Little Chapel on the River

My friend Andy Revkin - a Garrison, N.Y. resident, writer, educator and longtime Guinan's patron - recently released his first CD called "A Very Fine Line." It's a collection of 10 songs recorded with some contributions from extraordinary local musicians, among them Dar Williams, Art Labriola, the Motherlode Trio, Al Hemberger, Bruce Molsky , and Eric Starr , among others. The video above is a rendition of his song about Guinan's set to photos by the uber-talented Hudson Valley photographer, Christine Ashburn . Many of the photos were shot during the "Irish Night" musical sessions that occurred every Thursday after the full moon. Andy is a guy of many talents, and he explains his segue into the music world in this write-up here . You can find he entire CD on Amazon and download on iTunes or from Andy (just $7) here .  On Sunday evening (Dec. 22nd), Andy is hosting a CD celebration and musical jam with many of the contributing musicians at th...

Dorothy M. Donnery - mother of Jim Donnery who christened Guinan's "Little Chapel" - died April 2, 2012. The night I first met Dorothy solidified my commitment to writing a book about Guinan's. She was as eclectic and smart and compelling a character as I've ever met. She loved the Hudson River - loved watching the tankers and the freighters go by. She worked along its shores at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point for 39 years. When Jim returned home to visit Guinan's on Friday nights, she'd always have a sandwich and vanilla milk shake ready for him. At Guinan's she'd sip the occasional Michelob Light, though gin and champagne were her drinks of choice. If she grew tired of the barroom banter, she'd slip out to the car where she kept a blanket and sleep. Dorothy suffered no fools; her smile was contagious. The family has asked that memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Photo courtesy Jim Donnery.

We lost one of our parishioners, John J. "Jack" McAndrew - a founder of "Irish Night" at Guinan's - after his fight with lymphoma. He was 72. Jack is featured in the chapter "The Rising of the Moon" in Little Chapel on the River and at other points in the book. He was a friend to many in Guinan's green walls, and a teacher to those new to Irish music. Without fail, he'd play your favorite song without being asked. For me, that was The Wild Rover . With a nod, and wink, he would always launch in just as my hands were wrapping around the first cold Coors Light. I'll remember his smile and generosity as it swelled out from the dark room, dancing on the music that carried his spirit throughout the bar and beyond. You can read Jack's "My Reflections as Session Leader" essay about his time at Guinan's. Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.lls.org Photo courtesy Christine Ashburn.

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 plyw...

In March, I wrote about a tribute bike ride for Jim Donnery , one of Guinan's most loyal parishioners and the inspiration for the title of the book "Little Chapel on the River." When Jim was diagnosed last year with prostate cancer, one of his dearest friends, Frank Hanes , began training to cycle 4,300 miles across the United States to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation . Frank recently completed his fantastic journey. He kept this inspiring blog along the way. Jim Donnery writes: "To all of you who were thinking of me, and praying for me, and made a generous donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Our friend Frank Hanes (of the Inn at Manchester ) has completed his monumental journey across the northern section of our country and has raised almost $22000 by last count. Here are a few pictures of his triumphant finish, with his wife, children and friends." Photos courtesy of Jim Donnery and Frank H...

This piece of artwork was created by Andrea Marie Highsmith of Raleigh, North Carolina. She calls it: "Little Chapel on the River and my fascination with Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' sky." She rendered it using Gouache , a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water and some oils as well. Andrea is a recent graduate of East Carolina University. You can see this and more of her artwork on Facebook . Pretty neat stuff. Thanks Andrea.

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . “I am your home“ by CL I am your home whether you have one or need one the place where you bring your joys, your sorrow, your worries, your life a place where everyone fits in and has their own opinion an open discussion is always available together we create a union consider me your counselor I may not reply to your questions, but rest assured that once you step in and you hear the sound of the wind chimes, the members of the chapel will give you your medicine a beer, some comfort, an ounce of closure

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . “The Bar” by TC Individuals go to Guinan’s for closure and to spend their leisure time in such a preferred place A Peaceful area that resides next to the Hudson River It appears to be like a chapel on the river to some folks Captivated by the bar’s charisma, a gathering of families and friends get personal with their internal feelings It appears to be such a relaxing place where you can actually find the character that resides within you As son as you step into Guinan’s, you’ll eventually have a different state of mind You actually get to meet people that are very sociable and generous Well slowly but surely it becomes a regular thing to attend Guinan’s The odd place where comfort can sometimes be found

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . Guinan’s by LD The way everything falls in place everyday The way my heart opens up to everyone Warmth infects all within my reach The love spreads throughout the chapel Glamorously filling each soul with a bit of happiness To be in a place where everyone knows you To have the same familiar faces around you To need the place as much as it needs you I am THE place because of you I am THIS place because of…...you

In honor of the late Jim Guinan ... These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . “Jim” by CL He is… He is the center He is the father He is the friend He is the final word He is the father-figure He is the guiding force The one that doesn’t have to speak to be understood He is the overseer He is the welcome and come again He is the power He is the decision maker He is Guinan's Photo by Roy Gumpel.

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . My Place on the River by VB (about the area) The chapel stands with a beautiful sunrise with wispy clouds. The shallow waters surrounding it, ever flowing this way and that way. A mosaic of people gathering together in the usual attire and with all the same purpose…to love, to share, to belong. …and to drink! Photo by Jim Donnery

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . A Chapel without Pews by VB (from the perspective of the bar itself) Here I sit, year after year A chapel without pews Big crowds come to visit me And leave transformed Families reunite here I make it feel like home …away from home Love visits, and stays Music comes and goes The beauty of what I do for others will stay for years, decades, and centuries.

These poems were written by students at Ferris High School after reading Little Chapel on the River for their honors English class. More on the class here . Guinan’s Bar by LN An old, old bar founded in the 1960’s An Irish bar A comfortable atmosphere A crowd of regulars A sweet-talking owner The Bar that attracts you, Makes you want to stay Tells you to come back next time Welcomes you with good manners No matter weekends or weekdays During hard times or good times When something misfortunate or fortunate happens Guinan’s Bar is wide open for you Guinan’s Bar is always there physically and in your heart It’s there.

Last October, an email popped into my inbox from James J. Ferris High School English teacher, Michael Ferrara in N.J. At the beginning of the school year, he'd read his honors class a chapter of Little Chapel on the River. (How cool is that?) The class decided to study the rest of the book and so HarperCollins donated copies to Michael's class. (Thank you HC). The class finished up in February and Michael sent me a collection of poems the students wrote. And they rock. For privacy reasons, students initials are used. They are a mix of freshmen and sophomores, ranging in age from 14 to 16. Poem #1: Within Movement by GB (from the perspective of the bar itself) I stand in the same spot (But) I always feel like I am moving within myself The sense of peace, love, and joy Explains what I stand for Stand for the silent movement But still be known as a presence I am one with them And although we speak no words The greeting is natural

Of all the nights I spent at Guinan's , the one that burns most clearly is still, perhaps, the first. It was the night I first met many of the parishioners -- including Jim Donnery , the man whose fierce love for the green-walled pub he fondly dubbed "The Chapel" inspired the title of the book. Anyone who knows Jim, knows loyalty is core to who he is: loyal to Guinan's, loyal to his family - including his mother Dorothy who he brought to Guinan's regularly - and to all his friends at the chapel. He is also loyal to another family-run joint in Vermont - the Inn at Manchester - where he and his wife Gail have spent many weekends and befriended the owners Julie and Frank Hanes . And when Jim was diagnosed last year with prostate cancer, Frank decided to return that loyalty. Frank is cycling solo across the United States starting June 1 in honor of Jim. He'll dip his bike's back wheel in the Pacific Ocean in Anacortes, Wash. and 4,500 miles and approximate...

These comments were just a few of the warm sentiments posted on Facebook by "parishioners" on St. Patrick's Day, 2010, in honor of Jim Guinan, his family and the Guinan's Pub & Country store. First posting was mine, the rest are responses. Cheers everyone. "Happy High Holy Day to all parishioners...and a toast to the late high priest himself, Jim Guinan. This day a year ago was the last time most of us saw you." Carolyn McDonough Smith , Sandra Souza-desimone , Missy Nibert Fescemyer and 15 others like this. Kristi Lafoon Still one of my favorite books ever. Thanks so much for the picture! Yesterday at 8:43am · Patti Anderson St. Patrick's Day is the day one just automatically thinks of the Guinan's! Yesterday at 8:48am · Brian Bosley I never met him, but your book made me feel I knew him. Happy St. Patrick's Day Yesterday at 8:53am · Elizabeth Weinstein McMahon hdgdnhdgfffftredrddddfdrff ffrfrrrrrrreeeeeeeee44 e4444444 Yesterday at 8:...