HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Foreigner Rocks Rhinebeck at the Dutchess County Fair

 

 
 As a long time Foreigner fan, I was very excited to hear that the group would be performing right here in Rhinebeck at the Dutchess County Fair. I bought tickets online a week before the concert and I was able to get two decent seats for $20 each. It was my first concert at the Grandstand. Having the carnival as a backdrop gives it a very theatrical and retro vibe. Foreigner opened up with "Double Vision" then performed "Head Games" a classic Foreigner song I had somehow forgotten about until that night. 

The crowd went crazy when it got to "Hot Blooded" and "Urgent." During the concert lead singer Kelly Hansen at one point told the audience, "If you would indulge us one more time, we will be singing the first single from our new album, "When it comes to love." (It's a cute song by the way). Back to the hits though, Hansen sang "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "Feels Like the First Time" and "Dirty White Boy."  The encore as you might have guessed was "Juke Box Hero". 

Sorry that my photos aren't that great. I was on a press list, but somehow the press pass didn't materialize at the gate pre-concert. Next time, I will have a plan B. I do hope more of my favorite bands come to the county fairs next year. It's a great venue! I was surprised to see quite a few families with young children at the concert too.

Historic Village Diner in Red Hook: Yummy Greasy Spoon Breakfast

If you are looking for an old fashioned 1920's diner experience, then get your hungry belly over to the historic Village Diner in Red Hook!  We had a perfect rainy day late lunch here, but we ordered breakfast as you can see from the photo. My husband had the angus burger and eggs, and requested mashed potatos instead of the variety of deep fried homefries they offer. I had the veggie omelet, which was hearty and good. The toast was soaked in butter, just the way I like it. Service was super friendly. The folks next to us ordered club sandwiches, which looked really good. For more info visit the Diner's website
 

Cat'n Around Catskill: Cat statues, quirky shops, good eats, and ice cream!

 
 

I spent a lazy afternoon walking around Catskill on Monday. I hadn't been there since last year, and it looks like there are a couple new restaurants that have opened up since I last visited. Unfortunately, it was Monday so a few shops and restaurants were closed. We stopped for ice cream at Cone-e Island ice cream stand. The vanilla soft serve was excellent! It had a real vanilla flavor that you don't find everywhere. There is also a small play area with coin operated rides for the kids to ride near the tables).  

I also loved looking at all the different Cats from the Cats of Cat'n Around 2010 in Catskill. There are 61 of them! The cats will only be on display until September 19th. Come admire them! My favorite is the Michael Jackson cat ("Black or White: Tribute to the Gloved One" by Serine Baeckmann-Elge). If you want to take a Cat home, come back for The Cat's Meow Auction & Gala on September 26th. Visit Cat'n Around or Welcome to Catskill for more info.  

 

Attention Tomato Lovers: 6th Annual Heirloom Tomato & Music Festival Aug 22nd

For those of you who love the taste of a perfectly ripened heirloom tomato, save the date! I wanted to share with you the information on the 6^th Annual Heirloom Tomato and Music Festival on the W. Rogowski Farm on Glenwood Road in Pine Island on Sunday, August 22^nd. Here is the scoop:

“We’re planning a bumper crop of family fun from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” says Cheryl Rogowski, 2^nd generation farmer at the Rogowski’s Pine Island farm in the Black Dirt region. 

Since the farm grows over 250 varieties of produce each season, crop-tasting will be high on the menu with the heirloom tomato in the spotlight as the special of the day. Tomatoes will be a main ingredient, but not the only one, in the culinary demonstrations taking place throughout the festival.

No matter how you slice it, this celebration will include far more than just pleasures of the palette alone. Cheryl says there will also be arts and handcrafts exhibits, agricultural workshops, raffles for baskets and prizes along with other entertainment like pony rides and face painting.

Musical accompaniments for the festivities will include performances by local musicians, such as Marty Koppel, Mike Sinatra, Project Mercury and Uncle Shoehorn.  The Black Dirt Dance Company is planning a special performance.

Tickets are $3 for adults (two adults for $5). There is no admission charge for children under 15 years. Each ticket entitles the bearer to a free raffle ticket and a tomato tasting.

“We live in a rural community, but many people aren’t familiar with their local farms or with farming practices in general,” says Cheryl. “This is a chance to understand what goes into growing our food and why it makes a difference to buy locally,” she adds.

The W. Rogowski Farm is family-operated and proudly shares old-fashioned family values. The family also is progressive, utilizing ecologically friendly and environmentally sound practices to provide healthy, wholesome, nutritious food to the Hudson Valley and beyond.

For more information, contact Deborah Garry at 845.695.1880, or the W. Rogowski Farm at 845.258.4574.