Professional Documents
Culture Documents
9
August is a bittersweet month as the Short Season comes to an end, but the quieter and cooler days are oh, here and, they were. I must say this season's Glimmerglass Festival got rave reviews from everyone! so sweet. Over the years I have come to feel a bit expectant wondering if the usual Opera Birds will be
NOW WE KNOW !
Who knew that such a chatterious town could keep such a big secret. We knew Brent and Josh were incommunicado for awhile but not even a hint of their whereabouts. Some thought facelifts . . . some thought an exotic vacation and others assumed they were simply taking a rest. But, the news has broken that they were participating in, The Amazing Race. It airs on CBS, September 30 th. That's not all though, they are double dipping from the 15 minutes of fame bucket The Fabulous Beekman Boys will be shown on The Cooking Channel beginning in September, too! What will they be up to next . . . ? Stay tuned!
WELCOME TO: Roger Stout-Hazard and Chris Stout-Hazard! Roger was the producer/designer on the show, Sell This House. Chris is the founder of Decades, a furniture & design company. They packed up their mule train in Texas and headed off for the bright lights of Sharon Springs. To follow their progress as they renovate their new old Victorian house check them out on Facebook!
and Garth Roberts with Heidi Meka as manager and Lee Wolver, chef extraordinaire! Often when I tell
The hotel was built between 1847 and 1851 to accommodate a growing number of people then coming to enjoy the villages mineral baths and the pastoral beauty of Schoharie County. The American Hotel became the villages second Greek Revival hotel, joining the grand Pavilion, where famous guests like the Vanderbilts, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens put Sharon Springs on the map. The Americans building and grounds today stand as a pleasant memorial to that genteel time. These lines from the 1904 Souvenir of Sharon Springs [published by Pierre Danforth, Middleburg] describe a vibrant hotel: The American is directly under the personal supervision of the proprietors, whose aim is to furnish superior accommodations at reasonable rates. The table is abundantly supplied with delicacies fresh and in season. The well-known experience of the proprietors affords a guarantee that every effort will be made to promote the comfort of all who patronize this house. Much the same can be said today of the hotel. Historically we know that the two acres on which the hotel now sits were purchased in 1847 by Alonzo and Tiffany Walradt from Henry and Betsy Moyer for $475. In September 1851, Nicholas LaRue from Esperance [an early explorer of Howe Caverns] purchased the same 2 acres for $4,000, the substantial increase in price would indicate that some investment had been made, like a hotel! LaRue then purchased 7 more acres surrounding the hotel proper where he installed gardens and a fishpond. The LaRue family ran the hotel for 40 plus years. Several other less successful entrepreneurs owned and operated the hotel during the 20th century including a group of Hasidic Rabbis I can well remember in the 1960s walking past the hotel and seeing large numbers of Hasidic men arguing together on the porch in their long dark coats and fur hats.
Although the hotel had been standing vacant and neglected for several years, when Doug Plummer and Garth Roberts first drove through the Village in 1990 they were charmed [Doug describes it as Love at first sight]. Almost immediately after they had opened the Rockville Caf [where Adelphi Paper Hangings now operates], the American hotel sold for back taxes. This was only a temporary set back and in 1996, Doug and Garth purchased the American for $18,000. Grim reality set in when they realized part of the roof had growing on the walls.
collapsed, there were trees growing in the kitchen, many floors were actually missing, and mold was Their first decision was to replace the roof and then start looking for grant money to complete the renovations because they were determined to save this piece of history!
AMERICAN HOTEL, CONTINUED . . . Success took several years to accomplish but by New Years Eve 2001, the renovations were nearly complete toast their endeavor. Opening day, May 23rd, 2001, they both described as their second scariest day ever birthday! Doug and Garth stopped by on their way home with a bottle of Dom Perignon on a 20 below zero night to the dining room was packed, so many things went wrong, but they survived and it was Garths 40th
Today a warm welcome awaits guests who come to stay or for a meal in the charming dining room. Sitting on the porch in nice weather watching the world go by or gathering around the bar with friends, this has become a destination for so many. Their Thanksgiving Feast has many people returning every year as well as the yearly Harvest Festival 10-11]! I can honestly say, the American Hotel helped convince my husband and me to retire in Sharon!
Dinners. Stop in and ask how many weddings they have hosted, including their own last September 10 [9-
be meeting in Sharon Springs. President of APHNYS, Gerry Smith will open the meeting followed by Sandra Cornelius on Indian Lifeways and European Influences in the 18th Century, Emily Lang, Jewish Era in
~ ~~~~~~~~
Producer's note: The show will have a life after Sharon Springs. There are two theaters who are interested in the piece as well as two cabaret clubs in New York. We will keep everyone updated as things move along.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE !
Also, Luna Cakes by Design is thrilled to announce they will be at the Harvest Festival! Hurrah!
and daughter duo spent two days shopping in every store, indulged in pampering at Spring House Spa and
Valley several Sundays. David and I made huge arrangements of goldenrod, Queen Anne's Lace and several varieties of hydrangeas. They remained for the Bishop's visit the following Tuesday, but would have been equally suitable for a late-summer bride (and free). Autumn will bring more visitors to fall in love with Sharon Springs as each of us did previously.
Thank you, Daniel Marshall Wood proprietor of the Edgefield Bed & Breakfast. Editor's note: a guest of Edgefield's was in the gallery glowingly telling me about the flower arrangements Dan and David make for her (their) church. She said they were breathtaking (the flowers, but of course. . . Dan and David, too!)
HARVEST SEASON
Late August is one of my favorite times of year as it brings crisp, foggy mornings, a change in the light as days shorten, and an inexplicable excitement in the air. I use to think the excitement was about going back to school and perhaps some of it is a hangover from this. But mostly my excitement now has to do with natures wonders: the coming solstice with the reminders and practices of ancient rituals that celebrate this celestial miracle, the blaze of colors in trees and in the fields, as pumpkins and other squashes ripen and get stored away for the winter.
Tomatoes are so abundant that it is almost mandatory that they be made into sauces and catsup, canned and shelved. Canned pickled cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots as well as many different fruits end up on storage shelves too. And there is the special joy of finding local early apples in farm markets this last week in apple sausages, and fritters! The ritual of putting food by for the winter is not a necessity these days, as we can have relatively fresh August, with their promise of juicy pies, cider and donuts, applesauce with pork roast, apple dumplings,
food shipped to our area from anywhere in the world any time of year and at a reasonable cost. But nothing can be fresher or feel more natural to us than eating and preserving the foods that we have grown ourselves or that have been grown in our neighborhoods by people who we know. Eating a seasonal diet of foods grown in our natural, local environment is one of the healthiest things that we can do for ourselves. In doing so, we honor our environment and natural resources as well as the health of our own mind and body. fruits of our labors will sprout anew in the spring. Try putting some kind of food up for the winter, even if it is just a few jars of applesauce the simplest thing to can. Then when the seed catalogues start to come in late January, go to your pantry and open one jar to remind yourself of the cycle of life that you are flowing through and how you have participated in that process. Enjoy this festival season by sharing the bounty from our beautiful fields with good friends and family. As this years growing season comes to an end, remember that the harvest of nuts, seeds and the
Finally, remember the wisdom of Hippocrates (~430 BC), whom many consider to be the father of modern medicine. He proposed that the body must be treated as a whole rather than as individual parts, and believed in the natural healing process of rest, good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He is often quoted as time to consider how you might allow your own being to heal, and then practice, practice, practice. Linda H. Keller, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Nutrition Educator and Counselor saying, Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. As we approach our hibernation season, take
through the backdoor the same entrance for locals, workers and dignitaries such as John Kennedy who
HARVEST FEST THIS AND THAT . . . DOGGY REST AREA AT THE NEW YORK HOUSE
For those attending with their furry , four legged children, The New York House will be providing a Doggy Rest Area. Owners Bruce & Kelly Button have a great, shaded side yard that will be equipped with bowls of fresh water and complimentary, home-made doggy snacks. They are located on Center Street in the big yellow house with the white picket fence. Go one block north of the Roseboro to South Street. Center Street is the first street on the left. This is a nice quiet area for owners and their dogs to take a break. There will be Saturday and Sunday from 10AM till 4PM. COBBLER & CO. Will host Chris Ottman, maker of tincicles, stars and other ornaments. He will have his machine set-up to show you how he does it! Be sure to stop in, he will be there Sat. and Sun. VILLAGE HALL GALLERY lemonade and homemade cookies for the dog owners on the large front porch. This service will be available
Pictures from an Exhibition a restrospective of Durkin's b&w photographs will be on exhibit throughout the month. The photographs span the last 20 years, some from previous exhibitions, some landscapes, favorite portraits and still lifes. Also, special prices on matted photographs last chance!
Also, Mary Beach collages will be reduced. Editor's note one of my projects, after leaving the gallery, will Google her name or stop in the gallery, I love talking about her! be to continue researching Mary's fascinating life and art. If you don't know her work take the time to
AND USED ART BOOKS WILL BE 20% OFF except for the local historical books
There is also a smattering of cookbooks and gardening and other topics.
AS WELL AS SALES CIDER COOKIES AND CHATTERS STOP BY, INTRODUCE YOURSELF !
Born in the 1840's, has been to the spa, is looking good ~ won the 2011 beauty queen award. She has so much to offer the right person(s) looking for respect, tenderness & pampering. Serious suitors only, please. XO You can see more of her at: www.vhgallery .com
www.sharonspringschamber.com Or just come to the village and it will all work out! We hope to see you there . . . or rather . . .here.
And, this is where I ride off into the sunset as I give thanks for all of the friends old and new, who have supported, encouraged, understood and guided me time and time again . . . Thank you! SPECIAL THANKS TO: NANCY PFAU, LINDA KELLER, MARY ANN NELLIS WHO HAVE BEEN RELIABLE & TRUSTED CONTRIBUTORS MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH!! XOXOX