Archive for the ‘Westchester’ Category
Be Part of Bungalow Colony Culture in Westchester
This is a sponsored post.
Last year, Pine Lake Park, a 65-family bungalow co-operative on 50 wooded acres in Westchester’s Cortlandt Manor, went looking for a few good renters who wanted to join them for anywhere from a month to the whole season, May to October. They found their likeminded souls here on Upstater: people who wanted to be in nature and have a little privacy but also be part of an affordable, welcoming community.
The New York Times called Pine Lake Park “Shangri-La,” noting the swimming and boating in the lake, playground for kids, tennis and basketball courts, and Saturday night entertainment in the social hall. Pine Lakers call it “camp for the entire family.” As a returning Brooklyn renter said, “It’s the safest environment I know for kids to run around without constant ‘helicopter’ supervision.”
Pine Lake Park is now 85 years old, having escaped the fate of so many other bungalow colonies by way of its location (five minutes from the MetroNorth stop), and its devoted families. But it’s been updated for the 21st century, too, with recent modernization of plumbing, electric and the lakefront.
Currently there are several one- and two-bedroom units for rent, starting at $2,400/month, and four units for sale starting at $50,000. The community will conduct a tour of the Park and the available units in late April. For information and to make an appointment for the upcoming tour, email pinelakeparkinfo@gmail.com. Visit PLP blog at pinelakeparkcoop.blogspot.com or on Facebook.
Hudson Valley Bounty
Where do you go to buy a fresh guinea fowl? What farms allow you to pick your own cherries? Which restaurants feature Sprout Creek Farm cheese? What farmer’s markets are in your area?
The answers to these any many other food related questions can be found at Hudson Valley Bounty, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation whose main goal is to act as a clearinghouse of information, helping consumers purchase and use local and regional sustainable foods and products throughout the entire Hudson Valley. Originally begun in Columbia County, Hudson Valley Bounty’s database of information now includes over 229 farms, 251 restaurants, and 29 markets in Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, helping all of us to not only find the freshest sources for that Christmas goose we want to roast…but to locate what restaurants in our neighborhood features sustainable farm-to-table ingredients on their menu, when asparagus is in season, and where you can pick your own strawberries.
Mark and I met Kristin Roca, of Hudson Valley Bounty, a sponsor of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, at the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week kickoff event. Kristin explained that the website is designed to help you do either a general search of what you’re looking for, or a specific search to locate specific products sold at various restaurants, farmer’s markets and farms in eight counties of the Hudson Valley region.
While talking to her, I kept thinking (and saying) “What an awesome resource.” And it is! The service began in 2009 as a way to connect local restaurants and chefs to local farmers. It became so popular, that now the service is open to home chefs and professional chefs alike, as well as diners looking for a great meal made from local, fresh ingredients.
The information on the Hudson Valley Bounty is free. But consumers can become a member for $25 (individual) or $40 (family) wherein you’ll receive discounts and advanced notice on HVB events…not to mention you’ll be supporting a great cause.
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week
Attention all foodies, and lovers of great food prepared from the finest ingredients, Spring is just around the corner and that means the Seventh Annual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, presented by The Valley Table, is about to begin!
Starting March 11 and running through March 24, the 2013 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is actually a glorious TWO weeks long with over 170 restaurants participating across seven counties.
The HVRW is a promotional opportunity for the participating restaurants in Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties, and a boon for diners who have a variety of cuisines and culinary offerings to choose from at reasonable prices. Many of the participating restaurants support the “Farm-to-Table” movement, showcasing ingredients grown and produced in the region.
Recently named by National Geographic as a “must-see” destination in the U.S. primarily due to it’s burgeoning food scene, the Hudson Valley region is an indisputable “foodie destination” not only for people who live here, but people from all over the world.
How Can You Participate?
Taking part in The Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is simple. You don’t need tickets or invitations. Simply visit the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week website to find a list of all the participating restaurants. There you’ll find restaurants categorized by city/county, cuisine, and whether or they are serving lunch, dinner or both.
The restaurants feature prix fixe, three-course dinners for $29.95 and lunches for $20.95. Beverage, tax and tip are not included in this price.
I don’t know about you, but Mark and I are making a list of the restaurants we plan on visiting during this event, and are looking forward to eating some good food. We’ll let you know how it goes.
Some People Behind Hudson Valley Restaurant Week
Mark and I were fortunate enough to attend the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week kick-off event at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY. While there, we met and talked with a few people who are passionate about food in the Hudson Valley. In the next few days, I will introduce you to a few of these people.
UPSTATE JANE: Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is Here! 11/5-11/18/12
Megan Oldenburger, aka Upstate Jane, is the owner of Dichotomy Interiors, an Interior Design and Style firm based in Woodstock, NY. She writes for Upstater about design, home furnishings, real estate and culture.
Henry’s at the Farm- located within Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa in Milton
For anyone heading Upstate this weekend or next- it is Hudson Valley Restaurant Week! What a better way to sample some of the regions amazing fall produce than a prix fixe meal at the likes of Restaurant No. 9 in Millerton, Henry’s at the Farm in Milton, Crave in Poughkeepsie, or Terrapin in Rhinebeck. Most of the restaurants are in Dutchess, Orange and Westchester County, with a sprinkling in Columbia and Ulster. The lunch prix fixe is $20.95 and the dinner is #29.95! It is a great reason to get out and explore towns you may have never been to!
For a complete list, menus, and reservation information click here
Below is a sampling of part of the lunch menu at Backyard Bistro in Montgomery- I may just have to book!
~ Soups, Salads and Starters ~
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Blooming Hill Farm Parsley Root Soup with Cranberry Mothers Milk
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Hudson Valley Arugula with Pickled Sugar Pumpkin,
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Sous Vide Apple and Cider Dressing
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Bistro Cured Salmon with Guy Jones Radish and Citrus Ver Jus
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Grilled Hudson Valley Cattle Co. Beef Heart with
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Chayote Red Onion Salad and Hammer Milled Chimi Churri Polenta
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LaBelle Farm Duck Carpaccio, Mustard Greens with
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Hudson Valley Foie Gras Espuma and Parsnip Chips
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Heirloom Squash Bresaola and Blooming Hill Farm Sunchoke with
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Pureed Pear and Puffed Wild Rice
- Coconut Curry Steamed PEI Mussels with Scallion Pancakes
~ Pastas and Entrées ~
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Strozzapreti Tossed with Mushroom Kale Cassoulet
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Quinoa Crusted Tile Fish, Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with
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Cranberry Gastrique and Heirloom Squash Sauce
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Stuffing Crusted Northwind Farm Heritage Turkey Cutlet with Apple, Pear, Cranberry and Turkey Leg Tater Tots
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Ginger Smoked Pork Loin, Caraway Potato Gratin and Pumpkin Sauce
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HV Cattle Co. Oxtail Potato “Risotto” with Beets and Porcini Mushroom Crumble
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Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast with Smashed Sweet Potatoes,
- Asparagus and Lemon Butter Sauce
BOO! Our Scary Guide to Haunted Halloween Fun
The Headless Horseman, Ulster Park
Sorry if we scared you with the title, but we know some of you liked it. And now that you’ve got your first scare, you’re hungry for more, kind of like a zombie after its first taste of human flesh. So here we go, our short list of fun Halloween frights in the Upstater reader area:
1) Sleepy Halloween, Sleepy Hollow (Tarrytown, Westchester Co.): There’s actually a whole bunch of stuff happening in Sleepy Hollow around Halloween. Not too surprising, given its nomenclature. There are ghost tours, a haunted hayride, a haunted house, cemetery tours, and other stuff. Find out what else here.
2) The Barn of Terror (Lake Katrine, Ulster Co.): Thruview Farm can be seen from the Thruway near the Kingston exit, and the scary happenings take place in a big old barn. If that’s not enough, Farm also has a haunted corn maze, where ghouls jump out at you. Yikes!
3) Shanley Hotel (Napanoch, Ulster Co.): Ah, we’ve been here before on Upstater, and the scares might actually be real. The Shanley holds a Halloween Party on October 27th along with paranormal investigations every weekend.
4) Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion (Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co.): This year marks the 34th year of scaring the dickens out of visitors at Bowdoin Park, and they change it up every year. Three screams for the price of one.
5) Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses (Ulster Park, Ulster Co.): Much like the Poughkeepsie attraction, the Headless Horseman offers a number of options for your freak-out enjoyment, nine total. Be warned, though: Headless Horseman is the “scarred for life/nightmares forever” kind of scary. Just looking at the photo gallery made us question our sanity. Definitely not for the kids or the weak-hearted.
And if you are looking for something a little more tame and kid-friendly, there’s always the Catskill Mountain Railroad Halloween Ride.
These are, as we said, just a sampling. What’s your favorite scary Halloween destination? Tell us in the comments!
Just another Upstater Fixer-Upper.
New York’s “New Bridge”
Tappan Zee Bridge, via Wikipedia
There’s been quite a bit of discussion on Upstater recently about our preferred routes to and from the upstate area and when we should be taking them. There are so many variables involved: Time of day, day of the week, season, whether or not it’s a holiday weekend, etc.
Not to throw yet another monkey wrench into your commuting plans, but you might have noticed some giant cranes popping up around the Tappan Zee Bridge. Why are they there? Because the state is currently undertaking a rather gargantuan plan of upgrading the bridge to allow for a huge increase in traffic over the years (recent estimates put the number at over 138,000 cars passing over the bridge every day, quite a few more than its original capacity). Not only will the bridge’s infrastructure be upgraded, it will also be widened and shoulders added.
What does this mean for you, our upstate commuters? At some point, the bridge is going to be closed to allow for construction, and that means you’ll need to pick another route to get to and from the city. We don’t yet know when that’s going to happen, but we suggest you keep your eyes on the New York State government’s webpage devoted to the Tappan Zee Bridge upgrades, which also includes details of the plan, a schedule for various public hearings, and all the latest news. For construction alerts, keep checking the deck replacement project updates page. And, as always, we’d love to hear from you on your commuting experiences.
Car-Free Country House: Peekskill Victorian, $449,900
Okay, admittedly, this Peekskill Victorian is a little far south (Westchester County) to be called a “country” house, but sometimes it’s worth it to bend even our own self-imposed rules every now and again. Especially when a house looks like this one. Cool details inside (woodwork) and outside (two-story tiny private balcony).
It’s also a half-mile from the Peekskill Metro-North station as well as the river, and it’s within walking distance to a bunch of places in town, so kicking it car-free seems fairly easy.
Besides, even if it’s not right in the country, it’s still this close to the country. See how close?
367 Smith Street, Peekskill (J. Phillip Real Estate) GMAP
Asking Price: $449,900
Beds: 5
Baths: 2.5
Square Feet: 3784
Year Built: 1887
Land: .17 acres
Taxes: $13,000
Features: Three fireplaces, full finished third floor
Summer Bungalow Rentals in Westchester County
This is a sponsored post.
They call it “camp for the entire family.” Pine Lake Park, a former bungalow colony turned co-op community in Westchester’s Cortlandt Manor, has swimming, boating, tennis, Saturday night entertainment (with cookies!) and 50 acres on which to roam.
This seasonal community, open May to October, also has properties for sale and for rent. Eight are on the market, and seven of those are asking less than $100,000. Six of those can be rented for all or part of the summer, starting at $1350/month. It’s only a five-minute drive from the Croton-Harmon MetroNorth station.
Pine Lakers are largely New Yorkers and Brooklynites, though they have a few families from Long Island, New Jersey and even further south in Westchester County. And while it’s a co-op, and the houses are modest in size and look (“This isn’t the Hamptons,” one Pine Laker said), there’s plenty of solitude if you crave it, or a rich social life if you prefer. It’s a very family friendly place, with lifeguards, a large playset, kids’ entertainment and freedom to explore that’s unheard of for city kids. They’re looking for like-minded folks interested in a low-key, cooperative environment.
Folks interested in visiting should email to set up a time.
If you want to sponsor a post, drop us a line.
Rental of the Week: Waccabuc Colonial, $3600/month
We found this Waccabuc colonial, which is just a short distance west of the Connecticut border, in our new Real Estate Listings section. Normally we don’t cover Westchester, but this place seemed country enough to qualify.
The halmet of Waccabuc, located in the town of Lewisboro, is posh, to be sure; a bucolic escape for the monied. Further, it seems that it’s the only town in Westchester County that requires most properties to be located on at least two acres of land, and in some places, four acres, in order to preserve open space.
Although the location of this property lies outside of that acreage requirement, it’s still over an acre, right on the outskirts of the Waccabuc Country Club. And it’s a perfectly lovely white-picket-fence number, with manicured lawns and a trellised terrace.
Inside is nice, too, with high ceilings and beautiful board floors. We particularly like the library/study. It’s bright, thanks to the skylights, and the built-in shelves and cabinetry are gorgeous. We would definitely spend a lot of quality time in this room.
A note on the hamlet’s namesake, Lake Waccabuc: You have to own lakefront property in order to have access to swimming, boating, fishing and generally recreating on its waters. Or, you can access it via membership to the Waccabuc Country Club. There is no public access, which seems like kind of a bummer. But not far away lies Mountain Lakes Park where you can rent a row boat on what of its five lakes, hike or go camping (sadly, there is no swimming).
Waccabuc is a stunning and secluded locale, and the residents are determined to keep it that way. They eschew rampant development, and they like to keep their streets unpaved in order to deter passers-through. The small country post office is the social hub of Waccabuc, just as it has been for centuries since its transformation from the Meade family private camp and vacation property to the hamlet it is now. If you like wide, open spaces, relative seclusion and gentile upstate living, this rental might be just right for you.
12 Post Office Road, Waccabuc (Vincent and Whittemore Real Estate) GMAP
Rental of the Week: Peekskill Studio, $1,375/month
Look what $1,375 a month gets you in the city of Peekskill: a 900-square-foot live/work studio with an enormous terrace in a most intriguing building. It’s within walking distance to a bunch of restaurants, cafes, bars, and even a Kung Fu studio. And it’s right next door to the Paramount Center for the Arts.
The city of Peekskill has become a bit of an artist’s enclave, and home to well-known events like Art Along the Hudson. There’s even a city-run artist’s co-op called the Peekskill Art Lofts, which offers affordable living/working spaces for qualified participating artists. This studio is not part of this program, but it’s located in an artsy area of the city with galleries and studios, like Antonia Arts (which is also a performance venue). Even the rotunda in Peekskill City Hall is a public art gallery.
The terrace alone is worth the rent, and even though it’s a studio, it does have a full kitchen and bath, making a great live/work space. Throw up some dividers of your choosing and turn it into your enviable home. There are lots of windows, and plenty of natural light for the masterpiece you’re working on, or just to read by.
1016 Brown Street, Peekskill (Quest Realty) GMAP
