Little Chapel on the River

View of #7 Garrison's Landing, now under renovation, from train platform. Renovations for a new restaurant and cafe are well underway at #7 Garrison’s Landing , home to the former Guinan’s Pub & Country Store, which closed its doors in 2008. A couple of weeks ago, I got a tour inside - stepping back across a threshold into a place so many lucky people once called a second home.  The nonprofit organization leading the reconstruction has rebuilt the pub area in back (no, the floor doesn’t slant anymore but that glorious view of the Hudson River is the same) and generally kept the building’s overall architectural shape in tact. The old green phone booth still stands outside (it might become a library book trading outpost, I’m told), the stone fireplace is there (couldn’t see if the gold shamrock was still embedded on the hearth as it was covered with new windows about to be installed.)   [ UPDATE : Breaking news...the shamrock has been located and while it is not...

Long live the Chapel! A group of parishioners -- including family members Margaret Guinan, Kelly Guinan, Mary Jane Guinan & Ed Preusser -- gathered at the Chapel to celebrate the High Holy Day. Building might be shut, but you can't keep the community away. Everyone is very excited about the upcoming renovation and reopening . Helping organize the event was Jay Vitale , a friend of the late John Guinan , who in honor of John has started a very cool charity called "Guinan's Aurora" where he collects used bicycles bound for the landfill and partners with local bike shops to help refurbish and distribute them to under privileged children or children in remission from life-threatening illnesses. He's done incredible things so far. You can connect with Jay at www.guinansaurora.org or on here on Facebook . Address below: P.O. Box 208 Garrison NY 10524 845.424.6078

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.

Garrison Yacht Club will present The Eilen Jewell Band for its 2009 Spring Dinner. Details below: When: Sunday, April 5 Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Dutchess Manor -- 263 Rte. 9D, Beacon, NY Cost: $75 per person including full dinner and beverages and music. Checks should be made payable to Garrison Yacht Club and sent to P.O. Box 176, Garrison NY 10524 Tickets are available on first come, first serve basis until Sunday, March 29th. No tickets will be available at the door. Contact info: fleetcaptain@garrisonyachtclub.com Sponsors: Polhemus Construction, Nick Roberti's Marine, Samalot Marine and Sea Tow Central Hudson . Photo by Jennifer Lucey-Brzoza @ eilenjewell.com