Little Chapel on the River

Event: Music Tracks Presents Bruce Molsky (guitar, fiddle, banjo) "An annual favorite of Music Tracks events at The Philipstown Depot Theatre" What: Concert Host: The Philipstown Depot Theatre Start Time: Saturday, January 17 at 7:30pm End Time: Saturday, January 17 at 10:30pm Where: The Philipstown Depot Theatre To see more details and RSVP via Facebook, follow this link. From Nancy Montgomery : "Bruce Molsky is a master. His performance on the intimate stage at the Depot Theatre brings audiences a thrilling and memorable night of traditional music."

The Hudson River Valley has a number of groups working to preserve its lands, and they all depend on donations big and small to do their work. We're lucky to have this land around us -- this gorgeous, mysterious shot looking at Osborn Castle by Christine Ashburn reminds us of that. One group is Scenic Hudson , which is working to protect 65,000 acres of what it dubs the most important land along the river -- the "must save" landscapes that meet New York State's highest standards for ecological, scenic and agricultural values. Another is the Hudson Highlands Land Trust , which has been working privately with landowners since 1989, when local residents united to form an organization that would provide conservation options for individuals. A third is Open Space Institute . OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, regional loan programs, fiscal sponsorship, creative partnerships, and analytical research. Online donations are accepted for al...

Event: Uncle Wade @ Depot Theatre "More Simple Music for Complicated Times" What: Concert Host: Andy Revkin & the rest of Wade Start Time: Friday, January 16 at 8:00pm End Time: Friday, January 16 at 11:00pm Where: Philipstown Depot Theatre, Garrison's Landing, Garrison NY 10524 // View map here . Contact: membership@philipstowndepottheatre.org // 845.424.3900 Facebook RSVP: Click here (only if you're on Facebook.)

While reporting my book Little Chapel on the River, I spent most of 2003 at Guinan's Pub and Country Store. Since my "job" for that year was to spend time at the place I loved most, I occasionally helped out behind the counter and met most of the regulars passing through. This video I shot captures one morning I was there. Several faces are longer with us: Ken Anderson and his red car; Tip Dain , one of the Fearsome Foursome golf quartet Jim Guinan played with, and Jimmy Delaney whose two Bud Lights at lunch routine was more dependable than the Metro-North trains. You'll see what the Hudson River looks like coming awake, and how the commuters helped John Guinan carry papers inside at 5 a.m. You'll see John bust my chops in front of Murray Prescott , a long and loyal Guinan friend who has helped open the store for many years. These were the best days I've known.

Antipodean Books Maps & Prints in Garrison, run by David (a.k.a "The Bookman" in Little Chapel on the River) and Cathy Lilburn, has 75 items under $75 on sale for the holidays. Some of the suggested gifts include a first edition of Joseph H. Adams' "Harper's Outdoor Book for Boys" from 1907 ($45), a steel engraved plate of a trout with named trout flies shown below it from Bunney & Gold, 1801 ($75) and an 2008 updated version of Frances F. Dunwell's fantastic book, "The Hudson: America's River" ($29.95), which I may buy myself if no one beats me to it. Click here to see the entire list.

Neil Bloch sends these photos from last Saturday’s party and says thanks to Jennifer O'Toole, club manager, and to Eric Gabrynowicz , executive chef, at Highlands Country Club . Neil says highlights of the event included the playing of 13-year-old harpist Alexandra Dow and the singing of countertenor Nicholas Tamagna (both pictured here with Olivia Wade ) as well as the huge pile of gifts that were donated to Toys for Tots .

By johnmac It’s Irish Night at Guinan’s first Thursday after the full moon and the place is packed. And there is a harp And a badram And a few accordions And a whistle And a few guitars And a few fiddles And some singers And a lot of beer There are some writers And plumbers And a Governor (with a State Police Guard) And restaurateurs And real estate agents And professors And whoever else walks in. And there is much talk and gaiety until there is a hush when Jim is ready to sing “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” And we all listen Kelly’s behind the bar Jim’s in the kitchen And we all take turns putting the money on the deli register, Trust abounds, laughter is king, joy reigns, and we are friends with people we don’t even know. And then it ends And we all go home We are a funny people. Copyright 2006 John F. McMullen