For the love of the local library

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library” Albert Einstein.

I love this quote. Ever since I was little the library was my favorite place. in school library time was my favorite, I remember Ms.Lee reading us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and thinking the world in the story seemed so much more real than the movie, then in high school getting lost in the sections on history and art.

This was before the web was right in our hands. I also always had my local library which was in walking distance. The smell of the books filled the small library and would hit you as soon as you opened the old heavy green door. The librarian knew me by first name…she still does. Her name is Sally. She is retired now and I still love chatting with her about history and books. Then there was the libraries when I lived in Philadelphia. There were a few. One was right in center city, right behind where the declaration of independence was written. I worked across the street and would spend many lunch brakes getting lost in the books. It was cool because like Philly the variety of books was amazing. They had Asian authors, Jewish authors, historical books from former slaves, and anything else you could think of. To this day I miss that place.

Then this weekend my little home town library moved from the little three room library to the old Firehouse. They went all out! Like the other library located in Hudson, which was one an Armory the turned an old building into a modern space for not only books but for the community. There are computers, a history room, a children’s area, teenagers area even a quite study area. Along with a huge community room. The library is as welcoming as the people who not only work there but also volunteer there.

So why is this all so important. Cause libraries are so important. They are free. We have Benjamin Franklin to thank for that. Another Philly connection. He was a firm believer in the importance of knowledge. How books not only can introduce you to a whole new,world but also open up your mind as well. To me it still amazes me that you can read classics like Poe, Shelly and Shakespeare and also get modern authors like Gaiman, Rowling and King. You can also take out the Bible or Koran. Libraries also bring people together. Groups can meet there, talks and lectures can take place there even classes can be held there.

I think people forget how important libraries are. I don’t blame them. We have Google and Amazon and kindle and podcasts. Which are all great. But Google is not someone who works in the history room who can tell you about your towns history with a personal connection to names and places and Amazon costs money when you can return a book once you are done and as much as I love my podcasts, there is nothing like hearing someone give a lecture in person on the early settlers of my town. To stand face to face and ask questions and share stories. Libraries will also support local artist and organizations. Isn't that how communities work.

The Day of Hope

What is the Day of Hope?

October is Breast Cancer awareness month. This can be a hard month for a lot of people. My mother and best friend from college were diagnosed around the same time. I had just moved back to NY and was faced with the fear of losing my mom. Then a few months later my friends husband encouraged her to go to the Doctor after she found a lump. My mom was in her 60s and Beth was in her 30s.

Both of these women handled it with grace and strength but also in very different ways. My mother emerged her self in learning all she could. She went to support groups, meetings, listen to speakers of what caused it, what can be done about it. She also shared her knowledge with everyone. I think learning more about the monster of breast cancer helped make it less oppressive. It gave it a name and a face.

Beth handled it a little different. She got angry. She got honest. Her posts were very graphic of her treatment and she wrote brutally honest posts of mortality and loss. To me this gave emotions and words to what people felt who had it and gave a insight of what it felt like. She and a group of friends had shirts saying “Fu*ck Cancer” She was mad and Cancer was gonna pay! She went into Warrior mode.

These strong women, were so inspiring! They took on cancer in their own way and everyone felt it. We felt like we were part of their fight. I remember my mother telling someone that it was not always this way. Like so many things in the past Cancer was not talked about. She always said about Beth, “Its not the way I would do it, but its helping her and that’s a good thing” Mom also would tell me what to send Beth in her Care packages, like certain candies, since you lose your taste buds in chemo. Beth would ask about my mom all the time, if she was going through the same treatment. They only met once or twice but I felt that cancer in someway connected them.

My mom would win her battle with breast cancer. She still is a fighter and I see her bond with other women who have gone through it or are going through it. Not just breast cancer but cancer in general. She belongs to a wonderful support group made up of survivors and fighters. She has been healthy and an advocate for fighting breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. I am so proud of her. She did the Day of Hope this year, a local event that brings people together. It turned into a family event with me and a few of my nieces helping out.

Beth, beat it but then the cancer came back. Her and her Husband were getting ready to renew their vows ( I introduced them in college) In the mist of preparing for the renewal, they found that the cancer came back. This time it was spreading though out her body. It was upsetting because her hair had just come back curly and full and I remember her being scared it was gonna all fall out again. They did renew their Vows. It was so beautiful. Her Husband Adam was beaming with love and Beth was stunning. A local park heard her story and let them use the venue for free. She was surrounded by family and friends. There was a video of her and Adam and their two kids. There were photos of Beth and Adam in college. Then there was dancing, a lot of dancing. Every time someone would try to sneak off the dance floor…Beth would pull them back in. She was so alive that night, I will never forget her laughing and just pure happiness of being loved that night. We would lose Beth the following May. Brain Cancer ended up taking her. She was at home surrounded my her Husband and the rest of her family and closest friends. She was fighter up until the last days. Me and our friend Devonne were able to say goodbye. Talking one last time about our college days and having one more laugh and smile from her meant so much.

To me this is why celebrating the Day of Hope is important. You are honoring these amazing women. Women like my mom and Beth. Women who have taken on Breast Cancer and did not let it define them in any way, but let it make it stronger. The Day of Hope is celebrating the Survivors and the ones that did not. To say to the world, they were here and they will always inspire.

A forgotten Train Station

Not far off of 23B set back from the road there is a yellow building. It looks a lot like a barn, there is a beautiful old house in front of it, a little garage besides it. To any one driving down 23B you would not give it a second glance, I never did. It wasn't until I met the owner that I realized what it was.

The building is an old train station that ran from 1849 to 1972. The soon to be previous owners had turned it into an antique shop about twenty years ago. The owner of the shop told me that the previous owner asked that she not tear down the old double out house next to the Train station. Yes, double one for men and one for women.

The couple is now moving to be closer to their family. Which I guess if you are not originally from the area that is what you do. They will be missed and so will their shop. Along with all of the great treasures collected through the years. I managed to snag two old cameras .

I was able to get a chance to visit the Antique shop/ Train station. The building has not been touched since closing in 1972. Nothing had changed inside to the sales window to the old wooden benches. The tall windows that look out to the back woods of Craryville. This train line ran from Craryville to Catham. Which is about 25 min. North.

I couldn't help but wonder, how many people from Craryville and Hilsdale spent time in the train station. How may people would sit on those benches waiting for the train, like they do today in Hudson. Or how many little faces pressed their noses and hands to the glass to see the train go by. How many goodbyes or hello's were said here.

Craryville is one of may little small towns in Columbia county and this train station may be lost in history. The train stations now, with a few exceptions (Hudson being one) are not as common. We drive everywhere. Everyone has cars. Train travel is now more of a luxury than a necessity. Which is wonderful on so many levels. But this train station is a part of American history. It ran for over 120 yrs. That in itself is pretty amazing and sad. I hope whoever has the land next does this piece of our counties history justice.

A winter love letter to my Hometown...

So I did not grow up right in Hudson. I grew up Claverack. Right now Hudson is doing really good so it is easy to feel proud of Hudson. We have pride in this little Historical town right off the Hudson River.

This was not always the case, I remember being told to never go below 3rd. Or the shooting that happened on the same street of my friends house while I was there. Hudson was kind of a scary place in the 1980s and 1990s. Yet even back then there was a love for it.

Hudson is where both of my grandparents lived at some point. One set had their first apartment above what is now a very nice restaurant, when they were first married. At one point there were a lot of local family businesses up and down Warren, which gave Hudson a small town feel of everyone knowing everyone. You can still mention some of the names to older people and they will tell you stories of the families and the famous “Thursday Nights” Where business would stay open late for people to shop.

Hudson has its own history. It was once a Whaling town. And once considered to be the state capital. Thank goodness that did not happen. Hudson has a way of hiding little historical gems right in plain sight. There is a house that was build by one of the founders of Hudson for his daughter... it became a drug house. For years it was passed over. It wasn't until the past fifteen years or so someone came along and breathed life into it and now it is a beautiful bed and breakfast.

But that is Hudson. It has its ups and downs. Sometimes the ugly pokes out more that we want it too, but we are proud of our selves. We are proud because through our ups and downs, we some how grow up stronger and more beautiful and we know the next time we fall we will get up, shake off the ugly and stand tall again.

Music, Musicans and friends

A fiddle lesson...

I have always loved music. My earliest memories are sitting in my oldest brother's room listening to AC/DC. Now looking back on this, this may not have been the most child friendly music for a little kid to listen to. Another early memory is of long car rides with on family vacations, listening to Harry Chapin and the Moody Blues. Two different extremes, but both styles I love. I would later discover Billie Holiday and The Fugees. My taste is never one genre or another.

I am lucky enough to have good friends that are musicians. Who have introduced me to new friends who also into music. This allows me some great photo opportunities. Some friends play a little bit of everything mixed in some are more traditional in what they play. Some are performers and know how to get a crowed so into it the whole energy in the room changes. Others are just fun to watch get so into the music its like watching a painter get lost in their art. Some are both and all are amazing to photograph.

Music is so powerful and this is why I enjoy photographing musicians. There is something about capturing the moment someone has lost themselves in their passion or has transformed a whole group of people into best friends as they sing out the lyrics to a song. Music somehow brings us all together.

The Ghostly Gallop 2017

A Spooky time with Runners...

When I was asked to take photos for the Ghostly Gallop I was a little nervous. Not because I am scared of Ghosts, but because I am scared of running, I avoid it at all costs. I admire runners or anyone who does run or compete. Genetics has just decided, I only run for food or fear. But the Run is for a good cause. It benefits The Hudson Area Library. The local Library has had some major changes in the past few years. Moving from one location that was right in from of John L Edwards Elementary school to the old Armory on State st. This move took a lot of time and preparation that in the end proved worth it. The Library still have the same amazing programs and if anything more room to expand on way to serve the community. The Ghostly Gallop helps raise money to provide services for the Library, basic ones you do not think of like internet, electric and being able to stay open for longer hours.

When I arrived at the high school I was greeted with so many smiles and warmth from all of the volunteers. Something that is so amazing about this little community is how we come together for events that help and effect all of us. So many people came together to put on this event. From water stations at the different stops, the registration table to the table with all the goodies on it, like hats, T-shirts and bags. As I watched all of the volunteers get together and get directions on what needs to be done, I noticed how may different people were there. You had older people, younger people, people who had grown up right in the community to people who are new to the area. All of these wonderful people came to help and cheer on the runners.

It wasn't too long after everything was set up, that the first group of runners showed up. They were two little girls dressed as pirates, then there was a Ninja Turtle and and a R2D2. A few of the grown up dressed up, some were crazy and silly costumes, others incorporated their costume into their running attire. In a short time the whole parking lot was a buzz with happy excited runners and proud parents.

First was the children's run. After a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangle Banner from a local singer, the runners were ready to go..a lot of them a parent in toe.  A quick run down the road to the Fireman's home and back. Waiting at the finish line for the first runners among parents and siblings was fun. The first two runners came through and cheers! The cheers did not stop until the last little runner came through. Everyone cheered equally loud for each little runner. And with each little runner was a metal for finishing. There were so many proud kids and parents.

Then the Adults lined up. A wonderful speech was made thanking everyone for coming out. Explaining what to expect and that the runners would go first, then the walkers. Then like their little counter part they were off. It was the same as before at the finish line. But this time their were little voices yelling on the runners. What was moving was it was like with the children. Everyone cheered for everyone. There were young and older runners. I watched an older couple encourage each other through the finish line all while people from the side screamed to them "You got this! Almost there!!"

The awards were handed out and groups of friends found each other and congratulated each other. My best friend of over 35yrs thought it was funny to give me a huge hug, she was so sweaty, but so proud of herself. I was so proud of her too. She is a runner, and said she will get me to run next year. I told her good luck with that, but if anyone can get me to run it would be her. Parents were so proud of their kids.

I think the best part of the day would have to be the support everyone showed each other. In this little town it is hard not to know everyone or at least know of someone. The amount of smiles and congratulations among people was moving. So many people came together to do something they love..run. To cheer on people and support people. At the same time they showed support for our Library. A place a guarantee has affected everyone there in some way. What better way to do it than to cheer and support each other for a great cause like the Library.