Little Chapel on the River

Mary Ellen Yannitelli's efforts to create a new public venue in the old Guinan's location at #7 Garrison's Landing has landed her a nomination to receive Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce’s Innovation in Business Award. The award recognizes the entrepreneurial contribution of a member of our community. The winner is determined by an online vote of the community, and there is no residency requirement for voting. Go to www.coldspringchamber.com to see all nominations and cast your vote. Voting concludes at 12PM on March 23rd. The winner will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner, which will be held at the Chalet on the Hudson on March 25th.

Pledges from 16 different states have come in to support the history - and the future of #7 Garrison's Landing - better known as the former "Guinan's" building. That's a huge sign of support - thanks to all of you who have pitched in! The new fundraising deadline is Feb. 17th to keep a cafe/pub in the old Guinan's spot. If you are able to pledge, please email your tax-deductible pledge to Mary Ellen Yannitelli at landingcommunity@gmail.com. No monies will be collected unless the final goal amount is met - but these are serious pledges of intent. For more on the history of this effort, click here. Photo by Gwendolyn Bounds. All rights reserved. Please do not redistribute without permission.

UPDATE: $50,005 = NEW TOTAL Nearly $40,000 raised in just two days. This is incredibly generous. On Thursday, January 21, the Philipstown Planning Board will hold a meeting at the VFW Hall, Kemble Avenue, Cold Spring, NY @ 7:30 p.m. The Garrison Station Plaza board is scheduled to ask for site plan approval for offices in the old Guinan's space. So time is short to raise funds to help establish a new pub/cafe. Thanks for all you've done to spread the word, and all you can do.

Many of the musicians who played at "Irish Night" at Guinan's will now be playing at "The Stadium" on Route 9 in Garrison, near Graymoor . Guitarist Jack McAndrew writes that the crew will be playing outdoors during the summer weather permitting. (Given Mother Nature's track record this June, don't hold your breath.) They will play on the same schedule as established at Guinan's, i.e, the Thursday of the full moon or the first Thursday following a Full Moon. For example, if the full moon is on a Saturday, they will have their seisiun on the following Thursday. Upcoming: July 9 Aug. 6 Sept. 10

James Guinan died last night at Tampa University Community Hospital following complications from a chest cold. He was 83 years old. Jim was with his daughters Christine and Margaret, his son-in-law Mike and some of his grandchildren. His friends and family in the Hudson Highlands were fortunate to have seen him here in "God's Country," as he called it, around St. Patrick's Day. The family is still working out details and timing of the memorial services, and I will update everything here when they are ready, but here is the information they have so far. They thank everyone for their thoughts, good wishes and prayers: Visitation: Monday, April 13th and Tuesday April 14th Clinton Funeral Home 21 Parrott Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516(845) 265-3333 2-4PM and 7-9PM (both days) Funeral and Mass: Wednesday, April 15th Our Lady of Loretto 24 Fair Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516(845) 265-3781 10AM Interment to follow at the Cold Spring Cemetery He was the Mayor of Garrison, he ...

Two interesting pieces in this week's Putnam County News & Recorder neatly capture the tenor of the ongoing push to have a public gathering space in the old Guinan's building. One, written by Michael Turton , does a nice job painting the scene of last week's lively Philipstown Planning Board meeting while a second by Joe Lindsley Jr. titled " A Brief History of the 'Little Chapel ,'" describes the long, rich tenure of this particular gathering spot along the Hudson. (You need a subscription to view these pieces in full.) Lindsley cites my book saying that Jim Guinan was determined to keep the place going even though the operation was losing money. It's true that at various points in time in its nearly 50-year history Guinan's struggled -- early on when Jim and his late wife Peg were launching the business, after Peg's death. However, as my book also notes, according to the family the store also was profitable during its long history, i...

At last night's Philipstown Planning Board meeting, a public hearing was held, which included discussion on the new site plan approval for the old Guinan's building at #7 Garrison's Landing. The architect for the Garrison Station Plaza, which owns the building, presented his drawings and elaborated a bit more on last month's proposal , adding that the GSP was considering investing in an energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling system for the property. (This technology uses heat generated from the earth versus fossil fuels.) Currently the plans are to convert the space into residences and an office. However, there was a robust appeal from the public at the meeting to include some sort of a public space (ie, cafe) in the new plans. The question also was raised about whether the Guinan's building qualifies as a "historic property," which could affect rules around its change of use and structural alterations. There was also discussion about whether th...

Updated: Tonight I ran into Michael at Angelina's. He's leaving that business in the hands of his partner to run this new project at the old Garrison Market full-time. The atmosphere was a little sad in the restaurant, but Michael was upbeat about his new project and the food was outstanding at Angelina's, so maybe Philipstown will have the best of both worlds. Michael says he plans to unroll his vision for the new business in two stages. The first will be a market and cafe until 7 p.m. He says he is aiming to have tables, wireless access and serve wine and beer. But it won't be a full-fledged restaurant. He's planning to build a deck, and is debating whether to open at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. Says he's a nighttime guy and the new routine will take some adjusting to for him. He'll be testing different brands of coffee next Mon. and Tues. in the store and wants folks to stop in. His Stage 2 involves taking the apartment area next door and converting it into a late-...

This photo of the "high priest" himself, Jim Guinan , was taken on Guinan's Day 2005. We're lucky to have Jim back in the Hudson Valley for the High Holy Day 2009. He heads back home to his daughter Christine and son-in-law Mike 's in Florida soon after a good long visit with his daughter Margaret . Jim will be out and about in town tonight with some of the parishioners and his granddaughter Kelly ...maybe even singing Danny Boy. (Hint: somewhere on Main Street in Cold Spring) So shhhh..... All rights reserved on photo.

I loved this random letter to the editor this week in the Putnam County News and Recorder . Solange Muller of Cold Spring wrote in thanks of a mystery snow plower who plowed Muller's driveway -- twice -- this winter unasked, unpaid. Wrote Muller: "Your gift of plowing my driveway this winter has been like a ray of sunshine making it's way through a dark cloud, bringing light and hope into my life and strengthening my believe that we are surrounded by goodness." It's remarkable how far a small gesture of unexpected kindness can reach.

Host: Town of Philipstown Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009 Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm Location: VFW Hall Street: Kemble Ave. City/Town: Cold Spring, NY Facebook Event Link The Garrison Station Plaza Inc.(building owners) submitted plans to the town to change the use of #7 Garrison's Landing from a store and residence to offices and a residence. Is this a good use for this historic property? Should/could the building accomodate a small gathering spot for the public as well as offices and a residence? This event is a public hearing where you can share your thoughts. View Larger Map

There are some interesting comments , on both sides of the issue, attached to Sunday's Journal-News story on the new use of the Guinan's building, including one speculating that one new tenant may be another not-for-profit. The comments are mostly anonymous, however, so sourcing is far from firm.

February 22, 2009 Guinan's site slated to become office space Barbara Livingston Nackman The Journal News GARRISON - The former Guinan's Country Store and Pub is all but gone from its Garrison Landing location. The nearly 4,000-square-foot space, tucked into a ledge at the Hudson River shoreline just steps from Metro-North tracks, has been gutted. It is ready for new tenants - two local businesses and a resident. Garrison Station Plaza, the owner of the property at 7 Garrison Landing, presented plans Thursday to the Philipstown Planning Board showing how it wants to reconfigure the structure. It is more than 100 years old and is in dire need of renovations, which include a septic system and new electrical wiring. Guinan's operated as a local gathering spot for morning coffee and newspapers and for evening beers and Irish music for nearly 50 years before Jim Guinan, its patriarch and owner, retired in January 2008. Guinan's customers, many of whom think of themselves as ...

Message from the Committee to Preserve Community on Garrison's Landing: HELP SUPPORT A NEW STORE ON GARRISON’S LANDING Update: First, thank you all for expressing your support! The Board of the Garrison Station Plaza was presented with a print copy of the petition including all the signers and comments at the meeting on June 14. As a result, the members of the Board agreed to revisit whether there should be a store or similar public venue housed in the building formerly known as “Guinan’s.” In July, the Board solicited for proposals and received several including one from Mary Ellen Yannitelli that was in keeping with the spirit of Guinan’s . Ultimately they rejected all proposals for a new cafe or gathering spot similar to Guinan's. A Journal-News story by Barbara Livingston Nackman quotes several board members, one of whom says the board is now considering proposals for offices and a rental apartment. People familiar with the board's plans say it is close to or has alread...

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.

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 .

While Team Guinan is away on our 275-mile bike ride this weekend, alumni from around the country will gather to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Garrison Union Free School . Anita Prentice writes to say there will be people returning to Garrison for the festivities from California, Minnesota, and Colorado, as well as all over the East Coast. Organizers of the event have put together a pretty slick social networking Web site here on Ning that links alumni and hosts videos, photos, links to local businesses and community institutions as well as details about this weekend's events. Given the weather report, I expect we'll all be pedaling in the rain wishing we were there for Jeff's Dain's grilling Saturday night.

The board of the Garrison Station Plaza has rejected proposals for a new cafe or similar gathering spot at the building formerly known as Guinan's. Today's Journal-News story by Barbara Livingston Nackman quotes several board members, one of whom says the board is now considering proposals for offices and a rental apartment. People familiar with the board's plans say it is close to or has already signed a contract with at least one new tenant. The board's decision comes after several months of lobbying from many parts of the community for a general store or other enterprise that would serve the needs of commuters, tourists, cadets, boaters and residents. More than 1,000 people from this community and around the country signed a petition urging the board to "preserve our community's center and vitality and permit a new store." The board cited liability concerns but said little more. In the story, board member Hank Osborn , whose grandfather once owned t...

The deadline has passed for proposals to start a new store/public venue at the old Guinan's spot. Many of you around the country who read Little Chapel have emailed asking about the status of Mary Ellen Yannitelli's bid to reopen a cafe in this historic space. Thanks for your continued interest. She says she has turned in her business plan and is hopeful the board of directors of Garrison Station Plaza will be receptive. (She's calling it Lou-Lou's Café after the chapel's most loyal 4-legged parishioner, pictured above.) Here are a few snippets: "...My café is in keeping with the Garrison’s Landing Association’s founder’s original mission of '…making Garrison a better place to live.' The cafe increases our community’s self-reliance, local empowerment and a continuation of the Landing’s original use as Garrison’s traditional commercial district, therefore the most visible indicator of our community pride, along with its economic and social health. It wil...