The High Falls Fair Day sounds like a ton of Hudson Valley family fun! Here is the information:
Sat, July 10, 11am-4pm: 6th Annual High Falls Fair Day. An day of old-fashioned fun to celebrate the best of the Ulster County hamlet of High Falls. Among the events: a costume parade; local food; many games for kids; arts and crafts; live music; crafts from local artisans; historic walk along the D&H Canal lock system. Sponsored by the High Falls Civic Association. (845) 399-9300 or www.highfallscivic.org/
If you're in the Hudson Valley this weekend, come check out the City of Kingston on the Historic Roundout on Sunday, June 27th. The festivities start at 4pm with live music and local restaurant vendors. The fireworks start at 9:30 pm. One of my favorite Hudson Valley radio stations, Kingston's Classic Hits station 92.9 WBPM will be there to cover all the action. For more info see the City of Kingston Fireworks flyer here.
For Father's Day night, we dined at the Steel Houseby the Kingston Roundout. It was great to see the area buzzing with business. The Steel House is slowly becoming one of my favorite places for "family date night" because the kids meals are extra yummy and if you get the right table on the outdoor deck, your kids can feed the fish while you eat. And, the margaritas are quite strong if you ask me. Maybe I'm just not used to them anymore. I had the salmon burger special, and my husband celebrated with a fillet mignon (photo above). Anyway, there are other nice restaurants in the Roundout. I blogged about Savona's delicious Italian cuisine here last November. I haven't eaten at Ship to Shore or Mariner's yet. What is your favorite restaurant on the Roundout?
Finally made it to a Hudson Valley Renegades game tonight to see the home team play the Staten Island Yankees. There was a mad rush of women and children fleeing the bleachers at the first sign of lightning and thunder in the 2nd inning. (Well, I think it was the 2nd inning). Then there was a rain delay. After an hour, we called it quits and headed back to the car. It was still a fun Summer night activity. The package we bought included a hot dog, soda, and a baseball cap, The game ended up being postponed so we will get to go to a freebie one and a double-header in the future. The rain was so bad coming home that we decided to stop off in New Paltz for a snack at the new Genesis Diner. I only ordered the scrambled eggs and soup, but it was pretty good. I'm looking forward to returning to Dutchess Stadium on a sunny day so I can relax and not worry about the powdered fried dough getting soggy in the rain. To check out Hudson Valley Renegades schedule go to the Hudson Valley Renegades website.
Singer Robbie Dupree, who wrote the grammy-nominated hit "Steal Away" in 1980, was our first neighbor when my husband and I were weekend renters 8 years ago. Our landlord described him to us as a "Woodstock treasure." Robbie Dupree welcomed us to the neighborhood and was one of the first of many very cool people we would meet here in the Hudson Valley. Last month he appeared on Jimmy Fallon's show to perform his hit "Steal Away" and his new song from his new album "Time & Tide" called Lucky.
I caught up with him last week and interviewed him for Hudson Valley Good Stuff.
HVGS: How did the Jimmy Fallon gig come up? He’s a Saugerties native. Had you met him before?
Robbie Dupree: Last November, I started receiving letters from fans asking me “have you seen Rolling Stone magazine?” There was an interview with Jimmy and guys from The Roots, and he was saying how cool it is to have mash-ups with different groups who play with the Roots, and they asked him “Who is an artist that you’d like to have, but you haven’t had on the show?” and he mentioned me as the artist. It was very flattering and very nice. I don’t know him or anything. I didn’t ever think I’d get mentioned in that way. Then I was put in touch with my film agent Susan Millary who told me that she had a friend named Tracy Miller who is a publicist who booked the show, but it was initiated by Jimmy.
HVGS: You had never crossed paths before?
We had never crossed paths before. I’m sure he was probably a child when “Steal Away”came out, but yet he was a big fan of it, he really loves the songs. He loves the late 70s and early 80s music that they call Yacht Rock, which is fun. It’s the whole interpretation of the way everyone was back then--open shirt, the Don Johnson Miami Vice look that we all had. So he’s a big fan of the whole thing. He’s had Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald on. It’s an annual thing called the Yacht Rock. He was very sweet with me. He wound up asking me if he could sing in the background vocal section, and stood between my two female vocalists and knew all the lines.It was kind of like a reverence for this sort of music.
HVGS: Where did you record the new album"Time and Tide"?
RD: I have a small home writing studio. What I do is I work on the albums on the tracking at the clubhouse which is a studio in Rhinebeck, and I do my vocals separately with Julie Last in a studio called Cold Brook productions. That’s the studios that I work at in general.
HVGS: Is there a particular song on the new album that is your favorite?
RD: Well, it’s an album that I really enjoy top to bottom. It was a very good project, and it was different in a lot of ways to do it the way I did it. Just the band live in the studio, and it wasn’t drawn out over a long period of time. It was kind of a cogent recording process.
The song “Lucky” even though it’s a short lyric is sort of a capsulizing of my history of doing this job. It starts out explaining the original band I had called New World Rising. A verse about my success, and a verse about contemporary time. I don’t like to hammer people over the head with obvious things, but that song is probably the most autobiographical song I’ve done, then there is Judgment Day kind of inspired by the passing of my father. "Mystery World" is a song that means a lot to me, a statement about the state of affairs. "Blue Monday" isn’t based about my life, but about observations. Many of my songs are written mainly as an observer, and often don’t relate to me, but what I see.
It’s less about craft and more about the imagery I’ve seen. Lots of the songs were songs for the sake of being song. Like “Steal Away” was a song. I never expected it to be a hit. To this day, I still get letters saying “oh, this is the song they played at my wedding” etc. “Street Corner Hero” is about growing up in Brooklyn. I’m older now and I’m freer about sharing my own stuff. It wasn’t even intended that way. Once you start writing, a path is created. I don’t have an idea when I sit down. It just wanders to where it wanders.
HVGS: What do you like about the HudsonValley? Do you miss it when you are out on tour?
RD: I miss the area a lot when I’m not here. I appreciate it a lot. It’s changed for me.
I came here in 1972 for the first time, and I’ve been here and moved away and lived in California. I’ve been here single, I’ve been here married, I’ve been here broke, and successful. My parents moved here in the late 70s so even though I’m not a native, I’m a person who has had their family transported to Woodstock. I like it because it’s safe, beautiful, it’s got proximity and a relationship with culture in New York city. I really wasn’t looking to live in the woods. Often times when I’m away I miss the quietude and the solace of being here. I wouldn’t want to live in NY or LA. It’s nice to visit and work in those places, but as for living full time there, I’m done with that. I do live in Rome for a few months out of the year. That is perfect for me.
There is one thing I could say. I’ve said before. People always ask me, “What’s different now than then about Woodstock?” Besides the people who have moved away or passed away, as life goes, when I came here, the town was full of people who were dreamers, who were here to write their book, or make a movie, or make a record, or have their band become successful.So pardon the word “energy”, but if you want to use that word, there was a sort of "excited energy" that existed on the street, there was a great interplay between musicians, the kind of things that happened locally were quite fun. Now it’s a place where you have to already have realized your dream to come here because you can’t afford to come here anymore like I did with $100 in my pocket. That changes the profile of the citizen. There were working farms here when I came. It was just a different place. It’s more streamlined with families with young children who want to bust out of the city. And everybody’s house cost at least $300,000. So a lot of the dreamers had to move on.
HVGS: Where did the dreamers go? Where are they now?
RD: I wonder. I hear there are pockets of places they have found. I hear Brooklyn is a popular place now for people to pioneer the neighborhoods that are now coming back with.lots of clubs, wherever there’s clubs, there’s reasons to be there. Williamsburg, Long IslandCity, BrooklynHeights. I know these places are not cheap, but it’s where young people are congregating to kind of make things happen. Woodstock was unique because of where it was located. So if you start a scene in Ithaca…It’s not the same. It’s a completely different vibe.
HVGS: When we first moved out here, you used to tell me about all the good places to go. Where do you go now?
RD: Socially we’re down to very limited things here. There isn’t the club scene that existed. Even the club scene that existed 10-12 years ago was more than it was now. Now I think the lifestyle here has more to do with going out to restaurants. I go see music at the Bearsville Theater or wherever good music is playing. There are restaurants that I go to often. Then I have friends here that I visit. Every day I walk 3 miles in the morning. I love to mountain bike. Up until a few years ago, I had a boat on the Hudson River. When I bought the boat for 4 years ago I ran out of time to put into it. I had no idea how time consuming a boat could be, but it was one of the best discoveries that I made around here.
For more information on Robbie Dupree or to order his new album visit his website RobbieDupree.com. Unfortunately, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has removed the video of his live performance on the show. I will try to see if I can hunt it down and get permission to include it in this blog post.
I heard that Poets' Walk Park in Red Hook is a romantic place to go for a walk, but I had never been there until today. What a beautiful spot! It's a great spot for kids to walk too since they can run as they please and not worry about cars. (The trail is gravel though so not that stroller-friendly). There are beautiful rustic benches along the trail too. For more info and detailed directions visit the Scenic Hudson Parks website. You will also find a long list of other beautiful trails and parks in the Hudson Valley here too.
Woodstock Garden Café is right behind the village green in Woodstock, but the patio is really tucked away so you can’t really hear any of the action or misdemeanors going on there while you are eating. The menu is eclectic vegan organic. (No meat & potatoes here!) It’s more tofu and seaweed. Breakfast is only served here Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I took a look at the breakfast menu, and the Oatmeal "creme brule" and tofu scrambles were very tempting.
I ordered the Macro Meal (baked tofu, brown rice, seaweed salad, bean creation, and tahini sauce). My husband ordered the veggie cheese burger with salad tossed on top of it. Both dishes were really delicious and tasted very fresh and wholesome. I felt like I kind of had a buzz after eating the Macro Meal. Not sure what nutrients go in there, but it sure made me feel groovy. We ordered a quesadilla for an appetizer. It was so good that I didn’t have time to photograph it. It wasn’t greasy at all and I didn’t get the heart burn I always get when I eat these things. (It arrived after the main dish, but we really didn’t care too much. We were hungry and happened to be in no rush this morning). I’d recommend this as a perfect breakfast or lunch date place, especially if you are dating a vegetarian. Garden Cafe Woodstock, http://gardencafewoodstock.com. 845-679-3600. Closed Tuesdays.
The Woodstock Animal Sanctuary is hosting their annual June Jamboree this weekend. It looks like a ton of fun. Check out their website for more info. Come meet the critters and eat some good vegetarian Hudson Valley food.
Woodstock Apothecary is a brand new apothecary drug store in Woodstock. I was happy to see it because up until now I have had to schlep to Saugerties to get specially ordered probiotics. The owner of this new store, also owns the Village Apothecary in Saugerties. As you can see from the photos, the store is sparkling clean and inviting. The customer service is great, and they offer "free nutritional consultations." I haven't taken advantage of that service yet. They also have an extensive selection of Abady pet food. To learn more visit Woodstock Apothecary's website or visit them at 79 Tinker Street in Woodstock. (845) 679-0790.
Omega Institute in Rhinebeck invited me to spend a day experiencing their beautiful campus yesterday. The day after, I am feeling very relaxed and invigorated. The Omega Institute offers a "R & R" package for visitors who want to visit for a 2-night minimum, without registering for a holistic workshop. I experienced a mini R & R yesterday: ate a huge vegan breakfast at their dining hall, relaxed on the grounds, took an open Dancing/Movement class, browsed through the zillions of of popular and obscure self-help books in their library, and had a delicious vegetarian buffet lunch. I wasn't able to stay for dinner due to my schedule, but I still left feeling very relaxed and re-invigorated from this Hudson Valley escape.
The quiet was very calming. (In fact, some workshop participants walk around with "In Silence" badges hanging around their neck so there is little pressure for making small talk with strangers here, and that I found, was very refreshing, as I'm terrible at small talk anyway). The Dance movement class was a very different experience. The instructor cranked up 5 different kinds of very danceable music and all ten of us, strangers except for one lovey-dovey couple, danced freely around the room. At one point we were grouped into "tribes" and one person had to come up with a dance move for the others to follow. This is not as easy as it sounds! I was a lot happier just dancing, as weird as it felt at first. There is also a Wellness center and spa on the campus, which includes a co-ed sauna, which I didn't venture into. (They do have women's only hours).
Overall, it was a very relaxing and uplifting day for me. I would definitely return. Has anybody stayed at Omega for a workshop? What was that like?
Skizza asparagi e uova(Skizza with asparagus and egg) Gigi Hudson Valley/Leonardo Frusteri
In my on-going quest to eat healthier, I will be blogging about restaurants in the HudsonValley that offer delicious vegetarian options for Meatless Mondays, a healthy eating initiative by lead by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Although I don't think I'd be able to be 100 percent vegetarian, I can be meatless on Mondays. Gigi Trattoria has a wide selection of healthy Mediterranean dishes on the menu. Many of them are vegetarian, or can be adjusted to be meatless. "I think 'Meatless Mondays' is a great initiative linked to getting American to eat more healthful and sustainable plant foods," says Laura Pensiero, owner of Gigi Trattoria, and author of "Hudson Valley Mediterranean" (HarperCollins, 2009). (You can find a lot of tasty vegetarian recipes in her cookbook including Gigi Cider Doughnuts and Spring Vegetable Stew). Trained as a nutritionist, she finds that following the Mediterranean cuisine is the most pleasant way to eat healthy. She shares the same sensibility with executive chef Wilson Costa of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Gigi Team works hard to include locally grown produce in the menu. When she is not running the restaurant, Pensiero likes to visit the local farms, keeping a pulse on what's growing and what's in season. "This is a very energizing time for the food and agriculture business in the HudsonValley," says Pensiero.
Some of the most popular vegetarian appetizers at Gigi Trattoria include the Hudson Valley Mediterranean cheese plate, a skizza (pictured above). Catering events keep them busy as Gigi Trattoria caters private dinner parties to weddings. If you prefer a no-fuss take out dinner, Gigi Market at Greig Farm has oven ready appetizers and entrees, you can just heat up for your guests. (Let them believe you've been taking cooking classes!)
Kathy Freston wrote a great article on Meatless Mondays in the Huffington Post last year, in which she discusses the benefits of going meatless for one day a week. To learn more about the Meatless Monday campaign go to the Meatless Monday website. Do you practice Meatless Mondays? Where do you dine? What do you cook?
Gigi Trattoria is located on Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck, NY. (845) 876-1007.
