HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Glorious Gala Apple Picking: Cedar Heights Orchard in Rhinebeck, NY

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 It was the perfect day for apple picking in the Hudson Valley!  I usually go to New Paltz for apple and pumpkin picking, but I didn't feel like driving on the NY Thruway today so I decided to experiment with a different place in Rhinebeck. I'm glad I did!  Cedar Heights is about 3 miles from Rhinebeck village so it is easy to get to. (At the intersection of Route 9G & US 9) just look for the Apple sign and "Wey Road" and follow the signs. 

We had the Gala section of the orchard to ourselves when we arrived. Another section of the Cedar Heights has pumpkins and other apple varieties, but I'm a Gala girl!  The small bags were $5, large bags are $10. You can fit about 10 pounds of apples in a small bag here because these bags are large for small bags!  Bring your camera...these trees are picture perfect. For more info on Cedar Heights Orchard visit http://www.rhinebeckapples.com. They are open 9am-dusk 7 days a week now. Cedar Heights Orchard, 7 Crosby Lane, Rhinebeck, NY. 12572. (845) 876-3231

Saturday Night Dance: Wine, Cheese & Tango @ Space 360--Hudson, NY.

Thought this would be of interest to Hudson Valley Good Stuff readers (and dancers!)  Space 360 is a meeting space for meetings, gourmet affairs, weddings, and special events in Hudson. This Saturday night, September 20th they are hosting a Wine, Cheese, and Tango party. From 4-5pm, Casey Biggs will be offering Tango instruction for $10. (You don't need special gear or even a cooperative date to join in the dancing lesson. Singles are welcome! ) From 5-7pm a selection of Spanish wines provided by East Chatham Wine & Spirits and tapas created by Chef and culinary expert, Gustav Ericson. ($50 per person). Composer/pianist Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius and her group "Heard" together will be performing live at the event as well.  For more info on this event, visit Space 360. (http://www.360warren.com) or call (518) 697-3360.

Sweet Sue's in Phoenicia: Home of the gigantic Pancake Sundae

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I've been meaning to blog about Sweet Sue's in Phoenicia which serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch for a while now.  The exterior looks a bit shabby, but inside it's bright, clean, and cozy.  It's also very kid and baby friendly. (They sometimes have diapers in the bathroom!). I really had a craving for pancakes the day we ate here so I ordered the Pancake Sundae, which is a stack of oversized thick pancakes with peaches, strawberries, blueberries,  low-fat vanilla yogurt and raspberry drizzle. It was very yummy. If you have kids dining with you, I'd recommend splitting this with them. It is really too much for one person to eat.

They have over 20 different kinds of pancakes to choose from if you want to try a healthier version, such as Fruited Oatmeal Pancakes. They also offer a lot of vegetarian dishes and eclectic twists on comfort food (Tofu Ruben!).The coffee and homemade cappuccino muffins were also very fresh. The service is very laid back and friendly--hence the occasional wait on weekends!  In any case, I think it's worth it. Sweet Sue's, Main St, Phoenicia.

Hudson Valley Traffic Jam: Sunflowers & Clouds

Leaving the Taste of New Paltz food festival today, I found myself in a rare Hudson Valley traffic jam.   One more reason I love living up here.  Looking forward to returning to New Paltz for a day of apple picking later in the month.

"Taste of New Paltz" today!

I went to this food festival a couple years ago. I really enjoyed it!  If you're hungry, do check it out. It's taking place today. It takes place from 11 am- 5pm on the Ulster County Fairgrounds. For more info, go to http://www.newpaltzchamber.org. Here is a video about the festival produced by http://www.VisitVortex.com. The site has hundreds of videos of  Hudson Valley events, businesses, artists, and you will "be drawn in" like their motto says if you visit the site! Enjoy your Sunday! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh3SZIjlgQI]

New Yoga Studio alert: Euphoria Yoga in Woodstock, NY

I turned on the news this morning right at 8:47 am when Mayor Bloomberg was asking for a moment of silence to remember the victims of 9/11 the moment the first plane hit.  The past 2 years I have spent most of this day watching the memorials on television and remembering the fallen. (I was living in the city with my new husband and 8 months pregnant.  I had a 2-week temp assignment with Aon Financial on the 101st floor of the WTC that had ended in late August 2001.  So many people have these "close call" stories of that day).  I always think about the employees of Aon on this day.  I didn't work there long enough to make any friendships or really get to know people at all, but it saddens me think that many of them perished.  (The essay I wrote about temping there is still at MrBellersNeighborhood.com, http://www.mrbellersneighborhood.com/story.php?storyid=634. Today I wanted to do something active, and didn't feel like spending the morning alone. I thought it would be the right day to try out the new yoga studio in Woodstock called Euphoria Yoga.  I know Corinne Gervai, the founder, and Laura Weiss already as I practiced with them at Bliss Yoga in Woodstock. (Woodstock is becoming the yoga capital of the Catskills!).  I was so glad I went to yoga because the other 7 yogis also had similar motivations that I did today. Laura Weiss announced that this class was going to be different and special to commerate the day. I always learn so much in her class. I almost wish I could take a tape recorder with me because it is hard to retain information and affirmations when I'm trying my hardest to maintain the poses, or in today's case flowing through 64 namascars. It was an intense class that went overtime, but I really feel so much better now.  If you want to check out the new studio, visit their website, http://www.euphoriayoga.org.

Laura read a poem today in class by poet Judyth Hill, written in the wake of the attacks called "Wage Peace"--I had never heard it. WAGE PEACE Wage peace with your breath. Breathe in firemen and rubble, Breathe out whole buildings and flocks of redwing blackbirds. Breathe in terrorists and breathe out sleeping children and freshly mown fields. Breathe in confusion and breathe out maple trees. Breathe in the fallen and breathe out lifelong friendships intact. Wage peace with your listening: hearing sirens, pray loud. Remember  your tools: flower seeds, clothes pins, clean rivers. Make soup. Play music, learn the word for thank you in three languages. Learn to knit, and make a hat. Think of chaos as dancing raspberries, imagine grief as the outbreath of beauty or the gesture of fish. Swim for the other side. Wage peace. Never has the world seemd so fresh and precious. Have a cup of tea and rejoice. Act as if armistice has already arrived Don’t wait another minute. -   Judyth Hill

Birthday Dinner: Mohonk Mountain House--New Paltz, NY

Since my husband made me promise him I wouldn't throw a big surprise party or plan anything too crazy for his 50th birthday, I decided to make a reservation for dinner for 4 at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. I under-estimated how long it takes to get there from the Kingston area. There is a long and winding uphill road that you must drive up to reach it, which took at least 10 minutes to climb. But once you get there, the Victorian castle is really magical.  (There is also an indoor pool and spa resort here that I would love to try one day).  We had gift certificates that we won, but the cost of a 4-course dinner for adults is $67, and for children 12 and under it is $34.  The dinner includes 2 appetizers, a main course, and a choice of desserts.  (Tax and tip is included in the meal price).

We both started with the Hudson Valley cheese plate, which was a thick slice of Camembert-style cheese on a cracker.  I had the artichoke fritter, which was also bite-size, but delicious.  My Tasmanian Salmon with onions melted in my mouth, and was cooked to perfection. My husband's Cowboy Steak was "hungry man size" and he had no complaints! The children had their usual grilled cheese and chicken strips, and ice cream for dessert.  I noticed that mainly couples had choice tables with the amazing views, but you can really see the glorious panorama from wherever you're sitting..though if you really want a romantic dinner, request a table by the window in advance.  The dining room also bakes cakes for special occasions. (They even will create a cake for 2-4 people). I chose the 4-10 serving cake, which ended up looking bigger than I expected. The service was very fast, which is always a huge help when you are dining with children. The staff pulled off the surprise cake with effortless finesse!  For more information on the Mohonk Mountain House, visit http://www.mohonk.com.  They also have a Sunday buffet brunch.  Check their programs. There are a zillion activities to choose from, and they are offering special weeknight packages.

"Taking Woodstock" now playing in Woodstock's Tinker Street Cinema

 I don't go to the movies that often any more, but I had no excuse not to see "Taking Woodstock" in Woodstock this week. (It's bad enough I missed seeing the fire works for the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock). I figured seeing this film would make up for that.  I had low expectations from seeing the trailer. I think in this case the trailer doesn't do the movie much justice. I thought it was going to be non-stop raucus corny pot jokes, but instead I found it to be very well-scripted, and the hippie performances were acted just right. "Taking Woodstock" isn't really about the music, it is more about the dream,  the coming of age of the main character, the lovable Elliot.   If you're in Woodstock this week, I'd definitely go see it. The movie will be all that more amusing if you see it in Woodstock! To learn more about "Taking Woodstock" visit http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/taking_woodstock/

Hudson Valley Fall Weekend idea: Adirondack Mountain Club' s Fall Outing

"Hike, Canoe, Bike with the Adirondack Mountain Club"

Back in 1996 when I lived in Queens and my husband (then boyfriend) lived in Manhattan, I discovered the Adirondack Mountain Club. Our first weekend getaway together was a Spring trip to the Adirondack Mountain Club camp site.  I will try dig out a photo of that trip to post here. In the meantime, here is information on an upcoming Fall Outing the club is hosting in a few weeks. Register now so you don't miss out! Deadline to register is September 4th. Here's the info from the Adirondack Mountain Club: In September 1609, Henry Hudson and the crew of the Half Moon explored the magnificent Hudson River. Now, 400 years later, you can make your own voyage of discovery during the Adirondack Mountain Club’s “Fall Outing 2009: Discover the Lower Hudson Valley.”  Fall Outing, Sept. 25-27, features a full schedule of hikes, canoe and kayak trips, bike rides and other events highlighting the scenic beauty of Harriman State Park, Sterling Forest and other natural areas. The 32 events even include a hike in New York’s Central Park.  Preregistration is required and the registration deadline is Sept. 4. The registration fee for the weekend is $25 per person. There is an additional $35 fee for the Saturday buffet banquet. The event is open to Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) members and nonmembers.  Fall Outing headquarters will be the Holiday Inn, 3 Executive Blvd., Suffern (Thruway Exit 14 B). The hotel is holding a block of rooms for Fall Outing participants until Sept. 1.  For general information about Fall Outing, contact Noel Schulz, at (201) 445-6445 or noelschulz@verizon.net. To register, contact Janet Sibarium, at (212) 254-0738 or janet@adkny.org. More information is available at www.adktravel.org/fallouting.htm. The Adirondack Mountain Club  (ADK), founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation. ADK has 25 chapters in New York and New Jersey and about 30,000 members.