churches across the city. Sharlene shares memories of Beacon from the 1960s to the present. 2021-06-2947 min
Beaconites!Judge For YourselfThis week on Beaconites, we hear from the two candidates running for Beacon city court judge in the upcoming primary: Tim Pagones, the three-term judge and lifelong Beaconite, and Greg Johnston, a public defender with 17 years’ experience who has been endorsed by the Beacon Democrats. The primary takes place on Tuesday June 22. Vote!2021-06-1543 min
Beaconites!The Pure Joy Of Movies, With Story Screen Founder Mike BurdgeBeacon's independent movie theater opened in 2019, but it's not only a theater. Mike and team have built a full-on community around the appreciation of movies. He talks about how the project took off and what his team has done to keep the business alive during Covid. 2021-06-0458 min
Beaconites!"Lingualisualist" Poet Edwin TorresEdwin Torres is an accomplished poet who has published more than 15 poetry volumes. During the 1990s he was a member of the The Nuyorican Poets Café, a creative meeting place and cultural institution for the vibrant community of Puerto Rican artists living in New York City. This episode alternates between interview and readings. 2021-05-2447 min
Beaconites!Reforming The BPD, With Pastor John PerezPastor Perez is a co-chair of Beacon’s police reform committee. He talks about the work being done to transform how the force operates. His committee has recommended replacing some traditional enforcement tactics with alternatives like community outreach, mental health intervention and restorative justice. 2021-05-1440 min
Alright Shut UpNFL Post Draft News Update! Rodgers! Bortles! and of course Tebow!Special guest Chicago Bears fan Luke and QB analyst Billy give Korey, Alex, and Zack their predictions for the upcoming NFL season! Where will Rodgers end up? Do the Eagles Suck ? (Yes) What's the latest Tebow news?2021-05-1333 min
Beaconites!Home Cooking, With Jennifer ClairJennifer Clair is Beacon's foremost expert on food and cooking and the founder of Home Cooking New York, a culinary school founded in New York City. She is the author of a cookbook and has held many jobs in food-related media. In this episode: shopping for food in Beacon, why Jen would never open a restaurant, and how home cooks can overcome burnout. 2021-05-0739 min
The Pile On: An NFC North PodcastEp. 56 - Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay and NFL Draft ReviewThe Pile On boys regroup after the draft to talk about how their teams did over the weekend BUT FIRST have a spirited discussion about Aaron Rodgers going nuclear about his desire to leave the Green Bay Packers (1:50). Afterward, Big Z turns their eye toward the draft and Detroit's culture-establishing class (20:00). Then, Barney gets absolutely fired up and praises (!) Ryan Pace for being aggressive in getting QB Justin Fields and OT Tevin Jenkins (28:00). Remy goes next and digs into another deep draft class for the Vikings and how the young core can help them rebound next season (46:10). Finally, Kinger...2021-05-061h 08
Beaconites!The Beacon Farmers Market Goes Big, With Sember WeinmanSember Weinman is the executive director of Common Ground Farm, which oversees the Beacon farmer’s market. The market is moving to a much bigger location at the DMV parking lot, capable of supporting far more vendors. She talks about the change and the coming season at common ground farm. 2021-05-0327 min
Beaconites!Reopening, With George MansfieldDogwood owner and city councilman George Mansfield was the last guest we had in studio before Covid shut everything down. He’s reopening the bar this week and comes back on the podcast to talk about it. He also dishes on city business and what the summer might look like in Beacon.2021-04-2238 min
Beaconites!Horticulturist Richie CaboAfter being shot, Richie left his career as a corrections officer to become a gardener. He worked his way up in the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation to become director of the Citywide Nursery. While there he cared for the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear that was crushed (but not killed) in the 9/11 terror attacks. In Beacon, he founded the Sargent-Downing Garden. 2021-04-1639 min
Beaconites!Tina Brown, Mother To 100Since she was 18, Tina Brown has foster parented children and teens. Over the years she has cared for more than 100 kids including her two biological children. 2021-04-1019 min
Beaconites!Episode 50: Understanding DanskammerIn this special 50th episode of Beaconites, we examine the proposal to build a new gas-burning power plant across the river at the 70-year-old Danskammer facility. Guests include Bill Reid, CEO of Danskammer Energy; Hayley Carlock, director of environmental advocacy and legal affairs at Scenic Hudson; and Emily Ellison and Harvey Weiss, two residents of the hamlet of Chelsea. 2021-03-2558 min
Beaconites!Meeting The Moment, With Paloma WakePaloma Wake is running for an at-large seat on the City Council and has been endorsed by the Beacon Democrats and Working Families party. In this episode she talks about her work with Beacon4BlackLives, Mutual Aid Beacon, Beacon’s Human Relations Commission and other organizations, and she shares her ideas for meeting the basic needs of people living in Beacon. Contact Paloma at hello@paloma4beacon.com 2021-03-1947 min
Beaconites!New Police Chief Sands Frost And City Administrator Chris WhiteChief Frost, a 37-year veteran of the Beacon Police Department, talks about policing reforms, the role of race in policing and his enforcement priorities. New city administrator Chris White discusses business currently before the city and his plans for 2021 and beyond.2021-02-2640 min
Beaconites!Scenic Hudson President Ned SullivanScenic Hudson has protected huge swaths of land in and around Beacon, including Mount Beacon, Fishkill Ridge, Madam Brett Park and of course Long Dock Park. In this episode, Sullivan describes the legendary environmental group’s mission, its operating model and its priorities for 2021 and beyond. 2021-02-1939 min
Beaconites!Homespun Foods Owner Joe RobitaileJoe Robitaile bought Homespun from previous owner Jess Reisman in late fall 2019, a few months before the pandemic struck and overthrew his plan for the business.2021-01-2929 minThe Pile On: An NFC North PodcastEp. 48 - Packers lose the NFC Championship, Aaron Rodgers' Future, Matt Stafford on Trade BlockThe Pile On boys reunite to talk about the end of the NFC North's 2020 season with the Packers loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship. Kinger and the crew break down what went wrong for the Pack and how missed turnover opportunities helped end their season (1:45). Then, they address some postgame comments made by Aaron Rodgers that cast some doubt on his future in a Packer uniform (20:15). Finally, the guys address new reports saying that Matt Stafford's time in Detroit is coming to an end and what the Lions could get for him in the trade market (28:30).
2021-01-2541 min
Beaconites!Pete Seeger And The Hudson RiverOur guest Steve Schwartz is a longtime captain of the sloop Woody Guthrie. He talks about Pete Seeger's vision to bring people closer to the Hudson River as expressed through three projects: the sloop Clearwater, the smaller Woody Guthrie and River Pool. 2021-01-2249 min
Beaconites!Luthier And Musician John VergaraJohn Vergara is the owner of Lord of the Strings, a musical instrument building and repair shop that he founded in 2013. John works with a wide range of stringed instruments, including the Arabic oud, the Puerto rican cuatro, classical style guitar and violin. As part of this interview he performs tunes on the Oud and guitar.2021-01-1236 min
Beaconites!Beacon’s Housing Market, With Real Estate Agent Claire BrowneClaire talks about the waves of home buyers moving to Beacon in recent years, the current rental shortage and what's changing in 2020. 2020-12-1828 minThe Pile On: An NFC North PodcastEp. 37 - Rodgers For MVP, Bears/Vikings Preview, Best BetsThe Pile On boys gather on eve of Week 15 to discuss all of the happenings in the division. They kick off things with discussing the Packers' Saturday night tilt against the Panthers, and dive into Aaron Rodgers MVP candidacy (2:10). Then, Big Z talks about the Lions chances vs Derrick Henry and the Titans along with some updates to Detroit's GM search (14:00). Barney and Remy wrap up the game previews to discuss the pivotal Bears/Vikings rematch on Sunday afternoon (24:00). Lastly, the boys give out their best bets for Week 15 and give out all the encouragement Kinger needs to turn...2020-12-1750 min
Beaconites!Acting Local, With Guy FelixbrodtGuy has dedicated himself to making the world a better place. He volunteers on local issues ranging from environmental cleanup to animal rescue to education. He talks about the method to his madness. 2020-12-0238 min
Beaconites!Marika Blossfeldt, Nutritionist And Natural Foods ChefMarika Blossfeldt has written two books on nutrition that are also books about living well. Her latest, “Cooking with Marika: Clean Cuisine from an Estonian Farm” provides a framework for eating wisely and maintaining gut health. 2020-11-1934 min
Beaconites!The Beacon Players, With Anthony ScarroneBeacon's high school theater productions are amazingly good. Program director Anthony Scarrone talks about the close community of cast, crew and families that have put on shows ranging from Peter Pan to A Chorus Line. And he describes staging Godspell against all odds in the middle of a pandemic. “It’s just a beautiful show that embraces love. And it also made a statement that even in the worst of times, if you seek a way to do something, nothing is impossible.” 2020-11-1238 min
Beaconites!Art And Covid, With Former Whitney Museum Director David RossDavid Ross was the director of SF MOMA, The Whitney Museum of American Art and other museums. In this episode he talks about Covid’s impact on the art world, Beacon's evolving character and other topics. “I am less concerned about the art market than I am about art schools. Art schools are in real trouble right now." 2020-11-0346 min
Beaconites!Hudson Valley Brewery Founder John-Anthony GargiuloJohn-Anthony left LA and a career in film to return to his native Hudson Valley and start up a brewing operation that has developed a passionate following. 2020-10-2340 min
Beaconites!NY Senate Candidate Karen SmytheKaren Smythe is running for New York Senate in the 41st district, challenging Sue Serino who has held the seat since 2014. She talks about health care, the economy, climate change, Black Lives Matter and other issues.2020-10-0851 min
Beaconites!Beacon’s Hat-Making History, With Denise VanBurenVanBuren is a five-term president of the Beacon Historical Society and current president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has written two books on Beacon’s history and is working on a third, a collection of writings by beloved local historian Bob Murphy, who passed away recently. She talks about Bob's legacy, the dozens of "hat shops" that operated here and the incline railway. 2020-10-0228 min
Beaconites!Beacon Is A Prison TownThis week, Beacon Prison Action founder Laurie Dick talks about the lives of incarcerated people at Fishkill Correctional and Green Haven Correctional. She is joined by Priscilla (last name withheld), who comes up regularly to visit her husband at Green Haven. Beacon Prison Action has resumed its program offering free transportation to the families of inmates. 2020-09-1931 min
Beaconites!Storytelling, With Drew Prochaska and John BlessoThe Artichoke storytelling series is preparing for the return of live shows. Organizers Drew Prochaska and John Blesso describe their addiction to storytelling, their desperate efforts to keep performing during the pandemic and what comes next.2020-09-1030 min
Beaconites!How Green Teen Brings Young People Into The Local Food SystemBeacon's Green Teen program provides young people with hands-on experiences in farming and gardening, health and nutrition, and entrepreneurship. Our guests this week are Helanna Bratman, who organizes and runs Green Teen, and crew leader Jeremiah Long, who is in the 10th grade at Beacon High School. 2020-09-0427 min
Beaconites!Childbirth During Covid, With Doulas Alyia Cutler and Meghan ConwayAlyia and Meghan are the founders of Wyld Womyn Birth & Postpartum, a collective of doulas operating out of Beacon. They talk about expecting parents' changing mindsets during the pandemic and break down some common misconceptions about doulas. 2020-08-2728 min
Beaconites!Kalene Rivers And Dan WeiseKalene and Dan have spawned many art happenings in Beacon, including the Electric Windows street art project, the “Welcome to Beacon” sign, Club Draw and the (late, great) Open Space gallery. During Covid19 they are working on a project called WearTogether which pairs artists with local businesses to create t-shirt designs. They talk about life, family and making stuff.2020-07-2742 min
Beaconites!Schooling This Fall, With Randolph School Director Josh KaplanJosh is the director of The Randolph School, a pre-K to 5th grade school on Route 9D in Wappingers Falls. The school has a strong focus on outdoor education and nature experience, and it has commissioned lean-to structures to facilitate safe learning in the coming school year. 2020-07-2029 min
Beaconites!Coworking, With Beahive Founder Scott Tillitt“From the beginning I’ve called WeWork the Starbucks of coworking, and I’m like the Big Mouth or Bank Square of coworking. There’s always going to be the corporatized coworking spaces, just as there’s always Starbucks, and there’s always going to be the local Independent. “2020-07-1038 min
Beaconites!Rabbi Brent Spodek of Beacon Hebrew AllianceBeacon Hebrew Alliance is a Jewish synagogue and community that dates back to the 1920s. Rabbi Brent has brought new energy, creativity and congregants since he joined the BHA family 10 years ago. 2020-07-0140 min
Beaconites!Reopening, With Barber Lucky LongoAs a girl Lucky Longo wanted short hair, but she was rebuffed by a men’s barbershop. This inspired her to provide a more inclusive and non-gendered approach to cutting hair. Like all barbers and stylists, Lucky has been shut down since March, but now she’s scheduling appointments again with phase 2 and phase 3 reopening. 2020-06-2430 min
Beaconites!Beacon 4 Black Lives, With Ciarda Hall and Justice McCrayCiarda Hall and Justice McCray are two of the youth leaders of the Beacon 4 Black Lives team that has organized a series of marches for racial justice. Their next rally takes place this Friday June 19th – Juneteenth – at 6:30pm.2020-06-1738 min
Beaconites!Working By Hand, With Writer And Maker Melanie FalickMelanie is a writer and editor of books about ceramics, woodworking, knitting, metal smithing and other kinds of "handwork." She talks about the importance of making things in a post-industrial society and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2020-06-1034 min
Run’n Gun PodcastEpisode 4: GO PACK GO!! Aaron Rodgers and the REAL truth!This episode myself and the DRAFTGURU discuss Packers football and cover many things such as the Packers draft and Packers moments. We even discuss Aaron Rodgers and how the media views him. Listen to the podcast and follow the DRAFTGURU on Instagram.2020-06-0939 min