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The Town That Time Forgot

The Town That Time Forgot published on 5 Comments on The Town That Time Forgot

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Traveling through Sullivan County last week, we came upon the town of Mountaindale: Population 0. Nah, I don’t know what the population is, but Mountaindale looked like a ghost town. Oddly enough, it also looked as if the shop fronts have been restored. It feels like a movie set or like it’s waiting for something to happen.

Perhaps Mountaindale is a hopping place during the summer months, but on a winter’s weekday it looked abandoned. Someone is trying to bring this little town back. There is evidence of an art community, yoga and anti-frackers. None of them were around the day we swung by.

There are quite a few bungalow colonies near the town, some abandoned and many in use. It’s definitely something to check into once summer is on the horizon.

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Woodstock Sanctuary B&B

Woodstock Sanctuary B&B published on 5 Comments on Woodstock Sanctuary B&B

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Spent a romantic Valentine’s evening at the Woodstock Sanctuary B&B, not with my husband but with my friend Deb. We went upstate to look at some properties and although we didn’t get to spend too much time at the sanctuary, we got to see what it was all about.

The B&B is a fairly new addition to the sanctuary. Because of it’s non-profit status, you have to be a member to book a room. The profits go to the care of the rescued farm animals, so go early and go often! Membership benefits include discounts to some serious vegetarian restaurants both upstate and in the city.

Before renovations

The farmhouse is a lovely restored pre-Civil War home. Because of the newness of it, I was afraid to touch anything, but it was definitely comfy and homey. Images of the farm animals hang from the walls and even the claws on the tub are painted like a rooster.

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Two of the rooms share the two hallway bathrooms and there is one room that is en-suite. We’re talking about $120 for a room but it was higher for Valentine’s. The vegan breakfast served in the morning gives you a selection of bagels, muffins and cereal with fresh fruit and non-dairy options. There’s a newly updated DVD collection, some books and of course, wifi.

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The sanctuary asks that you remain respectful of their cause and refrain from bringing in any animal bi-products. This means leave your fur coat and Ugg boots at home. And don’t bring your McDonald’s in for lunch and say you couldn’t go a day without meat. Not that people staying here would do that, but you get my drift.

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The owners live in this gawgeous home. Wins my award for “Best New Construction Evah”.

The sanctuary is located just off of Rt 212, somewhere between Woodstock and Phoenicia. We had dinner in Bearsville and made it back in one piece within ohh, maybe 15 minutes?

Great guest house but of course it’s all about the animals! We got to visit them and meet the farm staff the following morning. We hung out in the goat pen a bit and we were greeted by the pigs in their pen. We got to meet Dylan the giant grown up veal calf and the chickens and roosters.

So, if you’re looking for that perfect B&B in the country and you happen to be an animal lover, this is THE place. I’ll be back for sure. Perhaps I’ll even bring my husband for a real romantic evening.

And now….meet the animals! (Full set on Flickr)

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Story of New York in 10 Objects

Story of New York in 10 Objects published on

The Leonard Lopate Show wants to know what 10 object you would choose to tell the story of New York. All objects must be able to fit inside a museum. Include a brief description of why you think the object helps define New York City.

The deadline for submissions is today at 5 pm. Then, you’ll be able to vote on your favorite objects.

Here’s my list. What’s yours?

1. Subway token. Watch me date myself now. I remember when a subway token went from 35 cents to 50. I remember the big ones with the Y cut-out.

2. Bagel. Few places make real bagels anymore.

3. Slice of pizza. The ultimate NYC fast food. Hmm, maybe I should add a hot dog cart, but I don’t eat hot dogs.

4. Handball. Everybody always talks about stickball. Well, I never played stickball. For my generation it was always Chinese handball. Chinese can be played against any wall, no court needed.

5. Broadway playbill. Preferably “The Odd Couple”, a New York favorite.

6. Egg Cream. Nice and foamy.

7. Knish. Yeah, it’s all about the food. S’ppose we can do a knish/hot dog cart if you insist.

8. Diner menu. Diners. Another dying breed.

9. Spray paint can. To be displayed with a remnant of an old subway car, please.

10. Shortline bus ticket. Every summer weekend during my childhood, we would catch the Shortline bus up to The Catskills. Borscht Belt bungalow colonies and resorts were as New York as the city itself. But as a child, I was always mesmerized by the walk through Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal. Trannies, hookers, Black Panthers and Jews for Jesus all one big happy NYC family. It was like something out of Taxi Driver.

Reclaiming Our NY Accents

Reclaiming Our NY Accents published on 2 Comments on Reclaiming Our NY Accents

Most of my life I’ve been slightly embarrassed by my New Yawk accent. People now tell me it’s not that bad, but I remember traveling as a kid and everyone knew where I was from the minute I opened my mouth.

New Yawk accents are dying out, so I’m kind of proud to have one these days. I love to guess which borough people are from or to try to decipher if they’re from Lung Iyland or New Joisey.

Love or hate the accent? Check out this film “If Knishes Could Talk“. There’s a screening tomorrow night at The Brooklyn Heights Cinema. Tickets here.

“If you don’t like the way I tawk, f*ck you”.

New York, New York:The Movie

New York, New York:The Movie published on 3 Comments on New York, New York:The Movie

I totally forgot that the Frank Sinatra song “New York, New York” came from a 1977 film of the same title. And remember that Liza Minelli did the original version?? Hate to say it, but Liza kind of blows Frank out of the water with this one. Watch it until the end. Goosebumps. Agree?

2012 New Year’s Swim

2012 New Year’s Swim published on 4 Comments on 2012 New Year’s Swim

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We did our annual New Year’s Day romp at Coney Island with the Polar Bear Club. It was a record turnout this year, probably because the temperature was in the 50’s. It’s also getting more and more crowded with younger folks every year.

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When I first started photographing the Polar Bear Club and Ice Bears (now Ice Breakers) my parents still lived across the street from the beach. Back then, it was just a few old Russians and some lovable eccentrics. Now, it’s EVERYBODY into the water!

These are the few shots I got before my camera got wet and stopped working. It would have been a great day minus the camera emergency. Happy New Year!

Past polar swims

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Landmarks of New York

Landmarks of New York published on 1 Comment on Landmarks of New York

Still searching for that perfect gift for the person in your life who loves New York? If you’ve been listening to WNYC, you know about The Landmarks of New York coffee table book. It documents 1,276 individual landmarks and 102 historic districts within the city.

Also, give a listen to Leonard Lopate’s November 11th interview with Kenneth T. Jackson, Professor in History and the Social Sciences at Columbia University and Lisa Keller, Associate Professor of History at SUNY Purchase, both editors of The Encyclopedia of New York City, second edition. A few fun trivia facts come up…like the Hudson River’s original name was “North River” and Wall Street was named that because, obviously, there was a wall down there.

 

 

 

New York Over The Holidays

New York Over The Holidays published on

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Here’s a list of ten, count ’em, ten things to do in NYC over the holidays. A couple from my very own childhood.

1. Dyker Heights Lights. Yeah, I wrote about it yesterday.

2. Walk down (or up) 5th Avenue. Sounds pretty lame, but my mom took me every year when I was a kid. We started at the park and headed down to Macy’s (ok, not 5th). We saw the tree and stopped for hot chocolate. Do the shop windows even still have moving decorations? I haven’t been since I was a kid. Too touristy.

3. Chinese and a movie on Christmas day. It’s how we Jews roll.

4. Support your local markets. Forget the department stores and buy handmade. Great list of holiday crafts shows at Markets of New York. Oh, don’t forget to visit the most important one…the one I’m doing!

5. Go for a swim. New Year’s Day, as always….with the Polar Bears.

6. A John Waters Christmas at BB King. Don’t know anything about it, but if it’s John Waters, its’ got to be…interesting.

7. Enjoy beer and latkes at the 92Y in Tribeca. December 22. $18 in advance. $22 at the door.

8. Kwanzaa celebration at the Musuem of Natural History on December 31. Song, dance, spoken word.

9. Take a holiday tour of the Louis Armstrong House in Corona, Queens.

10. Couldn’t miss The Bronx! Attend the holiday train show at The NY Botanical Gardens.

Yeah, I missed Staten Island. So, sue me.

Dutchess County Homes Under $100k

Dutchess County Homes Under $100k published on

The upstate home deals are out there, kids! This week we’re looking at Dutchess County. Dutchess is on the east side of the Hudson, accessible via Metro North if you lack a vehicle.

A lake house for $55k? Yup, this 3 season 600 square foot cottage is located in Millerton, NY, near the border of CT. The house needs work but the lake looks perfect.

Nothing special about this 4 BR house in the city of Poughkeepsie. Nothing except the price. $45k will buy this handyperson special offered as an estate sale. Poughkeepsie isn’t exactly a second home destination, but it’s pretty close to some great hiking, boating and even skydiving. Poughkeepsie is a hit or miss place. Some areas are better than others.

Finally, here’s a Beacon single family for less than $100k (actually $99k). The house is right near Main Street. Take the train up and walk everywhere from here. You don’t even need a car! This house is listed with my broker, so if you decide to look at it, let me know. I’ll make him give you special treatment.

Ireland in New York

Ireland in New York published on

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Did you know that there’s an Irish famine memorial in downtown Manhattan? It’s been there since 2002 and I just found out about it last weekend. And my husband is from Dublin. He found out about it a few days before me.

The cool thing about the 1/2 acre site is that the memorial “ruin” utilizes ancient stones and soil brought over from the west of Ireland. There are also stones that were brought over from each county, all inscribed with the county name.

The site is elevated so that it feels like an Irish hilltop rather than a Manhattan street. Pretty cool. Don’t take my word for it. See for yourself.

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Fictional New Yorker Trivia

Fictional New Yorker Trivia published on 3 Comments on Fictional New Yorker Trivia

How much do you know about your favorite fictional New Yorkers? Answers will be posted in comments.

1. 100% plus extra credit without answering any other questions if you can figure out who the guy in the photo is. No? Here’s a hint. He was the voice for the opening credits of everyone’s favorite NY sitcom that ran from 1970-1975. If you still can’t get it, here’s another hint. November 13th.

2. Who lived at 328 Chauncey Street in Brooklyn?

3. What was the name of Harvey Keitel’s character in Taxi Driver?

4. In which neighborhood did Archie Bunker live?

5. Actress Marla Gibbs played which sassy maid?

6. The marble rye and chocolate babka from those Seinfeld episodes came from Schnitzer’s Bakery. Fictional name for a real bakery. Name the real Schnitzers.

7. Name Ratso Rizzo’s partner in crime.

8. Rita Moreno danced her a** off in West Side Story. What was the 1970’s children’s series she was in with Morgan Freeman?

9. Which movie featured a group of criminals using color name aliases long before Quentin Tarantino had it in Reservoir Dogs?

10. Name the Yiddish actress who portrayed Bubby in Crossing Delancey.

When Cugines Were the Hipsters of Brooklyn

When Cugines Were the Hipsters of Brooklyn published on 1 Comment on When Cugines Were the Hipsters of Brooklyn

Grabbed this video from a friend’s Facebook link. It’s totally cugine, but I recognized some south Brooklyn places from my childhood.

What’s a cugine, you ask? If you lived in Brooklyn in the 70’s, you know full well. Saturday Night Fever and Jersey Shore types. They were the hipsters of that decade, meaning Brooklyn was crawling with them and people loved to hate them. You couldn’t get away from them.

My Dubliner husband thinks that whole “I hate disco” thing over here was a racist attitude towards blacks because they were mostly creating the music. I say it was a backlash against the cugines. Italian racism? Nah. Maybe the Italians started the ball rolling, but there were cugines of all backgrounds. They were breeding.

Brooklyn has evolved since the 70’s. Cugines still exist deep in the heart of areas like Bensonhurst. Now I look upon them with a smile. They keep it real and they ARE Brooklyn.

Maybe one day in the future, I’ll look back on transplant hipsters with a smile. Ya never know. Stranger things have happened.

10 Years. Never Forget or Move On?

10 Years. Never Forget or Move On? published on

I complain about all the 9/11 coverage on this anniversary, but I’m just as bad. Can’t help it. The scab has been torn off. It’s easy for me to say “Time to move on” because I didn’t lose anyone close to me.

I did lose a part of me that day, as every New Yorker did. Don’t get me wrong. I know that it wasn’t only New Yorkers who suffered that Tuesday. It was America. And Muslims. And the world.

The east river kept me at a distance as I watched the towers burn. Lucky for me I didn’t witness people jumping, but it was close enough to violate all five senses. The site of the towers coming down. The burning smell that lingered for weeks. The sirens and crying and screaming around me. The dust in the air. We all felt it and tasted it.

“Never forget!” But where is that getting us? Can we start remembering the victims and the towers with a smile again? Why do the towers have to be about THAT moment? What about the time you went to the top? Or when you ate at Windows on the World? Or picnicked in near the sphere?

How about every time I got off the subway in the city and looked for those towers to figure out which direction I was heading in? Or when I looked across the water from The Brooklyn Promenade and realized how lucky I was that I had grown up with the most magnificent skyline in the world?

The Twin Towers were more than just 9/11. And those victims lived lifetimes before they were cut short. Why do we have to remember them as “gone”? Let’s just remember them.

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