#thingstodohudsonvalley

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze returns September 15th

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The ultimate fall experience in the Hudson Valley has returned.  The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze kicks off the fall season on September 15, 2023 and runs through November 19th.   A great event for all ages. 

Located on the grounds of an 18th-century estate on the banks of the Croton River in Westchester, Van Cortlandt Manor is perfect setting this popular event.  Enter through an arched gate of lit and carved pumpkins along dark paths lit with lanterns.  The mood has been set for an event like no other.

Walk through a path of pumpkin jellyfish

Artists have been at hard at work carving thousands of pumpkins and transforming this historic site into a magical Halloween world.  Guests will marvel at the pumpkin lit tunnel, the bridges, and other features such as the giant spider web and the smoke bellowing dragon, all crafted with lit Jack O’ Lanterns.

There is a blend of history with the artistry as there is the Museum of Pumpkin Art (MOPA) with famous paintings (American Gothic, Mona Lisa, The Scream and others) rendered in lit carved pumpkins.  The fantastic lit windmill recalls New York’s Dutch heritage and is surrounded by tulips carved in the pumpkins.  The Celtic origins of the season are represented in a display of Celtic knots carvings.

Visitors will enjoy a dazzling display of jellyfish, flowers, fish, The Headless Horseman, ghosts, scarecrows, dinosaurs, the New York City skyline and so much more.

New this year is the fantastic Ferris wheel, the carnival side show and the Day of The Dead. As you wind toward the end you come to the manor house itself which puts on a dazzling light display.

Food and beverage are available at the Café Blaze and fun gifts can be purchased at the “Bootique.”

The Manor house transformed into a magical light display

This is the perfect event to celebrate the fall season right in the Hudson Valley!

. Proceeds from your ticket purchase support the education and preservation efforts of Historic Hudson Valley.

For tickets and more information: https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-hudson-valley.html

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Unique “experiences” await at Hemlock Hill Farm in the Hudson Valley

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Brunch with Rescued Donkeys

Life should be an accumulation of memorable experiences.  Events which we can enjoy and that we can reflect upon later only to recall with fondness.

This past weekend we discovered such a memorable experience tight here in the Hudson Valley at Hemlock Hill Farm in Montgomery New York (Orange County).  An easy 1 hour drive from Westchester. 

This small farm is tucked up on a hillside surrounded by woods. Upon exiting your car you will immediately notice the quiet and the serenity of this place.   Hemlock Hill Farm offers several “experience” options.  On this particular beautiful October day we decided to try the “Brunch with Rescued Donkeys”.   We were greeted by our host Kaity who introduced us to the three rescue donkeys, who were friendly and adorable.  The donkeys are all in a fenced in field but they did stay close by as we prepared to sit down for brunch.

The brunch table was artistically and tastefully set on a rustic, century old picnic table.  Green boughs and pumpkins lined the center of the table, and china plates, teacups and silverware completed the setting.  On a separate table was a beautifully arranged display of prepared foods and baked goods.  All were made fresh by Kaity. 

Rustic and elegant, the perfect setting for brunch

We were treated to quiche, pumpkin muffins, apple cider donuts, mini apple pies, and more.  There were also veggies, pita and hummus.  Mason jars offered either small salads, or a potpourri of fruit and nuts.  The presentation was attractive and imaginative.  Coffee, tea and apple cider were also served.  It was indeed a memorable brunch. As we enjoyed the fresh made meal, the donkeys wandered about in the enclosed field.

A beautiful assortment of freshly made menu items

After our delightful brunch we entered the barn to meet the rescue horses, and the very friendly rescue goats.  The baby goats were especially happy to greet us.  There were also chickens on the property which provide the farm with fresh eggs.  It was great to interact with these animals.

Another experience offered is “glamping”.  This activity has grown enormously in the past few years.   The term describes traditional outdoor camping blended with a more upscale modern and comfortable aesthetic.    The tent on the farm was the perfect combination of the rustic outdoors and romantic comfort.  This is the perfect place to escape and disconnect.  The cream colored tent includes a large nicely made bed with decorative pillows, comforter and even an electric blanket.   The tent has a mini fireplace which is actually an electric space heater, a chair and some board games.   Outside the tent is surrounded by hand laid stone walls and more seating, a table, a cupboard and cooking stove add to the ambiance. You have your own mini compound.   I can imagine stepping out of the tent at night and looking up at the stars of the Hudson Valley sky as they softly illuminate the farm.

The farm offers other experiences as well and we encourage you to check out their website.  The farm is minutes from area attractions including Angry Orchard Cider, City Winery, orchards and of course all the great hiking in the area.

We remember with fondness our afternoon we spent at the farm and look forward to returning once again.

Hemlock Hill Farm

211  Youngblood Road Montgomery New York    (Orange County)

http://www.hemlockhillfarm.net it is “net” not “.com”

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Hot Flash! Menopause the Musical now at the Westchester Broadway Theater

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Menopause-the-Musical_med

Now on stage at the Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford is a musical comedy with an unusual topic.  Menopause the Musical is a 90 minute hilarious comedy that covers such topics as hot flashes, sleeping issues, short term memory loss, mood swings, loss of libido and weight gain.  Who would think these topics would make for a night of laughs?   Jeanie Linders did and 20 years ago as she stood in front of her open freezer door and sang “Hot Flash” to the melody of Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs”, she knew she was on to something and thus was born this show.

The musical takes place in Bloomingdales department store in New York City where we meet four women over 40, the Professional Woman (Donna J. Huntley), Soap Star (Debby Rosenthal), Earth Mother (Megan Cavanagh) and Iowa housewife (Roberta B. Wall).  The four over 40 women cross paths by accident in the store and begin to learn about each other and their struggles with “the Change”.

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Each musical number is based on an actual song from the 1960s, 70s and 80s with the lyrics changed to embrace the play’s topic.  The familiarity of the songs allows the audience to instantly embrace the music.  As the four women bond and make their way through the department stores floors, they belt out one musical number after another.  Famous songs like “Chain of Fools” becomes “Change, Change, Change“,  “Stayin Alive” becomes “Stayin Awake/Night Sweats”,  and “My Guy” becomes the very funny “My Thighs”.   This is just a sampling of the creative way that existing songs have been adapted to this comedy.

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The 90 minute show with no intermission rolls along as the ladies belt out one hit after the other.  The opening night audience appreciated the comedic timing and talented vocals of the cast.  The show allows women to bond over their common experience. The cast at the finale, invites women in the audience to join them on stage for the last number.

The actors, all member of Actors Equity Association,  have numerous stage credits to their names.  Megan Cavanagh (Earth Mother) has appeared in such films as ” A League of their Own” and “Robin Hood Men in Tights”.  She has been performed in this show since 2004.  Donna Huntley (Professional Woman) has Broadway, off Broadway, and television credits.  Debby Rosenthal (Soap Star) has performed in numerous regional theater productions and television.  Roberta B. Wall (Iowa Housewife) has appeared on Broadway in Sister Act, and Leap of Faith.  Her numerous credits include regional theater.

This play is great for a girls night out, though the numerous men in the audience appeared to fully enjoy the show as well.  The show runs through Sunday March 24th.

for tickets and information: https://www.broadwaytheatre.com/

Westchester Broadway Theater

One Broadway Plaza Elmsford New York

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Classic Harbor Line: An elegant adventure around Manhattan Island

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gallery-manhattan-ii-11

Manhattan is an island of many neighborhoods and numerous flavors that it is hard to take in all the city has to offer in one day.  But a recent Sunday out on the water revealed  to me that you can see this amazing island and its many facets from the comfort and luxury of a classic motor yacht.   Classic Harbor Line provides a wonderful three hours of comfortable cruising on the waters around Manhattan.  This is not the typical tourist sightseeing cruise.  A few hours on the motor yacht, Manhattan II was a throwback to a more elegant era of boating and taking in the sights of New York City.

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The Manhattan II, based out of Pier 62 in Chelsea is a beautiful modern vessel  inspired by luxury motor yachts of the 1920s.  It is 100 feet long and 22 feet wide, with plenty of polished teak and mahogany that evokes the era of elegant cruising yachts.  But this vessel has plenty of glass on all sides and the roof for an uninterrupted view of the scenery all around.  Seating is at tables with  comfortable couches that wrap around the table on three sides.  There is also an outside area to stand or sit on the bow of the boat.

Classic Harbor Cruises offers many different types of cruise themes that are open to the public as well as private charters.  Some of the many cruise offerings are Brunch, Architecture, Fall Foliage, Sunset, and Wine cruises just to name a few.   We opted for a Sunday brunch cruise that started at 10am.  Although it was quite cold the morning we arrived at the pier, our 2 3/4 hour cruise was quite comfortable in the glass enclosed cabin.   A full multi course brunch was served and included bagels, muffins, fresh made waffles, fruit, eggs, sliced ham, veggies and much more.  The food was fresh and everything was delicious. Mimosas were served and there is a small bar on board.

The sun was shining into the cabin as we slipped away from our pier and started down the Hudson River.  The only thing you could hear other than the other guests was the light hum of the engine as we glided down river.   We sailed passed  the gleaming Freedom Tower and lower Manhattan and turned toward the Statue of Liberty.  The ship then slowly turned and made our way through New York Harbor.  We soon passed into the East River and observed the Financial District.  As you take in the panorama that is the city, I was struck by the quietness of being on the river.  It was serene.  On the island of Manhattan it is noisy and busy, but here on the water the observer has a quiet and unobstructed view of the skyline.  It was quite the contrast to cruise along quietly as the boat passed under the Brooklyn Bridge and the many other bridges along the East and Harlem Rivers .  The boat provided a unique prospective of the city not available on land all while you dine in comfort.

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Along the way the captain pointed out some of the sites and provided some background that enhanced the overall experience.   We circled Manhattan island, and turned back into the Hudson River across from the Palisades and passed under the George Washington Bridge.  IMG_0246

As we headed down river it was hard to believe our cruise was over so quickly.  What a great time.  To experience New York City from the water on a beautiful and elegant yacht is a an experience not to be missed.  Classic Harbor Cruises also has cruise offerings  originating in Newport Rhode Island , Brooklyn, Hoboken, Boston and Key West, Florida.

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For more information on the many cruises and the different types of boats and  for Tickets:

http://www.sail-nyc