Little Chapel on the River

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 ...

A CELEBRATION FOR GUINAN'S: An evening of traditional Irish music, storytelling, and video March 11th, 2009, 7 p.m.: Philipstown Depot Theatre, Garrison, NY (directions below) COMMEMORATE Guinan’s, Garrison’s most renowned gathering place. LISTEN to Irish music, played by musicians who played during Irish NightsHEAR stories of favorite memories of the bar/country store and SHARE stories of your own SEE videos of life at Guinan’s CELEBRATE community, and the love of small places. Admission: $15 Adults; $12 Students/Seniors. Note: As this is a one-night only event, all reservations must be paid in advance. All proceeds will benefit the creation of an original play about Guinan’s that will be performed at the Depot Theatre in 2010. For tickets and info, call the Depot Theatre box office at (845) 424-3900. The Philipstown Depot Theatre is sponsored by Philipstown Recreation and Philipstown Performing Arts. Directions: By Car: Four miles north of the Bear Mountain Bridge off Route...

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...

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.