"What Was Once Hallowed Ground ..."


This is a recent email and photo, reprinted with permission from Jim Donnery, one of Guinan's regular parishioners and the man who inspired the name of the book: "Little Chapel on the River." The shot here is where the old bar and Coca-Cola beer cooler once stood.

The proposal to create a new restaurant and store in the spot where Guinan's once operated was turned down by the board of the Garrison Station Plaza based on what it said was inadequate financing for the project. The board is planning to move ahead with renovations to include office space.

From Jim Donnery:

"I had been home this past weekend to attend a funeral for a family member and had some time for goofing off before a dinner engagement in Cold Spring, so I bought a few beers and went down to sit on the rocks by the Boat Club to admire the sun setting on "the river that flows both ways". Old memories brought me over to the Chapel entrance and I peeked inside the front door past the plywood. That's when I saw the vines coming in the windows where the bar once stood.

I was truly saddened by the sight. Nature encroaching on what was once hallowed ground.
.... I then walked up onto the train platform and that's when I saw the source of the growth, and how it had entered through the crack between the windows.
It was one of those times when you want to slap somebody for letting something wonderful deteriorate for no apparent good reason."

Comments

Unknown said…
I know you have no clue as to who I am, Trever T. Hawley, Minnesota. I actually bought this book in December 2007 when I was home on leave from Iraq. I read this book while deployed and it reminded me of home and what I wanted when the day would come that I would finally discharge from the Army. I just stumbled upon this website today, as I am re reading the book, and it honeslty saddens me that the pub is now gone as you expressed. It's weird how you don't know me and I don't know you or anyone involved but yet I can still empathize with the situation. Thank you to everyone for sharing such a wonderful story.
March 3, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Gwendolyn Bounds said…
Hi Trever - thanks for this kind message, and thank you for your service. I've met a host of incredible soldiers through the connection of Guinan's - and am glad to now know you. It's terrific you've joined this community here online of people who care so much about this place ... My best to you, Wendy
March 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Becka said…
I come to the "Little Chapel" just to check things out occasionally. I just re-read Jim Donnery's comments for I don't know how many times and thought about a friend of mine that posted on Face Book that he always keeps his "Slapping Maching" handy because you never know when you're gonna need it.
Jim should have had a Slapper and attended the meetings that took piece of heaven from us.
xx
June 20, 2011 at 10:07 PM
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