Sam Anderson
Beaconites!
Sam Anderson is a master of the essay form whose work spans a huge range of human experience and culture. As a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, Sam has interviewed and written about Weird Al Yankovic, writer John McPhee, NBA point guard Russell Westbrook, travel guru Rick Steves, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami and the people trying to rescue Michaelangelo’s David from ruin. He has spent time with the last two white rhinos on Earth and visited the bat volcano in Calakmul, Mexico. And he wrote a book, Boom Town, about Oklahoma City which is both a profile of one...
info_outline
Meet Yvette Valdes Smith, the Democrat trying to flip NY State Senate District 39
Beaconites!
Yvette Valdes Smith knows firsthand how spiraling housing costs have made Beacon unaffordable to many. Yvette and her husband rented in Beacon for years, but moved to Fishkill when they realized they couldn't afford to buy a home here. “Housing is a huge issue. It’s going to require us not being NIMBY about things. We have to increase housing stock," she tells Beaconites. Raised in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, Yvette went to college in New York, became a public school teacher and started a family before winning a seat on the Dutchess County Legislature, where she is Minority Leader...
info_outline
Beacon Occultism! With Amy Wilson, owner of Otherworldly Waxes
Beaconites!
Are you into the weird, the magickal and the macabre? You’re going to like this week’s interview with Amy Wilson, owner of the Otherworldly Waxes spellmaking shop as well as the Moon, Serpent and Bone “night markets.” Otherworldly Waxes produces customized spells in the form of candles that are inscribed with the intentions of her clients and burn for seven days. Meanwhile her night markets are haunted events — spooky, sexy, a smidge Satanic — full of makers who offer unique and weird items. These happenings are scheduled throughout the Hudson Valley during October and early...
info_outline
America vs. Amerikaland, with author Danny Goodman
Beaconites!
Danny Goodman is the author of Amerikaland, a new novel that presents a twisted mirror-image of America and New York City. It centers on two characters, both professional athletes, ensnared by dark forces unleashed by a national white power movement. Danny started writing Amerikaland in 2017, in the wake of Donald Trump's election. In our interview, Danny talks about his upbringing in Danbury CT, his 20 years in NYC and how he and his wife made a snap decision to move to Beacon in the early days of the pandemic. Amerikaland is published by Leftover books. Copies are available at Stanza...
info_outline
Firefighters of Beacon
Beaconites!
In this joint interview, fire chief Tom Lucchesi and veteran firefighter Pat Kelliher talk about fires and firefighting in Beacon. Not so long ago, volunteer firefighting in Beacon was a generational tradition. “When I started, there were 200 volunteers,” says Pat. “Your grandfather was one. Your father was one. You were one.” In those days the city’s three firehouses had as many as 75 volunteers each. By contrast, today’s fire department has 18 career firefighters and just five volunteers. The downward trend in volunteerism is not unique to Beacon. Across New York and the...
info_outline
How to become who you are, with Taylor Jackson (aka Black Satin Venus)
Beaconites!
Taylor Jackson’s introduction to astrology and the tarot was casual and fun, but quickly grew into a more dedicated practice. In our interview, she talks about the evolution of Black Satin Venus and how she supports her clients' spirtual, personal growth and mental health journeys. Taylor was raised Baptist, educated at Stanford and worked for a time in marketing before pouring her energy more fully into astrology, reiki and the tarot. Much of her work involves helping people articulate what they want and achieve harmony with their own “blueprint.” “To me, someone making...
info_outline
Transitioning, with Lucy Sante and Hannah Brooks
Beaconites!
Lucy Sante is the author of “Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York,” “The Other Paris,” and many other works. Her latest book, “I Heard Her Call My Name,” is a memoir that examines her life through the lens of gender and details her decision to transition from “Luc” to “Lucy” in her 60s. Hannah Brooks is an organizer of Beacon LitFest and a former surgeon. She had an Orthodox Jewish upbringing in Queens, and as a child and young adult grappled with her mother’s bipolar disorder. She moved to Beacon a few years ago and is an organizer of Beacon LitFest...
info_outline
The amazing and true adventures of Bob Bozic
Beaconites!
Bob Bozic’s life story reads like pulp fiction. After a tough upbringing, Bob ran away at 14 and lived on the streets of Toronto. A gangster bookie took him under his wing and taught him to fight. Bob won bout after bout, eventually becoming the amateur heavyweight boxing champ in Canada and fighting Larry Holmes at Madison Square Garden (Bob didn't fare well). After retiring in his 20s, Bob got mixed up in smuggling and attempted to rob a bank, among other crimes. He eventually married and had a child, earning money as a bouncer and bartender — including 25 years behind the bar at Fanelli...
info_outline
Shane Killoran, dramaturg and performing arts curator
Beaconites!
Shane Bly Killoran is the force behind a crazy assortment of film, theater and literary arts programming in Beacon — many under the banner of Hit House Creative. To list a few... She has curated movie screenings, documentary series’ and comedy standup nights at the Beacon Movie Theater. She’s about to kick off a series of play readings at Reserva, in which Hudson Valley playwrights (and other writers) will workshop their plays-in-progress in front of a supportive live audience. She has acted in plays including Red Silk and the Vagina Monologues. And she is a co-curator of Beacon...
info_outline
Fifty-plus years of music, with the Towne Crier owner Phil Ciganer
Beaconites!
The Towne Crier, founded by Phil Ciganer in the early 70s, has a long history staging folk acts in the Hudson Valley. As a young man, Phil prowled the folk scene in Greenwich Village, a wellspring of American music during the 60s. He initially based his venue in Beekman and has moved twice, most recently to Beacon 11 years ago. Among the first musicians to play the Towne Crier was Pete Seeger, and this interview contains some great lore about Beacon's favorite late native son. Speaking of which, the Crier will host its annual celebration of Pete's life on May 3, the anniversary of his...
info_outlineDiane Lapis, former president and current trustee at the Beacon Historical Society, comes on the podcast to discuss the life of a notable native son of Beacon. In the process she offers a deep-dive on the importance of postcards to the study of Beacon's history.
Harry Van Tine grew up in Beacon, the son of Robert Van Tine, who founded and operated the Van Tine stationery store. His early photographs were printed on hundreds of souvenir postcards and sold by the thousands at the family business. Harry worked as a photojournalist for the Hearst Corporation and was sent to Washington, D.C. to open a field office in 1915. Joining forces with other news photographers to gain better access at the White House, Van Tine helped found the White House News Photographers Assocation in 1921.
Harry's work will be featured in an upcoming exhibition at the Beacon Historical Society. "The Eyes of History" will present a century of the WHNPA's White House and presidential photography. These displays will be complimented with highlights from BHA's collection showcasing images from Harry's remarkable career.
You can support BHS's mission to promote, preserve, and procure the history of Beacon by becoming a member. Members received a monthly informative newsletter full of interesting vignettes about Beacon's history. Visit www.beaconhistorical.org for more stories, photos, and upcoming events. The historical society is open to the public Thursdays.