Little Chapel on the River

View Larger Map This email recently was sent to savegarrisonslandingstore(at)yahoo.com: "I might be too late for this email to matter, as I've just found the news about Guinan's closing just a few minutes ago. I think it is essential that a similar store is retained on that site as without such an establishment, the little Village of Garrison's Landing will simply fade.... I can appreciate the need to service commuters, tourists and the like; but the spirit of community that a place such as Guinan's represents is irreplacable and should not be allowed to go the way of so many small, quirky places that used to be so much a part of the Hudson River Valley. Guinan's was a very important part of my life and my mother's life for over 30 years. We used to drive up from Bergen County, New Jersey, either together, individually or with friends, to drop by for a cup of coffee and a chance to relax either out the front of the store or in the bar. Guinan's, alo...

Here is a list of upcoming events and programs for families at the Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison. Math Homework Help with Laura Meiselman– resumes Jan.6, 4-5 p.m. for children in 4th through 6th grades. Ongoing except for school vacations. Kid's Craft Hour–Tues. Jan. 13, 4 p.m. Make some snowflakes and enjoy cocoa and marshmallows. Jan. 20, 4 p.m. Edible and non-edible snowmen Jan. 27, 4 p.m. Celebrate Chinese New Year with lanterns and Fortune Cookies. Feb. 3, 4 p.m. Sew some Warm Mittens. Feb. 10, 4p.m. Valentine Extravaganza. Cards and treats for all. Preschool Story Hour -Wednesdays 1:30 p.m. Stories and a related craft for children from 3 to 5 years old. Ongoing except for school holidays. Parent-Child Workshop Play Group Monday and Wednesday, 10:30-11:15 a.m. resumes Jan. 7 & 12. For toddlers and their caregivers. Free play with circle time, songs and a story. No PCW on Jan. 19th. To register for any of these programs, please call 424-3020 Jan 6 & 20 6-8 p.m.- Ba...

Note: the window for Monday's calling hours is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the times in the Journal News are incorrect. The Journal-News ran this story today about John Marcinak's death. Police are still looking for help resolving the circumstances his death. Calling hours will be held at the Clinton Funeral Home , 21 Parrott St., Cold Spring, from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday . A memorial service will take place at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Family and friends are making memorial donations to the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department.

Police are looking for anyone with information regarding the homicide of John Marcinak , owner of Garrison Garage. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds on the roadside in front of the garage on Wednesday. In addition to his wife, Janet, Marcinak is survived by two sons and a daughter. He was a longtime volunteer firefighter and a familiar and welcome face to anyone in Philipstown who needed a tow. (He once towed me and refused to take a dime for his services.) His garage was once used as a backdrop in scenes for a 1995 motion picture called " Smoke ," starring Harvey Keitel, William Hurt and Forest Whittaker, whose character was a garage mechanic. Memorial bunting was hung at the Garrison Fire Department station, a short distance from the Marcinak residence, according to the Journal News. Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 845-225-4300 . All calls will be kept confidential.

Tom Brennan of Garrison wrote this week to say he and his wife Ann had been hiking in Bear Mountain Park this fall when they stopped on Garrison's Landing to see the now-gutted Guinan's. Says Tom: "I tried to visualize the bar in the back and where Mr. Guinan sat in his chair in the living room. The thought came to me that I was in a cemetery. But then I also thought that at least in cemeteries they have grave markers and memorials." Tom suggests a memorial of some sort to be placed near the walkway to the store near the train station ramp and has offered to make a contribution toward that. The Garrison Station Plaza, which owns the building that was Guinan's, has said it plans to put a plaque there commemorating the store. Here's Tom's idea for a memorial: Guinan’s Store 1959 – 2008 Also Known As The Little Chapel on the River Where On the Rising of the Moon Strangers who gathered Were only friends Who never met.