Chronogram January 2023

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1/23 CHRONOGRAM Dutchess • Ulster • Columbia • Counties NY

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january

The Wilbur hamlet of Kingston on the Rondout Creek is a working waterfront.

On the right, Feeney's Shipyard and on the left, the former Sacred Heart of Jesus church, which now houses cryptocurrency financier Colborn Bell and the Museum of Crypto Art. Photo by Winona Barton-Ballentine

DEPARTMENTS

THE RIVER NEWSROOM

6 On the Cover

26 Albany Vs. Accessory Dwelling Units

HOME, PAGE 18

11 Editor’s Note

Woman with Earbuds, a painting by Amy Hill, is an homage to Piero della Francesca’s Battista Sforza.

10 Esteemed Reader Jason Stern talks with his son about the separation of consciousness from physical form.

Brian K. Mahoney is an anxious party host.

FOOD & DRINK 12 Champetre: French Accent This under-the-radar bistro in Pine Plains is a cozy spot to enjoy French classics like steak frites and ile flottante.

16 Sips & Bites Recent restaurant openings across the region include Little Rico in Hudson, Mud Club in Beacon, Piaule in Catskill, Rubirosa Cucina and Bar in New Paltz and West Kill Supply in Kingston.

HOME 18 Red Brick, Wood Beams, and Luminous Flux NFT curator and cryptocurrency financier Colborn Bell brings the Museum of Crypto Art to his Kingston home.

Could 2023 be the year for statewide gains in affordable housing now that Kathy Hochul’s won the election?

WEDDINGS 28 Crazy Little Thing Called Love A couple honors their parents and the dynamic spirit of Freddie Mercury with their Queen-themed wedding.

HIGH SOCIETY 32 High Risk Litigation threatens to derail the opening of Hudson Valley marijuana dispensaries in the near future.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 35 Dog Days of Winter Local veterinarians offer health tips to help our furry friends thrive during the colder weather.

COMMUNITY PAGES 38 Great Barrington: Mind(ing) the Gap This Berkshires town is committed to its traditions of direct democracy and looking out for its neighbors.

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! e r o o l G exp

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Johnny Zatylyn, frontman of Queen tribute band Queen Flash, performing at the Queen-themed wedding of Shawna Morey and Mark Mulligan.

WEDDINGS, PAGE 28

ARTS

GUIDE

56 Music

61

Jason Broome reviews Fistful of Ivy by Pelican Movement.

Michael Eck reviews Back to Easy Street by the Acoustic Medicine Show. Seth Rogovoy reviews Benevento by Marco Benevento. Plus listening recommendations from pianist and SUNY New Paltz professor Alex Peh.

57 Books Susan Yung reviews Still Life at Eighty by Abigail Thomas.

Plus short reviews of Good Dream Dragon by Jacky Davis and Courtney Dawson; The Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine by Sophie Strand; Hopewell Junction, A Railroader’s Town by Bernard L. Rudberg and John M. Desmond; Eden Revisited by Laszlo Bito; and For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

58 Poetry Poems by Deirdre Alpert, Nikki Barnhart, Robert Charles Basner, Sue Books, Robert Harlow, William Keller, Vyacheslav Konoval, David Lukas, Ze’ev Willy Neumann, Viola Norlander, Wendy Stewart, Mike Vashen, Jay Marshall Weiss, Danielle Woerner.

Edited by Phillip X Levine.

january

The Winter Hoot celebrates its 10th anniversary with a weekend of music and dance at the Ashokan Center.

63 “Chasing Icebergs: Art and a Disappearing Landscape” features paintings and drawings by Frederic Church alongside contemporary work at Olana in Hudson.

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Live music this month: Jazz is Dead at Tarrytown Music Hall, Adam Ezra Group at Daryl’s House, Chris Spedding at Colony and Garcia Peoples at Tubby’s.

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Museum and gallery shows from across the region.

HOROSCOPES 68 An Uncertain Start In her debut astrology column for Chronogram, Cory Nakasue reveals that the instability surrounding the new year is an opportunity for growth. Plus horoscopes.

PARTING SHOT 72 Lawnmower A photograph by David Ricci from Edge (Fall Line Press), a collection of his work over the past 30 years.

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on the cover

Woman with Earbuds AMY HILL Oil on wood, 2013

I

nspired by Renaissance masters of old, New York City-based painter Amy Hill employs techniques that blend classical inspiration with contemporary style. Copying the orientation of the face of the Duchess of Urbino in Piero della Francesca’s Battista Sforza, Hill updates the original with contemporary touches in Woman with Earbuds.

The Renaissance sleeve becomes a tattoo. An elaborate choker is changed into a scarf. What’s old is made new.

She notes that the Duchess of Urbino in the della Francesca painting is depicted in profile rather than the usual three-quarter Renaissance view. “As you can’t see her eyes, she is hiding any kind of emotion, creating mystery about her true feelings, allowing the viewer to impose their own emotions onto her,” Hill says.

Despite being one of the more challenging subjects to paint, Hill says she’s always felt drawn to portraiture, “ever since I learned how to draw Archie, Veronica, and Jughead and did my first selfportrait in oils in high school a la Joni Mitchell’s self-portrait on the cover of her first album.”

With no formal training, and to avoid going back to school, Hill looked to Renaissance painters to guide and teach her, and perhaps as a way to keep her company. “Though I don’t speak aloud to

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them, I’m communicating with them in some way,” she says.

Portraiture is also an exercise in self-discovery for Hill. “I’m trying to paint myself, to put my own psyche on the canvas in order to better see and understand it,” she says.

Hill tries to balance inspiration, homage, and the development of her own visual vernacular. “I’m constantly fighting against developing a style that paints me into a corner,” she says. “Brushstrokes are like fingerprints. I’m striving to make art that’s universal and not just quirky.”

Lately, she’s been looking at early American folk art and is inspired by the looseness that lends itself to the accuracy of Renaissance art. She strives to be representational but conceptual. “I enjoy making social commentary sometimes by being funny.

I did a series of paintings of my own version of the seven deadly sins based on a painting by the Renaissance painter Hans Memling and depicted my own sins such as Distraction, Deprivation, and Workaholism,” she says.

Hill’s work is included in the group show “Winter Wonderland,” which is on view at Front Room Gallery in Hudson through January 15.

Portfolio: Amyhillpaintings.com —Mike Cobb

Battista Sforza, Piero della Francesca, oil on wood, 1473-1475

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EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Brian K. Mahoney brian.mahoney@chronogram.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR David C. Perry david.perry@chronogram.com DIGITAL EDITOR Marie Doyon marie.doyon@chronogram.com ARTS EDITOR Peter Aaron music@chronogram.com HOME EDITOR Mary Angeles Armstrong home@chronogram.com POETRY EDITOR Phillip X Levine poetry@chronogram.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Anne Pyburn Craig apcraig@chronogram.com

contributors Winona Barton-Ballentine, Stowe Boyd, Jason Broome, Mike Cobb, Michael Eck, Tim Freccia, Abigail Gierke, Austin C. Jefferson, David McIntyre, Cory Nakasue, Seth Rogovoy, Sparrow, Hannah Van Sickle, Susan Yung

PUBLISHING FOUNDERS Jason Stern, Amara Projansky PUBLISHER & CEO Amara Projansky amara.projansky@chronogram.com EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Jan Dewey jan.dewey@chronogram.com BOARD CHAIR David Dell

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media specialists Kaitlyn LeLay kaitlyn.lelay@chronogram.com Kelin Long-Gaye kelin.long-gaye@chronogram.com Kris Schneider kris.schneider@chronogram.com Sam Brody sam.brody@chronogram.com

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I died as mineral and became a plant, I died as plant and rose to animal, I died as animal and I was human, Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?

—Rumi My son will have his license soon and won’t need me for transportation. It is one of many needs I am no longer required to fulfill. Savoring the final months of daily driving together, I say yes every time he asks for a ride, even when the trip seems frivolous.

On a recent journey, we drove along a dirt road in the outback of Vermont, my old VW rattling and knocking, gravel crunching under the tires. We were talking about his inner life and he said something I couldn’t make out above the noise.

“What?!” I yelled.

All was quiet for a moment as the road briefly turned to pavement. “I realized I have a consciousness separate from my body,” he half-yelled into the vacuum of sudden silence.

“Say more about that,” I replied.

“I saw that I am not my body and that death is not something to fear. It’s a continuation of a process that has no beginning or end.”

It sounded like he was quoting a line from the Upanishads.

The road became dirt again and the noise returned. I drove carefully on the narrow path, sensing my body in the seat, my hands on the wheel, my son sitting beside me.

I recalled how, at 33, when my son was born I felt I had been born again as a father. It was as though a parallel life began alongside the one started at my own birth. Time slowed perceptibly in those early months. Each day of caring for the infant was long, arduous, and rife with new understandings.

As I drove I remembered standing over the helpless, mewling infant as I changed his diaper. At the same time the presence of his being was palpable.

Like a luminous, membraned bubble, his atmosphere encompassed the whole house and beyond. I felt him as an infinite, powerful identity.

The juxtaposition of the impotent and vulnerable body demanding care for its every need and the vast, independent presence of his being was almost too much to bear. I felt myself at the fulcrum of those two poles, and groaned with the exquisite poignance of the contradiction.

My son’s voice shocked me from my recollections as we drove through the night.

“Dad, I understand what you’ve been talking about, all the spiritual stuff.

I see it myself now, but now I don’t know what to do with it.”

I saw that a part of my task relating to his inner life was complete. His personal search for reality had begun.

“I don’t think you need to try to do anything,” I said. “Just sit with it, hold it, respond to what feels meaningful to you. If you are called to a path with heart, follow it.”

In the Vedic tradition, a person may choose to retreat from life, become a sannyasin, when his children are grown and his role as a householder concludes. In old India people retired to an ashram or disappeared into the jungle to meditate when their children were settled. The wheel turns for the third time and a new process begins.

The Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi said this life is an analogue to a fetus in a mother’s womb. We gestate in this world, in the amniotic fluid of our inner life. Progressing through stages of development, afforded both by the conditions of life and by our inner work, we are born once again into a world as comparatively vast as this one is for the newborn.

Life is a polyrhythmic solfeggio of overlapping rhythms, long and short cycles. The body is continuously renewing with hundreds of billions of cells dying and being born every day. With each inhalation life begins anew.

With each outbreath life expires.

The possibility of renewal depends upon the completion of the earlier cycle, of letting go of what has been. The degree to which we metabolize and transform old forms determines how fully we may enter into emergent stages.

Our car pulls into our driveway and I see the lights shining from within and smoke rising from the chimney. It looks warm and inviting. I get out of the car, and as my son arrives from his side we put our arms around one another and walk toward the warm house.

editor’s note

by Brian K. Mahoney

Life of the Party

David McIntyre photographing Valerie Fanarjian at the pop-up portrait shoot at Carrie Chen Gallery in Great Barrington on December 11.

Photo by Brian K. Mahoney

I

t starts with anxiety and ends in exhausted exultation. While this can be said of many things—an essay, sex, a World Cup Final (at least for one side)—I’m referring here to Chronogram’s pop-up portrait shoots (PUPS for short). In case you’re unfamiliar with our PUPS project, for the past year we’ve been traveling from town to town and photographing the residents of our local communities. It’s proven to be a quite popular feature, and one we’ll be continuing this year as well. All praise to photographer David McIntyre for suggesting this capital idea.

But to my original point, let me rephrase.

The PUPS don’t start with jangled nerves—that comes later. Producing a community portrait shoot starts with the calm self-assurance bred by having done this before. (Success over time = confidence.) We know how to do this, we have a system for doing this, and it works.

Here’s the system in a nutshell: A lot of emails, mostly from me, with a link to a Doodle poll wherein folks can sign up for a time slot at the shoot. (If I gummed up your inbox with my entreaties to come and get your photo taken, please forgive me. It’s easier than going door to door like a vacuum cleaner salesman.) If it’s a place like Kingston, where I live and work, no problem. A hundred emails go out to folks already known to me and they mostly show up. (One of the great joys of the PUPS project

has been to witness the pride people take in representing their communities.)

If it’s a place like Great Barrington (featured this month, beginning on page 38), where I don’t know a great many people, it’s a little trickier.

I start by asking the few residents I do know for their help, to guide me through town like Virgil led Dante. To which one correspondent replied, “Am I to take it that Great Barrington is standing in for hell in this analogy?” (While the reference to The Inferno achieved the desired level of pretension—middlebrow aspiring to upper middlebrow—it left a lot to be desired vis-à-vis the association with the inhabitants of the nine circles of eternal damnation.)

And I start researching the community’s businesses and nonprofits and cultural institutions and scouring the internet for the email addresses of the folks behind them. Or I track people down on social media and message them there. Something to the effect of: Hi! You barely know me or perhaps don’t know me at all but I’m a swell guy who runs this magazine called Chronogram and we’re coming to your town!

Wouldn’t you like to drag yourself out in a snowstorm and get your picture taken? It won’t hurt, I promise.

Please heed this call. You—and others like you, feel free to share this invitation with others—are crucial to our success!

A hundred emails and a week later is when the anxiety sets in. The photo shoot is a week away.

Some people have signed up, but not as many as I had hoped, and I start to worry. Perhaps the wording of my emails wasn’t persuasive. Maybe I didn’t reach out to enough people or the right people, or chose a date that conflicts with the observance of a local tradition unknown to me.

It’s a nerve-wracking limbo of a time, akin to the pre-party jitters. Is anyone going to show up for the party I’m throwing for Great Barrington?

Then the day of the shoot arrives. It’s [expletive deleted] snowing. From the third-floor window of the Carrie Chen Gallery on Main Street, Great Barrington looks as cute in the snow as a kid in a Norman Rockwell painting.

There are lots of folks signed up, but will they come out in a storm? As I stand by the window and fret, David sets up his camera and Margot Isaacs, our indefatigable marketing and events manager, puts out the model releases and pens and clipboards.

And then people start pouring in. Great Barrington is in the house. It’s artists and chefs and dispensary owners and bakers and psychologists and actors and nonprofit directors and moms and dads and children and Chihuahuas. Just like that. Everybody shows up for their town. I talk with as many people as I can. By the end of the shoot, I’m exultant and exhausted.

As we’re packing up, Margot tells me I shouldn’t worry so much.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM 11

food & drink

The dining room at Champetre, a 23-seat French bistro in Pine Plains run by Michel and Patricia Jean.

Opposite, clockwise from top: Bistro staple steak frites; ile flottante (aka floating island); steak tartare.

French Accent CHAMPETRE IN PINE PLAINS

By Marie Doyon Photos by Tim Freccia

O

n Pine Plains’ sleepy main drag, in a shoebox building with no sign out front but an understated, cursive “Restaurant,” chef Michel Jean is dishing out the rustic, timehonored French food to delight even the most refined palette at Champetre.

After running an acclaimed SoHo brasserie for 20 years that was the gathering place for New York’s fashionable set, the switch to a 23-seat boite in rural Dutchess County is a considerable downshift for Michel and his wife Patricia Jean, who runs front-of-house. “This is our windingdown restaurant,” she says. “It’s really nice to be in a small space.”

When the couple opened Provence on MacDougal Street in 1986, SoHo was a wildly different place than when they sold it in the midaughts. That the restaurant, an homage to Jean’s home region, survived Manhattan’s fickle culinary 12 FOOD & DRINK CHRONOGRAM 1/23

whims that long is a testament to unboasting authenticity and expert execution. (The New Yorker once called the spot “a neighborhood institution that made its quiet corner of SoHo seem like a piece of French sovereign soil.”)

The Jeans sold Provence and moved upstate in 2006 when they took over the historic Stissing House in Pine Plains. For 15 years, they served up a mix of authentic French cuisine plus woodfired pizza and burgers. “We had a broader clientele that we had to please—a lot of families,” Patricia explains. “This is too small for that, so Michel had to go back to his roots.”

Bonjour Provence Jean was born in a small town above Nice where the Cote d’Azur hugs the Mediterranean.

Influences from across the sea—Italy, Spain, Morocco—inform Provencal cuisine, which

is Jean’s specialty. After graduating from the culinary institute Ecole Hoteliere in 1968, Jean traveled around the world on cruise ships, cutting his teeth in galley kitchens alongside Michelinstarred chefs. He cooked for the king of Morocco and in ski resort towns before landing in New York to become the tuxedoed maitre d’ at Regine’s, where he met Patricia.

Champetre’s building on West Church Street has at various turns been a newspaper office, blueberry pancake specialist and breakfast go-to spot Crumpets, Italian restaurant Agriturismo, and a camo-clad and taxidermy-stuffed diner. The Jeans painted the inside white, the outside black, polished the concrete they found beneath the linoleum, and closed off the kitchen. They opened for dinner service in summer 2021. “A friend of ours gave us some beautiful chairs from the ’30s, which sort of set the theme of black, white, and

1/23 CHRONOGRAM FOOD & DRINK 13

Michel Jean plating servings of skate in the kitchen at Champetre.

pale yellow,” Patricia says. “Other than that, we just put tablecloths down on the tables that were already there.”

While they were aiming for a smaller operation than their previous two restaurants, their current capacity of 23 was an unexpected blow—a cautious decision by the permitting department based on the building’s long vacancy. “We’re working on proving to them that we don’t use that much water,” Patricia says. “It’s been a rude awakening, but it’s worked out well. The kitchen is tiny, we can only take so many customers at once and keep them all happy. Unfortunately, they all want to come at 7 o’clock.”

Tidings of Comfort Food The menu at Champetre is restrained with four apps, four entrees, and five to six desserts, plus rotating fish, pasta, and risotto specials. Indulgent starters like classic garlic escargots ($19) and moules mariniere ($18) don’t need to innovate to tick every deep and primal comfort food box you have and restore your faith in eating out. Two terrines will win your heart. The colorful leek terrine is served with a black truffle vinaigrette that adds tang and umami to this vegetarian dish ($18), while the terrine de maison is made with duck and game and served with prunes ($22).

Champetre is a great place to enjoy hearty 14 FOOD & DRINK CHRONOGRAM 1/23

winter entrees, with dishes like Provencal mainstay bouillabaisse made with saffron rouille ($42). The coq au vin ($38) with mushrooms, lardons, pinot noir, and pearl onions is served with pasta. Have the duck your way—confit over lentils or magret with a seasonal, local fruit sauce (both $35). Your steak frites can come au poivre with a charcoal-grilled peppercorn and cognac sauce or au bearnaise ($42). The panseared, lemon garlic baby chicken ($38) rounds out the entrees.

With the exception of seafood and other specialty items, the Jeans are taking advantage of the small family-run farms in the area to source much of their produce and meat, including from Full Circus right in Pine Plains and their landlord’s pork and lamb farm Black Sheep Hill.

Just a look at the names is enough to confirm Patricia’s claim that the desserts at Champetre are “very French”—tarte au citron (lemon custard in a flaky pie crust, $10), ile flottante (a meringue masterpiece afloat in a bain marie, $10), creme brulee (because you can’t not, $10), the royally indulgent marquise au chocolat ($12), and border-hopping, crowd-pleasing tiramisu ($10).

Rural France in Pine Plains While Michel started in the kitchen at Provence in SoHo, he quickly needed to transition to a

more executive role. “It was too hard to run it and be in the kitchen,” Patricia says. “He hadn’t been in the kitchen for a long while even though he always planned the menus. Now he’s hands on.”

The sous chef, pastry chef, hostess, and bartender from Stissing House all rejoined Michel and Patricia in their new endeavor, so the small restaurant hums along like a finely oiled machine.

As you can imagine, the wine list is primarily French. There is no cocktail list per se, but the seasoned bartender, Tracy, can whip up all the classics or poll you briefly to create a custom drink. “She interviews people a bit about their favorite flavor profiles and spirits,” Patricia says. “It works out best for us that way.

Everybody raves about her cocktails and she likes to talk to people.”

In Champetre’s first year, business has been a constant stream, with the restaurant open for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday.

Whether you live up the road, cross county lines to dine here, or stumble in by accident, Michel Jean’s food is sure to woo with its robust, no-frills celebration of rural tradition.

Champetre 2938 Church Street, Pine Plains (518) 771-3350 Dinner served Wednesday to Sunday, 5-9pm.

As Bold As New York

Visit our tasting room and cocktail bar

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1/23 CHRONOGRAM FOOD & DRINK 15

sips & bites Piaule

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dinner 845 419 5007

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runabistro.com

333 Mossy Hill Road, Catskill When chef Ryan Tate helped open TriBeCa’s Le Restaurant, his food—artful, adventurous, and surprising dishes offered exclusively as a five-course tasting menu—earned him a star from Michelin. Up here, he’s better known for running the food program at Deer Mountain Inn for a number of years and then for his stint at Millstream Tavern. Earlier this year, self-styled “landscape hotel” Piaule scooped up this decorated culinary figure as their executive chef to oversee the onsite restaurant, which opened to the public for dining in November. The menu showcases the area’s producers, as is Tate’s forte, and features three courses for $95. The dishes are playful, creative reinterpretations of well-known menu items. In December, duck breast with brown butter foie gras and suckling pig with rutabaga mostarda were served as mains. For dessert, “Burnt Wood Ice Cream” is an elegant and ethereal take on ‘smores.

Piaule.com

West Kill Supply

602 Broadway, Kingston Founded in 2017 at the foot of a mountain and at the edge of 19,250 acres of forever wild forest, West Kill Brewing rapidly earned a place of honor in the crowded field of upstate craft breweries for its crisp, balanced beers, made with mountain water and locally sourced ingredients. In early December, West Kill opened its satellite tasting room on Broadway in Kingston. The rustic space serves hunting cabin-meets-early-20th-century-Catskillsboarding-house vibes with antler taps and tasteful taxidermy, tempered by a bright floral wallpaper and a marble bar. There are 14 West Kill beers on tap plus a selection of New York wines and ciders. In the backyard, Kingston Bread + Bar’s food cart is turning out falafel and chicken shawarma.

Westkillbrewing.com

Rubirosa Cucina & Bar

Takeout That tastes like dining out

5 New Paltz Plaza, New Paltz The reclamation of strip mall storefronts as mom-and-pop shops is a beautiful trend in retail. In the former Radio Shack location in the New Paltz Plaza, you’ll now find Dominican eatery Rubirosa Cucina & Bar, co-owned

by Ingrid Carvajal, Albin Infante, and chef Pedro Luis Sosa. Named for famous playboy Porfirio Rubirosa, the restaurant aims to serve up some of the glitz and glamor associated with the politician-cum-casanova’s lifestyle in addition to a solid menu of globetrotting dishes. The apps span American bar classics like wings ($12) and calamari ($13) to Latin favorites like crab empanadas ($15) and Chef Sosa’s “signature dish,” grilled octopus ($22), plus fun fusion options like tuna poke nachos ($14). There are a handful of salads, burgers, and sandwiches, and mains that range from a crispy salmon ($27) to Caribbean seafood pasta ($28) and twin petit filet mignon with mushroom cream sauce ($28).

Rubirosacucinabar.com

Mud Club Beacon

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305 Main Street, Beacon In Woodstock, the Mud Club is a beloved fixture for its wood-fired offerings— bagels and sourdough pizza; tasty pastries; organic, Fair Trade coffee; and bluestone hardscaped patio. The modest menu of evergreen favorites now comes to Beacon with a second location. And though there is no lawn with a view of bustling Mill Hill Road, the new spot brings the rustic Woodstock-y charm with a wooden facade, vintage bistro tables, and a mosaic, plus all the favorites. Pizzas range from the classic margherita ($16) to loaded Sweet Devil, with spicy salami, shaved parm, honey, mozzarella, and tomato sauce ($23). On Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9pm, there are weekly specials. On the brekkie side, get your bagel with simple cream cheese (+$4); avocado, whitefish, and cheese (+$3 each); or loaded with ham, turkey, bacon, or salmon ($7-$9). Or splurge on a punny sandwich. Favorites include Green Eggs and Ham with a fried egg, sauteed garlic and spinach, bistro ham, and sharp cheddar; a Fool on Mill Hill with avocado, egg, chevre, sprouts, and apple cider vin; or the Tinker Tuesday with hickory-smoked bacon, egg, sharp cheddar, tomato jam, and horseradish aioli (all $15).

Themudclub.com

Little Rico

437 Warren Street, Hudson Cold-pressed juices are just the starters to a meal at Little Rico on Warren Street in Hudson. Owner Angelica Hernandez’s dishes capture the nostalgic warmth of Latin American bodega staples with high-quality ingredients— many from her own garden. Following the death of her aunt 12 years ago, Hernandez’s attitude toward food transformed, and the menu reflects her focus on health-centric eating. The offerings at Little Rico are entirely gluten free and primarily vegetarian. Sandwiches, named for her aunts, include ingredients like avocado crema and chili flakes, sofrito beans, and a cassava-wrapped burrito. There’s also lighter fare like coconut yogurt parfaits ($7) and overnight sunrise oats with coconut milk, sunflower butter and fresh fruit ($7). In addition to bistro tables, the pastel-toned space offers a small market section with grab-and-go cups of fruit or vegetables, and grains and items from local farms and food makers.

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Colborn Bell’s home, the former Sacred Heart of Jesus church, sits on a hillside in the hamlet of Wilbur in Kingston. Built in 1884 to serve the local population of bluestone masons, carpenters, and shipyard workers, the church overlooks Feeney’s shipyard. A former owner refurbished the church’s locally sourced red brick walls and replaced the asphalt roof with metal and added copper gutters.

18 HOME & GARDEN CHRONOGRAM 1/23

the house

Red Brick, Wood Beams, and Luminous Flux An NFT curator creates an IRL homestead for himself and his collection

By Mary Angeles Armstrong Photos by Winona Barton-Ballentine Styling by Venetia Boucher

Bell has appropriated the church’s nave as the physical gallery space for the Museum of Crypto Art, which he founded online in 2020. The gallery space features the church’s 20-foot ceilings, stained glass windows, and rough-cut timber beams.

L

ike the rapid evolution of technology; like the revolution posed by cryptocurrency; like America’s changing notion of where we should all hang out, Colborn Bell’s home is in a bit of limbo. “Everything in my life is pretty ad hoc,” says the financier and founder of the Museum of Crypto Art. “I moved here last December and have been traveling like nobody’s business ever since.” “Here” is an industrial corner of Kingston’s Rondout neighborhood, up the hill from Feeney’s Shipyard, which Bell chose for it’s mix of peace, quiet, and community.

As well as his home, it’s the physical manifestation of the Museum of Crypto Art, which was founded online in early 2020 and dedicated to showcasing the depth and breadth of digital art. Bell’s abode is in an open-concept, loft-like first-floor space. In one corner, the kitchen—caught design-wise between phases in the Rondout’s evolution—juxtaposes a suite of modern appliances with an Art Deco crystal chandelier and colorful lamps salvaged from the Russian Tea Room. In another corner, a workstation with multiple screens and piles of books and papers is where Bell oversees the operations of MoCA and curates his growing collection of NFT art.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HOME & GARDEN 19

At the back of the space, two sliding barn doors hide his bedroom. And everywhere, lined up along the red brick walls, stacked in corners— some of it hanging—are prints and painted canvases. “I end up with a lot of art,” he explains.

“Because people selling NFTs often also give you the physical piece.” Storage, admits the visionary and virtual art collector, is a bit of a problem.

Bell sees no irony in the fact that he’s located the headquarters of his forward-thinking, 21stcentury project in a deconsecrated 1884 Catholic church. Maybe, suggests Bell, the 7,400-squarefoot building, the former Sacred Heart of Jesus, hand built by parishioners, is the ideal location for his particular live/work arrangement. “I’ve always been fascinated by the reappropriation of sacred symbols,” he says. “And I also like exploring the idea of the third place.”

Based on a theory first explained by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, a community’s third place (after homes and jobs) is where people spend their free time. Traditionally a place of worship, and often in modern times a barber shop or bar (think “Cheers”), the third place is easily accessible and essential to free-flowing banter and the exchange of ideas. Bell believes third spaces throughout 20 HOME & GARDEN CHRONOGRAM 1/23

the globe were already in trouble before the pandemic, and that the lockdown pushed the issue further. “So many people have tried to find their third place online, but that’s just led to a fragmented community and in America we have a real problem of trust,” he says. “People are being forced to change and that scares them. I find the best way to help people open their mind to the possibilities on hand is to invite them to reconsider new forms of art.”

Third Place Transitional Bell grew up in California and then moved to New York to attend college at Columbia.

He majored in economics and psychology, but Columbia’s core curriculum, which included a rigorous focus on elements of Western philosophy, art, history, and music, left a lasting impression on his professional trajectory. After college, he worked as an investment banker before becoming involved with impact investing and the world of finance. This lead him to the world of cryptocurrency, which became a revelation for him. “Once I began to accept Bitcoin as a new form of money, everything began to change for me,” he says. “Having

On the first floor, the church’s former rectory has been converted into an open-concept living space. It features refurbished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and pipes as well as shiplap on the ceiling. Restored lamps from Manhattan’s Russian Tea Room add Art Deco flair to the room. Along the brick wall, Bell has hung a mix of acrylic and oil works.

Opposite, top: Bell and his friend Wesley Sempkin hang out in a corner of MoCA’s gallery space. Displayed above them is Lovers in The Sun by Indonesian artist TwistedVacancy.

“There’s an incredible amount of talented digital artists all over the globe,” explains Bell. “Digital art is opening up avenues and opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

Opposite, bottom: The church’s former altar now features a large digital motion graphic work, Glass Jail by Kidmograph. On the smaller screen, artist Michelle von Kalben’s photograph Peace within Chaos explores how peace and chaos coexist in the modern world. Bell found the white bust sculpture at an antique store and matched it with an oil painting by local artist Emily Cavotti.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HOME & GARDEN 21

The home’s primary bedroom is separated from the living area by sliding doors. Bell matched his leather bed with a piece of a painting by artist Rachel T. Harris. “It was part of a paint party where guests painted 6,000 feet of canvas,” says Bell. “At the end of the party she gave all of us a section of the art.”

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The refurbished kitchen features a mix of vintage style and modern appliances. A Viking stove and Subzero refrigerator are topped with granite countertops. The original stainedglass window is paired with black Art Deco lamps from 1920s France. On the left wall, Elephant Walk by Ilya Shkipin, an oil painting augmented by AI. On the right hangs a print version of the NFT Something #5/7 by 431BD1.

self-custody over your own assets is very empowering. Instead of depending on a bank, you depend on yourself.”

Bell became disillusioned with digital currency when, like many things in both the art and tech world, its original, idealistic intent was infiltrated with bad actors. However, digital currency had already led him into a new frame of mind, one that had him reconsidering the world of art. Like crypto currency, crypto art is decentralized and by its very nature crosses all sorts of boundaries.

It brings a lot of new people into the ecosystem on the basis of the visual language,” he says.

“Visual language is more of global language.

Unlike social media, with algorithms that thrive on division, crypto art is authentic. It comes from individual artists and when you begin to collect art it forces you to interrogate what you care about and why, by way of the images and symbols you’re exposing yourself to.”

After nine years in New York City, Bell moved to the Dutchess County town of Milan, where he lived a solitary life in the woods for three years. It was a time of reflection when he really reconsidered how he wanted to spend his time.

“I work in extremes,” he explains. “After so many years in New York City, I needed to redefine my personal identity. I think a lot of that was baked into this project.” He launched the virtual

museum at the beginning of 2020, a prescient time for virtual enterprises and the accelerated idea exchanges they would spur. As the museum grew and his nexus of artists across the globe expanded, Bell realized it was time to find a brick-and-mortar location to match the space he was creating online. He found the church in 2021 and by the end of the year it was his.

Think Global Rooted in the Local While the nature of the museum is cutting edge and the participants are global, Bell’s mission is squarely rooted in Hudson Valley tradition.

“I’m continuing a long tradition of artists and creators coming to the region for peace and quiet, but also maybe more freedom,” he says. “This space is helping to facilitate that for others and also getting people interested in and showcasing digital art in new and novel ways.” The church’s second floor, the original nave, was ideally suited to become the museum’s brick-and-mortar gallery. Fully refurbished by a previous owner, the 3,000-square-foot space features 20-foot vaulted ceilings and two walls of ornate Tiffany stained glass. Flooded with light, the space also features exposed timber beams and hardwood floors.

Throughout the room, along both the refurbished brick walls and against the raw timber beams, is digital art displayed on screens,

interspersed with sculpture and paintings on canvas. While it’s based in the virtual world, Bell has made a point to meet most of the artists featured in the permanent collection in person.

This has required extensive travel, but it lends a depth of connection to the space so rooted in the Rondout location. “There is just an incredible number of talented digital artists all over the globe,” he says. “The connections I’ve made online with the artists have been some of the most genuine. People all over the world have invited me into their homes. It’s been immediately familial. The digital art world has become a true third place where people connect.”

Bell’s plan is to bring that spirit of connection and conversation—that new third space—into the former church, recongregating around art. Off the central space, two church offices have been turned into bedrooms lending the space to artist residencies. The large open nave, with its rolling acoustics, has also been the site of musical events.

“It’s a space where imagination and innovation can flourish,” says Bell of his plans. Through the church’s windows, cranes loading boats in Feeney’s shipyard, a nearby trestle bridge and the hustle and bustle of the neighboring Rondout are in full view. “I think art is probably the best place to start the conversation,” he adds. The collection can be viewed at Museumofcryptoart.com.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HOME & GARDEN 25

feature

A collaboration with

Why Are Accessory Dwelling Units Stalled in Albany?

2023 Could Be the Year For Statewide Gains in Affordable Housing

By Stowe Boyd

A

merica is gripped by a housing crisis. The nation as a whole is short at least seven million single-family housing units caused by decades of underbuilding, and especially short of smaller “starter homes” affordable for younger and less-well-paid residents.

A year ago, I wrote “Yes in My Backyard,” published at The River. In that article, I detailed the breadth, depth, and width of the housing crisis, and zeroed in on our region: The Hudson Valley region forms a microcosm within the national housing crisis: all the pressures affecting affordable housing elsewhere are present here. We’ve seen the influx of new residents moving from urban centers because of the pandemic, for example, and the rising prices that started even before COVID-19 have only accelerated.

The same barriers to countering the housing crisis exist here, as well. In other parts of the country, state legislatures, such as Oregon, have passed new laws that directly attack residential zoning, which more than any other factor has slowed the building of new housing where people want to live and work. Bills have been introduced in the New York State Senate and Assembly that propose a top-down overhaul of zoning regulations, in essence standardizing zoning ordinances across the state that relate to ADUs and removing many of the prerogatives of municipal zoning boards that historically have blocked higher density developments in general, and ADUs specifically.

But so far, New York has refused to act.

And the reality is—aside from a few progressive cities and towns, New York continues to block efforts to meaningfully enlarge affordable housing. In fact, New York is “an outlier regarding the degree of control it allows localities in land use regulation,” according to Noah Kazis of NYU’s Furman Center: New York stands alone among its peer states—i.e. coastal states with high housing costs and healthy regional economies—in giving its local governments such broad authority over local land use…Essentially every one of New York’s peer states with respect to housing markets— Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, Oregon, 26 FEATURE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Washington, and Florida—have adopted statelevel reforms to promote housing development in high-cost suburban areas, and the few similarlysituated states that have not are prominently debating the issue.

Gov. Hochul Backs Down In her January 2022 budget for the state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed the expansion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the form of apartments and backyard “granny flats” in areas now zoned exclusively for singlefamily houses, a proposal that has been working its way through New Yorks’s Assembly and Senate in several bills. A long-overdue and progressive effort that would have overruled local zoning control, which in many communities has blocked such dwellings for decades.

This is a purely political move, since none of the economics that led her to consider relaxing these restrictions have changed. The housing crisis is only getting worse, and rents in particular are rising spectacularly. Hochul acknowledged the opposing public reaction in a statement: “I have heard real concerns about the proposed approach on accessory dwelling units and transit-oriented development, and I understand that my colleagues in the State Senate believe a different set of tools is needed, even if they agree with the goal of supporting the growth of this kind of housing.”

The largest pushback came from communities on Long Island, which have long resisted any actions to adopt policies leading to higher-density housing. Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick of the 8th Assembly District in Suffolk County called the plan the “death of the suburbs.”

Pete Harckman, State Senator of the 40th Senate District, which covers parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, is continuing to sponsor bill S4547. He commented: “I understand Governor Hochul’s decision to remove the ADU initiative from the Executive Budget; this action highlights our primary concern, which is to get all of the details of the bill right, rather than enact a bill right away. It is important that we keep driving a conversation, however, on affordable housing for our workforce and equitable treatment for our residents.”

The bottom line is that ADUs and transit-ori-

ented housing were off the budget for 2022, and now that the November elections are over, Gov. Hochul is looking at budgeting for 2023 and beyond. This means that municipalities are on their own. So, at present, we are likely to only see zoning changes in progressive cities and towns in the Hudson Valley.

What About Hudson Valley Communities?

While the state dithers, Hudson valley cities and towns are making headway in efforts to rethink zoning with regard to ADUs. Woodstock’s Housing Oversight Task Force has focused on the ADU issue, and in June 2022 released a series of recommendations at a Town Board meeting. In particular, they have proposed relaxed restrictions, as reported by Nick Henderson at Hudson Valley One: Such units are currently permitted in some cases, but the task force expanded the types of allowed ADUs. “We have added in two kinds that someone is eligible to have. One would be an attached accessory dwelling. That means you build on your house and you add a little dwelling unit on the back of your house. Or the second way is what’s called a detached accessory dwelling unit,” [Planning Consultant Nan] Stolzenburg said.

Such acceptable uses include turning a garage into an apartment or building a cabin on the property. “The Housing Task Force was very committed to accessory dwelling units as a really important option to have in Woodstock to give both landowners opportunities and other people who need the housing opportunity,” she said.

The proposed zoning change would allow two ADUs, for example, one attached to the main housing unit and another, a cabin or converted garage. They also propose to allow tiny houses which are smaller than the minimum sizes allowed by the current zoning.

Kingston has been involved in a citywide rezoning project called Kingston Forward for several years. In early December, a review of draft 3.0 of the plan was released for public review, and is on its way to the Kingston Common Council and other city and county committees for review.

This version includes support for accessory dwelling units on zoned single-family lots with the express intention to increase the number of such accommodations. The goal is to incorporate

Accessory dwelling units (or ADUs) come in many shapes and styles.

From “The ABCs of ADUs,” a publication by AARP.

community feedback and move forward to implementation in the coming months.

Several aspects of the proposed rezoning are quite progressive, demonstrating the city’s commitment to lowering barriers to building ADUs. In particular, the proposal requires no additional parking for lots where ADUs are to be developed.

Beacon has been involved in a long rezoning discussion with the aim of redrafting the zoning regulations restricting ADUs, including a for-allintents-and-purposes mandatory hearing with the city’s planning board. (A personal note: I was dissuaded, twice, by officials at the city’s building department, from taking plans for two different plans for an ADU to the planning board because they would be denied.)

On September 19, the Beacon City Council voted to approve amendments to the City’s zoning regulations to reduce the red tape and bureaucracy surrounding ADUs. The vote was tight: four to three in favor. Unlike the opposition to ADUs in Long Island, however, opposition on the Beacon City Council was not directed against increasing density or reducing the value of homes, but instead concerns were raised about whether the new housing would be affordable.

In the end, the changes to the zoning were relatively minor. Detached ADUs are not an “asof-right” proposition: they still require approval of the planning board, owners are limited to only one such unit, and the unit’s size is limited to the range of 300 to 600 square feet, although the board may approve a small or larger structure where appropriate for buildings built before 1989 (the date of the first ADU zoning regulations in Beacon). An offstreet parking space is required for each unit in addition to the parking required for the single-family residence. The owner must reside in one of the units. Annual inspections of accessory apartments are required.

I spoke with Mayor Lee Kyriacou about the year-long push and the result. (Interview edited for length and clarity.)

Stowe Boyd: Could you summarize the long push involved to get to the new zoning rules on ADUs? Mayor Kyriacou: It took a long time, but we got to the right answer eventually. I made a list of potential zoning and planning changes to affect housing, about a year and a half ago, and we picked what we thought were the low-hanging fruit. We thought, oh, we’ll just do accessory dwelling units that’ll be quick and easy, because we already allowed them. We were just going to make it a little bit easier [to get ADUs approved], and it took a year! I’ve gotten a little frustrated by that.

SB: What were the concerns raised that slowed the process? I heard some of the NIMBY comments at the recent City Council meeting.

LK: Interestingly, it was not NIMBY on the right. It was NIMBY on the left.

SB: Yeah, I was surprised to hear progressives on the council question whether ADUs would help housing affordability. I mean, adding more supply should lower price pressures, right?

LK: If the argument is “ADUs won’t lower rents, because we’re only a microcosm of the New York metro area, and there’s going to be more people in the New York metro area wanting to come so it won’t have an impact.” That just becomes a NIMBY argument. That’s all it really is. Because you can’t say we can’t make a local decision because we can’t affect the entire metropolitan region. You have to make the right decision for your community. And know that either the state’s gonna mandate it for everyone or that other communities will kind of see the light and we’ll get there.

So, if those opposed believed strongly in affordability they should have tried to change the regulations to require affordability. But they didn’t. If they had done so, I believe it would have

failed at the Council. But they should have made the case, voted, and then accepted the outcome.

But that’s not what happened.

Looking Forward Governor Hochul’s stalled housing plans are victims of political expediency: She opted to take them off her agenda in 2022 since her Republican opponents would use them against her and other Democrats in the November elections, and she opted to not give them a weapon to wield. Now that Hochul has won a full term after succeeding in the elections, it looks likely her administration will move ahead with something quite like what was in her original 2022 annual budget, shifted to 2023. Hochul laid out that plan just prior to the elections in a New York Times interview: The crisis I have, the state has—over the next 10 years, we have to build over 500,000, possibly up to 1.2 million, new units.

My plan last year was $25 billion toward affordable housing. It sounds like a big number, right? To do something? That gets me one-tenth of that goal. It’s 100,000 units. One hundred thousand units of affordable housing and supportive housing.

So, it’s about looking at all the regulations. I said I want to see a list of every single city and state barrier to be able to have more density, grant-oriented development, and take another look at ADUs. In the meantime, the housing crisis continues, unabated, and the state has lost another year in squabbling. However, some more foresighted cities and towns have moved ahead, fighting the same battles in miniature that have dominated the housing discussion at the state and national level: Where are people to live if we don’t provide housing?

Accessory dwelling units aren’t a complete answer to our housing woes, but they fall on the side of progress and should be embraced.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM FEATURE 27

weddings

Crazy Little Thing Called Love A couple honors their parents and the dynamic spirit of Freddie Mercury with their Queen-themed wedding

By Mary Angeles Armstrong

S

hawna Morey and Mark Mulligan believe in the magic of rock 'n' roll. “There’s an artist for every mood. There’s a song for every moment. There’s a lyric for every life lesson,” explains Morey, a native of the Hudson Valley who wed Mulligan, a native of Ireland, this past October. “For both of us, it’s amazing how one song can bring you back to a specific date, time and place. Music helps us relive all aspects of life and serves as a time-traveling medium.”

So, when the two began planning their nuptials in July of 2021, it didn’t take long for them to settle on a lyrical theme for the event: the English glam rock band Queen.

Morey was first introduced to Queen by her late mother, Shirley. “Our Christmas tradition was to bake cookies to the tune of Queen’s Live Killers on vinyl,” says Morey. When her mother became ill, one thing that could lift her spirits was listening to Freddie Mercury and the band play their iconic hits. “One day, after my mother had spent all night being treated in the emergency room for sepsis, I was driving her home and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' came on the radio,” remembers Morey. “Even though she’d been struggling to breathe, she told me to turn up

28 WEDDINGS CHRONOGRAM 1/23

the radio and she sang. Every. Last. Word. Queen brought her to life.”

Queen’s longevity as a group was also an inspiration for both Morey and Mulligan, who is a longtime fan as well. “When you look back into their history the band really functioned like an old married couple,” explains Morey. “They were motivated and although behind the scenes they were sometimes dysfunctional, together they were unstoppable.” To both Morey and Mulligan, the band’s creative relationship exemplified resilience, strength and acceptance—qualities they wanted to emulate in their married life. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendship or a marriage, the message is: Be who you are, but be true to the arrangement.

Be patient and don’t be quick to give up on yourself or one another.” The couple wanted to capture that potent cocktail of qualities as well as Freddie Mercury’s indomitable spirit on the day they made a lifelong commitment to one another.

A Queen-themed bash also seemed like the perfect way to honor both sets of parents, who had all passed on. “It seemed like the best way to bring their spirits to life,” says Morey. “If we set a table for them spiritually, they wouldn’t miss our special day.”

You’re My Best Friend The couple, who have been an item since 2016, began collecting wedding intel soon after their engagement. They made notes whenever they attended someone else’s event and asked lots of questions of other recently married couples. Soon they were able to narrow down their findings, not just to the band Queen but to one of the band’s most iconic performances. “We took all that information and dressed it up in a package that was bound by the structure of Freddie Mercury’s vibrant presence and Queen’s Live Aid performance,” explains Morey. A highlight of the band’s career, Queen’s Live Aid set is still considered by many as one of the best rock 'n' roll performances of all time.

Shawna Morey and Mark Mulligan's first dance as a married couple.

Opposite, clockwise from top: Queen Flash and the newlyweds gather for a group photo at the end of the tribute band's set. Centerpieces were designed by Shawna Morey and Andrew Mulligan.

Table names and numbers inspired by Queen's Live Killers album track listing. All essential “personnel” on the day of the wedding were provided credentials.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM WEDDINGS 29

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30 WEDDINGS CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Instead of traditional wedding invitations, the couple sent out Ticketmaster-style concert tickets, admitting invitees to their October 8 nuptials at Lagrangeville’s Mid County Rod and Gun Club. Morey threw a pre-wedding bridal shower on Mercury’s birthday (September 5), where friends served “Fred Tea Mercury Bohemian Raspberry” tea and gave out wooden spoons engraved with “We will crock you” and “I want to bake free” to guests.

Largely a DIY affair, Morey and Mulligan relied on a few close friends and family to create the magic of their one-of-a-kind wedding.

A recording of Mercury’s piano and vocals, along with the live-recorded uproar accompanying the “Somebody to Love” track, called attendees to attention and began the ceremony with the line, “Are you ready? Are you ready brothers and sisters?” The bridal party walked down the aisle to the tune of “Somebody to Love.” The ring bearers were all dressed in Mercury’s iconic white tank top, stonewashed jeans, pyramid studded belt, and Adidas Samba sneakers worn during his Live Aid performance. The flower girls also wore colorful Adidas Samba sneakers, with the oldest dressed in a copy of Mercury’s yellow leather biker jacket and strewing matching yellow guitar picks instead of flowers. Mulligan also wore Freddie Mercury-inspired attire, including Adidas Samba sneakers, “Show Must Go On” Freddie Mercury socks, a pyramid studded belt, and a Freddie Mercury tie from Ireland.

Radio Gaga “As cliche as it sounds, our wedding really was the best day of our lives,” says Morey. “Everyone embraced the theme and the magic of the event was created.” Two days after the wedding, the couple was off on their honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was time to finally relax, so they went out to a local BBQ restaurant to eat jerk chicken wings and listen to reggae music played from a local radio station. The day also happened to be the 41st wedding anniversary of Morey’s parents. In the middle of lunch, unexpectedly, the radio became full of static and we heard a familiar voice deliver the famous line, ‘Mama, just killed a man.’ Then there was another brief moment of static and the reggae music ensued,” remembers Morey.

“Mark and I just looked at each other in disbelief. ‘Did you just hear that?’

We both asked each other.” The two took it as a sign of love and support from those passed on. “If you set the table for them, they will come.”

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Dreamer’s Ball After the ceremony, guests were greeted to the reception with a glass of champagne and a sign quoting Mercury: “May you all have champagne for breakfast.” The reception’s decor and food played homage to Queen, down to the smallest details. Guests were directed to their seats with a seating chart based on the Live Killers album cover with all the table names and numbers arranged based on the album’s list of tracks. “The seating chart included a table set for our late parents,” says Morey. “We had a Bavarian pretzel and bread station titled 'Another One Bites the Crust' and a cheese station titled 'You Say Smile, I Say Cheese,'” recalls Morey. The couple also had a “Donut Stop Me Now” donut station as well as a chili station, Mercury’s favorite, prepared following the chili con carne recipe provided by his longtime personal assistant Peter Freestone. “Our chili pot sported the 'Under Pressure' decal featuring Mercury and David Bowie,” adds Morey. The cake stand also quoted Mercury with a banner saying, “Let them eat cake, she says, just like Marie Antoinette.” Each table included a golden glitter Queen crown as centerpiece, and each place included a silverware rollup held together by a bicycle bell, as well as a “Bohemian Rhapsody” lyric card and the statement—often quoted by Morey’s late mother Shirley: “If you don’t sing, you can’t be trusted.”

However, the highlight of the reception—and a surprise for Mulligan planned by Morey—was a performance by the Queen tribute band, Queen Flash. “The wedding would have been unique enough without Queen Flash, but I wanted to push this over the top,” says Morey. “Live music is usually a big hit at weddings and for a Queen-themed wedding, aside from securing Queen themselves, I knew I had to bring in the best.”

The Montreal-based Queen Flash is headed by Mercury impersonator Jonny Zatylny who explains they had never performed at a wedding before. Among other hits, the band performed their own versions of “Bicycle Race” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” “Performing at a Queen-themed wedding was quite unique, to say the least,” says Zatylny.

“We met so many great people and enjoyed ourselves very much. It was a kind of magic.”

1/23 CHRONOGRAM WEDDINGS 31

high society

People congregate on Union Square on May 1, 2021 to celebrate the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York State. Photo by Lev Radin

L

High Risk

Litigation Threatens to Derail Hudson Valley Dispensaries

By Austin C. Jefferson

egal cannabis sales in New York hit a snag in November when a federal judge in New York’s Northern District Court granted an injunction preventing Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD) licenses from being granted in several regions, including the Mid-Hudson area.

The initial lawsuit claimed that the company, Michigan-based Variscite NY One, was unfairly excluded from the licenses granted. Its majority owner, Kenneth Gay, was previously convicted on marijuana-related charges (in Michigan) and cited his lack of access to a dispensary license despite an arrest record, something that can qualify New York state residents for the current round of licenses, and the dormant commerce clause as grounds for suit.

This lawsuit throws the future of New York’s legal cannabis community into uncertainty. The 36 licenses currently granted for dispensaries to operate exclude the Mid-Hudson region, among others, on the grounds that these areas were possible locations of operation for Variscite NY One. Many are wondering, where does this leave the Hudson Valley’s cannabis community?

Bumps in the Road David Holland, a partner at the law firm of Prince Lobel Tye and executive director of the New York State chapter of NORML, an organization focused on marijuana reform,

32 HIGH SOCIETY CHRONOGRAM 1/23

says the clause being referred to in the suit is being misapplied. The dormant commerce clause refers to the prohibition, implicit in the Constitution’s Commerce Clause, against states passing legislation that discriminates against or excessively burdens interstate commerce. Holland uses the example of railroads in the 1800s to explain. “Before you had the golden spike in the Transcontinental Railroad, you would find that railroad tracks were not uniform state to state. A train would travel across one state and then have to unload all its cargo to be loaded onto another state’s trains that ran on different size tracks.

Every state was trying to get its own loading and transportation fees,” he says.

Holland thinks that after State Attorney General Letitia James has begun filings to combat the lawsuit and once it reaches the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, a judge will take a different view of the situation. Holland says, “I am optimistic that this will get resolved in time.”

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, whose 103rd district covers much of the Mid-Hudson region, suggested that legal challenges are going to be an unfortunate part of life for New York’s legal cannabis community but that it shouldn’t detract from the promise that legalization offers.

“Every new journey has bumps in the road,” says Cahill. “New York’s innovative laws blazing bold new territory will surely be tested in the courts many times. The intention of the state

legislature in making unique provisions for people who had previously been convicted of certain marijuana-related offenses was to acknowledge that we are reversing course on the infamous Rockefeller Drug Laws and giving those who were marginalized a fair chance to be fully returned to society. While I understand and sympathize with the plaintiff with a Michigan conviction, we do not have control over other states’ laws. I am confident that the carefully drafted, deeply debated, and broadly accepted legislation will stand the tests of litigation.”

Gail Hepworth, CEO of Hepworth Farms, an organic produce farm in Milton that harvested 30,000 pounds of marijuana this past growing season as part of the state’s cultivation pilot, has a measured outlook toward the situation.

“We were really looking forward to working with some of the applicants in the Hudson Valley and it is gonna slow us down because the rollout is going to obviously be hindered. We do believe it’s going to straighten itself out, but in the meantime, of course it’s very disappointing, especially since the lawsuit is so flawed and I think that they won’t win,” Hepworth says.

She still plans to work to fill future orders for dispensaries unaffected by the suit but says there were roughly 100 products she won’t get to sell to local dispensaries, from gummies to topicals and everything in between. Being that Hepworth Farms finds itself navigating cannabis’ federal status on a day-to-day basis, she almost finds the suit’s premise funny.

“It’s difficult enough to operate in such a big industry only in your state. However, a person who got arrested in Michigan on a federal charge can also disrupt our business. The irony does not escape me,” Hepworth says.

Saugerties-based cannabis entrepreneur Rueben Lindo, CEO and founder of Blackmar Farms, is more alarmed by the situation. He also consults for other cannabis businesses, one of which, has had its license thrown into limbo.

“The delay will set us back in securing product for local dispensaries in the Hudson Valley.

I think that’s where were gonna see an issue because there’s not gonna be enough product for the 36 dispensaries that they’re rolling out,” says Lindo, referring to the initial round of dispensary licenses issued in November.

As a result of the delays and problems caused by the lawsuit, which, like Holland he believes lacks merit, he isn’t sure that the OCM’s goal of 150 dispensaries is going to be met next year.

“I’m not a fortune teller,” he says.

Buzzkill The Hudson Valley’s entire future in the industry could be at risk, now that future dispensary licensees are behind schedule on sourcing products for sale, losing first-mover advantage.

“There’s limited supply currently that we know [of ], so what was grown in the state, that’s gonna make up the initial marketplace,” says Lindo. “I don’t think that there’s a vast amount of cannabis out there that’s gonna be hitting these shelves.

The first 36 are gonna get product because these farmers are gonna be anxious to make money and sell their cannabis and get it on shelves.”

Martin Mills, a cannabis entrepreneur and host of Radio Woodstock’s “420 Report” thinks

that the industry has too secure a foothold in New York to be knocked off course in any major way. “I don’t have a major concern, because I think that the ball is already rolling, and it’s not going to stop,” says Mills. “The rollout for a fully licensed market in New York is going to happen.

And the Hudson Valley is going to have a very strong presence in the state with its great number of cultivators, manufacturers, and inevitably, dispensaries, opening in this area. It’s just going to take more time because of these lawsuits.”

Like Gail Hepworth, he does take issue with the grounds of the lawsuit, calling the commerce clause “arcane.” Mills thinks it’s a part of a growing trend of people using federal law to paradoxically protect their interests in an industry that isn’t legal federally, with reactionary federal judges enabling them to try and hamstring the cannabis industry. He did concede that some cannabis entrepreneurs should brace themselves for more challenges to their businesses. “I think that anybody who’s a hopeful dispensary license applicant should be taking it very seriously, taking the timeline very seriously and getting all their ducks in a row right now, because the [new] applications are going to come out in 2023,” says Mills.

Stress Point The Hudson Valley has a variety of opinions on the situation, whether it’s fair or not fair, calamitous or just annoying, or yet another example of the federal government affecting local cannabis legislation. What cannot be forgotten, is that the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) for some, held a promise of providing a safer, easier way to access cannabis. Rather than having to wait in dark parking lots for strangers to facilitate an illicit sale, a cannabis seeker could walk into storefronts and make a simple purchase, like buying groceries or clothes.

Highland resident Joshua Sebesta, 21, grew up in a household that didn’t stigmatize weed.

Instead, it was just another thing that he had to wait until he was older to enjoy, like alcohol.

“Obviously I use it recreationally, but I also do use it for stress relief,” says Sebesta. “After a long day of doing schoolwork or a long day of working like 12 hours, I’ll come home and smoke.”

Sebesta just wants himself, his family and his community to feel safe when they acquire cannabis, whether it be for stress relief, pain management, or fun. He can’t say that’s how he feels now after the injunction that he thinks is “absurd” was granted last month. “I’m just literally scared for my life,” he says.

There’s a variety of reasons for him to feel that way, one being that black market cannabis is not tested by regulators like legal cannabis will be once dispensaries are up and running. “You don’t know what these people who are selling you weed can put in, there’s countless stories of people smoking weed and it being laced, and them overdosing, or smoking weed and freaking out and going to a psych ward,” says Sebesta.

“These are all risks that you have to deal with now that you can’t just walk into a store and be greeted with a smile and whatever kind of weed you want, knowing that is has been tested rigorously and knowing that if I smoked it, I’m not going to die.”

“A person who got arrested in Michigan on a federal charge can also disrupt our business [in New York].

The irony does not escape me.”

—Gail Hepworth, CEO of Hepworth Farms

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HIGH SOCIETY 33

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34 HEALTH & WELLNESS CHRONOGRAM 1/23

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health & wellness

Dog Days of Winter

SEASONAL PET HEALTH TIPS FROM LOCAL VETERINARIANS

By Abigail Gierke

Pasha, a two-year-old Border Collie, is at her most jubilant when racing through the snowy fields of Phoenicia.

Photo by Ashleigh Lovelace

T

here’s something about winter that seems to keep us on our toes more than other seasons. You’re either looking forward to it or waiting for it but if you’re a dog owner you know your pal will be by your side. We can all agree that spending some time outside, for both humans and animals, is mentally and physically beneficial. But when do the risks outweigh the benefits? A few area pet health professionals and Hudson Valley veterinarians help us know what to consider this winter when caring for our fourlegged friends.

Too Cold?

“A good rule of thumb is to use common sense.

If it’s too cold for you, chances are your dog feels the same,” says Dr. Michael Berman, lead veterinarian of the Dutchess County SPCA (DCSPCA). When it comes to the cold there’s just no one right answer and just like people, some dogs fare better than others. All dogs are more vulnerable in cold temperatures and winter walks should typically be shorter, but Rhinebeck Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Julianne Porter, points out that “overall, it seems the majority of dogs enjoy the winter, at least for a few minutes!”

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, different breeds are naturally more prepared for winter weather conditions than others. Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Labrador Retrievers, and other canines with longer hair or a thicker coat of fur are built for cooler temperatures and, therefore, typically fare better physically and mentally. “Some of the shorter dogs will have trouble in high snow and some of the lean, short-haired dogs may be a little chilly. While most dogs tend to enjoy the mild temperatures of spring and autumn, they do prefer winter over summer,” says Dr. Porter.

In extremely cold weather, dogs can develop frostbite and hypothermia or symptoms leading to both, and both are serious conditions. A dog suffering from frostbite will have discoloration of the extremities. “Dogs naturally have thinner tissue on their ears, tails, and paws which make these areas most susceptible to frostbite, due to decreased blood flow to these areas in cold weather,” says Dr. David Gunzburg, medical director at Hurley Veterinary Hospital. Signs of frostbite can range anywhere from swelling and redness in the early stages to white, blue, and even black.

Hypothermia is an extreme reaction to wet and cold weather that can present in demeanor, breathing patterns, and even gastrointestinal complications. “A very cold or wet dog will shake or shiver and can have a rapid drop in body temperature which causes lethargy and slower breathing, says Dr. Gunzburg. “Dogs don’t sweat, they pant, and so if you see your dog doing this, it could be a sign of thermal dysregulation.”

When you do call your dog in after spending some quality time outside, particularly on a cold day, take care when warming them up. “A common mistake we can make with our animals is to warm them up too quickly. “Instead of using hot water or extremely hot air to help warm your dog, you can gradually warm your dog using towels, blankets, or warm heat pads.”

Dr. Kimberly Buchanan, Hopewell Animal Hospital owner and veterinarian, practices integrative and regenerative medicine for animals along with traditional medical techniques. She notes that, just like people, the change in seasons can cause changes to behavior or acting in ways inconsistent with typical behavior. “We always start our appointments with an observation period,” she says. “This deeper diagnostic can help to address underlying causes instead of just the symptoms.”

Exercise If temperatures dip below freezing, you shouldn’t be outside for very long, but regular exercise habits and routines should not be altered all that much. “Watch the weather, but keep up normal routines,” says Dr. Buchanan. “Certain breeds are built for winter weather, but individual personalities do also matter when it comes to temperature preferences.” Dr. Porter echoes this sentiment. “Exercise depends on the breed and life stage—a border collie is going to need more exercise than a bulldog. A puppy is going to need more exercise than a senior dog—but seniors need to get out and move too! Aim for at least 30 to 45 minutes per day, but in the winter, this may need to be shortened to 10 to 15 minutes depending on the weather. In those situations, try to find a way to exercise inside if possible.”

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HEALTH & WELLNESS 35

Tennessee-born Kasha, a two-year-old hound mix, doesn’t mind the cold as long as there are squirrels to chase.

Photo by Lisa Green

According to Jodi Arnold lead canine trainer at the DCSPCA, there is still plenty to do indoors to keep your pup from succumbing to ennui. “I struggle with winter myself, so I think more about what can be done indoors. Biologically, fulfilling a dog’s brain through social enrichment exercises, nose work, and relaxation techniques can burn just as much energy as cardiovascular forms of exercise.” Arnold suggests taking your dog to indoor spaces like malls to work on people training.

Using brain-stimulating toys and mat training can be successful in your home. “Staying inside doesn’t have to be boring, and for those who tend to steer clear of the cold, there are still many ways to keep your dog active,” says Arnold.

Paw Health Paws are perhaps the most vulnerable body part on a dog, and especially this time of year. “Over time, dogs will start to develop fissures or sores on their paws from exposure to salt and deicers on sidewalks and roads, which is extremely painful,” says Dr. Gunzburg. Foot and leg injuries are also more common in the wintertime, so make sure to keep a closer eye when they wander.

“Frozen lakes, ponds, slipping on ice, and even deeper snowbanks can be dangerous for dogs in terms of injury or cold weather-related illnesses,” says Dr. Berman.

Going to the groomer for a full cut or shave during the winter months is unadvisable, but trimming the tiny bits of hair that grow between paws can help to mitigate ice balls forming and becoming uncomfortable or painful for your pup, says Dr. Berman.

“Massaging products like Musher’s salve or other petroleum jelly-based brands can help sustain paw health by applying to paws before heading outside,” says Dr. Buchanan. “In any extreme, feet are important to think about and to care for, and with repeated exposure to salt, ice, and cold conditions checking your dog’s paws each time you come inside is important.”

When it comes to accessorizing, booties aren’t just for show. According to area professionals, dog booties and covers for paws add a layer of warmth and protection from deicers and other chemicals that are often used to manage snow and ice and cause harm to paws.

36 HEALTH & WELLNESS CHRONOGRAM 1/23

You may also be wondering about other accessories and pet clothing like coats and sweaters. With the pet clothing and accessory market size valued at over $5 billion in 2021 and the recent announcement of Snoop Dogg’s pet clothing company called, Snoop Doggie Dogs, are coats a necessity? According to area veterinarians, it just depends on the dog and the type of clothing. “I put a waterproof coat on my dog mostly to keep my dog dry, but they can be beneficial for smaller or thin-haired dogs,” says Dr. Gunzburg. “Overall body temperature is important for a healthy dog and when dogs get wet, that can present other problems.”

Upset stomach Although the official holiday season may be over, there’s plenty still to celebrate long after the ball drops and parties continue into the new year.

Your dog will be around to partake in the fun, which can also be harmful. “One of the most common ailments we treat this time of year are upset stomachs simply due to an increase in food intake, blockages, and unattended dogs looking for an extra turkey leg,” says Dr. Berman. Keep an eye out for fallen holiday decorations, food, and other foreign objects that might look attractive.

Avoid exposure to toxins like antifreeze or rat poison by thoroughly wiping your dog’s paws when they come indoors and keeping a watchful eye for licking. “Dogs will tend to lick both salt and antifreeze, which both cause upset stomachs, but the ingestion of antifreeze can be fatal and needs immediate attention,” says Dr. Buchanan.

Regularly check under your car and on your driveway for potential leaks.

Respiratory illnesses and other viruses are also common during the colder months and it’s important to get a check-up if you notice sneezing, wheezing coughing, or general cold symptoms. “Just like kids in a classroom, dogs are more prone to viruses in the wintertime due to an increase in time spent inside and in closer proximity to other dogs and animals in care facilities,” says Dr. Berman.

Most people associate dehydration with the “dog days of summer,” but an ample amount of water to keep your dog hydrated is just as important. “Dogs need just as much water, and

sometimes more, to regulate their metabolism and temperature during the winter. Indoors will be often higher in temperature and lower in humidity, so the dry air will cause more moisture to evaporate from their bodies,” says Dr. Porter.

Climate Change With climate change, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and other disease-carrying insects can survive for longer throughout the year. Animal hospitals and veterinarians have seen an increase in tick and heartworm issues during the colder months. “I’ve seen many dogs with ticks in the winter and owners are always shocked,” says Dr. Porter. “Many people stop using flea, tick, and heartworm prevention during the winter.

The pupal stage of fleas can survive without feeding for six to nine months. Also, unless the temperatures are below 40 Fahrenheit for several weeks, we can expect to still see ticks and mosquitoes. We will often get a warm spell in February, which will melt the snow and wake the ticks out of hibernation. Use the preventatives year-round. It is much safer and less expensive than trying to treat the diseases that fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes cause.”

Keeping Track If your dog is off-leash, Dr. Berman suggests updating any forms of identification, including microchips. “This time of year, we see an increased number of lost or stray pets at the shelter,” he says. “Making sure your dog has proper tags will save you some time and heartache.” The DCSPCA and Ulster County DCSPCA offer regular low-cost vaccine and microchip services, and free rabies clinics. To learn more, visit their websites.

Winter can be a fun time of year for the whole family and taking a bit of time to prepare will help you reap the benefits too. If you observe your dog acting unusual, with visible ailments, or just a bit “off ” seek medical assistance right away. Contact your local veterinarian or animal hospital to learn more about your specific dog and dive deeper into dog health this winter. And remember, dogs are just like us!

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38 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

community pages

Mind(ing) the Gap Great Barrington

By Hannah Van Sickle Photos by David McIntyre Leigh Davis, Selectboard member and development director for Construct, outside the Windflower Inn, an affordable housing project that will open its doors to residents this month.

Opposite: Carol Bosco Baumann, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of the South Berkshires.

T

he purest form of democracy is alive and well in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Each May, taxpayers come together at Monument Mountain Regional High School— or the parking lot there, as has been the case this past few years—to convene in an open meeting and vote on the town warrant (a full listing, furnished in advance, of each agenda item up for discussion), right down to the last proposed penny to be spent from the town coffers. It’s a tradition spanning three centuries, one hinging on the right of every registered voter to attend, speak, and vote on the issues integral to the community at large. It’s a powerful means of understanding the townspeople’s commitment to their community.

“The people who live in Great Barrington are very involved in what goes on [here],” says Paul Joffe, adding, “and this has an effect on the town” where, in his estimation, people are friendly and polite. Joffe is the brains (and hands) behind the Flying Church and its eponymous coffee shop, which is adjacent to the building. The church

was constructed in 1845 by the Methodists before Joffe renovated the venerable building as a mixed-use commercial space in 2014.

As Joffe is quick to point out, those with the loudest voices do not always represent the majority. There’s something quintessentially quaint yet heroic about this annual assembly of neighbors, one that lies at the intersection of Old New England and progressive thinking— as evidenced by rainbow-colored crosswalks downtown. Still, gritty issues abound.

For a community where many full-time residents were already struggling to make ends meet, the pandemic created a crucible of sorts— as evidenced by an ongoing housing crisis and a shortage of service industry workers (a pair of chicken-and-egg problems). While uncertainty prevails, so does the collective spirit to press on.

Together, many hands are making light(er) work, ensuring often-marginalized populations have the opportunity to thrive here alongside the restaurants, shops, and businesses valued visitors continue to crave.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 39

Many Voices, One Vision In a town boasting dozens of nonprofits, a handful remain committed to being inclusive of those who might not otherwise feel they fit. Community Access to the Arts has a new permanent home on Stockbridge Road after operating from a rented space downtown since its founding in 1993. CATA’s universally designed headquarters—featuring a pair of fully accessible arts studios, designed to accommodate individuals with a range of abilities—allows 800 artists with disabilities to explore new art forms and discover new talents.

“Every week, hundreds of people with disabilities tap into their creativity and express their unique perspectives in our arts workshops,” says Executive Director Margaret Keller. “Every time a CATA artist shares their talents, takes the stage to perform, or exhibits a painting or drawing in a gallery or museum or coffee shop, our community becomes that much more inclusive. And as individual members of this community, we expand our worldview and grasp the human experience more fully. We are stronger as a community when we truly see each other, and when we honor and respect each person for their talents and contributions.”

40 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

In June, doors at the South County Recovery Center (a project of Rural Recovery Resources) were flung open, offering a long-awaited brickand-mortar hub and community gathering space for those seeking recovery from substance-use disorder. The nonprofit, whose mission is to lower the morbidity and mortality associated with substance use and to foster a culture of compassion and empathy among the peer-driven community, hosts a myriad of events, including all-recovery meetings, yoga and meditation classes, poetry readings, and Naloxone training.

Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires has been providing access to free, comprehensive health care for roughly 1,300 individuals each year who are uninsured or under-insured since 2004.

In the wake of the pandemic, the nonprofit has been experiencing what Patient Services Manager Natalia DeRuzzio calls a “migration” among the immigrant population, one that comes with complex dynamics. “For someone who doesn’t speak English—and who doesn’t know how things work here—things become very complicated,” she says, underscoring the difficulty of navigating systems in order to create roots in the community, buy a home and open a business.

Lucas Swann in the cheese department at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace.

Opposite, above: Volunteers in Medicine has been providing access to free, comprehensive health care in Great Barrington since 2004.

From left: Gladis Rave, Kelly Baxter Spitz, Hannah Weeks, Natalia DeRuzzio, Ilana Steinhauer, Marcela Urrea, Robert Olsen.

Opposite below: Fluff Alpaca is a family affair. Suzanne Werner and her son Jamie Werner run the retail shop on Main Street.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 41

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From left: Bard College at Simon’s Rock Provost John Weinstein outside the provost’s house on the Simon’s Rock campus.

Matt Rubiner, owner of Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and Grocers and Rubi’s Coffee and Sandwiches on Main Street.

Pressing Issues Restaurateur Josh Irwin is heavily invested in Great Barrington—and for good reason. The owner of Cantina 229 (in nearby New Marlborough) and Mooncloud (which opened in Great Barrington three years ago) has had a front-row seat to the growing gap between those who flock to the bucolic hills for fun and relaxation versus those who call the Berkshires home.

“I’ve come to see the good, the bad, and the ugly [in town],” Irwin says. His most recent passion project, to create workforce housing, is a shining example. In what turned out to be a long and auspicious chain of events, Irwin’s idea—to purchase the 13-bedroom Windflower Inn, located in neighboring South Egremont, for service worker housing—was ultimately executed by Construct, the leading nonprofit provider of affordable housing and supportive services to residents of the southern Berkshires.

The plan is to begin welcoming lodgers (via applications from employers) to the property, as soon as January. “[This past year] was very difficult for many in our service area, and our waiting lists grew exponentially,” says Construct Development Director Leigh Davis, citing over 200 individuals currently awaiting housing. While Construct has grown over five decades to meet the needs of more than 600 families per year, it is not tackling the problem alone.

Community Development Corporation of South

Berkshire (CDCSB) is exploring a variety of ways to serve community needs. In addition to co-developing Windrush Commons, a 49-unit affordable housing complex under construction at 910 Main Street, on track for completion in spring of 2023, the nonprofit is poised to acquire its first building. In early December, CDCSB entered into a contract to purchase the Marble Block—a downtown building comprising eight apartments and six commercial spaces.

“Our motivation in acquiring this mixed-use property is to directly mitigate impacts of the prolonged economic fallout of the pandemic and luxury rental development on the local real estate market,” says Executive Director Carol Bosco Baumann. “By keeping downtown rentals economically diverse, we can slow the socioeconomic homogenization of the neighborhood.” That said, there are many pieces to the proverbial puzzle.

Jennifer Capala of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty distills the 12-month period decisively: “From a macro perspective, after a very busy year of buying and selling, real estate activity is ending the year almost exactly where it began,” she says, citing sale prices that—after spiking—have now come down, leaving inventory at historically low levels.

“The COVID frenzy has dissipated, which has cooled the ubiquitous bidding wars. And given that Great Barrington is buoyed by a second home market, buyer activity remains strong even with interest rates on the rise.”

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 43

Bosco Baumann fears renters have borne the brunt of this frenzied real estate market, leaving many “finding it harder to find affordable housing here, and facing difficult choices about where to live and how to budget their money” as evidenced by the more than 100 applications already on file for units at Windrush Commons, which is still at least six months from completion.

Davis, who also serves as vice chair of the town Selectboard, felt compelled to take a proactive stance on addressing the town’s housing crisis. “By getting ahead of the short-term rental trend that has swept across other communities, I hoped to stem the tide of displacement of residents by STRs and help local businesses struggling to find staff,” she says. As a means of keeping neighborhoods intact, a new bylaw, which went into effect on January 1, prevents the purchase of residential homes solely for shortterm rentals—while still enabling residents to earn extra money from their properties.

Downtown Developments Despite a proliferation of recreational marijuana dispensaries in Great Barrington (the current tally stands at seven), the town has hardly gone to pot. Home Love made a sweet addition to Railroad Street in February (just in time for Valentine’s Day) with a wide array of home decor and gifts. Following a four-decades-long stint downtown, Byzantium is slated to close its doors in January (largely due to the shift in the retail landscape to online sales).

44 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Barrington Outfitters added a fourth floor of merchandise, dedicated to its extensive line of outdoor funrniture.

Newcomer Scout House is open for business, selling furniture, textiles and lighting and artwork, decor, and apparel, plus loads of books in a renovated Victorian home on Elm Street. And, on the final day of 2022, the Bookloft, a Stockbridge Road staple since 1974, will turn an historic page as ownership is passed to long-time employee and head book buyer Giovanni Boivin.

Guido’s Fresh Marketplace is nearing completion of its impressive expansion, now featuring a swoon-worthy selection of imported and domestic cheese at LaGrotta (stay tuned for house-made mozzarella); a full bakery; a wide array of prepared foods from Guido’s Kitchen; and the soon-to-open Renie’s Cafe (a nod to the owners’ late mother) boasting coffee and smoothies, plus a brand-new deli and kitchen with hot bar, salad bar, and burrito bar coming in early 2023. The Marketplace Specialty Foods has opened a brand-new standalone store on Stockbridge Road (opposite its Marketplace Kitchen Table), offering heaping piles of artisanal cheeses and handmade prepared foods to go—both savory and sweet. Construction is underway upstairs at the Berkshire Food Co-op where a new retail space is slated to open early in the New Year (followed by a community space). Mama Lo’s Southern Style BBQ, a family business serving up warm and happy food for the soul, is now nestled into the Barrington Atrium on Main Street. Following a pandemic-length nap, Rubi’s Cafe is

Pam Pescosilido, longtime owner of the Bookloft, has sold the business to former employee Giovanni Boivin, who takes the reins this month.

photo by Christina Lane

CATA’s inclusive arts programs are made possible by people like YOU. Get involved at CATAarts.org Community Access to the Arts | CATAarts.org | (413) 528-5485

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1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 45

2023 CHRONOGRAMMIES

4 ANNUAL READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS TH

Nominations Open January 1ST CHRONOGRAMMIES.COM

46 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Hat maker Karen Almeida at Railroad Street Collective, an artist-run cooperative.

once again open for business—plus conversation by the fire—seven days each week. Further north, Flying Church Coffee is finally brewing beans and slinging breakfast sandwiches beginning at 6am (perfect for early-morning ski outings), and Big Elm Tap Room is pouring a wide selection of ales and lagers—all brewed in Sheffield—at their new location on Stockbridge Road.

Grounded by the Good Stuff Those keen on an alternate perspective of town need look no further than Monument Mountain and Flag Rock, a pair of iconic peaks that not only tower over Great Barrington and Housatonic (the town’s little-sibling hamlet) respectively, but are also now connected via a 0.7mile cross-over trail, thanks to The Trustees of Reservations.

Berkshire Natural Resources Council recently opened a new footpath—the eponymous Whale Rock Trail—at the existing Thomas & Palmer Brook property on Route 23.

With food and farming integral to the Berkshires, there’s something in season year-round. November thru April, Berkshire Grown hosts a Winter Farmers’ Market (held the third Saturday of the month at the Housy Dome); come mid-May, the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market is in full (outdoor) swing downtown on Church Street.

Small-town living means not everyone sees eye-to-eye—

including the addition of a highly controversial roundabout at the town’s southern gateway, directly in front of the police station; plans for the merging of two regional school districts into a single high school, in response to a steep decline in student population coupled with rising costs; and the proposed shuttle bus service between downtown and Wassaic’s Metro-North station in nearby Amenia.

“We need more leaders with diverse backgrounds in all kinds of spaces,” says DeRuzzio, citing a growing population of English learners in the local schools that led to the creation of the first English Learner Parent Advisory Council—Consejo Asesor de Padres de Estudiantes de inglés del Distrito Escolar Regional Berkshire Hills, with regular meetings conducted entirely in Spanish—required once the population reaches 100 or five percent of the school’s total enrollment.

Perhaps Irwin hits the nail on the head: “I can’t think of a better place to balance out the rough stuff that’s happening in today’s world than where we are both in terms of landscape and support,” he says in a broad nod to the Berkshires. “If we’re going to continue to live in a really, really weird world for a little bit…we should try and fill our days—and our community—with moments and glimpses of true happiness and goodness.”

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 47

48 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Top row: Jim Frangione, playwright and artistic director of Great Barrington Public Theater; Beth Carlson, partner in Silo Media and board president of Dewey Hall; Carrie Chen, owner of Carrie Chen Gallery and the Barrington; Aaron Meshon, illustrator, children’s book author, and member of Railroad street Collective. Second row: Chris Watford, communications director at Community Access to the Arts; Deann Halper, executive director of Great Barrington Public Theater; Dennis Iodice, owner of Berkshire Dry Goods; Desiree Bragan, key holder at Theory Wellness. Third row: Diane Dillon, psychologist and director of the Wellness Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock; Donna Norman, CEO of woman-owned Calyx Berkshire dispensary; Fiona Scruggs, director of communications and marketing at Bard College at Simon’s Rock; Harry Levenstein, ceramicist. Bottom row: Heather Moresi, Birch House Manager at Stanton Home, pictured with Fievel; Graham Dean and Barbara Dean, musicians and folk DJs; Joshua Kanter, owner of JK Custom Furniture.

community pages Sophia Wang, assistant professor of Chinese language and culture at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and Xin Tong, writer and historian, pictured with Daniel and Grace Tong.

Great Barrington Pop-Up Portraits Photos by David McIntyre On December 11, Chronogram held a pop-up portrait shoot at the Carrie Chen Gallery in Great Barrington.

Proud citizens responded to the call and braved a snowy afternoon to be photographed by David McIntyre.

Thanks to everyone who showed up and to Carrie Chen and the staff of the Carrie Chen Gallery for hosting us.

A special shout-out to longtime reader Valerie Fanarjian, who reminded us of the letter she wrote 20 years ago, complaining that change in the magazine’s size (in 1999, Chronogram nearly doubled in size to its current behemoth-like stature) meant that it no longer fit on the back of her toilet. Val, our continued apologies.

Paul Joffe, owner of the Flying Church and Flying Church Coffee.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 49

Hudson Beckwith

50 COMMUNITY PAGES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Clockwise from top left: Kristen Westerman Kanter, furniture maker at JK Custom Furniture and member of Railroad Street Collective; Mary Budzn, director of institutional advancement at Bard College at Simon’s Rock; Natalie Tyler, sculptor; Kristin Coppola, dispensary support specialist at Theory Wellness; Sabine von Falken, photographer and cofounder of Lisa Vollmer Gallery; Tristan Wilson, managing director of Great Barrington Public Theater; Rie McCarthy, ceramicist and member of Railroad Street Collective; Valerie Fanarjian, artist and director of student activities at Simon’s Rock; Charlotte Beckwith; April Hoskeer, gardener; Patrizia Barbagallo, owner of Pixie Boulangerie; Oliver Antunes, chef at Cantina 229.

Center: Margaret Keller, executive director at Community Access to the Arts.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM COMMUNITY PAGES 51

Guide to the

BERKSHIRES Set against a mountainous landscape that’s inspired generations of artists and entrepreneurs, the quaint and bustling small towns of the Berkshire region of western Massachusetts are full of opportunities for an inspiring and rejuvenating day trip or vacation only a short drive away from the Hudson Valley and New York City. From boutique shopping to world-class arts venues, farm-to-table dining, wellness centers, industry-leading recreational cannabis dispensaries, and some of the best outdoor action in the Northeast, there’s a little something for visitors of all interests to dig into and enjoy.

A view of the Veterans War Memorial Tower on top of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, located in Adams.

52 BERKSHIRE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

SPON SOR ED

Berkshire Roots Award-winning, locally owned and operated cannabis. Cultivation at Elevation. While visiting the Berkshires, stop into our main retail and cultivation facility, check out our menu prior and place a pre-order.

We would love to meet you and are happy to answer any questions.

We are a Massachusetts-leading cannabis cultivation and dispensary, providing craft-grown cannabis from Berkshire County, the highest elevation in the state. Our team members in cultivation, extraction lab and infused products are considered amongst the best. Strict quality control and lab testing ensure consumers have the ultimate cannabis experience no matter the product type. 501 Dalton Avenue, Pittsfield, MA and 253 Meridian Street, Boston, MA. Berkshireroots.com.

Berkshire Museum Berkshire Museum features the wonders of fine art, natural science, and history. Located in the heart of downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Berkshire Museum has been serving the community of Pittsfield and greater Berkshire County for 120 years. With a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and taxidermy specimens, as well as the only aquarium in Berkshire County, Berkshire Museum offers inspiration for all ages. Discover the permanent collection, rotating and traveling exhibitions, as well as unique and engaging programming. (413) 443-7171. 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA. Berkshiremuseum.org.

The Pass Located in Sheffield, Massachusetts, The Pass was recently voted #1 dispensary in the region by Rural Intelligence readers. Their expert team offers a wide selection of Berkshire-grown flower and handcrafted cannabis products including their award-winning muscle gel, as recognized by High Times magazine. Flower is grown steps from their retail store, ensuring the freshest cannabis possible. The Pass offers an extensive menu of price points and potency options and their trained budtenders spend time guiding you to the right mix of products for your enjoyment. Now offering a full line of high-quality, locally sourced CBD products including gummies, tincture and balm, there’s something for everyone. 1375 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA. ThePass.co.

SPONSORED

1/23 CHRONOGRAM BERKSHIRE GUIDE 53

TurnPark Art Space A marble quarry turned sculpture park and contemporary art center in the heart of the Berkshires. The diverse landscape of the park incorporates hills, meadows, and a dramatic 65 ft vertical cliff drop.

The grounds feature an outdoor sculpture collection, two galleries, an outdoor amphitheater, and a gift shop.

2 Moscow Road, West Stockbridge, MA. Turnpark.com.

Berkshire Art Center Crystal Essence For over 35 years, Crystal Essence has been curating an extraordinary collection of Crystals, Books, Tarot & Oracle Decks, Jewelry, and Artful Gifts. It is our mission to provide tools of transformation to support your path of growth and discovery. Our Wellness Center offers intuitive readings and healing sessions as well as dynamic spiritual workshops.

Our store has become an oasis of healing and serenity in the heart of the Berkshires. Come, enjoy the peaceful community that has made us a destination for spiritual seekers for decades.

39 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA. Crystalessence.com

Make art, buy art! Berkshire Art Center, formerly IS183 Art School, offers classes, workshops and events in-person and online via Zoom year-round for all ages. Our gallery shop features work by local artists, discounted art materials, and art books.

13 Willard Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA and 141 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. Berkshireartcenter.org.

Mad Macs Since 1998, Mad Macs Inc. has been Berkshire County's "go-to" for Apple sales, service, and iPhone repair. Other areas of expertise include PC Sales and Service, Network Services, VOIP systems, Pro AV, and Managed IT Services for SMBs. Allendale Shopping Center, 5 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, MA. Madmacs.com.

Blu Salon & Spa Blu Salon & Spa is located in the heart of the Berkshires. With an amazing team of 17 we will make you feel warm and cozy in our 4,000 square foot salon and spa. Offering waxing, massage, facials, manicures and pedicures. We have a medical grade infrared dry sauna and it doesn’t stop there! We have a full service salon for everyone, men, women and children are welcome. Give us a call today and allow us to take care of all your needs. 740 Williams Street, Pittsfield, MA. blusalonspas.com 54 BERKSHIRE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

HIGH SOCIETY

The latest on industry news, restorative justice initiatives, community impact, dispensary openings, cultivation tips, and more.

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A custom order bakery specializing in custom cakes, desserts, and decorated cookies. Pastry Chef Jessie Kratz offers in person and online classes for those who want to explore the art of baking. Follow on Facebook for specials and events. Adams, MA. Shirecottagebakery.com.

Photo by Nile Scott Studios.

Shire Cottage Bakery

Shakespeare & Company Artist Naire Poole in Much Ado About Nothing, 2022.

The Gifted Child

Shakespeare & Company

Fun stuff for kids including clothing, toys, gifts and gear for babies to tweens. The store is jampacked with the latest novelties to tried and true classics.

72 Church St, Lenox, MA. TheGiftedChild.net.

Shakespeare & Company’s 2023 season, its 46th, will feature classic and contemporary plays presented outdoors and indoors on four stages. Attracting more than 40,000 patrons annually to its performances, Shakespeare & Company also offers education and actor-training programs year-round, both around the globe and at its 33-acre campus in Lenox, Mass.

Shakespeare & Company welcomes visitors of all ages to experience the Bard in the Berkshires, whether it’s to see a show, enjoy a picnic on the grounds, take a workshop, or enroll a young actor in an education program for students ages seven through 17. (413) 637-3353.

70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA. Shakespeare.org.

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Berkshire Camino Imagine a multi-day hiking journey with Berkshire Camino. Local Berkshires experts plan everything from quality lodging and dining, to local transport, and backpack transfers. Mindfully oriented guides lead guests along curated routes from one charming town center to the next via country roads and woodland trails. Scenic vistas, historical and cultural perspective are just part of what stimulates your curiosity.

These are precious days for you to reset.

The small group format is solo-traveler friendly. Have a group?

Reserve an excursion for your corporate gathering or family reunion. Single day excursions also available. (413) 327-4312.

Berkshirecamino.com.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM BERKSHIRE GUIDE 55

music Pelican Movement Fistful of Ivy

(Feeding Tube Records) Fistful of Ivy is a wondrously fitful yet deliberate experiment in the trust of art and concept. With unorthodox intent, it is birthed in memoriam of a mother and disease that robs us of memories, present attentions, and future realities. A state of mind that darts in and out with increasing urgency and momentum—a frustrating teacher of patience, of acceptance, loss, and the chaos of life’s fleeting beauty. The brainchild of New Paltz musician, songwriter, and producer Kevin S. McMahon, Fistful of Ivy is a 40-minute collage of meticulous creation combined with a leap of faith in the art of letting go. McMahon wrote the piece, taught it separately to a myriad of disparate individuals, and then pressed record.

Ultimately, the belief in process and the innate instincts of a talented community results in an elaborate and breathtaking piece. Bending to the very edge of break, the psychedelic and propulsive mayhem is barely hinged and surprisingly cohesive. The nerve endings are alive and raw, searching for and artfully embracing connection.

Equally deserving and demanding of one’s attention, the result is a rainbow of sweet and dark, melodic and frenetic. Teetering beats chase ever changing time signatures, welcoming and then dispossessing the serpentine instrumentation. This is a constant nourishment and deconstruction of tempo and emotion. The psychotic humanity of King Crimson dissolving in Jeff Buckley interludes only to fatally erupt in Sonic Youth crescendo and fracas. Multiple listens only garner a further appreciation of the breadth of influence and intricacy.

—Jason Broome

sound check Alex Peh Each month here we visit with a member of the community to find out what music they’ve been digging.

I’ve been listening to Jean-Phillipe Rameau’s opera “Les Indes Gallantes” and watching Bintou Dembele’s newest choreography. She recasts the ballet using street dance styles to interrupt the deeply problematic plot lines steeped in colonialist and racist tropes. The dancers reclaim their space at the end—dramatically marking the first performance of a Black female choreographer and nearly all-Black cast at the Paris Opera. As part of a collaborative online international learning unit for my piano class, my students and I are learning Greek rebetiko and laiko styles adapted for the piano. In preparation, I have been listening to “Minor of the Dawn” by Markos Vamvakaris, legendary Greek bouzouki player. I am doing a new project with Hafez Modirzadeh, an Iranian-American saxophonist who flirts in the free jazz and contemporary music worlds. His newest album, Facets, features jazz pianists Craig Taborn, Tyshawn Sorey, and Kris Davis. It is a gorgeous album.

Pianist Alex Peh is an associate professor of music at SUNY New Paltz. He will perform at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on January 21 and 22 as part of a celebration of the late Kingston composer Pauline Oliveros. Peh and Hafez Modirzadeh received a National Endowment for the Arts award and will do a residency and concert in New Paltz in spring 2024.

56 MUSIC CHRONOGRAM 1/23

The Acoustic Medicine Show

Marco Benevento

(Wild Turkey Records)

(Royal Potato Family)

Back to Easy Street

Laid-back Elizaville songwriter Joe Tobin is showing his roots again with Acoustic Medicine Show’s seventh long player, Back to Easy Street. The 15-song collection may have been recently cut in the Hudson Valley, but its wide-ranging sound straddles an imaginary Texas/Louisiana line from decades ago, with punchy horn charts and stinging honky-tonk guitar battling for hometown turf.

The twin opening salvo of “Easy Street” and “Pull on Through” distinctly sets the tone, the first strutting with New Orleans sass; the second settling down on a steel-driven Western Swing lope. Other flavors creep in to season the stew. “Once Again” mellows things right down with warm lead guitar floating on a genteel bed of strings and oohed backing vocals straight out of the 1940s. With its melodic blend of mandolin and accordion, “Sing My Song” is more Opelousas than Gulf Coast, but spicy, in the right ways, just the same.

—Michael Eck

Benevento

On his latest album, titled simply Benevento, Marco Benevento goes all Paul McCartney or Stevie Wonder on us as a one-man band and wizard of melody and rhythm, exploring the common ground between the ambient chill room and the hot, sweaty dance floor.

Benevento’s music variously suggests the influence of 1990s jam bands, LCD Soundsystem, and Gorillaz. I hear touches of Big Audio Dynamite in “At the End or the Beginning,” with its upbeat melody and bouncy groove, and traces of the 1970s jazz-rock fusion of Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock elsewhere. His acoustic piano playing is a funky delight, whether it’s the bebop soloing of “The Warm Up” or the Leon Russell-like soul-rock of “Like Me.” Benevento sets his ethereal processed vocals in trippy, hook-laden arrangements, with a variety of sounds and textures popping up in a glorious 360degree aural mix. To call Benevento a “keyboardist” isn’t even the half of it—he is a consummate musician, producer, and composer, an all-around musical conceptualist, Woodstock’s answer to Brian Eno. —Seth Rogovoy

books Good Dream Dragon Jacki Davis/Illustrated by Courtney Dawson CHRISTY OTTAVIANO BOOKS, 2022, $17.99

Creator of the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl series, Rosendale resident Davis has a kind, clear way with a tale and a gentle, vivid imagination, and parents and kids will find Good Dream Dragon pleasant company at bedtime. The child who has trouble sleeping and goes for an epic dragon ride is assigned neither gender nor name, just the traits of courage, curiosity, and gratitude; Dawson’s illustrations are cozy, colorful, and evocative. A delightful addition to any little kid’s nightstand.

The Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine Sophie Strand INNER TRADITIONS, 2022, $18.99

There is far more to masculinity than what fits within its current cultural straitjacket.

Hudson Valley poet and writer Strand digs down to the very roots of noxious patriarchy and beneath them for treasure, unearthing “playful gods, animal-headed kings, mischievous lovers, vegetal magicians, trickster harpists, and riddling bards.” The “mythic mycelium” serves as a fresh taproot to the enchantment that was long ago lost to revision and opens fresh possibilities of liberation from our current oppositional mess.

Hopewell Junction, A Railroader’s Town: A History of Short-line Railroads in Dutchess County, NY Bernard L. Rudberg and John M. Desmond SUNY PRESS, 2022, $29.95

The late Bernard Rudberg was president and historian emeritus of the Hopewell Depot Restoration group, and Dutchess Community College Professor Emeritus of English Desmond has consolidated his three volumes of carefully researched history into one book that’s a lively and insightful read. Rail fans will find all the nitty gritty details their hearts desire; readers who just love history will find plenty of telling observations on the wider culture of the era in the diverse chorus of primary sources.

Eden Revisited: A Novel Laszlo Z. Bito BATUS BOOKS & THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED THEOLOGY, 2022, $26.95

Bito, who died in 2021, was a Hungarian activist, Bard graduate, scientist, and Columbia University professor who retired in his early 60s to write. Eden Revisited plops us into the drama of Genesis, finding understandably strange family dynamics and a deity who’s really no better than he should be. The story opens at the moment of Cain’s fratricide and goes on to upend this human origin tale into something infused with far more compassion and hope than the original.

For Lamb Lesa Cline-Ransome HOLIDAY HOUSE, 2023, $18.99

Lamb is a quiet, bookish girl growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1940s with her brilliant older brother and devoted, hardworking mom; her innocent decision to befriend a quiet, bookish white girl sets in motion a chain of unintended consequences that lead, seemingly inexorably, to horror. Cline-Ransome, a Hudson Valley resident and author of over 20 acclaimed books for young readers, leans into nuance and honesty and away from sensationalism to shed light on the plight of women trapped under white supremacy.

—Anne Pyburn Craig

Still Life at Eighty Abigail Thomas

GOLDEN NOTEBOOK PRESS, 2023, $20

Want to write a book? Take a look around. Describe what captures your interest, no matter how large or small. Repeat for a span of time, and soon enough your observations add up to the critical mass of a slender volume. It’s that simple, at least if you’re the writer Abigail Thomas with her latest book, Still Life at Eighty. (The book is the first release from Golden Notebook Press, a new imprint of the Woodstock bookstore.) Thomas, a renowned memoirist, adheres to the concept of telling the sometimes-harsh truth. Anecdotes in the new book often concern being elderly or, as she prefers being described, an elder. And while this may be unfashionable in a culture that renders old people invisible, it offers consolation and company for those who have rounded the corner onto the last half of life.

Thomas, at 80, shares slices of her current life in Woodstock, as well as reminiscences of her wilder youth in New York City. Dogs Sadie, Daphne, and Cooper are constants for her, providing not only amiable companionship, but some structure with which to build a daily routine. As she watches, the Bluetick Coonhound named Cooper dies, and Thomas scalds herself with guilt over not having cared for him better. Those who have had and lost pets can relate to the immense joy and sadness so integral to living with animals.

To get around, Thomas requires a cane, and she merrily lists additional found uses for the tool—to flip a light switch, shove some newspapers with loathsome headlines off the ottoman, strike the floor for emphasis, or pretend it’s a broomstick on which to fly south to confront a political boogieman. Events that signify one’s age and mortality—such as loss of bladder control—become causes for wonder and discovery. Living alone offers the liberty to smoke with impunity, leave stuff lying around at will, or dress simply for comfort.

The pandemic’s universally imposed isolation leads Thomas to hone her observations of “varmints” and bugs that find their way into her home, probably through the dog door.

A highly detailed description of a dead paper wasp catalyzes a discourse on how she’d heard that someone left out colored construction paper, which some wasps used to make a multihued hive. She reveals that the stinkbug is her favorite, with its shield-shaped carapace, and it doesn’t actually smell unless it’s killed. She makes peace with an alarmingly large spider.

These sundry anecdotes are interspersed with more serious ones. Thomas has clearly endured great anguish earlier in life. A previous book, A Three Dog Life, recounts how her third husband was hit by a car in Manhattan, losing short-term memory and forcing her to live on her own. In Still Life, she tells an alarming episode: Driving in Woodstock and blinded by the early morning sun, she jerked the wheel sharply to avoid striking another car, and her car flipped. She was pulled to safety by some men who disappeared before the EMTs arrived (she guesses they were avoiding ICE), suffered few injuries although the car was totaled, and subsequently limited her driving to a short radius from her home.

Two falls in 2015 produced two broken wrists within a month. Thomas notes that, while painful and inconvenient (how to commit thoughts to paper with no functioning right hand?), it definitely was a new experience—hard to come by as a septuagenarian. A few years prior, the combination of Thomas falling, and her dog Carolina not being able to cope with the stairs, led her to move her bedroom into the sun porch on the first floor. Necessity aside, she was able to much better appreciate the foliage and fauna from her new vantage.

Thomas faces dread on occasion, arising out of seemingly nowhere, like “an eclipse.”

Sustenance and its procurement become more difficult as her mobility and senses diminish; she relies a bit too much on her fallback, roast chicken, and impulsively buys a large leg of lamb which she could never eat. To many people, “living in the moment” translates to YOLO, but for Thomas, it takes on a nuanced meaning when her memory is spotty enough that it can only retain so much. Even in the face of death, when she suffers a sudden cardiac event of which she recalls nothing later on, she is cheered. If that’s dying, it ain’t so bad! We can all take some levity and philosophical perspective from Thomas as we trace her path in this varied, frankly written collection.

—Susan Yung 1/23 CHRONOGRAM BOOKS 57

poetry

What if You What if you were born a white-tailed deer?

I’d see you hanging around the lawn, your bold stare when I came home late, your blurred leap into the dark.

You’d take early, tender, delicious bites of red tulip petals or bleeding heart from the garden beside the garage, then doze away the long afternoon in the thicket by the compost pile.

Your rail-straight tracks in winter snow would prove you were just passing through, but in spring you’d come around again, extending your cantilever neck to nudge toward me a dotted fawn, legs twig-thin and backwards bent, and though I’d know somewhere there was a pointed buck I’d never meet, all—everything we trampled, ate fenced-in or sprayed—would be forgiven.

—William Keller Vision I want to write a poem about the old, white house on Butterville Road, the one with the wooden porch you said we’d sit on to watch the days end when we were older and tired of running from the noise.

But the old, white hous on Butterville Road doesn’t want to be in any poem.

It doesn’t care about the promises we made or the ones that weren’t kept.

It just wants to look across the field and watch the mountain grow without any of us blocking the view.

—David Lukas

EDITED BY Phillip X Levine

Upon Walking Out of the Hardware Store With a Plunger and Ice Melt, Mid-January A man in the parking lot sees and says to you, “There’s always a situation, isn’t there.”

You, who has slipped on the front walk and spent last night calling upon YouTube like a divinity know this, and so does everyone else who has submitted and searched and asked— (toilet broken, stuck, help) and like you, received.

Why do so many people not already own a plunger?

Why are you one of them?

There’s a purity in it, that one exhilarating moment of asking. The vulnerability of that moment of single-minded, urgent purpose— what did Kundera say again about kitsch?

The first real freeze of winter and there’s months still to the end, depending on who you ask. You’re not sure anymore about belief. What to put it in, if anything.

But everyone’s taken down the decorations weeks ago and you miss the lights.

And admittedly, despite everything, despite or maybe because of years of wide-ranging situations, you’re still not yet inured to to the sight of bright against the dark.

It’s a miracle, say the comments, You saved my life, over and over.

We never stop looking for it—salvation, or whatever resembles it.

—Nikki Barnhart

The End

To Whom It May [Not] Concern: I, [state your name], was nothing short of mortified by the wasteful void at the bottom right corner of p. 62 in November’s tidal issue.

I clipped the poems apart with scissors that cut me once and rearranged them in five ways that preserved space for an even longer spilling of one’s guts than the one-ninth of a page which your design team deemed unfit for local souls to purge.

I’m keeping this plea short and unsweet for the sake of brevity in the hopes that it takes up less space in your Trash email folder since it won’t adorn your publication but please for the sake of those who need this catharsis and validation in order to survive keep this in mind when laying out what’s more than words.

Sincerely, Everyone Who’s Bled on Your Pages —Mike Vahsen

I noticed that the bricks on the side of my house were cracking when I disassociated one night for long enough and resolved to not do anything about it.

As my mother’s body deteriorated and, with it, her mind, Now and Then bled together.

Past and present refused to stay put, like kindergartners too antsy to stand in line.

The dead sauntered back to life as the living shrank into dark corners of consciousness.

“I’ve been to the dentist,” my 92-year-old mother told me, lying in a hospital bed, as she had been for weeks. “I was looking for my mother.”

In a jinxed game of Hide and Seek, names hid and, with them, the ties that bind.

But not Caring. Defying all forces of erosion or decay, Caring stood firm.

“That man there, he takes care of me,” Mom told a nurse who, unlike her, knew well who Dad was. He’d been by Mom’s side for months.

Dad knew all Mom’s nurses by name as well as many of their own losses and loves.

In the end, even narratives shapeshift. Love stories become tragedies, and tragedies, love stories.

—Deirdre Alpert

—Sue Books

Faultlines

58 POETRY CHRONOGRAM 1/23

In Memoriam for Lynn; for Lionel

Jagged inscribe, but word abandons word; even rare written inters in its line’s time. But who bereaved us meant us music— their stricter breathing, their touch of tomb as tones descant death, resonances unresolved in airs they rose remembering, languageless.

—Robert Charles Basner Dry Tears In the September morning fog caustic clouds of smoke steamed up, from the exhaust pipes of family minivans, cars stretched along the side of the road, column, similar to a playful domestic snake.

The birds became silent, stunned, a leper projectile flew in with lightning remains smoldering in the abyss, the devil cooks a proud cauldron.

Cartography

Windowing

I like to think of the poem between us as a road, not straight on to the horizon

Today I saw a man with a double stroller, one kid in it, and two large dogs pulling him forwards.

and what is beyond but so curved in its distance there are too many bends

A moment later a father walked by with his two sons on the way to school, busy, looking at his phone, puffing on a cigarette.

The brothers did not talk to each other.

to see around.

Your only choice, and the best one,

One of the village Lost Souls was jaywalking, stumbling across the intersection, ignoring the traffic completely.

I look at him warily.

is to throw your maps away and slow down so you won’t miss

Always wearing a blazer, says hello politely.

I hesitate to start a conversation.

It might never end.

all the enchanting sights you can invent and visit along the way.

The destinies of hundreds of people have been ruined, life forever broken, took away the enemy’s fluttering lives, whose souls have gone to heaven.

—Robert Harlow

Blood runs like ants through the body, and saliva is not swallowed, feet get cold, language is taken away.

You can’t force euphoria, an apple that just falls into your hand, sweet and delicious, and so unexpected.

Happy is fine; who wouldn’t settle?

Elation is life changing; the thrill of seeing an owl in daylight, or a rainbow at night; a guiltless dessert offering a fruit unfamiliar; when you gaze beyond reflection and detect a gaze returned.

Spring surprises; the first caw is the bud of blood; the tingling roots of Your thirsty heart, quenched joyfully by my showers.

—Vyacheslav Konoval Kyiv, Ukraine A stumped and elderly man sits frightened at vespers by a similarly ragged cat named Sneakers Both are thinned out Their sight dry and clouded Tense and breathing hard They smell used and greasy They share pillows and packaging And cigar smoke…a dim light bulb in a metal cage adds shadows and little else Sneakers limps on three legs and a short tail And shares sardines from the man’s bowl The man has been homeless; the cat feral, Both have whiskers, both faded white collars Their nails are long, untrimmed and dull They both growl in their own way Not at each other so much As at all of time and place which seems to be circling…like a predator Water is another thing.

The old man prefers a bottle with a warning The cat doesn’t mind a puddle For neither does a bath hold prospect much less shampoo.

Do they collect old newspapers?

How do they fare toward mice and men?

Seasonal Rapture

—Viola Norlander

There is a springtime in this winter, and a choice: love the loss; set shoots —Danielle Woerner

Dusk falls to dusk which yields only a clouded clammy darkness Dawn remains dry and silent.

An empty tin —Jay Marshall Weiss Full submission guidelines: Chronogram.com/submissions

A lady I know got into the bakery, says hello.

I smiled and nodded in return.

She leaves abruptly without her favorite dessert, no goodbye.

I spread crumbs for the birds on the sidewalk, read the news, drink coffee, bite on a cheese danish, and measure the day with the help of others.

—Ze’ev Willy Neumann Something to Do with Your Hands A boy is walking down the street.

His bookbag is slung over one shoulder.

He feels the car slow down before he turns around.

The boy wears a green and blue striped rugby shirt.

He knows better than to wear his hooded sweatshirt.

Though warmer, it does not suit his complexion.

The boy turns around.

He cannot see inside the car.

He makes his eyes big and shy.

The boy smiles.

He can’t not be tall, but he pulls into himself.

The boy turns around, continues walking.

The car matches his pace.

The car follows the boy.

After a long block, the boy has an idea.

He reaches into the bag and takes out a book.

The book is a chemistry textbook.

The boy waves his chemistry textbook in the air.

He thinks: they’ll know that I’m a student.

The book will tell them that.

Though he’d reached into his bookbag, the boy is not killed.

The car moves on.

—Wendy Stewart 1/23 CHRONOGRAM POETRY 59

60 THE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

the guide

The Mister Chris and Friends Band at the 2019 Winter Hoot.

Photo by Christopher J Gilner

It’s become such a seasonal fixture of Hudson Valley happenings that it’s hard to picture a time when it didn’t exist—the sure mark of a truly treasured area cultural event.

We’re talking about the Ashokan Center’s beloved Winter Hoot, a down-home festival of music, dancing, food, crafts, nature, “Kids Zone” activities, and general togetherness that celebrates its 10th year the weekend of February 3-5.

“Last year, of course, we had to take off [because of the pandemic], so it feels really good to be back,” says Hoot coorganizer Ruth Ungar. “The Winter Hoot is different than the Summer Hoot [which takes place in August] in that the bands we have tend to be more local, since not a lot of non-local bands are touring in the winter. It’s really about reconnecting with friends and neighbors and friendly people and just having a great time.”

This year’s Winter Hoot kicks off on February 3 at 6pm (gates open 3pm for hiking on the nature center’s grounds) with a community dinner (by reservation) and a film screening. Shown will be the new feature-length documentary Inhabit, which examines permaculture, a practice described by filmmaker Costa Boutsikaris as “a design method that offers an ecological lens for solving issues related to agriculture, economics, governance, and on.” A Q&A with Boutsikaris—who, incidentally, met Ungar when he attended past Hoots and took banjo lessons from her husband, festival cofounder Michael Merenda—will follow the film. The music then gets underway with a lively opening-night jam session.

Day two, however, is dedicated to the music in earnest, and its rootsy sounds will, naturally, include those of the hosts: Ruth Ungar and Michael Merenda’s five-piece band

the Mammals and the duo of her father Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (of “Ashokan Farewell” fame). The February 4 lineup also promises performances by indie singer and keyboardist Rachel Yamagata, Vermont kids’ music artist Mister Chris, traditional Irish dance troupe the City Stompers (led by the Hoot’s resident square dance caller, Megan Downes), sax-and-guitar duo George Winstone and Ben Monder (the latter of the Bad Plus), and singersongwriter Jude Roberts. Blacksmith and ice-sculpting demos will add to the day’s rustic program.

The final day, February 5, commences with a hike conducted by sustainable landscape designer and nature educator Del Orloske and yoga led by Whole Sky Yoga founder and director Sara Trapani. Finally, the weekend wraps up with a joyous community sing.

“I think that at this time of the year, most people are tired of being cooped up and could really use the chance to connect with other friendly people and enjoy each other’s company, along with some great music,” says Ungar. “If the weather’s nice enough, people can hang outside between bands or after they eat and enjoy the landscape. And if it’s super-freezing they can come inside and get cozy.”

The 2023 Winter Hoot will take place at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge on February 3, 4, and 5. Weekend passes are $50 (kids under 12 are free) and carpooling is encouraged. Local food from Veggie Oasis and beer, cider, and wine vendors will be on site. For those interested in staying at the center for one or both nights of the festival, shared lodging at its bunkhouse remains available as of this writing. Pets are not allowed.

—Peter Aaron

Havin’ a Hoedown THE 2023 WINTER HOOT February 3-5 Hoot.love/winter-2022

1/23 CHRONOGRAM THE GUIDE 61

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62 THE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

art

The Icebergs, C. Risdon, ink on paper, 1863 Courtesy of Olana State Historic Site; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

For its first winter exhibition, Olana, the 19th-century home of Frederic Church, has chosen a wintry subject: “Chasing Icebergs: Art and a Disappearing Landscape.”

In 1859, Church traveled by ship to “Iceberg Alley” between Labrador and Newfoundland, painting and sketching mounds of ice. (He was the first American artist to depict this landscape.) But if you think about it, painting an iceberg isn’t easy. It’s basically a big misshapen ice cube, bending light in unpredictable directions. And how do you represent its size, without adding a tiny little person to show scale? “This idea of capturing the unpaintable shows up again and again in Frederic Church’s career,” explains Allegra Davis, associate curator at Olana. His early subarctic studies resemble the surrealist paintings of Max Ernst. For a month, Church labored with graphite, pen and ink, and gouache—while battling seasickness—to capture the singular scenery.

Not only should the iceberg look realistic, but it must also be awe-inspiring. For the final work, Church combined several smaller ice mountains into an imaginary mega-iceberg. At his studio in New York City, Church painted The Icebergs, an epic image measuring 5.4 by 9.4 feet.

Like his contemporary P. T. Barnum, Church was adept at the art of pulling in a crowd. He would show one painting at a time, with thick velvet curtains and dramatic lighting. Patrons, who each paid 25 cents, were invited to bring opera glasses to scrutinize the visionary tableau. The painting moved from city to city, like a traveling theater troupe. In his time, Church was America’s preeminent artist.

But as he unveiled The Icebergs, Church ran into bad luck. The Civil War had just begun, and the public wasn’t in the mood for exotic diversions. Showing his sympathy

for the Union side, Church retitled his painting The North.

After two years of touring, the picture was still unsold, so Church hightailed it to London. Because of England’s dependence on cotton to supply its textile mills, many rich art patrons supported the American South.

Church returned to the original title and added a small shipwreck, symbolizing the English Arctic expedition led

by Sir John Franklin, which disappeared in 1847.

The Icebergs is, improbably, at the Dallas Museum of Art, not Olana. But this show includes a smaller iceberg canvas, Steamboat in Northern Waters, and a chromolithograph of the large painting, retouched with paint—perhaps by Church himself.

A lot has changed since 1859. Icebergs, once a symbol of majestic power, now represent fragility.

“Icebergs have become a symbol of the melting Arctic and the ticking clock on the planet,” Davis observes.

Four pieces by contemporary artists in the show function as a modern commentary on Church’s works.

In Blue Ebb, a sculpture by Kambui Olujimi, a tiny iceberg perches precariously inside an hourglass.

On his subarctic ship, Church traveled with Anglican missionaries, who stopped off at native communities to spread the gospel. In fact, the artist received a copy of the Book of Genesis translated into Mi’kmaq, a local language. Though he later gave away this book, the curators hunted down a similar edition for this exhibit.

(Everything else in “Chasing Icebergs” was taken from Olana’s permanent collection.) At Olana, contemporary artist Mark Igloliorte draws on his Inuit heritage to produce a painting with a word from the Inuktitut language superimposed on an Arctic scene. Words like “Angiggak” perfectly fit the angular outlines of icebergs.

—Sparrow

Icecapades “CHASING ICEBERGS: ART AND A DISAPPEARING LANDSCAPE” Through March 26 at Olana State Historic Site Olana.org

1/23 CHRONOGRAM THE GUIDE 63

live music Garcia Peoples January 14. Given the popularity of the Grateful Dead bootleg tape nights that have recently featured on the venue’s calendar, Dead-inspired New Jersey psychedelic band Garcia Peoples should find a sufficiently primed audience when they take the long, strange trip back to Tubby’s this month. “The sheer power of Garcia Peoples is stunning to behold onstage and on bootlegs, especially when the sextet locks into a heavy groove that never lets up,” says Relix magazine’s Rudi Greenberg in a recent review of Dodging Dues, the group’s sixth album. (Matthew O’Neill, Lea Thomas, and Ryan Jewell play January 20; Truth Club and Jelly Kelly jam January 27.) 7pm. $15. Kingston.

Tubbyskingston.com

Chris Spedding January 19. Guitar great Chris Spedding had been booked to appear last July at Colony with his frequent musical partner, the rockabilly singer Robert Gordon.

Sadly, Gordon’s declining health due to acute myeloid leukemia saw the date cancelled and he passed just months later. Besides Gordon, the legendary Spedding has made numerous excellent solo records and performed with acts ranging from Brian Eno to the Sex Pistols, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Roxy Music, John Cale, Joan Armatrading, Nina Hagen, and the Vibrators.

This evening also features the intended rhythm section of drummer Anton Figg and bassist Tony Garnier and includes a tribute to Gordon. (Robert Burke Warren’s Bowie Bash is back January 14; Indigo Sparke and Aaron Dessner appear January 21.) 7pm. $30. Woodstock.

Colonywoodstock.com

Jazz is Dead January 26. As the prjoect’s name indicates, Jazz is Dead does interpretations of classic Grateful Dead songs with jazz influences. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the acclaimed all-star instrumental ensemble, which includes founding bassist Alphonso Johnson, will be joined by guitarist Steve Kimock (who played with Johnson in the post-Jerry Garcia Dead offshoot the Other Ones), drummer Pete Lavezzoli, and guitarist Bobby Lee Rodgers will all alight on Tarrytown Music Hall for this enticing engagement. The program also marks the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Wake of The Flood and will feature that album in its entirety in addition to other beloved selections. 8pm. $44-$64. Tarrytown.

Tarrytownmusichall.org

Lotus January 27. There’s certainly no shortage of jamfriendly concerts in the Hudson Valley this month, as the above dates by Garcia Peoples and Jazz is Dead—as well as this Empire Live event by Lotus—will indicate. Based between Philadelphia and Denver, the mainly electronic Lotus fuse rock with funk, jazz, dance music, prog rock, and post rock and describe their music as “jamtronica.” The five-piece outfit accompanies their improv-heavy live appearances with an ambitious, ultra-trippy light show and recently released their well-received 13th studio album, Bloom & Recede. (Edict, Wisdom & War, Hard Target, Wrong Move, Cold Kiss, and Deadweight mosh it up at Empire Underground January 15.) 7pm. $32. Albany.

Empirelivealbany.com

Adam Ezra Group Evelynn Glennie January 14-15. Believe it or not, Polar Prize-winning percussionist Evelynn Glennie has been deaf since age 12. “My career and my life have been about listening in the deepest possible sense,” says Glennie, who plays these two shows at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. “Losing my hearing meant learning how to listen differently, to discover features of sound I hadn’t realized existed. Losing my hearing made me a better listener.” Her own listeners include such collaborators as Mark Knopfler, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, Steve Hackett, Fred Frith, Underworld, and Björk, on whose 1996 album Telegram she plays. (The Berkshire Bach Ensemble visits January 1; Branford Marsalis blows by January 27.) January 14 at 7:30pm; January 15 at 3pm. See website for ticket prices. Troy.

Troymusichall.org

64 THE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

January 27. Like so many other acts did during the COVID lockdown, Boston-birthed folk rockers the Adam Ezra Group found a shared sense of solace with their fans via livestream shows—but their leader really took to it. “The people who watch every night, they’re tuning in for me, but they’re also tuning in for each other,” says Ezra, who has gone live online daily since March 2020.

“They’re tuning in for comfort and compassion and connection, but maybe also a sense of normalcy and grounding during this time that seems to be shaking the very foundations of who we’ve always thought we were.” With Sirsy. (Faded Rose materializes January 22; Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez rock February 3.)

8pm. $28-$45. Pawling.

Darylshouseclub.com

art exhibits Lake, Cate Pasquarelli, glass cloche, plaster, clay, resin, natural materials, artificial grasses, plastic, acrylic and enamel paints, 13" x 12", 2022 Pasquerelli's sculptures are part of the group exhibition "No Misery Can Tell, No Word of Farewell," at Wassaic Project through March 18.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM THE GUIDE 65

art exhibits Horse Barn Site Shelter Island, Jeremy Dennis.

Dennis's photographs of sacred, culturally significant, and historical Native American landscapes on Long Island are being shown January 20-February 26 at the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum.

510 WARREN ST GALLERY

BANNERMAN ISLAND GALLERY

CMA GALLERY

GARRISON ART CENTER

“Big Bang 2023.” Paintings by Janene Gentile.

January 6-29.

“Virginia Donovan and Mary Ann Glass.”

Hudson Valley landscapes and photo mixed media works. Through February 5.

“Transition.” Drawings and animation and video by Philippe Safire. Through January 30.

“smallWORKS.” National juried exhibition.

Through January 15.

“Susan Lisbin: Painting.” Through January 15.

510 WARREN STREET, HUDSON

1053 MAIN STREET GALLERY 1053 STREET, FLEISCHMANNS

“Echo Chambers.” Work by David Young and Susan Yelavich. Through January 7.

THE ALDRICH CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM 258 MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD, CT

“52 Artists: A Feminist Milestone.” The exhibition celebrates the 51st anniversary of the historic exhibition “Twenty Six Contemporary Women Artists,” curated

by Lucy R. Lippard and presented at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in 1971.

“52 Artists” will showcase work by the artists included in the original 1971 exhibition, alongside a new roster of 26 female identifying or nonbinary emerging artists that were born in or after 1980, tracking the evolution of feminist art practices over the past five decades.

Through January 8.

“Kathleen Ryan: Head and Heart.” Large-scale sculptures. January 12-May 14.

ANN STREET GALLERY

104 ANN STREET, NEWBURGH “We No.1, Fall, 1:11 pm at 41°50’62.2”N 74°01’6”9.4W, 2022.” Installation by Gabriela Galván. Through January 14.

ART GALLERY 71

71 EAST MARKET STREET #5, RHINEBECK “Mary Belliveau.” Paintings.

Through January 8.

“Kathy Schmidt.” Paintings. January 1-31.

ART SALES & RESEARCH

99 WILLOW LANE, CLINTON CORNERS “Holiday.” Works by Kathryn Lynch, Daisy Craddock, Fabienne Lasserre, Anne Brown, Caitlin Lightfoot, Corinne Robbins, and John Tweddle. Through January 23.

ASSEMBLY

397 BROADWAY, MONTICELLO “Assembly 1: Unstored.” Work by Izumi Kato, Ugo Rondinone, and Shiro Tsujimura.

Through April 30.

“Contemporary Sculpture from Mexico.”

Review of contemporary Mexican sculpture curated by Dakin Hart. Through April 30.

66 THE GUIDE CHRONOGRAM 1/23

150 MAIN STREET, BEACON

BEACON ARTISTS UNION

3 BEEKMAN STREET, BEACON “Rose, oh pure contradiction...” Woodcuts, paintings and artist books by Ilse SchreiberNoll. Through January 8.

BILL ARNING EXHIBITIONS / HUDSON VALLEY 17 BROAD STREET, KINDERHOOK

“Frozen Warnings.” Work by Eric Wolf, Susan Wides, Donna Moylan, Judy Fox, Suzanne Joelson, Richmond Burton, Shirley Irons, Stephen Lack, Dan Devine, Reed Anderson, Carter Hodgkin, Michael Walden, Betsy Friedman, Kevin Larmon, Erik Daniel White, and Jim Goss. Janury 7-March 5.

CAROL COREY FINE ART

6 NORTH MAIN STREET, KENT, CT “..beating under cover of woods...” Works by John Alexander, Dozier Bell, Sue Brearey, Dina Brodsky, Emily Eveleth, J. C. Fontanive, Daniel Murray, Shelley Reed, Alexis Rockman, and Jane Rosen. January 21-February 28.

CARRIE CHEN GALLERY

16 RAILROAD STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA “A Perfect Echo.” Paintings by Nancy Hagin and Stephen Niccolls. January 28-March 25.

CARRIE HADDAD GALLERY

622 WARREN STREET, HUDSON "Light of Day: Landscapes & Cityscapes."

Featured artists: Richard Britell, Paul Chojnowski, Jeff Fichera, Robert Goldstrom, Eileen Murphy, Patty Neal, Harry Orlyk, Leigh Palmer, and Tony Thompson. Through January 22.

CITY OF TROY

VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN TROY "Troy Glow." Paintings by Thomas Sarrantonio.

Through January 9.

CLARK ART INSTITUTE

225 SOUTH STREET, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA “Promenades on Paper.” Eighteenth-century French drawings from the National Library of France’s extensive collection. Through March 12.

AQUINAS HALL MOUNT SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE, NEWBURGH

DAVID ROCKEFELLER CREATIVE ARTS CENTER GALLERY 200 LAKE ROAD, TARRYTOWN

“Inspired Encounters: Women Artists and the Legacies of Modern Art.” Pairs pieces by a dozen groundbreaking women artists of the postwar period with new commissions of contemporary art presented publicly for the first time. Through March 19.

DIA BEACON

3 BEEKMAN STREET, BEACON “Jack Whitten: The Greek Alphabet Series.”

Forty works from Whitten’s Greek alphabet series. Through July 10.

23 GARRISON’S LANDING, GARRISON

HEADSTONE GALLERY

24 HURLEY AVENUE, KINGSTON “Charm Bracelet.” Acrylic paintings on panel by Rachel Hayden. Through January 29.

HUDSON VALLEY MOCA

1701 MAIN STREET, PEEKSKILL “Through the Eye of the Needle.” Group exhibition of handcrafting. January 14-March 11.

IBM TECH CITY

101 ENTERPRISE DRIVE, KINGSTON

195 FRONT STREET, NEWBURGH

"Parallel Lives: Photography, Identity, and Belonging." The Center for Photography at Woodstock group exhibition of international contemporary artists, organized by Maya Benton. Through February 5.

“Amplifier.” Multimedia works by Marton Nemes. Through January 22.

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART

ELIJAH WHEAT SHOWROOM

EMERGE GALLERY

228 MAIN STREET, SAUGERTIES “Best in Show.” Group show: artists favorites from 2002. Through January 9.

FRANCES LEHMAN LOEB ART CENTER

VASSAR COLLEGE, POUGHKEEPSIE “What Now? (Or Not Yet).” Work by Andrea Carlson, Andrea Geyer, Jeffrey Gibson, Marsden Hartley, Jenny Holzer, Sky Hopinka, Arnold J. Kemp, Wangechi Mutu, Dorothea Tanning, Nari Ward, and Audra Wolowiec.

January 21-September 10.

FRONT ROOM GALLERY

727 WARREN STREET, HUDSON “Winter Wonderland.” Work by Sasha Bezzubov, Thomas Broadbent, Phil Buehler, Jaynie Crimmins, Peggy Cyphers, Melissa Cowper-Smith, Beth Dary, Lee Day, Debra Drexler, Kathy Greenwood, Judy Haberl, Jessica Hargreaves, Sean Hemmerle, Amy Hill, Patricia Fabricant, Barton Lewis, Lisa Levy, Pamela Longobardi, Stephen Mallon, Sascha Mallon, Melissa Murray, Anna Ortiz, Melissa Pokorny, Ken Ragsdale, Tamara Rafkin, Emily Roz, Eileen Sackman, Miho Suzuki, Patricia Smith, Joanne Ungar, Danny Weiss, Zoe Wetherall, and Edie Winograde. Through January 15.

134 JAY STREET, KATONAH.

"Tenacity & Resilience: The Art of Jerry Pinkney." Features more than 70 illustrations, dummy books, and working drawings from seven children’s books from 1993 to 2020.

Through January 22.

KENISE BARNES FINE ART 7 FULLING LANE, KENT, CT

“Radical Chrome.” Work by Mary Judge, Jenny Kemp, Julie Maren, Joanne Mattera, and Audrey Stone. Through January 15.

LIFEBRIDGE SANCTUARY

333 MOUNTAIN ROAD, ROSENDALE “Impressions of India: Surrendering to the Journey.” Photographs of contemporary India

by Mary Anne Erickson. Through January 31.

LIGHTFORMS ART CENTER

743 COLUMBIA STREET, HUDSON “Clothing Is My Canvas.” Wearable art design exhibition of work by Loki. Through January 7.

LONGYEAR GALLERY

785 MAIN STREET, MARGARETVILLE “Artists Choose Artists 2022.” Group show.

Through January 8.

art exhibits Beautiful Day 7, Arne Svenson, 2021.

"Sightlines," an exhibition of photos

by Svenson, will be shown at Pamela Salisbury Gallery in Hudson January 14-February 12.

MAGAZZINO ITALIAN ART

2700 ROUTE 9, COLD SPRING “Gilardi: Tappeto-Natura.” Piero Gilardi’s Tappeto-Natura (Nature-Carpets). Curated by Elena Re. Through January 9.

MARK GRUBER GALLERY

NEW PALTZ PLAZA, NEW PALTZ “Holiday Salon Show.” Group show.

Through January 14.

MASS MOCA

MASS MOCA WAY, NORTH ADAMS, MA "Brake Run Helix." Roller coaster installation

by E. J. Hill. Through January 31.

MONUMENT

394 HASBROUCK AVENUE, KINGSTON “Crisscrossed Air.” Handmade quilted textiles and tapestries by Sarah Nsikak.

Through January 13.

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE 5720 ROUTE 9G, HUDSON

“Chasing Icebergs: Art and a Disappearing Landscape.” Frederic Church’s iceberg sketches from his 1859 voyage to the Arctic.

Through March 26.

OLIVE FREE LIBRARY

4033 ROUTE 28A, WEST SHOKAN “Pandemonium.” Small works show curated

by Elaine Ralston and Nathalie Andrews.

Through January 7.

"I Dreamed a Garden." Group show of LongReach Arts cooperative. January 21-March 4.

PAMELA SALISBURY GALLERY

362 1/2 WARREN STREET, HUDSON “Life Science.” Ceramics by Pamela Sunday.

January 14-February 12.

“Sightlines.” Photographs by Arne Svenson.

January 14-February 12.

“Still in Bloom.” Sculpture by Jon Isherwood.

Through April 23.

THE WASSAIC PROJECT

WIRED GALLERY

“Split Vision.” Paintings by Raul Serrano.

Through May 6.

“A Sense of an Ending.” Group show of small works. Through January 16.

“No Misery Can Tell, No Word of Farewell.”

Featuring the work of Clint Baclawski, Richard Barlow, Esy Casey, Raul De Lara, Eric Garcia, Ambrus Gero, Kate Johnson, Cate Pasquarelli, Lauren Phillips, Farwah Rizvi, and Christina Hunt Wood. Through March 18.

SOHN FINE ART

WINDOW ON HUDSON

PINKWATER GALLERY

56 NORTH FRONT STREET, KINGSTON.

69 CHURCH STREET, LENOX, MA “Oceans & Odysseys.” Oceanic photographs

by Rachael Talibart. Featured on the cover of the November issue of Chronogram.

Through February 6.

37 FURNACE BANK ROAD, WASSAIC

43 SOUTH 3RD STREET, HUDSON “Nature Is Coming.” Paintings by Ian Wilson Clyde. Through January 8.

11 MOHONK ROAD, HIGH FALLS

WOODSTOCK ARTISTS ASSOCIATION AND MUSEUM (WAAM)

mountains, rivers, fields and sites in the region. January 20-April 9.

“On This Site.” Photographs of sacred, culturally significant, and historical Native American landscapes on Long Island by Shinnecock Nation tribe member Jeremy Dennis. January 20-February 26.

28 TINKER STREET, WOODSTOCK

“Restoring Indigenous Voices: Landscapes from the Permanent Collection.” Twenty works that explore the historical contexts of a selection of landscapes from the permanent collection acknowledging the Native American significance of well-known

1/23 CHRONOGRAM THE GUIDE 67

Horoscopes

By Cory Nakasue

An Uncertain Start Happy New Year! The bigger shifts in this year’s astrology don’t commence until the spring, but January helps put new things in motion…eventually. While we enter this new year with Mars, Mercury, and Uranus retrograde, it isn’t long until, one by one, they turn direct: Mars on the 12th, Mercury on the 18th, and Uranus on the 22nd. Before you get too excited about that clean-slate feeling, remember that when planets change direction they’re a little slow out of the gate. Take your time during the first week after each planet stations direct: with your efforts in the case of Mars, with your communications, in the case of Mercury, and be ready for surprises with Uranus.

The lack of certainty that starts the year is an opportunity to open ourselves to intel we wouldn’t be aware of in our more surefooted states of being. This information may come to us through gut feelings or retracing our steps. An emotionally intelligent full moon in Cancer on January 6 brings brilliant insights about the structures we’ve put in place to nurture vulnerable parts within and to care for the most vulnerable among us.

On January 20, the sun moves from tried-and-true Capricorn to wild-blue-yonder Aquarius. On the heels of that we get a new moon in Aquarius on the 21. Saturn, planet of boundaries, is the traditional ruler of both signs, so January is always a month to make adjustments to old standards (Capricorn) that might block discovery (Aquarius). Around mid-month, Venus, the planet of connection and pleasure, squares Uranus, and conjuncts Saturn, further emphasizing questions around social organization and new rules concerning relationships. In fact, during the month of January, Venus goes through so many changes, you might be starting 2023 with radical new ideas about partnership.

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ARIES (March 20–April 19)

Even you misplace your power and externalize your authority once in a while. This month you have the opportunity to take the reins of your life’s direction by plugging into your emotional power source. January 6th’s full moon in Cancer will speak to your sense of personal security.

What do you need to feel supported? By tending to your emotional foundations you create the very conditions needed for comfortably assuming more responsibility. If recognition has been elusive, or you’ve been struggling with autonomy, valuable information is on its way in the form of feelings.

TAURUS (April 19–May 20)

Woman with Earbuds, Amy Hill

ChronogramMedia.com/subscribe 68 HOROSCOPES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

With Uranus traveling through your first house over the past few years, there have been surprising changes to your self-concept. Being a solid, sensible earth sign, you may not enjoy surprises, or even concepts for that matter. In general, you’re going through a dematerialization process: You’re becoming less particle, more wave, less rock, more dust. Don’t worry! You’re not going to blow away or hover over the Earth forever! You are being forced to crack open so that new feelings, experiences, and yes, concepts can enter. Once these cracks are filled, you will congeal into a bigger, fuller, richer form.

Cory Nakasue is an astrology counselor, writer, and teacher. Her talk show, “The Cosmic Dispatch,” is broadcast on Radio Kingston (1490AM/107.9FM) Sundays from 4-5pm and available on streaming platforms. AstrologybyCory.com

Horoscopes

GEMINI (May 20–June 21)

For the duration of January, Mars, the planet of individuation and self-assertion, is sluggish in your sign and in the midst of a transition.

Instead of seeing lots of green lights this month, it might feel like the world is asking you to yield. How do you feel about this? How important is it to demonstrate who you are by way of unrelenting cleverness and movement?

Can you still feel your sense of self in stillness, receptivity, and contemplation? Try it out. This is a great time to hone your sense of self through your feelings and your bodily sensations.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

When you know, you know. And this month, you’re going to find something out about yourself beyond a shadow of a doubt. It will likely be triggered by a piece of communication from someone close to you. When they communicate this pivotal piece of intel, it might feel like your waves have finally reached a shore. There are indications in your chart of a kind of relationship enclosure. Is it an embrace, a bond, a definition, or restriction? Know that commitments to others can sometimes free us up to be more of ourselves. Accept nothing less at this full moon.

LEO (July 22–August 23)

Who knows what’s lurking in your blind spot, your subconscious, or in the spaces that are so private and tucked away that you just plain forgot about? You’re about to catch a glimpse of some of these gremlins. You might even find a key that unlocks a door to a secret passage leading to buried emotional treasure. These clues may come to you in dreams, divinations, or meditations, but don’t rule out finding valuable information in more obvious places and ordinary circumstances. You could just as easily have an epiphany in the hypnotherapist’s chair, as you would in the dentist’s.

VIRGO (August 23–September 23)

How does your love take shape in the world?

You’re about to find out from your peers, community, and your audience. The women in your life may have a lot to offer in the form of feedback, critique, or nourishment. You now have something to show for every idea and inspiration that gives you joy. Take your feedback graciously, it’s meant to turn your passion into more enduring forms of love.

Mercury, your ruling planet, is involved in this month’s full moon. A first step in giving your love a form could be giving it a name.

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Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department as an approved provider of continuing education for NY licensed social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, creative arts therapists, licensed psychoanalysts, and licensed psychologists.

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LIBRA (September 23–October 23)

A deep dive into your past, your heritage, or lineage could see you emerging with clues regarding your place in the world. This could provide deep emotional satisfaction and a sense of belonging to a larger family or maybe even a different one. On a smaller scale, you’re also learning how your early-life/parental conditioning has helped or hindered your ability to feel safe enough to feel. What parts of your history could be rewritten or reinterpreted so you feel secure enough to let yourself be seen?

Can you tell the difference between protecting your privacy and shutting people out?

1/23 CHRONOGRAM HOROSCOPES 69

Horoscopes

SCORPIO (October 23–November 22) How are the structures of your daily life—your schedules, routines, correspondences, and daily contacts, contributing to your overarching narrative? Do the two have anything to do with each other? Are the bedrocks of your certainty providing support for expanding your mind or message? Is certainty starting to feel small? You have the opportunity to retool some movements and exchanges this month for the sake of discovery. Feeling connected to a larger story or larger family requires some changes in habitual ways of thinking, seeing, and ordering your days.

It’s time for a mental detour and physical rerouting.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 22)

Ask the Energy Coaches ANYTHING JANUARY 19, 5:30 –7:30PM Fuller Building, Kingston

A spirited interactive forum with seasoned energy coaches for anyone thinking about switching to renewable energy and/or making their building more energy efficient.

Bring your questions about technology, financing, paybacks, dealing with contractors, comparison shopping, leaping now vs waiting, and anything else energy related that’s on your mind. Celebrate the launch of the 2023 Clean Power Guide with Sustainable Hudson Valley, Chronogram, and partners.

Chronogram.com/conversations IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

70 HOROSCOPES CHRONOGRAM 1/23

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Whatever’s pulling on your purse strings is also pulling on your heart strings. This could describe a classic head-versus-heart dilemma…with a financial/material twist. You may be tempted to give it all away because you want to feel closer, or you may want to keep it all for yourself in an attempt to feel secure. It doesn’t really matter what “it” even is, because whatever “it” is, it’s just a bargaining chip in the settling of emotional accounts. Who’s in debt to whom? And, what is it that’s really owed? Or, maybe it really is just about money.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 20) You’re in the home stretch of a 15-year process of restructuring, transformation, and healing. You’ve purged a lot of excess and may be coming across more clearly to others. However, you’re not quite done receiving input and lessons from your most important relationships, and you might even feel your need for partnership growing. Soften. Let that happen. A boundary is different than a wall. This month sees you redrawing some boundaries to accommodate the needs of others. You can do this and still be true to yourself. Caring for and receiving care from others IS self-care.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 19) The sun’s entrance into Aquarius on the 20th followed by the new moon in Aquarius on the 21st symbolizes a new cycle! It’s time to set intentions about how you want to walk through this world and who you want to walk with. The planetary ruler of this new moon, Saturn, is conjunct Venus, also in Aquarius at this time. A conjunction is, basically, new moon energy. This suggests an extra fertile time for making changes in how you present yourself. This could be aesthetic or energetic. I also think you’ll be reconsidering how the people you associate with reflect your self-image.

PISCES (February 20–March 19) Even though the beneficent Jupiter has left your sign for Aries, there’s no need to fret (too much).

This just means that life’s gifts are going to be transferred to your bank accounts, reservoirs of self-esteem, or other personal resources. What will you do with your extra abilities, confidence, and influence? It looks like your peers, colleagues, and/ or subscribers are asking this question. It looks like they’re waiting for your next heart-felt expression.

As an image, this looks like a collection of wellresourced midwives helping you through your next labor of love.

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Ad Index

Our advertisements are a catalog of distinctive local experiences.

Please support the fantastic businesses that make Chronogram possible.

1053 Main Street Gallery................... 62

City Winery......................................... 30

Inn at Lake Joseph............................ 10

Sullivan Catskills.................................. 4

The Academy HVN..............Back Cover

Colony Woodstock............................ 31

Jacobowitz & Gubits......................... 69

Sunflower Natural Food Market........ 15

Aqua Jet............................................... 9

Columbia Memorial Health................. 7

John A Alvarez and Sons.................. 24

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Athens Fine Art Services................... 62

Community Access to the Arts......... 45

Leprevost Plumbing,

Third Eye Associates Ltd.................. 69

Crystal Essence................................. 54

Heating & Cooling......................... 24

Beacon Natural Market..................... 16

Custom Window Treatments............. 45

Mad Macs Inc.................................... 54

Bearsville Center LLC........................ 31

Dia Beacon........................................ 60

Malcarne Contracting.......................... 1

Berkshire Art Center.......................... 54

Drowned Lands Brewery................... 30

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Berkshire Camino.............................. 55

Gifted Child........................................ 55

Montano’s Shoe Store....................... 68

Berkshire Food Co-op....................... 42

H Houst & Son................................... 24

Mother Earth’s Storehouse............... 15

Berkshire Museum............................ 53

Hawthorne Valley Association.......... 10

Mountain Laurel Waldorf School...... 24

Berkshire Roots................................. 53

Herrington’s....................................... 23

N&S Supply.......................................... 9

Berkshire Waldorf School................. 45

Holistic Natural Medicine: Integrative

The Pass............................................ 53

Bard College at Simon’s Rock.......... 42

TurnPark Art Space........................... 54 Tuthilltown Spirits, LLC..................... 15 Unison Arts Center............................ 62 Upstate Films..................................... 62 Vassar College................................... 62 WAAM - Woodstock Artists Association & Museum...... 60 Wild Earth Programs........................... 8 Williams Lumber

Healing Arts................................... 37

Ridgeline Realty................................. 24

Hudson Valley................................ 60

Hot Water Solutions.......................... 17

Runa Bistro........................................ 16

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Bistro To Go....................................... 16

Hudson Brewing Company............... 15

Shakespeare & Company.................. 55

WMCHealth................Inside Back Cover

Blu Salon & Spa................................. 54

Hudson Clothier................................. 62

Shire Cottage Bakery........................ 55

YMCA of Kingston

The Bookloft...................................... 45

Hudson Design Architecture &

Studio SFW........................................ 23

Bill Arning Exhibitions,

Cabinet Designers, Inc...................... 23

Construction Management........... 24

Canna Provisions............................... 71

Hudson Valley Goldsmiths................ 34

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Hudson Valley Hospice..................... 37

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Antiques Marketplace................... 45

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Chronogram January 2023 (ISSN 1940-1280) Chronogram is published monthly.

Subscriptions: $36 per year by Chronogram Media, 45 Pine Grove Ave. Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.

Periodicals postage pending at Kingston, NY, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chronogram, 45 Pine Grove Ave. Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.

1/23 CHRONOGRAM AD INDEX 71

parting shot

Lawnmower, David Ricci, 2003

Living on the Edge In his 2019 book, Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos, M. Mitchell Waldrop describes an intriguing phenomenon. As more elements are added to a system, its complexity multiplies. Until, at some point, it moves beyond complexity and enters a region termed “the edge of chaos” where a new entity emerges that is both greater than the sum of its parts and fundamentally different from them.

Photographer David Ricci’s first book, Edge (Fall Line Press), is a collection of images from over 30 years exploring the visual density and unexpected beauty embedded in abandoned spaces. “The complexity of the composition is not meant to be an end in itself,” Ricci says, “but rather a vehicle to reveal a surprising elegance that emerges from commonplace subject matter.”

72 PARTING SHOT CHRONOGRAM 1/23

Ricci took a cross-country trip in the late 1970s in which he learned how to use his Nikon 35mm by shooting landscapes in national parks. An initial interest in shooting patterns in landscape and architectural subjects led to a fascination with repeated motifs. “I became concerned with adding a sense of pattern and rhythm in the photographs,” says Ricci. “Doing more and more of that, and the images became more and more complex. I eventually started pushing the envelope of correct composition: how much could I fit into the frame?”

Quite a bit, in fact. The image above, Lawnmower, shot in a Catskill junkyard, is so overstuffed with details that it takes a minute to comprehend the scale—is it monumental or miniature? Ricci’s photos of empty amusement parks, overgrown parks, crumbling buildings, and shorelines covered

in lattices of seaweed require close examination to contextualize, but not to enjoy. As Tim Davis, associate professor of photography at Bard College, writes in his essay accompanying the volume: “The book reads like a really fun party, from the awkward, sober, conventional opening greetings—‘Can I get you something to drink?’—to the wet slurry of 2am unzipperings. All the while, we watch the pictures grow bolder, more ambitious, more willing to fail, until they finally succumb to chaos.”

Ricci’s photographs will be exhibited as part of a group show at Bernay Fine Art in Great Barrington this spring. Edge by David Ricci is available at bookstores in Berkshire County, Oblong Books in Rhinebeck and Millerton, and at Falllinepress.com.

Portfolio: Davidricci.net.

—Brian K. Mahoney

New Hospital Now Open Kingston

hahv.org

105 Mary’s Ave, Kingston Advancing Care. Here.